Reverend Mother Matrona of Moscow is the most revered old woman in the Russian Orthodox Church. Today, the prayer to Matrona of Moscow for help carries that positive and healing energy of God, which makes the soul feel lighter. Being blind and immobilized, homeless and illiterate, she wandered around Moscow houses. However, the most important thing that distinguished her from other people was that she had deep faith in Christ, which was given to help not only the saint herself, but also all the people whom she always willingly helped.
About Blessed Mother Matrona
Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova had the gift of healing, and could also open the secret curtain of the future and make predictions. She spent more than 50 years in a sitting position and was blind, but she saw through the inner world of people and always prayed for all those in need with her unceasing prayer.
Today, believers from all over Russia, those who know where the relics of Matrona of Moscow are, go to her to honor her memory and ask for protection and help. After all, many know the words of the holy old woman: “Everyone, everyone, come to me and tell me, as if alive, about your sorrows, I will see, listen and help you.”
Before answering the question of how to venerate the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, you must first familiarize yourself with the history of her life and holiness.
Folk customs when reading a prayer
Believers say that if you accompany the prayer to Matronushka with certain actions, they have great power. For example, before going to church to see the icon or relics of the Matrona of Moscow, it is better to leave a donation to the temple in the form of food, remembering that this is exactly the kind of gratitude the Saint received during her lifetime. They usually bring bread and other baked goods, tea, sugar, flour, nuts, and honey. You need to do this at least once a week for a month before the pilgrimage.
It is good to do a good deed: help the poor, donate money to the sick, etc. And you must go to Matrona with pure thoughts and firm faith in the fulfillment of what you want.
It is customary to bring Saint flowers alive. She loved white lilacs, chrysanthemums, red carnations, tulips, and any roses. According to the legends about Matronushka’s life, she was very fond of rowan berries brought from the frost. It is a good omen to plant a chokeberry tree in honor of the Saint. So Matrona will become the intercessor of the entire home and family.
Biography
In November 1881, a girl was born into an ordinary Nikonov family in the village of Sebino, in the Tula province, who was named Matrona. She became the fourth child in the family, as she already had two brothers and a sister. Poor Matronushka was born blind, and they already wanted to leave her in an orphanage. However, the mother had a prophetic dream: she saw a beautiful white bird that sat on her chest, which had no eyes. The parents guessed that Matrona would become God's chosen child by the beneficial cloud of smoke at the moment of her birth. Already at the age of eight, she had a strong faith in God, and soon the gift of a wise seer was revealed. Crowds of people began to come to her for help and healing. Matronushka became a real breadwinner in her family. And at the age of 18 her legs became paralyzed.
How does an icon help those praying?
At the insistence of the saint, the icon “Seeking the Lost” was painted for the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Matrona, at a young age, discovered this image in a book and decided to write it off. Together with their mother, they found an artist, whom the saint told to repent before starting work. The master lied about going to church and asking for absolution. Matrona felt this and told him to go and repent again. Only when she felt that the artist’s soul was not burdened by sins did she allow him to begin work.
That is why they often ask her for absolution, spiritual cleansing and forgiveness. It is also believed that the image helps:
- Find a worthy life partner.
- Save your family and build a happy marriage.
- Heal from physical and spiritual illnesses.
- Solve financial problems, escape from poverty.
- Protect yourself from intrigue and evil words.
Women who cannot get pregnant for a long time also turn to the saint. It is believed that Matrona also helps in the proper upbringing of children.
Pilgrimage
Having the gift of God, Matrona saved many people and was very kind to them. She had a bright face and a very gentle voice. She would pat everyone on the head, console them, and apply her sign of the cross, and this made people’s souls feel lighter, they were comforted and calmed down. Although she herself was very sick, no one heard any complaints from her.
Being very young, Matrona, together with the daughter of a local landowner, Lydia Yankova, made a pilgrimage to holy places. They visited the Kiev Pechersk and St. Petersburg Trinity-Sergius Lavras, as well as other holy places in Russia.
Matrona also visited the Kronstadt Cathedral in 1899. There, the Monk John of Kronstadt, at the end of the service, asked all the parishioners to make way and let Matrona through and said: “Matronushka, come, come to me. Here comes my shift—the eighth pillar of Russia.”
War
From 1942 to 1949, the Reverend Matrona lived with her fellow villagers - E. M. Zhdanova and her daughter Zinaida. For many years there has been a legend that was described in the book of memoirs of Zinaida Zhdanova “The Tale of Matrona”. During the Great Patriotic War, a serious threat arose that the capital would be captured by the German fascists; Stalin himself came to Matrona. She predicted the victory of the Russian people and said that he alone of all the authorities would not leave and would remain in Moscow. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of this event, but I think it happened.
From 1950 to 1952, she already lived in Skhodnya near Moscow with her distant relatives, the Kurochkins.
The holy elder Matrona predicted her death three days in advance. Being very sick, she still continued to see people. The holy mother died in the spring of May 2, 1952.
Miracles associated with the icon
During her lifetime, Matrona performed many miracles. There is a story according to which one man suffered from a leg ailment for a long time. He tried to recover, but nothing helped, so he gave up all attempts and began to ride in a wheelchair. Matrona found out about him and invited him to visit her, only telling him to get to her on his own feet.
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The man believed in the spiritual strength and wisdom of a woman. He almost crawled to her house. Matrona healed the patient and he walked back easily.
In the Intercession Monastery, where the relics of the saint are kept, there is a document. Various events associated with the image are added to it. One day, a miraculous icon saved a young mother from a fatal disease. In a cancer center in Moscow there was a young woman who had two children. Doctors fought for her life for a long time, but to no avail. The nurse who was caring for the patient went to church and prayed in front of the icon of Matrona. The priest also gave the girl dry roses, which had been kept next to the saint’s relics for a long time.
She took them to the patient and after a few days the dried flowers came to life, and a month later the woman who was supposed to die was suddenly healed.
Another story from the list says that one day a woman arrived at the chapel of the Danilovsky cemetery to pray to Matrona. She was completely healthy then, but still took some miraculous sand with her. Many years later, her sister was diagnosed with a late-stage malignant tumor. Doctors advised the family to prepare for the worst, but the woman remembered the sand. She gave it to her sister, told her how to pray to Matrona and advised her to apply it to the sore spot. One day, the sister asked Matrona for healing, and that same night the saint appeared to her in a dream. After some time, the woman completely recovered.
Relics of Matrona of Moscow. Monastery
The funeral service was conducted by Archpriest Nikolai Golubtsov, who revered Mother Matrona, in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. On May 4, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, the burial of the holy old woman took place, at which a large number of believers gathered. She was buried at the Danilovsky cemetery at the request of her mother herself. This church was one of the few that operated in Moscow, so she always wanted to “hear the service.”
On March 8, 1998, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, the incorrupt relics of Holy Mother Matrona were removed from the grave and were first taken to the Danilov Monastery, and then to the Pokrovsky Monastery.
Now pilgrims are always allowed to visit the relics of Matrona of Moscow from 6.00 to 20.00. They are placed in a silver shrine and are located in the Intercession Convent in Moscow. There is also a public exhibition with surviving photographs. And in the courtyard of the Trinity Church, not far from the Skhodnya station, a chapel was built in honor of the elder Mother Matrona.
But it’s not only there that you can venerate the saint. A particle of the relics of the Matrona of Moscow is in many Moscow churches. The remains are also transported to other cities.
How to achieve the patronage of the Blessed One and what help to expect
The miraculous power of the face of Saint Matrona and her relics is known not only throughout Russia, but also abroad. Turning to the Blessed One through a prayer book helps believers get rid of many problems:
- It heals patients from serious illnesses, especially helps restore the organ of vision.
- Mothers who have lost hope of having heirs are granted pregnancy.
- Protects from absurd death those who experience bitterness and longing for departed relatives.
- Maintains peace and harmony in the family, wards off fornication and bestows love.
- Eliminates hunger and poverty, improves material well-being.
- Patronizes babies, children without parents, the elderly and people with disabilities.
- Grants spiritual insight to those who have lost their way. Shows the path to enlightenment, growth and financial well-being through faith, trust and gratitude to God.
- She even saves unchurched people who come to her for help and support.
- Promotes insight, a change in values, enlightenment, and the search for one’s true purpose.
Even during her lifetime, the saint became interested in the gift of foresight of the great leader Stalin. Matrona predicted the powerful guest's future victory over fascism and his direct participation in this. She did not like to predict the future for ordinary people and tried to give information in fragments, thereby inspiring them to exploits or, conversely, protecting them from mistakes in the future.
Rules for turning to sainthood
It is possible to find spiritual contact with Matrona of Moscow through verbal or mental prayer. It is believed that the canonical petitions from the prayer book will be heard first. But it is possible to appeal in your own words, coming from a pure heart.
Any request must imply good intentions and in no way worsen the lives of other people. Once you speak the words, you must feel and believe what you are asking for. Your task is to open up as much as possible and humbly expect any impact, believing in a better fate.
You can address the saint by name - Matronushka. It was this kind of affectionate treatment that she loved. Touching the relics of the Blessed One or approaching her icon, you can feel strength, relief, and peace. Anxiety and denial come to those whose request is not accepted.
Matronushka may not hear the requests of people who violate God’s commandments, lead a consumer lifestyle, ignore other people’s pain, suffering, torment, who want to beat off someone else’s spouse or illegally inherit someone else’s property. To such sinners the blessed image may come in a dream with instruction and teaching.
The prayer of a saint can be very effective and powerful. To do this, we must not forget the way to church. Your faith must be constant and true. Attending services, receiving communion, confessing, giving alms and thanking God for everything that happens to you is what can bring you closer to the miraculous power of Matronushka.
The more often and more thoughtfully you pronounce the insightful text of the prayer service, the higher the chance of programming your brain for positive changes, setting yourself up for repentance, patience, hope and creativity. Reading a prayer requires some relaxation, calmness and getting rid of worldly vanity, problems, sorrows and everything negative.
Matrona of Moscow is especially revered on memorial days:
- May 2 is the day of her death and the day of canonization;
- November 22 is the birthday of the Wonderworker;
- March 8 – discovery of holy relics.
How to touch the relics and visit the grave of the soothsayer
The grave of the righteous old woman is located at the Danilovsky cemetery. There are always a lot of pilgrims here. They bring fresh flowers (Matrona did not like artificial ones), bow, kiss the cross, pray and ask for help, believing that the great Wonderworker will definitely hear them. A chapel named after Matrona of Moscow was installed at the grave.
You can get to the grave by metro. Exit to the station Tulskaya, and then walk for ten minutes along the road with signs. Tram number 26 and bus number 26 also go here. It is extremely difficult to get lost, because this path has already been mastered by thousands of believers who regularly come to the holy place to regain strength, confidence in the future, and strengthen faith in the Lord.
Since 1998, the relics of Matronushka have been located in the Intercession Monastery, at Taganskaya 58 (Moscow). It is open to pilgrims every day and is open from seven in the morning to eight in the evening. You can get here by metro to the station. Marxist and walk (20 minutes). Another option: go to the station. Peasant outpost and walk to Abelmanovskaya outpost (square) for ten minutes.
There is a holy spring on the territory of the monastery. It can be found next to the bell tower. There is also a children's area with swings, and a dining room for parishioners. At the very entrance there is a church shop where you can buy candles, icons with the image of the Wonderworker, and order prayers for health.
The main shrines (relics and icon) are located in the temple, where there are long queues. Everyone who comes here will be able to touch the special reliquary in which the relics of Matronushka are stored. This is a great chance to find God’s grace, be imbued with spiritual strength, and cleanse the soul of hardships and adversities. The monastery receives guests every day from seven in the morning to eight in the evening and awaits believers for morning and evening services.
How to venerate the relics of Matrona of Moscow?
Mother Matrona helps in all everyday matters. She is asked for intercession, healing and solutions to problems in personal life and business. Prayer to Matrona of Moscow for help helps to arrange your personal life, give birth to a child, or detect a loss. The humble prayer to the holy mother must be said sincerely and with attention. It begins with the words: “Oh, blessed mother Matrono...” The short prayer sounds like this: “Holy righteous old woman Matrono, pray to God for us!”
Before venerating the relics of Matrona of Moscow, we must first of all understand that this is how we show our reverence and respect to her incorruptible body, which testifies to her great spirituality and holiness. Reverence for shrines is an integral part of the culture of the Russian Orthodox people.
How to ask for help from Saint Matrona
You can ask for help from Saint Matrona not only from her Relics, but also in any church from any icon with her image, even at home. The main thing is that prayers must be sincere and come from the heart.
Before asking for help, it is advisable to feed a homeless person, help a shelter, feed homeless animals or birds, so the person asking will win over the Holy Blessed Matrona.
- How to ask for help in conceiving a child . Very often, women who are unable to conceive a child turn to Matrona of Moscow for help. You can ask for a child in your own words or in the words of prayer. The clergy advise those who want to conceive a child to come to the Intercession Monastery, stand in the general queue, venerate the relics and icon, and draw water. Some applicants note that pregnancy occurs almost immediately, others come several times and all to no avail. In this case, the priests say that you need to take the child from the orphanage and then God, through the prayers of Mother Matrona, will send his child.
- How to ask for health . Matrona willingly helps people maintain or restore poor health, both her own and those of loved ones. To do this, you should submit a note of health in the church, and then light a candle in front of the icon of the Matrona of Moscow and read a prayer. After this, you should cross yourself, and before leaving the temple, you need to buy 3 candles and draw holy water. At home, candles are lit near holy water and a prayer is read for the health of a loved one, imagining it in your imagination. The prayer is read alone, and holy water is added to the drinks of the person whose health is being asked for.
- How to Ask for Help About Marriage . In order to get married successfully, girls should read a prayer in front of the Matrona icon.
So, Mother Matrona is one of the most beloved and revered modern saints. Her Relics are located in Moscow in the Intercession Monastery. Every day a huge number of believers come there with their sorrows and sorrows, and some with gratitude for the help provided. You can turn to the Blessed One for help not only at her Relics in the Intercession Monastery, but also in any church, near any of her icons, or at home. The main thing is that the request comes from the heart and carries good intentions. Visiting the monastery and venerating the Holy Relics follows certain rules. It is very important, when the request is heard and fulfilled, to thank Holy Matrona for her help.
Application to the holy relics
Before venerating the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, you need to free yourself from bags and outerwear. In this way we show deep respect to the holy righteous Matronushka. So that after visiting the temple at least some shrine remains, you can ask the church minister to attach a small image or icon to the relics. True believers kiss the reliquary, expressing respect and love for the holy mother, then put their foreheads to it, which symbolizes an embrace.
How to venerate the relics of Matrona of Moscow? It is necessary to mentally say a prayer calmly and with concentration, then cross yourself twice. Next, you need to make two bows and put your lips to the shrine with the relics of the saint. Then cross yourself and bow again. Bows are best done from the waist so that the hand touches the ground.
The meaning of the holy icon in Orthodoxy
The oxbow in our culture is traditionally considered a symbol of wisdom. Physical blindness speaks of deep spirituality and inner strength. Therefore, the icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow is considered a protector from any evil.
During her lifetime, the woman helped people heal; her image is considered healing and prayers for the recovery of the sick are often said in front of it. Many believe that Matrona will help get rid of sins; they ask her for intercession before the Lord and help in finding the righteous path.
Flowers for Mother Matrona
In the temple there is a special custom of bringing living bouquets to Blessed Mother Matrona. Therefore, the chapel, where the shrine with holy relics is located, is always buried in fresh flowers. And what is most interesting is that the offering of some becomes a real gift for others, since the nuns present each visitor to the relics of St. Matronushka with a flower. These flowers are consecrated directly on the relics, and therefore they are then usually dried and stored in their corner near the icons. Flowers you can bring are carnations, roses of any color, white chrysanthemums, white lilacs, red tulips.
