At the birth of Sergius of Radonezh, his parents named him Bartholomew. From childhood, he demonstrated his future affiliation with the Higher Powers. There is a church tradition that during the days of fasting the baby refused mother's milk. After his parents died, the young man became a monk and chose the name Sergius.
At first he served in a small monastery not far from Radonezh, which he and his brother built. A little later, the Church of the Holy Trinity was built under her, which later grew into a monastery, in which Sergius became abbot.
According to church legend, Bartholomew had a very difficult time studying as a child, unlike his siblings. His parents scolded him very much for this. And one day the boy met a gray-haired old man, to whom he told how much he wanted to study, but he couldn’t do anything. The old man listened carefully to the boy, put his hand on his head and read a prayer. Then he handed him the prosphora and said that from that moment on he would study better than anyone else. This is what happened, after which Bartholomew began to spend even more time in prayer.
Troparion, voice 4*
Even though you were an ascetic of virtues,/ as a true warrior of Christ God,/ you labored in the passion of the great one in your temporary life,/ in singing, in vigils, and in the veneration of their images, having become your disciple;/ in the same way, everyone The Most Holy Spirit is in you, / By whose action you are brightly adorned. / But as you have boldness towards the Holy Trinity, / remember the flock that you gathered, wise, / and do not forget, as you promised, / visiting your children, / / Reverend Sergius, our Father .
Translation: An ascetic of virtues, you, as a true warrior of Christ God, fought hard against the passions in temporary life, in psalmody, vigils and fasting, becoming an example for your disciples. That is why the Most Holy Spirit has taken possession of you: by His action you are brightly adorned. But having boldness towards the Holy Trinity, remember the flock that you have wisely gathered, and do not forget, as you promised, to visit your children, Sergius, our reverend father.
The Lord admonishes the simple
Being seven years old, Bartholomew, the future Sergius, could not learn to read.
His peers had already mastered science, but he, listening to ridicule, cried, not knowing what to do. One day, while going in search of horses, I met an old monk. An Angel appeared to him in this form. The boy saw the wanderer, sobbing, and told about his misfortune. He treated the boy to prosphora and calmed him down, promising that he would read better than anyone else. Bartholomew invited the monk into the house and introduced him to his parents. Suddenly the elder takes the Scripture and, handing it to the boy, orders him to read it. He refuses, is ready to cry again: Why is the monk laughing at him? But he doesn’t back down, he punishes even more severely: Read! The parents look at their son in horror, they know: he doesn’t know how and will be very upset. But there is nowhere to go.
With trembling hands, wiping away the tears that have come out, he takes the book. It can’t be: he reads clearly, fluently, without stuttering! It's hard to believe, but a miracle happened. The Lord showed mercy to the simple-hearted child. Since then, Bartholomew has become one of the best students in the class. And now they turn to him to help them pass exams, master the material, and learn what is not clear.
Kontakion, voice 8*
You were wounded by the love of Christ, O venerable one, / and following that irrevocable desire, / you hated all carnal pleasures, / and like the sun you shone for your Fatherland; / therefore you also became Christ We have enriched you with the gift of miracles./ Remember us who honor your blessed memory, and we call to you: // Rejoice, Sergius the God-Wise.
Translation: Wounded by love for Christ, and following Him with an unwavering will, you hated every carnal pleasure, O Reverend, and you shone like the sun for your Fatherland: therefore Christ has enriched you with the gift of miracles. Remember us, who honor your blessed memory, so that we cry to you: “Rejoice, Sergius the God-Wise!”
Prayer 1**
Audio:
2:48
O sacred head, our reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, by your prayer, and by faith and love, even for God, and by purity of heart, still on earth to the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity your soul having established, and the angelic communion and the visitation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the gift of miraculous received by grace, after your departure from the earthly, you came closer to God, and partook of heavenly powers, but also did not retreat from us in the spirit of your love, and your honest power is like a vessel of grace full and overflowing, leaving us! Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray to save His servants, His grace existing in you, believing and flowing to you with love. Ask us from our Greatly Gifted God for every gift that is beneficial to everyone, the observance of the immaculate faith, the establishment of our cities, the pacification of peace, deliverance from famine and destruction, from the invasion of foreigners preservation, consolation for those who mourn, healing for those who are sick, restoration for those who have fallen, those who are led astray to the path of truth and return of salvation, strengthening for those who strive, prosperity and blessing for those who do good in good deeds, education for children, instruction for young ones, admonition for the ignorant, intercession for orphans and widows, those departing from this. Temporary life for the eternal is a good preparation and parting word for those who have departed to blissful repose, and all of us are helped by your prayers grant that on the day of the Last Judgment these parts will be delivered, and the right hands of the country will be commoners and hear the blessed voice of the Lord Christ: come, blessed of My Father, inherit what has been prepared for you Fear from the collapse of the world. Amen.
Translation: O sacred head, venerable and God-bearing Father Sergius! Through your prayer, and faith, and love for God, and the purity of your heart, while still on earth you made your soul the abode of the Most Holy Trinity, and communion with Angels, and a visit to the Most Holy Theotokos, and received the gift of miraculous grace; After your departure from earthly people, you especially came closer to God, and partook of the Heavenly Power, but you did not retreat from us in the spirit of your love, and you left us your honest relics, like a vessel of grace, full and overflowing. Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray for the salvation of His servants, the grace of His believers dwelling in you and flowing to you with love. Ask us from our God, who is rich in gifts, for every gift that everyone needs: the observance of the immaculate faith, the establishment of our cities, the peace of peace, deliverance from hunger and pestilence, preservation from the invasion of foreigners, consolation for the grieving, healing for the sick, rebellion for the fallen, for the erring. - return to the path of truth and salvation, for those who strive - strengthening, for those who do good - success and blessing in good deeds, for infants - education, for the young - instruction, for the ignorant - admonition, for orphans and widows - protection, for those departing from this temporary life to the eternal - good preparation and parting words to those who have departed - blessed repose, and accompanying all of us with your prayers, grant us on the day of the Last Judgment to get rid of the fate of those on the left, and to become partakers of the right side and to hear that blessed voice of the Lord Christ: “Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." Amen.
What do the laity ask of St. Sergius and how does prayer to him help?
The most powerful are prayer requests to St. Sergius of Radonezh for help in studies and business, as well as for spiritual healing. It is imperative to pray in front of the image of the Saint, since it is believed that the icon has miraculous power and significantly enhances petitions.
The most ancient image of St. Sergius of Radonezh is an embroidered robe, which is still kept in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in our time. From all the icons the stern face of St. Sergius looks down on the praying people. Sometimes the Saint is depicted on icons in full growth; there are also images that depict episodes of the earthly life of Sergius of Radonezh.
The power of prayer in front of the icon of the Saint cannot be overestimated. She helps:
- To pacify pride, which, as you know, is considered the heaviest sin.
- Get effective help with any household needs.
- Receive a sign of grace that will tell you which direction you need to move, or what decision you need to make.
- Heal from diseases.
But most often, in front of the image of St. Sergius of Radonezh, parents offer prayers asking that the child have success in education and good health. You can pray not only in church, but also at home, the main thing is that the prayer request is sincere. Saint Sergius of Radonezh certainly hears prayers that contain requests to renounce a bad lifestyle and addictions. You can pray in front of an icon for someone, the main thing is that you are attached to this person and wish him well.
Prayer to Saint Sergius of Radonezh has a supporting and calming effect on a person. Therefore, it is useful to read it not only before exams, but also before legal proceedings. It can protect you from life’s most difficult problems and give you the strength to successfully overcome obstacles that arise on the way to your goal.
On the territory of Russia there are a huge number of churches in which St. Sergius of Radonezh is venerated. Icons of the Saint are very revered, so they can be found in almost every temple. The clergy believe that any requests addressed to Saint Sergius do not go unanswered.
Author of the article:
Natalya Nadezhdina
Prayer 2**
O sacred head, reverent father, most blessed Abvo Sergius the Great! Do not forget your poor to the end, but remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, Holy Father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not remain silent for us to the Lord and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us, unworthy, at the throne of the Almighty, and do not cease praying for us to Christ God, for grace has been given to you to pray for us. We do not think that you are dead: even though you passed away from us in body, you remain alive even after death. Do not give up on us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy, and all the charms of the devil, and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd; Even though the relics of your cancer are always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, stands at the throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoicing . Knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we bow down to you and we pray to you, even to pray for us to Almighty God for the benefit of our souls, and to ask for time for repentance, and for the unforbidden departure from the earth to Heaven, bitter ordeals, demons, princes of the air and be freed from eternal torment, and be an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship from the beginning His faithful Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Translation: O sacred head, reverend father, blessed Abba Sergius the Great! Do not completely forget your poor, but remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, which you yourself tended, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, Holy Father, for your spiritual children, as one who has boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not stop crying out to the Lord for us and do not neglect us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us, unworthy, at the Throne of the Almighty and do not cease to pray for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. For we do not consider you dead: although you moved away from us bodily, you remain alive even after death. Do not retreat from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy, and all the seduction of demons, and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd; after all, although the relics of your cancer are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul with the angelic armies, with the disembodied hosts, with the Heavenly Powers, standing at the Throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoices. And so, knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we fall to you and pray to you, may you pray for us to Almighty God for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, and an unhindered transition from earth to Heaven, and from bitter ordeals , demons, air princes and eternal torment deliverance. And may we be heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from all eternity. All glory, honor and worship are due to Him with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy, and Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Russian spirit
Familiar words: “There is a Russian spirit, there is a smell of Russia,” inspire fear in the enemies of our Fatherland. But it was not always so. In the 14th century there was practically no such country. More than a hundred years of slavery, fear, despair. Princes are worse than dogs, they wage internecine wars and divide power. Like the vile Judas they write denunciations. To whom! Yes to the damned Horde. They conspire against each other in order to snatch an extra piece of land for themselves, to plunder what was not suitable for Khan. The people are groaning, blood is flowing like a river, death and poverty have engulfed the suffering.
It got to the point that troops with the banners of Christ marched against those who stood under the banners of the Mother of God! God was waiting to see if they would come to their senses. Until finally someone was found who resorted to His intercession. Shamed those who forgot what holiness is. Showed the fruits of true faith. He became an example, a pillar of unshakable devotion to the country and the Lord. He showed an example of the Russian spirit and perseverance. To do this I changed:
- Comfort in the wilderness.
- Prosperity for poverty.
- Slavish admiration for firmness and fearlessness.
- Unbelief and despair for the power of holiness.
- Instead of relying on man, he completely surrendered to the will of God.
- Running for glory, he showed an example of the fortitude of the Spirit, inspiring Kievan Rus to fight, and became forever the Collector of Russian lands.
The monk’s meekness turned out to be a force that attracted the eyes of everyone: rich and poor, those with honor and those dishonest, those seeking support and those who fiercely hate, those who believed and those who betrayed. Everyone bore the shoulders of the saint, a burning guiding star who showed the path to victory over themselves and the disgusted Horde.
Note: It is difficult to call someone who has not heard of Sergius of Radonezh Russian. In 14 foreign countries there are churches or altars consecrated in honor of the Reverend. There is a legend that as long as the Saint is venerated, Russia will resist any enemy.
Prayer 3**
O Heavenly citizen of Jerusalem, Reverend Father Sergius! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of Heaven. You are a mountain in Heaven; We, on the earth below, are removed from You not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities; but to you, as our kin, we come running and cry: instruct us to walk in your path, enlighten us and guide us. It is characteristic of you, our Father, to be compassionate and to love mankind: as I live on earth, I should care not only for my own salvation, but also for all those who come to you. Your instructions were like the reed of a cursive scribe, who inscribes the verbs of life on everyone’s heart. You did not only heal bodily illnesses, but rather than mental illnesses, you appeared as an elegant physician; and your whole holy life became a mirror of all virtue. Just as you were, O Holy One of God, on earth, just as you are now in Heaven! Today you stand before the Throne of the Unapproachable Light and in it, like in a mirror, you see all our needs and requests; You are together with the Angels, rejoicing over the one sinner who repents. And God’s love for mankind is inexhaustible, and your boldness toward Him is abundant; do not stop crying to the Lord for us. With your intercession, ask our All-Merciful God for the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, but the destruction of vanity and schisms, confirmation in good deeds, those who are sick We are healing, comfort to the sad, intercession to the offended, help to the needy. Do not disgrace us, who flow to you with faith. Even though we are unworthy of such a father and intercessor, you, being an imitator of God’s love for mankind, made us worthy by turning from evil deeds to good living. All God-enlightened Russia, filled with your miracles and blessed by your mercies, confesses that you are their patron and protector. Show your ancient mercy and those whom you helped your father, do not deny us, their children, who are walking towards you in their footsteps. We believe that you are present with us in spirit. For where there is a Lord, as His word teaches us, there also will His servant be. You are a faithful servant of the Lord, and God exists everywhere, you are in Him, and He is in you, and you are also with us in body. Behold your incorruptible and life-giving relics, like a priceless treasure, God grant us miracles. Before them, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help for our needs. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good from the mercy of the Lord through your prayers. Do not cease to rule your spiritual flock, which you have gathered, with the rod of spiritual wisdom: give help to those who strive, restore the weak, hasten to bear the yoke of Christ in complacency and patience, and guide us all in let us end our lives in peace and repentance and settle with hope in the blessed bosom of Abraham, where You now rest joyfully from your labors and struggles, glorifying God with all the saints in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Translation: O citizen of Heavenly Jerusalem, Rev. Father Sergius! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are high in Heaven; we on earth, below, are removed from you, not so much by place as by our sins and iniquities; but we come running to you, as our own, and cry: teach us to walk your way, enlighten us and guide us. Characteristic of you, our father, is mercy and love for mankind: while living on earth, you cared not only about your own salvation, but also about everyone who came running to you. Your instructions were the cane of a cursive scribe, inscribing the verbs of life on everyone’s heart. It was not just physical illnesses that you healed, but more than spiritual infirmities you became a skilled physician, and your entire holy life was a mirror of all virtue. If such were you, a saint of God, on earth: what are you now in Heaven! You now stand before the Throne of the Unapproachable Light, and in it, as in a mirror, you see all our needs and requests; you are placed together with the Angels, rejoicing over one repentant sinner. And God’s love for mankind is inexhaustible, and your boldness before Him is great: do not stop crying out to the Lord for us. Through your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant Cross, agreement in faith and unanimity, destruction of superstition and schisms, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, protection for the offended, help for the needy. Do not disgrace us, who come running to you with faith. After all, although we are unworthy of such a great father and intercessor, you, imitator of God’s love for mankind, make us worthy by turning from evil deeds to virtuous living. All of Russia, enlightened by God, filled with your miracles and blessed by your mercies, confesses you as its patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercies, and as you helped our fathers, do not reject us, their children, who are following in their footsteps towards you. We believe that you are present with us in spirit. For where the Lord is, as His word teaches us, there His servant will also be. You are a faithful servant of the Lord, and just as God is omnipresent, so you are in Him, and He is in you, and besides, you are with us in body. Here are your incorruptible and life-giving relics, like a priceless treasure, given to us by the God of miracles. Standing before them, we fall to you as if we were alive and pray: accept our prayers and offer them to the altar of God’s mercy, so that through you we may receive grace and timely help for our needs. Strengthen us, the faint-hearted, and confirm us in the faith, so that without a doubt we hope to receive all the benefits from the merciful Master through your prayers. Do not stop guiding your spiritual flock, gathered by you, with the rod of spiritual wisdom: help those who struggle, raise up the paralytic, help bear the yoke of Christ in complacency and patience, and guide us all, so that in peace and repentance we will end our lives and move with hope into the blessed depths Abraham, where you now rest joyfully after your labors and exploits, glorifying with all the saints God, glorified in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Life of a Saint
The future saint was born in a village near Rostov. The exact date is unknown - 1314 or 1322. At baptism the boy was named Bartholomew.
When the child turned 7 years old, he was sent to learn to read and write. But studying was difficult. One day in the forest, Bartholomew met an old man who treated him to prosphora and predicted that from that day on he would begin to study with extraordinary ease. And so it happened.
Bartholomew was especially addicted to reading the Holy Scriptures. The boy began to fast, abstain from food on Wednesday and Friday, and pray a lot.
After some time, the family moved to the city of Radonezh. When his parents died, Bartholomew, together with his older brother Stefan, went to live in the desert. In the wilderness they built themselves a hut and then built a small church. Subsequently, it was consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Soon the brother, feeling all the hardships of desert life, left. Bartholomew took monastic vows under the name of Sergius. He lived in the wilderness all alone. Food consisted of bread and water. A bear began to come to him, with whom he shared his meager supplies.
More than once demons appeared to the ascetic, but he defeated them with the power of prayer. Word of his spiritual exploits spread, and soon brethren began to settle around him. The newcomers learned from Sergius how to live in the wilderness, prayer, and hard work. Presumably in 1342-1344. the ascetic became the abbot of this monastery, the later famous Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
Sergius performed many miracles. Through his prayers, a source of water began to flow. He healed people and cast out demons. One day, an inconsolable father came to him with a sick boy. The child died in Sergius’s cell, but the ascetic’s prayer brought him back to life.
The Most Holy Theotokos herself appeared to the monk with the apostles Peter and John and promised that she would patronize the monastery. The cell attendant, Reverend Micah, witnessed the miracle.
The fame of the amazing prayer book grew and reached Constantinople. Patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople blessed his deeds.
Sergius founded several more monasteries: the Annunciation Monastery on the Kirzhach River, Staro-Golutvin near Kolomna, the Vysotsky Monastery, and the St. George Monastery on the Klyazma.
Metropolitan Alexey highly revered Sergius, entrusted him with the task of reconciling the Russian princes, and also counted on him as his successor. However, he refused a high church post.
The monk introduced himself to God on September 25, 1392. The day before, he addressed the brethren with the following words:
Take heed, brothers. First have the fear of God, spiritual purity and unfeigned love.
