Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius of Radonezh

Infobox Saint
name=Sergius of Radonezh


imagesize=200px
caption=Icon of Sergius of Radonezh, 17th century
birth_place=Rostov Velikiy
death_place=Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
titles =Venerable
birth_date=c. 1320
death_date=September 25, 1392
venerated_in=Eastern Orthodox Church
Byzantine Catholic Churches
beatified_date=
beatified_place=
beatified_by=
canonized_date=1452
canonized_place=
canonized_by=
attributes=Dressed as a monk
feast_day=Repose: September 25
Uncovering of Relics: July 5

patronage=Russia
major_shrine=Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (Сергий Радонежский, Sergii Radonezhsky)—also translated as Sergey Radonezhsky or Serge of Radonezh was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. Together with Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, he is a venerated Russian saint.

Early life

The date of his birth is unclear: it could be 1314, 1319, or 1322. As his medieval "Life" states, he was born to a boyar family near Rostov Velikiy, where [http://www.varnitsky-monastir.ru/ Varnitsy Monastery] now stands. He was originally baptized with the name Bartholomaeus. His parents Kirill and Maria became impoverished and moved to Radonezh together with their three sons: Stefan, Bartholomew, and Peter. Although an intelligent boy, Bartholomew had great difficulty learning to read. His "Life" states that a "starets" met him one day and gave him a piece of prosphora to eat, and from that day forward he was able to read. Orthodox Christians interpret the incident as being an angelic visitation.

Becoming a monk

Upon his parents' death, Bartholomew went to Khotkovo near Moscow, where his older brother Stefan was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to live the ascetic life. In the deep forest at Makovets hill they decided to build a small cell and a church dedicated in honor of the Trinity. Thus started the history of the great Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.

In time, Stefan moved to a monastery in Moscow. Varfolomei took monastic vows, taking the name Sergius, and spent more than a year in the forest alone as a hermit. Soon, however, others monks started coming to him and building their own cells. After some time, they persuaded him to become their hegumen, or father superior, and was ordained to the priesthood. Following his example, all the monks had to live by their own labor. Over time, more and more monks and donations came to this place. Nearby, there appeared a posad, which grew into the town of Sergiev Posad, and other villages.

When the news of Sergius's life reached patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople, he sent to him a monastic charter.During the reign of St. Dmitri Donskoi, his disciples started to spread his teaching across central and northern Russia. They settled intentionally in the most impracticable places and founded numerous monasteries, of which Borisoglebsky, Ferapontov, Kirillo-Belozersky and Vysotsky [ [http://www.visotskymon.ru/en/history/index.php Vysotsky Monastery's History] ] monasteries could be mentioned. St Sergius was also connected with the foundation of two monastic communities in Moscow - Andronikov and Simonov monasteries. All in all, disciples of Sergius founded about 400 monasteries, thus greatly extending the geographical extent of his influence and authority. However, when the Metropolitan Alexius asked him to become his successor, Sergius declined, preferring to remain a simple monk.

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.

Sergius died on September 25, 1392 and was canonized in 1452. His incorrupt relics were found in 1422 and placed in the new Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra which he founded. The church commemorates him on September 25, the day of his death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered. See September 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics). Among the many affectionate titles given him, he has been referred to as the "Abbot of Russia" and "valiant voevod" of the Russian land. [Simeon Shakhovsky, "Akathist to St Sergius"]

The Roman Catholic Church recognizes officially Sergius as a saint, listing him in the Martyrologium Romanum.

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

References

External links

* [http://www.stsl.ru Official site of the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra]
* [http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/74/1007464/1007464a1.htm СЕРГИЙ РАДОНЕЖСКИЙ] (in Russian)
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102725 Repose of the Venerable Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh] Orthodox icon and synaxarion
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101910 Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sergius of Radonezh — (c. 1314–92)    Saint, Order Founder and Mystic.    Sergius was born in Rostov, Russia, but his family made their home in Radonezh. With his brother Stephen, he founded the important Orthodox monastery of the Holy Trinity. He was a hugely… …   Who’s Who in Christianity

  • Sergius of Radonezh, Saint — ▪ Russian saint Russian  Svyatoy Sergy Radonezhsky,  original name  Barfolomey Kirillovich  born May 3, 1314, Rostov, Russia died Sept. 25, 1392, Radonezh, near Moscow       Russian Orthodox monk whose spiritual doctrine and social programs made… …   Universalium

  • Sergius — can refer to:Roman Catholic Popes*Pope Sergius I *Pope Sergius II *Pope Sergius III *Pope Sergius IVEastern Orthodox Patriarchs*Patriarch Sergius I of Moscow Patriarch 1943 1944. *Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople Patriarch 610 638.… …   Wikipedia

  • Sergio de Rádonezh — San Sergio de Rádonezh (1896), por Mijaíl Nesterov. Sergio de Rádonezh (en ruso: Сергий Радонежский; с.1315 1392) fue un stárets ruso, el más importante reformador monástico de la Rusia medieval. Junto con san Serafín de Sarov, es uno de los… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Saint Sergius (disambiguation) — Saint Sergius was a 3rd century Roman soldier venerated as a Christian saint and martyr.Saint Sergius is also the name of:* Sergius of Cappadocia (died 304), Cappadocian monk and martyr * Sergius of Valaam (10th century), Greek monastic * Sergius …   Wikipedia

  • Fellowship of Saint Alban and Saint Sergius — The Fellowship of Saint Alban and Saint Sergius is a religious organization founded in 1928 to facilitate contact between Eastern and Western Christians, specifically Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Christians. It is named for Saint Alban, the… …   Wikipedia

  • Blessing cross — [ Sergius of Radonezh (right, holding Gospel Book) using a blessing cross to bless Grand Prince Saint Dmitri Donskoi in his battle to overthrow the Tartars in the Battle of Kulikovo (1380).] A Blessing Cross is a hand cross held by a priest or… …   Wikipedia

  • Eastern Orthodoxy — the faith, practice, membership, and government of the Eastern Orthodox Church. * * * officially Orthodox Catholic Church One of the three major branches of Christianity. Its adherents live mostly in Greece, Russia, the Balkans, Ukraine, and the… …   Universalium

  • History of the Russian Orthodox Church — Foundation by St. AndrewThe Russian Orthodox Church is traditionally said to have been founded by the Apostle Andrew, who is thought to have visited Scythia and Greek colonies along the northern coast of the Black Sea. According to one of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Epiphanius the Wise — (Epifanii Premudryi) (ca. 1360–ca. 1419)    Epiphanius, called the Wise, was a Russian monk best known for writing SAINTS’ LIVES based on the life stories of two other monks with whom he may have been acquainted. His works are among the best… …   Encyclopedia of medieval literature

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”