Life of St. Sylvester of Obnor
The ancient Life of Sylvester of Obnor has not survived to this day, because the manuscript was lost in a fire at the end of the 18th century. The surviving manuscripts of the 17th century contain only an indication of the date of death, information about the founding of the monastery and posthumous miracles, as well as liturgical texts testifying to the veneration of Sylvester as a saint. In the middle of the 19th century, professor of the Moscow Theological Academy Sergius Smirnov, compiling a short life of Sylvester, was guided by both these sources and oral tradition.
There is no information about the origin of the Monk Sylvester. He took monastic vows at the monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh and, like many of his disciples, left it in search of solitude. The banks of the Obnora River became the place of his monastic exploits. Later, many hermit monks settled on Obnor and in its environs; Among them, Saints Pavel Obnorsky, Sergius Nuromsky, Korniliy Komelsky, Gennady Lyubimogradsky are known. After many years of secluded life, disciples began to come to the Monk Sylvester who wanted a monastic life, and he, having received a blessed letter from the Moscow Metropolitan Alexy, built the Resurrection Church, laying the foundation for the future monastery. Sylvester reposed on April 25, 1379.
WHO IS SAINT SYLVESTER, WHOSE DAY IS CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 31?
St. Sylvester's Day or Seliverst's Day is celebrated on December 31 for Catholics and January 2 (15) for those professing Orthodoxy. Who is this Saint Sylvester and why is he famous?
In the 4th century, during the famous Council of Nicaea, Pope Sylvester was canonized. But soon he was almost forgotten, as many other, more famous saints appeared. But his fate is inseparable from the fate of Constantine, the first Roman emperor, who first married a Christian and then himself accepted this previously persecuted faith. It is clear that the glory of the emperor eclipsed the glory of the pope. Well, what do we celebrate on the evening of December 31st? The end of a year marked by hard work and the beginning of a new - happy - year: that is, two events in the event. And this is also an excuse to simply have fun, eat a hearty meal and drink well. Saint Sylvester, the 33rd pope of the Catholic Church, could claim the title of "patron saint of parties." According to Catholic belief, the Roman Sylvester is primarily famous for defending a certain Timothy, an ardent adherent of Christianity, who died as a martyr. Allegedly, in response to the threats of the Roman prefect against him for hiding the remains of Timothy, Sylvester replied: “You yourself are a fool, and this very night you will answer to God.” And it had to happen: that same night, the wrath of God overtook the Roman dignitary - he died, choking on a fish bone. Here's your New Year's dinner! Sylvester was ordained as a priest by Pope Saint Marcellinus. In 314 he became the 33rd pontiff. At this time, as stated above, Constantine reigns. As follows from the famous collection of lives of saints “The Golden Legend”, written in the 13th century by the Dominican monk and spiritual writer Jacob of Voraginsky, Sylvester became famous for converting the emperor to Christianity, healing him from leprosy through the rite of baptism. True, other sources claim that Constantine adopted Christianity for political reasons, realizing that all sorts of Jupiters and Minervas were gradually becoming a thing of the past, and the number of supporters of Christianity was increasing. Jacob Voraginsky also says that Sylvester managed to catch and tame the evil Old Testament monster - the sea serpent Leviathan, whispering in his ear "the words of the Holy Spirit." It was believed that in the year 1000 this same Leviathan would break free from the depths of the sea and the end of the world would come. Fortunately, thanks to Sylvester, this did not happen. Where the snake went is unclear. That's probably all that is known about this dad. He died on December 31, 335. Pope Sylvester and the Council of Nicaea Sylvester I held the reins of the church at a decisive moment in the history of Christianity. In 313, Constantine I promulgated his Edict of Milan, which recognized Christianity and, accordingly, stopped the persecution of Christians. During the pontificate of Sylvester, the Council of Nicea was held, which met at the request, or rather by order, of the emperor in 325, which brought together bishops from both the West and the East. This council, in particular, declared Arianism, one of the early movements in Christianity, to be a heresy, which dealt with the relationship between the Son of God and God the Father. The Council, without going into theological details, established that first there is God the Father, and then God the Son. That is, the Father is primary, and the Son is secondary. During the council, Sylvester either fell ill or was tired and asked Emperor Constantine to lead this meeting in his place and take all measures to strengthen the Christian canon. By the way, it was Constantine who began the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, a huge complex built on the supposed site of the tomb from which Christ, according to the Gospels, rose from the dead. In general, Emperor Constantine became so famous among Christians that he completely eclipsed the figure of Saint Sylvester. And the celebration of the New Year began a century later, when King Charles IX, on January 1, 1564, ordered to celebrate this day as the beginning of the new year.
In the photo: Emperor Constantine and Pope Sylvester.
25.12.2020
Alexander PARKHOMENKO
Veneration of the Venerable Sylvester of Obnor
The Resurrection Obnorsky Monastery was abolished in 1764 and transformed into a parish. In 1825, all the wooden buildings of the monastery were demolished, and a large stone church was built in its place. In 1860, according to the testimony of the rector of the temple and several parishioners, a miraculous sign occurred in the temple: the lid of the coffin of the Monk Sylvester opened by itself, and the incorruptible body of the saint became visible. After this event, pilgrims began to come in large numbers to the relics of St. Sylvester. Information has been preserved about numerous miracles that took place at his tomb.
The relics of the saint were lost in the 1920s, during a campaign to uncover the relics. Soon after this the temple was closed. Currently, it has been returned to the church, services are held there and restoration work is underway.
How does the icon of Seraphim of Sarov help and its meaning?
It should be noted that the icon of Tenderness of Seraphim of Sarov is revered not only by Orthodox people, but also by Catholics, because the entire life path of the saint is truly an example of the believer’s desire to achieve spiritual perfection. Every day the saint overcame various difficulties, hardships and temptations, tempering his spirit more and more each time.
All existing lists of Prokhor are truly unique, since this is the rare case in icon painting history when the miraculous face is identical to his lifetime appearance, from which the image acquires significant expressiveness.
This firmness of faith in the Almighty, boundless kindness is completely revealed to the believer through the written image of the saint. Orthodox people come from all over Russia and even from abroad to venerate the relics and shrines.
And on the eve of the holiday in honor of the Saint in the Old New Year, some of the pilgrims specially come to the cathedral so that, together with the residents of the monastery, they walk along the groove of the Virgin Mary that night in a procession of the cross with the reading of the Theotokos rule, where the prayer service “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary” is repeated over a hundred times.
The pilgrims themselves are convinced that this kind of service, illuminated by the presence of the Saint, gives an extraordinary feeling of celebration.
What they ask Seraphim of Sarov:
- They pray for an end to mental suffering and for the attainment of peace;
- Also in the prayer service, the image is invoked to restore harmony between the external and internal worlds, thus finding spiritual stability in oneself.
- The holy preacher will help guide the believer to the true path if he gets lost and takes the wrong road;
- Orthodox people also turn to the face
- Prayerful petition can help deal with despair and pride;
- They also ask the miraculous image for a cure for serious illnesses. There is evidence that during his lifetime the Saint could heal even from fatal diseases, and for this he used prayer and water drawn from a source. If you call upon St. Prokhor in a prayer service, he will especially help with diseases of the legs, internal organs and some other problems. The healing itself takes place not only on the physical plane, but also on the spiritual plane;
- For young girls who sincerely read the prayer, the image will help create strong relationships, get married, change their personal lives for the better, and for those who are already connected by family ties, it will help strengthen love and relationships;
- In addition to all of the above, the divine image also promotes advancement in trade and business, however, only in cases where the funds earned will be spent not only on yourself, but also allocated to charity and to support a loved one.
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Troparion and Kontakion to St. Sylvester of Obnor
Troparion, tone 8.
ABOUT! you, Father Sylvester, know the speed of salvation. Let us accept the cross, for you followed Christ. But whoever does and learns to despise the flesh passes away, but to practice things more immortal for the soul. In the same way the angels rejoice, O venerable spirit.
Kontakion, tone 2.
Divinely armed with purity of soul, and unceasing prayer, as if firmly handing over a copy, you prosecuted the demonic militia of Sylvester, Our Father, pray unceasingly for all of us.
Prayers addressed to the Saint
Prayer for trade
“I trust in you, Seraphim of Sarov, and pray for successful trading. Let the matter be argued, and the trade be molded. Amen".
Be baptized and leave the Temple, purchasing an additional 3 candles and an icon of Seraphim of Sarov. Arriving home, you light candles, place an icon next to it and turn with prayer to Saint Seraphim:
“Help me, Seraphim of Sarov, establish successful trade. I am not contacting you for profit, but because of meager sales. Send me a buyer who is generous, accommodating and not harmful. Protect me from ruin and from vain zeal. Thy will be done. Amen".
There is another prayer, also addressed to the saint. It only helps if an evil thought has been brought to bear on your case:
“I turn to you, Saint Seraphim, and ask you to ward off evil defilement. Just as success in trade fails, so meager ruin is sown. Do not refuse me grace-filled help and cleanse me from the envy of others. Do not punish them for the spoiled business, but grant me good luck in trading matters. Thy will be done. Amen".
Prayer for Healing
“Oh, great servant of God, venerable and God-bearing Father Seraphim! Look down from the burning glory upon us humble and weak, burdened with many sins, your help and consolation to those asking. Penetrate us with your compassion and help us to immaculately preserve the commandments of the Lord, to firmly maintain the Orthodox faith, to diligently offer repentance for our sins to God, to gracefully prosper in piety as Christians and to be worthy of your prayerful intercession for us. To her, Holiness of God, hear us praying to you with faith and love and do not despise us who demand your intercession: now and at the hour of our death, help us and protect us with your prayers from the evil slander of the devil, so that those powers may not possess us, but may we be worthy of help with you will inherit the bliss of the abode of paradise. For we now place our hope in you, merciful father: be truly a guide to salvation for us and lead us to the unevening light of eternal life through your God-pleasing intercession at the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, may we glorify and sing with all the saints the venerable name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever centuries. Amen".
Prayer for Marriage
“O wonderful Father Seraphim, great miracle worker of Sarov, quick and obedient helper to all who come running to you! During the days of your earthly life, no one left you weary and inconsolable, but everyone was blessed with the vision of your face and the benevolent voice of your words. Moreover, the gift of healing, the gift of insight, the gift of healing for weak souls has appeared abundantly in you. When God called you from earthly labors to heavenly rest, your love is not simple from us, and it is impossible to count your miracles, multiplying like the stars of heaven: for all over the end of our earth you appeared to the people of God and granted them healing. In the same way, we cry out to you: O most quiet and meek servant of God, daring man of prayer to Him, rejecting none of those who call upon you, offer up your powerful prayer for us to the Lord of Hosts, may He grant us all that is useful in this life and all that is useful for spiritual salvation, may He protect He will teach us from the falls of sin and true repentance, so that we can enter without stumbling into the eternal Heavenly Kingdom, where you now shine in unfathomable glory, and there sing with all the saints the Life-Giving Trinity until the end of the age. Amen".
God bless you!
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Venerable Sylvester of Obnor. Icons
The Venerable Sylvester of Obnor is traditionally depicted on icons in monastic vestments, with his right hand blessing, and in his left hand the monk holds a scroll.
17th century veil, facial embroidery, comes from the village of Voskresensky, the earliest known image of the Venerable Sylvester of Obnor
Venerable Sylvester of Obnor. XIX century. Moscow, State Historical Museum Venerable Sylvester of Obnor. Nun Juliania (Sokolova). Icon for the pillars of the canopy over the shrine of the relics of St. Nikon of Radonezh. Sergiev Posad, early 1950s. Nikon's chapel of the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Venerable Sylvester of Obnor. Cathedral of Yaroslavl Saints (fragment). Nun Juliania (Sokolova). Icon. Sergiev Posad, 1962-73. Photo from the album of Abbot Mark (Lozinsky)
Miracles of Seraphim of Sarov
Lyudmila’s son returned from the army, but still could not find a good job. The guy himself is strong and healthy, but they only hired him as a salesman or courier, which did not promise any prospects for the young man, and it was somehow embarrassing. My son Lyudmil did not have an education, but it can always be obtained in absentia, the main thing is that he has “golden hands.”
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The woman began to cry out in prayer to the Saint, since she always turned to this image during various adversities in life, he helped Lyudmila at one time, when she could not get pregnant for a long time, he begged Vanechka. This time, the mother also decided to turn to the face to ask for her son to help him find a normal job. About a week later, Vanya’s godfather called and said that there was a place for him at the service station;
Victoria gave birth to a daughter, Dasha, but, unfortunately, she was not entirely healthy; doctors diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect. The doctors themselves said that if the child does not grow out of everything by the age of six, then it will be necessary to carry out a complex operation. The whole family spent every day in prayer in front of the miraculous image.
Victoria’s mother made a special trip to Diveevo and brought her granddaughter the sacred crackers on the relics and healing water from the source. Soon the girl's heart leveled out and began to work well. Now Victoria’s daughter is already 15 years old, she is completely cured, and she was taken off the register, thanks to the help of the miraculous prophet.
How Capricorns Communicate with Their Angels
Capricorns are usually very successful in the material world. They achieve their goals, earn good money and devote a lot of time to their career. But in pursuit of material things, they often forget about the spiritual.
No, this does not mean that Capricorns turn into soulless and immoral individuals.
But many of them become blind and deaf to the signs and clues above, either do not see them, or prefer to pretend that they did not see them.
Taken from Google or Yandex pictures
In order for the communication of representatives of this sign with their guardian angels to be successful and productive, Capricorns simply need to change their attitude towards the spiritual world and develop attentiveness to manifestations of higher powers.
