Saint Dmitry Donskoy: life, summary, father of Dmitry Donskoy, icon, interesting facts, son, death, what the noble prince helps with, memorial day, photo, when canonized, meaning

There is one interesting fact from the life of St. Dmitry Donskoy. It is believed that he had two wives. The first one appeared at an early age. Presumably, she lived in marriage with him for only two years, as she died of the plague.

Saint Dmitry Donskoy - Prince of Moscow and Grand Duke of Vladimir. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. His memorial day is July 19.

Saint Dmitry Donskoy was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. Photo: kirmayak.ru

The life states that Dmitry Donskoy is the son of John the Red

The life of Dmitry Donskoy tells us that he was born in 1350. Dmitry Donskoy's father was John the Red, and his mother was Princess Alexandra. The noble Prince Dmitry was brought up in piety and glory from childhood. From infancy he began to love God. The son of John the Red grew up under the influence of Metropolitan Alexy.

1359

this year John Ioannovich decides to adopt the schema

At first, the role of the saint in state affairs was reduced more to the spiritual support of the first among the Russian princes, but after John dies, the metropolitan becomes the head of the Russian principalities.

It is he who bears responsibility for the entire course of affairs in Holy Rus'. What was the cause of death? In fact, no one has ever figured it out. It is believed that he had some kind of illness. It is known that he died at the age of 33.

For Dmitry, he is trying to completely replace his father. From an early age, Dmitry begins to learn patience and courage.

From an early age, Metropolitan Alexy replaced Dmitry's father. Photo: otpusk-zdorovo.ru

In the same year, Dmitry went to the Horde, as this was connected with two events at once - the death of the Russian prince and the change on the khan's throne. This trip, of course, was very dangerous, but the young prince needed to personally come into contact with the enemy, to see what the Russian land was like.

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Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke of Moscow

Dimitry Donskoy

Blessed Grand Duke of Moscow Dimitri,

nicknamed Donskoy, born in 1350.

Very little is known about “He was brought up in piety and glory, with soul-helping instructions,” says Dimitri Ioannovich’s “Sermon on Life,” “and from infancy he loved God. He was still young for years, but he devoted himself to spiritual matters, did not engage in idle conversations, did not like obscene words and avoided evil people, but always talked with virtuous people.”

The childhood of Saint Demetrius passed under the direct influence of Saint Metropolitan Alexy, who was a friend and adviser to Demetrius’s father, John Ioannovich.

1359 Grand Duke John Ioannovich, the meek brother of Simeon the Proud, after six years of reign, reposed in the schema at the 33rd year of birth. There are sons left: 10-year-old Dimitri, the younger John, six-year-old nephew Vladimir (in the future - the hero of the Battle of Kulikovo, who earned the name Brave). At first, the saint’s role in state activities was reduced to spiritual support for the first among the Russian princes, but after the death of John Ioannovich, the Metropolitan actually became the head of the Russian principalities. He, who headed the boyar duma, bears responsibility for the entire course of political affairs in Rus'. For nine-year-old Dimitri, he replaced his father for a long time, until his death in 1378. The saint is one of the closest people in the grand ducal house. His educational influence developed Demetrius's own high qualities; This image of the young prince was immortalized by the ancient descriptor of his life. From the very beginning of his life, the Grand Duke was involved in the environment of Russian asceticism, and was in the atmosphere that St. Sergius created around himself.

From an early age, the Grand Duke had to learn patience and courage, overcome himself, face mortal danger, and act in a completely unknown environment.

After the death of his father John Ioannovich, in 1359, the grand-ducal title departed from Moscow: the Horde preferred the Suzdal Dimitri Konstantinovich, a mature husband, to the young prince of Moscow.

in the Horde at that time, and amid these turmoil, the ill-fated Russian princes lived in the Horde, seeking the grand-ducal throne. In 1359 (or 1361 according to other assumptions) the young Dimitri was forced to travel to the Horde, this was due to two coinciding events - the death of the Russian Grand Duke and another change on the khan's throne. The trip of the youth Demetrius to the Horde - everyone was aware of this - was still accompanied by mortal danger. But it was also extremely useful to him, the future head of state; apparently, Saint Alexy, who blessed Demetrius for it, thought about this. He had to see with his own eyes the state of affairs: to come into contact with the enemy, who had been tormenting his native land for more than a century, with whom he had to be able to speak, and also, having sailed along three Russian rivers, to survey the Russian land, which he was supposed to rule. But in 1362, as a result of another coup in the Horde, Khan Amurat came to power. Considering the actions of his predecessors lawless, he sent the Grand Duke's label with the ambassador to Moscow. The Suzdal prince could not come to terms with this. With his troops, he occupied Pereyaslavl, not wanting to let Demetrius of Moscow go to Vladimir, where he, accompanied by his army, was going to marry the Grand Duchy. The dispute had to be settled with weapons. Thirteen-year-old Dimitri Ioannovich set out on his first campaign. Seeing the regiments of Moscow, the Suzdal prince fled in fear and shut himself up in Suzdal; Demetrius, having reached Vladimir, went through the ancient rite of enthronement here.

Here for the first time we note the trait of moderation and peacefulness in the young Prince Dimitri. He left his rival Dimitri Konstantinovich to reign peacefully in his native land - Suzdal, although it would have been more careful to completely deprive him of all power and strength... And in fact, the Suzdal prince, having ingratiated himself with Khan Amurat, again almost immediately occupied Vladimir. Again a campaign, again the expulsion of a rival from the grand ducal capital... Dimitri Ioannovich besieges Suzdal, but again, faithful to his unchanging love of peace, he spares the Suzdal prince, leaves him in an appanage reign and only takes an oath of allegiance from him.

As a young prince, he learned the science of Moscow politics, which consisted of a combination of strength and mercy. Under the guidance of the Metropolitan, the prince gradually acquired that special wisdom of a state ruler, which his contemporaries associated with his personality. Having established himself as a grand duke, Dmitry, already at the dawn of his reign, began work on unifying the Moscow land. Moscow was rising. She also strengthened the alliance with Suzdal, which ended in 1366 with the marriage of Grand Duke Dimitri and Suzdal princess Evdokia Dimitrievna.

Nevertheless , the constant difficulty of the position of Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich was that throughout almost his entire life he had to wage incessant wars with numerous enemies. In addition to the constant confrontation between Rus' and the external powers - the Horde and Lithuania, the Grand Duke had to vigilantly remember the enemies within Russia, the strongest of which were the principalities of Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan and especially Tver.

1368 the year marked the end of forty years of relative calm in Rus': the troops of Olgerd of Lithuania marched through the Russian land to Moscow, destroying everything in their path. The Grand Duke, Metropolitan Alexy, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, cousin of Dimitri Ioannovich, secluded themselves in Moscow. Olgerd began a siege, but the sight of the stone Kremlin embarrassed him; behind the new buildings one could see confidence in one’s own strength and in one’s right, concentrated power; and, after standing in sight of Moscow for three days, Olgerd lifted the siege and left for Lithuania. The Moscow land was devastated by the terrible invasion of the Lithuanians. But Dimitri Ioannovich had no intention of abandoning his broad unification policy. His closest friend, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, was sent to the veche republics of Novgorod and Pskov for the sake of concluding an alliance with them; The princes of Smolensk and Bryansk were punished for supporting Lithuania. Metropolitan Alexy excommunicated Princes Mikhail of Tver and Svyatoslav of Smolensk from the Church. Reading history, you do not have time to follow the thunderclouds that every now and then swoop down on the staunch Moscow principality and its ruler in this era.

In 1371 , Prince Mikhail of Tver went to Mamai to ask for a label for himself. Mamai, who had long been observing the actions of the Moscow prince Dimitri, who had not paid him tribute for a long time, willingly gave the label to Mikhail. Ambassador Sary-Khozha was sent to Moscow with an insulting invitation to Dimitri Ioannovich to Vladimir for Mikhail’s wedding. And here the Grand Duke acted as a free man, the true master of the situation: “I’m not going to the label, and I won’t let you go to the land to reign in Vladimir, but I’m an ambassador for you, the path is clear.” The main thing in this act was disobedience to the Horde - and in a very important matter. Dimitri Ioannovich, indeed, blocked Mikhail’s path to Vladimir by introducing his troops into Pereyaslavl: the Horde ambassador, who arrived in Moscow, was received well by the Grand Duke. Appeased, Sary-Khozha in the Horde interceded for the Moscow prince, which to some extent prepared his further success.

Soon , in the same year, Dimitri Ioannovich went to the Horde to stop the machinations of Mikhail; for this act - as well as for his other important political actions - the Grand Duke had the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy. The Grand Duke made virtually no significant government decisions without the blessing of the Church. Three figures invested with clergy turned out to be key for his life path: these are St. Alexy, St. Sergius and Theodore Simonovsky, later Archbishop of Rostov; each had a special influence on the Grand Duke. The leadership of Metropolitan Alexy, which continued until his death in 1378, according to the very personality of the saint, was of a vital and practical nature, and was for Dimitri Ioannovich a school not only for spiritual life, but also for governing the country. The Grand Duke returned to Moscow with the required label. Mikhail received a message from Mamai, which contained a denial of the right to a great reign.

The cause of the rise of Moscow required the solution and creative tasks, the establishment of one’s own home - with this the Grand Duke began a long-standing national business. At the heart of the life of the grand ducal house was a truly Christian marriage. The family life of the grand ducal couple took place under the spiritual guidance of St. Alexy, and later Theodore Simonovsky. The Monk Sergius also influenced her: of the twelve children of Dimitri Ioannovich and Evdokia Dimitrievna, two sons were baptized by the Trinity Abbot.

As the main personal trait of the Grand Duke, the author of the “Tale of Life...” names his extraordinary love for God. One of the names that the ancient scribe gave to Demetrius Ioannovich in praise of him is “He who does everything with God and fights for Him.” “Endowed with the rank of king, he lived like an angel, fasted and stood up again to pray, and always remained in such goodness. Having a perishable body, he lived the life of an incorporeal one.” “Governing the Russian land and sitting on the throne, he thought in his soul about solitude, wore the royal scarlet robe and the royal crown, and wanted to put on monastic robes every day. He always accepted honors and glory from the whole world, and carried the cross of Christ on his shoulders. He kept the Divine days of fasting pure and received the Holy Mysteries every Sunday. With the purest soul he wanted to appear before God; truly an earthly angel and a heavenly man appeared.”

For over a hundred and fifty years, long-suffering Russia languished under the heavy Tatar yoke. And finally, the Lord God listened to the prayers of Orthodox Rus' - the hour of liberation was approaching. The people, accustomed for a hundred years to tremble at the mere name of a Tatar, finally gathered their courage and stood courageously against the enslavers. How could this happen? Where did they come from, how were they raised, the people who dared to do such a thing, which their grandfathers were afraid to even think about?.. We know one thing, that the Monk Sergius blessed the main leader of the Russian militia for this feat, and this young leader was a man of the generation that matured under his gracious education.

In the 1370s , Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich joined the fight against the Golden Horde. This movement, inspired by the Russian Church, developed widely among the enslaved people.

In 1376 , a campaign against Volga Bulgaria took place. The Russians besieged the Bulgarians and, despite the presence of cannons in the city - a weapon unprecedented at that time - they forced it to surrender. This was a significant success for Moscow, its first offensive victory in the fight against the Tatars.

In 1378 , Mamai sent a large army to Russia, headed by the governor Begich; in July the Tatars invaded the Ryazan lands. This campaign was aimed not only at the robbery of the Ryazan principality, but, considering the size of the convoys, Begich did not exclude the possibility of reaching Moscow itself. Dimitri Ioannovich came out to meet the enemy, whose regiments defeated the Tatars.

The won battle on the Vozha River was a dress rehearsal for the battle on the Kulikovo Field. The terrible year 1380 was approaching. In vain did Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich try to appease the khan with gifts and submission: Mamai did not even want to hear about mercy. No matter how difficult it was for the Grand Duke, after the recent war with the Lithuanians and other restless neighbors, to prepare for war again, there was nothing to do: the Tatar hordes were approaching, like a thundercloud, towards the borders of what was then Russia.

Getting ready to set out on a campaign, Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich considered it his first duty to visit the monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity, there to worship the One God, glorified in the Trinity, and receive a parting blessing from the Venerable Abbot Sergius. He invited with him his brother Vladimir Andreevich, all the Orthodox princes and Russian governors who were then in Moscow, with a selected military squad, and after the day of the Assumption he left Moscow. The next day they arrived at the Trinity Monastery. Having here rendered his humble worship to the Lord of Hosts, the Grand Duke said to the holy abbot: “You already know, Father, what a great grief crushes me, and not just me, but all the Orthodox: the Horde prince Mamai moved the entire horde of godless Tatars. And now they are coming to my fatherland, to the Russian land, to destroy the holy churches and destroy the Christian people... Pray, Father, that God will deliver us from this trouble!”

With the saint, the elder reassured the Grand Duke with hope in God: “The Lord God is your helper; The time has not yet come for you to wear the crown of this victory with eternal sleep; but many, countless of your co-workers are woven with martyr’s crowns with eternal memory.” And, overshadowing the Grand Duke, who bowed before him with the holy cross, the God-bearing Sergius enthusiastically said: “Go, sir, without fear, the Lord will help you against your godless enemies!” And then, lowering his voice, he said quietly to one great prince: “Conquer your enemies”... With heartfelt emotion, the great prince listened to the prophetic word of the holy abbot: he shed tears from emotional excitement and began to ask the monk for a special gift as a blessing to his army and, as it were, in a pledge of God's mercy promised to him.

At that time, in the monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity, among the brethren who labored under the leadership of Sergius against invisible enemies, there were two monastic boyars: Alexander Peresvet, a former boyar of Bryansk, and Andrei Oslyabya, a former boyar of Lyubetsk. Their courage, bravery and military skill were still fresh in everyone’s memory: before accepting monasticism, both of them were famous as valiant warriors, brave heroes and people very experienced in military affairs. It was these monks-heroes that the Grand Duke asked for his regiments from St. Sergius: he hoped that these people, who devoted themselves entirely to God, with their courage could serve as an example for his army and thereby do him great service. And the Monk Sergius did not hesitate to fulfill the request of the Grand Duke, based on faith. He immediately ordered Peresvet and Oslyaba, instead of armor and helmets, to put on schemas decorated with the image of the cross of Christ: “Here is an incorruptible weapon for you, my children,” said the monk.

Having blessed the Grand Duke, his monastic knights and the entire princely squad with the cross and once again sprinkled with consecrated water, the Monk Sergius said to the Grand Duke: “May the Lord God be your helper and intercessor: He will defeat and overthrow your adversaries and glorify you!” Touched to the depths of his soul by the prophetic speeches of the elder, the Grand Duke answered him: “If the Lord and His Most Holy Mother send me help against the enemy, then I will build a monastery in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos.”

Meanwhile , the rumor quickly spread across the face of the Russian land that the Grand Duke went to the Trinity and received blessing and encouragement for the battle with Mamai from the great elder, the Radonezh hermit. A bright ray of hope flashed in the hearts of the Russian people, and those who were ready to stand against the Grand Duke of Moscow along with Mamai wavered. This was the old Ryazan prince Oleg. He was already preparing to unite with Mamai in order to profit at the expense of the Moscow prince, from whom he did not expect much resistance to such a strong enemy. But, having received the news that the Moscow forces had already crossed the Oka, that an ascetic monk named Sergius blessed the Moscow prince to go against Mamai, Prince Oleg became very alarmed. Even the enemies of the Moscow prince themselves placed the blessing of St. Sergius so highly. The blessing of the holy elder, even in their eyes, was considered a sufficient guarantee of the victory of the Grand Duke of Moscow. And Oleg put aside any thought of going to the aid of the Tatars against the Moscow regiments.

Just before the Grand Duke’s speech against the Tatars, a Divine sign occurred - a miraculous event: the relics of the blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, the great-grandfather of Dimitri Ioannovich, were discovered in Vladimir. The monk-sacristan of the church where the prince’s tomb was located, sleeping on the porch at night, suddenly saw that the candles standing in front of the icons lit up by themselves, and two elders approached the tomb, emerging from the altar. Turning to the prince lying there, they called out to him, forcing him to get up and go out to help his great-grandson, who was going to fight with the foreigners. The prince stood up and, together with the elders, became invisible. The next morning the coffin was dug up and the incorruptible relics were discovered. Apparently, Dimitri Ioannovich learned about this event even before the battle; it was reliable evidence of invisible help to him from his great ancestor.

8 September 1380, from early morning they formed a battle formation between the Don and Nepryadva rivers, ready to meet the godless enemy. At this very time, the monk Nektarios, sent with other brethren from St. Sergius, appears before the Grand Duke, bringing peace and blessing to him and his entire Christ-loving army. The holy elder saw in his spirit the need to once again strengthen the courage of the Grand Duke before the battle itself and sent him as a blessing the Mother of God prosphora and a handwritten letter, the end of which was preserved for posterity in one of our chronicles. This letter, exhorting the Grand Duke to fight courageously for the cause of God and to remain in the undoubted hope that God will crown their cause with happy success, ended with the following saying: “So that you, sir, go, and God and the Trinity will help you.”

quickly spread through the shelves; in their person, the great mourner of the Russian land seemed to have visited and blessed the Russian army, and this visit, at such an important and decisive moment for everyone, was as much unexpected as it was well-timed. Now even the weak in spirit were inspired by courage, and each warrior, encouraged by the hope of the prayers of the great elder, fearlessly went to battle, ready to lay down his soul for the holy Orthodox faith, for his beloved prince, for his dear Fatherland.

At the thought that many thousands of brave knights would fall in a few hours, like zealous victims of love for the Fatherland, Dimitri Ioannovich knelt in emotion and, stretching out his hands to the golden image of the Savior, shining in the distance on the red sign of the Grand Duke, for the last time he fervently prayed for the Christians and Russia. Then the noble prince Dimitri mounted his horse and rode around all the regiments, inspiring them with the words: “My fathers and brothers! For the sake of the Lord, fight for the sake of the saints, for the sake of the churches and the Christian faith, for this death is not death for us now, but eternal life; and, brothers, do not think about anything earthly; we will not retreat, because even then Christ the God and Savior of our souls will crown us with victorious crowns.”

arrived to help Moscow: Andrei Polotsky and Dimitri Bryansky and with them 70 thousand soldiers.

The terrible hour of this battle had come, which was to decide the fate of the Russia of that time. There was fog over the Kulikovo field; when it dissipated, two armies were revealed, their very appearance signifying the confrontation between darkness and light. The Tatar hordes appeared dark, as the chronicler notes; “The armor of the Russian sons is like water that flows in the wind, the gilded helmets on their heads glow like the morning dawn in clear weather; the Yalovites of their helmets sway like a fiery flame,” in the middle of the army a scarlet grand-ducal banner with the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands developed.

A hero of enormous height, strong build, and terrible appearance rode forward from the Tatar side ; His name was Chelubey. It was scary to look at this giant. And although there were many brave warriors among them, no one dared to volunteer for such a feat.

passed , and then one of Sergius’s monks stepped forward - his zealous novice, Schemamonk Alexander Peresvet. Everyone was moved to tears by the monk’s selflessness; everyone prayed to God to help him, like David of old against Goliath. And he, in only a schematic robe, without armor and a helmet, armed with a heavy spear, rushed like lightning on his fast horse against the terrible Tatar - both heroes fell dead to the ground!

Then “a bloody battle began to boil, swords sharp as lightning sparkled, spears crackled, blood flowed,” says Saint Demetrius of Rostov.

not stand it either: he got off the Grand Duke’s horse, gave it to his beloved boyar (Mikhail Brenko), ordered him to be under the banner in his place, and he himself took out the cross with particles of the Life-Giving Tree that was on his chest under his clothes, kissed it and rushed into battle with the Tatars along with ordinary warriors... The prince’s most ardent desire was the desire to take part in the battle; he was guided by the readiness to fight for faith and suffer for Christ. He neglected his privileged position and in his rush to merge with the military mass showed his great humility. Witnesses saw him carried on horseback from regiment to regiment, firmly fighting the Tatars, sometimes withstanding the attack of several warriors.

“ And there was a fierce and great slaughter, and a cruel battle, and a terrible roar,” the chronicler narrates, “since the creation of the world, there has not been such a battle among the Russian great princes as during this great prince of all Russia.” People died not only from swords, spears and under the hooves of horses - many suffocated from the terrible cramped conditions and stuffiness: The Kulikovo field did not seem to accommodate the fighting army, the earth sagged under their weight, writes one of the ancient authors. The spiritual essence of what was happening was revealed to those especially sensitive during these hours. We saw Angels helping Christians - at the head of the “three-solar” regiment was the Archangel Michael, the armies of the holy martyrs marched through the heavens and with them the holy warriors George the Victorious, Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the holy princes Boris and Gleb. Clouds of fiery arrows flew at the Tatars from the spiritual armies. They saw how a cloud appeared over the Russian army, from which many crowns fell on the heads of the Orthodox soldiers.

When Mamai and his regiments shamefully fled, abandoning their carts, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, returning to the Kulikovo field, now covered with dead bodies, began asking everyone about the Grand Duke. They testified that he fought in the front ranks, that he was surrounded by many enemies; someone talked about his injury - the last one who saw him stated that the prince wandered from the battlefield, reeling from his wounds. They began to look for the prince among the dead; Finally, he was found in a grove nearby, lying unconscious. God protected the prince; Despite the numerous blows he received from his enemies, he remained unharmed from serious wounds. Hearing the voices, he came to his senses, but the news of the victory finally returned his strength.

While the formidable battle of Kulikovo lasted, in the monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity, Holy Abbot Sergius gathered all his brethren and offered heartfelt prayers for the success of the great cause. In body he stood in prayer in the Church of the Holy Trinity, and in spirit he was on the Kulikovo field, seeing with the eyes of faith everything that was happening there.

And many valiant Russian soldiers died on that field. Chronicles say that out of 150 thousand soldiers, no more than 40 thousand returned to Moscow.

The Ulikov victory weakened the Russian army so much that it needed to be given rest, and the Moscow prince, as we have already seen, then had many enemies besides the Tatars. And then the Monk Sergius, preventing a clash between the Grand Duke and Oleg of Ryazan and preventing the terrible shedding of his own, brotherly, Russian blood, sent his cellarer. And this embassy was not in vain: the chronicle speaks of Oleg’s repentance, although not for long.

Returning to Moscow and dismissing the winning soldiers to their homes, Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich, nicknamed Donskoy for this victory, again arrived at the monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity to give thanks to the Lord who was strong in battle, and to personally tell the great elder about the God-given victory. Numerous memorial services were served in the Trinity Monastery for the fallen soldiers; a special day of their annual commemoration was established, called Dimitrievskaya Saturday, before the 26th of October (the day of the Angel of Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich) and, of course, it was established not without consultation with St. Sergius. Later it became a day of common remembrance of deceased ancestors, a parent's day. This is how the Battle of Kulikovo was immortalized in church memory.

of Dimitri Ioannovich is associated with the construction of a number of new monasteries and churches. With the blessing of St. Sergius, he founded the Assumption Stromynsky Monastery in 1378; It was intended, on the eve of the decisive battle with the Horde, to gather prayer books from all over the Russian land into it in order to spiritually support Rus'. Leonty, a disciple of St. Sergius, became the rector of the monastery. The Grand Duke built another, also the Assumption, monastery in gratitude to God for the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. It is called the monastery on the Dubenka River; Its first abbot was also a disciple of the Monk Sergius, the future Saint Savva of Zvenigorod. On the Kulikovo field itself the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built: the victory took place on this very holiday. Also, after the victory, Dimitri Ioannovich built the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery near Moscow and, again, with the help of St. Sergius, Dimitri Ioannovich built the Golutvinsky Monastery, as well as the stone Assumption Cathedral of the Simonov Moscow Monastery.

The last years of the life of Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich were probably the most difficult for him; After the Battle of Kulikovo, many difficult trials awaited him. In the autumn of 1380, according to the chronicles, Dimitri Ioannovich was first visited by serious illnesses - the inhuman stress of the great battle took its toll. The entire Russian land was exhausted. Before she had time to recover from the terrible losses in the Battle of Kulikovo, a new enemy appeared; the year 1382 was marked by the invasion of Tokhtamysh and the ruin of Moscow. This disaster was even worse after the brilliant victory. The Grand Duke, due to disagreements among the boyars, as the ancient author says, was unable to gather enough troops to repel the Tatars; then, to find people, he went to Pereyaslavl, and then to Kostroma. Metropolitan Cyprian remained in Moscow - he was unable to resist the unrest that began here.

The Metropolitan decided to leave Moscow, as did the Grand Duchess and her children. With difficulty they managed to leave the city walls. The Metropolitan went to Tver, the princess to her husband in Kostroma. The siege of Moscow began and the city held out for three days, but on the fourth, Tokhtamysh’s soldiers broke into the city. The pogrom committed in Moscow was terrible: people were killed in a row, altars were desecrated, churches were robbed, the treasury of the Grand Duke was plundered; books brought from all the surrounding areas to Moscow churches were burned - the city itself was eventually set on fire. When the Grand Duke returned to Moscow, he found the city ruined and deserted. And only the brave Vladimir chased the Tatars and defeated 6,000 enemies and took away many prisoners and carts. According to legend, Dimitri Ioannovich cried in the ruins of Moscow and ordered the dead to be buried with his own money.

Another great grief for the Grand Duke was the renewal of the old enmity with Tver: having despised all the written promises of 1375, Prince Mikhail went to the new khan to ask for a label for the great reign. In 1383, Grand Duke Dimitri was forced to send his eldest son, eleven-year-old Vasily, to the Horde to defend the Grand Duke's label. At the cost of renewing the annual tribute, Moscow managed to keep the label for itself - Mikhail failed, but Vasily was detained in the Horde as a hostage for two years.

Another restless neighbor of the Moscow prince was Oleg, the prince of Ryazan. Cunning and treacherous, he repeatedly violated treaties, entered into relations first with Olgerd and the Tver prince, then with Mamai and Tokhtamysh. The Grand Duke more than once sent proxies to him with peaceful proposals, but Oleg did not want to hear about peace. Then the Grand Duke called upon St. Sergius and personally asked him to take on the task of convincing the stubborn Prince of Ryazan to reconcile. In the late autumn of 1385, the humble elder set off, as was his custom, on foot to Ryazan. Oleg had already heard a lot about the Radonezh abbot: five years ago he did not dare to join the hordes of Mamai only because the Moscow prince received a blessing from St. Sergius for the battle with Mamai, and now he was glad to see the holy elder as his guest and to be blessed by him. The gentle admonitions of the godly Sergius softened the heart of the stern prince of Ryazan, and he sincerely opened up to the monk in his plans and “took eternal peace and love from generation to generation with the Grand Duke Demetrius.” This world was subsequently sealed by a family union: Oleg’s son Theodore took in marriage the Grand Duke’s daughter Sofia Dimitrievna.

So , under the constant care and paternal leadership of Saint Alexy and thanks to the active participation of the abbot of Radonezh, our venerable father Sergius, the Russian land, weakened by the discord of appanage princes, began to gradually unite.

The Grand Duke continued his difficult work: he restored the destroyed Moscow and kept his sword ready, keeping vigilantly the interests of the Moscow principality. The Grand Duke’s modus operandi remained the same: he first frightened and defeated enemies and disobedient people, then he pardoned and forgave them.

Little by little, these princes got used to the idea of the need to submit to the power of the Moscow prince, and the people awakened to the consciousness of the need to unite together in order to throw off the hated Tatar yoke with common forces. God knows whether the Grand Duke of Moscow, left to his own devices, could have achieved any success in this great undertaking, without the assistance of the Church in the person of such holy men, filled with the Spirit and power, as were the saints of God, Metropolitan Alexy and the God-bearing Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh.

Although , according to the chronicle, Dimitri Ioannovich was of a heroic build - “he was very strong, and his body was large and broad, and he was broad-shouldered and heavy and heavy; the brad and hair are black; his gaze is truly marvelous,” but even with these powerful forces, the incessant 26-year-old swearing anxiety must have tormented him physically and mentally. Feeling the approach of death, Demetrius Ioannovich sent for St. Sergius. The monk, who observed the entire course of the Grand Duke’s life, was not only the main witness in the drawing up of his spiritual will (which is confirmed by documents), but also taught Demetrius Ioannovich all the Christian sacraments he needed. The ancient source reproduces, if not the dying words of the Grand Duke in their historical literalness, then the general spirit of his edification to his neighbors. “You, my children,” said the pious prince, “live together, and obey your mother in everything... Whoever’s son does not obey his mother will not have my blessing... So I am going to God, and I entrust you to God and your mother : Always be in fear of it... Fear God; Love your boyars, be friendly to all your servants. And you, boyars, know my customs and character - I was born before your eyes, under you I grew up, with you I went against enemies, with you I defended my homeland... I loved you and your children, I shared both joy and sorrow with you ... Remember what you always told me: in the service of you and your children, we must lay down our heads... Be true to your word, serve my princess and my child, have fun with them in their joy, do not abandon them in time of sorrow.” ... So spoke the dying Don hero; and in his spiritual charter, he forever commanded his children and his descendants that after his father, his eldest son should inherit the grand-ducal throne, in addition to other senior persons in the clan, and thus established a new order of succession to the throne, which did not allow any disputes or claims on the part of the brothers of the deceased Grand Duke. And so, the protection of this so important decree, to which not only Moscow, but all of Russia forever owes the strengthening of a single autocratic power, was entrusted by the Providence of God to none other than the great sorrower of the Russian land, St. Sergius!

The reign of Dmitry Donskoy, with rare exceptions, did not know cases of servicemen leaving him; his spiritual will bears the largest number of boyar signatures. And just before his death, the Grand Duke wished his relatives, neighbors, boyars and all of Rus': “May the God of peace be with you!” There is a deep meaning hidden in these words! All the soul of the great and good prince, who worked hard and ached for the Motherland, poured out in this pious, ardent wish...

On May 19 , 1389 , Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich reposed. His death at the age of 41 shocked all of Rus'. After Vladimir Monomakh and Alexander Nevsky, the Russian people did not love or honor anyone so much. He was buried in the Archangel Cathedral, next to the tombs of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. According to legend, at the funeral service among the numerous clergy was the patron, prayer book, elder of the Grand Duke, St. Sergius of Radonezh.

In his zealous service to the Church of Christ, patriotic labors for the Fatherland and the people during the terrible years of the enemy yoke, the blessed prince appeared as a true son of the Russian Church, inspiring even now her faithful children to selflessly serve God and people. The righteous deed of the prince, who gave “his soul for his friends” (John 15:13), was not forgotten by the Orthodox believing people. He still encourages the children of the church to serve for the good of the Motherland and its people.

A special sign of the Lord’s will was the veneration of Prince Demetrius as God’s chosen one. According to the testimony of numerous sources, written monuments and iconography, the glorification of the prince began first in Moscow, and then throughout Russia. Soon after his death, the “Elocution”, the text of which was included in the Russian chronicles, and “Life” were written. The life notes Christian generosity and great love for the people, combined with widespread charity.

have also been preserved: on the fresco of the Archangel Cathedral and in the Chamber of Facets. The description of the prince’s image can also be read in the “Iconographic Original” (under May 9).

The memory of the Grand Duke is always alive and especially increases in years of wars and dangers. Thus, during the Great Patriotic War, the name of Prince Dimitri in the patriotic messages of the Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Sergius stood next to the name of Saint Alexander Nevsky; both warrior princes were called upon to help the suffering Fatherland. A tank column created at the expense of believers was named after Dimitri Donskoy.

as Grand Prince of Moscow as a holy believer on the basis of his great services to the Church and the people of God, as well as on the basis of his personal pious life, which embodied the saving Christian idea of sacrificing oneself to the point of blood for the good and salvation of others.

Source:

Text:

https://www.saints.ru/d/Dmitrii_Donskoi.html

Image:

Dimitri (Dmitry) Donskoy, Righteous Grand Duke;

Workshop of Ekaterina Ilyinskaya

To unite the Russian people, Dmitry married Princess Evdokia

It is also worth noting that Dmitry was not considered for the role of prince on the throne. At that time, there were enough candidates for this role in his pedigree. But fate itself decided that the Moscow principality should be governed by him. In order to unite the Russian people, it was necessary to perform a dynastic marriage. The choice fell on Princess Evdokia of Nizhny Novgorod and Suzdal.

The wedding of Evdokia and Dmitry took place in 1366. Over the years of their marriage, they had 12 children. There are some pretty interesting facts here. According to some sources, it is believed that Dmitry had another wife at the age of 12, but she died due to the plague. Legend also says that, despite the young age of the spouses, they fell in love with each other very much.

Dmitry Donskoy and his wife Princess Evdokia. Photo: otpusk-zdorovo.ru

Why did these two people become famous in the Russian Orthodox Church? It is believed that the marriage of these people was spiritual. Throughout their lives they shared each other's views and aspirations. Together they did charity work. It is also known that they founded the Pereyaslav monastery.

Trip of the youth Demetrius to the Horde

After the death of his father Ioann Ioannovich in 1359, the grand-ducal title departed from Moscow: the Horde preferred Suzdal's Dimitri Konstantinovich, a mature husband, to the young Prince of Moscow.

Civil strife also reigned in the Horde at that time, and amid these turmoil, the ill-fated Russian princes lived in the Horde, seeking the grand-ducal throne. In 1359 (or 1361, according to other assumptions) the young Dimitri was forced to travel to the Horde, this was due to two coinciding events - the death of the Russian Grand Duke and another change on the khan's throne. The trip of the youth Demetrius to the Horde - everyone was aware of this - was still accompanied by mortal danger. But it was also extremely useful to him, the future head of state; apparently, Saint Alexy, who blessed Demetrius for it, thought about this. He had to see with his own eyes the state of affairs: to come into contact with the enemy, who had been tormenting his native land for more than a century, with whom he had to be able to speak, and also, having sailed along three Russian rivers, to survey the Russian land, which he was supposed to rule. But in 1362, as a result of another coup in the Horde, Khan Amurat came to power. Considering the actions of his predecessors lawless, he sent the Grand Duke's label with the ambassador to Moscow. The Suzdal prince could not come to terms with this. With his troops, he occupied Pereyaslavl, not wanting to let Demetrius of Moscow go to Vladimir, where he, accompanied by his army, was going to marry the Grand Duchy. The dispute had to be settled with weapons. Thirteen-year-old Dimitri Ioannovich set out on his first campaign. Seeing the regiments of Moscow, the Suzdal prince fled in fear and shut himself up in Suzdal; Demetrius, having reached Vladimir, went through the ancient rite of enthronement here.

Here for the first time we note the trait of moderation and peacefulness in the young Prince Dimitri. He left his rival Dimitri Konstantinovich to reign peacefully in his native land - Suzdal, although it would have been more careful to completely deprive him of all power and strength... And in fact, the Suzdal prince, having ingratiated himself with Khan Amurat, again, almost immediately, occupied Vladimir. Again a campaign, again the expulsion of a rival from the grand ducal capital... Dimitri Ioannovich besieges Suzdal, but again, true to his unchanging love of peace, spares the Suzdal prince, leaves him in an appanage reign and only takes an oath of allegiance from him.

The death of Dmitry Donskoy occurred on May 19, 1389

The death of Dmitry Donskoy occurred on May 19, 1389. Then he was only 39 years old. The cause of his death remains unknown. The body of Dmitry Donskoy was buried in the Archangel Cathedral.

In those days, a widow had to go to a monastery. But Evdokia violated this rule, for which she was subject to condemnation. But the people preserved the holy memory of their Grand Duke and therefore supported the decision of their princess.

Blessed Evdokia is considered the patroness of Moscow.

Evdokia remained to raise her children, and when they grew up, she took monastic vows.

Divine sign

Grand Duke of Vladimir Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky

Just before the Grand Duke’s speech against the Tatars, a Divine sign occurred - a miraculous event: the relics of the blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, the great-grandfather of Dimitri Ioannovich, were discovered in Vladimir. The monk-sacristan of the church where the prince’s tomb was located, sleeping on the porch at night, suddenly saw that the candles standing in front of the icons lit up by themselves, and two elders approached the tomb, emerging from the altar. Turning to the prince lying there, they called out to him, forcing him to get up and go out to help his great-grandson, who was going to fight with the foreigners. The prince stood up and, together with the elders, became invisible. The next morning the coffin was dug up and the incorruptible relics were discovered. Apparently, Dimitri Ioannovich learned about this event even before the battle; it was reliable evidence of invisible help to him from his great ancestor.

On September 8, 1380, from early morning, they formed a battle formation between the Don and Nepryadva rivers, ready to meet the godless enemy. At this very time, the monk Nektarios, sent with other brethren from St. Sergius, appears before the Grand Duke, bringing peace and blessing to him and his entire Christ-loving army. The holy elder saw in his spirit the need to once again strengthen the courage of the Grand Duke before the battle itself and sent him as a blessing the Mother of God prosphora and a handwritten letter, the end of which was preserved for posterity in one of our chronicles. This letter, exhorting the Grand Duke to fight courageously for the cause of God and to remain in the undoubted hope that God will crown their cause with happy success, ended with the following saying: “So that you, sir, go, and God and the Trinity will help you.”

The news quickly spread across the shelves about the envoys of the Sergievs, in their person the great mourner of the Russian land seemed to have visited and blessed the Russian army, and this visit at such an important and decisive moment for everyone was as much unexpected as it was well-timed. Now even the weak in spirit were inspired by courage, and each warrior, encouraged by the hope of the prayers of the great elder, fearlessly went to battle, ready to lay down his soul for the holy Orthodox faith, for his beloved prince, for his dear Fatherland.

The Olgerdovich princes also arrived to help Moscow: Andrei Polotsky and Dimitri Bryansky and with them 70 thousand soldiers.

Dmitry made a campaign against the Tver prince, and also fought with the people of the Golden Horde

But it is worth mentioning the reign of Dmitry Donskoy, although it was very small. He ruled for 30 years. Dmitry made a campaign against the Tver prince, and also fought with the people of the Golden Horde. All these life lessons taught Prince Dmitry to respect and appreciate every person, to treat everyone kindly.

Dmitry Ivanovich was a good politician and strategist. Among other Moscow princes, Dmitry's reforms greatly expanded the state. The number of lands that joined the Moscow state became significantly larger.

Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy was a good politician and strategist. Photo: otpusk-zdorovo.ru

It is also worth mentioning that in Moscow the prince became famous for minting silver coins. They began to remodel the Kremlin walls and towers.

Construction of new monasteries and temples

The name of Dimitri Ioannovich is associated with the construction of a number of new monasteries and churches. With the blessing of St. Sergius, he founded the Assumption Stromynsky Monastery in 1378; It was intended, on the eve of the decisive battle with the Horde, to gather prayer books from all over the Russian land into it in order to spiritually support Rus'. Leonty, a disciple of St. Sergius, became the rector of the monastery. The Grand Duke built another, also the Assumption, monastery in gratitude to God for the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. It is called the monastery on the Dubenka River; Its first abbot was also a disciple of the Monk Sergius, the future Saint Savva of Zvenigorod. On the Kulikovo field itself the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built: the victory took place on this very holiday. Also, after the victory, Dimitri Ioannovich built the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery near Moscow and, again, with the help of St. Sergius, Dimitri Ioannovich built the Golutvinsky Monastery, as well as the stone Assumption Cathedral of the Simonov Moscow Monastery.

Before the Battle of Kulikovo Field, Dmitry took a blessing from Sergius of Radonezh

It was also important that Dmitry was a believer. He often provided assistance to Orthodox churches and opened new monasteries. In those days, the Russian people suffered from the attacks of the Mangolo-Tatars. At the same time, the struggle for the khan’s state was very vulnerable.

In 1374, Dmitry refused to pay tribute to Mamai, as was the case for many years. Then the prince took the first serious step, which marked the beginning of the overthrow of the Tatar-Mongols in Rus'. When he decided to continue his actions against the Horde, he took the blessing of St. Sergius of Radonezh before the battle with the enemy.

Before the Battle of Kulikovo Field, Dmitry Donskoy took a blessing from St. Sergius

Rodion Oslabya and Alexander Peresvet went with Dmitry. According to legend, before the battle on the Kulikovo Field, Sergius of Radonezh gave Dmitry a bag of medicinal herbs.

How they portray

Artists

Many Russian painters turned to the theme of the heroic battle on the Kulikovo Field.

Ilya Glazunov

In 1962, the artist began painting a number of canvases united by the theme of the Battle of Kulikovo. This work continued for 30 years.

Ilya Glazunov. Eve. Sergius of Radonezh and Dmitry Donskoy before the Battle of Kulikovo. From the series “Kulikovo Field”. Option-repetition. 2004

Painting "Prince Dmitry". The artist depicts Dimitry Ioannovich before the battle. The prince's face is calm and expresses confidence. However, the crimson color of the cloak and the sharp spears behind his back convey the general anxiety of the plot of the composition. The high mission of the Russian soldiers is figuratively emphasized by the background of the canvas chosen by the master, which represents a cloudy blue sky, symbolizing the purity and nobility of the goal of those fighting for the freedom of the Fatherland.

“They found Prince Dmitry”

Another painting from the “Kulikovo Field” series. The plot of the film is based on the events that occurred after the battle, when a wounded prince was found among the fallen soldiers.

The artist himself explains that in his creations he sought

“to convey only the authenticity of life, the truth of what is happening, so that once again our contemporary would touch the great past of the Motherland, with renewed vigor he would feel the inextricable connection of times, the connection of generations, his involvement in the events of bygone eras.”

Ilya Glazunov. Cycle “Kulikovo Field”. Dmitry Donskoy. 1980.

A.N. Novoskoltsev

“St. Sergius blesses Demetrius Donskoy”

The painting was painted by the painter in 1882. At that time, he was completing his studies in the life class of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. For this programmatic work, which reliably reproduces the events of that distant era, the exact setting and psychological portrait of the participants, Alexander Nikanorovich Novoskoltsev received a large academic medal.

At the beginning of the 19th century. The professorship of the Academy of Arts proposed this topic to its graduates as a thesis. Orest Kiprensky then received a gold medal for the painting “Dmitry Donskoy on the Kulikovo Field,” created in 1805.

Vasily Sazonov

In 1824, a canvas with the same name was depicted by the artist Vasily Sazonov. Although his work was not realistic and did not fully correspond to the national color, it forever entered the golden fund of works of Russian academic painting.

Temple paintings

Franz Nikolaevich Riess

In the middle of the 19th century, the Russian painter Franz Nikolaevich Riess completed some wall paintings in the northwestern part of St. Isaac's Cathedral, including a depiction of a majestic scene of the blessing of Demetrius Donskoy by Abbot Sergius of Radonezh. This work of the great master adorns St. Isaac's Cathedral to this day.

Yvon Adolphe

Adolf Yvon. Battle of Kulikovo Field, 1850

In 1850, by order of Nicholas I, the French battle painter Yvon Adolphe created a monumental canvas called “The Battle of the Kulikovo Field”, the central part of the composition of which is occupied by the image of St. Prince Demetrius in the midst of the battle. It was planned that this creation would decorate the lower corridor of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, but events changed, and today the painting adorns the flight of stairs leading to the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

Frescoes

Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. On the pillars above and below the illustrations of the Apocalypse are figures of saints - Byzantine emperors and Russian princes, including Prince Dimitri Donskoy and his son Vasily. Work of Pskov craftsmen commissioned by Ivan III Vasilyevich, 1484-1489.

The oldest fresco depicting the prince together with his son Vasily is located in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. It was made at the beginning of the 16th century. artist Feodosius. A later fresco, created in the second half of the 16th century, is located on the southern wall of the Archangel Kremlin Cathedral. On it, Dimitri Ioannovich is presented among other Moscow rulers.

The image of the prince can be seen on a fresco of the late 17th century. in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Novospassky Monastery, as well as on the central vault of the front vestibule of the Moscow Historical Museum. The last image was made in 1883 by the artel of F.G. Toropova.

Monuments

Having become one of the eight most significant figures in national history, Dmitry Donskoy is represented on the middle tier of the monument “Millennium of Russia”
Icons: peering into the face
The first images of the holy prince appeared in the 15th century. And by the 17th century, the basic rules for painting its external appearance had already been established, which were included in the iconographic originals. In particular, they said that Dimitri Ioannovich is portrayed

“like Boris in the likeness... gray hair, curly hair, brada with Nikolina, simple, princely vestments.”

After the canonization of the prince in 1988, his image was introduced into the program of temple paintings. Nowadays, the commander is most often depicted either in a traditional princely costume - a fur coat and a richly decorated hat, or in battle armor with a weapon in his hands - in memory of his great feat for the glory of his native Fatherland.

hagiographic

The earliest and most complete cycle of hagiographies of this Moscow ruler is presented in the Facial Chronicle Code - the famous Tsar Book of Ivan the Terrible, stored in the Library of the Academy of Sciences. All the significant events in Demetrius’ life are captured here: from the wedding feast and the birth of his first child to his will and humble death, during which, according to the miniatures, an angel lifted the prince’s pious soul to the Heavenly Lord.

Dmitry Donskoy in the hagiographic cycle of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, on the icon of the 80s of the 15th century, letters from the icon painter Dionysius from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, in the 12th hallmark the meeting of the saint who returned from the Horde with the “Prince of All Rus'” is depicted

Several lithographs with scenes from the prince's life were reproduced in 1838 by engraver Pyotr Ivanov based on drawings by B. A. Chorikov . Among them:

“The son of Grand Duke Ivan II Demetrius greets Saint Alexy, who has returned from the Horde,”
“Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich under the blessing of St. Sergius accepts the monks Peresvet and Oslyabya as associates,”
“Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy was wounded in the battle with Mamai”
and a number of others.

Today, one of the most famous and especially revered hagiographic images of the prince is his face in the Kazan Cathedral in Lyudinovo. This image is considered the patron saint of this parish brotherhood.

Image with his wife Euphrosyne of Moscow

On January 18, 1366, a marital union was concluded between Prince Dimitri and the young Princess Evdokia. In essence, it was a political union between the Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod-Suzdal principalities, competing with each other for the Vladimir throne.

The first joint images of the princely couple, dating back to the 16th century, can be seen in the miniatures of the Front Chronicle. The Library of the Academy of Sciences also contains the famous “Tale of the Life and Repose of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia,” containing 17 hagiographic miniatures of the prince, each of which contains an image of his wife. This cycle of images glorifies the princely family as an example of a pious Christian marriage.

A true work of art is woven by the nuns of the Ascension Monastery in 1907 , in honor of the 500th anniversary of the repose of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow, a cover with a life-size depiction of the princess together with her husband, as well as St. Alexis and St. Sergius. Embroidered on the border of this hand-made masterpiece are the words:

“Holy Reverend Princess Euphrosyne, children of your monastery, created by you, and covered by your prayers in the five centuries that have passed, now gratefully confessing, bringing the blessings of the Lord and brightly triumphantly bringing your holy memory, they cry out to you in prayer: and in the coming times and years, do not cease to cover us with your prayers and help us in our lives and in the outcome of our souls, and in the future, amen. 1407-1907, July 7 days.”

Nowadays, joint images of the princely couple are present in many Russian churches. For example, in the Church of St. Demetrius of Donskoy and Euphrosyne of Moscow in Tula, in the Holy Trinity Church. Arbuzovo, Vladimir region and in other parishes.

On November 19, 2013, near the only church in Russia, St. A monument to the holy spouses was erected in Kotlovka to Euphrosyne of Moscow. The sculptor Dmitry Kukkolos, wanting to show the importance of the Orthodox family for society, depicted Demetrius Donskoy and Euphrosyne of Moscow with two children: their firstborn Vasily and baby Yuri, whom the princess holds in her arms.

Blessing of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Ancient images depicting this great event can today be seen only in miniatures in ancient handwritten editions from the collections of the Russian State Library. For example, in a book of the 17th century. from the library of Simon Azaryin.
In the monastery in honor of the Don Icon of the Mother of God, a high relief composition with the plot of this event, made in the mid-19th century by sculptor A.V., Loganovsky.
The State Museum of the History of Religion houses an image created in 1904 by icon painter V.P. Guryanov . The artist depicted a kneeling prince leaning on a sword while receiving the blessing of St. Sergius.
An image with this plot can be seen in the wall paintings of the Serapion Chamber of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It was made in 1949 by the famous Russian icon painter and restorer nun Juliania (Sokolova) .

Images of the saint on church paintings, for example, St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

The Battle of Kulikovo took place on September 21, 1380

The Battle of Kulikovo took place on September 21, 1380. It took place at the confluence of the Don and the Nepryadva River. The troops of the Golden Horde were led by Khan Mamai. The confrontation began with the battle of Peresvet and Chelubey. Both of them died in battle. But at the end of the battle, Peresvet won.

Duel between Peresvet and Chelubey. Photo: otpusk-zdorovo.ru

The ambush regiment of Dmitry Donskoy turned out to be fatal for the Tatars. Mamai's army fled.

As mentioned earlier, Prince Dmitry had 12 children. One of his famous great-grandsons was Alexander Nevsky. Alexander was also canonized. Many churches were built in honor of Alexander Nevsky.

Examples of help, reviews

Story by archeology professor Andrey Datsenko:

“After reading about the Massacre of Mamayev, I had a natural desire to see this place. By that time, archaeologists had not been able to make a single significant find near Tula for many years, and disputes about where the Mamaev Massacre took place had been going on for 15 years.

On June 4, 1995, our expedition worked in the fields, searching with a metal detector and shovels. At about half past three, in the very heat, I had a desire to pray to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos and Dmitry Donskoy that they would help us find the place of the battle. I prayed for a long time. And suddenly the wind blew at the back of our heads. It was hot, suffocating weather with no wind, and suddenly the wind blew. It became clear that someone was leading us to the find. Some unknown force. The power of Dmitry Donskoy himself. An arrowhead was found that day. After this discovery, big changes began in my life and in the life of this place.”

Story by physicist Alexander Gromov:

“After a leg injury, I wore prosthetics, but the pain did not go away. Then I decided to go to the healing waters of the Forgiven Well. Medicine is needed, but the Lord provides healing through His sources and holy prayers. My ancestor Lev Moroz was a participant in the Battle of Kulikovo, and I felt a connection with this place and, especially, with Dmitry Donskoy.
I bathed in the spring, not three times, but three times three. And something amazing happened: the disease seemed to be “washed away with water.” Thank God for this source! Because we have such a miracle where healings happen by faith. The holy seers saw (in visions) that up to seven thousand Russian soldiers who took part in the battle received the crowns of martyrs.
Therefore, water, passing through the thickness of the earth in which the relics of seven thousand saints rest, becomes healing and exhibits absolutely unexpected properties. And, of course, you need to believe in it.”

The story of the military priest Fr. Dmitry (Vasilenko):

“This happened in 2009. Before going to the position, we served the Liturgy in Khankala in the Church of Demetrius Donskoy. We prayed and asked God and the holy prince for help. They asked us to protect us and the boys from harm. That day, the convoy was ambushed. They shot almost point-blank, but the bullets flew past. A thrown grenade hit the roof and flew off to the side. A small detachment fought back. The Lord works miracles if people turn to Him. He helps. And there are many such situations. The guys prayed and came out of difficult situations with virtually no losses, although it seemed that the situation was hopeless.”

Story by artist and TV presenter Dmitry Orlov:

“Dmitry Donskoy was born six and a half centuries ago, but today everyone in Russia knows his name. And about his main feat - the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, too. This is a special saint in the series of Russian saints. He did not heal, did not preach, did not suffer martyrdom for Christ. He is a holy worker. Under his leadership, Russian soldiers won the Battle of Kulikovo, which marked the beginning of the liberation of our land from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. He set us free. That is why at a conscious age, at 21, when I was baptized, I chose him as my heavenly patron. When looking at his life, it becomes noticeable that the Lord was always with him, who guided him, instructed him and ultimately made him worthy of canonization. Centuries have passed, and now Saint Dmitry Donskoy himself helps and instructs, gives people faith in the future and in the rightness of his cause.”

Tatyana Rasnovskaya

An icon was written for Dmitry Donskoy

An icon was written for Dmitry Donskoy. There are many options for icons. On one of the icons Dmitry Donskoy is depicted in princely attire. In his left hand he holds a sword, and his other hand is near his chest.

There are icons in which Dmitry is depicted with a temple in one hand, and in the other hand he holds a sword. In the photo you can see such icons.

One of the variants of Dmitry Donskoy’s icons. Photo: krestilnoe.ru

Truly Christian marriage

The cause of the rise of Moscow required the solution of creative tasks, the establishment of one’s own home - with this the Grand Duke began a long-standing national business.
At the heart of the life of the grand ducal house was a truly Christian marriage. The family life of the grand ducal couple took place under the spiritual guidance of St. Alexy, and later of Theodore Simonovsky. The Monk Sergius also influenced her: of the twelve children of Dimitri Ioannovich and Evdokia Dimitrievna, two sons were baptized by the Trinity Abbot. As the main personal trait of the Grand Duke, the author of the “Tale of Life...” names his extraordinary love for God. One of the names that the ancient scribe gave to Demetrius Ioannovich in praise of him is “He who does everything with God and fights for Him.” “Endowed with the rank of king, he lived like an angel, fasted and stood up again to pray, and always remained in such goodness. Having a perishable body, he lived the life of an incorporeal one.” “Governing the Russian land and sitting on the throne, he thought in his soul about solitude, wore the royal scarlet robe and the royal crown, and wanted to put on monastic robes every day. He always accepted honors and glory from the whole world, and carried the Cross of Christ on his shoulders. He kept the Divine days of fasting pure and received the Holy Mysteries every Sunday. With the purest soul he wanted to appear before God; truly an earthly angel and a heavenly man appeared.”

For over a hundred and fifty years, long-suffering Rus' languished under the heavy Tatar yoke. And finally, the Lord God looked upon the prayers of Orthodox Rus' - the hour of liberation was approaching. The people, accustomed for a hundred years to tremble at the mere name of a Tatar, finally gathered their courage and stood courageously against the enslavers. How could this happen? Where did they come from, how were they raised, the people who dared to do such a thing, which their grandfathers were afraid to even think about?.. We know one thing, that the Monk Sergius blessed the main leader of the Russian militia for this feat, and this young leader was a man of the generation that matured under his gracious education.

Posthumous fame

A special sign of the will of the Lord was the veneration of Prince Demetrius as God’s chosen one. According to the testimony of numerous sources, written monuments and iconography, the glorification of the prince began first in Moscow, and then throughout Russia. Soon after his death, a “Laudatory Word” was written, the text of which was included in Russian chronicles, and a life. The life notes Christian generosity and great love for the people, combined with widespread charity.

Iconographic images of the Grand Duke have also been preserved: on the fresco of the Archangel Cathedral and in the Chamber of Facets. The description of the prince’s image can also be read in the “Iconographic Original” (under May 9).

The memory of the Grand Duke is always alive and especially increases in years of wars and dangers. Thus, during the Great Patriotic War, the name of Prince Dimitri in the patriotic messages of the Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Sergius stood next to the name of Saint Alexander Nevsky; both warrior princes were called upon to help the suffering Fatherland.

A tank column created at the expense of believers was named after Dimitri Donskoy.

Author:

Tatiana
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