Faith is a refuge that helps us not to lose heart even in the most difficult times. This is the only consolation that we sometimes find in the midst of troubles, injustice and pain. We pray to the saints and the Lord, hoping for help and peace. And each of us turns to a specific patron saint. For example, the one whose name we were given at baptism.
Those who have visited the Czech Republic at least once probably know that Saint Vyacheslav (Vaclav) is considered the patron saint of this country.
Revered Saint
In 2000, on September 28, the Czech Republic celebrated State Independence Day for the first time. The date was not chosen by chance, because September 28 (according to the Catholic calendar) is the day of remembrance of the saint. He was killed by his own brother back in the 10th century.
In Prague, on the main square of Wenceslas, every tourist probably had the opportunity to admire the equestrian sculpture of the Saint, which is located near the National Museum. This shows how revered the heavenly patron of the Czech lands is among the local population. Even the famous Old Bohemian anthem of the state begins with the words: “Saint Wenceslas, Prince of the Czech Land...”
It is noteworthy that he is revered not only by Catholics, but also by Christians. After all, he actively spread Christian teaching, trying to replace paganism with the true faith. He built numerous churches and organized Orthodox schools. Judging by the surviving sources, he was a pure and deeply religious man. Saint Vyacheslav remains one of the most revered saints in Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
During the life of the ruler
Wenceslas was a Czech prince who lived in the 10th century. It is noteworthy that his mother was the pagan Dragomira, his father was the Czech prince Vratislav, who was a Christian. The latter was killed when Vaclav was still very young. Hypotheses about Dragomira's religion are still just theories, as many historians claim that she was also a Christian. However, the few sources telling about those troubled times are so contradictory that it is impossible to state any facts with certainty.
Since the boy was left an orphan early, he was raised by his grandmother Lyudmila, who has now also been canonized. Lyudmila also met a violent death - she was strangled with her own veil, presumably on the orders of Dragomira. Is it so? No one can answer this question with certainty anymore.
When Wenceslas became prince, he made a lot of efforts to spread Christianity among the pagan population. For this purpose, he built the majestic Church of St. Vitus, which many tourists enjoy visiting. Historians say that he ruled wisely and fairly, and was distinguished by his mercy and philanthropy. But, alas, his life was cut short very early.
The causes of the prince's death were politics and religion. Most of his subjects remained pagans, like his younger brother Boleslav. The latter was persuaded by Czech nobles, dissatisfied with the prince’s policies, to kill his elder brother and take his throne.
The plan was a success: Boleslav invited Vaclav to the consecration of the church, where he was killed right at the steps of the temple. The story tells that the prince actually knew about the impending assassination attempt, but he entrusted himself to the Lord, saying that everything was His will.
It is noteworthy that on the steps of the temple, in the face of death, Wenceslas nevertheless behaved not like a saint, but like a knight. And he even managed to disarm his brother, but then his henchmen arrived, and one of them dealt a fatal blow with a spear. According to legend, the blood that splashed on the temple doors could not be washed off for 3 days. After which she disappeared on her own.
Later, Boleslav repented of what he had done and transferred the relics of the murdered man to the Church of St. Vitus. They are still kept there today.
The terrible death of the righteous
There are several versions of the murder of Vaclav by his brother Boleslav.
According to one of them, on the day of remembrance of Saints Cosmas and Damian, it was decided to consecrate a new church. Boleslav sent an invitation to his brother, persuading him to stay after the Liturgy.
Warned by the servants about the impending conspiracy, the elder brother did not believe in the evil intentions of Boleslav, with whom he spent a wonderful day. The prince could not even imagine that that same night his younger brother and the conspirators were discussing a plan to kill him. Knowing that the saint would definitely go to Matins, they set up an ambush on the road to the temple.
Vyacheslav saw his brother and decided to thank him for the wonderful welcome, but was pierced by a spear. After this, the conspirators began to literally chop him down, cutting him to pieces on the threshold of the temple. The last words of the faithful were an appeal to God, in which he gave his soul to the Lord.
After the murder of the prince, the villains attacked the followers of the Czech ruler’s policies, and there were calls to kill Dragomira’s mother in order to clear the path to the throne for Boleslav, but he decided to hold off.
Icon of Saint Vyacheslav of Bohemia
According to another version, representatives of Catholicism organized a campaign against the admirer of Orthodoxy, which was led by the prince’s brother Boleslav. How hypocritical must the heart of a person who considers himself a Christian be to use the sacrament of baptism of his own son to kill a loved one.
Holy Prince Vyacheslav of Czech did not believe the warnings of the guards about a possible murder in the house of his brother during the baptism of his nephew; he came to the holiday, where he was met by an armed brother. Not wanting bloodshed, Vyacheslav tries to leave, but the killers meet him at the gate, hitting the prince in the chest with a spear.
The chopped body of the saint lay in the square for three days, covered with a veil, until Dragomira appeared there. She gathered the body together, washed it, dressed it and brought it to the church for the last funeral service. The shed blood of the righteous remained on the stones for three days; it could not be washed away by any effort, and after three days it simply evaporated.
The year was 935. After burying her son, the mother hid from the killers in the Croatian side. Boleslav began persecution against the Orthodox; all services in churches should be conducted in Latin.
Three years passed, and Boleslav, having repented of his deeds, allowed the relics of the saint to be transported to the newly built Church of St. Vitus in Prague. Now St. Vaclav is the patron of the Czech Republic, revered by both Orthodox and Catholics. The basis for canonization was several miracles.
What do they pray to the saint for?
Each of us prays for our own, secret things. However, traditionally the icon of St. Vyacheslav is turned to in the following cases:
- Prayer for the well-being of the state and the inviolability of its borders. After all, the prince was an excellent ruler who cared about the state and its inhabitants.
- Please grant patience and resolve conflicts with loved ones. This is especially true for brothers. After all, Vyacheslav loved his brother and considered him incapable of murder. He even spared him in the last minutes of his life. Although he understood that he invited him to the temple for the purpose of murder.
- They turn to the icon of St. Vyacheslav with a request to protect them from dangers.
- It is also believed that he can help restore faith to people who have abandoned the Church.
- The Great Martyr also patronizes the military. It is recommended to pray to him for those who are in places of war.
- Prayer helps to find inner harmony, wisdom and love for others, since historical sources indicate that the Czech prince was famous for these qualities.
- Please send strength to study and gain knowledge. During his lifetime, Vyacheslav the Czech was an educated man. He knew several languages and opened Christian schools. If you are having a hard time studying, be sure to pray to the holy great martyr.
- It is recommended to buy the icon for owners of the name Vyacheslav. It is believed that she will help them and help strengthen their faith.
Let's look at several effective prayers to Saint Vyacheslav in Old Church Slavonic, which have special power.
Miracles
Hostilities could begin between the princes of Prague and Kourim; the rulers decided to meet for a one-on-one battle in the field. At the moment of the meeting, Kourjima saw the crucified Jesus on his opponent’s forehead. What he saw so amazed the enemy that he fell to his knees before the saint.
The second incident occurred during the meeting of the princes with Emperor Henry. It was decided to greet the late ruler Vaclav while sitting, and force him to attend the meeting standing.
As soon as the saint appeared, the emperor, contrary to the agreement, rushed to meet him, for he saw angels around Wenceslas. It was at this meeting that the Czech Republic was presented with a shrine - part of the relics of St. Vitus.
Interesting! In the 12th century, the blessed Czech miraculously intervened in the battle with the army of the German king Lothair in 1126, the priests saw a rider on a white horse who literally crashed into the German army, putting it to flight.
The year 1260 was marked by the victory of the Czech king Přemysl II over the Hungarians, when a host of saints led by Wenceslas appeared at the head of the Czechs.
Prayers to the patron saint
If you want a saint to protect you from danger, read the following prayer:
Today Angels and people rejoice together in common joy, Heaven and earth rejoice brightly in your memory, holy one. And we, sinners, diligently cry out to you: pray to the Lady for us, to deliver us from the scourge of visible and invisible enemies who honor your blessed memory.
Below is a prayer for the conversion of non-believers to the Church.
The pious branch of the most honorable, the holy noble Grand Duke Vyacheslav, a champion of the Eastern Church in the Czechs and a warm refuge for the wretched and orphans, like the second Abel, you kindly endured death, beheaded by the hand of a brother before the church gates. In the same way, Christ dwelled in you as a confessor of the right faith in the heavenly abode, glorifying your all-honorable memory in the Slovenian tongues and giving you a quick helper to all who honor you. Pray for your people to the Lord, may He convert them into the fold of the Orthodox Church and save our souls.
Next, you can read a prayer to Saint Vyacheslav for wisdom.
Oh, holy Prince Vyacheslav! We earnestly ask you to pray for us (names), may the Lord God forgive our sins, voluntary and involuntary, and cleanse us from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, may He deliver us from the snares of the devil and save us from human slander, may He establish us in true faith and piety , may he keep us from futile and soul-sucking teachings, may we preserve our hearts from the temptations of this world, and may we teach us to get rid of carnal passions and lusts, so that we may be wise on the earth, and not on the earth, glorifying the Consubstantial Trinity forever and ever. Amen.
The prayer for forgiveness is below.
Oh, great warrior of Christ, holy martyr Prince Vyacheslav! Look down from the Heavenly Glory upon us sinners who have tasted the poison of lukewarmness. Pray for us, Holy Saint of God! May the Lord vouchsafe us, in the days of apostasy, the grace to acquire repentance, to look upon our brothers with compassion and with love at our enemies, and to keep our holy faith pure and justified before God without malice. May we be honored by your prayers to receive from the Lord the last Tsar in Holy Rus', with you as heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven: the eternal knowledge of God’s creations and the blessed praise of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ikos 5
Having seen the nobles of the Czech country, the great defender of piety, holy father, they led your brother Boleslav into temptation and distorted your piety. We all, marveling at your love for God, cry out to you:
Rejoice, God-glorified and wondrous ascetic.
Rejoice, reviled by the enemy of the human race, the devil.
Rejoice, calling to spiritual purity, to faith in the Truth.
Rejoice, you who proclaim the love of Christ through your life.
Rejoice, you joyfully gave your four sisters as wives to the princes of the surrounding countries.
Rejoice, having washed your country with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, you who loved Brother Boleslav in a Christian way.
Rejoice, his slander against you is nothing.
Rejoice, holy martyr Vyacheslav, wondrous prince of the Czech country.
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A simple prayer
However, it is not necessary to study prayers; it is enough to speak in your own words. The main thing is that they are dictated by the heart. For example, you can make a request to preserve family relationships with the following words:
“Holy Martyr Vyacheslav, I pray you to grant me (name) wisdom and patience. Help me save my family, bring back love and respect. Guide my husband (name) on the right path. I trust in your intercession. Amen".
It is recommended to pray in silence, in the morning or late in the evening. In order to create the appropriate atmosphere in the room and draw closer to the Lord, you can light a candle. After all, representatives of all religions consider fire a symbol of holiness and cleansing from filth.
Yokos v7
Under the 8th shadow of the blessed lyudmila, your leadership has been strengthened є3с2, counting 9іy, and 3 in your confirmation on the ancestral throne of the gates of the gates on the stage of the 1st plateau before the 8th person of the civil authority є3сi1 з, verb0лz: teach, sweetly, the blessing to my heir. Mh, greater good will towards you, with joy we sing to you:
Rejoice, blessed to the righteous forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jesus. Rejoice, in the crowning of an equal king, a constant and 3 є3lene ўpod0ble. Rejoice, you have been chosen by God to be a zealot of piety. Rejoice, the confirmation of the Orthodox faith and the 3rd century. Rejoice, such a marvelous enlightener. Rejoice, skete1cheskaya zhitiS zealot. Please, we are in Czech care for the word of the Czech land. Rejoice, the peace of the people is your unceasing thought.
Rejoice, shy m§enice vzčeslave, countries2 Czech kn7zhe pre1vny.
Icons of St. Vyacheslav
Traditionally, on icons the great martyr is depicted either waist-length or full-length. Rich clothes, a crown on his head and a sword speak of his high position during his lifetime. The saint's right hand is occupied by a cross, which is a symbol of inexhaustible faith.
Icons of the Great Martyr can be purchased at any shop near a temple or church. He is revered equally by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. The choice of materials from which icons are made is quite large - from plastic to expensive wood. Handicraft lovers can also find beaded icons on the Internet. It is also quite possible to make such a product yourself if you have the desire and some skills. However, remember that a hand-embroidered image must be consecrated in the church.
Hieromartyr Vyacheslav Lukanin, memorial date: February 8 (New Martyr), August 16
Almost ten centuries later, in the Russian state in the city of Perm, a boy will be born, whom his parents will also name Vyacheslav. He grew up very weak and sickly, and his studies were difficult for him.
Despite this, Vyacheslav Lukanin sought to enter a theological school; serving the Lord was his only desire, which was fulfilled over time. The Lord gifted him with a beautiful voice. This talent did not go unnoticed by the school teachers. Very often the young man served in the choir at the local church, they even began to call him “choir leader,” he did so well. He mastered other sciences with great difficulty, constantly retook exams, and devoted all his free time to church singing. In 1889, after graduating from college, he entered the Perm Seminary. But my health prevented me from getting my diploma.
However, the leadership of the seminary retains him at the educational institution as the regent of the educational choir. In 1901, his talent was appreciated so highly that he was invited to join the bishop's choir. A few years later he met a beautiful girl who became his wife - Maria Gordeevna Galkina. Soon they had a daughter. She will not be the only child in the family; a few years later, Vyacheslav and Maria had 8 more children, three of them died in infancy.
Icon of the Holy Martyr Vyacheslam Lukanin
In 1918, he was appointed regent of one of the choirs in the Yekaterinburg diocese. It was here, on the territory of the town of Kataysk, that punitive units “Red Eagles” were created, which were supposed to instantly respond to any commands of the godless authorities. The torture they inflicted on those arrested could perhaps compete in cruelty with the torment of the first Christians. Those detained were buried alive in the ground, quartered, abused in every possible way, humiliating human dignity, and forced to drink their own blood. And this despite the fact that the “employees” of such a detachment were sometimes not even 20 years old.
On the eve of the bright feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the martyr Vyacheslav and some believers of this town gathered to discuss how best to conduct the festive Liturgy. The meeting was held in the evening in one of the houses, they lit candles, and a small ray became visible from behind the curtains on the side of the street, where at that time there was a curfew and punishers were patrolling the streets. The monsters broke into the house and arrested everyone who was there. In the morning, the believers were taken to the temple and ordered to dig their own graves.
Father Vyacheslav finally asked only to pray in the temple, starting to read the funeral prayer, he slowly walked towards the temple, at that moment the “Krasnoorlovets” shot him in the back.
Deacon Vyacheslav Lukanin was canonized in 2002.
