The Holy Matrona of Moscow won the love and appreciation of many Orthodox people around the world. But especially it is honored, of course, in Russia. Who is she?
Family and childhood
Nikonova Matrona Dmitrievna was born in 1881. The place of her birth was the village of Sebino, located in the Epifansky district of the Tula province. From the first months of pregnancy, parents began to think about taking the child to an orphanage (there were already several children in the family), and when they realized that the girl who was born did not see, they only strengthened their decision. But one night, Matron’s mother had an unusual dream, as if a magnificent snow-white bird had sat on her chest, only she was completely blind. This incident made the woman think carefully about her decision, and in the end she left the child. The girl’s parents did not yet suspect that soon crowds of believers would be interested in how to get to the Matrona of Moscow. To this day, there are sources that tell about the life of the saint. You can learn from them that, for example, when she was eight years old, she had the gift of healing. She could also predict the fate of people. As soon as Matron was 18 years old, she was partially paralyzed, and she lost the ability to walk.
Burdens, poverty and moving to Moscow
1917 brought new troubles: the saint was left without a house, she even had nothing to eat. Together with her friend Lidia Yankova, she went to the city to find at least some food and get a job. And she moved to the capital Matron a little later - in 1925. Most likely, she decided on this thanks to her brothers, who also settled there. However, she never lived with them, and for some reason she was with friends or friends. It is noteworthy that in the houses where Matrona of Moscow visited at least some time, peace, peace and grace settled.
Meeting with Stalin
There is evidence that before the war of 1941 Joseph Vissarionovich himself turned to the saint. She then assured him that the Russians would definitely win. There is even an icon called “Matron and Stalin,” which depicts their meeting. However, one cannot blindly believe everything. It is possible that this is just idle gossip, not related to reality. At least reliable sources do not confirm this.
Death prediction
Surprisingly, St. Matron of Moscow knew in advance the day when she would die. But it cannot be said that before death she was in frustrated feelings, this is not at all true. She continued to accept the afflicted until she passed away. The date of the saint's death is May 2, 1952. At Danilovsky cemetery, which is located in the capital, Matrona of Moscow is buried . Moscow was her favorite city, and she wanted to be buried here. Since then, an endless string of people has been reaching out there to pray to the saint or ask her for something.
In the spring of 1998, exhumation was carried out, after which the remains were placed in a cancer (the so-called tomb) and taken to a church located near the Pokrovsky monastery.
Popularity among the people
They did not immediately canonize the old woman, but people always knew and remembered her. Even then, many were interested in how to get to the Matrona of Moscow. People came to the grave in droves. There you could always see lighted lamps, as well as candles. They were put by sick, unhappy, feeble people who hoped for favorable changes in the future. And after some time, many were surprised that the ailments were gone, things were getting better, the suffering stopped.
It is said that Matron helps everyone, even skeptical people. After worshiping the shrine, something wonderful happens in their life, and often they gain faith.
It doesn’t happen that a person leaves Matrona with nothing. She gives hope to everyone, overshadows everyone with her love. A person in contact with the shrine feels how the general condition improves, the spirit rises. There were cases when people were healed literally instantly, right on the grave.
Canonization
Of course, the rumor of miracles quickly spread throughout Russia. People who recovered from their illnesses did not hesitate to publicly testify that they helped St. Matron Moscow. How to get to her grave, recognized by an increasing number of believers. It is not difficult to guess what led to the canonization of the old woman in 1998.
Currently, the sacred relics of this great woman are stored in the Pokrovsky monastery, which is located in the capital. It has become a very popular place for pilgrimage, every day there are many visitors.
Matron and John of Kronstadt
Not everyone knows about an interesting case that happened when the saint was 14 years old. Then she met with John of Kronstadt. He served, and Matron stood at the door of the church. And so, when the last sounds of prayer died down, the priest asked people to step aside, and the girl - to approach him. John said that she would replace him, and he was right.
We have reached the prophecy of the old woman, which came true with absolute accuracy. The Holy Matrona of Moscow said that when she dies, only relatives will come to her grave, and that is very rare. And when they die, there will be no one to care for the burial place. Only occasional travelers several times a year, perhaps, will stop to pray and meditate. But some time will pass, Matrona said, and an endless stream of unfortunate people will flood her grave, they will beg her for help and protection. And the saint promised that she would help everyone.
Even on the way to the Pokrovsky monastery, you can see thousands of people walking there with flowers. Yes, this is not a mistake, there really are so many. And everyone has a sore soul, everyone wants to be heard. You will understand how to get to the Matrona of Moscow, following them. Dying, the old woman said that she would look at the earth from that better world that she had dreamed of all her life. And, seeing the suffering people, she will not be able to remain indifferent - she will surely console everyone.
What Matron taught us
Let's remember what else the holy old woman was talking about. Firstly, she asked not to judge people, but to pay attention first of all to herself. She said figuratively that each lamb would be hung by its tail. Sooner or later this will happen to everyone. And why think about other tails when you care about yours? A very reasonable statement.
Matrona also claimed that people during her life were literally mesmerized, atheism is abnormal, but everyone is forced to think that a higher power does not exist. She said that in the old days demons lived only in impassable thickets and swamps, and even more so they did not exist in their homes. But people forgot prayers, never even get baptized, and now these ominous and vile entities have settled in many dwellings. And no one even tries to get rid of them.
But the old woman also said that nations that have lost hope in God suffer catastrophes, and then completely cease to exist, but our country will live forever. Matron asked people to pray, to believe and not to forget about confession. She assured that God will be merciful to us and will not allow us to perish.
Matron claimed that everyone who addresses her will gain eternal life, she will personally meet all in a better world. We must hope that the saint does not forget about us and asks the Lord for mercy on us.
How to get to Matrona Moskovskaya
Pokrovsky monastery is located in the capital on Taganskaya street, house number is 58. Remember or write down this address, it will definitely come in handy. Now you already know where the relics of the Matrona of Moscow are, but how to get there? The easiest option is the subway. You should get to the "Marxist", "Ilyich Square" or "Rimsky" - it depends on how you prefer. If you got off at the first station, you need to go along Taganskaya street, you will reach in just 7-10 minutes. And from the "Roman" and "Ilyich Square" the distance is greater - you will need a quarter of an hour.
If you are interested in when Matrona of Moscow was in Nizhny Novgorod, then you are a little late - her icon and relics stayed there from February 23 to March 2. But do not be discouraged, you will still have the opportunity to bow to the shrine, only the next time hurry up to be in time precisely.