Saint Alexius the Wonderworker. Miracles of Metropolitan Alexy. Khan's wife's invitation

Library “Chalcedon”

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Saint Alexy, MetropolitanMoscow and All Rus', miracle worker

The memory of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow is celebrated Orthodox Church February 12/25, May 20/June 2, on the day of the Council of Saints of Vladimir (June 23/July 6) and on the day of the Council of Moscow Saints (October 5/18)

Saint Alexy of Moscow
, wonderworker of all Russia, was born at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, around 1300, during the difficult era of the Tatar yoke for the Russian people, when Rus' was subjected to raids by conquerors, who robbed and killed Russian people, took away captured them, leaving only ruins after their raids and fires. The situation was aggravated by the incessant civil strife of the appanage princes, without whose unification it was impossible to fight against the common enemy.

Saint Alexy came from a noble family of Chernigov boyars, the Kolychevs. His parents Theodore (nicknamed Byakont) and Maria, fleeing from the Tatar

raids, moved to Moscow, where the future saint was born. At Holy Baptism he was given name Eleutherius, his successor was the son of the saint Blessed Prince of Moscow Daniil Alexandrovich - Prince John, the future Grand Duke of Moscow, who constantly carried a bag of money with him for distributing alms, for which he was nicknamed Kalita(i.e. “ bag with money”).

The Lord early revealed to the future saint his high destiny. In the twelfth year of life

Eleutherius spread his nets to catch birds, fell asleep unnoticed by himself, and suddenly clearly heard a voice:“Alexy! Why are you working in vain? You will catch people" . The youth immediately woke up, but around There was no one. From that day on, Eleutherius increasingly strived for spiritual life, for an in-depth study of the Holy Scriptures, began to retire into solitude, and often visit church. A few years later, he asked his parents for a blessing to enter the monastery.

At the age of about twenty, the young man took monastic vows in one of the Moscow monasteries

with the name Alexy predicted to him in a dream. According to the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, this was the Epiphany Monastery in Zagorodye (modern China Town). More than twenty years saint Alexy labored in that monastery in strict monastic deeds. Its leaders and friends were its remarkable ascetics - the elder Gerontius and the monk Stefan, brother of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Most of this period of the saint's life is known only that Alexy“every monastic good pleasure Lives corrected and all the scriptures of the Old and New Law gone.”

The pious life and high intelligence of the monk Alexy attracted the attention of Metropolitan Theognost to him,

Saint of Moscow, at the same time Saint Alexy enjoyed great respect from the Grand Duke and boyars for his wise advice not only in church, but also in civil matters. Already at this time, the role of the future saint in the state affairs of the Grand Duchy of Moscow was great - according to the spiritual charter of Grand Duke Simeon Ioannovich the Proud, Saint Alexy remained an adviser to his younger brothers - princes John and Andrey.

On the initiative of Grand Duke Simeon Alexy was

appointed vicar of the elderly metropolitan Theognost and moved to the metropolitan courtyard. It is possible that during his governorship he learned Greek. Metropolitan Theognostos at the end of 1352 ordained Alexy as Bishop of Vladimir, intending to appoint him as his successor. An embassy was sent to the Patriarch of Constantinople from Grand Duke Simeon the Proud and Saint Theognostus to obtain consent to approve the candidacy of Alexy.In the spring of 1353, Metropolitan Theognostus and Grand Duke Simeon died from a pestilence. Proud. But their request was granted. Saint Alexis became the successor of Saint Theognostos at the metropolitan see.

After the embassy returned to Moscow, which secured the consent of Patriarch Philotheus, Alexy went to Constantinople. In the capital of Byzantium he spent

about a year. The desk letter of Patriarch Philotheus to the new metropolitan dates back to June 30, 1354, according to it, Alexy, not being a Greek, was erected to the rank of Metropolitan as an exception, for his virtuous life and spiritual merits. Same Vladimir was awarded a diploma at the request of Saint Alexy approved as the seat of the Russian metropolitans, retaining Kyiv as their first throne.

Nomination and approval by Constantinople

Patriarch of the successor to Metropolitan Theognostus under The life of the latter was caused by the desire to preserve the unity of the metropolis and limit the interference in the affairs of the Church by non-Orthodox secular rulers, since by that time the territory of the Kiev Metropolis was politically subject, in addition to the Russian princes, to partially Polish Catholic kings and pagans - the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Since the end of the 13th century, attempts were periodically repeated (for various reasons short-lived, but reflecting the general trend) to create separate metropolises in the southwestern Russian lands, initially on the initiative of the Orthodox Galician-Volyn princes, later - the Polish kings and grand dukes Lithuanian These attempts especially intensified under the Grand Duke Olgerd, who subjugated most of the western and southwestern Russian lands and claimed for dominance over all Russian principalities.

Already during Alexy's stay in Constantinople, the Tver monk Roman, who was patronized by Olgerd, arrived there to be appointed metropolitan for

Lithuanian possessions. Probably, Callistus, who replaced Patriarch Philotheus, appointed Roman in 1355 to the restored Lithuanian Metropolis with a see in Novogrudok. which included the Polotsk and Turov dioceses and the dioceses of Little Rus' (the land of the former Galicia-Volyn principality). The rest of the metropolis, together with Kiev, remained with Alexy along with the title of “Metropolitan of All Rus'”. However, Roman immediately violated the limits set for him.

In the fall of 1355, in order to put an end to the unrest and anxiety, Saint Alexy went to Constantinople (where his rival Roman had arrived earlier) to resolve the issue of the legality of the division of the metropolis. Patriarch Callistus gave Alexy the right to be considered the Archbishop of Kyiv and Great Russia with the title of “all-honorable metropolitan and exarch

”. On the way back, during a storm at sea, the ship was in danger of being lost..Alexy prayed and vowed to found a monastery in case of salvation. According to this vow, the Andronikov Monastery was created in honor of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in Moscow.

Returning to Moscow, which since the time of St. Peter had been the residence of the All-Russian metropolitans, St. Alexy assumed control

Russian Church and worked tirelessly in this field for 24 years: he appointed bishops, took care of the ordering of monastic life, the organization of communal monasteries (modeled on Trinity, founded by St. Sergius), and established relations with the Horde khans. More than once the saint himself had to travel to the Golden Horde.

In 1357, Khan Janibek demanded from Grand Duke John Ioannovich (1353-1359) that he release Saint Alexy to the Horde for his healing

spouses - Khanshi Taidula from an eye disease, threatening, in case of refusal, with the ruin of the entire Russian land. The humble saint did not consider himself worthy to perform a miracle of healing, but, having firm faith in the Lord, for whom everything is possible, he did not refuse to go to the Horde for the good and peace of his homeland and flock, for whom he was ready to accept martyrdom.“The petition and the deed exceed the measure of my strength,” said Saint Alexy, “but I believe in the One who gave the blind his sight.”,“He will not despise the prayers of faith.”

Before leaving for the Horde, Saint Alexy, together with the clergy, performed a prayer service in the Assumption Cathedral, at the shrine of Saint Peter, and the Lord gave him a sign that strengthened his spirit: the candle at the saint’s tomb lit up by itself. Saint Alexy took part

this candle and went to the Horde. Even before he arrived Taidula saw the saint in a dream in bishop's clothing. When the saint approached the Horde, Janibek came out to meet him and led him into his chambers. The saint, having begun the prayer singing, ordered the lighting of a small candle, which he had brought from the shrine of St. Metropolitan Peter. After a long prayer he sprinkled blessed water Hanshu, and she immediately received her sight.Khan Janibek sent the Metropolitan on his way back with great honor and gifts. Khansha Taidula granted the saint a plot of land in the Moscow Kremlin, on which in 1365 Saint Alexy founded a temple in the name of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh and founded the Chudov Monastery with him. In the Horde, Saint Alexy led a debate about faith in the presence of the khan.

In January 1359, during the Smolensk-Moscow

-During the Lithuanian military operations, Saint Alexy went to Kyiv (probably to enlist the support of the southern Russian princes), but was captured by Olgerd, robbed and imprisoned; his very life was in danger. However, Saint Alexy managed to escape, and in 1360 he returned to Moscow. During his absence in Moscow, Grand Duke John Ioannovich died, and Saint Alexy found himself virtually alone of the regents under the young Demetrius (the future Donskoy; born in 1350).

The holy ruler had to work a lot in the matter

reconciliation of the obstinate princes who did not want to recognize the power of Moscow. Saint Alexy was the first leader, first inspirer, first assistant of the Grand Duke in his struggle for centralization Russian state. The selfless efforts of such workers of the Russian land, such as St. Alexy, St. Sergius of Radonezh and the blessed Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy, rallied around Moscow contains most of the Russian principalities. An association they formed the basis of the great victory of the Russian people in Kulikovo field in 1380.

In his varied hierarchical activities, Metropolitan Alexy tirelessly cared for the well-being of his flock and its spiritual enlightenment. In almost a quarter of a century, he installed 21 bishops, and the creation and renewal of a number of monasteries in Moscow and the Metropolitan region are associated with his name. Except Spaso-Andronikov

(c. 1360), Chudov (c. 1365) and Simonov (between 1375 and 1377) monasteries, with his blessing in 1360-1362 the Vvedensky Vladychny Monastery was founded in Serpukhov, the ancient ones were restored, but those that fell into disrepair under Tsarekonstantinovsky Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod Blagoveshchensky. Monastic tradition also attributes to him the creation Alexievsky nunnery in Moscow for his sisters (approx.. 1358).

Saint Alexy lived about 80 years. Approaching the end of his life's feat

,he wanted to see St. Sergius, abbot of Radonezh, as his successor. However, the Reverend, out of his great humility, declined this honor. Saint Alexy did not insist, foreseeing great things the significance for the Russian Church of St. Sergius as “abbot of the entire Russian land””.

Before his blessed death, Metropolitan Alexy, Saint of Moscow

,commanded the Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich Donskoy buried himself outside the church, behind the altar of the cathedral in the Chudov Monastery. Saint Alexy reposed on February 12, 1378,A large number of people attended the funeral service, including bishops and the Grand Duke. At the insistence of Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy (1363-1389),deeply revered the saint the lord, the High Hierarch was buried inside the temple, near altar. Local veneration of St. Alexius began probably soon after his death, during the life of Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich.Evidence of this is the air sewn in 1389 by the princess Maria, widow of Grand Duke Simeon Ioannovich Proud, depicting the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with the upcoming ones, including four Russian metropolitans: Maxim, Peter, Theognostus and Alexy. 1431, during the reign of the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Vasilyevich the Dark (1425-1462). One day during Divine Liturgy the vault of the dilapidated church of the Chudov Monastery, in which he rested, collapsed Saint. At the same time, none of those praying in the temple not injured. By order of the Grand Duke, they began to build a new one on the site of the old temple. While digging ditches under its foundation, incorruptible relics were discovered Saint Alexy.In the new temple, consecrated as and the former, in the name of the Archangel of God Michael, a chapel was built in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God, in which they placed the multi-healing relics of St. Alexis.

In 1448, Metropolitan Jonah established the celebration of the repose (February 12) and the discovery of the relics

(May 20) St. Alexis. After this veneration The saint received the widest distribution; he was addressed as a great intercessor and the prayer book of the Russian land.

In 1484, the construction of a new refectory with a temple in the name of the saint began in the Chudov Monastery

Alexia. In 1485, the holy relics of the saint were transferred to a temple dedicated to his name. In November 1518- In June 1519, at the shrine of St. Alexis, a number of miraculous healings of patients with various ailments, noted in the chronicles, took place. In 1522, during the arrival of the Crimean army of the Khan near Moscow Mehmed-Gireya, Saint Alexy together with others Russian miracle workers appeared to the residents of the city in a vision of a procession with the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, signifying their intercession from enemy invasion. XVI century, when twice (during the reign of Vasily III and during the reign of Theodore Ioannovich) became acutely On the issue of the birth of an heir to the throne, Saint Alexy began to be revered both as the patron and protector of the ruling dynasty of the Moscow Rurikovichs.

In 1596 a joint holiday was established

three Moscow saints: Peter, Alexy and Jonah.

During the cancer of St. Alexis, the vestments that, according to legend, belonged to him (sakkos, epitrachelion and cassock) and a staff were kept in the Chudov Monastery

.A gold ring was hung on the external image of St. Alexis in the Chudov Monastery - according to legend, a gift healed Khansha Taidula. May 20, 1686 at Patriarch Joachim, the relics of the saint were solemnly transferred from the refectory, which was dilapidated by that time temple in the arch between the newly built temple in honor Annunciation Holy Mother of God and a temple in the name of St. Alexis, where they rested openly.

After the destruction in 1929 of the entire complex of buildings of the Chudov Monastery, the relics of St. Alexis

were in the museums of the Moscow Kremlin. In 1947 at the request of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy I (Simansky) they were transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church and placed in the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhov, where they rest to this day.

Successor of Saint Alexy at the All-Russian

Saint Cyprian of Moscow became the chair, Russian miracle worker who headed the Russian Church from 1376 to 1406.

The text is based on the edition: Orthodox church calendar. 2006. M.: Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, 2005. P. 2-4

People pray to Saint Alexis for eye diseases

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8:

As the apostles are with the throne, and the doctor is kind, and the minister is favorable, flowing more honorably to your race, Saint Alexis, the God-wise miracle worker, who came together with love in your memory, we brightly celebrate, in songs and singing we rejoice and glorify Christ, such grace as bestowed healings on you and your great city statement.

Kontakion, the same voice:

Let us please the divine and most honorable saint of Christ, the new wonderworker Alexy, who sings faithfully, O people, with love, like a great shepherd, a servant and teacher of the wisdom of the Russian land. Today, having flowed to his memory, let us joyfully cry out a hymn to the God-bearing One: for having boldness towards God, deliver us from manifold circumstances, so that we call to you: Rejoice, strengthening of our city.

Prayer to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

O most honorable and sacred head and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, the abode of the Savior with the Father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, Saint Alexis! Standing at the throne of all the King and enjoying the light of the Consubstantial Trinity and cherubically with the Angels proclaiming the trisagion hymn, having great and unexplored boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, praying to save your flock people, your only begotten tongue: establish the well-being of the holy churches; Decorate the bishops with the splendor of holiness, strengthen the monastics for the exploits of the good trend; preserve this city and all cities and countries well, and the holy faith immaculate comply with the prayers; pacify the entire world through your intercession, deliver us from famine and destruction, and save us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young, make the fools wise, have mercy on widows, protect the orphans, grow up the babies, return the captives, heal the infirm, and everywhere warmly those who call upon you and with by the faith of your honest and multi-healing relics flowing to the race, diligently falling and praying to you, from all misfortunes and troubles, through your intercession, freedom, let us call you: oh, God's chosen shepherd, the all-bright star of the mental firmament, the invincible pillar of the secret Zion, the peace-inspired flower of paradise, the all-gold mouth of words, Moscow praise, adornment of all Russia! Pray for us to the All-Bountiful and Humane-loving Christ our God, so that on the day of the terrible coming of His Holy Standing He will deliver us, and create the joys of the saints as partakers, with all the saints forever. Amen.

Brief life of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Saint Alexy, mit-ro-po-lit of Moscow and all Russia, miracle-creator (in the world of Elev-feriy) was born in 1292 (according to other sources, 1304) in Moscow in the family of bo-yari-na Fe-o-do-ra Bya-kon-ta, a native of Cher-ni-gov -th princedom.

The Lord soon revealed to his future saint your predestination. In the twelfth year of his life, Elev-feriy set out a net to catch birds, unnoticed by himself. -small and suddenly clearly heard a voice: “Alexy! Why are you working in vain? You will catch people.” From that day on, the boy began to retire, attend church often, and at the age of fifteen he decided to become a monk. In 1320, he entered the Moscow Bo-go-yav-lensky monastery, where he spent more than twenty years in strict monastic conditions -skih in-movements. His ru-ko-di-te-la-mi and his friends were the-mover-movers of this abode - Elder Ge -ron-tiy and Stefan, brother of the Venerable Sergius of Ra-do-tender. Then the mit-ro-po-lit ordered the holy one to leave the mo-on-waste and take over the su-deb-ny -mi de la mi Church-vi. The saint held this position for 12 years with the title of a mit-ro-in-place. At the end of 1350, Bishop Theognost consecrated Alexy as Bishop of Vladimir. After the death of Theognostus, the patriarch appointed Alexy metropolitan. The patriarch's desk letter to the new metropolitan dates back to June 30, 1354, according to it, Alexy, not being Greek, was elevated to the rank of metropolitan as an exception, for his virtuous life and spiritual merits. At that time, the Russian Church was once-di-ra-e-ma ve-li-ki-mi unstro-e-ni-i-mi and dis-straight, in particular -sti, because of the claims of the mit-ro-po-li-ta of Lith-you and Vo-ly-ni Ro-man. In 1356, in order to put an end to the turmoil and troubles, the saint went to Kon-stan-ti-no-pol to the All- len-sko-mu pat-ri-ar-hu. Pat-ri-arch Kal-list gave Alexy the right to be considered the arch-hi-episco-pom of Ki-e-va and Great Russia with ti-tu-l " all-honestly mit-ro-po-li-ta and ek-zar-ha.” On the return route during the storm on the sea ko-rab-lyu gro-zi-la gi-bel. Alexy prayed and made a vow to build a temple sacred to the day on which the ship would land on the shore. The storm calmed down, the ship landed on August 16th. Once upon a time, I met the saint of Moscow.

Despite all the turmoil, Saint Alexy was very concerned about his flock - he installed bishops, arranged for -residential monasteries (modeled after Tro-its-ko, os-van-no-go pre-like Ser-gi- eat), na-la-zhi-val from-no-she-niya with or-dyn-ski-mi ha-na-mi. More than once I wanted to go to the Golden Horde. In 1357, the khan demanded from the great prince that the saint come to him and heal the blind Tai-du-lu - his spouse. “Pro-she-tion and de-lo exceed the measure of my strength,” said Saint Alexy, “but I believe in That, Who- He gave the blind light to see, He will not despise your prayers for faith.” And in fact, according to his prayer, the sprinkling of flax with holy water cured him.

When the great Prince John died, the saint took his little son Di-mitri (bu-du-) under his guardianship. another Don-sko-go). The holy ruler had to work a lot in order to reconcile and subdue the stern princes who did not want to live under -know the authorities of Moscow. At the same time, he did not abandon the mit-ro-po-lit and the work on the construction of new dwellings. They founded in 1361 the year of Spa-sa Nehru-to-tvo-ren-no-go Ob-ra-za mo-na-styr on Yau-ze in Moscow (An-d-ro- Nik-kov, by the name of the teacher Pre-do-do-no-go Ser-gius, the first-in-go-igu-me-on mo-na-sty-rya) on both sides, to -he gave it when the ship was in disaster during his trip to Kon-stan-ti-no-pol; Chu-dov - in the Moscow Kremlin, restored st-nov-le-ny and two ancient abodes - Bla-go-ve-shchen-skaya in Nizhny Novgorod -ro-de and Kon-stan-ti-no-Ele-nin-skaya in Vla-di-mir. In 1361, a women's community monastery named after him (Alek-se-evskaya) was also built.

Saint Alexy reached a very old age - 78 years old, having been at the mit-ro-po-ly-whose department for 24 years. He died on February 12, 1378 and was buried in Chu-do-voy monastery. His powers were re-found 50 years later in a miraculous manner, after which the memory of the great saint began to be honoured. ti-te-la and pray-li-ven-ni-ka for the Russian land.

Complete Life of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Prayers

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8

Like an apostle with the altar, / and a kind physician, and a favored minister, / flowing more honestly to your race, Saint Alexis the God-Wise One, the miracle worker, / having come together, with love in your memory. We celebrate the world, / in songs and songs, rejoicing and glorifying Christ, / such grace to you who granted healing // and great strengthening to your city.

Translation: To the one who shares the throne with, and a wonderful healer, and a servant pleasing to God, we come to your revered shrine, Saint Alexius the God-wise, wonderworker, having gathered with love on the day of your memory, we brightly celebrate, rejoicing in psalmody and spiritual hymns and glorifying Christ, who gave you such healing and to your city great strength.

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8

As your luminous memory shines forth today, more glorious,/ illuminating the souls and bodies of the faithful,/ and flowing healing streams with your God-pleasing prayers,/ Father Saint Alexis,/ also you may lim, as a bishop with the throne and a fair worker of miracles,/ who stands before the Throne of Christ,// Do not be poor for us, praying for the salvation of our souls.

Translation: Today your light-bearing memory has shone, glorified, illuminating the souls and bodies of believers, you exude streams of healing with prayers pleasing to God, Father Saint Alexy, therefore we pray to you, as one who shares the throne with the bishops and the chosen miracle worker who is to come, do not cease to pray for us and for saving our souls.

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 4

Apostolic successors of the bishops co-throne,/ To all Russia, shepherd and teacher,/ All-blessed Father Alexis,/ The Lord of all, I pray/ grant peace to your flock,/ and salvation to souls,// and to our greatness Lost.

Translation: Sharing the throne with the bishops - the successors of the apostles, all of Russia and teacher, the all-blessed Father Alexy, pray to the Lord of all to grant your peace, salvation to souls and great mercy.

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 3

Having heard a voice speaking from above from God,/ from youth I have labored in wisdom,/ in prayers, and in compunction, and in tears,/ in vigils and repentances, the image of virtue has become,/ from here and the house of the Most Pure Spirit to whom I appeared./ For this sake, for the sake of the Russian Metropolis with the rank of bishop having been venerable,/ You saved the flock of Christ kindly,/ you repelled the heretical attack without hesitation,/ and erected churches of Christ, St. Alexis,/ gathered monastic faces,/ and welcomed these Christ You are./ But you died, appearing as if you were sleeping,/ preserved whole be before many years, / giving healing to the sick. / Thus we pray to you: / pray to Christ God to save your city Moscow undamaged / / both the country and the Orthodox people according to His great mercy.

Translation: Having heard a voice from above from God, from your youth you, wise, in prayers and tears, in fasting, you were an example, and therefore you became the home of the Most Pure Spirit. Therefore, you were honored by the rank of bishop of the Russian Metropolis, you perfectly preserved the flock of Christ, repelled attacks without hesitation and erected churches of Christ, Saint Alexy gathered the monastics and led them to Christ. After death, he remained as if sleeping, and was preserved intact for many years, providing healing to the sick. Therefore, we pray to you: pray to Christ God to keep your city Moscow unharmed, and the country, and the Orthodox people, by His great mercy.

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', for the discovery of relics, tone 2

Like a very rich treasure, hidden in the earth for many years, / thy honest powers have been found, working miracles, / all-blessed father to St. Alexis: / from them we receive medicine, we are enriched, / and we glorify Christ We say: Glory to him who glorifies His saints.

Translation: Like a precious treasure, hidden underground for many years, we have found your revered miracle-working saints, all-blessed Father St. Alexis, and by receiving healings from them, we are enriched and glorify Christ, saying: “Glory to him who glorifies his saints.”

Troparion to the Saints of Moscow, tone 4

The Mother Sees of Russia,/ true guardians of the apostolic traditions,/ pillars of steadfastness, teachers of Orthodoxy,/ Petra, Alexia, Jono, Philippe and Hermogene,/ Pray to the Lord of all/ peace of the universe Grant her, // and great mercy to our souls.

Translation: Russian High Hierarchs, true guardians of the apostolic traditions, unshakable pillars, teachers of Orthodoxy, Peter, Alexei, Jonah, Philip and Hermogenes, pray to the Master of all to grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8

Let us please the divine and most honorable saint of Christ,/ the new wonderworker Alexy,/ let us all sing faithfully, O people, with love, like a great shepherd,/ a servant and teacher of the wisdom of the earth ́ Russian./ Today, having flown to his memory,/ let us joyfully cry out a hymn to the God-bearing One:/ For having boldness towards God, / deliver us from manifold circumstances, so that we call you: Rejoice, strengthener of our city.

Translation: Let us glorify the divine and especially revered saint of Christ, the new wonderworker Alexy, with faith and love, as the great shepherd, minister and wise teacher of the Russian land. Today, having gathered on the day of his memory, we will joyfully sing the song: as one who has a desire for God, deliver us from manifold disasters, so we cry to you: “Rejoice, strength of our city.”

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 3

Like the luminous memory of the saint/ destroy despondency for everyone/ and the light shines upon the Heavenly gifts/ calling everyone to joy:/ from God, to Saint Alexis, you will find grace to drive away illnesses/ and all people to heal, // and the degree was shown to me.

Translation: The light-bearing memory of the saint dispelled everyone's sadness and shone with the light of Heavenly gifts, calling everyone to the holiday: for from God Saint Alexy received the grace to drive away illnesses and heal all people, and for the monks you appeared as a path (ascent to God).

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', for the discovery of relics, tone 8

Like the never-setting sun, from the grave you have risen up for us/ for many years your honorable and incorruptible relics have been hidden,/ to St. Alexis,/ we accept grace from you:/ for this whole country and all of us are enriched with miracles and kindness shi, / by the action of grace, let us sing to you // Rejoice, father, shining light of Russia.

Translation: Like the never-setting sun from the tomb, your incorruptible relics, hidden for many years, have shone for us, St. Alexis, we receive grace through you, for you enrich this whole country and all of us with miracles and beauty, the action of grace, let us sing to you: “Rejoice, Father, luminary Russia."

Kontakion to the Saints of Moscow, tone 3

Live piously among the saints,/ and teach people to the understanding of God, and please God well,/ for this reason from Him you are glorified by incorruptibility and miracles,// as disciples of God’s grace.

Translation: You lived piously as saints and guided people to the knowledge of God and served God well, therefore you were glorified by Him for incorruption and miracles, taught by God.

Greatness to the saints of Moscow

We magnify you,/ saints of Christ/ Peter, Alexis, Jono, Philippe and Hermogene,/ and we honor your holy memory:/ for you pray for us// Christ our God.

Prayer to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Oh, most honorable and sacred head and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Savior’s abode with the Father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, Saint Alexis! Standing at the Throne of all the King, and enjoying the Light of the Consubstantial Trinity, and cherubically with the Angels proclaiming the song of the Trisagion, having greatness and unexplored boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray Let the people of your flock be saved, O only begotten of your tongue; Establish the prosperity of the holy churches, decorate the bishops with the splendor of holiness; Strengthen the monastics to the feat of the good flow; this city ( or: all this; also in the monastery: this holy monastery) and all the cities and countries, preserve the holy faith and the immaculate faith by praying to the Lord; pacify the whole world, deliver us from famine and destruction and save us from the attacks of foreigners; comfort the old, punish (teach) the young, make the foolish wise, have mercy on widows, intercede for the orphans, make babies grow, bring back the captives, heal the infirm and everywhere warmly calling on you and with all a swarm of your honest and multi-healing relics flowing to the race, fervently falling and praying to you from All misfortunes and misfortunes through your intercession of freedom, let us call to you: O God-chosen shepherd, star of the all-bright mental firmament, the secret of Zion, an unconquerable pillar, peace-inspired flower of paradise, all the golden mouth of the Word, Moscow’s praise, all Russia’s adornment! Pray for us to the All-Generous and Humane-loving Christ our God, so that on the day of the terrible coming of His Holy Standing He will deliver us and create the joys of the holy communion with all the saints forever. Amen.

Second prayer to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Oh, most sacred Father, Saint Alexis of Christ, our shepherd and teacher, do not deny us (names), with faith flowing to your intercession, but quickly try to pray to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, that He may deliver His flock from the wolves that destroy it, and every Christian country about hail and protect the saints with your prayers from worldly rebellion and cowardice, foreign invasions and internecine warfare, from famine and destruction, flood, and sword, and fire, and vain death, and just as you saved your fatherland from the blindness of the Queen of Hagaryan, so have mercy on us, in mind, word and deed in the darkness of all sins, and deliver us from the wrath of God and eternal executions, because through your intercession and help, and with His mercy and grace, Christ God will give us a quiet and sinless life in this world and at His Last Judgment He will grant us standing on the right hand with all the saints. Amen.

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Brief life of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Complete Life of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Prayers

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 4

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 3

Troparion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', for the discovery of relics, tone 2

Troparion to the Saints of Moscow, tone 4

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 8

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', tone 3

Kontakion to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', for the discovery of relics, tone 8

Kontakion to the Saints of Moscow, tone 3

Translation: You lived piously as saints and guided people to the knowledge of God and served God well, therefore you were glorified by Him for incorruption and miracles, taught by God.

Greatness to the saints of Moscow

We magnify you,/ saints of Christ/ Peter, Alexis, Jono, Philippe and Hermogene,/ and we honor your holy memory:/ for you pray for us// Christ our God.

Prayer to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Second prayer to Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'

Photo of the day

The 14th century is the century of the rise of Moscow, which before that was a small and insignificant town. The first Moscow prince Daniil began gathering Russian lands into a single state around Moscow. His descendants made a lot of efforts to continue this business. Metropolitan Alexy, the high priest of the Russian Church, who ruled it from 1354 to 1378, worked most of all in the field of creating the Moscow state.

Metropolitan Alexy was the son of a Chernigov boyar, who went into the service of Daniil of Moscow after the devastation of the region by the Horde. Having proved his devotion to the prince, the father of Saint Alexy here also took a prominent post at the princely court. The future saint himself received an excellent education. It would seem that the fate of the young boyar has already been decided. However, in the 20th year of his life, Alexy left the world and became a monk. Becoming a monk by vocation, he went through a strict ascetic school at the Moscow Epiphany Monastery. For twenty years he has carried out various obediences: from cleaning the stables to working in the cookhouse. In 1340, the elderly Metropolitan Theognostos needed an assistant to conduct church court. The Metropolitan, knowing the virtuous life of the monk Alexy and his education, ordered the future saint to manage the judicial affairs of the Church. For twelve years Alexy lived in the holy house with the rank of metropolitan governor. Shortly before the death of Metropolitan Theognostus, Alexy was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Vladimir, and after his death he became primate of the Russian Church.

Metropolitan Alexy became the head of the Russian Church at a time when the power of the Grand Duke, which had first established itself in Moscow, passed into other hands. The terrible pestilence that raged in the Russian lands claimed the lives of many representatives of the Moscow grand-ducal family. Only eight-year-old Prince Dimitri Ivanovich (the future Donskoy) remained the heir to the Moscow principality, and the grand ducal title passed to the Suzdal prince. Moscow seemed to have lost its former significance. However, Saint Alexy, despite the requests of the new Grand Duke to move to the new capital, retained the position of the church center outside Moscow.

According to the will of the last Moscow Grand Duke, Metropolitan Alexy was appointed regent over his young heir and head of the boyar duma, which ruled the principality. This is the only case in the history of our Fatherland when the primate of the Church became at the same time the head of state. Metropolitan Alexy was the guardian of the interests of the Moscow prince and made efforts to preserve the youth and retain his country and power. Just two years after the loss of grand-ducal power, it again passed to the Moscow prince thanks to the efforts of the metropolitan.

Metropolitan Alexy took a particularly active part in gathering national forces around Moscow, realizing that liberation from the hated yoke depended on the unification of Rus'. He tried not only to subjugate the obstinate princes to the Grand Duke, but also to reconcile them among themselves. All princely agreements were concluded through the metropolitan. He also used his spiritual power to force princes to comply with treaties, excommunicating those who violated them. The efforts of the high priest were not in vain. By the end of the 14th century, most of the Russian principalities rallied around Moscow. Their unification formed the basis of the great victory of the Russian people on the Kulikovo Field in 1380. This victory summed up the results of the state activities of Metropolitan Alexy. He is rightly called the father of the Battle of Kulikovo, because it was he who raised Dimitri Donskoy for the feat that laid the foundations for the future greatness of Russia.

Metropolitan Alexy tried to protect the still fragile Moscow state from external enemies. Three times the saint traveled to the Horde to intercede for the Russian lands. He managed to avert the danger of a Mongol raid under Khan Berdibek. The saint not only pacified the ardor of this khan, but also brought from him confirmation of the rights and freedoms of the Russian Church. During the invasion of Lithuanian troops from the west, Metropolitan Alexy raised the spirit of Moscow, and with his firmness crushed the ambitious plans of the Lithuanian prince, subjecting his allies to excommunication.

The political activities of Metropolitan Alexy did not drown out the church hierarch and humble monk in the saint. This is eloquently evidenced by his messages to his flock, which have survived to this day. Taking advantage of the religious tolerance of the Horde, the Orthodox Church in the person of St. Alexy worthily fulfilled its role as the spiritual educator of the people and bearer of national patriotism. Before his death on February 12, 1378, Saint Alexy had the consolation of seeing the Grand Duke's throne consolidated for Moscow and Russia on the way to liberation from the Horde yoke.

Days of church remembrance of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow: February 12 (25), May 20 (June 2), as well as October 5 (18), the day of general memory of the Moscow saints Peter, Alexy, Jonah, Philip and Hermogenes.

In the middle of the 14th century. For the first time in the previous hundred years, the possibility of liberating Rus' from the Horde yoke arose. This was facilitated by strife in the Golden Horde, during which about thirty khans changed over 30 years. The Golden Horde itself began to fall apart into separate uluses.

But in these same years, the Principality of Lithuania sharply strengthened. In the 14th century, Lithuania subjugated the Russian lands up to the Dnieper and launched an attack on Smolensk and the principalities along the upper reaches of the Oka (“Verkhovsky principalities”), as well as on the lands of Pskov and Novgorod. And therefore Lithuania became a serious rival of the Moscow principality in the struggle for the unification of the Russian land. Moreover, the Lithuanian princes began to interfere in internal Russian affairs.

And it is still unknown how things would have turned out, it is unknown whether the Moscow Principality itself would have retained its independence, if not for the firm position taken by the then Russian Metropolitan Alexy (c. 1293 - 02/12/1378).

The future Russian metropolitan was born in Moscow around 1293 in the family of the boyar Fyodor Byakont and his wife Maria, immigrants from Chernigov. At the end of the 13th century. Boyar Fyodor and his family moved to Moscow and became one of the closest boyars to Moscow Prince Daniil Alexandrovich. According to some information, the prince, and then his sons, more than once entrusted Fyodor Byakont with the management of Moscow during their absences. The sons of the boyar (brothers of Metropolitan Alexy) became the founders of the famous boyar families - the Ignatievs, Zherebtsovs, Fomins, Pleshcheevs.

At the baptism of his son, Fyodor Byakont named Eleutherius (according to some sources, his name was different - Simeon). The baby's godfather was Daniel's son, the young prince Ivan, the future prince Ivan Danilovich Kalita.

The Life of the Saint tells that at the age of twelve, something happened to the boy. wonderful case. One day a boy was setting up snares in a field to catch birds. He accidentally fell asleep and in his sleep heard a voice: “Why, Alexy, are you working in vain? I will make you a fisher of men.” Having awakened, the youth was very surprised, but from that time on he thought about his life and decided to become a monk. He learned to read and write and Greek, and studied the Holy Scriptures well. At the age of twenty, he took monastic vows at the Moscow Epiphany Monastery. In monasticism he was given the name that he heard in a dream - Alexy.

Alexy spent twenty years in the monastery. Around 1333, the Moscow Grand Duke Semyon Ivanovich and the then Russian Metropolitan Theognost attracted him to the management of the Russian Church. In 1340, Alexy was appointed metropolitan governor in Vladimir, where he remained for twelve years and three months.

In 1352, Alexy was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Vladimir. At the same time, the Grand Duke and the Metropolitan sent a letter to the Patriarch of Constantinople with a request to appoint Alexy as Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus' after the death of Metropolitan Theognostus. A year later, the ambassadors returned with a positive response. But by this time, Grand Duke Semyon Ivanovich and Metropolitan Theognost had already died from the plague epidemic. According to the will of the Grand Duke, Alexy was appointed advisor to his brothers Ivan Ivanovich the Red, who became the Grand Duke, and Andrei Ivanovich.

In 1353, Alexy went to Constantinople, where he spent about a year awaiting approval at the metropolitan table. On June 30, 1354, Patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople confirmed Alexy in the rank of Metropolitan of Russia. But even then Constantinople pursued an ambivalent policy towards Rus'. A little earlier, another metropolitan, Roman, the son of a Tver boyar, was confirmed by another patriarch to the Russian metropolis. In 1355 or 1356 Alexy again traveled to Constantinople to resolve disputes with Romanus. As a result, the once united Russian metropolis found itself divided in two. It was decided that Alexy would remain metropolitan of “all Rus'”, and Roman would receive the Lithuanian and Volyn dioceses with the center in Kyiv. However, the feuds with Roman continued until his death in 1362.

On the way back from Constantinople, Alexy's ship was caught in a fierce storm on the Black Sea. Alexy prayed earnestly and made a vow: if he was saved, he would build a church in Moscow. The storm stopped and the travelers were able to reach the shore. And in 1360, Metropolitan Alexy fulfilled his vow: on the banks of the Yauza River he built a temple and monastery in honor of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The disciple of Sergius of Radonezh, Andronik, helped him in creating the monastery, and the monastery after his name has since been called Spaso-Andronikov.

Already during his lifetime, Alexy became famous as a miracle worker. In 1357, Metropolitan Alexy traveled to the Horde at the invitation of Khan Janibek. The fact is that the Horde queen Taidula lost her sight and wanted Alexy to heal her. The life of the metropolitan tells that on August 18, the day of departure, a miracle happened in Moscow: in the Assumption Cathedral in front of the tomb of St. Metropolitan Peter, a candle lit up by itself. Alexy divided the candle and distributed one part of it to the people, and took the other with him. In the Horde, near the sick queen, he prayed and lit a candle brought from Moscow. Then he sprinkled Taidula with blessed water - and she immediately received her sight.

And in memory of the miraculous healing of Queen Taidula, in 1365, Metropolitan Alexy founded a monastery in the Moscow Kremlin in the name of the Miracle of Archangel Michael, who was in Khoneh. This monastery, known as the Chudov Monastery, existed until the 30s. XX century, when it was blown up by the godless Bolsheviks.

Soon Alexy again had to travel to the Horde. Khan Berdibek, who came to power as a result of the coup, demanded a huge extraordinary tribute from the Russian princes. The Metropolitan tried to tame the khan's rage. To this day, the label issued by Berdibek to Alexy has been preserved, confirming the liberation of the Russian Church from tributes and extortions.

At the beginning of 1359, Metropolitan Alexy went to Kyiv, but was captured by the Lithuanian prince Olgerd. Olgerd took Alexy into custody, took away all his property and even threatened to kill him. However, Alexy managed to escape. He returned to Moscow in 1360.

During his absence, Grand Duke Ivan the Red died in 1359, bequeathing the throne to his nine-year-old son Dmitry Ivanovich. He appointed Metropolitan Alexy as his son's guardian. Over the following years, Alexy was the de facto leader of the Moscow government. He raised Dmitry Ivanovich as a brave warrior and wise politician, capable of uniting the Russian lands and organizing resistance to the Horde.

In the early 1360s. Metropolitan Alexy did everything to ensure that Dmitry Ivanovich received the label for the great reign. Alexy managed to convince the Nizhny Novgorod-Suzdal prince Dmitry Konstantinovich to renounce his claims to the grand-ducal table. And in 1362 Dmitry Ivanovich became Grand Duke. Later, the Metropolitan supported the Grand Duke in his fight against Tver.

Alexy, through exhortations or decisive actions, reconciled the warring princes. When Prince Boris took Nizhny Novgorod from his brother Dmitry Konstantinovich, Alexy demanded that he come to Moscow. He refused. Then the priests sent by Alexy “closed the churches” in Nizhny Novgorod and forced Boris to return the city to his brother.

Metropolitan Alexy played a significant role in establishing the spiritual unity of Rus'. In this regard, he attached a special role to the establishment and spread of communal monasteries. Back in 1353-1354, with the support of the Patriarch of Constantinople Philotheus, Alexy invited the monks of the Trinity Monastery near Moscow, the founder of which was St. Sergius of Radonezh, to adopt a communal charter.

The prominence of the monastic “dormitory” in the 14th century suggested a fundamentally different view of the very purpose of the monastery. According to Metropolitan Alexy, who was concerned about establishing spiritual and political unity in Rus', communal monasteries were to become centers from which the light of Christian piety would be shed throughout Rus'. In monasteries built on the rules of “common life,” private property was abolished, common prayers, common meals, and compulsory labor were introduced for each monk. In addition, oriented toward Moscow, these monasteries would help strengthen political unity. In addition, the spread of communal monasteries was supposed to contribute to the revival of communal ideals and, consequently, the spread of the idea of unity. And built like real fortresses, the monasteries also performed military and defensive functions. As subsequent history showed, Metropolitan Alexy was right - the spiritual and political life of the Russian state was largely built around the newly founded monasteries.

However, the question of the first steps of the monastic reform, thanks to which in Rus' in large number cenobitic monasteries arose, it is not entirely clear. Thus, in the chronicle presentation of “The Tale of Mityai”, “Archimandrite Ivan Petrovsky” is placed in first place, about whom it is said: “He was the first leader of the general life in Moscow.” With the second mention of Ivan Petrovsky, the “Tale” also emphasizes his significance as “archimandrite, Moscow cinematographer, leader of the general life.” The word “boss” had a meaning close to the modern one, and, more often, the meaning of “initiator”, “initiator”. With one interpretation, it can be assumed that in Moscow there was a special institution in charge of communal monasteries, headed by Ivan Petrovsky. With another interpretation, it turns out that it was Ivan Petrovsky who was the first founder of “coenobitic” monasteries within Muscovite Rus'.

In Moscow itself, Alexy founded four new monasteries: Chudov, Andronikov, Alekseevsky and Simonov. Then monastic colonization moved north and contributed to the economic development of the region. Disciples of Sergius of Radonezh in the second half of the 14th - early 15th centuries. They founded several new monasteries, the most famous of which were Vysotsky in Serpukhov, Savvino-Storozhevsky in Zvenigorod, Blagoveshchensky in Kirzhach, Kirillo-Belozersky and Ferapontovsky near Vologda. In total, according to the calculations of V.O. Klyuchevsky, at the end of the XIV-XV centuries. 27 desert and 8 city monasteries arose.

While Metropolitan Alexy was consistently preparing victory on the Kulikovo field and uniting all the political and spiritual forces of Rus', Constantinople continued the policy of dividing the Russian metropolis into two parts. In 1375, Cyprian, who openly focused on Lithuania and was far from the interests of Moscow, was sent from Constantinople, while Alexy was still alive, with the rank of metropolitan. Cyprian received the title of Metropolitan of Kyiv and the Russian bishoprics that were part of Lithuania and Poland, with the prospect of occupying the metropolitan see of “All Rus'” after the death of the elderly Alexy.

And here one very important point should be taken into account. Metropolitan Alexy understood that uniting all Russian lands (within the Old Russian state) was an unrealistic task in those specific historical conditions. Therefore, he collected the fist that could become the basis for liberation from the Horde yoke, and for the future new revival of Rus'. This fist became the Northern Russian lands, for which softening the Horde yoke or even complete liberation from it was the primary task. If Alexy had attached primary importance to the tasks of unifying the metropolis of “all Rus'” under his authority, then he would not have been able to solve the main problem - the unification of the North Russian lands to fight the Horde. Therefore, Metropolitan Alexy did not oppose the very fact of dividing the metropolis.

In general, the spiritual and political activities of Metropolitan Alexy greatly contributed to the unification of the forces of Northern Rus' on the eve of the decisive battle with the Tatars on the Kulikovo Field in 1380.

Under the wise leadership of Metropolitan Alexy, the state and military leadership talent of Moscow Prince Dmitry Ivanovich (1350-1389) increased. Already in the early 70s, he managed to repel three devastating campaigns of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd against Moscow, which were included in the chronicles under the name of the three “Lithuanians”. In the battles with the Lithuanians, the military leadership talents of his cousin, young Vladimir Andreevich (1353-1410), also appeared for the first time. At the same time, Dmitry Ivanovich also won the diplomatic battle - he managed to defend in the Horde his right to the great reign, which was claimed by Prince Mikhail of Tver.

Dmitry Ivanovich’s decisive determination to overthrow the Horde yoke is also the undoubted merit of Metropolitan Alexy. Throughout the 70s, Dmitry Ivanovich actively supported any manifestations of the anti-Horde struggle, and in the Russian lands there was growing hope for the protection of the Moscow prince in the event of a clash with the Horde. So, in 1374, the people of Nizhny Novgorod destroyed the “embassy of Mamai” and a thousand Tatars with it, apparently hoping for Moscow’s support if the Horde tried to punish them for their insolence. In 1376, an army under the leadership of governor Bobrok Volynets took the former capital of Volga Bulgaria, receiving 5 thousand rubles of “payback”. But in 1377 there followed a severe defeat from the Tatars on the Piana River (a tributary of the Sura, which flows into the Volga, in the Mordovian land), which was a consequence of the negligence of the governor. However, awareness of the ability to resist the Horde in Rus' remained. This belief was significantly strengthened by the victory over the Horde army led by Begich on the Vozha River in 1378, won by Moscow and Ryazan forces. And it is not for nothing that next year Mamai will devastate the Ryazan land, but will not dare to enter the Moscow borders.

Thus, the Russian people experienced a major psychological change in their consciousness. Since the Mongol-Tatar invasion, three generations have passed in Rus'. Fear and confusion before conquerors are a thing of the past. But the will to liberation was formed in the public consciousness and the conviction in the possibility of victory was strengthened. Moreover, the Russian princes, inspired by such a popular mood, were ready for joint actions under the leadership of the Moscow prince.

But the figure who prepared the victory on the Kulikovo Field was no longer alive: on February 12, 1378, Metropolitan Alexy died.

After the death of Metropolitan Alexy, he was buried in the Church of the Archangel Michael in the Chudov Monastery he founded. Already in 1448 he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, and in 1484 the saint’s relics were transferred to a church founded in his honor and built in the Chudov Monastery. Nowadays the relics of Saint Alexy rest in the Holy Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.