Prayers to Saint Stylian of Paphlagonia: the most powerful

The holy hermit, who accomplished a feat in the desert of Asia Minor in the 4th-5th centuries AD, became famous for helping children and infertile couples. Christians all over the world pray to Stylian the child intercessor.

They turn to St. Stylian with prayer:

about health;
on the gift of children in case of marital infertility;
about the successful resolution of pregnancy, about childbirth;
about the health of children in illness;
about increased intelligence, about success in learning;
for help with various family needs.

Life of Saint Stylian

Memorial Day: December 9

In the 5th century, Stiliano was born in Adrianople. The city was located in Paphlagonia, hence the name of the saint. He was blessed from an early age. The older and smarter the future saint became, the closer he was in spirit to God's mercy, and from an early age he strove for a holy and righteous life.

He always considered his father's inheritance as an anchor that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Therefore, upon reaching adulthood, the saint distributed all his property to the poor. Stylian always helped the needy and the poor. Having devoted himself to monastic life, he was tonsured in one of the monasteries of Asia Minor. He lived simply, without frills.

Stylian settled in a cave in a deserted desert. After many years of loneliness, God decided to give him the opportunity to heal children and be their protector. After this, people waiting for help and believers stopped at the cave. The monk lived to a ripe old age.

Saint Stylian of Paphlagon: prayer for children

“For our parish, the appearance of this icon is a big event,” says the rector of the Church of the Intercession in Marienburg, Archpriest Anthony Antipov. “Among our parishioners there is a pious family, several generations of whom have prayed and continue to pray in this temple. Not long ago, a misfortune happened in this family - the second child, a much desired girl, was born much earlier than expected. The doctors, not without reason, feared for the child’s life, doing everything possible for her.

The girl's parents immediately turned to me with a request to baptize her. When I arrived at the intensive care unit of the children’s hospital, a team of neonatologist resuscitators from St. Petersburg was on duty there—the girl’s condition was so grave. Fortunately, it so happened that the doctor on duty was also our parishioner. Outsiders were not allowed into the intensive care unit, and she and I, without talking together, decided to become the child’s godparents.

The girl had to be baptized right in the incubator for newborns, because she could not breathe on her own. It was a little lump that was fighting for life... We prayed fervently, and an excited dad was waiting for us at the door of the hospital. Mom was still in the postpartum ward. I had two feelings. On the one hand, we did the right thing, on the other hand, it seemed that we could only hope for a miracle...

When my parents asked me what they should do, I remembered the image of Stylian of Paphlagon, an early Christian Greek saint. I advised them to pray to this saint and I myself began to pray to him for the health of the child. And a miracle happened - the child survived and grew stronger. The girl was named Vera. Several months have passed since then. Now he is a strong, healthy child who is developing well, delighting his parents.

With the blessing of Father Anthony, Vera's parents commissioned a painted icon of the holy Venerable Stylian. The icon was painted by a cleric of the Gatchina diocese, priest Valery Kalinin. Since then, the image has taken a place in one of the ancient floor icon cases of the Marienburg Intercession Church.

The icon depicts the Monk Stylian of Paphlagon holding a swaddled baby in his arms. In his hand the saint holds a scroll on which it is written: “Children are a gift of God, coming from above.”

“This saint is little known in Russia,” says Archpriest Anthony Antipov. “I learned about him many years ago from one wonderful priest, Archimandrite Pavel, who served in the Pskov diocese, in the village of Dedovichi. There was an old temple filled with ancient icons. Among them was an icon of the holy Venerable Stylian of Paphlagon, painted in the Greek style. I received a copy of this icon as a gift from Father Paul. And, on his advice, when he himself became a priest and the parent of three children, he more than once turned to Stylian in his prayers and always felt his prayerful intercession.

Unlike Russia, in Greece and Orthodox Cyprus everyone knows this saint and is very revered. There are many temples dedicated to him on Greek soil. The story of Stylian of Paphlagonia, reflected in his life, is interesting.

The name Stylian (Greek – “pillar”) comes from the verb “stylono”, which means “to strengthen”, “to support”. Stylian was born in the 5th century in the city of Adrianople, in Paphlagonia (Asia Minor). Having distributed all his property to the poor, he retired to one of the monasteries of Asia Minor and took monasticism there. Saint Stylian sought solitude, so several years later he withdrew into the desert, where he settled in a cave. He spent many years of ascetic life in the desert, but over time, word of the hermit’s holiness spread throughout the area, and people flocked to his cave for prayer and spiritual advice. He received the suffering, consoled the sad, and instructed sinners to repentance.

Stylian's faith and zeal for God bore such fruit that miracles began to happen through his prayer. Women who wanted to have children and mothers who brought sick babies to him especially often came to Saint Stylian. The saint took the children in his arms, tearfully asking God for their healing, and the Lord always answered his prayers. Miracles continued after Stylian's death, at his grave.

It was no coincidence that the holy hermit became the patron saint of children: the words of the Savior sank deep into his soul: “Truly I tell you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). From that time until the present day, they pray to Saint Stylian for the gift of long-awaited children, for the successful birth of children and their good upbringing. It is no coincidence that this saint is called in Greece a friend of children, and sometimes a children's saint.

On icons, Saint Stylian is often depicted smiling. This is exactly how his contemporaries saw him - cheerful and kind. Stylian lived to a ripe old age, and, according to legend, when he was buried, his face shone with the light of the Lord and was illuminated with a slight smile.

The image of Stylian of Paphlagon is indeed very rare in Russia. An icon of this saint with a particle of his relics is in the Conception Monastery in Moscow, and now it has appeared here in Gatchina, in the Marienburg Church. The feast day of St. Stylian of Paphlagon is celebrated on December 9 (new style).

In the Marienburg Church of the Intercession there is another icon, which is often resorted to by parents who pray for the well-being of their children. The miraculous image of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” is among the especially revered shrines of the Marienburg Church.

As Father Anthony Antipov said, this icon was found in the fifties of the 20th century in the Marienburg area by women who crossed the Kolpanka River on a wooden pedestrian bridge. The icon was part of the decking of this bridge. The inscription on the icon says that it was “built” on October 31, 1888 by the zeal of the abbess of the Holy Trinity Rakovsky Monastery of the Samara province, Abbess Anatolia and her sisters - in memory of the miraculous deliverance of the emperor

Alexander III and his family “from danger in a train crash” near Borki station. Since 1994 and to this day, this image of the Mother of God has been streaming myrrh.

People turn to the “Recovery of the Lost” icon in prayer on different occasions. The word “perished” in the title of the icon does not mean “dead.” A “lost” person is one who is on the verge of spiritual or physical death, who has turned away from the Lord, does not feel faith in himself, and does not see anything good in life. The Mother of God is ready to “recover,” that is, to forgive and help a person who seeks her protection and patronage.

They pray in front of the icon “Seeking the Lost” if they feel that they are losing faith in God and in all the good things that life brings, if they ask for the salvation of missing loved ones, if they ask for forgiveness for a sin they have committed, if they are worried about the well-being of their children or cry out about saving their lost grown-up children.

How do prayers help Stylian of Paphlagonia?

Saint Stylian helps not only children, but also adults to conceive and heal children. They say that the saint will help from almost any ailment. This gave many single women hope for a child, and some of them became truly happy mothers of many children. Therefore, to this day, in difficult situations, women read a prayer for the gift of children to San Stiliano. The Reverend can also help:

If a child goes on a long journey without parents;
Believe in yourself as a child, stop being afraid and forget your fears;
So that the baby does not get sick;
In school, if things are tight, there can be misunderstandings with peers and low grades.

Used materials

“Saint Stylian”, based on the book by Archimandrite. Charalampia D. Vasilopoulos “Saint Stylian”, Athens, 2000:

[1] “Ὁ Ὅσιος Στυλιανὸς ὁ Παφλαγόνας”, page of the Greek site ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ (Big Monthly)

, according to the book: Αγαθάγγελος (Χαραμαντίδης), Επ.
Φαναρίου, ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
(Bishop of Phanaria Agathangel, “Synaxarion of the Orthodox Church”), Αποστολικής Διακονίας τη ς Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, .

[2] “Sacred spaces: St. Stylianos," The Epistle

(Rocky River (OH) St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church newsletter), Nov. 2011, 13,

[3] Sushko Peter. “Ukrainian folk icon “Holy Venerable Simeon the God-Receiver” (as a phenomenon of national worldview).” - “Madeniet zharshysy. Bulletin of Culture", 2011, No. 11, pp. 24-26 // Website page of the East Kazakhstan Regional Architectural, Ethnographic and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, .

Texts of prayers to Saint Stylian

Troparion, tone 3

Pillar inspired by temperance, pillar of the immovable Church, Stylian, you have become more blessed. You trusted the Lord from your youth, the abode of the Spirit appeared to you, venerable Christ God, to grant us mercy.

Kontakion, tone 4

He was consecrated from his mother's morning, like the Divine Samuel, God awakened, like the heroic Christ, God glorified God. At the same time, the healings were shown as a cutter and representative of youth and divine children, Christ glorifies this for you, light, he glorified, Stylian.

Prayer

O holy chief, Rev. Father Stylian! Having worked a good deed on earth, he received in heaven the crown of righteousness from Christ our God, but, looking at Your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your life and honor your holy memory. Your government is respectfully bold before the Lord, I humbly ask you, reverend father: look at the DRC with the benevolent eye of your love, we, unworthy of your servants, and consider your godly request to ask the King of kings and the Lord of lords, may the great and the greatest mercy, we can give ourselves the spirit of righteous faith, the spirit of love, peace and joy by the Holy Spirit, we can deliver ourselves from all troubles and misfortunes that will consume everything that is good for our soul. She, the saint of God, does not hope for shame, we also entrust ourselves to the grace of God and the Mother of God, but we will be our help and patroness in salvation, so that we can put an end to the repentant life and the repentance of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your holy intercession, now and forever and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer

Oh, sacred head, Rev. Father Stylian! Having fought a good fight on earth, in heaven you received the crown of righteousness from Christ our God. In the same way, looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your life and honor your holy memory. Honoring your great boldness before the Lord, we humbly pray to you, reverend father: look with the merciful eye of your love on us, your unworthy servants, and strive through your God-pleasing intercession to ask the King of kings and the Lord of lords, so that He may add His great and rich mercies to May he give us, sinners, the spirit of the right faith, the spirit of love, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, may he deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes, may he send down everything useful for the salvation of our souls. To her, Holiness of God, do not disgrace our hope, which we place in you according to God and the Mother of God, but be our helper and protector for salvation, so that we may be worthy to end our life in repentance and receive eternal goodness in the Kingdom of Christ our God, and glorify the love of mankind of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your holy intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Life

The holy saint Stylian was born in Adrianople in the 5th century and was a joy for his parents. From childhood, the Monk Stylian showed a penchant for a peaceful life of prayer, respect for elders, and had a cheerful and gentle disposition.

At a young age, he received an inheritance and without hesitation distributed it to the poor. Having received freedom from worldly duties, Saint Stylian entered a monastery.

Here, from the stern monastic mentors, he received lessons in asceticism, prayer and obedience, and over time he surpassed them in feat. The young monk limited his sleep and food, had no property, sought purity, simplicity, and stood before God in prayer.

Desiring solitude and even greater feat of prayer, Saint Stylian left the monastery and went to live in distant lands. A rocky cave became his cell. According to pious legend, for the purity of his life and prayer the saint was awarded the Divine presence, jubilation of spirit and tranquility. He could, without breaking prayer and internal concentration, go out to people to help, bless and instruct the suffering.

The saint's heart was especially disposed towards children. He loved and cherished the purity and kindness of their hearts, deeply sympathized with the difficult life of ordinary families and sought to help them bear the burden. Saint Stylian could heal children suffering from physical ailments by simply laying on his hand. However, he cared even more about strengthening their spirit, instructing, talking, spending whole days with the children.

It is generally accepted that the saint was in charge of the world’s first improvised kindergarten, since parents with gratitude and reverence brought their children to him, left them to play and listen to instructions.

The Monk Stylian helped many childless and desperate spouses to beg for their long-awaited child. Often barren wives became pregnant with many children and, with tears of joy, brought their sons and daughters to the hermit’s blessing.

According to legend, the elder’s face was always illuminated with a smile, he was friendly, had a kind and easy disposition, and indifferently rejected “commercial” offers to profit from his gifts.

Saint Stylian lived to a ripe old age and departed to the Lord with a radiant face and a smile of joy.

Patron of children

For his unparalleled mercy towards children, the hermit is depicted on icons with a swaddled baby in his arms.

Saint Stylian is one of the favorite saints in the Catholic Church and in the Cathedral of Greek Orthodox Saints. In Greece and Bulgaria, an icon of the saint can be seen in every church; in Rus', a general veneration of the memory of the patron saints of the infants, St. Julian of Cenomania and St. Stylian of Paphlagon, has been established. The miraculous icon is located in the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery.

Icon of St. Stylian of Paphlagonia - patron saint of children

St. Stylian of Paphlagon

Happiness is when there are children in the family. The Lord said: But it happens that spouses do not have children for a long time, although they dream of a large family. God's plan is mysteriously hidden from us. Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Mother of God, also wanted to have a child and prayed for a long time. And, although in the ancient Jewish people childlessness was a shame and was condemned, they did not despair, believed God and asked Him to give them a child.

An amazing pattern can be traced in the Holy Scriptures - all children begged for, asked for in long, humble waiting are blessed by God. Many saints help childless couples in prayers for deliverance from childlessness.

These are just Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Virgin Mary, the holy righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of the prophet John the Baptist, there are many other helpers - holy and blessed Anna, the mother of the prophet Samuel, or, for example, saints Xenia of Petersburg and Matrona of Moscow. Among the saints who help in childbearing is the Venerable Stylian of Paphlagon.

Saint Stylian, patron saint of children: icon, prayer

Who is Saint Stylian?

Stylian was born back in the 5th century.
And this happened in Asia Minor, in a city called Adrianople.
It is popularly believed that Stylian was blessed and endowed with a miraculous power while still in the womb.
From his earliest years he sought the Lord and his teachings. He helped those in need a lot and did not dare refuse anyone.
After the death of his parents, Stylian distributed all his inheritance to the poor and felt unusually light and at ease.
This Saint did not spare the last shirt for the people.
Then the Lord gave him the ability to heal children and act as their protector.
Mothers with sick children came from all villages to Stylian for help. He helped everyone.
At that time he lived in a cave. There he treated the children. He raised them above his head and with tears prayed to the Lord to help the poor kids. And he heard these prayers and helped.

What icon depicts him?

The icon depicting this Saint is called Venerable Stylian of Paphlagon .
It depicts Stylian holding a child.
The baby is wrapped in a diaper, and Stylian is wearing red clothes.
Also on the icon Stylian has a long beard, because he lived on the sinful earth for many years. At a very old age, this Saint passed away into another world.

Description of the icon and what is its power

This shrine is recognizable at first glance; it depicts the Monk Stylian holding in his hands a child wrapped in a shroud. The whole image is filled with love and mercy. The figure bent over the child is a symbol of protection, amulet. No arrows of the devil will touch the child as long as there is a prayer to the Child Defender above him. The embrace of a loving guardian of children's souls is strong and reliable.

Children's doctors consider St. Stylian their patron saint

Filled with God's power, the icon of St. Stylian of Paphlagon helps:

in physical healing of sick children;
spiritual development of the child;
spiritual growth of the future generation;
restoration of reproductive organs in infertile parents;
carry and give birth to a healthy child.

The unique shrine was painted in the Vatopedi monastery, on the sacred Mount Athos, in the famous cell of John the Theologian, from where it was temporarily brought to Russia in 2002.

On a note! You can venerate the holy icon of St. Stylian of Paphlagon in Moscow; the Assumption Church in Kosino has the honor of becoming its custodian.

Father St. Stylian of Paphlagon

Briefly about Saint Stylian

Stylian of Paphlagon has been glorified by the Greek Church since time immemorial. He lived in the 5th century in Paphlagonia - the current territory of Turkey. From an early age, having sincerely loved Christ like a child, he became a monk, struggling in the fight against passions with prayer and fasting.

For a long time he studied inner spiritual work in obedience from an elder in one of the monasteries, and then withdrew into the desert to perform exploits in silence.

The holy life of the monk became known to people, and they brought their needs to him. Having lost the desired silence, the saint did not become irritated, but received everyone with joy. He gave pious advice to some, instructed others in faith and called to repentance, prayed for everyone and blessed everyone.

For his childhood faith, the Lord gave Stylian the special grace to love and heal children. Many mothers brought their children to Stylian and left them for the whole day to be looked after. And if the child was sick, then the saint would heal the child with one touch and quiet prayer. His cave always provided shelter and consolation for children.