The Orthodox tradition involves a very reverent attitude to the relics of saints. People come to worship them from the most remote places of our country, while the people are ready to stand for many hours to turn up in the church and bring their request or a thankful prayer to the shrine. This is exactly what happened when this summer (in 2017) the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Almost half a million Russians managed to see them. They came to Moscow from all cities of Russia and spent more than half a day waiting before they got to the temple. But none of the pilgrims murmured, because each of them expected from a holy miracle. And miracles require humility and faith, and ministers of the Orthodox Church often say this .
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker left several months ago, but so far not only believers speak about this incredibly important event, but also politicians who were able to see in it the first step towards the convergence of the Orthodox and Catholic churches. From our article you will learn all about the stay in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior of the holy relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, as well as about the saint himself and his lifetime deeds.
Shrine Location
In the last month of spring of this year, with the help of Orthodox sponsors, the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to Moscow to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Most people took this event with enthusiasm and hope for the reunification of the entire Christian world, which is now divided into the Orthodox and Catholic.
The relics themselves are permanently stored in the small town of Bari. They were brought there at the beginning of the nineteenth century and placed in a Catholic basilica. Negotiations on the visit of the shrine to our country began last winter. Then in Cuba, a meeting was held between Patriarch Cyril and Pope Francis. Surprisingly, both church leaders quickly found a common language and were able to agree on key issues. For the first time in history, the shrine of the Catholic Church was transferred to the hands of Orthodox clergy. This gesture of goodwill was accepted by the whole Christian world as the first step towards bringing all followers of the same religion closer together.
Description of relics
What particular relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to Moscow with the help of sponsors in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior? Pilgrims often asked this question, intending to go to the shrine. Well, this is no secret. In May, the tenth left rib of Nicholas the Wonderworker was imported into Russia. It is interesting, but the believers themselves believe that it is these relics that have incredible strength, because the rib was closest to the heart. And in him faith in God is born.
A few words about the saint
Nikolai Ugodnik is revered by believers all over the world. They come to him with various troubles and requests. It is believed that the saint during his lifetime was so kind that he helped everyone who needed it. Naturally, even after death, he continues to heed the prayers of believers and guide them on the true path.
It is known that St. Nicholas lived approximately in the fourth century AD. His parents waited a very long time for the Lord to send them a child, and constantly prayed for it. At the sunset of life, God heeded their requests, and an extraordinary boy was born. Surprisingly, almost immediately after his birth, he began to work miracles. For example, during baptism, the infant stood on its feet and stood in this position for the entire rite.
Nicholas devoted all his time to the Holy Scriptures. He was so religious and pious that he practically did not leave the walls of his house, so as not to spend time in idleness. Very soon they began to turn to him for advice, and the boy never refused to ask him.
The boy’s uncle, seeing the religious zeal of his nephew, advised him to serve God, which was done. Young Nikolai quickly became a priest, and then became bishop of the city of Mira. Some descriptions of the saint’s life indicate the fact that, thanks to the heavenly sign, the clergy immediately elevated the young man to the post of bishop. Historians do not dispute this version, because in those days it was quite possible.
Nikolai Ugodnik devoted his whole life to serving God and people. He was considered and is considered to be an intercessor for souls before the Creator, and prayers bear enormous power in him.
Miracles of St. Nicholas
During his lifetime, the saint committed many acts that spread the rumor about him around the world. First of all, he is considered the protector of sailors and travelers. This is due to the fact that in the biography of Nikolai Ugodnik there are many stories about the salvation of sailors by him. Once he resurrected a sailor who crashed to death after falling from the mast. Another time, the saint did not allow the traveler to board the ship when he saw that he would die during a storm. Nicholas is also credited with numerous cases of pacification of the elements.
Often it is to this saint that young unmarried girls pray, dreaming of creating a family. Nicholas is considered the patroness of girls, because during his life he saved three sisters who had no dowry from shame. They were raised by one father, who was very sad that the daughters would have to earn a living by their appearance. Indeed, without a dowry, no one will ever marry them. Hearing his speeches, Nikolai threw a bag of money on his porch. This allowed the happy father to give the eldest of his daughters down the aisle. When the middle one grew up, a bag of gold reappeared on the porch of the man. And she quickly found a husband for herself. When the time came to marry a third sister, her father began to watch at night on guard of a benefactor helping their family. One night, he saw Nikolai leaving money on the doorstep. But he asked the man not to reveal his secret to others.
In addition to the blessings already listed, the saint became famous for treating the sick, protecting orphans and the oppressed, and taking care of those who were unjustly convicted or accused.
How the shrine ended up in Italy
As we said, the relics were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior by special flight from Italy. However, they got there as a result of the abduction, because after death the body of the saint remained in the world.
According to historical sources, literally immediately after death, pilgrims stretched to the body of Nikolai Ugodnik. Over time, a small basilica was built over his grave, which later transformed into the church of St. Nicholas.
In the eighth century AD, the Turks, who invaded many territories, began looting Christian shrines. During this period, many of them were destroyed and lost, so Christians feared for the fate of the relics of Nikolai Ugodnik. However, it was not the Turks who stole them from the church.
The city of Bari was once famous throughout Italy as a religious center, but it managed to lose its significance. Residents of the city intended to return the glory by placing the relics of a saint. Therefore, an expedition set off for Peace, the purpose of which was the banal theft of the ark. The same goal was pursued by the Venetian merchants who dreamed of bringing the shrine to their city. The most successful were the Barians, who at the end of April 1087 entered the church, smashed the sarcophagus and removed the relics of the saint from the ark.
Thus, most of the relics found their refuge in Bari, where they are stored to this day. However, small parts of the skeleton were stolen by the Venetians. Later they were transported to the island of Lido and built a temple there.
When the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker arrived at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior: date
All the media spoke about this event . Indeed, for the first time, a shrine was brought into the territory of Russia, the equal of which is difficult to find in the world today. The relics at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior arrived directly from the airport on May 21, 2017. They became available to pilgrims the very next day. Many were interested, planning to go to Moscow, to what date the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker would remain in the capital, because hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from almost all Russian cities wanted to enter the church.
It is noteworthy that the shrine stayed in the capital for fifty-two days. Then she was taken on a special flight to St. Petersburg, where she stayed until the twenty-eighth of July. After this, the relics safely returned to the Italian city.
Sponsorship
Believers do not always think about how difficult it is to organize a visit to another country of religious shrines. It is quite expensive, so it’s impossible to overpower the budget without the participation of sponsors. However, there are still people in the country who are not indifferent to spiritual development, and they are willing to spend, in order to gain later.
It is known that the main sponsor of the relics journey to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is a large Russian chemical concern. PhosAgro took all the basic expenses on transportation, maintenance and protection of the shrine in our country. Additional funding was allocated by the government of the capital.
It is noteworthy that PhosAgro is known not only for bringing the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, but also for organizing Sunday schools, creating sites where you can get information on the Orthodox theme, and promoting any activities that lead to spiritual enrichment of people.
Therefore, we can hope that in the future our country will be visited by more than one shrine brought from Orthodox or Catholic churches scattered around the world.
Church Hours
A visit to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was available from eight in the morning. It was at this hour that its doors opened for believers thirsting for spiritual food. People had to leave the temple by nine in the evening. However, due to the huge number of believers wishing to approach the shrine, the working time was increased. Often the temple closed after midnight. Unfortunately, this time was not enough for the pilgrims. Many even tried to stay in line to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for the whole night, so as to enter the temple first in the morning.
How could you get to the temple
Literally from the first day, incredibly long lines began to line up on the way to the church. One could get to the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, having stood on the street for almost a whole working day. But over time, the number of believers only increased, so the wait stretched for twelve to thirteen hours. Not everyone was able to withstand this, because sick people, eager for healing, also went to the shrine. Some of them became ill, and they were forced to refuse to attend the temple.
Usually, the line began at the Crimean bridge, and only after passing all three checkpoints, you could touch the treasured ark with relics.
Temple Level Organization Reviews
It is very important for ordinary believers that the Moscow government perfectly organized and coordinated all the actions of Orthodox believers, providing them with the most comfortable conditions in this difficult situation. Almost all pilgrims celebrate a large number of volunteers and law enforcement officers all the way to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Believers' reviews contain gratitude to these people who did a very good job. Without them, many would not have been able to stand in line for so long.
Despite the fact that recommendations were issued by Orthodox Christians going to the temple, which contained information about things that must be taken on a trip with you, the city government organized eleven food outlets. They were painted a bright yellow-orange color, so it was rather difficult not to notice them. Here everyone could buy a full meal or just a snack. However, many noted the availability of prices. For example, a two-course meal and a drink cost pilgrims about one hundred and fifty rubles.
Throughout the path to the temple, buses for rest were delivered. They could sit and warm up for free.
Naturally, the organizers took care of the dry closets too, they were installed in large numbers along the line of the queue. In the event of a deterioration in their health, the pilgrims should immediately turn to volunteers or police officers. They called the doctors on the radio, and after a few minutes the person received the necessary help.
Preferential category of citizens
By the turn, only wheelchair users and women with babies could get to the shrine. For this purpose, a separate entrance and checkpoint was organized. Each wheelchair beneficiary included one person accompanying him.
At the control point, it was necessary to present your passport and documents confirming your health condition.
The most powerful prayer at the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
We have already mentioned that this saint can be prayed in a variety of situations. The Internet is replete with testimonies of people whom it helped to cope with problems. Some stories really look like a miracle. Therefore, believers are interested in which of the prayers to the saint is considered the most powerful. Let's try to figure it out.
I would like to note that a lot of prayers are known to the saint in Orthodoxy and we cannot bring all of them within the framework of one article. However, given that mainly people went to the relics to ask for healing, marriage and help in money, we decided to bring the texts of these three prayers.
They often pray to the saint for healing. Sometimes requests are clothed in simple and sincere words, but it is better to say a prayer precisely for healing. We will give its text below.
On marriage, you can ask Nikolai Ugodnik in the following words.
Many pilgrims wanted to touch the shrine in order to ask for an improvement in their material situation. Therefore, we could not fail to mention this prayer:
If in spring and autumn you could not get into the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and bow to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, then do not be discouraged. In another twenty-five temples of the capital, fragments of the relics of the saint are stored, from which you can pray. Be sure, the Ugodnik will definitely hear your prayers and answer them.