In 2014, the entire Christian world celebrated the seven hundredth anniversary of the appearance on earth of the great righteous Sergius of Radonezh. In this article we will try to introduce you to the life of the great Russian abbot, we will tell you what Russia was called under St. Sergius. Let us explain why the significance of his activities in the history of our Fatherland is so great.

Birth of St. Sergius

On the sixteenth of May (new style), 1314, the future abbot of the Russian Land was born. Forty days after birth, the baby was named Bartholomew, which means “Son of Joy.” This name was rare at that time among the boyars. It was worn by one of Christ.

The estate of his parents was located in the village of Varnitsy, not far from Rostov the Great. From childhood, Bartholomew was marked by special grace. Every year, Maria and Kirill became convinced of God’s chosenness of their son.

Radonezh - the second homeland of Sergius

In 1328, the family moved to Radonezh, where Bartholomew began to show interest in monastic life and for the first time thought about entering a monastery. This idea belonged to his brother Stephen, who became a monk. Bartholomew's father was dissatisfied with this decision and tried in every possible way to dissuade his middle son from such a step.

Sergius did not upset his father and stayed with his parents to help them with the housework. In 1337, Sergius's parents died, and he, giving his part of the inheritance to his younger brother, together with the elder Stephen, began to lead the life of a hermit in a deep forest.

What was the name of Russia under St. Sergius? Our Fatherland in those days was called Russia, where from time immemorial hermitage was considered the highest degree of monastic perfection. The brothers built a cell and lived a solitary life. Stefan could not withstand the test and left his cell. Sergius was left completely alone. Soon rumors spread about the hermit as a holy man (righteous man). Monks and ordinary believers began to come to him.

A small community of twelve people formed around Sergius. They built a wooden church in the name of St. Sergius, the cult of the Trinity began. It was a community that revived the spirit of like-mindedness and brotherly love. They preached the life principle “Don’t do what you don’t want done to you.” For that time it was new and unusual. Hatred, squabbles, and greed flourished in the monasteries.

Believers began to go to Sergius to verify the existence of an “earthly miracle.” Soon they began to say that a righteous man, a messenger of God, lived next to them. Under Saint Sergius, Russia was called Rus. And at that time it was believed that the invasion of the Mongol-Tatar tribes was a punishment for her sins. Only the revival of God's mercy can help her to be saved. The community of Sergius is an indicator of a truly righteous lifestyle.

Miracles of the Holy Righteous

Christians are confident that only thanks to his great faith in the Lord and constant sincerity he received the gift of healing people who prayed to him for help. He could heal blindness with one touch of his hand, he treated the demoniac and the weak, the dumb and the lame.

One day, in one of the monasteries where the Reverend was at that time, the water ran out. He began to pray intensely to the Almighty, found a place, consecrated it with a cross, and a miracle happened - at this place a spring began to flow, which today is called Sergius.

One day late at night, the Great Righteous One prayed and read about the life of the Mother of God. A strong gust of wind blew out the lamp. Sergius was so inflamed with his spirit that the book shone with heavenly light.

Like many saints, the Reverend was endowed with the gift of providence. It was thanks to this gift that his blessing of the famous Prince Dmitry Donskoy to fight the Tatars turned out to be so effective. This victory marked the beginning of the maturation and strengthening of Muscovite Rus', as Russia was called under St. Sergius. And the Great Righteous One became its inspiration.

Sergius of Radonezh in the history of Russia

During his long and righteous life, Sergius founded twenty monasteries, and not only in Moscow. Russia under St. Sergius, with the help of monasteries, begins to develop new lands. He has many students, and with age his authority becomes unshakable.

St. Sergius played a major role in the victory of the militia on Dmitry Donskoy. There were not enough soldiers to resist the Golden Horde. It was necessary to gather a militia. It was necessary to explain to the people that it was Dmitry who came to Sergius and asked for blessings for a feat of arms. The monk blessed the warrior, and in addition, on his advice, two monks joined the Russian army.

The significance of Sergius' activities

He never took part in hostilities or fought with anyone. But in terms of the historical significance of his activities, Sergius was superior to the commanders of that time. Anyone who is interested in history knows that in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries there was a different name for Russia. Under Sergius of Radonezh, the Slavic people were united by the proud and capacious name Rus (Moscow).

The great righteous man was a true church diplomat, the greatest Christian, the creator of new monasteries, a teacher who raised many students and followers who carried his thoughts and ideas into life.

Memorial Day of Sergius

Sergius of Radonezh died on September twenty-fifth, 1392 at the age of seventy-eight years. This day is considered by Christians to be the day of remembrance of St. Sergius. At this time, people come to the monastery he founded in an endless stream. They pray and bow to the relics of St. Sergius. For a long time on this day, Russian princes and tsars came to his relics and walked to the monastery.

After his death, Sergius was canonized as a great saint. Having lived a long and righteous life, he was able to unite the Russian princes, convince them to submit to the Prince of Moscow and act together against the Tatars.

Soul of the Russian Church

Many believers believe that even today in the Holy Trinity Lavra, which was founded by the Reverend, the soul of the Church of Rus' lives, since that is what Russia was called under St. Sergius. The Russian abbot is revered by our people and Christians around the world like no other. Therefore, staying in the Trinity Lavra is always grace. Sergius of Radonezh is our commander in visible and invisible battles. For seven centuries, Russian people have been saying about the Great Righteous One that with him we are not afraid of any trouble.

SERGIEV POSAD (Moscow region), July 18 - RIA Novosti. The greatest ascetic, St. Sergius of Radonezh, plays a fateful role in the history of the Russian state, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a festive concert dedicated to the 700th anniversary of the founder of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

“He plays a truly fateful role in the history of our state... His wise and firm word as a mentor was a spiritual support, support during a difficult period of foreign invasion and internal strife,” the president said.

“It was then that his prophetic words sounded - “we will be saved by love and unity,” and this call, filled with unshakable faith, served to unite the Russian lands and forever entered the soul of our people, into our historical memory,” Putin said.

Celebrations dedicated to the 700th anniversary of St. Sergius of RadonezhPilgrims and organizers consider the religious procession that took place the day before, led by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church himself, to be one of the most striking events of the celebrations in honor of St. Sergius.

According to him, the scale and influence of the personality of St. Sergius were reflected in more than one era; he became the inspirer of patriotic, national, moral upsurge, contributed to the strengthening of the Orthodox Church and the construction of monasteries, which were not only spiritual centers, but also fortresses, guardians of Russia. “Among them, a special role belongs to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra; it is rightfully considered an Orthodox stronghold, the pure source of faith and a treasury of national culture,” Putin noted.

“The Testaments of Sergius of Radonezh are the key to understanding Russia, to knowing the fundamental principles, its historical traditions, unity and cohesion. In this unity, in truth and justice, in our age-old values, the strength of Russia, its great past, present and future,” said head of state.

Celebrations dedicated to the 700th anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh are held on July 16-18 in almost all regions of the country.

Biography of Sergius of Radonezh

The Monk Sergius was born in the village of Varnitsa near Rostov on May 3, 1314 (according to other sources - 1322) into a family of noble and pious boyars. At baptism he received the name Bartholomew. According to church tradition, from the first days of his life, Bartholomew surprised everyone with fasting: on Wednesdays and Fridays he did not accept his mother’s milk, and also refused milk on other days if his mother ate meat.

At the age of seven, Bartholomew was sent to study, but, despite diligent studies, he lagged behind his peers in learning. One day a boy met an angel on the road in the form of a monk and asked him: “Pray to God for me, so that He will help me learn to read and write.” The elder prayed - and the pious youth’s wish was fulfilled. From that moment on, science was easy for the youth Bartholomew. Therefore, in the Orthodox tradition, a saint is considered an assistant in teaching.

Around 1328, Bartholomew and his family moved to Radonezh. Even at a very young age, he wanted to leave the world and choose the monastic path, but his parents asked Bartholomew not to leave them during their lifetime, and the future saint submitted to their will.

After the death of his parents, he built a cell in the forest in the name of the Trinity and became a hermit. In 1337, Bartholomew took monastic vows in the name of the holy martyr Sergius. Gradually, other monks flocked to him, seeking spiritual guidance - and soon a brotherhood of 12 people formed in the small monastery. This was the beginning of the spiritual center of Rus', the pearl of Orthodoxy - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

The Monk Sergius performed many miracles - he raised the dead, healed the sick. He also actively contributed to the reconciliation of the warring princes.

Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, having gathered an army, came to the monastery of St. Sergius to ask for a blessing for the Battle of Kulikovo. To help the Grand Duke, the monk blessed two monks of his monastery - the legendary Andrei (Oslyabya) and Alexander (Peresvet), and predicted the victory of Prince Dmitry.

Having lived to a ripe old age, Saint Sergius died in silent solitude on October 8, 1392. On the eve of his death, the monk called the brethren for the last time and addressed the words of his testament: “First have the fear of God, spiritual purity and unfeigned love...”.

In 1422, during the construction of a new church in honor of the Life-Giving Trinity on the site of a wooden one, the relics of St. Sergius were discovered - the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates this event on July 18 (July 5, old style).

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Plan

• Introduction
• 1. Life path of Sergius of Radonezh
• 1.1 Childhood of Sergius of Radonezh
• 1.2 General recognition
• 2. Government activities
• 2.1 Sergius of Radonezh - conciliator of Princes
• 3. Repose of St. Sergius of Radonezh
• Conclusion
• List of sources and literature

Introduction

Who does not know about the existence of the Trinity-Sergius Lara, a majestic monument of history, religion, architecture, the pearl of Orthodox Russia? The glory of the Lavra is widespread and deserved, for at its origins stood Sergius of Radonezh, the “guardian angel of the Russian land.”

The purpose of my essay is to reveal the historical significance, life and deeds of a selfless person of rare strength of spirit and faith who deserve universal worship and recognition.

What epithets were not awarded to the born Bartholomew Kirillovich Ivanchin, who went down in history under the glorious name of Sergius of Radonezh! He is the greatest of the prophets, and the people's saint, and the peacemaker, and the visionary diplomat, and the “gatherer of Rus'.”

“There are names that were borne by historical people who lived at a certain time, who did a historically known work in life, who went beyond the time when their bearers lived. This is because the work done by such a person, in its significance, went so far beyond the boundaries of its century ", and became a practical commandment, a covenant, what we are accustomed to calling an ideal. This is the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh; this is not only an edifying, joyful page in our history, but also a bright feature of our moral national content."

1. Life path of Sergius of Radonezh

1.1 The childhood of Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius of Radonezh was born on May 3, 1314 into the family of eminent Rostov boyars Cyril and Maria and was named Bartholomew at baptism. At the age of seven, Bartholomew, together with his brothers, the elder Stefan and the younger Peter, was sent to study reading and writing in a church school, but reading and writing was difficult for him. One day his father sent Bartholomew and saw under an oak tree “an old man, as if immersed in prayerful contemplation.” The elder took the reliquary from his bosom and took a piece of prosphora from it, blessed it and ordered it to eat, saying that it should become the abode of the Most Holy Trinity, in order to lead many after him to the understanding of the Divine Commandments." After these prophetic words, the wonderful Elder left.

From that time on, a premonition of the feat ahead of him seemed to awaken in Bartholomew, and with all his soul he became addicted to worship and the study of holy books.

1.2 General recognition

Around 1330, his father lost almost all his fortune and moved with his entire family to Radonezh (12 versts from the present Lavra). Kirill received an estate in Radonezh, he himself could no longer serve due to old age, he was replaced by his son Stefan, who married in Rostov; Cyril's youngest son Peter also married; only Bartholomew continued his former life, the life of a monk in the world.

Leaving the property to his brother Peter, he went to his brother Stephen, who by this time had become a widower and had also taken monasticism, and convinced him to go together on a difficult feat, to “seek out a deserted place”; this marked the beginning of a new, unusual feat. The brothers chose an elevated place in a dense forest, called "Makovets", located 30 miles from Radonezh, not far from the Konchura river.

The glorious Trinity Monastery subsequently arose here.

Here the brothers settled and built two log houses, one for the church, the other for housing. The church was consecrated in the name of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity. This was the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the mysterious Elder. But Stefan did not endure the hardship of desert life for long and went to the Moscow Epiphany Monastery. Bartholomew was left alone. At first, Elder Mitrofan came occasionally to perform divine services, who then tonsured him into the monastic rank with the name Sergius.

Ten years later, after the founding of the Monastery, peasants gradually began to settle near it and soon surrounded the monastery with their villages. The simplicity, great-heartedness of the Reverend, responsiveness to every grief and, most of all, his unbreakable faith in the intercession of the Supreme Powers, and hence the clear, joyful cheerfulness that did not leave him in the most difficult moments, attracted everyone to him.

. They said about him that he “had the strength of two people.” After long refusals, Sergius was ordained a priest and appointed abbot of the new Trinity-Sergius Monastery by the Bishop of Pereyaslavl.

Universal recognition and veneration did not change him in any way, neither his way of life, nor his treatment of people; he treated with equal attentiveness and love both the princes who enriched his Monastery and the poor people who fed from the monastery. He always remained a simple and meek mentor, but on rare occasions he was also a stern judge.

So, in the person of Sergius the Abbot we have the image of a true Leader, entering both the internal and external lives of those who trusted him. He could be lenient, but there is no sign of connivance. There is evidence that, for all his gentleness, he was stern in confession. It was the great justice inherent in him that conquered all hearts. It can be said that the ascetic life of Sergius, introducing high moral teaching into life by his personal example, marked a New Era in the life of the Russian Land.

Thanks to the widespread establishment by him and his students of new monasteries, schools of harsh ascetic life, the morality of the people greatly increased. Entire villages and suburbs that arose around quiet monastery-schools constantly had before them a unique school of high self-denial and selfless service to one’s neighbor.

2. Government activities

Already from half of his life, the Image of St. Sergius of Radonezh entered the consciousness of the Russian people as a National Teacher, Intercessor and Encourager. Who can calculate how many people came to him with all their needs, great and small? But the fame of the holiness and wisdom of Sergius spread throughout Rus' and, against his will, promoted him to the field of state activity.

At that time, there were frequent civil strife among the princes, who disputed each other's khan's label for the grand duchy, and Metropolitan Alexy repeatedly entrusted the most difficult political assignments to the Reverend with word and conviction to pacify the feuds of the appanage princes and lead them to recognition of the supreme power of the Prince of Moscow. And so great was the charm of the Rev.’s personality that the most stubborn humbled themselves before the power and wisdom of his words.

So, at his initiative, desert living spread widely in Muscovite Rus'. In the 15th and 16th centuries, all the forests of northern Rus' were inhabited by desert dwellers, spiritual children and imitators of the Rev. More and more abodes quickly grew up around these secluded huts. In the 15th century, up to 57 desert monasteries were founded in Moscow Rus' alone. They arose in different places, becoming strongholds in the exploration by Russian people of the expanses of the North and Trans-Volga region. People went here, hid from Tatar raids and princely arbitrariness, established villages and towns, and turned forest wilds into well-groomed places. The monasteries of that time - again with the light hand of Sergius - did not oppress or oppress the peasants in any way; on the contrary, under the monastery walls people felt calmer, their farms flourished, and proximity to the monasteries opened the way to learning and books. And the moral spirit of the brethren of that time had a beneficial effect on the surrounding laity.

Legends surrounded the name of Sergius in Rus', which was awakening from the great oppression - the Tatar yoke. His deeds, actions, moral character, his code of conduct were strikingly different from what people were accustomed to, with which they had almost come to terms and to which, it seemed, there would be no end. The air of time was saturated with anger, bitterness and hopelessness. Entire generations lived in an atmosphere of anarchy, lawlessness, tyranny and robbery. The collapse of the state order, constant turmoil, raids first by the Tatars, sometimes by “our own people,” and economic devastation threatened the moral disintegration of the people.

The historical significance of the monasteries in the construction of the Russian State was great, for, according to the behest of the Monk, they were founded in deserted and wild places and, of course, attracted a population for whom it was more convenient, spiritually joyful and stable to live with them. Thus, they were the true seedbeds of life and enlightenment, a kind of colonizers; They developed agriculture, construction, introduced crafts and laid the foundation of statehood on the culture of the spirit.

So, Saint Sergius appeared as the father of northern Russian monasticism, the founder of Holy Rus' and also the forerunner of future elders. But, in addition, its significance was great in the national life of the people. We saw how he repeatedly settled disputes between the princes, which threatened the young state with innumerable disasters. He also affixed his signature to the law on succession to the throne from father to son, putting an end to the internecine competition that was tearing the Russian Land apart.

But the apotheosis of the work of St. Sergius was his historical blessing for the terrible battle of Grand Duke Dmitry with the Horde. He knew what consequences his word would have, and he accepted this responsibility. And the consequence of this inspiration and encouragement was the great victory over the centuries-old oppressors - the Golden Horde. This victory was a turning point in the history of the young Moscow State, despite the still threatening attack of enemies, yet it so strengthened the people’s faith in their strength, so raised their spirit that the Moscow State was able to strengthen itself in order to develop over time into a Great All-Russian Power. The Tatars were terrible, but even more terrible and destructive for the Russian Land were the still ongoing discord between the princes.

2.1 Sergius of Radonezh - conciliator of princes

Many must have known that he flatly renounced the rank of metropolitan, that is, the head of the Russian Church, and made it clear that he did not aspire to any power at all. He saw his duty in understanding the spirit of the people, reviving and setting in motion their moral feelings.

Here it is appropriate to talk about Sergius’s participation in the political life of that time. He was not interested in daily, current political activities, was far from the strife that tore apart the family of Russian princes, and he tried not to interfere in church affairs. Sometimes, however, he intervened in politics, but only when it affected broad interests, and not internal, personal princely calculations. But even here he remained true to himself, acting with words and conviction. Sergius was close to the Prince of Moscow Dmitry Ivanovich and, undoubtedly, supported his activities to strengthen Moscow and turn it into the future new center of Rus'.

The abbot persuaded Prince Constantine to recognize the power of the Grand Duke of Moscow over himself. In 1365, he humbled Boris, who captured the Nizhny Novgorod table. Here, however, he had to use power - he closed all the churches in Nizhny Novgorod, deprived the townspeople of worship and other church rituals, and explained to them the incompetence of Boris’s actions.

So he did in 1385. book turned to the Reverend with a request to settle his relationship with the formidable and indomitable prince. Oleg Ryazansky, a long-time enemy of Moscow and an ally of Mamai and Olgerd. The whole life of this treacherous prince was spent in intrigues and campaigns; and more than once he contributed to the Khan’s invasions of the Russian Land. Dmitry sent many ambassadors to Oleg, but the arrogant prince did not want to listen to anyone. And now Sergius, already a 70-year-old old man, goes to Ryazan to establish lasting peace between the princes. The Wonderful Elder talked for a long time with the stern prince and with his fiery spirit and the words of his heart brought him into such tenderness that he persuaded him to enter into an eternal alliance with the leader. Prince Dmitry.

3. Repose of St. Sergius of Radonezh

After the spiritual height that St. Sergius reached, he did not live long. Six months before his death, the Reverend received a revelation about his outcome. Having called the brethren, he entrusted the management of the Monastery to his disciple the Monk Nikon, while he himself retired to his cell, in complete seclusion, remaining in silence.

It was Sergius who saw off Prince Dmitry Ivanovich on his last journey and, as one of his confessors, signed the will of the Grand Duke, which determined the transfer of succession from father to son, which legally ended the feuds around power and opened the way to the restoration of a unified Russian state.

Sergius of Radonezh died on September 25, 1392, at the age of 78, having foreseen his death in advance and having managed to hand over the abbot's staff to his beloved student.

Already the next generations of Russian people, whose conscious life occurred in the first decades of the 15th century, appreciated the personality of Sergius and his contribution to the fateful affairs of Rus'. “This had never happened before... he was loved by everyone because of his honest life. He was not only a shepherd to his flock (that is, the monastic brethren), but also a teacher and mentor to our entire Russian land.”

Sergius was canonized, and thanks to this act, his biographies and lives were created and his image appeared on icons.

For many years, the monastery of St. Sergius occupied first place in its influence among all Russian monasteries, being the most important spiritual and cultural center of the country.

The spiritual work preached by Sergius and his disciples was no less important in the revival of Russia than the active work of the Moscow princes on the battlefield and at the negotiating table with other princes, Lithuanian and Horde rulers.

Conclusion

The outstanding personality of St. Sergius, his highest spiritual and moral authority put him among the largest church figures in Russia. The Monk Sergius of Radonezh had the role of collecting the spiritual power of Rus' and creating the unfading image of the Holy Russian state.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that Sergius of Radonezh is one of those who created Russia and on whom it still rests. The Trinity-Sergius Monastery played an important role in the overthrow of the Tatar-Mongol yoke and the unification of Russian lands around Moscow.

In conclusion, I would like to quote the historian V. O. Klyuchevsky, who wrote in his works: “In the name of St. Sergius, the people remember their moral revival, which made political revival possible, and confirm the rule that a political fortress is strong only when it rests on strength of morals." St. Sergius of Radonezh church

Listsources andliterature

1. Klyuchevsky V.O. Historical portraits. - M.: Eksmo, 2008. - 107 p.

2. Putilov B.N. Ancient Rus' in faces: gods, heroes, people. - St. Petersburg: ABC-classics, 2001.

3. Sergius of Radonezh. Essay by N. Yarovskaya. - M., 1993.

4. http://ricolor.org/history/ka/podvig/serg_rad/

5. http://www.intelros.ru/2007/07/09/prepodobnyjj_sergijj_radonezhskijj.html

6. http://sergiyradonegskiy.orthodoxy.ru/jitie.html

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Of Sergius’s disciples, we will point to Ferapont and especially to Cyril of Beloozero: both of them were the founders of monasticism in the desert northern regions neighboring Beloozero. The first founded the Ferapontov monastery, the second - the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, which acquired particular fame in the 15th and 16th centuries, famous for its rich library. The disciples of Cyril of Belozersk were, in turn, important disseminators of monasticism. Such were, among others, Dionysius of Glushitsky and Korniliy of Komel, the founders of monasteries in the wild Vologda countries. Not to mention many others who, not being disciples of Sergius or his disciples, were excited by his example and the general widespread desire to found monasteries in desert countries.

3. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERGIUS OF RADONEZH

Sergius of Radonezh lived in Rus' in the 14th century. He fulfilled his heavenly mission as a Russian guide by indicating the tasks of the immediate and entire subsequent history of Russia: the overthrow of the Tatar yoke and the independence of the state, the end of strife and free unification under the sovereign power of the Moscow sovereign.

St. Sergius not only blessed Dmitry Donskoy for a decisive battle with the Tatars, but also helped, with his direct participation, to completely overcome the intolerant yoke of Islam. Both on the Kulikovo field and near Kazan, he himself miraculously appeared to the Russian heroes and with his appearance already decided their victory in advance. It was not for nothing that the Tatars, even after the death of the Monk, having taken Moscow, did not yet consider their work of ruining the Russian state to be completed, but they still went to burn the Trinity Lavra of the Monk, as was the case, for example, under Edigei in 1408. They knew very well that it was there that the ever-living banner was raised, before which their Islam would fall to dust. We are not talking about the other greatest posthumous miracles of the Reverend in the liberation of the Russian land from enemies, such as the rise of Minin and the Nizhny Novgorod people in 1612, etc.

At the same time, St. Sergius gave positive beginnings to the internal life of Russia. He himself went to the rebellious princes of Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, Tver and Rostov and by all means persuaded them to make peace with Moscow and join in common mutual service under the single power of the Grand Duke of Moscow. He himself approved, and perhaps even inspired, the spiritual charter of Dmitry Ivanovich, who bequeathed the throne to his eldest son Vasily Dmitrievich, and thereby stopped the cause of strife, indicating order to the autocratic power of the Moscow state. We can say that the great autocratic Russia stands as St. Sergius.

At the head of his work of liberating, gathering and strengthening Russia, the Monk Sergius put his own creation in 1340 of the Church of the Holy Trinity, near which his famous Trinity-Sergius Lavra was later founded, a guarantee of the unity of the land and the independence of the Moscow state from material subordination to the East, and in the future - and from material subordination to the West. In the Trinity, they were shown not only the most holy perfection of eternal life, but also a model for human life, a banner under which all humanity should stand, because in the Trinity, as Undivided, strife is condemned and gathering is required, and in the Unmerged Trinity the yoke is condemned and required liberation. And if in an area where the population was moving away from Tatar and other enemy pogroms, a monastery with the name of the Holy Trinity arose and flourished, then there is no doubt that in this name lay hope for the salvation of the entire earth and its independence. If he himself humbly united near Moscow, without losing anything from his spiritual wealth, if he gathered many different tribes and languages ​​under its power, if in this multitude he managed to find a unifying center in the autocratic power of the Moscow sovereign, then it is obvious that his catholic, universal Orthodoxy, gathering everyone into one flock under one shepherd, without destroying nationalities and languages. It goes without saying that the entire history of the Moscow state can serve only as a beginning, only as a far from perfect expression of the Model for which St. Sergius erected a temple.

As soon as the veneration of the Holy Trinity became an outward expression of the aspiration of the Russian people for the Most Holy Model of Life, Trinity churches appeared of their own accord. Following the first Trinity Church, built in 1340 by the hands of St. Sergius himself, within one century so many of them were built that it is impossible to count them throughout the entire space of Russia. Even entire Trinity towns and villages appeared.

But the Russian people have not forgotten the one who taught them to honor the Holy Trinity. Soon after the death of the Monk, a monastery of the Holy Trinity was created in his homeland and at its main temple - the chapel of St. Sergius (Varnitsky Trinity Monastery, 4 versts from Rostov). One might say that it was even a rule at Trinity churches to build St. Sergius chapels. Even today they are rarely separated. This addition of the names of the Trinity and Sergius and this constancy in the creation of temples clearly indicate to whom Russia owes the veneration of the Trinity and Trinity churches.

The importance of St. Sergius in economic terms is also important. He managed to create and develop something new for the Russian lands of the 14th century. type of monasteries - cenobitic, based not on alms, but on their own economic activities, which led to the formation of a rich and influential monastic corporation. Thanks to this, since the 14th century, monasteries and the church in general began to have more and more influence on secular power due to their increased capabilities.

CONCLUSION

In the course of writing the essay, I fulfilled the goals set at the beginning and came to the conclusions outlined below.

The Trinity Monastery founded by Sergius has remained to this day the leader among all others built both by him and his disciples, and by subsequent founders of monasteries. The great princes and kings had the custom of going annually to the Trinity on the feast of Pentecost and, in addition, considered it their duty to go there before every important matter, often on foot, and ask for the help and intercession of the wonderworker Sergius. The great events of the time of troubles especially heightened the historical significance of the Trinity Lavra.

St. Sergius himself played a significant role in Russian history of the 14th century. He not only blessed the Battle of Kulikovo, he did much more - he raised the spirit of people exhausted by the Tatar-Mongol yoke. This is no less important than the correct tactics of a commander or a well-trained army. Added to this is the contribution of St. Sergius to the development of the church - the creation of a new type of monastery and many of its specific manifestations.

At the end of my work, I would like to quote the words of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy I: “Reverend Sergius, who was the beginning of monastic work in Moscow Rus', was also his unsurpassed crown, a great worker on the paths of salvation. He, who founded a small monastery, became through his disciples, near and far, the organizer of all Russian monastic life; he, who sincerely avoided leading the little brethren, was prepared by the Lord to be the abbot of the entire Russian land. We believe that to this day he stands before the Throne of the Almighty as an ardent man of prayer and a tireless intercessor for the entire Russian land and for everyone of us who turn to him with faith." I can only agree with him and add that it was very interesting for me to write about St. Sergius of Radonezh. Great people remain forever in the centuries, if they are truly great. And St. Sergius is one of their brightest representatives.

I . History of the founding of the Trinity Monastery. The role of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Trinity Monastery was founded in the middle of the 14th century (most likely in 1345) in the dense forests of the northern Moscow region. On Makovets Hill, at the confluence of the Vondyuga and Konchura rivers, the brothers Bartholomew and Stefan, from the city of Radonezh, built a small wooden cell. Having accepted monasticism, Bartholomew will go down in history under the name of St. Sergius. After the founding of the monastery, its territory expanded, people flocked here. In 1355, a communal charter was introduced in the monastery.

The founder of the monastery, Sergius of Radonezh (1314 - 1392), supported the policy of the Moscow princes to unite forces to fight for national independence. He becomes the spiritual mentor of the Moscow prince Dmitry Ivanovich, baptizes his children, and participates in resolving internecine disputes.

In the second half of the 14th century there was a significant change in the political life of Rus'. Its dependence on the Golden Horde is weakening more and more. Dmitry Ivanovich refused to pay her tribute. The ruler of the Horde, Temnik Mamai, began preparing for a big campaign against Russian lands. In the summer of 1380, having gathered huge military forces, he moved to the Russian borders. He was opposed not by disunited princely squads, but by an all-Russian army. Before the decisive battle, Prince Dmitry comes to the Trinity Monastery to receive a blessing from Sergius of Radonezh for a feat of arms. The abbot sends two warrior monks Alexander Peresvet and Andrei Oslyablya with the prince to battle.

Russian troops acted quickly and decisively, forcing the Horde to fight in unfavorable conditions. The historical battle on the Kulikovo Field began with a duel between the heroes Peresvet and Temir-Murza (Chelubey). The significance of the Battle of Kulikovo was enormous. It strengthened the influence of the inspirers of the great victory - Sergius of Radonezh and his monastery. In order to honor the memory of those killed in the battle, Prince Dmitry, who had already received the nickname Donskoy, again visited the Trinity Monastery.

After his death, Sergius was buried on the territory of the monastery. In 1422, he was canonized and proclaimed “patron of the Russian land” and “intercessor before God.” In the same year, the construction of the Trinity Cathedral was completed over the tomb of St. Sergius, which is still active today.

II. The role of the Trinity Cathedral in the architectural ensemble of the Lavra

The white stone Trinity Cathedral (1422-1423) stands on the site of three successively replaced wooden churches - 1345, 1356 and 1412. It marks the historical center around which all subsequent formation of the monastery ensemble took place. The small square in front of it has still retained the same dimensions as during the time of Sergius’s modest monastery. But over six centuries, such a number of first-class monuments of different times and styles appeared around this building that can hardly be seen together anywhere else. Thus, directly adjacent to the Trinity Cathedral was a small one-written church - Nikon's chapel (1548), not far from them was the Spiritual Church (1478); to the east is the majestic five-domed Assumption Cathedral (1559-1585), next to it is visible the filigree Nadkladeznaya Chapel (late 17th century); on the northern side the candle of a five-tiered bell tower (1740 - 1770) soars into the air, and the entire western side is occupied by the extended Treasury building of cells (XVII - XIX centuries). In the gaps between these buildings and as if framing them, one can see the Metropolitan's chambers (1778), the monumental Refectory on the high arches of the walkway (1686-1692) with the miniature octagonal Mikheevsky Church (1734) at its foot, a bouquet of golden domes of the high gate church (1693-1699 ) above the main entrance to the monastery, the solemn royal palaces magnificently decorated with tiles (late 17th century), the ornate rotunda of the Smolensk Church on a peculiar stylobate of four curvilinear staircases - porches (1745) and the elegant Hospital Chambers with the tented Church of Zosima and Savvaty (1635-1638 ). The center of this main monastery square is marked by a memorable tetrahedral obelisk made of sandstone (1792), on the edges of which, in the words of N.M. Karamzin, “depicts four eras of glory of the monastery and the unforgettable services it provided to Russia.”

The Trinity Cathedral, as the main shrine of the monastery, was subjected to various additions and alterations more often than other buildings. As a result, by the beginning of the 20th century, the appearance of the Trinity Cathedral turned out to be significantly distorted.

III. Architecture of Trinity Cathedral .

Research and then complete restoration of the monument (1966) showed that it is an example of the new type of temple that was developed on Moscow soil during the years of high growth of national art that followed the significant victory on the Kulikovo Field. This is a relatively small four-pillar church with one dome and three low apses; the strict smooth surface of its walls is completed by keel-shaped zakomaras, the shape of which is picked up by two rows of kokoshniks, creating a transition to a tower-shaped drum topped with a helmet-shaped dome and a cross of a simple design. However, despite its small size, the Trinity Cathedral gives the impression of a majestic and powerful structure; its entire appearance seems to emphasize the memorial purpose of the temple, placed over the tomb of Sergius of Radonezh. Thus, the spectacular slope of the walls towards the center of the building (up to 45 cm) is unusual, giving it special visual stability and at the same time upward direction. This impression is strengthened by the pyramidal narrowing upward of the high drum and its pedestal, as well as the consistent use of a similar technique for constructing portals, windows, kokoshniks, etc.

The walls of the cathedral are made of regular blocks of white stone; narrow, sparsely spaced slit windows emphasize the thickness and massiveness of its structures. The division of the facades retains the traditional three-part structure, but this is no longer the usual Vladimir-Suzdal division of the wall surface with thin profile blades with half-columns that turn into a frame of zakomari. The flat blades of the Trinity Cathedral are very massive and acquire the significance of structural pilasters; on their accumulators rests an arched masonry of keel-shaped zakomaras, the field of which is separated from the plane of the walls by an additional ledge. Thus, here for the first time in Russian architecture an original interpretation of the classical order system appears, which then received a peculiar development in the buildings of the next century.

The only decoration of the facades of the cathedral is a wide belt of three ribbons of skillfully carved ornament; it seems to pull together the body of the temple, dividing it into two parts unequal in height, and also goes around the top of the altar apses and the high drum of the dome.

Thanks to the strict regularity in the construction of each element of the interior, the slope of the walls and pylons, the steep shapes of the arches and vaults create the impression of a much greater height in the temple than it actually is. Such a harmonious system of well-thought-out artificial angles and optical corrections (curvatures) best testifies to the high professional skill of the builders of this temple, who perfectly mastered the complex art of architecture.

The solemn architecture of the Trinity Cathedral, the severity and monumentality of its forms well corresponded to its purpose as the tomb of one of the popular champions of the unity of the Russian land.

Bibliography

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