Russia is famous for its heroic deeds and numerous talented commanders, many of whom glorified the strength of domestic weapons in various wars and battles. One of these is Admiral Fedor Ushakov.
He forever entered Russian history as a talented naval commander who did not know a single defeat and won many high-profile victories that allowed Russia to become one of the strongest European powers of that time.
Canonization
At a meeting of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, held in 2004, it was decided to classify the famous Russian admiral, who covered himself with unfading glory, as a saint. The transfer of the relics of Fedor Ushakov was a significant event for the entire Russian fleet.
He was canonized even earlier, in 2001. He was counted among the saints in the Saransk diocese, in which were the relics of the holy righteous Fyodor Ushakov. Her leadership did not know how the leadership of the Navy would react to this. But the reaction was, as one would expect, positive, and the meeting of the relics of Fedor Ushakov was solemn. At the events related to his canonization, a large delegation of the command of the Navy of Russia and Ukraine, numerous senior government officials of the two countries, representatives of Greece and about six thousand pilgrims arrived.
Procession
A procession was held in honor of this event. It was quite unusual, since many military personnel took part in it, including the top command staff. Raku with the relics of the famous admiral was met by the Navy Orchestra, performing military marches. At the head of the column were officers with St. Andrew’s flags in their hands. Raku, in which were the relics of Admiral Fedor Ushakov, was carried by admirals. The cadets and sailors marched on the guard of honor. This event was not without a salute of carbines. All this turned the church rite into a real holiday of the Navy.
Honors at the Navy
In the same year, the leadership of the Russian Navy and the church decided to carry out a series of measures to glorify the hero. Over time, a special service was developed, icons were painted. The relics of Fedor Ushakov were transported to cities, especially those that were somehow connected with the fleet. In Saransk, the construction of the cathedral in honor of the holy admiral was begun. In addition, in many cities associated with the fleet, began to build churches and chapels named after Fedor Ushakov.
The Russian Navy celebrated with special triumph the appearance of its new patron saint. Processions were held in all fleets. Especially solemn and numerous was held on the Black Sea. Two large landing ships set off on the procession - the Yamal, which was part of the Russian Navy, and the Konstantin Olshansky from the Ukrainian Navy. On one of them were the relics of Fedor Ushakov.
Since the recognition of this illustrious admiral as a saint, icons with his image can be seen on all ships and places of deployment of the navy, and not only in the cockpits and barracks of sailors, but also in the cabins and cabinets of senior and senior command personnel. This is considered useful and strengthens the fighting spirit, improves the atmosphere in the team. Bringing the relics of Fyodor Ushakov is always a significant event for any temple.
This saint is revered not only in Russia, but also in many other countries. First of all, in those in whose history Ushakov played a significant role. In particular, this is Greece, because it owes him a lot. In addition, he is revered in Georgia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The relics of Fyodor Ushakov are busy in many churches and temples.
Carier start
Much is known about the numerous merits and service in the fleet of Fedor Ushakov. After all, there remains a lot of written evidence of his actions. Many books have been written about him and numerous films have been shot. Some of its mythologization even occurred, which quite often happens with such great people. But if his service is known in sufficient detail, then his last years of life are poorly illuminated. But it was they, to a large extent, that became the reason for his canonization.
The illustrious admiral was born into a poor noble family. Since childhood, he dreamed of serving in the Navy, and at the end of the naval cadet corps he was first sent to the Baltic Fleet, and a few years later to the Azov Flotilla, which actively participated in the war with Turkey.
Ushakov immediately showed himself to be an excellent commander and quickly began to climb the career ladder. He was respected not only by ordinary sailors, but also by a higher management. Over time, he rose to the rank of admiral, leading a brigade of ships of the formed Black Sea Fleet.
The fight against the Turks and the French
He took an active part in its creation, stood at the origins of the construction of Sevastopol, did everything in order to increase Russia's influence in the Black Sea. In several naval battles with Turkish squadrons, he defeated them, even though their forces were more numerous.
Thanks to his talent as a naval commander, he led the Russian squadron in the Mediterranean, which, acting together with its allies, inflicted a number of serious defeats on the French naval forces and liberated a number of countries of Napoleonic invaders.
Resignation
Fedor Ushakov devoted his whole life to serving in the Navy. He was never married, and he had no children. All this is one of the basic rules of the life of monks. Having retired, he could settle in any large city, but did not want to do this, although he was a rather wealthy man. Instead, the illustrious retired admiral donkey in the small quiet village of Alekseevka, which was located in Mordovia.
As hieromonk Nathanael, the then rector of the Sanaksar monastery, testifies to in his writings, Fyodor Ushakov lived near the monastery and regularly rendered assistance to it. During Lent, he lived annually with the monks for about a week in a regular cell. He stood along with the rest of the long service. He did not forget about the poor and the afflicted, whom he regularly helped.
Help during the Patriotic War and after it
With the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, a retired admiral was elected by the local nobility as commander of the militia of the Tambov province. But Fyodor Ushakov could not take command, because he was already in his advanced years, and his health was greatly shaken. Because of this, he was forced to resign.
But nevertheless, Fedor Ushakov did not stand aside from the defense of the Fatherland from the invading enemy. He helped form a hospital to help wounded soldiers, and gave a significant amount for the newly formed Tambov Infantry Regiment. As noted in the written sources of those years, he donated almost all his money to protect Russia from the Napoleonic army.
He helped everyone in need in peacetime. He was often visited by peasants who lived in villages nearby, as well as urban residents. The retired admiral did not refuse anyone, he shared with everyone what he had. He did not forget to cheer up desperate people, saying that all the troubles sooner or later end, and all of them will gradually improve.
Death and funeral
Fedor Ushakov died on October 2, 1817. In his last days, as hieromonk Nathanael testifies, he kept fasting and prayed incessantly. As a retired admiral and desired, he was buried in the cemetery at the monastery.
Fyodor Ushakov was buried in the church of the city of Temnikov, which was nearby. At the funeral of the admiral there were a huge number of people, and not only commoners, but also noblemen and officers. When the coffin with his body was taken outside the city limits, they initially wanted to put him on a cart, but people carried him in their arms up to his grave, which was in the Sanaksar monastery. The monks carefully looked after her.
Under the USSR
After the February Revolution of 1917 and the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia, the Sanaksar Monastery, like all other religious institutions in the country, was closed. The built chapel, under which were the relics of Fedor Ushakov, was destroyed. The place of his burial for several decades fell into disrepair.
But during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, Joseph Stalin established the Order of Fedor Ushakov and raised the question of the burial place of the famous admiral. The leadership of the country decided to create a special commission, which opened his grave, located on the territory of an abandoned monastery.
As it turned out, the relics of Fedor Ushakov were imperishable, which was immediately recorded in the documents of the commission. As the Holy Synod later decided, this serves as evidence that the admiral was a saint.
Modernity
The grave in which the relics of Ushakov Fyodor Fedorovich rested, as well as the entire monastery, was restored and taken under state protection. It turned out that even after his death, this talented naval commander was able to do a good deed, because the monastery was preserved, and in 1991 it was returned to the Russian Church.
The glorified admiral became the first Russian commander who was canonized. This event created a kind of precedent. Increasingly, they began to express a desire to canonize another great commander, Alexander Suvorov.
Admiral Fedor Ushakov glorified himself in many naval battles and did everything to strengthen the Russian fleet and elevate his country. He, despite his glory and numerous honors, was a wonderful person and a true Christian who was always ready to help those who needed it. The holy relics of Fyodor Ushakov are revered by many parishioners.