There are a large number of Orthodox saints who are worthy of the worship of believers. By their own spiritual feat they proved the greatness and power of the soul, so the Lord endowed them with special power that should help suffering and suffering people. Their physical death turns them into a spirit, they are able to continue to listen to prayers addressed to them and answer them, extending an invisible helping hand. This is exactly how the icon of Matrona of Moscow, a revered Orthodox ascetic who walked this earth relatively recently, helps.
Memorial Days:
- March 8 (movable) – Finding of relics – March 8 (February 23) in a non-leap year / March 7 (February 23) in a leap year
- September 5 (movable) – Cathedral of Moscow Saints
- May 2
- October 5 – Cathedral of Tula Saints
The saint was also glorified relatively recently, but she is one of the most revered by modern Orthodox Christians, along with saints who achieved greatness in ancient times.
Blessed Matrona of Moscow
Those who need an icon of the Matronushka of Moscow need to familiarize themselves with the life of this righteous woman. After all, a holy image is not a magical amulet, but a grace-filled means of spiritual connection with God’s saint. For live communication with a sacred person, you need to have at least a basic understanding of him.
The full name of the blessed one is Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova. She was born in the village of Sebino, Tula province, into a large peasant family. Different sources indicate different dates of her birth. However, they all date back to the first half of the 80s of the 19th century. Most likely, the righteous woman was born on November 22, the day of remembrance of the Venerable Matrona of Constantinople.
Icon of the Matronushka of Moscow
Traditional plot
The rector of the church in Strelna and the person who commissioned the painting of the icon, Abbot Evstafiy (Zhakov), did not see any contradictions in the iconographic plot. In one of his interviews, he recalled that in the traditions of Russian icon painting, the plot of a saint blessing a military leader or ruler is traditional. Suffice it to recall how St. Sergius of Radonezh blessed Demetrius of Donskoy, St. Hermogenes blessed Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, and Philaret of Moscow blessed the outstanding Russian commander Mikhail Skobelev.
But the parishioners refused to pay tribute to the icon depicting Stalin. The figure of the “father of nations” is too controversial. On the one hand, he is given credit for the victory in the war and for the unprecedented rise of the country in the post-war years. On the other hand, they cannot erase from memory the names of all those who died from Stalinist repressions.
Saint Matrona of Moscow: childhood and youth
Matrona Nikonova was born blind - she had no eyeballs. By that time, the parents were no longer young, and the family lived in poverty. Therefore, at first they wanted to take the newborn to a shelter that was located in a neighboring village. But the girl’s mother saw an unusual dream: a wonderfully beautiful blind bird sat on her chest. The woman decided that this was a sign from above and left the child at home.
As a baby, Matronushka did not take breast milk on fasting days. Since ancient times, such fasting of children has been perceived by believers as evidence of God's chosenness. In a similar way, for example, Saint Sergius of Radonezh distinguished himself in infancy.
From an early age, the girl showed ardent faith and loved to attend divine services. Even as a child, she discovered the gifts of spiritual guidance, insight and healing the sick. People revered the blind young righteous woman and turned to her for help. In gratitude, they left food and other gifts for Matrona’s parents. From being a burden to the family, the girl turned into its main breadwinner.
The daughter of the landowner, who owned the village of Sebino, often took Matronushka on pilgrimages. So she managed to visit many holy places in Russia. On one of the trips, the girl met the righteous John of Kronstadt. The ascetic prophetically noted that she would become one of the main saints of the Russian land.
At a young age, Matronushka’s legs suddenly gave out and she remained sedentary for the rest of her life. The righteous woman saw Divine Providence in this. Therefore, without grumbling, with humility, she bore her heavy cross.
Miracles
Both during her life and after her death, the Venerable Matrona of Moscow burned with the desire to help people in need of healing or wise advice. Through her prayers, many miracles were performed - health came, the birth of a child in a childless family, help in difficult circumstances. At the icon of the holy old woman there are often pregnant women and young parents with children who have come to thank for the miraculous accomplishment.
The holy saint not only helps, but raises in the hearts of people faith in the omnipotence of the Heavenly Creator. All the divine help of the blessed Matrona was selfless. She emphasized the fact that miracles are performed only by the Lord Himself.
Matrona heals a demon-possessed old woman
- One day, a man whose legs were paralyzed crawled to his native village to visit the venerable old woman. He covered a distance of 4 km at the request of the saint herself and received healing because he did not lose hope.
- The brother of one faithful woman was paralyzed. The man did not believe in the saint’s abilities, but Matrona ordered him to be brought to her, read prayers over the unfortunate man, and gave him blessed water to drink. The unbeliever fell into a deep sleep, and in the morning he recovered completely and began to sincerely thank the Lord.
- The matron agreed to cure the son of a godless woman from madness, provided that the latter believed in God. The blessed old woman spoke water and ordered to splash it in the face of her son, who would break free from the hands of the orderlies. The woman arrived at the psychiatric hospital and waited for the unfortunate man to be taken out. The son’s mind was possessed by an unclean demon, who was frightened by the sacred water and left the body when the liquid got into the patient’s eyes and mouth.
- One boy had a kind heart, but did not push away his passions. He corrupted his heart and mind, thinking that God in His mercy would forgive everything. Having matured, the man caused enough evil and suffering that it led him to despondency. Despite material well-being, thoughts of suicide appeared. The man was pulled out of despair by daily prayers, which he accidentally remembered. A petition to Saint Matrona helped him regain his faith and rethink his path.
- One girl began to complain of a critical deterioration in her vision until she became completely blind. The hospital said that they could not help, because this case was unique. Friends of the family advised to bring the girl to the icon of the Venerable Matrona and read a long prayer. Vision returned after mother and daughter left the Intercession Monastery.
On a note!
In order to relieve a person who came to her for help from a serious illness, the holy healer read a prayer over water and gave it to the sick person to drink. However, no one knows what special words the blessed old woman used during the ritual.
Life of Saint Matrona in Moscow
After the Revolution of 1917, the Matronushki brothers joined the Bolshevik movement. Relatives feared reprisals due to the presence in their home of the blessed preacher of Orthodoxy, who receives visitors every day. To protect the family, in 1925 Matrona left her home and went to Moscow with her friend.
Over the next decades until her death, the righteous woman led the lifestyle of a wanderer. She wandered around relatives and friends, apartments and basements in the capital and Moscow region. As before, many people came to the blind saint every day. The blessed one healed, consoled, instructed, and denounced lost sinners, calling everyone to repentance and correction of life.
Matronushka cannot be called a healer or psychic. She emphasized that she only prays for people, and God always provides help. Sorcerers and other servants of darkness hated her because they felt the grace of the righteous woman. She spent her nights in prayer and regularly received the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. The monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra deeply revered the blessed one.
Matronushka of Moscow died on May 2, 1952 in Khimki. The righteous woman was buried at the Danilovsky cemetery in front of a large crowd of people. Predicting her imminent death, the saint left a short spiritual testament. It is especially worth reading for those who want to learn how to ask Matronushka for help:
“After my death there will be no one like me, but you come to the grave. I will always be there, I will also help and pray for you, as during my life. Talk to me, confide all your sorrows to me. I will see you and hear you; whatever I say to your soul, do it.”
Some biographical facts
At the end of the 19th century, a fourth child was born into the Nikonov family with three children living in the Tula province, the village of Sebino. The girl was named Matrona. Data on the date of birth vary - 1881 or 1885 is mentioned.
In a poor peasant family, four children had already died, and a girl was born without eyeballs. Out of fear that she would not be able to raise her special daughter, the mother wanted to transfer Matronushka to an orphanage. But the woman had a dream about a snow-white blind bird. Seeing this as a sign from above, the mother left her daughter in the family.
Childhood
Matrona's extraordinary abilities manifested themselves from infancy. During the baptismal ceremony, a column of fragrances rose above the font with her. On Wednesdays and Fridays the girl did not eat, she only slept all day. Believing parents took their grown daughter to church with them. Then Matronushka herself began to run to the holy monastery, learning by ear the chants and the location of the icons. And at home at night she played with holy images.
The girl had a special sign - a congenital bulge on her chest in the shape of a cross. The mother scolded Matronushka if her daughter took off her pectoral cross, and the girl answered that she had her own. The children teased the blind Matronushka: they spurred her on with nettles and pushed her into a deep hole. The offenders knew about their impunity. Little Matrona humbly endured the bullying, climbed out of the hole and simply went home.
The Gift of Insight and Healing
Matrona foresaw the events. She predicted the death of the priest who baptized her and warned her mother about the impending fire. Matrona predicted looting, land redistribution and the devastation of the 1918 revolution. The girl's gift of healing was revealed at the age of 8. Her family lived poorly, but when people began to turn to the little healer and bring gifts, she turned into a nurse.
Perspicacious beyond her years, although not familiar with literacy, Matrona read the souls of people, saw their sins and thoughts. She healed illnesses and consoled the grieving with prayers. People came from all over the area: those who could walk walked, those who were bedridden were brought in on carts. But they came out on their own feet.
There is a known case when a man with sore legs crawled 4 kilometers to the village to Matrona. He returned at a pace, for he was healed.
Adolescence
At the age of 14, Matrona made a pilgrimage with the landowner’s daughter, Lydia Yankov. The girls visited Kyiv, St. Petersburg, Kiev-Pechersk and Trinity-Sergius Lavra. And in Kronstadt, the parishioners of St. Andrew's Cathedral made way for the young righteous Matrona, because John of Kronstadt ordered them to do so. He called the girl the eighth pillar of Russia, “his replacement,” indicating her role as a servant and support of the Russian people during the fall of the Church during Soviet times.
Leg disease
Matronushka's legs were paralyzed at the age of 17. She foresaw how she would pass by a woman in church and would not be able to take another step. The young Matrona accepted her new weakness with wisdom and humility, as the will of God. Possessing a great gift for healing others, mother herself remained crippled all her life.
Helping people
In her prayer to the Lord, Matrona asked to send forgiveness and healing to weak people. Mother freed from the influence of the unclean with the help of holy water. Through the efforts of Matronushka, the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” was painted. She began to dream about the image often. With the blessing of my mother, they collected money, and she found a master icon painter. The miraculous face helped fight drought. The icon was taken out to a field near the village, they prayed, and the heat gave way to rain.
Moving to Moscow
The Moscow period of Mother Matrona began in 1925. She devoted the remaining 30 years of her life to saving the restless, empty, sick and separated from the Lord souls that filled the city engulfed in revolution. At the same time, the healer fervently prayed and fought for everyone who turned to her, loved the capital and called it the heart of Russia. This broken heart received a savior and healer in the person of mother.
Years of wandering
Matrona’s Moscow life was difficult. Mother moved from one acquaintance to another, lived with her nephew and niece. Residence addresses:
- Ulyanovskaya street;
- Pyatnitskaya;
- Sokolniki;
- Vishnyakovsky Lane;
- Nikitsky Gate area;
- Petrovsko-Razumovskaya metro station;
- Zagorsk;
- Tsaritsyno.
Matrona lived under the supervision of novices. Matrona often left her next home in a hurry. Mother had a presentiment when she was threatened with arrest for living without registration and supporting the church. People did not refuse to shelter a healer, but they were afraid to register her.
Almost always Matrona managed to leave in advance. Once she was arrested, but released. The matron told the inspector that his wife was burned by kerosene gas. He managed to save her and take her to the hospital. Without the warning of the blessed Matrona, the woman would have died. The inspector promised that he would never arrest the blind fortune teller. Wherever she lived, the healer received the sick in soul and body. Mother was always surrounded by icons. She spent her days helping people, receiving 40 people at a time, and at night she prayed.
Prophecies about war
Matrona predicted the start of World War II and victory over the Nazis. She predicted not only the death of people, but also the victory of the Russians. After the start of the war, people came to Matrona to ask whether the person was alive or dead.
From Zinaida Zhdanova’s book about the life of the old woman, it is known that Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin himself seemed to come to his mother to find out about the outcome of the war. Matrona replied that only he from the leadership would remain in Moscow and win. But historians and clergy consider the case to be fictitious. Especially when you consider how much oppression Matrona had to endure from the Soviet regime.
The end of life's journey
Mother Matrona’s last apartment was located near the Skhodnya metro station in the Moscow region. She continued to heal and instruct on the path of righteous life, even though she had little strength left. Matrona tried to receive fewer people. But she did not refuse help to anyone who asked.
Mother knew when her last day on earth would come. Three days before her death, she completed all her work. Possessing the gift of hearing and performing miracles by the will of God, being a person of incredible faith, Matrona was afraid of death, like ordinary people. On May 2, 1952, Mother Matrona passed away.
Canonization
Most of the information about the life of Mother Matronushka was learned thanks to the book by Z. Zhdanova. She lived with the old woman for 7 years in Starokonyushenny Lane. But many events, such as the story about Stalin’s visit, were considered unreliable by the synodal commission for the canonization of saints. The canonical life of Mother mentions confirmed facts comparable to theology.
Veneration of Saint Matrona of Moscow
After the death of the blind righteous woman, her grave became the object of widespread popular veneration. Since the end of the 20th century, Matronushka has been perceived by Christians as one of the main Russian ascetics of our time. On March 8, 1998, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, an autopsy of her burial was carried out. The remains were taken to the Danilov Monastery, and then to the Intercession Monastery. In 1999, the Moscow diocese canonized Matronushka among the blessed. Another 5 years later, her church-wide glorification took place.
A chapel was erected on the site of the grave. Thousands of pilgrims come to the monastery every day to venerate the relics of the righteous woman. On weekends, the queue to the shrine stretches for 7-8 hours. Written evidence of miracles that occurred through the prayers of Blessed Matrona is being collected.
Holy Matronushka - what does it help with? Like any sacred person, you can turn to her with a variety of good requests of a spiritual and everyday nature. Most often, they pray to the righteous woman for healing from spiritual and physical ailments and for the gift of a child. Patriarch Kirill recalls that this saint became for Christians an example of humility in suffering. In this regard, the Primate of the Russian Church says what you can ask Matronushka:
“We must not forget her suffering image and be imbued not only with the desire to free ourselves from our crosses, but also with the deepest conviction that worthy bearing of the cross is the path to salvation. And therefore we need to ask Matrona... and that we be given the strength to carry our cross worthily, for the glory of God and for our own salvation.”
The Church celebrates the memory of Blessed Matrona on May 2 (death), March 8 (discovery of relics, in a leap year - March 7), on the Sunday before September 8 (Cathedral of Moscow Saints) and October 5 (Cathedral of Tula Saints).
Where is the icon of Matrona located?
There is probably an image of the blessed Mother in every church in Russia. This is because the significance of the Matrona icon for Orthodox Russian society is very great. They ask her for help and pray before her.
The main shrine of the icon is considered to be the Intercession Monastery, which houses the relics of the saint. This temple also houses the famous and revered icon of the Virgin Mary “Seeking the Lost.” There are a huge number of people who want to pray in the monastery. The lines just never stop.
Another important place that is related to the blessed one is the Danilovskoye cemetery. Here is the grave of Matrona, on which there is a container with sand for believers. Sand is considered miraculous. A chapel was erected near the grave.
Several monasteries contain icons with the relics of Mother:
- in the Cathedral of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea;
- in the monastery of the Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian;
- in the monastery of St. Martin the Confessor;
- in the Cathedral of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, which is located in the Kursk region;
- in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God;
- in the Monastery of the Resurrection of Christ at the former Semenovsky cemetery;
- in the Cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious.
The best article for you, go to: The “Desperate One Hope” Icon helps with what
Memorial Day of the Sacred Image
It is customary for the Orthodox Church to celebrate the day of the Holy Face of Matrona of Moscow on the Day of her death - April 19/May 2. They also remember Matrona on her angel day on November 9/22.
Icon of the Matronushka of Moscow
Many different icons were painted in honor of the righteous woman. Most often, Matrona of Moscow is depicted with her eyes closed, wearing a green robe and a white scarf. The saint's right hand is raised in a prayer gesture, and her left hand holds a rosary. Some images represent the blessed one in full height, barefoot or with her favorite image of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.” There is an icon of Matronushka, depicting various scenes from her life: Baptism, meeting with John of Kronstadt, healing the sick, etc.
But there is a special type of icons that represent Matrona sighted, with open eyes. After all, the holy image shows us the spiritual essence of God’s saint. And therefore the icon is not obliged to reflect his physical disabilities. Archpriest Andrei Efanov notes:
“Christians believe that after death a person is transformed and all his physical defects go away along with the body, which remains in the ground. That’s why Saint Matrona is sometimes depicted with her eyes open.”
Matrona’s open eyes are also a symbol of her spiritual vision, which is much more significant than physical vision. She saw the higher world and the soul of every person. With the help of the Lord, she could see even the material beauty of the Universe. Blessed Matrona said:
“God once opened my eyes and showed me the world and His creation. And I saw the sun, and the stars in the sky, and everything on earth, the beauty of the earth: mountains, rivers, green grass, flowers, birds.”
How does an icon and image help?
Mother Matrona will hear you in any difficulties in life.
Happiness and peace
They pray to Matrona for parents, children, friends, and their own well-being. Turning to the icon of Mother quickly brings peace of mind.
Search for missing relatives and children
During wartime, Matrona informed people whether their relatives were alive. In the present, she assists in the search for missing people. If the search efforts by the police are delayed, a prayer to the icon of St. Matrona will return lost relatives or help find out where they are.
About health
At the icon they pray to Mother for the healing of serious illnesses, when it is difficult to diagnose, and the person becomes worse. You can pray to Matronushka for the relief of chronic ailments, for the healing of wounds, for the successful course of the operation. Many flowers are brought to the icon of the Matrona of Moscow. The ministers consecrate them, dry them and distribute them to the parishioners. Flowers ease the suffering of the sick.
About the birth of the first child
Girls and women appeal to Saint Matronushka with a request to become pregnant or to be cured of infertility.
About family well-being
A sincere request to the icon of the holy mother helps lonely people find family happiness. The betrothed or betrothed is often found right there, in the vicinity of the temple. After all, many come with the same wishes.
About a good salary
Those who are looking for a job, want a promotion, or a salary increase turn to the Matrona icon. Sincere prayer helps you find something you like. People who need financial help to open their own business or study, after praying to Matrona, receive it from the most unexpected sources.
About getting rid of depression
In case of disappointment, regrets, a feeling of the meaninglessness of what is happening, powerlessness to change something, Mother Matrona will send salvation and healing to the soul. You just need to repent and pray to the icon of Mother.
Relieving suffering during illness
A person is sick from weakness of body or spirit. The weakness of the body is a test of the strength of the spirit. So Matrona was sent a leg illness, and she accepted it with humility. Prayer to mother will give you strength to fight suffering.
If anger and resentment have turned into physical pain, you need to repent, forgive the offenders and pray to Saint Matrona for intercession.
What you can't ask for
It seems that Mother Matrona will fulfill any desire, you just have to come to her temple and pray. But there are requests with which it is better not to anger the saint:
- revenge, intentional harm - you cannot come with hatred, ask to send trouble, punishment to the enemy, anger will bring punishment on the petitioner;
- selfish requests - to solve a personal problem at the expense of someone else’s misfortune: for a married man to leave the family, for a colleague to be fired who is hindering a promotion, or for a relative who bequeathed an inheritance to pass away sooner;
- insincere, deceptive wishes - a person asks to improve relations with his family, but does nothing for this, pronounces words but does not delve into the essence of the prayer, hides a sin that prevents the fulfillment of what he wants.
Mother Matrona helps if a person has a firm intention and determination to fulfill a desire. Then she supports the endeavor. But if you only hope for a miracle and do not participate in its creation, you will fail. Standing at an icon or relics, you need to clearly and simply formulate your request. If a person does not doubt his desire, it is easy for him to convey the thought to Matrona, and it is easy for Mother to understand it. Before applying, you need to think carefully about whether the desired event will really bring joy and whether it will harm someone.
If your wish comes true, you need to thank Mother Matrona, come to the temple again, and offer mental thanks to her.
Prayers to the Blessed Matrona of Moscow
Troparion, tone 2
God-wise, blessed old lady Matrona,/ the prosperity of the land of Tula/ and the glorious adornment of the city of Moscow,/ let us praise today, faithful ones./ For this, having not known the light of day,/ with the light of Christ I was enlightened by you / and enriched with the gift of insight and healing. / The solitary and wanderer on having formerly been earth,/ now stands before the Throne of God in the heavenly realms// and prays for our souls.
Translation: Let us glorify the blessed old woman Matrona, wise by God, who flourished on the Tula land and gloriously adorned the city of Moscow, today, believers. For she, not having known the light of day, was enlightened by the light of Christ and enriched with the gift of insight and healing. Having been a migrant and a wanderer on earth, now in the palaces of Heaven the throne of God stands and prays for our souls.
Kontakion, tone 7
To the service of Christ/ from the womb the mother was chosen,/ the righteous Matrono,/ walking the path of sorrows and sorrows,/ having demonstrated firm faith and piety,/ you pleased God./ Moreover, according Reading your memory, we pray to you:/ help us to abide in God’s love , // blessed old lady.
Translation: Originally chosen from your mother’s womb to serve Christ, the righteous Matrona, walking through sorrows and sorrows, showing firm faith and piety, you pleased God. Therefore, honoring your memory, we pray to you: help us to be in God’s love, blessed old woman.
Prayer
Oh, blessed mother Matrono, with your soul standing in Heaven before the Throne of God, with your body resting on earth and with the grace given to you from above, various miracles exude, look now with your merciful eye on us sinners, in sorrows, illnesses and sinful temptations, waiting for their days, comfort us , desperate ones, heal our fierce ailments, from God to us because of our sins, deliver us from many troubles and circumstances, beg our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us all our sins, without of sin and sin, in which we are from our youth even to the present day and hour having sinned, so that through your prayers we have received grace and great mercy, let us glorify in the Trinity the One God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Translation: Oh, blessed Mother Matrona, with her soul in Heaven before the Throne of God, her body resting on earth and exuding various miracles with the grace given to you from above! Look now with your merciful eye on us sinners, spending our days in sorrows, illnesses and sinful temptations; comfort us, the despairing, heal our grave ailments, allowed by God to us because of our sins, deliver us from many troubles and misfortunes, beg our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us all our sins, iniquities and falls, which we have suffered from our youth even to the present day and hour we have sinned, so that through your prayers, having received grace and great mercy, we glorify in the Trinity the One God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for Healing
O blessed one, Mother Matrono, hear and accept us now, sinners, praying to you, who in all your life has learned to receive and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope who resort to your intercession and help, giving quick help and miraculous healing to everyone; May your mercy not fail now for us, unworthy, restless in this busy world and nowhere finding consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses: heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who passionately fights, help us convey our everyday Cross, to bear all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, to preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, to have strong trust and hope in God and unfeigned love for others; help us, after departing from this life, to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, glorified in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for the gift of a child
Oh, blessed mother Matrona, we resort to your intercession and tearfully pray to you. As you who have great boldness in the Lord, pour out a warm prayer for your servants, who are in deep spiritual sorrow and asking for help from you. Truly is the word of the Lord: ask, and it will be given to you, and again: even if two of you take counsel upon the earth, whatever you ask, it will be given to you from My Father who is in Heaven.
Hear our groans and bring the Lord to the throne, and where you stand before God, the prayer of a righteous man can do much before God. May the Lord not completely forget us, but look down from the heights of heaven on the sorrow of His servants and bestow the fruit of the womb for something useful. Truly, God wants, so do the Lord to Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joachim and Anna, pray with him. May the Lord God do this to us, out of His mercy and ineffable love for mankind. Blessed be the name of the Lord from now to eternity. Amen.
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