Sergius of Radonezh

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paterissa (abbot's staff)
PatronageRussia

Sergius of Radonezh (Russian: Сергий Радонежский, romanized: Sergiy Radonezhsky; 14 May 1314 – 25 September 1392) was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. Together with Seraphim of Sarov, he is one of Eastern Orthodoxy's most highly venerated saints in Russia.

Early life

Vision to the Youth Bartholomew, by Mikhail Nesterov
(1890).

The date of his birth is unclear: it could be 1314, 1319, or 1322. His medieval biography states that he was born to Kiril and Maria, a boyar family, near Rostov (Yaroslavl Oblast), on the spot where Varnitsy Monastery [ru] now stands.[3][4]

The narrative of Epiphanius does not specify the exact birthplace of the monk, stating only that before the migration from Rostov principality the monk's family lived "in a village in the area, which is within the Rostov principality, not very close to the city of Rostov". It is considered that it is the village Varnitsa (

Apostle Bartholomew
.

Although an intelligent boy, Bartholomew had great difficulty learning to read. His biography states that a starets (spiritual elder) met him one day and gave him a piece of prosphora (holy bread) to eat, and from that day forward he was able to read. Orthodox Christians interpret the incident as being an angelic visitation.[5]

When the

Grand Duchy of Moscow, his parents Kirill and Maria became impoverished and moved to Radonezh together with their three sons, Stefan, Bartholomew and Peter.[5]

Monastic life

Sergius of Radonezh blessing by Sergei Kirillov

Upon his parents' death, Bartholomew went to

Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
.

In time, Stefan moved to a

Sergiev Posad
, and other villages.

When the news of Sergius's accomplishments reached

Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow
asked Sergius to become his successor but Sergius declined, preferring to remain a simple monk rather than be a bishop.

As an ascetic, Sergius did not take part in the political life of the country. However, he blessed Dmitry Donskoy when he went to fight the Tatars in the signal Battle of Kulikovo field, but only after he was certain Dmitry had pursued all peaceful means of resolving the conflict. Some historians interpreted his political stance as aspiring to make peace and unite Russian lands under the leadership of Moscow.

Death and canonization

See also: Russian Orthodox Church § Canonization
Statue of Sergius outside the Trinity Lavra

Sergius died on 25 September 1392. His

Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra
which he founded.

The exact year of his canonization by the Russian Orthodox Church is uncertain, either 1452[6][7][8] or 1448[9][10][11] .The church commemorates him on September 25, the date of his death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered. (See ). Among the many affectionate titles given to him, he has been referred to as the "Abbot of Russia" and "valiant voivod" of the Russian land.[12]

The Catholic Church officially recognizes Sergius.[13][14] In 1940, he was included in the liturgical calendar authorized for the Russian Catholics.[15] Moreover, the most recent edition of the Roman Martyrology commemorates Sergius under the date of 25 September.[16]

Sergius is honored in the Calendar of Saints of several churches of the Anglican Communion and is remembered in the Church of England with a commemoration on 25 September.[17]

The ecumenical Fellowship of Saint Alban and Saint Sergius is named in part for him.

In December 1937,

Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra in 1946 when it was reopened.[18]

Legacy

Much information about Sergius and his acts is taken from the writing of his life composed in the 15th century, which has come down to us in many later editions in the 15th to 20th century Russian manuscripts. The memory of Sergius of Radonezh has lived on thanks to the unique manuscript entitled "The Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh" written by famous hagiographer Pachomius the Serb, also known as Pachomius Logothetes. The original manuscript is housed in the National Library of Russia.

References

  1. ^ "Holy Men and Holy Women" (PDF). Churchofengland.org.
  2. ^ "Notable Lutheran Saints". Resurrectionpeople.org.
  3. ^ Nikon Christmas (archbishop) (2003). Житие и подвиги преподобного Сергия Радонежского [The Life and Deeds of St. Sergius of Radonezh] (in Russian). Moscow: Trifonov Pechenga Monastery. pp. 32–33.
  4. ^ Житие преподобного Сергия Радонежского [Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh] (in Russian).
  5. ^ a b c "The Life of our Venerable Father Amongst the Saints St. Sergius of Radonezh", St. Sergius of Radonezh Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Parma, Ohio
  6. ^ "Сергий Радонежский". История Отечества с древнейших времен до наших дней. Большая российская энциклопедия (издательство).
  7. Большая Советская Энциклопедия
    .
  8. ^ Gritsanov, Alexander Alekseevich; Sinilo, G. V., eds. (2007). "Сергий Радонежский". Религия: Энциклопедия. Книжный Дом. p. 960.
  9. ^ Собрание государственных грамот и договоров. М., 1813. Том 1. № 63, 68.
  10. ^ Смирнов, Михаил Иванович. Культ Сергия Радонежского (Исторический очерк) // Антирелигиозник. 1940. № 5—6. С. 32—39.
  11. ^ Филимонов С. Б. Обзор архива М. И. Смирнова // Археографический ежегодник за 1971 г. М., 1972. С. 318—324.
  12. ^ Simeon Shakhovsky, Akathist to St Sergius
  13. ^ "Honoring Eastern Orthodox Saints | EWTN". EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  14. ^ "St. Sergius of Radonezh - Saints & Angels".
  15. ^ Butler, Alban; Thurston, Herbert; Attwater, Donald (1956). Butler's Lives of the Saints. New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons. p. 639.
  16. ISBN 88-209-7210-7
    )
  17. ^ "The Calendar". The Church of England. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  18. ^ Maccioni, Antonio. "Pavel Aleksandrovič Florenskij. Note in margine all'ultima ricezione italiana" in eSamizdat (2007) V:(1-2):471-478. In Italian.

External links

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