Life path of Matrona of Moscow
The saint was born in the village of Sebino, Tula province. There are several opinions about the year of her birth. If you believe the life, this is 1881, according to the agricultural census - 1883, and according to the lists of the Danilovsky cemetery - 1885.
Lifetime photo of Matrona
The girl was born blind, her eyeballs did not develop. Matrona's family had four children. According to some reports, the parents adopted the girl, but no official documents have been preserved.
When Matrona was still little, her parents wanted to leave her in an orphanage in a neighboring village, but her mother had a vision: a beautiful white bird landed on her chest. The woman decided that the dream was prophetic and left the child.
At the age of 17, the girl lost her legs for no apparent reason, nevertheless Saint Matronushka went on a pilgrimage to Orthodox monasteries. After the revolution she moved to Moscow. For a long time she had to live with acquaintances and friends. She could not turn to her brothers, since they were both communists and did not share her views on faith.
She spent the rest of her life in Moscow and the Moscow region. Matrona received 40 people every day who came to her for healing and wise advice. She died in Skhodnya on May 2, 1952. According to the saint's will, she was buried at the Danilovsky cemetery, which has since become a place of pilgrimage.
Predictions of Saint Matrona about the future of Ukraine and Belarus
According to numerous sources, Holy Matrona called Ukrainians Slavs who do not want to recognize their true origin. But this is not the only problem for Ukraine. Like the Russians, the Ukrainians from Matrona’s visions turned away from God. Denying your origin and faith will cause serious trouble. The saint saw a lot of losses and destruction in the future of Ukraine.
Perhaps we are talking about events in Donbass. It is difficult to say whether this prophecy has come true or the worst is yet to come. Perhaps Ukraine still has a chance to avoid the future that Matrona saw in her visions. To do this, its inhabitants must remember their roots and turn their faces to the Lord.
Matrona called the events in Ukraine from 2014 to 2022 a fratricidal war. If you believe her, the end of the war in Donbass will have to wait for many more years. In addition, in 2017, another problem is expected in Ukraine - the offensive of enemies, but they will not go to war, but will exchange the freedom of residents for material values: Empty cities and villages will be sold to foreign companies. Settlements from which residents will leave in search of a better life abroad will go under the hammer for next to nothing. Ukrainian territories will belong to other states, and Ukraine will forever cease to exist as a state, having lost its integrity.
In 2022, Belarus needs to beware of the West, which is increasingly infiltrating the lives of citizens and destroying their foundations. Many residents will succumb to provocations and try to start a revolution. The authorities will brutally suppress the rebellion, a lot of blood will be shed. Many violators will survive, they will be tried and punished in proportion to the damage caused. But this will be the last unrest in Belarus. In the future, it will not participate in wars, and stability and prosperity are expected within the country. World disasters do not threaten Belarus.
The history of the acquisition of the icon
Many people believed that Matrona was a saint and had the gift of healing, but the official church did not recognize her until 1997. At this time, by decision of a specially assembled commission, it was decided to canonize her among the locally revered saints of the Moscow diocese of the ever-memorable Matrona Nikonova.
In 1998, her grave was opened and her relics were removed. They were taken to the Danilov Monastery, and then to the Intercession Church. The first icons painted in 1999 are also located here. One is located on the wall of the main temple, the second is inside it. In 2004, her church-wide canonization took place, and a few years later the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also canonized Matrona.
Icon of the Matrona of Moscow in the Intercession Church
The saint’s relics were delivered to many monasteries for veneration, and numerous copies of the icons were made.
Christian sources
Believers understand that drinking consecrated water is comparable to hearing the Word of God. There is a similar source on the territory of the village; it gives people healing and deliverance from ignorant worldviews.
- At some distance from the museum, believers can find consecrated fonts where they are allowed to take a dip. These buildings are closed and appear as wooden buildings with changing rooms and several main departments.
- The fonts are filled with water from an underground spring flowing at a depth of four meters. A white stone rotunda was built over this spring, the dome of which is crowned with an Orthodox gilded cross.
- On the outer walls of the fonts, pilgrims see photographs of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and the Matrona of Moscow herself. There are also notes with the instructions of the venerable old woman and the rules for washing in holy water.
What does the icon of Matrona of Moscow look like?
Traditionally, the saint is depicted with her eyes closed. This is not only a portrait resemblance, but also a symbol of her inner spiritual vision. At the moment, the icon of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow is the only one of its kind, since the rest of the saints are depicted with open eyes.
The clothes on the icon are green, the head is covered with a white scarf, tied in the manner of the icon of Xenia of St. Petersburg. This combination is traditional for the Orthodox iconographic tradition.
The right palm is open and facing upward, which symbolizes the Matrona’s readiness to help those suffering. On the left there are rosary beads, indicating that during her lifetime she accomplished a feat of prayer.
There are images of Matrona with open eyes, but they do not correspond to the canon. Just like the picture where she is depicted with Stalin.
There is an unsubstantiated legend that during World War II, when German troops were in close proximity to Moscow, Stalin visited Matrona and asked for advice. This moment is captured in the painting, although the saint herself and her close friends never spoke about it.
Main attraction
In the village, on the site of the Nikonovs’ home, a museum was built, which attracts pilgrims from Russian cities.
Hegumen Agafangel notes that this memorial building is extremely important for Orthodox believers. Those who come can see with their own eyes that Blessed Matrona led a virtuous and ascetic life, which will serve as a shining example for ascending the right spiritual path.
The museum is open from nine o'clock in the morning to five o'clock in the evening. On Tuesday the attraction is closed for the holiday.
- The building contains more than a hundred exhibits that recreate the life of that time. Pilgrims and ordinary tourists can see here materials on the history of the village of Sebino, manuscripts about the life of Saint Matrona, a large collection of icons, as well as objects of folk art (shirts, chests, spinning wheels, etc.)
- The territory of the complex is constantly being improved; local authorities monitor order and appearance. People admire the large number of spireas, cinquefoils and various willows. Within a few years after the opening of the museum, more than 100 thousand people visited its territory.
The meaning of the holy icon in Orthodoxy
The oxbow in our culture is traditionally considered a symbol of wisdom. Physical blindness speaks of deep spirituality and inner strength. Therefore, the icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow is considered a protector from any evil.
During her lifetime, the woman helped people heal; her image is considered healing and prayers for the recovery of the sick are often said in front of it. Many believe that Matrona will help get rid of sins; they ask her for intercession before the Lord and help in finding the righteous path.
Memory
- 1993 – book “The Tale of the Life of the Blessed Elder, Mother Matrona” by Zinaida Zhdanova
- 1999 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Moscow at the intersection of the Warsaw highway and the Moscow Ring Road, belonging to the Pokrovsky stauropegial convent
- 2000 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Lyubimovka
- 2000 – Akathist to Saint Matrona of Moscow
- 2001 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- 2002 – book “The Life and Miracles of the Holy Righteous Blessed Matrona of Moscow”
- 2003 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Belgorod
- 2005 – documentary film from the Neophyt TV studio “Righteous Matrona of Moscow”
- 2007 – Temple of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow in Dmitrovskoye
- 2009 – book “Holy Blessed Matrona of Moscow”
- 2010 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Noginsk
- 2011 – Temple of the Matrona of Moscow in Dania Beach, USA
- 2012 – Church of the Holy Matrona of Moscow in Gyumri, Armenia
- 2015 – documentary film by Igor Kholodkov “The Miracle Worker”
How does an icon help those praying?
At the insistence of the saint, the icon “Seeking the Lost” was painted for the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Matrona, at a young age, discovered this image in a book and decided to write it off. Together with their mother, they found an artist, whom the saint told to repent before starting work. The master lied about going to church and asking for absolution. Matrona felt this and told him to go and repent again. Only when she felt that the artist’s soul was not burdened by sins did she allow him to begin work.
That is why they often ask her for absolution, spiritual cleansing and forgiveness. It is also believed that the image helps:
- Find a worthy life partner.
- Save your family and build a happy marriage.
- Heal from physical and spiritual illnesses.
- Solve financial problems, escape from poverty.
- Protect yourself from intrigue and evil words.
Women who cannot get pregnant for a long time also turn to the saint. It is believed that Matrona also helps in the proper upbringing of children.
Where are the revered icons of the Matrona of Moscow located?
After church-wide canonization, the importance of the image for the church became very great. Therefore, numerous lists of icons appeared.
The original icon of the Matrona of Moscow is now in the church of the Intercession Monastery. There is also an icon “Seeking the Lost” commissioned by a woman and holy relics.
A chapel was erected near Matrona’s grave at the Danilovsky cemetery, in which there is a copy of the image. There is also a container with sand, which is considered miraculous and helps to heal.
There are icons in the churches of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, the Great Martyr George the Victorious, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, as well as in many monasteries.
Death
The righteous saint, who lived an incredibly difficult life, but was faithful to the Lord, received people until her death. She knew about her death in advance and ordered to be buried in the Danilovsky graveyard, near one of the churches, so that she could listen to the services.
Funeral of Matrona of Moscow
The monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, who knew the deceased and praised her for her kindness, selflessness and devotion to the savior, learned about her death and came to the burial.
Miracles associated with the icon
During her lifetime, Matrona performed many miracles. There is a story according to which one man suffered from a leg ailment for a long time. He tried to recover, but nothing helped, so he gave up all attempts and began to ride in a wheelchair. Matrona found out about him and invited him to visit her, only telling him to get to her on his own feet.
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The man believed in the spiritual strength and wisdom of a woman. He almost crawled to her house. Matrona healed the patient and he walked back easily.
In the Intercession Monastery, where the relics of the saint are kept, there is a document. Various events associated with the image are added to it. One day, a miraculous icon saved a young mother from a fatal disease. In a cancer center in Moscow there was a young woman who had two children. Doctors fought for her life for a long time, but to no avail. The nurse who was caring for the patient went to church and prayed in front of the icon of Matrona. The priest also gave the girl dry roses, which had been kept next to the saint’s relics for a long time.
She took them to the patient and after a few days the dried flowers came to life, and a month later the woman who was supposed to die was suddenly healed.
Another story from the list says that one day a woman arrived at the chapel of the Danilovsky cemetery to pray to Matrona. She was completely healthy then, but still took some miraculous sand with her. Many years later, her sister was diagnosed with a late-stage malignant tumor. Doctors advised the family to prepare for the worst, but the woman remembered the sand. She gave it to her sister, told her how to pray to Matrona and advised her to apply it to the sore spot. One day, the sister asked Matrona for healing, and that same night the saint appeared to her in a dream. After some time, the woman completely recovered.
