Russian saints. Russian Orthodox Saints: List

Russian saints ... List of God's saints is inexhaustible. By their way of life, they pleased the Lord, and thereby became closer to eternal being. Every saint has his face. This term denotes the category to which God's Savior is ranked during his canonization. These include the martyrs, martyrs, saints, righteous, unbaptized, apostles, saints, martyrs, holy fools (blessed), faithful and equipoenal.

Suffering in the Name of the Lord

The first saints of the Russian church among the saints of God are the martyrs who suffered for the faith of Christ, having died in grievous and long torments. Among the Russian saints, Boris and Gleb were the first to be regarded as belonging to this person. That is why they are called first martyrs - passion-bearers. In addition, the Russian saints Boris and Gleb were the first canonized in the history of Russia. The brothers perished in the internecine war for the throne, which began after the death of Prince Vladimir. Yaropolk, nicknamed Cursed, first killed Boris, when he slept in a tent, being in one of the campaigns, and then Gleb.

Lik like the Lord

The Monks are those saints who led the ascetic way of life, being in prayer, work and fasting. Among the Russian saints of God can be identified St. Seraphim of Sarov and Sergius of Radonezh, Savva Storozhevsky and Methodius Peshnoshky. The first saint in Russia, canonized in this face, is the monk Nicholas Svyatosha. Prior to accepting the rank of monasticism, he was a prince, great-grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. Refusing the worldly goods, the monk fought in the monks in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Nikolay Svyatosha is revered as a miracle worker. It is believed that his hair shirt (a rough woolen shirt), left after his death, cured one aching prince.

Sergius of Radonezh - the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit

Special attention should be paid to the Russian saint of the 14th century, Sergius of Radonezh, in the world of Bartholomew. He was born in the pious family of Mary and Cyril. It is believed that while still in the womb of his mother, Sergius showed his God-chosen. During one of the Sunday liturgies, Bartholomew, not yet born, cried out three times. At that time, his mother, like the rest of the parishioners, was horrified and embarrassed. After his birth, the monk did not drink breast milk, if Mary had tasted meat that day. On Wednesdays and Fridays, little Bartholomew fasted and did not take the mother's breast. In addition to Sergius, the family had two brothers - Peter and Stefan. Parents raised children in Orthodoxy and severity. All the brothers, except for Bartholomew, studied well and could read. And only the youngest in their family was given a hard chant - the letters blurred before his eyes, the boy lost himself, not daring to utter a word. Sergius suffered greatly from this and diligently prayed to God in the hope of gaining the ability to read. Once, again mocked by his brothers for illiteracy, he fled to the field and met an old man there. Bartholomew told of his sadness and asked the monk to pray for him to God. The elder gave the boy a piece of prosphora, promising that the Lord would certainly grant him a letter. In gratitude for this, Sergius invited the monk into the house. Before the meal, the elder asked the boy to read the psalms. Robeya, Bartholomew took the book, afraid to even look at the letters that always blurred before his eyes ... But a miracle! - the boy began to read as if he had known the letter for a long time. The elder predicted to the parents that their youngest son would be great, since he is the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit. After such a fateful meeting, Bartholomew began to fast strictly and constantly pray.

The beginning of the monastic path

At the age of 20, the Russian Saint Sergius of Radonezh asked his parents to give him a blessing to take the tonsure. Cyril and Maria begged his son to stay with them until their very death. Not daring to disobey, Bartholomew lived with his parents until the Lord took their souls. Burying his father and mother, the young man and his older brother Stefan go to take tonsure. In the desert, called Makovets, the brothers erect the Trinity Church. Stefan can not stand the stern ascetic way of life that his brother adhered to, and goes to another monastery. At the same time Bartholomew takes tonsure and becomes monk Sergius.

The Trinity-Sergius Lavra

Known to the whole world monastery of Radonezh Once born at A dense forest in which the monk once retreated. Sergius was fasting and praying daily. He ate plant food, and guests were wild beasts. But one day several monks learned about the great feat of asceticism committed by Sergius and decided to come to the monastery. There these 12 monks remained. It was they who became the founders of the Lavra, which was soon led by the Reverend himself. Prince Sergei Dmitriy Donskoy came to Sergius for advice, preparing for a battle with the Tatars. After the death of the monk, 30 years later, his relics were recovered, and today they perform a miracle of healing. This Russian saint of the 14th century still invisibly receives pilgrims to his abode.

Righteous and Blessed

The righteous saints deserve God's mercy through a pious lifestyle. They include both worldly people and clergymen. The righteous are the parents of Sergius of Radonezh - Cyril and Mary, who were true Christians and taught the orthodoxy of their children.

Blessed are those saints who deliberately took the image of people not of this world, becoming ascetics. Among the Russian Saints of God, especially revered Vasily Blessed, who lived in the times of John the Terrible, Xenia of Petersburg, who refused all blessings and went to distant wanderings after the death of her beloved husband, Matrona Moskovskaya, famous for her gift of clairvoyance and healing during her lifetime. It is believed that Stalin himself, who was not religious, listened to the blessed Matronushka and her prophetic words.

Xenia - a holy fool for Christ's sake

Blessed was born in the first half of the 18th century in the family of pious parents. After becoming an adult, she married the singer Alexander Fedorovich and lived with him in joy and happiness. When Xenia was 26 years old, her husband passed away. Unable to endure such grief, she distributed her possessions, put on her husband's clothes and went into long wanderings. After that, Blessed did not respond to her name, asking to call herself Andrei Fedorovich. "Xenia died," she assured me. The saint began to wander the streets of Petersburg, occasionally stopping to eat dinner with her friends. Some people scoffed at the grief-stricken woman and bantered at her, but Xenia tolerated all the humiliations without complaint. Only once did she show her anger when the local boys showered her with stones. After what they saw, the locals stopped mocking the blessed one. Xenia of Petersburg, without shelter, prayed at night in the field, and then again came to the city. Blissfully imperceptibly helped the workers build a stone church in the Smolensk cemetery. At night, she relentlessly laid bricks in a row, contributing to the speedy erection of the church. For all the good deeds, patience and faith, the Lord bestowed Xenia Blessed with the gift of foresight. She predicted the future, and also saved many girls from unsuccessful marriages. Those people, to whom Xenia came, became happier and more fortunate. So everyone tried to serve the saint and bring her into the house. Xenia of Petersburg died at the age of 71. She was buried at the Smolensk cemetery, where the Church, built by her own hands, was located nearby. But even after physical death Xenia continues to help people. Her grave performed great miracles: the sick were healed, and those who were looking for family happiness successfully married and got married. It is believed that Xenia especially patronizes unmarried women and already held wives and mothers. Above the grave of the blessed, a chapel was built, to which crowds of people are still asking for holy intercession before God and thirsting for healing.

Holy Sovereigns

By the face of the faithful are considered monarchs, princes and kings who distinguished themselves Pious way of life, contributing to the strengthening of faith and the position of the church. The first Russian saint Olga is just canonized in this category. Among the faithful, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who won the Kulikovo Field after the appearance of the holy image of Nicholas, stands out; Alexander Nevsky, who did not compromise with the Catholic Church in order to preserve his power. He was recognized as the only secular Orthodox prince. Among the faithful there are other famous Russian saints. Prince Vladimir is one of them. He was canonized in connection with his great activity - the baptism of all Rus in 988.

The Empress - God's Men

Saint Princess Anna, wife of Yaroslav the Wise, was also included in the holy saints , thanks to which relative peace was observed between the Scandinavian countries and Russia. During her lifetime, she built a convent in honor of St. Irene, because she received this name when she was baptized. Blessed Anna honored the Lord and faithfully believed in him. Shortly before her death, she took tonsure and died. Memorial Day is October 4, according to the Julian style, but unfortunately this date is not mentioned in the modern Orthodox calendar.

The first Russian holy princess Olga, at Elena's baptism, took Christianity, influencing his further distribution in Russia. Thanks to its activity, which contributes to the strengthening of faith in the state, it was ranked among the saints.

Servants of the Lord on earth and in heaven

The saints are such saints of God who were clergymen and received a special favor of the Lord for their way of life. One of the first saints, ranked in this face, was Dionysius, Archbishop of Rostov. Arriving from Athos, he headed the Savior-Stone Monastery. People were drawn to his abode, as he knew the human soul and could always instruct the needy on the true path.

Among all the saints, canonized by the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Nicholas the Miracle-Worker of Miracles stands out. And although the saint does not have a Russian origin, he has truly become a defender of our country, always being on the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Great Russian saints, whose list continues to be replenished to this day, can patronize a person if he earnestly and sincerely pray to them. You can address the Saints of God in different situations - everyday needs and illnesses, or simply wanting to thank the Higher Forces for a calm and serene life. Be sure to get the icons of Russian saints - it is believed that prayer before the image is the most effective. It is also desirable that you have a personal icon - an image of that saint, after whom you are baptized.