Orthodox Saints. Saints, saints, martyrs - what different saints are called

Apostles(ap.) - these are the closest disciples of Jesus Christ, whom He sent to preach during His earthly life; and after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, they preached the Christian faith throughout all countries. There were first twelve of them, and then seventy more.

• Two of the apostles, Peter and Paul, are called Supreme, since they worked more than others in preaching the faith of Christ.
• The four Apostles: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the Theologian, who wrote the Gospel, are called Evangelists.

Unmercenary (unsr.) served as free healing of illnesses for neighbors, that is, they healed illnesses, both physical and mental, without any payment, such as: Cosmas and Damian, the great martyr and healer Panteleimon and others.

The faithful (blgv.). In the celebration of the memory of holy monarchs and princes, their feat, embodied in piety, mercy and concern for strengthening the Christian faith, is glorified, and not the powers they had in earthly life or their noble origin. For example, Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, Holy Blessed Grand Duchess Anna Kashinskaya.

Blessed (foolish) (bl., bliss) (gr. σαλός slav.: stupid, insane) - representatives of the host of holy ascetics who chose a special feat - foolishness, the feat of depicting the external, i.e. visible madness, in order to achieve inner humility.

Great Martyrs (martyr, Vlkmch.).Those who died for the holy faith after especially difficult (great) suffering, to which not all martyrs were subjected, are called great martyrs, such as: St. Great Martyr George; Holy Great Martyrs Barbara and Catherine and others.

Confessors (Spanish, confession). Martyrs who, after the torment they endured, died peacefully are called confessors.

Martyrs(martyr) - those Christians who accepted cruel torment and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ. For example, St. martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia.

• The first to suffer for the Christian faith were: Archdeacon Stephen and St. Thekla, and that’s why they are called first martyrs.

Inscribed . Confessors whose torturers wrote blasphemous words on their faces are called inscribed.

(novmch., new-much.). Christians who suffered martyrdom for confessing faith in Christ in relatively recent times. This is how the Church names all those who suffered for their faith during the period of post-revolutionary persecution.

Righteous(right) led a righteous life pleasing to God, living in the world, being family people, such as St. righteous Joachim and Anna, etc.

• The first righteous people on earth: the ancestors (patriarchs) of the human race, called forefathers, such as: Adam, Noah, Abraham, etc.

Reverend Confessors (venerable isp., prpisp.) Confessors from among the monks.

Venerable Martyrs (prmch.). Saints who suffered torment for Christ are called venerable martyrs.

Reverends (St.) - righteous people who moved away from Worldly life in society and pleased God by remaining in virginity, (i.e., not marrying), fasting and prayer, living in deserts and monasteries, such as: Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov, Venerable Anastasia and others.

Prophets(proph.) - God, who, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, predicted the future and mainly about the Savior; they lived before the Savior came to earth.

Equal to the Apostles (equal to the Apostles) - saints who, like the Apostles, spread the faith of Christ in different places, for example: Mary Magdalene, the first martyr Thekla, the blessed kings Constantine and Helen, the blessed prince of Russia Vladimir, St. Nina, educator of Georgia, etc.

Saints(St.) - bishops or bishops who pleased God with their righteous lives, such as; Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, etc.

• Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom are called universal teachers, that is, teachers of the entire Christian Church.

Priests (scratched). Confessors belonging to the priestly order.

Hieromartyrs (sschmch.). Priests who suffered torment for Christ are called holy martyrs.

Stylites(pillar) - holy ascetics who labored on a pillar - a tower or high platform of rock, inaccessible to outsiders.

Passion-bearers - who suffered martyrdom not from the persecutors of Christianity, but from their fellow believers - due to their malice, deceit, and conspiracy. The feat of passion-suffering can be defined as suffering for the fulfillment of the Commandments of God, in contrast to martyrdom - which is suffering for the testimony of faith in Jesus Christ (faith in God) during times of persecution and when the persecutors try to force them to renounce their faith. This name emphasizes the special nature of their feat - goodness and non-resistance to enemies, which are the commandments of Jesus Christ.

Miracle Workers(miracle) - an epithet of saints who are especially famous for the gift of miracles, intercessors to whom they resort in the hope of help. We can say that all saints have the gift of working miracles, because... Witnessed miracles are the main condition for canonization.

Common abbreviations

The abbreviation of the plural of a term is usually formed from the abbreviation of the singular by doubling the last letter. Example: St. - saint, sv. - the Saints.

Russian saints...The list of saints of God is inexhaustible. By their way of life they pleased the Lord and thanks to this they became closer to eternal existence. Each saint has his own face. This term denotes the category to which the Pleasant of God is classified during his canonization. These include the great martyrs, martyrs, saints, saints, unmercenaries, apostles, saints, passion-bearers, holy fools (blessed), saints and equals of the apostles.

Suffering in the name of the Lord

The first saints of the Russian Church among the saints of God are the great martyrs who suffered for the faith of Christ, dying in severe and long agony. Among the Russian saints, the first to be numbered in this rank were the brothers Boris and Gleb. That is why they are called the first martyrs - passion-bearers. In addition, the Russian saints Boris and Gleb were the first to be canonized in the history of Rus'. The brothers died in the battle for the throne that began after the death of Prince Vladimir. Yaropolk, nicknamed the Accursed, first killed Boris while he was sleeping in a tent while on one of his campaigns, and then Gleb.

The face of those like the Lord

Reverends are those saints who led through prayer, labor and fasting. Among the Russian saints of God one can single out St. Seraphim of Sarov and Sergius of Radonezh, Savva of Storozhevsky and Methodius of Peshnoshsky. The first saint in Rus' to be canonized in this guise is considered to be the monk Nikolai Svyatosha. Before accepting the rank of monasticism, he was a prince, the great-grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. Having renounced worldly goods, the monk labored as a monk in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Nikolai Svyatosha is revered as a miracle worker. It is believed that his hair shirt (a coarse woolen shirt), left behind after his death, cured one sick prince.

Sergius of Radonezh - the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit

The 14th century Russian saint Sergius of Radonezh, known in the world as Bartholomew, deserves special attention. He was born into the pious family of Mary and Cyril. It is believed that while still in the womb, Sergius showed his chosenness of God. During one of the Sunday liturgies, the not yet born Bartholomew cried out three times. At that time, his mother, like the rest of the parishioners, was overcome with horror and confusion. After his birth the monk did not drink breast milk, if Mary ate meat that day. On Wednesdays and Fridays, little Bartholomew went hungry and did not take his mother's breast. In addition to Sergius, there were two more brothers in the family - Peter and Stefan. Parents raised their children in Orthodoxy and strictness. All the brothers, except Bartholomew, studied well and knew how to read. And only the youngest in their family had a hard time reading - the letters blurred before his eyes, the boy was lost, not daring to utter a word. Sergius suffered greatly from this and fervently prayed to God in the hope of gaining the ability to read. One day, again ridiculed by his brothers for his illiteracy, he ran into the field and met an old man there. Bartholomew spoke about his sadness and asked the monk to pray to God for him. The elder gave the boy a piece of prosphora, promising that the Lord would definitely grant him a letter. In gratitude for this, Sergius invited the monk into the house. Before eating, the elder asked the boy to read the psalms. Timidly, Bartholomew took the book, afraid to even look at the letters that always blurred before his eyes... But a miracle! - the boy began to read as if he had already learned to read and write for a long time. The elder predicted to the parents that their youngest son would be great, since he was the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit. After such a fateful meeting, Bartholomew began to strictly fast and pray constantly.

The beginning of the monastic path

At the age of 20, the Russian saint Sergius of Radonezh asked his parents to give him a blessing to take monastic vows. Kirill and Maria begged their son to stay with them until their death. Not daring to disobey, Bartholomew lived with his parents until the Lord took their souls. Having buried his father and mother, the young man, together with his older brother Stefan, set off to take monastic vows. In the desert called Makovets, the brothers are building the Trinity Church. Stefan cannot stand the harsh ascetic lifestyle that his brother adhered to and goes to another monastery. At the same time, Bartholomew took monastic vows and became the monk Sergius.

Trinity-Sergius Lavra

The world-famous monastery of Radonezh once originated in a deep forest in which the monk once secluded himself. Sergius was in the house every day. He ate plant foods, and his guests were wild animals. But one day several monks found out about the great feat of asceticism performed by Sergius and decided to come to the monastery. There these 12 monks remained. It was they who became the founders of the Lavra, which was soon headed by the monk himself. Prince Dmitry Donskoy came to Sergius for advice, preparing for the battle with the Tatars. After the death of the monk, 30 years later, his relics were found, performing a miracle of healing to this day. This Russian saint still invisibly receives pilgrims to his monastery.

The Righteous and the Blessed

Righteous saints have earned God's favor by living godly lives. They are treated as worldly people, and the clergy. The parents of Sergius of Radonezh, Cyril and Maria, who were true Christians and taught Orthodoxy to their children, are considered righteous.

The blessed are those saints who deliberately took on the image of people not of this world, becoming ascetics. Among the Russian Pleasers of God, those who lived during the time of Ivan the Terrible, Ksenia of Petersburg, who abandoned all benefits and went on long wanderings after the death of her beloved husband, and Matrona of Moscow, who became famous for the gift of clairvoyance and healing during her lifetime, are especially revered. It is believed that I. Stalin himself, who was not distinguished by religiosity, listened to the blessed Matronushka and her prophetic words.

Ksenia is a holy fool for Christ's sake

The blessed one was born in the first half of the 18th century into a family of pious parents. Having become an adult, she married the singer Alexander Fedorovich and lived with him in joy and happiness. When Ksenia turned 26 years old, her husband died. Unable to bear such grief, she gave away her property, put on her husband’s clothes and went on a long wandering. After this, the blessed one did not respond to her name, asking to be called Andrei Fedorovich. “Ksenia died,” she assured. The saint began to wander the streets of St. Petersburg, occasionally visiting her friends for lunch. Some people mocked the grief-stricken woman and made fun of her, but Ksenia endured all the humiliation without complaint. Only once did she show her anger when local boys threw stones at her. After what they saw, the local residents stopped mocking the blessed one. Ksenia of Petersburg, having no shelter, prayed at night in the field, and then came to the city again. The blessed one quietly helped the workers build a stone church at the Smolensk cemetery. At night, she tirelessly laid bricks in a row, contributing to the speedy construction of the church. For all her good deeds, patience and faith, the Lord gave Ksenia the Blessed the gift of clairvoyance. She predicted the future, and also saved many girls from failed marriages. Those people to whom Ksenia came became happier and luckier. Therefore, everyone tried to serve the saint and bring her into the house. Ksenia Petersburgskaya died at the age of 71. She was buried at the Smolensk cemetery, where the Church built by her own hands was located nearby. But even after physical death, Ksenia continues to help people. Great miracles were performed at her tomb: the sick were healed, those seeking family happiness successfully married and got married. It is believed that Ksenia especially patronizes unmarried women and already accomplished wives and mothers. A chapel was built over the tomb of the blessed one, to which crowds of people still come, asking the saint for intercession before God and thirsting for healing.

Holy sovereigns

The faithful include monarchs, princes and kings who have distinguished themselves

a godly lifestyle that strengthens the faith and position of the church. The first Russian saint Olga was canonized in this category. Among the faithful, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who won a victory on the Kulikovo field after the appearance of the holy image of Nicholas, stood out to him; Alexander Nevsky, who did not compromise with Catholic Church to maintain their power. He was recognized as the only secular Orthodox sovereign. Among the faithful there are other famous Russian saints. Prince Vladimir is one of them. He was canonized in connection with his great activity - the baptism of all Rus' in 988.

Empresses - God's Servants

Princess Anna was also counted among the faithful saints, thanks to whose wife relative peace was observed between the Scandinavian countries and Russia. During her lifetime, she built it in honor because she received this very name at baptism. Blessed Anna revered the Lord and sacredly believed in him. Shortly before her death, she took monastic vows and died. Memorial Day - October 4 according to the Julian style, but in modern Orthodox calendar this date, unfortunately, is not mentioned.

The first Russian holy princess Olga, baptized Elena, accepted Christianity, influencing its further spread throughout Rus'. Thanks to her activities that contributed to the strengthening of faith in the state, she was canonized.

Servants of the Lord on earth and in heaven

Saints are saints of God who were clergy and received special favor from the Lord for their way of life. One of the first saints ranked among this rank was Dionysius, Archbishop of Rostov. Arriving from Athos, he headed the Spaso-Kamenny Monastery. People were drawn to his monastery, since he knew the human soul and could always guide those in need on the true path.

Among all the canonized saints, Archbishop Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra especially stands out. And although the saint does not have Russian origin, he truly became the intercessor of our country, always being at right hand from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Great Russian saints, the list of which continues to grow to this day, can patronize a person if he diligently and sincerely prays to them. You can contact the Pleasants of God at different situations- everyday needs and illnesses, or simply wanting to thank the Higher Powers for a calm and serene life. Be sure to purchase icons of Russian saints - it is believed that prayer in front of the image is the most effective. It is also advisable that you have a personalized icon - an image of the saint in whose honor you were baptized.

According to the Christian religion, God gives each Christian two angels. In the works of St. Theodore of Edessa explains that one of them - a guardian angel - protects from all evil, helps to do good and protects from all misfortunes. Another angel - the saint of God, whose name is given at baptism - intercedes for the Christian before God. We must resort to the mediation of our Angel in different cases in life; he will pray for us before God. In addition, the Christian tradition has determined which holy saints can help in certain situations if you turn to them with faith and hope for resolving the situation. For example, about success in blacksmithing in Rus', they turned to the patronage of the unmercenaries and miracle workers Kozma and Demyan, the holy brothers - artisans and healers. Against pride they prayed to the venerable wonderworker Sergius of Radonezh and Alexy the man of God, known for his deep humility. Prayers were structured, for example, like this: “ Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky, martyrs Anthony, Eustathius and John of Vilna, holy healers of feet, weaken my ailments, strengthen my strength and legs!”
Orthodox Christians had patron saints who helped both in captivity of the enemy (the righteous Philaret the Merciful leads those awake out of captivity through prayer), and in the patronage of the entire state (Great Martyr George the Victorious, in whose honor the state award for services to the fatherland “St. George’s Cross” was established), and even in digging wells (Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates).
During their lifetime, many saints and great martyrs knew the art of medicine and successfully used it to heal the suffering (for example, the martyrs Cyrus and John, the Monk Agomit of Pechersk, the martyr Diomedes and others). They resort to the help of other saints because during their lifetime they experienced similar suffering and received healing by trusting in God.
For example, Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (11th century) suffered from eyes and recovered after Holy Baptism. Prayers achieve success only with faith in the power of their intercession before God, from whom believers receive help. To make the prayer more successful, they ordered a prayer service in the church with the blessing of water.
We present to your attention a list of saints who glorified themselves by helping people get rid of physical and mental illnesses. It should be noted that holy healers help not only fellow believers, but also other sufferers. For example, there is a known case where Metropolitan Alexy of Moscow (14th century) cured the wife of Khan Chanibek Taidula from eye diseases. It is Saint Alexy who prays for the granting of insight.
The proposed list of intercessors in illness does not pretend to be complete; it does not include miraculous icons, Archangels are the patrons of Christians at different stages of life. Here is only information about saints - healers. After the name of the saint, numbers are indicated in parentheses - the century of life, death or acquisition of relics by the church (Roman numeral) and the day when it is venerated Orthodox Church memory of this saint (new style).

Hieromartyr Antipas(I century, April 24). When he was thrown into a red-hot copper bull by his tormentors, he asked God for the grace to heal people from toothache. There is a mention of this saint in the Apocalypse.

Alexy Moskovsky(XIV century, February 23). During his lifetime, the Metropolitan of Moscow healed eye diseases. They pray to him to get rid of this disease.

The Righteous Youth Artemy(IV century, July 6, November 2) was crushed by the persecutors of the faith with a huge stone that pressed out the insides. Most of the healings were received by those suffering from stomach pain, as well as from a hernia. Christians with serious illnesses received healing from the relics.

Agapit Pechersky(XI century, June 14). He did not require payment during treatment, which is why he was nicknamed the “free doctor.” He provided assistance to the sick, including the hopeless.

Venerable Alexander of Svirsky(XVI century, September 12) the gift of healing was given - of his twenty-three miracles known from life, almost half relate to the healing of paralyzed patients. After his death, they prayed to this saint for the gift of boy children.

Venerable Alypius of Pechersk(XII century, August 30) during his lifetime had the gift of healing leprosy.

Andrew the First-Called, holy apostle from Bethsaida (1st century, December 13). He was a fisherman and the first apostle to follow Christ. The Apostle went to preach the faith of Christ in Eastern countries. He passed through the places where the cities of Kyiv and Novgorod later arose, and through the lands of the Varangians to Rome and Thrace. He performed many miracles in the city of Patras: the blind received their sight, the sick (including the wife and brother of the city ruler) were healed. Nevertheless, the ruler of the city ordered Saint Andrew to be crucified, and he accepted martyrdom. Under Constantine the Great, the relics were transferred to Constantinople.

Blessed Andrew(X century, October 15), who took upon himself the feat of foolishness, was awarded the gift of insight and healing of those deprived of reason.
The Monk Anthony (IV century, January 30) parted with worldly affairs and led an ascetic life in complete solitude in the desert. He should pray for protection of the weak.

Martyrs Anthony, Eustathius and John of Vilna(Lithuanian) (XIV century, April 27) received holy baptism from Presbyter Nestor, for which they were subjected to torture - this happened in the XIV century. Prayer to these martyrs provides healing for leg diseases.

Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker(IV century, January 4), a Christian Roman woman who retained her virginity in marriage due to illnesses that tormented her, helps women in labor in relieving themselves of a difficult burden.

Martyr Agrippina(July 6), a Roman woman who lived in the 3rd century. The holy relics of Agrippina were transferred from Rome to Fr. Sicily by revelation from above. Many sick people received miraculous healing from the holy relics.

Venerable Athanasia- the abbess (9th century, April 25) did not want to get married in the world, wanting to devote herself to God. However, by the will of her parents, she married twice and only after the second marriage did she retire to the desert. She lived a holy life, and she needs to pray for the well-being of her second marriage.

Martyrs Blessed Princes Boris and Gleb(baptized Roman and David, 11th century, May 15 and August 6), the first Russian martyrs - passion-bearers constantly provide prayerful assistance to their native land and to those suffering from illnesses, especially with leg diseases.

Blessed Basil, Moscow miracle worker (XVI century, August 15) helped people by preaching mercy. During the reign of Fyodor Ioannovich, the relics of St. Basil brought miracles of healing from diseases, especially from eye diseases.

Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir(in holy baptism Vasily, XI century, July 28) at worldly life Almost went blind, but after baptism he recovered. In Kyiv, he first of all baptized his children in a place called Khreshchatyk. This saint is prayed to for healing from eye diseases.

Vasily Novgorodsky(XIV century, August 5) - archpastor, famous for the fact that during the epidemic of ulcers, also known as the Black Death, which wiped out almost two-thirds of the inhabitants of Pskov, he neglected the danger of infection and came to Pskov to calm and console the inhabitants. Trusting the reassurance of the saint, the citizens humbly began to wait for the end of the disaster, which soon really came. The relics of St. Basil of Novgorod are in St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod. A prayer is offered to Saint Basil to get rid of ulcers.

Venerable Basil the New(10th century, April 8) they offer prayer for healing from fever. During his lifetime, Saint Basil had the gift of healing those sick with fever, for which the patient had to sit next to Basil. After this, the patient felt better and recovered.

Reverend Vasily - Confessor(VIII century, March 13), together with Procopius the Decanomite, imprisoned for icon veneration, they pray to get rid of severe shortness of breath and bloating.

Hieromartyr Basil of Sebastia(IV century, February 24) prayed to God for the possibility of healing those with sore throats. He should be prayed to in case of sore throat and in danger of being choked by a bone.

Rev. Vitaly(VI-VII centuries, May 5) during his lifetime was engaged in the conversion of harlots. They bring him a prayer for redemption from carnal passion.

Martyr Vitus(IV century, May 29, June 28) - a saint who suffered during the time of Diocletian. They pray to him to get rid of epilepsy.

Great Martyr Barbara(IV century, December 17) they pray for salvation from serious illnesses. Barbara's father was a noble man in Phenicia. Having learned that his daughter had converted to Christianity, he severely beat her and took her into custody, and then handed her over to the ruler of the city of Iliopolis, Martinian. The girl was brutally tortured, but at night after the torture the Savior himself appeared in prison, and the wounds healed. After this, the saint was subjected to even more cruel torture, she was led naked around the city, and then beheaded. Saint Barbara helps to overcome severe mental torment.

Martyr Boniface(III century, January 3) during his life he suffered from addiction to drunkenness, but he was healed himself and was awarded martyrdom. Those suffering from the passion of drunkenness and binges pray to him for healing.

Great Martyr George the Victorious(IV century, May 6) was born into a Christian family in Cappadocia, professed Christianity and called on everyone to accept the Christian faith. Emperor Diocletian ordered the saint to be subjected to terrible torture and executed. The Great Martyr George died before reaching the age of thirty. One of the miracles performed by Saint George was the destruction of a cannibal serpent that lived in a lake near Beirut. They pray to St. George the Victorious as a helper in grief.

Saint Gury of Kazan(XVI century, July 3, December 18) was innocently convicted and imprisoned. After two years, the doors of the dungeon opened freely. They pray to Guria of Kazan to get rid of persistent headaches.

Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica(IV century, November 8) at the age of 20 he was appointed proconsul of the Thessalonian region. Instead of oppressing Christians, the saint began to teach the inhabitants of the region the Christian faith. They pray to him for insight from blindness.

Tsarevich Dmitry of Uglich and Moscow(XVI century, May 29) sufferers bring prayer to get rid of blindness.

Saint Demetrius of Rostov(XVIII century, October 4) suffered from chest illness and died from this disease. After his death, his incorruptible relics help sufferers who are exhausted especially from chest illness.

Martyr Diomede(III century, August 29) during his lifetime he was a healer who selflessly helped sick people get rid of their ailments. Prayer to this saint will help to receive healing in a painful condition.

Reverend Damian, presbyter and healer of the Pechersk Monastery (11th century, October 11 and 18), was called a pelebnik during his lifetime “and those who healed the sick with prayer and holy oil.” The relics of this saint have the grace to heal the sick.

Martyrs Domnina, Virinea and Proscudia(IV century, October 17) help in fear of outside violence. The persecutors of the Christian faith led Domnina’s daughters Virinea and Proskudiya to trial, that is, to death. To save her daughters from violence from drunken warriors, the mother, during the warriors' meal, entered the river with her daughters as if into a grave. The martyrs Domnina, Virinea and Proskudiya are prayed for help in preventing violence.

Venerable Evdokia, Princess of Moscow(XV century, July 20), wife of Demetrius Donskoy, shortly before her death, she took monastic vows and received the monastic name Euphrosyne. She exhausted her body with fasts, but slander did not spare her because her face remained friendly and cheerful. Word of the dubiousness of her feat reached her sons. Then Evdokia took off some of her clothes in front of her sons, and they were amazed at her thinness and withered skin. They pray to Saint Eudokia for deliverance from paralysis and for the sight of the eyes.

Venerable Efimy the Great(V century, February 2) lived in a deserted place, spent his time in work, prayer and abstinence - he ate food only on Saturday and Sunday, slept only sitting or standing. The Lord gave the saint the ability to perform miracles and insight. Through prayer he brought about the necessary rain, healed the sick, and cast out demons. They pray to him during famine, as well as during marital childlessness.

First Martyr Evdokia(II century, March 14) was baptized and renounced her wealth. For her strict fasting life, she received from God the gift of miracles. Women who cannot get pregnant pray to her.

Great Martyr Catherine(IV century, December 7) had extraordinary beauty and intelligence. She announced her desire to marry someone who would surpass her in wealth, nobility and wisdom. Catherine's spiritual father put her on the path of serving the heavenly bridegroom - Jesus Christ. Having received baptism, Catherine was honored to see the Mother of God and the Child - Christ. She suffered for Christ in Alexandria, was wheeled and beheaded. They pray to Saint Catherine for permission during difficult childbirth.

Reverend Zotik(IV century, January 12) during the leprosy epidemic, he ransomed lepers condemned by order of Emperor Constantine to death by drowning from the guards and kept them in a remote place. Thus, he saved those doomed from violent death. They pray to Saint Zotik for the healing of those suffering from leprosy.

Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist (1st century, September 18), help those suffering in difficult childbirth. Righteous Zechariah was a priest. The couple lived righteously, but they had no children, since Elizabeth was barren. One day an angel appeared to Zechariah in the temple and predicted the birth of his son John. Zechariah did not believe it - both he and his wife were already old. Because of his unbelief, he was attacked by dumbness, which passed only on the eighth day after the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and he was able to speak and glorify God.

Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', miracle worker (XV century, June 28) - the first of the metropolitans in Russia, elected by a council of Russian bishops. During his lifetime the saint had the gift of healing toothache. They pray to him to get rid of this scourge.

John the Baptist(I century, January 20, July 7). The Baptist was born of Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth. After the birth of Christ, King Herod ordered all the babies to be killed, and therefore Elizabeth and the baby took refuge in the desert. Zechariah was killed right in the temple, as he did not reveal their hiding place. After the death of Elizabeth, John continued to live in the desert, ate locusts, and wore hair shirt. At the age of thirty he began to preach on the Jordan about the coming of Christ. Many were baptized by him, and this day is popularly known as the day of Ivan Kupala. At dawn of this day it was customary to swim; both dew and healing herbs collected on this day. The Baptist died a martyr's death through the beheading. Prayer to this saint can help with unbearable headaches.

Jacob Zheleznoborovsky(XVI century, April 24 and May 18) was tonsured by Sergius of Radonezh and retired to the Kostroma desert near the village of Zhelezny Borok. During his lifetime he had the gift of healing the sick. Despite the exhaustion in his legs, he walked to Moscow twice. He lived to a ripe old age. They pray to Saint James for the healing of leg diseases and paralysis.

Venerable John of Damascus(VIII century, December 17) for slander, his hand was cut off. His prayer before the icon of the Mother of God was heard, and his severed hand grew together in a dream. As a sign of gratitude to the Virgin Mary, John of Damascus hung a silver image of a hand to the icon of the Mother of God, which is why the icon received the name “Three-Handed”. John of Damascus was given grace to help with hand pain and hand injuries.

Saint Julian of Cepomania(1st century, July 26) during his lifetime he healed and even resurrected infants. On the icon, Julian is depicted with a baby in his arms. A prayer to Saint Julian is offered when an infant is ill.

Venerable Hypatiy of Pechersk(XIV century, April 13) during his lifetime he was a healer and especially helped heal women’s bleeding. They also pray to him for mother’s milk for babies.

Venerable John of Rila(XIII century, November 1), Bulgarian, spent sixty years in solitude in the Rylskaya desert. They pray to Saint John of Rila for healing from dumbness.

John of Kiev - Pechersk(1st century, January 11), a baby martyr, cut in half, belongs to the number of Bethlehem babies. Prayer before his tomb helps with marital infertility. (Kiev-Pechersk Lavra).
Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian (1st century, May 21) - guardian of purity, chastity and assistant in the writing of icons.

Venerable Irinarch, recluse of Rostov(XVII century, January 26), was a farmer in the world, during the famine he lived in Nizhny Novgorod for two years. At the age of thirty he renounced the world and spent 38 years in the Boris and Gleb Monastery. He was buried there in a grave he dug himself. Irinarch spent sleepless nights in retreat, so it is recognized that prayer to Saint Irinarch helps with persistent insomnia.

Righteous Joachim and Anna, parents of the Virgin Mary (September 22), had no children until old age. They made a vow, if a child appears, to dedicate it to God. Their prayers were heard, and in old age they had a child - the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, in case of marital infertility, prayer should be addressed to Saints Joachim and Anna.

Unmercenary and miracle workers Cosmas and Damian(Kozma and Demyan) (III century, November 14), two brothers studied the art of medicine and treated without demanding payment from the sick, except for faith in Jesus Christ. They helped with many diseases, treating eye diseases and smallpox. The main commandment of the unmercenaries: “Freely you have received (from God) - freely give!” Wonderworkers helped not only sick people, but also healed animals. They pray to the unmercenaries not only in case of illness, but also for the protection of those entering into marriage - so that the marriage will be happy.

Martyr Conon of Isauria(III century, March 18) during his lifetime he treated patients with smallpox. This help was especially valuable for believers in those days, since no other means were yet known. And after death, prayer to the martyr Konon helps in healing smallpox.

Unmercenary martyrs Cyrus and John(IV century, February 13) during his lifetime they selflessly healed various diseases, including smallpox. Patients received relief from ailments and celiac diseases. They should read the prayer in a sick state in general.

Blessed Xenia of Petersburg(XVIII-XIX centuries, February 6) widowed early. Grieving for her husband, she gave away all her property and took a vow of foolishness for Christ’s sake. She had the gift of clairvoyance and miracle-working, especially healing the afflicted. I was revered during my lifetime. Canonized in 1988.

Martyr Lawrence of Rome(III century, August 23) during his lifetime was endowed with the gift of giving sight to blind people, including those blind from birth. He should pray for healing from eye diseases.

Apostle and Evangelist Luke(I century, October 31) studied the art of medicine and helped people with diseases, especially eye diseases. He wrote the Gospel and the book of the Acts of the Apostles. He also studied painting and art.

Martyr Longinus the Centurion(1st century, October 29) suffered from eyes. He was on guard at the Cross of the Savior when blood from the Savior’s pierced rib dripped onto his eyes - and he was healed. When his head was truncated, a blind woman received her sight - this was the first miracle from his truncated head. They pray to Longinus the Centurion for the enlightenment of the eyes.

Venerable Maron of Syria(IV century, February 27) during his lifetime helped those sick with fever or fever.

Martyr Mina(IV century, November 24) helps with troubles and illnesses, including eye diseases.

Venerable Maruf, Bishop of Mesopotamia(V century, March 1 - February 29) pray to get rid of insomnia.

Reverend Moses Murin(IV century, September 10) in worldly life he lived far from righteously - he was a robber and a heavy drunkard. Then he accepted monasticism and lived in a monastery in Egypt. He died a martyr's death at the age of 75. They pray to him to get rid of the passion for alcohol.

Venerable Moses Ugrin(XI century, August 8), a Hungarian by birth, “strong in body and beautiful in face,” was captured by the Polish king Boleslav, but was ransomed by a rich Polish young widow for a thousand silver hryvnia. This woman was inflamed with carnal passion for Moses and tried to seduce him. However, blessed Moses did not change his holy life, for which he was thrown into a pit, where he was starved and beaten daily by his mistress’s servants with sticks. Since this did not break the saint, he was castrated. When King Boleslav died, the rebel people beat their oppressors. Among them, a widow was killed. Saint Moses came to the Pechersk Monastery, where he lived for more than 10 years. They pray to Moses Ugrin to strengthen the spirit in the fight against carnal passion.

Venerable Martinian(V century, February 26) the harlot appeared in the form of a wanderer, but he quenched his carnal lust by standing on hot coals. In his struggle with carnal passion, Saint Martinian spent his days in exhausting wanderings.

Venerable Melania the Roman(V century, January 13) almost died in worldly life from difficult childbirth. They pray to her for a safe outcome from pregnancy.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker(IV century, December 19 and May 22) during his lifetime not only healed eye diseases, but also restored sight to the blind. His parents Feofan and Nonna made a vow to dedicate the child born to them to God. From the early days. For years, Saint Nicholas fasted and prayed diligently, and while doing good, he tried so that no one knew about it. He was elected Archbishop of Myra. During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he stopped a storm at sea and saved (resurrected) a sailor who had fallen from the mast. During the persecution of Christians under Diocletian, he was thrown into prison, but remained unharmed. The saint performed many miracles, and was especially revered in Rus': it was believed that he helped when traveling across the waters. Nikola was called “sea” or “wet”.

Great Martyr Nikita(IV century, September 28) lived on the banks of the Danube, was baptized by the Bishop of Sofia Theophilus and successfully spread the Christian faith. He suffered during persecution from the pagan Goths, who tortured the saint and then threw him into the fire. His body was found at night by his friend, Christian Marion - it was illuminated with radiance, the fire did not damage it. The body of the martyr was interred in Cilicia, and the relics were subsequently transferred to Constantinople. They pray to Saint Nikita for the healing of babies, including those from the “parent”.

Saint Nikita(XII century, February 13) was Bishop of Novgorod. He became famous for his miracles, especially in bringing sight to the blind. People with poor eyesight can get help by turning to this saint.

Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon(IV century, August 9) studied healing as a young man. He treated unselfishly in the name of Christ. He owns the miracle resurrection of the dead a child bitten by a poisonous snake. He healed both adults and children from various diseases, including abdominal pain.
The Monk Pimen of Pechora the Many-Sick (XII century, August 20) suffered from various diseases from childhood and only at the end of his life received healing from his ailments. They pray to the Monk Pimen for healing from a long-term painful condition.

To the Blessed Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia(XIII century, July 8), Murom miracle workers should pray for a happy marriage. During his lifetime, the Murom prince Peter, having accomplished the feat of freeing his brother's wife from the snake, became covered with scabs, but was healed by the Ryazan commoner healer Fevronia, whom he married. The married life of Peter and Fevronia was pious and accompanied by miracles and good deeds. At the end of their lives, blessed Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia accepted monasticism and were named David and Euphrosyne. They died on the same day. Believers received healing from their ailments from the shrine of their relics.

Martyr Proclus(II century, July 25) was considered a healer of eye diseases. Prokle dew is used to treat eye diseases and cure intramural care.

Martyr Paraskeva Friday(III century, November 10) received her name from pious parents, because she was born on Friday (in Greek “paraskeva”) and in memory of the passion of the Lord. As a child, Paraskeva lost her parents. Growing up, she took a vow of celibacy and devoted herself to Christianity. For this she was persecuted, tortured and died in agony. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa has long been especially revered in Russia, considered the patroness of the hearth, a healer of childhood diseases, and an assistant in field work. They pray to her for the gift of rain in a drought.

Reverend Roman(V century, December 10) during his life he was distinguished by extraordinary abstinence, eating only bread and salt water. He healed many ailments very successfully, and became especially famous for treating marital infertility with fervent prayers. Spouses pray to him in case of infertility.

Righteous Simeon of Verkhoturye(XVIII century, September 25) treated for prolonged blindness, appearing sick in his sleep. People also resorted to his help for leg diseases - the saint himself made a trek on foot from Russia to Siberia with sore legs.

Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver(February 16) on the fortieth day after Christmas, he received the infant Christ from the Virgin Mary in the temple with joy and cried out: “Now, Master, you release your servant in peace, according to your word.” He was promised repose after he accepted the holy baby into his arms. They pray to Righteous Simeon for the healing of sick children and protection of healthy ones.

Venerable Simeon the Stylite(V century, September 14) was born in Cappadocia into a Christian family. In the monastery since adolescence. Then he settled in a stone cave, where he devoted himself to fasting and prayer. People flocked to the place of his asceticism wanting to receive healing and edification. Invented for privacy the new kind asceticism - settled on a pillar four meters high. Of his eighty years of life, forty-seven stood on the pillar.

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov(XIX century, January 15 and August 1) took upon himself the feat of standing: every night he prayed in the forest, standing on a huge stone with raised hands. During the day he prayed in his cell or on a small stone. He ate meager food, exhausting his flesh. After the revelation of the Mother of God, he began to heal the suffering, especially helping people with sore legs.

Venerable Sergius of Radonezh(XIV century, October 8), boyar son, by birth Bartholomew. Surprised everyone with early age- I didn’t even drink on Wednesdays and Fridays mother's milk. After the death of his parents at the age of 23, he took monastic vows. From the age of forty he was the abbot of the Radonezh Monastery. The life of the saint was accompanied by miracles, especially the healing of the weak and sick. Prayer to Saint Sergius heals from “forty ailments.”

Reverend Sampson, priest and healer (VI century, July 10). He was given the ability to heal people with various diseases through his prayers to God.

Saint Spyridon - miracle worker, Bishop of Trimifuntsky(IV century, December 25), became famous for many miracles, including the proof of the trinity at the First Ecumenical Council in 325. During his lifetime he healed the sick. Prayer to this saint can provide help in various painful conditions.

Martyr Sisinius(III century, December 6) was a bishop in the city of Kizin. Persecuted under Diocletian. God gave the martyr Sisinius the opportunity to heal those sick with fever.
Saint Tarasius, Bishop of Constantinople (IX century, March 9), was the protector of orphans, the offended, and the unfortunate, and had the gift of healing the sick.

Martyr Tryphon(III century, February 14) for his bright life, he was awarded in his adolescence the grace of healing the sick. Among other misfortunes, Saint Tryphon delivered those suffering from snoring. Those sent by the eparch of Anatolia brought Tryphon to Nicaea, where he experienced terrible torment, was sentenced to death and died at the place of execution.

Venerable Taisiya(IV century, October 21) during secular life, she became famous for her extraordinary beauty, which drove her fans crazy, who competed with each other, quarreled - and went bankrupt. After the Monk Paphnutius converted the harlot, she spent three years as a recluse in convent, atonement for the sin of fornication. They pray to Saint Taisia ​​for deliverance from obsessive carnal passion.

Venerable Theodore the Studite(IX century, November 24) during his life he suffered from stomach diseases. After his death, many sick people received healing from his icon not only from stomach pain, but also from other celiac diseases.

Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates(IV century, June 21) became popularly known when he killed a huge serpent that lived in the vicinity of the city of Euchait and devoured people and livestock. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Licinius, he was subjected to cruel torture and crucified, but God healed the martyr’s body and took him down from the cross. However, the great martyr decided to voluntarily accept death for his faith. On the way to execution, the sick who touched his clothes and body were healed and freed from demons.

Venerable Ferapont of Moisen(XVI century, December 25). From this saint they receive healing for eye diseases. It is known, for example, that Elder Procopius, who had had eye pain since childhood and was almost blind, regained his sight at the tomb of Ferapont.

Martyrs Florus and Laurus(II century, August 31) lived in Illyria. Brothers - stonemasons were very close to each other in spirit. At first they suffered from the passion of drunkenness and binge drinking, then they accepted the Christian faith and got rid of their illness. They suffered martyrdom for their faith: they were thrown into a well and covered alive with earth. During their lifetime, God gave them the ability to heal from various diseases and from heavy drinking.

Martyr Thomaida of Egypt(V century, April 26) chose death over adultery. Those who fear violence pray to Saint Thomaida, and she helps in maintaining chastity.

Hieromartyr Kharlampy(III century, February 23) is considered a healer for all diseases. He suffered for the Christian faith in 202. He was 115 years old when he healed not only ordinary diseases, but also the plague. Before his death, Harlampius prayed that his relics would prevent the plague and heal the sick.

Martyrs Chrysanthos and Darius(III century, April 1) even before marriage, they agreed to lead a worthy life in marriage, dedicated to God. These saints are prayed for a happy and lasting family union.

Orthodox Christians most often turn to the saint whose name they bear with a request to pray for them before God. Such a saint is called a holy saint and a helper. To communicate with him, you must know the troparion - a short prayer address. The saints must be called upon with love and unfeigned faith, only then will they hear the request.

Holiness is a purity of heart that seeks the uncreated divine energy manifested in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as many colored rays in the solar spectrum. Pious ascetics are the link between the earthly world and the heavenly Kingdom. Imbued with the light of divine grace, they, through God-contemplation and God-communication, learn the highest spiritual secrets. In earthly life, saints, performing the feat of self-denial for the sake of the Lord, receive the highest grace of divine Revelation. According to biblical teaching, holiness is the likening of a person to God, who is the only bearer of all-perfect life and its unique source.

The church procedure for canonizing a righteous person is called canonization. She encourages believers to honor a recognized saint in public worship. As a rule, ecclesiastical recognition of piety is preceded by popular glory and veneration, but it was the act of canonization that made it possible to glorify saints by creating icons, writing lives, and compiling prayers and church services. The reason for official canonization can be the feat of a righteous person, the incredible deeds he has performed, his entire life or martyrdom. And after death, a person can be recognized as a saint because of the incorruption of his relics, or miracles of healing occurring at his remains.

In the event that a saint is venerated within one church, city or monastery, they speak of diocesan, local canonization.

The official church also recognizes the existence of unknown saints, the confirmation of whose piety is not yet known to the entire Christian flock. They are called revered departed righteous people and requiem services are served for them, while prayer services are served for canonized saints.

That is why the names of Russian saints, who are revered in one diocese, may differ and be unknown to parishioners of another city.

Who was canonized in Rus'

Long-suffering Rus' gave birth to more than a thousand martyrs and martyrs. All the names of the holy people of the Russian land who were canonized are included in the calendar, or calendar. The right to solemnly canonize the righteous initially belonged to the Kyiv, and later Moscow, metropolitans. The first canonizations were preceded by the exhumation of the remains of the righteous so that they could perform a miracle. In the 11th-16th centuries, the burials of princes Boris and Gleb, Princess Olga, and Theodosius of Pechersk were discovered.

From the second half of the 16th century, under Metropolitan Macarius, the right to canonize saints passed to church councils under the high priest. The unquestioned authority of the Orthodox Church, which had existed in Rus' for 600 years by that time, was confirmed by numerous Russian saints. The list of names of the righteous glorified by the Macarius Councils was replenished with the naming of saints by 39 pious Christians.

Byzantine rules of canonization

In the 17th century, the Russian Orthodox Church succumbed to the influence of the ancient Byzantine rules for canonization. During this period, mainly clergy were canonized for what they had ecclesiastical rank. Missionaries carrying the faith and associates in the construction of new churches and monasteries also deserved to be counted. And the need to create miracles has lost its relevance. Thus, 150 righteous people were canonized, mainly from among the monks and high clergy, and the Saints added new names to Russian Orthodox saints.

Weakening church influence

In the 18th and 19th centuries, only the Holy Synod had the right to canonize. This period is characterized by a decrease in the activity of the church and a weakening of its influence on social processes. Before Nicholas II ascended the throne, only four canonizations took place. During the short period of the reign of the Romanovs, seven more Christians were canonized, and the calendar added new names of Russian saints.

By the beginning of the 20th century, generally recognized and locally revered Russian saints were included in the month-speaking books, the list of whose names was supplemented by the list of deceased Orthodox Christians for whom memorial services were performed.

Modern canonizations

The beginning of the modern period in the history of canonizations carried out by the Russian Orthodox Church can be considered the Local Council held in 1917-18, by which the universally revered Russian saints Sophrony of Irkutsk and Joseph of Astrakhan were canonized. Then, in the 1970s, three more clergy were canonized - Herman of Alaska, Archbishop of Japan and Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow and Kolomna.

In the year of the millennium of the baptism of Rus', new canonizations took place, where Xenia of Petersburg, Dmitry Donskoy and other, no less famous, Orthodox Russian saints were recognized as pious.

In 2000, the anniversary Council of Bishops took place, at which Emperor Nicholas II and members were canonized royal family The Romanovs “like passion-bearers.”

First canonization of the Russian Orthodox Church

The names of the first Russian saints, who were canonized by Metropolitan John in the 11th century, became a kind of symbol of the true faith of the newly baptized people, their full acceptance of Orthodox norms. Princes Boris and Gleb, sons of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, after canonization became the first heavenly protectors of Russian Christians. Boris and Gleb were killed by their brother in the internecine struggle for the throne of Kyiv in 1015. Knowing about the impending assassination attempt, they accepted death with Christian humility for the sake of autocracy and peace of their people.

The veneration of princes was widespread even before their holiness was recognized by the official church. After canonization, the relics of the brothers were found incorrupt and showed miracles of healing to the ancient Russian people. And the new princes ascending the throne made pilgrimages to the holy relics in search of blessings for a just reign and help in military exploits. The Memorial Day of Saints Boris and Gleb is celebrated on July 24.

Formation of the Russian Holy Brotherhood

Next after princes Boris and Gleb, the Monk Theodosius of Pechersk was canonized. The second solemn canonization carried out by the Russian Church took place in 1108. The Monk Theodosius is considered the father of Russian monasticism and the founder, together with his mentor Anthony, of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery. The teacher and student showed two different paths of monastic obedience: one is severe asceticism, renunciation of everything worldly, the other is humility and creativity for the glory of God.

In the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, bearing the names of the founders, rest the relics of 118 novices of this monastery, who lived before and after Tatar-Mongol yoke. They were all canonized in 1643, making up a common service, and in 1762 the names of Russian saints were included in the calendar.

Venerable Abraham of Smolensk

Very little is known about the righteous people of the pre-Mongol period. Abraham of Smolensk, one of the few saints of that time, about whom a detailed biography, compiled by his student, has been preserved. Abraham was revered for a long time in his hometown even before his canonization by the Makarievsky Cathedral in 1549. Having distributed to the needy all his property left after the death of his rich parents, the thirteenth child, the only son begged from the Lord after twelve daughters, Abraham lived in poverty, praying for salvation during the Last Judgment. Having become a monk, he copied church books and painted icons. The Monk Abraham is credited with saving Smolensk from a great drought.

The most famous names of saints of the Russian land

Along with the above-mentioned princes Boris and Gleb, unique symbols of Russian Orthodoxy, there are no less significant names of Russian saints who became intercessors of the entire people through their contribution to the participation of the church in public life.

After liberation from the Mongol-Tatar influence, Russian monasticism saw its goal as the enlightenment of pagan peoples, as well as the construction of new monasteries and temples in the uninhabited northeastern lands. The most prominent figure of this movement was St. Sergius of Radonezh. For godly solitude, he built a cell on Makovets Hill, where the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius was later erected. Gradually, the righteous began to join Sergius, inspired by his teaching, which led to the formation of a monastic monastery, living on the fruits of their hands, and not on the alms of believers. Sergius himself worked in the garden, setting an example for his brothers. The disciples of Sergius of Radonezh built about 40 monasteries throughout Rus'.

St. Sergius of Radonezh carried the idea of ​​godly humility not only to ordinary people, but also to the ruling elite. As a skilled politician, he contributed to the unification of the Russian principalities, convincing the rulers of the need to unite dynasties and disparate lands.

Dmitry Donskoy

Sergius of Radonezh was greatly revered by the Russian prince, canonized, Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy. It was St. Sergius who blessed the army for what Dmitry had started Donskoy Kulikovskaya battle, and for God’s support he dispatched two of his novices.

Becoming a prince in early childhood, Dmitry in state affairs listened to the advice of Metropolitan Alexy, who cared for the unification of the Russian principalities around Moscow. This process did not always go smoothly. Sometimes by force, and sometimes by marriage (to a Suzdal princess), Dmitry Ivanovich annexed the surrounding lands to Moscow, where he built the first Kremlin.

It was Dmitry Donskoy who became the founder of a political movement that aimed to unite the Russian principalities around Moscow to create a powerful state with political (from the khans of the Golden Horde) and ideological (from the Byzantine Church) independence. In 2002, in memory of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and St. Sergius In Radonezh, the Order “For Service to the Fatherland” was established, fully emphasizing the depth of influence of these historical figures on the formation of Russian statehood. These Russian holy people cared for the well-being, independence and tranquility of their great people.

Faces (ranks) of Russian saints

All the saints of the Universal Church are summarized into nine faces or ranks: prophets, apostles, saints, great martyrs, holy martyrs, venerable martyrs, confessors, unmercenaries, holy fools and blessed ones.

The Orthodox Church of Russia divides saints into faces differently. Russian holy people, due to historical circumstances, are divided into the following ranks:

Princes. The first righteous people recognized as saints by the Russian Church were princes Boris and Gleb. Their feat consisted of self-sacrifice for the sake of the peace of the Russian people. This behavior became an example for all rulers of the time of Yaroslav the Wise, when the power in whose name the prince made a sacrifice was recognized as true. This rank is divided into Equal-to-the-Apostles (spreaders of Christianity - Princess Olga, her grandson Vladimir, who baptized Rus'), monks (princes who became monks) and passion-bearers (victims of civil strife, assassination attempts, murders for the faith).

Reverends. This is the name given to saints who chose monastic obedience during their lifetime (Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, Sergius of Radonezh, Joseph of Volotsky, Seraphim of Sarov).

Saints- righteous people with church rank, who based their ministry on the defense of the purity of faith, the spread of Christian teaching, and the founding of churches (Niphon of Novgorod, Stefan of Perm).

Fools (blessed)- saints who wore the appearance of madness during their lives, rejecting worldly values. A very numerous rank of Russian righteous people, replenished mainly by monks who considered monastic obedience insufficient. They left the monastery, going out in rags onto the streets of cities and enduring all the hardships (St. Basil, St. Isaac the Recluse, Simeon of Palestine, Xenia of Petersburg).

Holy laymen and women. This rank unites murdered babies recognized as saints, laymen who renounced wealth, righteous people who were distinguished by their boundless love for people (Yuliania Lazarevskaya, Artemy Verkolsky).

Lives of Russian saints

The Lives of Saints is a literary work containing historical, biographical and everyday information about a righteous person canonized by the church. Lives are one of the oldest literary genres. Depending on the time and country of writing, these treatises were created in the form of biography, encomium (praise), martyrium (testimony), and patericon. The style of writing lives in the Byzantine, Roman and Western church cultures differed significantly. Back in the 4th century, the Church began to unite saints and their biographies into vaults that looked like a calendar indicating the day of remembrance of the pious.

In Rus', lives appear along with the adoption of Christianity from Byzantium in Bulgarian and Serbian translations, combined into collections for reading by month - monthly books and menaions.

Already in the 11th century, a laudatory biography of princes Boris and Gleb appeared, where the unknown author of the life was Russian. The names of saints are recognized by the church and added to the monthly calendar. In the 12th and 13th centuries, along with the monastic desire to enlighten the northeast of Rus', the number of biographical works also grew. Russian authors wrote to be read during Divine Liturgy lives of Russian saints. The names, the list of which was recognized by the church for glorification, have now received historical figure, and holy deeds and miracles were enshrined in a literary monument.

In the 15th century there was a change in the style of writing lives. The authors began to pay the main attention not to factual data, but to skillful mastery of artistic expression, the beauty of literary language, and the ability to select many impressive comparisons. Skillful scribes of that period became known. For example, Epiphanius the Wise, who wrote vivid lives of Russian saints, whose names were most famous among the people - Stephen of Perm and Sergius of Radonezh.

Many lives are considered a source of information about important historical events. From the biography of Alexander Nevsky you can learn about political relations with the Horde. The lives of Boris and Gleb tell of princely civil strife before the unification of Rus'. The creation of a literary and church biographical work largely determined which names of Russian saints, their exploits and virtues, would become best known to a wide circle of believers.

The saints, glorified in the rank of the righteous, fulfilled the covenant of the Lord, spoken to the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world. A city standing on top of a mountain cannot hide. And having lit a candle, they do not put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The righteous are saints who lived in the world and were glorified by the Church thanks to their pious life, filled with deep faith and trust in God. Saints of this rank have various occupations and ministries. Priests, warriors, artisans - people of various classes and positions acquired various spiritual gifts, and even in earthly life they were revered by their contemporaries.

In the Holy Scriptures, the concept of righteousness invariably meant a combination of faith in God's Providence and high personal piety. “So Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Know then that those who believe are the sons of Abraham,” the Apostle Paul gives an example of true faith and mentions the name of the founder of the Israeli people. Wanting to test righteous Abraham, the Lord ordered him to sacrifice his son Isaac. The very birth of Isaac was a miracle, and most importantly, he was a descendant of Abraham, from whom a great nation would come.

But Abraham's faith was so deep that he had no doubt that the Lord would be able to raise Isaac from the dead. The angel of the Lord stopped Abraham's hand and said: “Behold, instead of your son Isaac, sacrifice a ram.”

The act of righteous Abraham became an omen that the Lord Jesus Christ would be sacrificed for all of us. The truth of descent from Abraham is not determined by descent according to the flesh, but only a person who has the same faith in God can be called his son. This is precisely the meaning that the Apostle Paul put into his epistles when speaking about righteousness.

Holy Bible gives many examples from the lives of the righteous. Righteous Noah became the forefather of a new humanity, building the Ark, which later became a symbol of the Church of Christ, saving us from the power of sin like the Flood.

The holy fathers say about righteous Job that there is no human misfortune that this man, harder than any adamant, could not endure. Without uttering a word of grumbling, Job completely trusted in God’s Providence, in which alone he saw his salvation and hope. During the time of the righteous Job, who lived 2000 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, his prophecy about the Savior and the general resurrection was incomprehensible to his contemporaries.

Just like for the translator of the Holy Scriptures, righteous Simeon, who received the name Simeon the God-Receiver. While translating the book of the prophet Isaiah, he came to the words: “Behold, the Virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son” - and he doubted. Simeon wanted to write the word “wife,” when suddenly an Angel appeared and said: “Have faith in what is written and you yourself will see its fulfillment, for you will not die until you see the One born of a pure Virgin - Christ the Lord.”

When this prophecy was fulfilled, righteous Simeon was about three hundred years old. Holy Mother of God brought the baby Jesus, according to custom, to the temple on the fortieth day after Christmas. The Holy Spirit led the elder there too. Taking the Divine Infant in his arms, righteous Simeon uttered the words that became part of the church service: “Now You are the Master, releasing me, Your servant, because my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people.”

By His incarnation, Christ showed a more perfect example of righteousness. From the moment of His Resurrection and the formation of the Christian Church, the concept of righteousness includes not only faith. Love for one's neighbor to the point of self-sacrifice was an integral part of the life of all saints glorified in the rank of the righteous.

“You need to love every person even in his sin and shame, you don’t need to confuse a person with the evil that is in him. After all, he is the image of God.” These words were often repeated by the great righteous man of the early twentieth century, Saint John of Kronstadt.

Every day Father John visited the houses of poor townspeople. Talking with them and comforting them morally, he always did not leave them without material support. He gave away everything he had, often returning home without even boots. Such unusual behavior of the young priest caused criticism and attacks from those who did not understand his devotion to the commandments of Christ, who said: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” Subsequently, for everything that was laughed at, reviled and slandered in the first years of his pastorate, Father John later began to be glorified. After a while, people of all religions, nationalities and classes, in crowds of thousands, reached out to the righteous one, who performed miracles according to the will of God.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, when Russia, accepting godless teachings, almost lost its former glory of Holy Rus', Father John showed himself as a formidable prophet. He said: “If Russia does not cleanse itself of the multitude of tares, then it will become desolate, like the ancient kingdoms and cities wiped off the face of the earth by the justice of God for their apostasy from the faith.” Many righteous people saved the Church of Christ and Russia from spiritual destruction during the years of persecution and unbelief. Their courage and faith in the victory of good over evil will always be for us an example of service to God, neighbors and their Fatherland.