The Monk Savva Storozhevsky is well known in Russia, this miracle worker was famous for his godly fear and wisdom. During his lifetime, he was one of the very first followers of Sergius of Radonezh and was considered his pupil. But very little reliable information has been preserved about him. Many believe that this is due to the fact that the old man lived more than a thousand years ago. And therefore, his biography was done according to the memoirs of monks and monks who themselves met with the reverend. In subsequent years, the life of the Monk Savva Storozhevsky was written by Alexander Pushkin himself. The Russian poet was inspired by what he learned about the old man, and even came to the church near Zvenigorod to bow to his relics. From our article you will learn about what the Monk Savva Storozhevsky gained respect for and the miracles that he performed during his life and after death.
The young years of the future saint
The place and date of birth of the Monk Savva of Storozhevsky Zvenigorodsky is not known. These data were lost during his lifetime, but historians have every reason to believe that the miracle worker came from a noble noble family. Some indirect facts point to this, but it has not yet been possible to refute or prove them.
At a very young age, Savva (however, he received this name after tonsure) expressed a desire to serve God and loved him more than anything. For the sake of this, he personally came to Sergius of Radonezh and took tonsure as his novice.
The whole day the monk spent in abstinence, prayers, and also sang in the church choir. Savva regularly studied church literature and was completely obedient to his mentor. It is known that from the very early morning, before dawn, he came to the temple for service and left his door later than anyone else.
Rev. Savva Storozhevsky avoided frequent conversations and preferred to spend most of his time in silence and silence. Because of this, the brothers underestimated his wisdom, considering the young novice near-minded and tongue-tied. However, in reality, Savva exceeded the wisdom of many who lived with him in the Trinity Monastery.
Rev. Sergius highly appreciated the god-fearing of his novice and considered him one of his best students. In the last years of his life, he practically retired from the affairs of the monastery, putting Nikon in his control. However, he did not stay at the head of the temple for long, expressing a desire to remain in solitude. And then the choice definitely fell on the Monk Savva Storozhevsky.
Monastery management
Rev. Savva Storozhevsky Zvenigorodsky spent about six years as abbot. It is known that during these years the Trinity Monastery flourished, and once, through the prayers of an old man, a spring with pure water scored near it.
He led his activities, managing the monastery, like his former abbot Sergius of Radonezh. In many ways, Savva adhered to his worldviews and shared all his views.
After six years, the saint decided to abandon his honorary post and completely immerse himself in the service of the Lord. He remained to live in the Trinity Monastery, but spent almost all his time in solitude and fervent prayers. He almost did not communicate with his brothers, and they expected that soon the old man would take a vow of silence.
Exodus from the Trinity Monastery
One day, Prince George Dimitrievich arrived at the monastery specially for the monk. He always had a very warm attitude towards the Trinity Monastery and was the godson of Sergius of Radonezh himself. Savva Storozhevsky from an early age was the confessor of the prince and often saw him.
Georgy Dimitrievich was a very devout man and came to persuade his spiritual mentor to go to Zvenigorod and arrange a new monastery near the city. The prince's intentions were pure, besides he had already chosen a suitable place for a new temple. It was supposed to be Mount Watchmen, located very close to the city.
Seeing that the prince’s words were warm and sincere, the monk agreed to leave the monastery and go to Zvenigorod. By the way, many historians believe that Savva Storozhevsky was a native of these parts. Therefore, he willingly agreed to return to his native places and followed the pious prince.
Creation of a new monastery
According to the chronicles, the reverend climbed a mountain with an icon of the Virgin. At the very top, he established an image and turned to the Mother of God with fervent prayer. With tears in his eyes, the elder asked her for help in a new business and the blessing of any undertakings. With his own hands, the miracle worker with the assistance of George Dimitrievich built a small wooden church. Nearby he erected a modest cell for himself and stayed to live on the mountain.
The news of the saint and his righteous life quickly spread throughout Russia, and people who wanted to serve God and spend days in prayers reached the mountain. The reverend did not refuse shelter to anyone who came. He received each with love and blessed for a monastic feat.
Soon, quite a lot of people gathered around him, and Savva Storozhevsky created a monastic monastery, becoming its abbot. In this post, he daily showed an example of humility, patience, abstinence and hard work.
He taught his brothers to work every day and not spend a minute in idleness. Even at an advanced age, the abbot himself carried water from a spring uphill and did everything that was necessary for himself and the monks.
The construction of the church in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin
At the end of the fourteenth century, Prince George went to battle with the army of the Golden Horde. Before speaking, he turned to the reverend for blessing. He said a prayer and released the prince in peace. Returning with victory, George thanked the elder, but he, being very modest, advised him to praise God and be merciful to everyone around. Struck by the wisdom of the saint, the prince began to make generous donations to the monastery, thanks to which a beautiful stone church was erected on the site of a modest church. Despite the fact that the monastery was growing, her abbot remained a very modest man and was afraid of earthly glory. However, even during his lifetime, many ordinary people began to call it the temple of the Monk Savva Storozhevsky.
The last years of the old man’s life
Over time, people from different cities began to come to the monastery of Savva. Some became monks and asked for his mentorship, while others turned to the miracle worker for advice and guidance. In order to avoid earthly glory, the monk left his monastery and went into the forest. There he dug a small cave, where he spent days in prayers and conversations with God. However, the elder also considered this a small contribution to the work of serving the Creator. With his own hands, he dug a well so that the brothers always had fresh water, and often brought it to the monastery himself. Even at an advanced age, the miracle worker fully provided himself with everything necessary and continued to work for the benefit of the monastery.
Sensing the approach of death, the elder called all the brothers and began to instruct them. He advised them to be humble, to fast and pray incessantly. Having named his successor, the reverend calmly departed to another world. His body was buried in a temple built on donations from the prince.
Icon of the Monk Savva Storozhevsky
The first images of the saint appeared decades after the abbot’s death. It is known that after the first face was written, miracles began to occur at the relics of the saint. And the very story of the creation of his icon is wonderful.
According to legend, hegumen Dionysius, who at that time controlled the Zvenigorod monastery, was famous for his ability to paint icons, one night he saw an old man ordering him to paint his image. Dionysius was surprised and asked the name of the newcomer. The next morning he ordered to send for one of the brothers, who had once been personally acquainted with Savva. He described him in detail from memory, and the abbot recognized in the verbal portrait of the old man who came to him in a dream. He fulfilled the command of the miracle worker and painted an icon. After that, the veneration of the saint intensified, and various miracles began to occur on his grave.
Miracles at the relics of the saint
A lot is said about the miracles of the saint in the people. At different times, the most incredible events related to the holy elder took place. We will tell readers only some of them.
The story of the healing of a boyar son is widely known . Once, the boyar arrived with his dumb son at the grave of an old man. They fervently prayed at the relics of Savva, and after the boyar asked the brethren of kvass, which they themselves prepared in the monastery. Literally after the first sip, the boyar’s son began to speak, which was instantly recognized as a miracle. Thanking the saint, the boyar took kvass home and cured them of all his household members suffering from various diseases.
Many Orthodox Christians also know about the salvation of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich by the saints. During the hunt, the king got lost and tried for a long time to go on the trail. Having made his way through the thicket, he climbed out into the clearing, where a bear rushed towards him. It is not known how this story would end if the old man had not come out from behind the trees. He drove away the beast and disappeared into the air. The defeated king, having reached his retinue, decided to thank God for the miraculous salvation. The closest temple was the Storozhevsky monastery, upon entering which, the tsar immediately saw an icon depicting a mysterious old man whom he saw more often. In the future, Alexei Mikhailovich openly patronized the monastery and visited it more than once.
However, the most famous miracle is the story that happened with the stepson of Napoleon himself. During the war, he and his army settled in the Zvenigorod monastery, and at night an old man came to him, telling the prince that he would save his life if the monastery did not suffer and would not be ruined.
The next morning, the prince left the monastery and really survived, and later on he even became related to the royal family and lived in Russia for many years.
Rev. Savva Storozhevsky: what helps
The Orthodox are often interested in what kind of request can be made to the saint. After all, it is known that each of the canonized elders helps in some specific matters. Savva Storozhevsky most often helps to heal from various physical and mental illnesses.
Among his miracles there were many rescues of people from incurable diseases. Some of them were obsessed, others were blind or deaf, and others were saved by prayer from all kinds of infirmities.
Therefore, if you ask for the health of your loved ones, then come to the elder’s icon and address him with fervent prayer.
Prayer to St. Savva of Storozhevsky
In order for the request to the saint to be heard faster, address him with special words. We give the prayer to the miracle worker in full.
Akathist
In different situations, the Orthodox can, besides prayer, also read an akathist to the Monk Savva Storozhevsky. We can’t give his text in full, but we’ll certainly give the beginning:
If you find yourself near Zvenigorod, be sure to look into the monastery, once created by the reverend. Worship his relics and ask for your relatives, because the old man never leaves anyone without help and support.