Life of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kyiv
The life path of Metropolitan Vladimir was not easy, but in all events the servant of the Lord saw His providence and humbly accepted even the most terrible tragedies. Many religious and spiritual books came from the pen of the righteous man. He read sermons to believers outside of scheduled services, carried out work both with the highest clergy and with ordinary people, saying that pastors should be closer to the people.
Origin
On the first day of 1848, in the village of Malomorshevka near the city of Tambov, a boy was born into the family of the priest Nikifor Bogoyavlensky. The parents named the baby Vasily. Father Nikifor, known as a pious servant of God and the Orthodox Church, died untimely when his son was still small. The mother was entirely involved in raising the boy, instilling in him a love for the Lord and the Orthodox faith.
Education
Vasily received his first education in Tambov. The young man studied well, absorbed with interest the knowledge that was given by school teachers and teachers of theological school, which he successfully graduated from at the age of 16.
After college, Vasily entered the Tambov Theological Seminary, where he studied for the next 6 years. Subsequently, throughout his life, he recalled his student years with warmth, gratitude and kind words, respected and revered teachers and spiritual mentors.
Having completed his studies at the seminary, Vasily Bogoyavlensky went to Kyiv, where after 4 years he received a diploma from the Theological Academy and a confirmed degree of candidate of theology.
In 1974, the young righteous man returned to Tambov and began teaching. At the theological seminary, where he previously studied, Vasily taught several disciplines, and also worked as a teacher at the diocesan school for women, and then at a girls’ gymnasium. He later left teaching to serve in the temple.
Serving God
In 1882, Vasily Epiphany was ordained a priest and assigned to the Cathedral Church of the Intercession in the city of Kozlov. That same year he got married.
The young priest showed himself to be a competent, talented preacher and gained love and respect among the parishioners. Vasily showed his organizational, managerial and spiritual qualities. A year later, he became rector of the Kozlov Trinity Church and dean of the city’s churches.
While serving God went on as usual, the priest’s family was overtaken by grief. After a long battle with tuberculosis, his wife died, and soon his little daughter died. A series of terrible losses led Vasily to monasticism. At the age of 38, he took monastic vows with the name Vladimir, received the rank of archimandrite and took the post of rector of the Trinity monastery in Kozlov.
After 8 months, Vladimir was transferred to Veliky Novgorod and became the rector of the Anthony Monastery, and after two years of service in the monastery he received the rank of bishop and was appointed vicar of the diocese in Novgorod. All this time, Vladimir read sermons, and people listened to their father, who spoke to them with soul and heart in a simple and understandable language.
At 43, Vladimir became a bishop in Samara. In a short time, the righteous man organized the so-called “Alekseevsky Brotherhood” in the city, whose participants, led by the organizer himself, were engaged in religious and educational work. In the local Duma, the preacher established evening Orthodox reading, and also read spiritual literature within the walls of the seminary and contributed to the opening of women's schools at the church.
Bishop Vladimir monitored the progress of the services and the observance of Orthodox canons. He paid special attention to the splendor of the service and church hymns. Under Vladimir, 10 Orthodox churches were built in Samara. Vladyka was engaged in charity work, helping old, sick and disadvantaged people. During the cholera outbreak, the saint helped the people find solace in illness and sorrow, helped in the treatment of the infected, and performed funeral services for the dead.
After 1.5 years, Vladimir was appointed exarch of Georgia and elevated to the rank of archbishop. For the next 5+ years, the bishop read sermons, enlightening the Georgian people, opened hundreds of schools at churches, and fought against schismatics and sectarianism.
In 1898, the archbishop moved to Moscow, where he was ordained to the rank of metropolitan. 14 years of service in Moscow were not easy. The Metropolitan, who became a member of the Holy Synod in 1902, continued his good mission during the turbulent revolutionary times. The modest, wise, merciful bishop enjoyed respect and authority among priests and parishioners.
In 1912, Vladimir was transferred to St. Petersburg, where he took the post of metropolitan instead of the deceased Anthony. These were the difficult years of the beginning of the First World War and the “Rasputin” turmoil. The Metropolitan was of the opinion that it was necessary to remove Rasputin from among those close to the royal family and openly expressed it. The Empress did not support the ruler’s initiatives, and Vladimir was transferred to Kyiv.
Since 1915, Metropolitan of Kiev and Galicia Vladimir, who retained the right of the first member of the Holy Synod, continued his good mission. The Lord of All Ukraine in 1917, during the coup, spoke out against changing the structure of the diocese and for preserving the unity of the Orthodox Church.
Demise
At the height of the civil war, Kyiv was mired in robbery, banditry and violence. In the winter of 1918, an armed gang entered the Metropolitan’s chambers. Vladimir suffered severe torment at the hands of the attackers. After painful torture, he was shot near the walls of the Lavra. The bishop’s body, stabbed with bayonets and riddled with many gunshot wounds, was discovered by the brethren. The fingers of the Metropolitan's right hand were folded in a blessing gesture.
Vladimir accepted martyrdom with prayer, blessing and asking the murderers for forgiveness from the Lord for their deeds.
Exarch of Georgia
Since October 18, 1892, Vladimir was considered the Exarch of Georgia.
During his ministry, Father Vladimir made a huge contribution to the enlightenment of the lands of Georgia:
- More than 100 temples were built;
- More than 300 church schools opened;
- A diocesan missionary brotherhood was established.
This is interesting!
The title of exarch dates back to Ancient Greece. Such people were considered priests in the temple of one or another god. If we turn to the Orthodox Church, then the exarch is the independent head of Eastern Christianity, who does not depend on the patriarch. An interesting fact is that, despite their service, the local clergy was dissatisfied with Vladimir. His closest supporters said that Georgian priests often wrote denunciations to St. Petersburg. There are also testimonies of assassination attempts.
Meaning and veneration in Orthodoxy
Metropolitan of Kiev Vladimir Bogoyavlensky was elevated to the rank of saint by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992. The day of remembrance became the date of January 25, when the holy martyr was brutally killed. The date at the Local Council, held in the spring of 1918, was declared a day of remembrance for the victims of persecution of Orthodox Christians, confessors and new martyrs.
At the site of the Metropolitan’s death, a cross was erected, to which believers came to pray. His Beatitude Vladimir was revered among the Orthodox people. Many came to the Lord God after sermons and conversations with the Metropolitan during his lifetime. After death, the saint helps those praying in solving worldly problems.
The relics of the Most Holy Vladimir of the Epiphany are located on the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra within the walls of the cave church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On January 25, churches honor Saint Vladimir, glorify his deeds committed in the name of the development of Orthodoxy, and remember the torment that did not break the spirit of the righteous man.
Bishopric
The future life of Vladimir’s father was changing rapidly, so the following points can be highlighted:
- May 21, 1888 - approval by the emperor of the report on “the existence of Archimandrite Vladimir”, appointment as bishop of Starorussky and vicar of the Novgorod diocese.
- January 19, 1891 - becoming Bishop of Stavropol and Samara.
Icon of St. Vladimir of the Epiphany
When Vladimir took these positions, he began to treat his work even more reverently. He continued his preaching practice and personally spoke with parishioners in his free time. He did everything possible to improve the well-being of his dioceses.
Upon receiving second ranks, Father Vladimir:
- Founded a religious and educational brotherhood.
- He became the founder of the practice of spiritual and moral readings in the hall of the City Duma.
- Opened women's church schools.
- During the cholera epidemic in the Volga region, he performed memorial services in cemeteries in person and served prayer services in squares. In addition, he continued to instill faith in people who were infected with a terrible disease.
Soon Konstantin Pobedonostsev, a prominent statesman, learned about Father Vladimir. It was then that a rapid climb up the career ladder began.
St. Barsanuphievsky Convent
"IN
our age of vacillation and hesitation of both thought and conscience, when people adapt more to circumstances than listen to the dictates of conscience, the late archpastor showed a high example of such internal integrity, steadfastness and straightforwardness that it is difficult to find an equal to him.”
"In memory of the archpastor-martyr."
Additions to the Church Gazette No. 9-10. March 16 (29), 1918.
“I’m not afraid of anyone or anything. I am always ready to give my life for the Church of Christ and for the Orthodox faith, just to prevent her enemies from laughing at her. I will suffer to the end in order to preserve Orthodoxy in Russia where it began...”, Metropolitan of Kiev and Galicia Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) said these words a month and a half before his martyrdom on January 25 (February 7), 1918.
Future schmch. Vladimir (in the world Vasily Nikiforovich Bogoyavlensky) was born into a large family of a modest parish priest in the village of Malaya Morshevka, Morshansky district, Tambov province. About which the following entry was made in the registry book of the Nikolskaya Church: “Male infant Vasily, born on January 2, 1848, baptized on January 4 of the same year by priest Pyotr Fedorovich Nikolsky. Parents: St. Nicholas Church priest Nikifor Sergiev Epiphany and his legal wife Irina Antonova..."
The life of a rural priest in those years was not much different from the life of a peasant. Vasily knew firsthand how hard work on earth is, and throughout his entire pastoral career he took care of the needs of the people in a fatherly way and was “always especially simple and courteous” with them.
His father died when the boy was 9 years old, and the next year Vasily was sent to study, like his older brother John (born 1844), at the 1st Tambov Theological School. During his studies, Vasily was always among the top ten students. According to the memoirs of contemporaries Sschmch. It was a joyless experience for Vladimir to study at the bursa, they fed him from hand to mouth, wore scanty clothes, in winter the premises were almost not heated, the rules were more than strict. It must have been difficult for a modest to the point of shyness boy, left without the support of his father. However, in the last years of his life Sschmch. Vladimir loved to remember his years of study, remained grateful to his first mentors and brought back the fondest memories from his childhood.
In 1864, Vasily Bogoyavlensky graduated from the Tambov Theological School and, as one of the best students, was enrolled in the Tambov Theological Seminary without exams. From 1870 to 1874, Vasily studied at the Kyiv Theological Academy, after which he was appointed as a teacher at his native seminary. His students recalled that Vasily Nikiforovich was strict, demanding that seminarians know the subject, but personal communication with them was fatherly simple.
In 1876, Vasily Nikiforovich married the daughter of the Kirsanov archpriest Alexandra Vasilyevna Saltykova. The happiness of the young couple is overshadowed by the illness of their wife. The lack of funds forces Vasily Nikiforovich to work part-time at the diocesan women's school and at the men's gymnasium. On the advice of doctors, almost every year he takes his wife to the Caucasus for treatment. Conscientious, efficient and careful, he quickly moves up the career ladder. However, Vasily Nikiforovich is tormented by dissatisfaction with the results of his pedagogical work, but he is in no hurry to accept holy orders.
On January 31, 1882, Vasily Nikiforovich was ordained as a priest and appointed assistant rector of the cathedral Church of the Intercession in the city of Kozlov (Michurinsk). Soon, Father Vasily, “driven by a thirst for independent activity,” became the rector of the Trinity Church in Kozlov, and in 1883, the dean of the city churches. In this position, Father Vasily showed “extraordinary restraint in all actions and deeds.” Later, the clergy recalled him this way: “He didn’t touch anyone, didn’t offend anyone, was even with everyone, treated everyone equally, was kind to everyone...”, performed divine services “delicately, orderly and reverently...”.
In the fall of 1885, his beloved wife died, followed by his only son. Father Vasily endures his bereavement with steadfastness, trusting in God and seeking consolation only in Him. Seeing the Providence of God in these sorrowful events, he accepted monasticism and gave his name in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. “On February 8, 1886, on Saturday, during the all-night vigil, in the Bishop’s Cross Church, the priest of the Trinity Church in Kozlov, Vas, was tonsured. Epiphany, on February 9 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite” and appointed rector of the Kozlovsky Trinity Monastery.
Archimandrite Vladimir served in his new position for only a few months. In October 1886, he was appointed rector of the Anthony Monastery in Veliky Novgorod, and a little over two years later - vicar of the Novgorod diocese with the rank of Bishop of Starorussky. After the consecration, which took place in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra on June 3, 1888, General Kireev approached him. “How old are you, Master?” - he asked. I answered: “Forty years.” The general sighed, thought about it and said: “Oh, you will see a lot of terrible things in the life of the Church if you live at least another twenty-five years.” Vladyka treated these words of General Kireev as a prophecy, and recalled them with sorrow in troubled times.
With apostolic zeal, His Eminence Vladimir preached the word of God, demanding the same from the clergy. According to reviews of Novgorod residents, “the simple, artless form of speech was warmed by the fire of such deep sincerity that it made an amazing impression, irresistibly captivating the listeners. It is not surprising that the church where the bishop preached was always full.”
All-Russian fame came to the saint when he headed the Samara See. This is how Bishop Seraphim (Alexandrov) recalled his service: “He was a minister who amazed us, young ministers of the Church, with his love for the reverent service of God, his zeal for the work of preaching... The people remembered his service for decades, and the highest praise for the ministers of the Church were the words: “You serve as our Lord Vladimir.” Thanks to the Vladyka’s care, about 150 parochial schools were opened, and about 10 new churches were built.
In 1891, famine began in the Volga region, followed by a cholera epidemic. At that time, “when power was lost, he was the first to go to the people with a cross in his hands...”. The Bishop collects donations for victims of cholera and famine, organizes free canteens, fearlessly visits cholera barracks, serves in cholera cemeteries and places affected by the epidemic, encourages the desperate, calls on everyone to come to the aid of the sick and starving. He asks Senator Koni to take a piece of “hungry bread” to St. Petersburg in order to draw the attention of those in power to the plight of the people, which was hidden by the local authorities.
Archpriest recalled how the people of Samara said goodbye to Vladyka when he was appointed exarch of Georgia in 1892. I. Lazarev: “Yes! His Eminence Vladimir was accessible to the common people, as rarely are persons invested with such a high rank accessible! We heard from many who saw the bishop’s farewell that they had never seen such a heartfelt farewell. “It was the Father, not the Lord! - the common people characterized him in their own way.”
During the five years of the Bishop’s service in the Caucasus, more than 100 churches were built there, the ancient Mtskheta Cathedral and other shrines of Iberia were restored, and a missionary spiritual and educational brotherhood was established. Through the efforts of Bishop Vladimir, the Theological Seminary was established in Kutaisi, over 300 parochial schools were opened, in which, in addition to the Orthodox, Muslims and Jews, Protestants and Armenians, Old Believers and children of sectarians studied.
Despite all the labors and concerns about the Georgian flock, the Bishop suffered not only numerous denunciations and slander, but also an attempt on his life. “I saw Vladyka Vladimir directly after everything that happened: it was a truly wonderful peace of mind, which is given only by deep faith and the peace of a pure and righteous conscience.” His meekness and gentleness are amazing. Saying goodbye to the Georgian flock, he, now the Metropolitan of Moscow, said: “Let me go in peace and love. If, through inattention, or through misunderstanding, or through an incorrect view of things, I have offended or upset someone, cover it with your love...”
14 years of service to the schmch. Vladimir (from 1898 to 1912) were held at the ancient Moscow department. And here Metropolitan Vladimir showed himself as an apostle of love. “We must first of all think not about what to take from the people, but about what we ourselves can give to them,” the saint told the Moscow seminarians, teaching not so much by word as by his own example. Metropolitan Vladimir tirelessly serves, preaches, creates charitable and educational institutions, almshouses and shelters. He helps Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna in the founding of the Marfo-Mariinsky monastery. Publishes and distributes thousands of brochures and leaflets free of charge. Through the efforts of the Bishop, a Diocesan House is being built in the center of Moscow. It hosts lectures, readings, conversations, a library with a reading room, and folk church choirs. The saint devotes a lot of energy to the fight against popular drunkenness. Responding to all the pressing issues of his time, sschmch. Vladimir sharply denounces the spreading socialist and atheistic ideas, often without finding support among the authorities and the clergy. During the revolution of 1905–1907, the ruler traveled to factories and factories and spoke among the workers. Possessing modesty and a gentle character from birth, His Grace Vladimir was firm and incorruptible in matters of defending the purity of the faith. These qualities became the cause of many trials that befell the bishop during the management of the Moscow, St. Petersburg, and then the Kyiv diocese.
Three years of ruling the capital's St. Petersburg diocese turned out to be extremely difficult for Vladyka Vladimir. His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon later spoke about the activities of the bishop in that period: “He was faithful to the canons of the Holy Orthodox Church, the traditions of the fathers, and fearlessly and boldly, honestly and nobly confessed this jealousy that consumed him in front of everyone, no matter what consequences it was accompanied by.”
The First World War was going on. Russia was already gripped by revolutionary sentiments. All this affected the state of the Church. Not everyone liked Metropolitan Vladimir’s opposition to the destructive trends of the times and political intrigues. Denunciations rained down on the saint who defended the interests of the Church. Metropolitan Vladimir, the leading member of the Holy Synod, fell out of favor for his open rejection of Rasputin's activities and in November 1915 was transferred to the Kyiv, then provincial, department.
One bishop, seeing off the disgraced saint, told him: “You were the first hierarch among us not only in your social position, but also in your high spiritual qualities... You were not afraid to speak the truth, consciously exposing yourself to grief and suffering, and you endured them with the greatest firmness of soul." And to the proposal of Archbishop Arseny (Stadnitsky) to retire, the metropolitan elder replied: “Yes, judging by human considerations, I agree with you... But in God’s way?”
As the leading member of the Synod, the Bishop had to spend a lot of time in the capital. In 1917, he participated in the activities of the All-Russian Local Council in Moscow. At the Council, historical decisions were made in the life of the Church, and the patriarchate was restored. “On November 5 (18), in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev brought the reliquary containing the lots to the pulpit, blessed those present with it and opened the seals. The Elder of Zosimova Hermitage, Hieroschemamonk Alexy, after praying, took the lot out of the reliquary and handed it over to the Metropolitan. The saint read loudly: “Tikhon, Metropolitan of Moscow – axios!”
Addressing Metropolitan Vladimir, who was giving way to Patriarch Tikhon as primate bishop, Archbishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky) said: “While others completely lied and constantly betrayed their convictions, Metropolitan Vladimir was not afraid to speak “the truth to the kings” and not “with a smile,” as our ancient poet, but with tears, consciously exposing himself to suffering, and at the same time, enduring all everyday sorrows with humility and the greatest firmness of soul.”
The October Revolution of 1917 caused disruption in the political and church life of Ukraine. Metropolitan Vladimir defended the unity of the Church, calling to prevent schism, warning that separation, “of course, will only please internal and external enemies.” He called on the clergy and laity to “maintain by all means unity among themselves and with the entire Orthodox Russian Church.” Threats and insults rained down on the bishop. The nationalists stirred up the brethren of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra against him, spreading slander that he was “robbing the Lavra, receiving huge amounts of money.”
With the capture of Kyiv by the Bolsheviks, looting, violence, and desecration of churches and monasteries began. (January 25) On February 7, 1918, armed people broke into the chambers of Metropolitan Vladimir and, after mocking him, took the seventy-year-old elder outside the walls of the Lavra. “Vladyka was calm,” recalled his cell attendant, “as if he was going to serve the liturgy.”
Professor of the Kyiv Theological Academy, Archpriest Theodore Titov, in his 1918 book “A Wreath on the Grave of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir,” describes the last moments of his life from the words of an eyewitness: “When the murderers took the Metropolitan out of the car and stopped on the site, the archpastor-martyr asked them for more time. pray to God. One of the killers said: “Just hurry up.” Then the Metropolitan raised his hands up and said: “Lord! Forgive my sins - voluntary and involuntary, and accept my spirit in peace." Then he blessed his killers in the shape of a cross with both hands and said: “The Lord blesses and forgives you.” The Metropolitan had not yet given up when shots rang out. His body, disfigured by stab and gunshot wounds, was found the next morning by pilgrims going to the Lavra.
The martyrdom of Saint Vladimir shocked the participants of the Local Council. Many saw in this death ominous omens of future bloody events. The Council established annually on February 7, the day of the death of Metropolitan Vladimir, to prayerfully remember all the new martyrs and confessors, “who laid down their lives for faith in Christ during the days of the godless persecution.” Indeed, his death marked the beginning of a period of persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church, during which hundreds of thousands of priests, monks and laity accepted the crown of martyrdom, testifying to the faith of Christ even to death.
At a meeting of the Council dedicated to the memory of the murdered Metropolitan Vladimir, Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', said: “We deeply believe that this martyrdom of Bishop Vladimir was ... a fragrant sacrifice to cleanse the sins of the great Mother Russia.” Many were touched by the speech of Archpriest John Vostorgov, who was shot a few months later. “Our people committed a sin, and sin requires atonement and repentance, and to atone for the sins of the people and to encourage them to repentance, a sacrifice is always required, and the best are always chosen as sacrifices, not the worst. This is where the mystery of the martyrdom of the Metropolitan elder lies. Pure and honest, church-minded, truthful, humble Metropolitan Vladimir immediately grew in the eyes of believers through his martyrdom, and his death, like all life, without pose and phrase, cannot pass without a trace.”
Metropolitan Vladimir was buried in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the Near Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. The archpastor-confessor was glorified as a saint in the spring of 1992. And on June 27 of the same year, his honest relics were opened for veneration, which now rest in the Annunciation Church of the Far Caves. The imperishable hand of the saint remained frozen in the archpastoral blessing.
Bless us too, Hieromartyr Vladimir, to live our earthly life with dignity and honesty and to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Prayer to Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv and Galicia
About the holy martyr and confessor of Christ Vladimir! Hear the tearful prayers of your children and the sighs offered by a contrite and humble heart. We are therefore darkened by lawlessness, and for this reason we are covered with troubles, like clouds. But you, Saint Vladimir, bear our weaknesses as you are strong, do not separate from us in spirit, so that we may not be separated in the end from the love of God. Look mercifully at those standing and praying before your holy icon and fulfill all their requests for good. We believe that because of your suffering for the sake of the fatherland and the people of Russia, you have great boldness in the Lord. Pray to Him, may he strengthen us in Orthodoxy and unanimity and unshakable even to death confession of the faith of Christ, may he save our country from internecine warfare, may our shepherd give spiritual sobriety and zeal for the salvation of his flock, may the ruler judge justice and truth, intercede to the offended, and to the ailing souls and bodily healing. We, sinners, strengthened by your intercession, will praise the Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion, tone 2
The immaculate guardian and zealous fulfiller of the Orthodox faith and the zealous executor of the commandments of Christ, Hieromartyr Vladimir, having loved Christ with all your heart, you have preserved your flock well, you have kindly accepted martyrdom. For this reason, abiding in eternal glory, pray for our souls to be saved.
Kontakion, tone 4
Revealing the image of Christ's mercy, the protection and protection of your flock, you were the saint, Father Vladimir, in the meekness of suffering you accepted, blessing the godless tormentors, you forgave. In the same way, ask us from Christ God for a spirit of peace and great mercy.
In 1888, Vladimir Epiphany was consecrated Bishop of Starorussky
In 1888, in the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, he was consecrated Bishop of Starorussky. This consecration was led by the Novgorod St. Petersburg Metropolitan Isidore.
Metropolitan Isidore led the consecration of Vladimir
At this time, Vladimir travels around all the dioceses and begins to compile journals with detailed information about churches and parish schools. He is trying to liven up this parish life a little. In order for the clergy to improve their educational level, he prepared for them a whole list of books that they were supposed to find in church libraries.
In 1890, he personally attended the opening of the church library. He also conducted extra-liturgical conversations. They concerned issues of faith and morality. This is exactly how in 1888, in the St. Sophia Cathedral, he read a cycle of 18 conversations that were devoted to the religious and moral education of children.
Vladimir also paid attention to parochial schools. It was then that he began the most important task of combating drunkenness.
In 1888, Vladimir led the celebration in Novgorod in honor of the Baptism of Russia. Then on that day the transfer of the Staraya Russa Icon of the Mother of God from Tikhvin to Staraya Russa took place.
1891
this year Vladimir was appointed to the Samara department
In 1891, a severe crop failure began in the Samara province, because of this the city was struck by severe famine and a cholera epidemic. At the same time, Vladimir organized a fundraiser and distribution of donations in the diocesan house. At monasteries and fairly wealthy parishes, canteens and teahouses began to open for the poor and all students.
Also in the squares, prayer services were performed in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God for deliverance from cholera. In his sermons, Vladimir called on city residents to help the sick.
In 1892, in Samara, he organized a religious and educational brotherhood in the name of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 2
The immaculate guardian of the Orthodox faith/ and the zealous executor of the commandments of Christ,/ Hieromartyr Vladimir,/ having loved Christ with all my heart,/ thou hast well taken care of thy flock,/ kindly You have accepted the death of the chen./ For this reason, abiding in eternal glory,// pray for our souls to be saved.
Troparion, tone 4
You fought a good fight, like the saint of Christ, / keeping the Orthodox faith immaculately, / in the days of persecution of the fierce tormentors, you were not afraid of repression, / Hieromartyr Vladimir, / like the first martyr Stephen, to those who kill you you say:/ May the Lord forgive you/ For this reason have you been prepared for a crown of righteousness ,/may the Lord reward him with your prayers//to all who honor you.
Kontakion, tone 2
Showing the image of Christ's mercy,/ you were the protection and protection of your flock,/ you were the holy hierarch Father Vladimir,/ in meekness and gentleness you accepted suffering,/ you blessed and forgave the godless tormentors You are./ In the same way, ask us from Christ the God// a spirit of peace and greatness mercy.
Kontakion, voice 3
to transfer the relics
In the time of fierce persecution, the true priest of Christ appeared, / first affirming the word of the Gospel, / and offering a bloodless Sacrifice to the Lord, / and followed with your blood in holiness Who has entered,/ Hieromartyr Vladimir,/ pray to Christ God,/ to give unity to our Church and to the fatherland to be preserved from the captivity of the anti-Christ fighters, // and to improve the salvation of our souls.
Metropolitan of Moscow
On January 21, 1898, he was appointed Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, Holy Archimandrite of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Upon arrival in the old capital, Vladimir was greeted magnificently at the station.
Book by Vladimir Bogoyavlensky “The Winegrower of Christ”
In his new post, he was diligently engaged in missionary work and education. He opposed the revolutionary movements in Russia. Vladimir himself gave lectures, conducted seminars, and talked with parishioners.
