By the 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Rus, nine names of new saints were canonized, among which was the Right Prince Dmitry Donskoy. Being interested in the question, the day of the angel Dmitry, of which date, for a start we will get acquainted with the life history of the most revered saints with this name. So, the canonization of Dimitri Donskoy occurred only 600 years after the death of the saint. What preceded this event? Let's try to figure it out. First of all, the prince is glorified as a defender of the Fatherland, who won in fierce battles with the Tatars in 1376 on the River Vozhe in the Volga Bulgaria and in the historical battle of 1380 on the Kulikovo field. These were the first victories of the ancient Russian soldiers after, over a century and a half, enemies tormented Russia with raids and robberies.
Dmitry: name day (angel's day). history of the holiday
From that very time, the people realized that they had a defender who could resist the Horde. The Battle of Kulikovo was a turning point, because if then the Prince of Donskoy had not won, then Russia could have completely disappeared from the world map. This is evidenced by the words of Mamai, who revealed his goals at the expense of Russia. He wanted to do with Russia what Batu did, only worse - to slay the Russian princes, enslave the people, build mosques and force worship of Allah. Holy Russia could not sustain the second such tyrant. But the rule of the Golden Horde staggered and accelerated its collapse, and this was followed by the liberation of Russia.
Now the Orthodox have the day of the angel Dmitry, it is celebrated on June 1. On this day, laudatory prayers are read in honor of the Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy, so that he would protect from adversity and help in good deeds.
Day of angel Dmitry: date
Before canonization at a meeting of the public council dedicated to the unveiling of a monument to the prince in Kolomna, people far from Orthodoxy began to argue that the statue should not indicate holiness, but only that he was an excellent commander, and the rest is a private matter of the Church. However, the Orthodox participants did not agree with this.
Arguing on the topic “Day of the Angel of Dmitry”, it is necessary to note the fact that Prince Dimitry Donskoy, as a great strategist and real hero, who led the Russian army, was a deeply religious person. Before joining the battle, he prayed fervently. And faith led him, which led to a willingness to fight and, if necessary, suffer for the faith of Christ.
Speaking to his army, he urged the soldiers to fight for their faith, for God's church, for children, old men and wives. Glorious warriors replied that they were ready to “lay their belly” for Christ and with their shed blood to receive the second baptism.
This is far from the only reason for the canonization of the saint. Another merit was that he became a "collector" or, as the annals indicate, a "holder" of Russian lands. Without uniting the fragmented principalities, he would not have assembled a huge army, which would be able to fight the numerous horde of Mamaia.
Odolderzhets
Prince Dmitry by that time declared war on those who did not want this unity. In his successive actions to strengthen the monocracy, he relied on the support of St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Alexy of Moscow. Owing to his wise policy, Novgorodians, Ryazans, Tverichi and others recognized the seniority of Moscow.
It is necessary to note one more of his invaluable merit: he approved the law on succession to the throne. This meant that the power of the prince after his death was transferred to the eldest son, and not to the elder prince in the family. This played a positive role in the life of the state: the bloody wars of the specific principalities over the throne stopped.
Dimitri Solunsky
Dimitri Donskoy tried all his life to be like his heavenly patron, revered in Russia by the great martyr Dimitri Solunsky, who preached Christianity, for which he paid. Once he was captured by the pagans. The ascetic, praying in prison, the guards pierced with many copies. The body of the righteous was thrown to be eaten by animals that did not touch him. The remains of the saint were buried with honor by Solun Christians.
At the time of Mamai, Russian Orthodox revered him as an assistant in the fight against a stranger.
Orthodox celebrate Angel Day Dmitry Solunsky on October 26. In general, there were many saints with this name, almost all of them are martyrs for Christ.
Conclusion
Returning to the life of Dimitri Donskoy, it is worth noting that he also entered the history of the church as a temple creator. Indeed, many chapels, cathedrals and monasteries were founded by him as monuments to the feat of the Russian people with its high morality, purity of heart and wisdom. His marriage with Evdokia was a real example of a Christian family. He was faithful to his wife and chaste. His death was also worthy. Anticipating death, he invited his spiritual guide Sergius of Radonezh. Confessing and taking communion, he rested peacefully. Then he was 39 years old.