Without exaggeration, we can say that the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh is known to everyone who knows about the Slavs, about the Russian people and the church. Many sufferers pray at the image of the Monk Elder, they turn to him with requests, and everyone receives help in their prayer - his icon is endowed with such great power.
Rev. Sergius of Radonezh
This is one of the most revered saints, his moral perfection, piety and selfless devotion are known far beyond the borders of Orthodox Russia. His life and work proceeded during the years of great calamities and severe trials, when the question was decided whether or not to be Muscovite state. Sergius of Radonezh, by God's will, was at the center of the future history of the Russian state, and his lively participation, fortitude and prayer inspired the Russians to fearless and great struggle with the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
But not only for this feat is revered by his people. A protector and defender of the Russian land, he was a deeply religious, bright and kind man, and his spiritual qualities attracted people to him. This holy elder, the great miracle worker, Mother Superior of the Russian land brought up a galaxy of spiritual like-minded people with an example of his chastity. He founded the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and other monasteries in which Russian Orthodoxy was forged on a selfless and selfless love for the Lord. They came to him with requests and sorrows, for advice and comfort, and the great elder left no one without help and attention. That is why today the icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh is loved and revered. She constantly reminds believers of the need to keep their soul clean and humble, to evade the temptations of demons, to tame pride.
What helps the miraculous icon
Sergius of Radonezh in his youth experienced learning difficulties and earnestly prayed for help. The Lord sent him an angel in the guise of an old man and blessed him to teach. The monk has become the wisest holy elder, and now, before God, he helps parents praying for their children when they are not taught. If there is an icon in the house with small children, Sergius of Radonezh, following the prayers in front of her, watches over the children - for study and attention, obedience, helps to instruct the rebellious child, especially in adolescence. Pupils and students with difficulties in mastering science or passing exams also resort to the help of a saint, and prayer before the image helps them in the difficulties of cognition. The icon "Sergius of Radonezh" helps in court cases when those whose case is righteous turn to it and protects against judicial errors and offenders.
Where are the icons
The first image of St. Sergius, embroidered on the veil after his death, has survived to our times. He appeared on a hagiographic icon simultaneously with the first verbal description of his life somewhere around 1422.
Over the past seven centuries, various icon painters have created many icons of the holy elder, depicting his noble strict face, and paintings from his life. This is the image of the hegumen of the Russian land, falling to Christ on the Spasskaya Tower, the ancient iconography "Visions of the Youth Bartholomew", the icon "Series Radonezh with Life" and many others. Most of them are in church collections, monasteries, museums. The rarest icon of the appearance of the Mother of God to Sergius of Radonezh is located in Arkhangelsk –Turikov (Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ”). It is considered miraculous. The icon "Sergius of Radonezh" is also stored in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. A particle of his relics is also located there. The list of temples with icons of St. Sergius of Radonezh is large.
It is difficult to overestimate the significance of the personality of Sergius of Radonezh - so much has been done by him for the Russian state and church. He was the author of the idea of the Holy Trinity - a symbol of unity; later, the famous icon was painted on the basis of it by the painter Andrei Rublev. Sergius of Radonezh and the image of the Holy Trinity are inextricably linked in ancient Russian art.
The icon from the image of the reverend elder blows with severity, wisdom and kindness. A narrow, noble face, the right hand blesses the afflicted, in the left - a scroll symbolizing the perfection of knowledge. Many and many have resorted to his kindness and wisdom ...