The day of remembrance of Saint Matrona of Moscow is celebrated, which was established on the day of her death on May 3, 1952.

Saint Matrona of Moscow was born in the village of Sebino in 1881 into a peasant family. Today this village is located on the territory of the Kimovsky district of the Tula region. On the site of the house where Matrona was born, there is a memorial museum, and the temple where she was baptized has been restored and today regular services are held there.

According to popular legend, from childhood Matrona showed wonderful insight and the gift of healing. At the age of 17, her legs were paralyzed and she could not walk; in addition, she had been blind since childhood.

During her lifetime, few people knew the name of Matrona, but there were those who felt the stamp of God’s grace on her. Thus, the holy righteous John of Kronstadt, having met Matrona as a girl, when the lady of the village of Sebino took her with her on a pilgrimage to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, St. Petersburg and Kronstadt, at the end of the service in St. Andrew’s Cathedral of Kronstadt, asked the people to make way for the 14- summer Matrona and said publicly: “Matronushka, come, come to me. Here comes my change - the eighth pillar of Orthodoxy.” Matrona was an amazing paradox of absolute human weakness, since she was blind from birth, and at the age of eighteen her legs were paralyzed, and at the same time of absolute Divine dignity, goodness and power, said Metropolitan Alexy of Tula and Belev on 15 -the summer anniversary of the glorification of the Matrona of Moscow as a saint.

PLACES CONNECTED WITH MATRONA OF MOSCOW

2. Pokrovsky Monastery in Moscow, where there is a shrine with relics and a miraculous icon, to which many thousands of pilgrims come.

3. Danilovskoye cemetery in Moscow, where Matrona is buried. Blessed Matrona predicted: “After my death, few people will go to my grave, only close ones, and when they die, my grave will be deserted, except occasionally someone will come. But after many years, people will find out about me and will come in droves for help in their sorrows and asking the Lord God to pray for them, and I will help everyone and hear everyone.”

On March 8, 1998, the remains of the blessed old woman were exhumed by decision of the Russian Orthodox Church. The relics of Saint Matrona were delivered to the Moscow Danilov Monastery, and then transferred to the temple on the territory of the Intercession Convent and placed in a special tomb. It is here that the relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow are located today.

WHAT YOU CAN’T ASK FROM THE MATRONA OF MOSCOW

On the eve of the holiday, we will tell you what you cannot ask Blessed Matrona for.

Saint Matrona of Moscow was distinguished by rare kindness. Her soul was brighter than a cloud; for any person who turned to her, she found both a kind word and an opportunity to help (more...).

TEN FACTS ABOUT MATRONA OF MOSCOW

One of the most revered saints - Blessed Matrona of Moscow - is revered by Orthodox Christians four times a year: on May 2 - the day of her death, on March 8 - on the day of the discovery of holy relics, on September 2 - as part of the Moscow saints and on October 5 as part of the Tula saints. People lovingly call her Matronushka. Mother Matrona is considered the most famous Russian soothsayer of the twentieth century, the patroness of the Russian capital and protector of all the sick and disadvantaged. Her life is shrouded in legends and secrets, since many simply could not explain her gift. On the eve of the Matronushka Memorial Day, “VM” decided to recall remarkable facts about the saint (more...).

On March 8, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the Finding of the Relics of the Holy Blessed Elder Matrona of Moscow, one of the most revered saints in Russia. On this day in 1998, her venerable relics were found, which became a very important event for the entire Orthodox world. Matrona prayed for everyone and emphasized that it was not she herself who was helping, but God. And everyone seems to hear the words of the old woman: “Everyone, everyone, come to me and tell me, as if alive, about your sorrows, I will see you, and hear you, and help you.”

Blessed Matrona (Matrona Dimitrievna Nikonova) was born in 1885 in the village of Sebino, Tula province, into a poor large family. Therefore, even before the birth of the child, the parents decided to give him to an orphanage, fearing that they would not be able to feed another mouth. But the mother once saw a strange dream about a white bird of extraordinary beauty, but blind. Considering the dream prophetic, she abandoned the thought of the shelter. The daughter was born blind, and not just blind - the girl had no eyes at all, and the eye sockets were closed with tightly closed eyelids. But the mother loved her child, and the Lord gave her spiritual vision, choosing her for special service. By the way, they also talk about the external, physical sign of Matrona’s chosenness by God - on her chest there was a bulge in the shape of a cross, a miraculous pectoral cross. At baptism, the girl was named Matrona in honor of the Venerable Matrona of Constantinople.

Already from early childhood, Matrona showed her chosenness with her actions and words - from the age of eight she treated the sick and predicted the future for people. She felt the approach of danger and foresaw natural and social disasters. Through her prayer, people received healing from illnesses and consolation in sorrows. Having learned about this gift, visitors from surrounding villages and hamlets, from other counties and even provinces flocked to her. And she helped everyone, and wanting to thank Matrona, people left food and gifts for her parents. So the blind girl became the main breadwinner in the family, and not at all a burden. But at the age of 17, Matrona faced a new test - her legs became paralyzed, and until the end of her days she was “sedentary.” But she never grumbled because of her illness... And people continued to come to her in the thousands for help, which, in the end, could not help but attract the attention of the authorities at that time. Therefore, in order not to expose her parents to danger, Matrona moved to Moscow, where it was easier to hide, and where she lived for the rest of her life. The blessed one loved the capital very much, she said that “this is a holy city, the heart of Russia,” although here she became a homeless wanderer, constantly moving and sometimes living in terrible conditions. But everywhere she continued her ascetic life, receiving visitors during the day and praying at night. Finding the relics of the blessed Matrona of Moscow During the Great Patriotic War, Matrona received up to forty people a day. People came to her with their troubles, mental and physical pain, with questions about their loved ones. She refused to help anyone and answered the question of who was alive and who was no longer alive. And she didn’t take anything from anyone, but when healing the sick, she demanded from them faith in God and correction of their sinful life. She was not strict, she was tolerant, compassionate, warm, always joyful, and never complained about her illnesses and suffering. Matrona did not teach, she gave specific advice, prayed and blessed, taught not to judge others, to live with prayer, to love and forgive the old and infirm. Until the last days of her life, she lived righteously and continued to receive visitors. The blessed one predicted her death three days in advance and died on May 2, 1952 in Moscow. At her request, she was buried in the Danilovsky cemetery of the capital. More than thirty years after the death of Matrona, her grave became one of the holy places of Orthodox Moscow, where people from all over Russia came with their troubles and requests. And in March 1998, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus', the honest remains of the blessed old lady Matrona were found at the Danilovsky cemetery. And after the completion of the work of the commission to open the burial, the relics of Matrona were transferred on May 1 to the Moscow Intercession Monastery, where a mass pilgrimage to the saint began. Thousands of people from all over Russia and abroad come here every day. They pray to Saint Matrona for a cure for illnesses, for the health of loved ones, for solving problems, etc. Back in 1999, Blessed Elder Matrona was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church among the locally revered saints of the Moscow diocese, and in October of the same year her church-wide canonization took place.

The Moscow message for help carries that positive and healing energy of God, which makes your soul feel lighter. Being blind and immobilized, homeless and illiterate, she wandered around Moscow houses. However, the most important thing that distinguished her from other people was that she had deep faith in Christ, which was given to help not only the saint herself, but also all the people whom she always willingly helped.

About Blessed Mother Matrona

Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova had the gift of healing, and could also open the secret curtain of the future and make predictions. She spent more than 50 years in a sitting position and was blind, but she saw through the inner world of people and always prayed for all those in need with her unceasing prayer.

Today, believers from all over Russia, those who know where the relics of Matrona of Moscow are, go to her to honor her memory and ask for protection and help. After all, many know the words of the holy old woman: “Everyone, everyone, come to me and tell me, as if alive, about your sorrows, I will see, listen and help you.”

Before answering the question of how to venerate the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, you must first familiarize yourself with the history of her life and holiness.

Biography

In November 1881, a girl was born into an ordinary Nikonov family in the village of Sebino, in the Tula province, who was named Matrona. She became the fourth child in the family, as she already had two brothers and a sister. Poor Matronushka was born blind, and they already wanted to leave her in an orphanage. However, the mother had a prophetic dream: she saw a beautiful white bird that sat on her chest, which had no eyes. The parents guessed that Matrona would become God's chosen child by the beneficial cloud of smoke at the moment of her birth. Already at the age of eight, she was strong and soon discovered the gift of a wise seer. Crowds of people began to come to her for help and healing. Matronushka became a real breadwinner in her family. And at the age of 18 her legs became paralyzed.

Pilgrimage

Having the gift of God, Matrona saved many people and was very kind to them. She had a bright face and a very gentle voice. She would pat everyone on the head, console them, and give them her due, and this made people feel better in their souls, they were comforted and calmed down. Although she herself was very sick, no one heard any complaints from her.

Matrona also visited the Kronstadt Cathedral in 1899. There, the Monk John of Kronstadt, at the end of the service, asked all the parishioners to make way and let Matrona through and said: “Matronushka, come, come to me. Here comes my shift - the eighth pillar of Russia.”

Revolution. Moscow

When the year was over, Matrona and her friend and patron Lydia Yankova became completely impoverished, left without a means of subsistence and without a roof over their heads. In 1925, Matrona moved to the capital and began to live wherever she had to: with acquaintances, friends, but not with her siblings, who became communists.

War

From 1942 to 1949, the Reverend Matrona lived with her fellow villagers - E. M. Zhdanova and her daughter Zinaida. For many years there has been a legend that was described in the book of memoirs of Zinaida Zhdanova “The Tale of Matrona”. During the Great Patriotic War, a serious threat arose that the capital would be captured by the German fascists; Stalin himself came to Matrona. She predicted the victory of the Russian people and said that he alone of all the authorities would not leave and would remain in Moscow. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of this event, but I think it happened.

From 1950 to 1952, she already lived in Skhodnya near Moscow with her distant relatives, the Kurochkins.

The holy elder Matrona predicted her death three days in advance. Being very sick, she still continued to see people. The holy mother died in the spring of May 2, 1952.

Relics of Matrona of Moscow. Monastery

The funeral service was conducted by Archpriest Nikolai Golubtsov, who revered Mother Matrona, in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. On May 4, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, the burial of the holy old woman took place, at which a large number of believers gathered. She was buried at the Danilovsky cemetery at the request of her mother herself. This church was one of the few that operated in Moscow, so she always wanted to “hear the service.”

On March 8, 1998, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, the incorruptible relics of Holy Mother Matrona were removed from the grave and were first taken to the Danilov Monastery, and then to the Pokrovsky Monastery.

Now pilgrims are always allowed to visit the relics of Matrona of Moscow from 6.00 to 20.00. They are placed in a silver shrine and are located in the Intercession Convent in Moscow. There is also a public exhibition with surviving photographs. And in the courtyard of the Trinity Church, not far from the Skhodnya station, a chapel was built in honor of the elder Mother Matrona.

But it’s not only there that you can venerate the saint. A particle of the relics of the Matrona of Moscow is in many Moscow churches. The remains are also transported to other cities.

How to venerate the relics of Matrona of Moscow?

Mother Matrona helps in all everyday matters. She is asked for intercession, healing and solutions to problems in personal life and business. Prayer to Matrona of Moscow for help helps to arrange your personal life, give birth to a child, or detect a loss. The humble prayer to the holy mother must be said sincerely and with attention. It begins with the words: “Oh, blessed mother Matrono...” The short prayer sounds like this: “Holy righteous old woman Matrono, pray to God for us!”

Before venerating the relics of Matrona of Moscow, we must first of all understand that this is how we show our reverence and respect to her incorruptible body, which testifies to her great spirituality and holiness. Reverence for shrines is an integral part of the culture of the Russian Orthodox people.

Application to the holy relics

Before venerating the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, you need to free yourself from bags and outerwear. In this way we show deep respect to the holy righteous Matronushka. So that after visiting the temple at least some shrine remains, you can ask the church minister to attach a small image or icon to the relics. True believers kiss the reliquary, expressing respect and love for the holy mother, then put their foreheads to it, which symbolizes an embrace.

How to venerate the relics of Matrona of Moscow? It is necessary to mentally say a prayer calmly and with concentration, then cross yourself twice. Next, you need to make two bows and put your lips to the shrine with the relics of the saint. Then cross yourself and bow again. Bows are best done from the waist so that the hand touches the ground.

Flowers for Mother Matrona

In the temple there is a special custom of bringing living bouquets to Blessed Mother Matrona. Therefore, the chapel, where the shrine with holy relics is located, is always buried in fresh flowers. And what is most interesting is that the offering of some becomes a real gift for others, since the nuns present each visitor to the relics of St. Matronushka with a flower. These flowers are consecrated directly on the relics, and therefore they are then usually dried and stored in their corner near the icons. Flowers you can bring are carnations, roses of any color, white chrysanthemums, white lilacs, red tulips.

After the death of Mother Matrona, according to her will, she was buried in the Danilovsky cemetery in order to “hear the service” (one of the few functioning Moscow churches was located there).

More than thirty years after the death of Mother, it became one of the holy places of Orthodox Moscow, where people from all over Russia and from abroad came with their troubles and illnesses.

The blessed one predicted: “After my death, few people will go to my grave, only close ones, and when they die, my grave will be deserted, except occasionally someone will come... But after many years, people will know about me and will go in droves for help in their sorrows and with requests to pray for them to the Lord God, and I will help everyone and hear everyone.”

On March 8, 1998, the relics were exhumed and taken to the Moscow Danilov Monastery, then transferred to the temple on the territory and placed in a special tomb (raku).

Today the Intercession Monastery carefully preserves the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, to which hundreds of believers flock every day. There is never a day when the monastery territory is empty. Long queues line up of people who have come from different parts of the country to venerate the relics of the saint, bring fresh flowers, pray and ask Matronushka for help.

The relics of the blessed one do not leave the monastery in Moscow and are available to believers every day. But residents of other regions are not deprived of the opportunity to worship the righteous old woman. Icons and arks with particles of the relics of the Matrona of Moscow are regularly delivered to various cities of Russia. As a rule, the arrival of a shrine becomes a big event in the life of Orthodox believers. Huge queues line up at the temples, and chants are read and sung in front of the image of Matronushka every day.

Shrines of the Intercession Monastery

In addition to the relics, the Intercession Monastery has two icons of Saint Matrona: one large one on the wall of the main Church of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, the other is in the temple itself. In both images, armfuls of fresh flowers do not dry out, and the flow of people does not stop.

This is how the feelings of believers in front of the icon are described in various sources: “What’s surprising is that when you approach the icon with a request, you immediately feel the inner answer, whether the saint has accepted the question, or whether you need to think about it some more. When a prayer or request is accepted, an amazing relief comes to the soul, when not, a slight rejection is felt very clearly.”

But this does not mean that Saint Matrona does not want to help. You just need to think hard - do you really need what you are asking for? Aren't you waiting for help in a bad, sinful matter? Mother Matrona taught to surrender oneself to the will of God. Giving to believers, she said: “people are like children in a sled.” They carry the child in a sleigh, and there is no care. The Lord Himself will manage everything!”

Matrona strengthens everyone who asks for help in faith, teaches them to trust the Lord Jesus Christ, closing their physical eyes, open to this world, and listening to His will with their inner spiritual eye. In a sense, to become blind to the world here, below, so that the soul can open up the world - the spiritual, the heavenly.

Pokrovsky Stauropegial Convent

In moments of grave sadness, when my soul is not easy or someone close to me is feeling bad, I always turn to her. She hears everyone and always helps everyone.

Divine child

There is silence at the Danilovsky cemetery. There is a small chapel, surrounded by flowers. This place burial place of the wanderer Matrona. She adored flowers. Although due to blindness I have never seen them in my life.

Completely blind, unable to move Matrona Nikonova prayed earnestly and humbly carried her cross. In the literal sense of the word. Since birth, a tubercle similar to a cross had been visible on her chest. He was a wonderful child, as if sent from above. Even in early childhood with Matrona the gift of foresight and healing manifested itself. People came to her from all corners of the Russian Empire. Matrona did not demand anything in return, she only asked believe in God and pray. The revolution divided the Nikonov family. The brothers who joined the party did not recognize their sister. AND Matronushka was forced to leave her native place. So she ended up in Moscow, where she ended her days. Basements, abandoned houses, untrodden places - Matrona visited everywhere and received people everywhere. Before leaving, Matrona said: “I will see you, and hear you, and help you.” And so it came true.

Where are the Relics of Matrona of Moscow kept?

After 46 years, the relics of Saint Matronushka were transferred to Pokrovsky Convent and others orthodox churches capital Cities. In a beautiful gilded ark now they travel all over the country, from city to city, from temple to temple. Everyone can come, touch and pray to the shrine.

How to properly venerate the relics of a saint

The veneration of relics is a special ritual, and you need to know how to properly show reverence and respect to a saint:

• Take off your outer clothing , remove unnecessary things.
• Calm down. Discard unnecessary thoughts.
• Read the prayer mentally Matronushka of Moscow.
• Approach the shrine with the relics, bow to her and cross yourself.
• Place your lips and forehead on the shrine, bow again and cross yourself.

And also with you to the temple you can bring flowers: chrysanthemums, roses, tulips, carnations.