Petr Kalnyshevsky: biography. The canonization of ataman Peter Kalnyshevsky

Petr Kalnyshevsky is the famous ataman of Zaporizhzhya Sich, who was the last in the history of the Cossack republic to hold this high post. For his exploits during his lifetime, this person, after consideration of the report of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was canonized. Righteous Peter Kalnyshevsky is commemorated on November 13 according to a new style, the day of his death. How did this man live, and what miracles that they accomplished during his lifetime, served to the fact that he was ranked among the saints? The answer to this question will be given in the article.

The beginning of the life path

Kalnyshevsky Pyotr Ivanovich was born in the village Pustovoitovka, which is located in the Sumy region (Ukraine). The year of his birth is 1691. Unfortunately, in the history there is practically no data on his childhood and adolescence. The facts about his early years are confirmed only by the memories of eyewitnesses and stories that were passed on from mouth to mouth.

It is known only that he was born in the family of a Cossack sergeant. Soon his mother was widowed, and Peter at the age of eight got to Zaporizhzhya Sich. True or legend, it is not known for certain. How exactly he got into the cossack haven, too, is not known.

In Zaporozhye, Peter Kalnyshevsky received his first education, it was a school at the church. It should be noted that at that time education had a huge role in the future career of any Cossack. In Zaporizhzhya, with the churches, several schools were opened, where the lessons were conducted by representatives of the clergy.

The fact that he began his military career as a simple squire is credible. Before becoming a Ataman ataman, he was both a marching colonel from 1752 to 1761, and a military esaul in 1754, and a military judge from 1763 to 1765.

Kalnyshevsky was a very talented military leader, a fearless warrior, a cunning politician; He knew and knew many things. Therefore it is not surprising that soon he was awarded a new military rank - Lieutenant-General.

Kalnyshevsky was well known at the Court. Not once he was the head of Cossack embassies to both Peter I and Catherine II.

1762 was a turning point in his fate - Kalnyshevsky was chosen as the ataman of the cat.

The first ataman

Petr Kalnyshevsky, whose biography is rich in historical events, was elected ataman not once. His first elected office was called: "Koshevoy ataman - the helmsman of the whole army." For this position, the Cossacks chose a chapter among the most brave and experienced elder.

For the first time Kalnyshevsky was ataman very little. His authority among the Cossacks was very great. Removed him from this post Catherine II as objectionable to the government.

The Second Ataman

Peter Kalnyshevsky was so respected in the Cossack army that the Cossacks were not even afraid to break the decree of the tsarina. Contrary to the will of Catherine II, the Cossack sergeant again chose him as his ataman ataman. It happened in 1764.

It should be noted that, as an ataman, Kalnyshevsky actively developed livestock and farming in Zaporozhye. He wanted to increase the number of people in this area and for this he helped the peasants who ran away from their owners. With his support and participation, the Cossacks very often raided the Tatars, freeing their compatriots from captivity. Subsequently, the ataman allocated land for them in Zaporozhye.

Thanks to Kalnyshevsky soon the Zaporozhye steppe acquired numerous new villages. Petr Kalnyshevsky himself became one of the richest people in Ukraine. He was the owner of many villages and farmsteads, fields and pastures, had a many thousands herd of cattle.

Kalnishevsky went down in history and as a well-known philanthropist. On his money were built churches and churches in several Ukrainian cities and villages.

Kalnyshevsky and Ekaterina II

Catherine II played a huge role not only in the fate of Kalnyshevsky, she put her hand to the destruction of the entire Zaporozhye Sich. But this will be discussed later.

In the meantime, it is known that in his time Kalnyshevsky, being a member of the Zaporozhye delegation to the court, took this opportunity to get acquainted with the Russian aristocracy and establish diplomatic relations with useful personalities.

This led to the fact that over time, Kalnyshevsky Pyotr Ivanovich became one of the richest and most influential people in Ukraine. Being an ataman, he was even invited to the coronation of Catherine II.

His speech was very pleased and was noted by the queen, but this did not affect her decision to remove Kalnyshevsky from the position of ataman of the Cossack army (this is the first withdrawal of Kalnyshevsky from his post). One of the versions of this historical event says that the tsarina did not like very zealous settling by the ataman of the lands of the Zaporozhye Sich.

When Kalnyshevsky was elected for the second time, a special investigation department was created on the order of the tsarina, who was investigating the reasons for such impudent disobedience to the royal court. Who knows what would have ended this investigation and how many goals would have flown off the block, had it not been for the war between Russia and Turkey.

Russian-Turkish war

The Tsar's court understood that the Cossack army could render a significant help in the victory over the Turks, moreover, it was the Cossacks who were assigned the decisive role in this war. Catherine II had no choice but to "close her eyes" to Kalnyshevsky's arbitrary choice of cossacks, she had to reconcile herself to the fact that her will was not fulfilled.

This served to the fact that, having a huge influence, as well as wealth, Kalnyshevsky invariably remained a catamaran ataman until the last day of the existence of Sich. Every year for 10 years, he was elected ataman.

And in the war between Russia and Turkey, the Cossack army showed itself only from the best side. The tsarina was very pleased and complimented the military ataman of the military rank of Lieutenant-General. In addition, ataman Peter Kalnyshevsky received the title of Chevalier of the Order of the Russian Empire - Andrew the First-Called.

Sich: end of the story

Zaporozhtsy were serviceable soldiers, they supported Russia in the war with Turkey. But at the royal court the attitude towards them was extremely negative: the Cossacks were considered rebels. While for Russia there was a threat from the Tatars, the Zaporozhye army tolerated and accepted, but after signing a peace treaty with the Crimean Khanate, the Empress decided to get rid of the Cossacks. Prince Potemkin was issued a decree on the destruction of Zaporozhye Sich. So, in May 1755, the governor Potemkin Tekeli surrounded with his troops the Sich.

When guns were directed at Cossacks, they were introduced to the decree of the empress, in which it was said that the Sich is a threat to the whole empire. But the queen wanted to be fair, remembering what help the Cossacks had in the war with the Turks, she suggested wishing to stay on the Sich to leave the military profession and engage in farming.

At the Cossack Rada, which led Kalnyshevsky, it was decided to avoid bloodsheding resistance. For quite recently the Cossacks fought shoulder to shoulder with the Russians against the Tatars.

This decision served to the fact that the Sich was completely destroyed and ceased to exist.

The further fate of Kalnyshevsky

Kalnyshevsky Pyotr Ivanovich, whose biography had accomplished a new turn, was seized and taken directly to St. Petersburg. The former ataman was judged by the military collegium. For his disobedience to the orders of the government, he was found guilty.

Now historians are pushing forward the theory that the reason for everything was that Kalnyshevsky wanted to become the founder of the absolutely new Sich, where the Cossacks and the whole sergeant-major would be faithful only to him.

Kalnyshevsky, who at that time was 85 years old, was sentenced to death. Potemkin himself bothered that the punishment was replaced with the old ataman ataman for lifelong exile to the Solovetsky Monastery.

Solovetsky Monastery

Potemkin's troubles took on strength, and Peter Kalnyshevsky, the last ataman, was determined To prison for especially dangerous Villains, who was in the Solovetsky Monastery.

Since the ataman was considered especially dangerous for the whole of the Russian Empire as a criminal, he was deprived of the right to communicate and correspond. So, Kalnyshevsky was imprisoned for as long as 25 years.

While the other prisoners of this monastery were guarded by 2 guards, Kalnyshevsky was assigned 4. He was allowed to leave the place of imprisonment only 3 times a year, for large religious holidays: the Transfiguration of the Lord, Christmas and Easter. These days he attended Divine Services.

It should be noted that Potemkin and Catherine II were still waiting for the 85-year-old to repent. A lot of money was allocated for its maintenance, he was even considered an honorary prisoner. However, the proud koshevoy never during his stay in exile filed any petition neither to the empress, nor to her heirs. Moreover, having strong health, he experienced both Potemkin and Catherine.

Release

Petr Kalnyshevsky was 110 years old when Catherine's grandson decided to release him. The former ataman was invited to choose his own place for further residence. Having so venerable age, the old man, although already blind, still remained with a clear mind. He simply expressed his gratitude for his release (note, not without a certain amount of irony) and expressed a request to allow him to live in the place to which he was so used for 25 years of imprisonment.

Kalnyshevsky: attitude to religion

Being a ataman ataman, Kalnyshevsky was very religious. Near him, he loved to hold monks, listened to the advice of spiritual guides.

During his lifetime, he was the initiator and builder of multiple temples. On his money, many churches have acquired new church utensils.

Being a prisoner of the Solovetsky Monastery, he distinguished himself with his devotion and humility.

After liberation, Kalnyshevsky lived for another 2 years. In 1803 he was buried near the Transfiguration Cathedral, on the territory of the monastery. Unfortunately, the place of burial of the valiant ataman in its original form was not preserved, because in the 30s of the last century the prison was again resumed on the territory where the ataman was staying, but this time for the enemies of the country of the Soviets.

Since in the burial place of the ataman, people sitting in the prison simply planted vegetable gardens, the grave was razed to the ground. Over time, the gravestone was found and restored, indicating that Kalnyshevsky was buried on this land.

Petr Kalnyshevsky: canonization

Grateful descendants do not forget the great ataman. On the site of his burial was erected a monument with the image of the face of the koshevy.

November 13, 2015 Kalnyshevsky, thanks to the initiative and efforts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate, was canonized.

From now on, Saint Peter Kalnyshevsky is revered on the day of his transition to another world - November 13. According to the traditions of Orthodoxy, a special prayer and icon with the face of a saint were developed.

On the eve of the canonization of Peter Kalnyshevsky, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, Onufriy appealed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with the request of blessing for finding the relics of the great ataman and transferring them to his homeland - in Zaporozhye.

After that, the priests gathered from 14 dioceses served a divine service, during which Peter Kalnyshevsky was canonized. The relics of the saint, according to the decision of the clergy, will be in the Holy Intercession Cathedral.