Saint Ludmila the Czech. The Prayer of St. Ludmilla

Human nature is such that it simply needs the support of higher forces. To one people, faith in God gives hope, the second - patience, the third - love and strengthening of the spirit. Hope for the Lord has always helped to preserve the integrity of the soul in difficult times, the very belief is associated with such concepts as hope and love.

Now the influence of the church is undeniable, many people gradually come to her bosom, asking the Lord for intercession and help. Prayer does help, miraculous powers serve to heal, the names of many saints are known throughout the world. However, St. Ludmila Czech is not familiar to everyone, although her intercession may be important for family happiness, well-being, and the health of children and relatives.

Who is Princess Czech?

Homeland of the great mother was the Czech Republic, but to date her name there is almost forgotten. Saint Ludmila was born in the family of Slavibor, the Serbian prince, in 860. At a very young age, she married and left her father's house, having left with her husband in a faraway region - the Czech Republic. Marriage with Prince Borzivoi of the Přemyslid family served as a pretext for the unification of tribes in the territory of the modern Czech state. The documented information indicates that she was highly educated, owned several languages, including Latin and Greek.

In Czech manuscripts it is noted that Princess Bohemian Saint Ludmila ascended in Bohemian land like a morning star. It became a symbol of faith and truth, dispelled the darkness of delusion with the ray of true Christianity.

Saint Ludmila: Life, Baptism

In those days, the couple adhered to pagan faith, but the situation changed the acquaintance with the great enlightener Methodius. It is likely that this translator from the Aramaic, Latin, Greek and other languages, the creator of the Slavonic writing, made a strong impression on the young couple. Already in 882 the couple received the sacrament of baptism in the presence of Methodius.

The princely couple in the Czech Republic erected the first in this land temple of the Christian faith in Left Hradec, which was named after St. Clement. The Holy Martyr Lyudmila and her husband, having received baptism, began to promote the spread of the Orthodox faith in the Czech state. A pious couple created temples in their princedom, invited priests to perform prayers and services.

Sons of the prince's family

The couple had four daughters and two male children. All the offspring were brought up in the fear of God. The prince left his life at the age of 39, leaving a widow in his widow's twenty-nine year old. The eldest son - Spitignev - also died early, and the younger one - Bratislava joined the throne, but the state was actually ruled by his mother, who was considered a wise ruler. St. Ludmila led a righteous life in the Christian faith, helped all needy, sick and disadvantaged.

Despite all the efforts of the princess, paganism was preserved on the territory of the state, especially among the Polabian Slavs who inhabited neighboring lands. The works of German romanism not only did not promote the rapprochement of local peoples with Christianity, but, on the contrary, became a strong fuel for enmity against it. The wife of Bratislava - Dragomir - was a pagan, which, according to some sources, is very doubtful. It is unlikely that in such a Christian family as the prince's, the prince's wife was unbaptized. However, legends say that she was not a true believer, she was distinguished for her arrogance and pride, and because of such traits of character and inflexibility she valued everything Slavic, and paganism in particular. Hatred of faith, brought up in the Polabian Slavs, not without the efforts of German rulers and missionaries, manifested itself in it.

The grandchildren of Saint Ludmila

The princely couple gave birth to children - two sons. The boys were not at all like each other: Vyacheslav resembled the good father - a deep Christian, Boleslav was a reflection of all the qualities of the wicked Dragomir. The primacy of the succession to the throne remained for Vyacheslav, and the prince entrusted his education to his God-fearing mother - Saint Lyudmila. Another son was nurtured by Dragomir.

The prince soon felt the proximity of his death and wanted to secure Vyacheslav's throne. He summoned the eminent rulers, the bishop, representatives of the church to the church of the Most-Pure Mother of God, and after the liturgy took him to the altar stage, where the boy received a bishop's blessing. Despite all the intrigues of the daughter-in-law, Vyacheslav was brought up in the Christian law.

The prince left this world in 921, his minor son received power. The Czech Diet created a decree according to which Dragomir became regent. Saint Ludmila Czech was engaged in the education and upbringing of her grandson.

Murder of the Martyr

Dragomir, despite the spread of the Christian faith, tried to eradicate it from the Czech people. She was able to bring all the remaining Gentiles in her place to her, and began to abolish laws and practices that contributed to the weakening of paganism, which were adopted by Borzivoi and Bratislava. Idolian temples began to be built throughout the Czech land.

Saint Lyudmila expressed her discontent with her daughter-in-law. But in the soul of Dragomir, pagan madness has long been intertwined with ambitious ambitions, and she decided to kill her mother-in-law. The princess, obeying the word of the Scriptures - to move away from any evil, left the capital, then retired to Tetin, where she spent time in prayer, needlework, and charity. However, the daughter-in-law found her here as well.

The murderers on the night of 15 to 16 September broke into Lyudmila, tearing the doors of the palace. At this time, the princess knelt in prayer in the home chapel. "So you remember my blessings?" - she asked. Seeing that she was about to be strangled, the princess asked to hit her with a sword to shed blood for Christ along with other sufferers. But the killers were aware that the bloodshed was a condition for the recognition of martyrdom, and resorted to suffocation. Sources assume that the instrument was a veil, which is now a symbol of St. Ludmila. The soul of the martyr went to eternal rest, and the body was buried without observing the Christian canons under the city wall of Tetin.

The Lord made the place of burial of the servant a miracle: by night, burning candles appeared over it. Slepts began to see, when they touched the ground from her grave. The grandson of the princess, hearing about such signs, transferred the body of the one killed to Prague and repaired him in the basilica of St. Jiří.

It is for sure not known whether Blessed Vyacheslav knew that Dragomir had taken part in the murder of Lyudmila. However, contemporaries report that his mother was removed from the yard. The prince himself continued to live in deep Christianity and, by his faith, arranged all the affairs of the family and the subordinate lands.

There is a case when the neighboring prince Radislav came to the lands of Vyacheslav with the army. Grandson of St. Ludmila, with his usual peacefulness, sent to ask the second side what caused the attack. The answer demanded the concession of Bohemia, which forced Vyacheslav to speak with the army in defense of his native side. However, the prince did not want to shed blood and offered an honest duel to Radislav himself, to which he agreed. As a result, the rival was defeated and asked for forgiveness from Vyacheslav on his knees.

A little later at the Diet in Worms, Vyacheslav asked the Emperor Otto to relic the relics of the holy martyr Witt, which he received favor. The blessed prince brought them to Prague and erected a temple in his honor. It was in this sanctuary that the relics of his grandmother, Lyudmila, were placed.

Year after year the veneration of the martyr was only growing, but officially the church recognized her sanctity in about 1144. Then the thrones of some Czech temples took part of the relics, the day of Saint Ludmila began to be celebrated as a church holiday. In 1197-1214, Bishop Daniel II gave his blessing to the painting of the icons of the martyr, along with the images of other patrons of the Czech land. During the reign of Charles the Fourth, a tombstone was erected over the crayfish of the pious princess. Saint Ludmila, the day of the angel (memory) of which is celebrated on September 29, is still buried in this place.

In 1981, the cancer was opened, next to the holy relics, a white silk fabric with a geometric pattern was found. Historians believe that this is the veil (the novoy), which noble ladies covered their heads.

Veneration in the Russian Orthodox Church

Holy Martyr Lyudmila is revered by the Russian Orthodox Church, her name is included in Russian Orthodox saints, in the temples there are images. In Moscow, in one of the cathedrals, there is a shrine: the icon of the martyr with a piece of relics. Many pilgrims from all over the country come here to be able to bow to it.

About what she is asked for in prayers

First of all, Saint Ludmila pray those people who consider her their patroness. You can say a short petition to the martyr every day or read the akathist. The Monk is asked for the intercession and heavenly blessing of her children.

The prayer of Saint Ludmilla, the servant of Christ, must be pronounced with a pure soul and a good heart. It helps to get rid of sinful thoughts, to receive repentance and pardon from the King of Heaven.

In prayers and akathists, her grandson, the blessed Vyacheslav, is often referred to the martyr. Through him pleas are raised for intercession in relation to their own children and grandchildren.

Applications can be conducted not only by ready prayers, but also in their own words - the intercessor will hear any call for help, coming from the heart. Classical akathists are contained in the Canon, this can be purchased at any church shop. You can address a saint at any time of the day when pious thoughts are demanded.

Prayer Rule

Each person has his own way to the Lord, and we are all on a certain segment of this path. Any of the believers has their physical and temporal possibilities for prayers, accordingly, there is simply no single rule. Everyone must turn to the saints and the Lord exactly as much as he can.

Icons of the Reverend Mother in Russia

On the icons, the Princess of the Czech Saints Lyudmila is depicted in a long dress, her head is always covered with a roar, on some images - with a prince's hat. The main attribute, which has a symbolic value, is considered to be a new one, which descends on the neck. There are icon painters, who represent instead of him a rope - a symbol of torment. There are very rare icons, where the saint is presented with a bowl full of grape clusters. Often, she is portrayed with a young Vyacheslav, who listens to the teachings.

The icon of St. Ludmila the Martyr helps prevent family dissension, gives protection from malicious intent. Before the images pray for the health and well-being of younger household members, for example, grandchildren, children. The saint helps them not to suffer from sin, to take the path of a true Christian.

If there is a conflict in the family circle, the prayer, ascended to the icon of the martyr, will help restore peace. A woman, born under the name of this intercessor, will avoid various troubles in her petition and solve all everyday problems.

In Russia, the icon of the saint is in Moscow, in Kotelniki, on the Compound of the Orthodox Church and Slovakia, it is located in the church of St. Nicholas. On the day of the memory of the martyr, a part of the relics is brought here every year. Also before the icon, you can pray in the church of Vyacheslav of Czech, which was erected in Barvikha. The rest of the image, less well-known, can be found in temples in all corners of the country.

Meaning of the icon

The icon of Saint Lyudmila tells about the pious life of the princess. But her troubles, courageously tolerated, are found in the lives of ordinary women, for example, problems with relatives, in the family, loss of loved ones and relatives. The history of the martyr teaches us to overcome all the vicissitudes, remain in faith, Christianity, give love and help people. Prayer before the images, repeatedly helped people.

Saint Ludmila: the day of the angel

Customs ordered the child to be named on the eighth day after birth. The name was chosen by the priest, guided by the Saints. The martyr, after whom the child received a name, became his heavenly intercessor. Orthodox follow this order to this day. All girls with the name Ludmila (subject to baptism in it) should honor their guardian angel and intercessor, which is the Monk Princess. The day of the angel is celebrated on September 29.

Also commemorated is the feast day of the holy martyr of the faithful princess of Czech - Ludmila. It is celebrated by the church on September 16 in accordance with the old style and on September 29 - in a new way. The saint can be considered the heavenly patroness of all believers who seek her intercession.

The canonized princess - the patroness of her native land

Saint Ludmila became the first Czech martyr, patroness of her native land. She is also honored as a benefactress of grandmothers, mothers, teachers, teachers and educators. Her statue is placed on the Charles Bridge, where other sculptures of the most revered saints of the Czech Republic are presented. Honor is the face depicted on the pedestal of the monument of St. Wenceslas, set in the center of Prague.

Temples in Prague

The Catholic Church of St. Ludmila the Martyr was founded in 1888. It is located in the Peace Square, in the city district of Vinohrady. This magnificent neo-Gothic structure stands out with two tall, absolutely identical belfries. The temple is built in such a way that it seems to hover above the square. The height of the towers with the spire is sixty meters. The church of St. Ludmila is the dominant of the surrounding area and attracts not only worshipers but also tourists.

To the main entrance there is a high flight of stairs, heavy doors and a portal decorated with a strict ornament. On both sides of the entrance group there are portico made of stone, and above the portal there is a large rose window. Due to the lancet, elongated windows, the appearance of the towers seems elongated along the vertical. Timpan is decorated with relief images of Christ, the saints - Wenceslas and Ludmila.

The temple of St. Ludmila is valid and is the property of the Roman church. Christians who accepted the Catholic faith, along with the Orthodox celebrate the day of the pious Ludmila and revere it. The sanctuary is open to all believers during worship.

Another, no less famous temple, was erected in the town of Tetin, near the castle of Karlstejn. According to legend, he was erected on the spot where the princess was murdered. Under the main altar, a stone is laid on which - again, according to tradition - the saint prayed when the stranglers crept up to her.

The temple of the martyr, but already belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, was consecrated in Prague at the end of 2012. He was erected in the former exhibition pavilion of the Rostgruppstvo on the Siberian Square. During the Soviet era, construction and agricultural machinery were exhibited here, and at a later time - an exposition of a retro car was displayed. Not so long ago the territory was returned to the bosom of the Orthodox Church.

Within the framework of the first stage of reconstruction works, the building of the church was conducted within the basic round volume of the structure. At the second stage, it is planned to erect a bell tower and domes. However, the Orthodox church of St. Ludmila in Prague already accepts parishioners who want to offer a holy prayer. And also those who count on her heavenly help.

Shrines

The relics of St. Ludmila are in Prague and are revered as believers for one of the main Christian relics. The tomb is located in the basilica of the Monk George, in a separate chapel of the Prague Castle. It is most often closed to visitors, and only once a year the believers are allowed to perform worship near miraculous relics.

On St. Ludmila's day Orthodox and Catholic prayer services are held here. Upon their completion, all the parishioners are allowed to attach priests to the relic.

Instead of concluding

The Holy Great Martyr Lyudmila became a symbol of piety, a virtue for Christians around the world. The veneration of this princess, her petitions brought to her helps to preserve peace in the family, good relations with loved ones and others. It is not so important as the treatment is pronounced - according to canons or in your own words, if it comes from a pious heart and soul, it will achieve its goal. St. Ludmilla's prayer always gives good!