No. 16 Eduard STOROZHENKO (Russia, Smolensk) The life and suffering of the holy martyr Mercury of Smolensk

For the term "Saint Mercury" see also other meanings.

Monument “From the Grateful People of Smolensk” at the site of the death of Mercury of Smolensky
Mercury of Smolensky

(d. 1239) - Orthodox saint, revered among the martyrs. The memory is celebrated on November 24 (December 7) with a six-day service.

Biography[ | ]

Mercury was a Slav from Moravia and came from a princely family. At a young age he came to Smolensk and entered the service of the Smolensk prince. According to the life, a monument of ancient Russian literature “The Tale of Mercury of Smolensk,” Mercury was distinguished by piety and “a pious life: he labored in fasting and chastity.”

He suffered martyrdom in 1239 during the invasion of Batu Khan on Smolensk. According to legend, when the Tatar troops stood 25 versts from the city, on Dolgomostye, the Mother of God appeared to the local sexton praying at night in the cathedral in front of the icon of the Mother of God and ordered him to call Mercury.

Saint Mercury, together with the sexton, went to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the temple they found a candle that was burning in front of the icon of the Mother of God. Saint Mercury, falling in front of the icon, began to pray with tears, asking the Most Holy Lady for help and intercession. Then suddenly a voice was heard from the icon:

My servant Mercury, I am sending you to repel enemies from this city and protect this temple... In this battle you will defeat your enemies and you yourself will receive from the Lord a crown of victory and eternal bliss[1].

Mercury obeyed the command of the Mother of God and at night went to the enemy camp, where, according to life, he destroyed many enemies, including a certain giant, who instilled fear in everyone with his strength. During the battle, the son of the slain giant cut off Mercury’s head, but the Tatars fled in fear: “throwing away their weapons, driven by some unknown force, they fled from the city, under which so many of the best fighters died, and withdrew from the borders of Smolensk.”

Mercury's body was buried by residents in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk.

Akathist to the Holy Martyr Mercury of Smolensk

Kontakion 1

Chosen defender of the city of Smolensk, illuminated by the dominion of Hodegetria, strong victor, more suffering than Christ, as if having boldness towards the One who sent you to this feat, pray for our souls to be saved, and we cry to you in gratitude:

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Ikos 1

As an angel of a participant, who despised the wisdom of the evil one and left the princely family and wealth in his fatherland and was called to perform the glorious miracle of the Mother of God in the city of Smolensk, adorned with chastity, let us sing blatantly:

REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIRLED WITH THE BELT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM YOUTH. REJOICE, REJECT EARTHLY SWEETS. REJOICE, THOSE DESPISABLE GLORY OF CORRUPTIONAL. REJOICE, THIRD VIRGIN, PLANTED IN ROME. REJOICE, THOSE MOVED TO THE HOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF LIGHT. REJOICE, GLORIOUS HODEGETRIA'S CHOICE. REJOICE, HER DECORATION. REJOICE FOR THE MIRACLE OF HER FULFILLMENT. REJOICE, THE TERRIBLE VOIVOSHDA HAVE BEEN CHOSEN. REJOICE, THOSE CROWNED PASSION-BEARER. REJOICE, TASTE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, SMOLENSK MIRACLE WORKER

Kontakion 2

Seeing the city near destruction, the Mother of God, as if the waves had destroyed his regiments of the Christ-fighter, the ambassador of the guardian of Her church in the night, may she call upon Mercury and say to him: “The sword of victory, a strong sword, will be given to you by the Joyful One, come, Mercury, as the Lady calls you, Say to God: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 2

Knowing that the guard will come to You quickly, being terrified, hasten to Your gates and say to you:

REJOICE, YOU WHO HAVE COMPLIED THE CALLINGS OF THE LORD. REJOICE, ENLIGHTENED BY THE SHINE OF THE DIVINE STARS. REJOICE, SOLID CITY OF OUR HOPE. REJOICE, ARMED WITH THE WEAPON OF PIETY. REJOICE, FOR THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN HAS ESTABLISHED YOU A PROTECTOR. REJOICE, YOU HAVE NO EQUAL RESISTANT. REJOICE, OUR VICTORY IS UNDOUBTED. Rejoice, the shame of the disbelievers is strong. REJOICE, THOSE WHO AVOID FEARLESS DEFEAT. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BEEN LIKE DAVID TO BATTLE WITH GOLIATH. REJOICE, YOU KISSING WITH LOVE SUFFERING. REJOICE, THOSE WHO AWAIT DEATH WITH JOY.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 3

Awakened by the power of the Divine voice, Saint Mercury arose, armed with armor and military weapons, and especially with trust in the one Almighty, he went out at the voice of the guard to the temple of the Mother of God, joyfully crying out in his heart: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 3

Those who have an orbiting mind will not utter how a voice came from Your icon, Lady, to Mercury, commanding to come out to defeat the unfaithful forces: but with awe before Your miraculous, Hodegetria, worshiping the icon, we cry out to Your warrior:

REJOICE, THOSE WHO CLOTHED IN THE PURPHERE OF INCORPERABILITY. REJOICE, TOUCHED BY SUFFERING. REJOICE, I SWORD THE FIRE LORD HODEGETRIA. REJOICE, GLORIOUS COPY OF VICTORY. REJOICE, THOSE WHO PROTECT US. REJOICE, Thou art invulnerable to the armor of Evil's arrows. REJOICE, STORM, DISPERSING CLOUDS OF DESPONDERNESS. REJOICE, THOSE WHO ESTABLISH US IN TRUE FAITH. REJOICE, HUMBLE Servant of God. REJOICE, YOU HAVE REPAIRED THE VAINLESS PRIDE OF THE LORD. REJOICE, YOU ASSIGNED TO HEAVEN. REJOICE, THOSE WHO PRAYED FOR US.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 4

The proud bastard rose against the city of the Mother of God with a storm of fierce thoughts. But he was quickly defeated by the power of the valiant warrior Mercury, so that the citizens of this day may praise this victory of deliverance, bringing to the Lord the song: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 4

Hearing the armies of the infidels and seeing themselves defeated, horrified, but not abandoning his proud desire, he saw the slain giant, not turning back, but coming to the gates of the city of Smolensk, where Mercury returned and received them with his undaunted sword, we call to him:

REJOICE, YOU GLORIOUS IN VICTORY. REJOICE, LIGHTNING SENT FROM THE HEAVEN. REJOICE, CHERUB HAVE WEAPONS. REJOICE, THOSE WHO FLAME WITH THE HIGH GLORY. REJOICE, HOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD UNTIL DEATH BELOVED. REJOICE, YOU LOVE YOUR SOUL FOR YOUR POSITIVE OTHERS. REJOICE, THOSE CROWNED BY YOUR BLOOD. REJOICE, YOU ARE ASCENDED BY YOUR HUMILITY. REJOICE, O EAGLE SOARING IN THOUGHTS ON THE HEIGHTS. REJOICE, O GLORIFIER OF THE LORD WITH THE ANGELS. REJOICE, TOO UPON THE THRONE OF THE LORD. REJOICE, THOSE WHO DO NOT LEAVE HIS CITY. REJOICE, LAMB OF THE HIGH SHEPHERD. REJOICE, THOSE WHO STAND IN PRAYER FOR HIM. REJOICE, FLOWER OF THE HEAVENLY CITY. REJOICE, O LIGHT FROM THE HEAVENLY LIGHT.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 5

The most pure Hodegetria, appearing like a godlike star in the majesty of Her glory, her regiments illuminated by her possessions, so that we strengthen them with the vision, Mercury says to Christ God: ALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 5

Seeing the regiments of wickedness, the Sun-transparent Woman and with Her the lightning-fast men, they cried out with a great voice and fled to shame from the holy city: we, having blocked ours, Mercury, will sing:

REJOICE, OUR BRIGHT HOPE. REJOICE, INVINCIBLE DEFENSE OF THE CITY OF SMOLENSK. REJOICE FOR YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE BARBARIANS. REJOICE, YOU ARE UNITED WITH THE HEAVENLY ARMY. REJOICE, YOU SEE THE DAWN OF THE DIVINE SUNRISE BEFORE YOUR SETTING. REJOICE, YOU ILLUMINATED BY HER LIGHT. REJOICE, FOR HODIGETRIA GUIDED YOU TO THE ABSOLUTION OF HONESTYA. REJOICE, Thou who art raised up to the right hand of glory. REJOICE, MARTYR COMING INTO HEAVEN. REJOICE, YOU HAVE REACHED THE DESIRED COAST. REJOICE, YOU HAVE COME TO THE LAND OF HEAVENLY CANAAN.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 6

You were the preacher of the miracle of the Mother of God, Saint Mercury, who was beheaded from the son of a giant, brought his head to the city and praised the Almighty Queen with dead lips, singing: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 6

Rising like a star with chastity and piety in the city of Smolensk, even more beautiful in the blood of the martyr, we see you with love and cry:

HAIL, DEAD LIVING VICTOR. REJOICE, THOSE WHO ARE LIVING RAISED AFTER DEATH. REJOICE, O MOST STRONG SUFFERER. REJOICE, FOOTHOLD OF THE LORD'S DECORATION. REJOICE, FOR YOUR CROWN WILL BE WEAVED BY THE HAND OF AN ANGEL. REJOICE, FOR YOUR BODY HAS BEEN GLORED BY INCORPOSIBILITY. REJOICE, YOU ARE ASSUMED TO HEAVEN. REJOICE, FOR YOU WAS PLACED IN THE TEMPLE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD. REJOICE, THOSE HAVE BEEN SENT AS A GUARDIAN FOR THE STRENGTH OF OUR CITY. HAIL, QUEEN OF HEAVENLY WARRIOR. REJOICE, O LIGHT, FROM THE HEAVENLY LIGHT, THE LIGHT IS BURNED. REJOICE, THOSE WHO LOOK AT HODIGETRIA.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 7

The citizens of this day, fulfilling the voice of the Mother of God, wished to exalt worthy the defender of their holy Mercury, bringing his body to the glorious city and laying it in the Church of the Great Mother of God, singing in the original songs to God: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 7

A new radiant star, like a star, appears, blessed Mercury, to the city of Smolensk, resting in the house of His Lady, guard it like a faithful and strong guardian; for this reason we call:

REJOICE, BELOVED REFUGE OF THE FAITHFUL. REJOICE, TERRIBLE TERRIFIER OF THE Wicked. REJOICE, HEALING OUR ILLNESSES. REJOICE, OUR SORRY AND TROUBLE O O conqueror. REJOICE, FOR AS ANCIENT OF THY POWER WAS THE SOURCE OF MIRACLES. REJOICE, FOR YOUR VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND IN THE ROYAL CITY OF MOSCOW HAS BEEN KEPT UNTO THIS TIME INCORPORATIVE. REJOICE, BLESSED BY YOUR SUFFERING. REJOICE, YOU WATERED THE SMOLENSK EARTH WITH YOUR BLOOD. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE THE ROOM OF THE LIGHT. REJOICE FOR YOUR TERRIBLE VICTORY IS AMAZING. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE BRIDAL HALL. REJOICE FOR YOUR GLORIOUS DEATH IS TOUCHING. REJOICE, O GLORIFIER OF THE LORD WITH THE ANGELS. REJOICE, TOO UPON THE THRONE OF THE LORD.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 8

Seeing a strange miracle, glorious martyr Mercury, thy truncated head saying, thy body lifted up by the power of the Most Pure Mother of God, guiding thee into her city, in the saints of the wondrous God we sing with fear: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 8

The entire incorruptible spirit moved into the heavenly palace, not leaving his city on earth, Mercury, but appearing to the guardian of the Church of the Mother of God and saying: my sword is the defeat of enemies, my spear and shield - with which this city is covered, as if covered with a visor, carry it over my humble tomb, may the city of Smolensk be covered with invincible victory, by the power of Christ God and the Incorruptible Maiden. To the same intercessor we sing:

Rejoice, unquenchable FLAME OF CHRIST'S LOVE. REJOICE, INVULNERABLE STING OF DEATH. REJOICE, THOSE WHO ARE CLOTHED IN THE ARMS OF HEAVENLY GOODNESS. REJOICE, YOU LEAVE YOUR EARTHLY WEAPONS FOR THE PLEASURE OF YOUR CITY. REJOICE, THOSE WHO REST IN THE HOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD. Rejoice, you who remain in constant prayer for Him. REJOICE, BLESSED ONE IN HEAVEN. REJOICE, O GLORIOUS ONE ON EARTH. REJOICE, PURE BEAD OF THE CITY OF SMOLENSK. REJOICE, HIS IMPROPERABLE TREASURE. REJOICE, THOSE SHINING WITH THE GLORY OF THE MOST HIGH. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE THE SIGN OF VICTORY.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 9

All angelic nature received you with love, Mercury, like the passion-bearer of Christ, bearing a fiery weapon, you copulated with an incorruptible regiment, in the abodes of the Heavenly Father, singing to the Unevening Light: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 9

The powers of your miracles are unknown to wise men, O Lord! Let us be like a child, theirs is the Kingdom of the Unevening Light, singing: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 9

The powers of your miracles are unknown to wise men, O Lord! Let us be like a child, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, and let us sing, through You, Christ, made wise, to Your valiant warrior Mercury:

REJOICE, YOU HAVE RIGHTED THOSE WHO WORSHIP IDOLS. REJOICE, YOU LEAD TO THE TRUE GOD. REJOICE, O FIRE THAT IGNITES HEARTS. REJOICE, WHO BROUGHT THEM TO THE LORD HODEGETRIA. REJOICE, FOR THOSE FALLING INTO THE ABYSS OF PERIOD WONDERFUL INTERCESS. REJOICE, O SILENT PRAISE OF THOSE BEING DELIVERED. REJOICE, THOSE WHO LOOK FROM HEAVEN ON THOSE TROUBLED BY THE EVILE ENEMY. REJOICE, THOSE WHO CONFIRM THEM IN THE DIVINE TRUTH. REJOICE, WONDERFUL CONSOLIATION IN TROUBLES. REJOICE, ASCENDED GREATNESS OF THOSE FLOWING TO YOU. REJOICE, OUR SWEET JOY, REJOICE, STRONG HOPE IN TROUBLES.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY OF SMOLENSK MIRACLE WORKER.

Kontakion 10

To save your soul, you hated earthly sweets, O blessed Mercury, and you bowed your head under the sword of the giant, the conqueror, and you died a martyr, singing to God: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 10

You are the invincible wall of our city, Mercury, who invisibly abided in it, Intercessor, and pray for us to Christ God and the Mother of God who gave birth to Him, from Her you have an immaterial sword, with which you have cut down air demons and frightened visible enemies, with the same we call to you:

REJOICE, O SWORD OF VICTORY, UNDOUBTABLE. REJOICE, OUR UNSHAMELESS HOPE. REJOICE, CHRIST'S FAITHFUL SLAVE. REJOICE, WONDERFUL HODIGETRIAN MESSENGER. REJOICE, THROUGH THE NARROW GATE YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO THE ETERNAL LIFE. REJOICE, YOU HAVE REJECTED THE WIDE GATES OF PERIOD. REJOICE, GLORIOUS DESPITIVE GENERAL ON EARTH. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST. REJOICE, O VIRGIN, THOSE WHO SEE GOD WITH A PURE HEART. REJOICE, MARTYR, FOR THY REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN. REJOICE, THOSE WHO DO NOT LEAVE HIS CITY. REJOICE, THOSE WHO STAND IN PRAYER FOR HIM.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 11

We offer joyful singing to you, holy Mercury, who shed our blood for Christ and for the city of the Mother of God and who has taken up residence in the heavenly palace, where you pray for us unworthy and eat to God: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 11

Place the luminous crown of the Divine Star Hodegetria on your head, martyr, with His rays kindling in your heart the fire of sacred love, bright warrior of the Heavenly King, to whom we joyfully call:

REJOICE, ILLUSTRATED FROM HIGH. REJOICE, BLINDED WITH BLESSANCE. REJOICE, THOSE WHO STRIVE TO THE SUN OF CHRIST. REJOICE, YOU SHINING WITH HUMILITY, LIKE A BRIGHT STAR. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE A BRILLIANT COSTUME. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE BRIDAL HALL. REJOICE, FOR YOU HAVE LOVED THE TRUE LIGHT. REJOICE, FOR YOU HAVE HATED THE DARKNESS OF SINNERS. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE FACE OF YOUR RADIANT WIFE. REJOICE, THOSE ALIVE IN THE UNEVENING LIGHT. REJOICE, WITH PURE PREACHES FOR US, THE REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE GOD. REJOICE, PROTECTOR OF THE SOULS OF THE PERISHING.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 12

Your faithful servant, Mercury, appeared to the Blessed Lady and served You even to the point of suffering death. You served Her in heaven, gloriously, and saved the lost according to Her words, lifting up songs to God: HALLELUIAH

.

Ikos 12

Singing your feat and martyrdom, passion-bearing Mercury, we praise Christ God, who gave you strength and strength, and the Most Pure Mother of God, who called you, we call to you:

REJOICE, STRONG ADAMANT OF THE FAITH OF CHRIST. Rejoice, you who have fled the deceptions of the world. REJOICE, THOSE WHO CARRY OUT RIGHTEOUS LIFE WITHOUT STOPPERING. REJOICE, YOU HAVE ACCEPTED SUFFERING AND DEATH WORTHY. REJOICE, YOU ARE LIKE AN ANGEL WITH PURITY. REJOICE, YOU ARE UNITED IN BEFORE THE DARKNESS OF THE UNFAILES WITH A RADIANT HEAVENLY REGIMENT. REJOICE, THE SOLIDITY OF OUR CITY HAS BEEN TAKEN. REJOICE, HIS IMPRESSABLE FENCE. REJOICE, DEFINITE PRAYER FROM US TO GOD. REJOICE, OUR CITY WAS SURELY DEFENTED FROM ENEMY FORCES. REJOICE, ETERNAL GLORY OF SMOLENSK. REJOICE, THOSE ENDURING LIGHT FOR HIS.

REJOICE, HOLY MARTYR MERCURY, MIRACLE WORKER OF SMOLENSK.

Kontakion 13

Oh, most glorious chosen one of God, holy martyr Mercury! Accept from us unworthy this little prayer and beg our Lord Jesus and our Most Pure Lady Theotokos to save our souls, glorifying you, crying out faithfully to God: HALLELUIAH

.

(This kontakion is read three times. Then the 1st ikos and 1st kontakion are read).

Life[ | ]

According to the observations of Fyodor Buslaev, Sergius (Spassky), Arseny Kadlubovsky, Leonid Beletsky and Theodosius Spassky, the veneration of Mercury of Smolensk can be considered as a manifestation on Russian soil of the Greek and pan-European tradition of the cult of the Byzantine saint of the 3rd century Mercury of Caesarea. The compilation of the first surviving version of the life corresponded to the ideological glorification of Smolensk shrines after the capture of Smolensk by Moscow Prince Vasily III Ioannovich (1514), during the period of approval of the feast of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God and the construction of the Smolensk Cathedral in the Novodevichy Monastery (1524)[2].

Links

Wikisource has texts on the topic Mercury of Smolensk

• 	Equal to the Apostles	Nikolai Japanese
  	Reverends	Abraham of Smolensky • Arkady Vyazemsky • Gerasim Boldinsky • Arkady Dorogobuzhsky • Ephraim of Smolensky • Simon of Smolensky of Radonezh • Prokhor Lebednik • Macarius of Altai
  	Saints	Anthony of Vologda • Efrem Novotorzhsky • Mikhail Smolensky • Pitirim Tambovsky • Ignatius of Smolensky • Simeon of Smolensky
  	Passion-bearers	Gleb Vladimirovich
  	other	Juliania and Simeon Vyazemsky • Mercury Smolensky • Andrey Smolensky • Gleb Svyatoslavich • Fyodor Cherny, David, Konstantin and Mikhail Yaroslavsky • Rostislav Mstislavich

In literature[ | ]

Ivan Bunin in “Sukhodol” (1912) contains the following description: “In the corner of the footman’s ink there is a large image of St. Mercury of Smolensk, the one whose iron sandals and helmet are kept on the salt in the ancient cathedral of Smolensk. We heard: Mercury was a noble man, called to salvation from the Tatars of the Smolensk region by the voice of the icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria the Guide. Having defeated the Tatars, the saint fell asleep and was beheaded by his enemies. Then, taking his head in his hands, he came to the city gates in order to tell what had happened... And it was creepy to look at the Suzdal image of a headless man, holding in one hand a deathly bluish head in a helmet, and in the other an icon of the Guide.”