SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH july 5, 2015

fifth sunday of matthew aint Athanasius of Athos, in holy Baptism named Abraham, was born in the city of Trebezond. He was orphaned Sat an early age, and being raised by a certain good and pious nun, he imitated his adoptive mother in the habits of monastic life, in fasting and in prayer. Doing his lessons came easily and he soon outpaced his peers in study. After the death of his adoptive mother, Abraham was taken to Constantinople, to the court of the Byzantine em- peror Romanus the Elder, and was enrolled as a student under the renowned rhetorician Athanasius. In a short while the student attained the mastery of skill of his teacher and he himself became an instructor of youths. Reckoning as the true life that of fasting and vigilance, Abraham led a strict and abstinent life, he slept little and then only sitting upon a stool, and barley bread and water were his nourishment. When his teacher Athanasius through human weakness became jealous of his student, blessed Abraham gave up his teaching position and went away. During these days there had arrived at Constantinople St Michael Maleinos (July 12), igumen of the Kyminas monastery. Abraham told the igumen about his life, and revealed to him his secret desire to become a monk. The holy Elder, discerning in Abraham a chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, became fond of him and taught him much in ques- tions of salvation. One time during their spiritual talks St Michael was visited by his nephew, Nicephorus Phocas, a military officer and future emperor. Abraham’s lofty spirit and profound mind impressed Nicephorus, and all his life he regarded the saint with reverent respect and with love. Abraham was consumed by his zeal for the monastic life. Having forsaken everything, he went to the Kyminas monastery and, falling down at the feet of the holy igumen, he begged to be received into the monastic life. The igumen fulfilled his request with joy and tonsured him with the name Athanasius. With long fasts, vigils, bending of the knees, with works night and day Athanasius soon attained such perfection, that the holy igumen blessed him for the exploit of silence in a solitary place not far from the monastery. Later on, having left Kyminas, he made the rounds of many desolate and solitary places, and guided by God, he came to a place called Melanos, at the very extremity of Athos, settling far off from the other monastic dwellings. Here the monk made himself a cell and began to live an ascetical life in works and in prayer, proceeding from exploit to exploit towards higher monastic attainment. The enemy of mankind tried to arouse in St Athanasius hatred for the place chosen by him, and assaulted him with constant suggestions in thought. The ascetic decided to suffer it out for a year, and then wherever the Lord should direct him, he would go. On the last day of this year’s length of time, when St Athanasius set about to prayer, a heavenly light suddenly shone upon him, filling him with an indescribable joy, all the thoughts dissipated, and from his eyes welled up graced tears. From that moment St Athanasius received the gift of tenderness , and he became as strongly fond of the place of his solitude as he had formerly loathed it. During this time Nicephorus Phocas, having had enough of military exploits, remembered his vow to become a monk and from his means he besought St Athanasius to build a monastery, i.e., to build cells for him and the brethren, 1510 audubon drive • columbia, missouri, 65201 • tel. 573.817.0050 / fax 573.449.8452 email: [email protected] • web: www.saintlukecolumbia.org at the small entrance we sing

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος δ. apolytikion. Mode 4. ὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ hen the women Disciples of the Lord had TἈγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, Wlearned from the Angel the joyful message of καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral deci- Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ sion, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. granting His great mercy to the world. Ἀπολυτίκιον του οσιου. Ἦχος γ. apolytikion of the ascetic. Ἦχος 3. ὴν ἐν σαρκὶ ζωήν, σοῦ κατεπλάγησαν, Ἀγγέλων ngelic hosts on high were filled with wonder- Tτάγματα, πῶς μετὰ σώματος, πρὸς ἀοράτους Ament, seeing your life in the flesh: how with your συμπλοκάς, ἐχώρησας πανεύφημε, καὶ κατετραυ- body you courageously went out to wrestle with in- μάτισας, τῶν δαιμόνων, τὰς φάλαγγας· ὅθεν Ἀθα- visible foes; and to the demonic hordes you inflicted νάσιε, ὁ Χριστὸς σε ἠμείψατο, πλουσίαις δωρεαῖς· serious wounds. Therefore, Athanasios, you received Διὸ Πάτερ, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς from the Master Christ, a wealth of gifts. Holy Father, ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. intercede on our behalf with Christ our God, to save our souls.. Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α´. Apolytikion for the Church. Mode 5. ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστο- he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who is Λλον, τὸν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην Tacknowledged by the Church of Christ * as the re- τῶν Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ corder of the Acts of the Apostles, * and the splendid Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως τιμή- author of the Gospel of Christ. * Let us praise with sa- σωμεν ὕμνοις ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρωπίνων cred hymns as a physician, * who heals the infirmities καὶ φυσικῶν ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν καθαίρο- of man, * and the ailments of nature, * who cleanses ντα πληγὰς τοῦ πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως πρε- spiritual wounds, and prays unceasingly for our souls. σβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος β´. Kontakion. Mode 2. ροστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, rotection of Christians unshamable, mediation Πμεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ Pwith the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ do not despise the voices of our prayers, but antici- πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, pate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to interces- πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστα- sion, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who τεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. defend now and ever those who honor you. THE READINGS OF THE DAY

epistle reading gospel reading The letter of paul to the Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1 galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2

rethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, t that time, when Jesus arrived on the other peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, side, into the country of the Gergesenes, Bgentleness, and self-control. Against such Atwo men possessed by demons met him things there is no law! Those who belong to Christ there, coming out of the tombs. They were ex- have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. tremely violent, so much that nobody could pass If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit! that way. Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do Let us not become arrogant, challenging and en- we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have vying one another. Brethren, even if someone is you come here to torment us before the time?” caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding at some restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. But distance from them. The demons begged him, say- watch out for yourself in order not to be tempted. ing, “If you cast us out, allow us to go away into the Bear each others’ burdens, and thus fulfill the law herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” The demons of Christ. came out and went into the herd of pigs: and be- hold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea and died in the water. Those who fed them fled and went into the city where they told everything, including what had happened to those who were possessed with demons. Behold, the en- tire city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. Jesus entered into a boat, crossed over [the lake] and came into his own town.

If Peter’s weeping wiped out such a great sin, how can you not cancel your sin through tears? For it was not a small accusation to deny his Master; it was great and severe, and yet the tears utterly destroyed die sin. Therefore, “cry for your sin; do not cry simply or pretentiously, but weep bitterly like Peter. Let your tears gush forth from the depths of your soul so that, in this way, the Master may have pity on you and forgive your trespass. —st john chrysostom” announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm

upcoming church services: NO GREAT VESPERS THIS WEEK welcome fr. doug church attire Please warmly welcome Fr. Doug, Proistamenos of There is no allowance for Church “summer- St. Nicholas Church in St. Louis, who is substitut- wear.” An Orthodox Christian should always come ing for Fr. Michael today. to Church dressed in modest attire (in every sea- fr. michael away son), so as not to draw attention to him/herself, be- coming a distraction to others. Traditionally wom- Fr. Michael will be away until July 11. If you have en wear dresses or skirts of at least knee length; an emergency, please call Fr. Joseph at (314) 966- dresses, blouses / tops should, at minimum, in- 2255. clude short sleeves and cover the shoulder. Women donations needed should not wear lipstick or lip gloss to Church - it Donations of virgin / extra virgin olive oil are need- leaves a residue on the icons and on the Commu- ed for the Church. Monetary donations for Com- nion spoon. Men should dress in pants and polo or munion wine are always accepted @ $20 / bottle. button-down shirts. Shorts should never be worn in Church. Additionally, tight-fitting clothing is summertime - remember the church not appropriate for women or men. If you plan to travel during the summer, please keep current with your financial pledge to the Church! purple barrel Don’t forget the purple barrel for the Food Bank. We are always collecting non-perishable food Have yon sinned? Enter into the items for the Food bank. We are also always col- Church and wipe away your sin. The lecting butter and margarine for St Francis House. number of times you fall down in the Thank you for your generosity! marketplace equals the number of “times you rise up. Like- wise, as many give a month towards our future limes as you sin, repent for your sin; We would like to offer families and individuals the do not be- come discouraged. And if opportunity to help offset our mortgage payment you sin a second time, repent a second with a donation of $640. If you would like to spon- time. Do not be completely deprived sor one month for 2015, please contact Fr. Michael. of the hope for the proposed goods Thus far 3 commitments have been made for 2015. through indolence. —St. john chrysostom” synaxarion and a church where the brethren could commune of the “I am the Mother of the Lord,” She answered, and bid Divine Mysteries of Christ on Sundays. Athanasius to strike his staff upon a stone. From the fis- Tending to shun cares and worries, St Athanasius sure there gushed forth a spring of water, which exists at first would not agree to accept the hateful gold, but even now, in remembrance of this miraculous visitation. seeing the fervent desire and good intent of Nicepho- The brethren grew in number, and the construction rus, and discerning in this the will of God, he set about work at the Lavra continued. St Athanasius, foreseeing the building of the monastery. He built a large church the time of his departure to the Lord, prophesied about in honor of the holy Prophet and Forerunner of Christ, his impending end and besought the brethren not to be John the Baptist, and another church at the foot of a hill, troubled over what he foresaw. “For Wisdom disposes in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos. Around the otherwise than as people judge.” The brethren were per- church were the cells, and a wondrous monastery arose plexed and pondered the words of the saint. After giv- on the Holy Mountain. In it were a trapeza (dining area), ing the brethren his final guidance and comforting all, St a hospice for the sick and for taking in wanderers, and Athanasius entered his cell, put on his mantiya and holy other necessary structures. kukolion (head covering), which he wore only on great Brethren flocked to the monastery from everywhere, feasts, and emerged after prolonged prayer. Alert and not only from Greece, but also from other lands, simple joyful, the holy igumen went up with six of the breth- people and illustrious dignitaries, desert-dwellers hav- ren to the top of the church to inspect the construction. ing labored in asceticism for long years in the wilder- Suddenly, through the imperceptible will of God, the ness, igumens from many monasteries and hierarchs top of the church collapsed. Five of the brethren im- wanting to become simple monks in the Athos Lavra of mediately gave up their souls to God. St Athanasius and St Athanasius. the architect Daniel, thrown upon the stones, remained The saint established at the monastery a cenobitic alive. All heard the saint call out to the Lord, “Glory to monastic Rule on the model of the old Palestinian mon- Thee, O God! Lord, Jesus Christ, help me!” The breth- asteries. Divine services were served with all strictness, ren with great weeping began to dig out their father from and no one was so bold as to talk during the services, nor the rubble, but they found him already dead. to come late or leave the church without necessity. The Uncovering of the Venerable Relics of Saint Sergius of The Heavenly Patroness of Athos, the All-Pure Moth- Radonezh: The relics of the St Sergius (September 25) were er of God Herself, was graciously disposed towards the uncovered on July 5, 1422 when St Nikon (November 17) saint. Many times he was privileged to see Her with his was igumen. In the year 1408, when Moscow and its envi- own eyes. By God’s dispensation, there once occurred rons was invaded by the Tatar horde of Edigei, the Trinity monastery was devastated and burned, and the monks led by such a hunger, that the monks one after the other quit St Nikon hid themselves in the forests. They saved the icons, the Lavra. The saint remained all alone and, in a mo- sacred vessels, books and other holy things connected with ment of weakness, he also considered leaving. Suddenly the memory of St Sergius. he beheld a Woman beneath an ethereal veil, coming to In a vision on the eve of the Tatar incursion St Sergius in- meet him. “Who are you and where are you going?” She formed his disciple and successor about the coming tribula- asked quietly. St Athanasius from an innate deference tions. He also said that the vexation would not be prolonged halted. “I am a monk from here,” St Athanasius replied, but that the monastery, arising from the ashes, would flour- and spoke about himself and his worries. ish and grow even more. Metropolitan Philaret wrote about “Would you forsake the monastery which was intend- this in his Life of St Sergius: “Just as it suited Christ to suffer, ed for glory from generation unto generation, just for a and through the Cross and death to enter into the glory of morsel of dry bread? Where is your faith? Turn around, the Resurrection, so it also becomes everyone who would be and I shall help you.” “Who are you?” asked Athanasius. blessed by Christ with length of days in glory, to be tested by one’s own cross and death.” Going through its own fiery cleansing, the monastery of the Life-Creating Trinity was Abba Sergius, in everything observing the commands resurrected unto length of days, and St Sergius himself rose of Christ, belongs to the rank of holy saints in the souls of up, so that his holy relics should dwell within it forevermore. whom the Holy Trinity “has made abode.” He fashioned Before the beginning of construction of the new temple himself into “an abode of the Holy Trinity,” and everyone of the Life-Creating Trinity on the site of the former wooden with whom St Sergius associated, he elevated and brought one (which was consecrated on September 25, 1412), St Ser- into communion with the Holy Trinity. gius appeared to a certain pious layman and bid him inform The Radonezh ascetic, with his disciples and conver- the igumen and the brethren: “Why do you leave me so long sants, enriched the Russian and the universal Church with in the grave, covered by earth and in the water, constraining a new knowledge and vision of the Life-Creating Trinity, my body?” During the construction of the cathedral, when the Beginning and Source of life, manifesting Itself unto the they dug the ditches for the foundations, the incorrupt relics world and to mankind in the “Sobornost’” [“Communal- of St Sergius were uncovered and brought up. All were as- ity”] of the Church, with brotherly unity and the sacrificial tonished that not only his body, but also his clothing was un- redemptive love of its pastors and children. damaged, although there was water around the grave. Amidst In the spiritually symbolic gathering together of Rus in a large throng of the devout and the clergy, in the presence of unity and love, the historical effort of the nation became a the son of Demetrius of the Don , the prince of Zvenigorod temple of the Life-Creating Trinity, built by St Sergius, “so Yurii Dimitrievich (+ 1425), the holy relics were removed that by constant attention to It would be conquered the fright from the ground and placed temporarily in the wooden Trin- of the hateful discord of this world.” The worship of the Holy ity church (at this spot now stands the church of the Descent Trinity, in forms created and bequeathed by the holy Igumen of the Holy Spirit). With the consecration of the stone Trin- Sergius of Radonezh, became one of the most profound and ity cathedral in 1426, the relics were transferred into it, where original of features of Russian ecclesiality. With St Sergius, they remain. in the Life-Creating Trinity there was posited not only the All the threads of the spiritual life of the Russian Church holy perfection of life eternal, but also a model for human converge towards the great saint and wonderworker of Ra- life, a spiritual ideal toward which mankind ought to strive, donezh, and through all of Orthodox Rus the grace-filled, since that in the Trinity as “Indivisible” (Greek “Adiairetos”) life-creating currents radiate outwards from the Trinity mon- discord is condemned and “Sobornost’” [“Communality”] astery he founded. is blessed, and in the Trinity as “Inseparable” [“Akhoristos” Naming a church for the Holy Trinity within the Russian -- per the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in year land began with holy Equal of the Apostles Olga (July 11), 451] coercion is condemned and freedom blessed. In the who built the first Trinity temple at Pskov. Afterwards, simi- teaching of St Sergius about the Most Holy Trinity the Rus- lar churches were built in Great Novgorod and other cities. sian nation sensed profoundly its own catholic and ecumeni- The spiritual contribution of St Sergius in teaching the the- cal vocation, and comprehending the universal significance ology of the Holy Trinity is quite significant. The monk had of the Feast, the people embellished it with all the variety and profound insight into the secret mysteries of theology with richness of the ancient national custom and people’s verse. the “spiritual eyes” of the ascetic, in prayerful ascent to the All the spiritual experience and spiritual striving of the Rus- Tri-Hypostatic (i.e. in Three-Persons) God, and in the spiri- sian Church was embodied in the liturgical creativity of the tual experience of communion with God and God-likeness. Feast of the Holy Trinity, of trinitarian church rituals, icons “Coheirs of the perfect light and contemplation of the of the Holy Trinity, and churches and monasteries of this Most Holy and All-Sovereign Trinity,” explained St Gregory name. the Theologian, “are those which become perfectly co-united The theological insight of St Sergius in transformation in the perfection of the Spirit.” St Sergius knew from personal was rendered as the wonderworking icon of the Life-Creat- experience the mystery of the Life-Creating Trinity, since in ing Trinity painted by the St Andrew of Radonezh, surnamed his life he became co-united with God, he became a com- Rublev (July 4), a monastic iconographer, lived in the Trin- municant of the very life of the Divine Trinity, i.e. he attained ity-Sergiev monastery, and painted with the blessing of St as much as is possible on earth to the measure of “theosis” Nikon in praised memory to holy Abba Sergius. (At the Sto- [“divinization”], becoming a “partaker of the Divine nature” glav Council of 1551 this icon was affirmed as proper model (2 Pet 1:4). “If a man loves Me,” says the Lord, “he will keep for all successive church iconographic depiction of the Most My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come Holy Trinity). unto him and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). “The hateful discord,” quarrels and commotions of Yakuta, i.e. Yakov (James), of simple peasant stock, who worldly life were surmounted by the monastic cenobitic life, without a murmur spent long years at the monastery on er- planted by St Sergius throughout all Rus. People would not rands of drudgery and difficult obedience. have divisions, quarrels and war, if human nature, created by Among the other disciples of St Sergius were his fellow the Trinity in the image of the Divine Tri-Unity, were not dis- countrymen from Radonezh the Deacon Onesimus and his torted and impaired by ancestral sin. Overcoming by his own son Elisha. When twelve monks had gathered and the con- co-crucifixion with the Savior the sin of particularity and structed cells were fenced in by an high enclosure, the abba separation, repudiating the “my own” and the “myself,” and appointed Deacon Onesimus as gate-keeper, since his cell in accord with the teachings of St Basil the Great, the ceno- was farthest from the entrance to the monastery. Under the bitic monks restore the First-created unity and sanctity of protective shadow of the Holy Trinity monastery the igu- human nature. The monastery of St Sergius became for the men Metrophanes spent his final years. It was he who had Russian Church the model for renewal and rebirth. In it were tonsured St Sergius into the angelic schema and guided him formed holy monks, bearing forth thereof features of the true in monastic efforts. The grave of the blessed Elder Metro- path of Christ to remote regions. In all their works and ac- phanes became the first in the monastery cemetery. tions St Sergius and his disciples gave a churchly character In the year 1357 Archimandrite Simon arrived at the to life, giving the people a living example of its possibility. monastery from Smolensk. He had resigned his venerable Not for renouncing the earth, but rather for transfiguring it, position as head of one of the Smolensk monasteries, to be- they proclaimed ascent and they themselves ascended unto come a simple obedient of the God-bearing Radonezh igu- the Heavenly. men. In recompense for his great humility, the Lord granted The school of St Sergius, through the monasteries found- him to share in the miraculous vision of St Sergius about the ed by him, his disciples and the disciples of his disciples, em- future increase of his monastic flock. With the blessing of the braces all the vastness of the Russian land and threads its way abba, the Blessed Elder Isaac the Silent took upon himself through all the remotest history of the Russian Church. One the deed of prayerful silence; his silence was more instruc- fourth a portion of all Russian monasteries, the strongholds tive than any words for the monks and those outside. Only of faith, piety and enlightenment, was founded by Abba one time after a year of silence did the monk Isaac open his Sergius or his disciples. The “igumen of the Russian land” mouth -- to testify, how he had seen an angel of God serve to- was what people called the founder of the Domicile of the gether at the altar with St Sergius, during the Divine Liturgy. Life-Originating Trinity. The Monks Nikon and Mikhei of An eyewitness of the grace of the Holy Spirit, co-effec- Radonezh, Sylvester of Obnora, Stephen of Makhrisch and tualised for St Sergius, was also the ecclesiarch Simon, who Abraham of Chukhlom, Athanasius of Serpukhov and Nikita once saw, how a heavenly fire came down upon the Holy of Borov, Theodore of Simonov and Therapon of Monzha Mysteries and that the saint of God “did commune the fire (May 27), Andronicus of Moscow and Savva of Storozhevsk, without being burned.” The Elder Epiphanius (+ 1420) was Demetrius of Priluki and Cyril of White Lake -- they were somewhat later, during the time of igumen Nikon, a priest of all disciples and conversers of “the wondrous Elder”, Sergius. the Sergiev flock. The Church calls him Epiphanius the Wise The holy hierarchs Alexis and Cyprian -- Metropolitans of for his deep learning and great spiritual talents. He is known Moscow, Dionysius Archbishop of Suzdal, and Stephen Bish- as the compiler of the Life of St Sergius and of his conversant op of Perm, were associated with him in spiritual closeness. Saint Stephen of Perm in eulogy to them; he wrote also the The Patriarchs of Constantinople Callistus and Philotheus “Account of the Life and Repose of Great Prince Demetrius wrote letters to him and sent their blessings. Through Sts of the Don “. The Life of St Sergius, compiled by Epiphanius Nikita and Paphnutius of Borov threads a spiritual legacy 26 years after the death of the monk, i.e. in 1418, was later re- to St Joseph of Volokolamsk and others of his disciples, and worked by the hagiographer Pachomius the Serb, called the through Cyril of White Lake to Nil Sorsky, to Herman, Sab- Logothete, who had come from Athos. batius and Zosima of Solovki. To St Sergius, as to an inexhaustible font of spiritual The Church venerates also disciples and co-ascetics of St prayer and grace of the Lord, at all times came in veneration Sergius, whose memories are not specifically noted within thousands of the people -- for edification and for prayers, for the “Mesyatseslov” lists of saints under their separate day. help and for healing. And each of those having recourse with We remember that the first to arrive for St Sergius at Mak- faith to his wonderworking relics he heals and renews, fills ovets was the Elder Basil the Gaunt (“Sukhoi”), called such with power and with faith, transforms and guides upwards because of his incomparable fasting. Second was the monk with his light-bearing spirituality. But it was not only spiritual gifts and grace-filled heal- Elder answered, “Yes, holy Master, it was made necessary by ings bestown to all, approaching with faith the relics of St bloody tears.” Sergius; God also gave him the grace to defend the Russian “What is most proper for a monk, prayerful solitude or land from its enemies. The monk by his prayers was with military exploits before the people?” the army of Demetrius of the Don at the Battle of Kulikovo Bowing low, St Athanasius replied: “Every thing and ev- Pole (“Field”), -- he even blessed his own monks, Alexander ery deed has its own time. Here on my head is a Latin signa- Peresvet and Andrew Oslyab to serve in the army. He told ture, from a weapon. There are six more memorials of lead in Ivan the Terrible where to build the fortress of Sviyazhsk and my body. Sitting in the cell at prayer, could I have found such helped in the victory over Kazan. During the Polish incur- inducements for moaning and groaning? I did all this not at sion St Sergius appeared in a dream to the Nizhni Novgorod my own pleasure, but for the blessing of the service of God citizen Cosmas Minin, ordering him to gather funds and sent us.” Touched by the wise answer of the humble monk, equip an army for the liberation of Moscow and the Russian the Patriarch blessed and embraced him. He blessed also the realm. And when in 1612 after a Molieben to the Holy Trin- other soldier-monks and expressed his admiration to all the ity the militia of Minin and Pozharsky moved towards Mos- brethren of the Lavra of St Sergius. cow, a propitious breeze fluttered the Orthodox standards, The deed of the monastery, during this grievous Time “as though from the grave of the Wonderworker Sergius him- of Troubles for all the nation, was recorded by the steward self.” Abraham (Palitsyn) in “An Account of the Events of the To the period of the Time of Troubles and the Polish in- Time of Troubles,” and also by the steward Simon Azar’in in cursion belongs the heroic “Trinity sitting-tight,” when many two hagiographic collections: “The Book of the Miracles of monks with the blessing of the igumen St Dionysius repeated St Sergius,” and the Life of St Dionysius of Radonezh. In the the military holy deed of the Sergiev disciples Peresvyet and year 1650 Simeon Shakhovsky wrote an Akathist to St Sergi- Oslyab. For one and a half years, from September 23, 1608 us, as “valiant voevod (military-leader)” of the Russian land, to January 12, 1610, the Polish laid siege to the monastery in memory of the deliverance of the Trinity monastery from of the Life-Creating Trinity, hoping to plunder and destroy the enemy siege. There is another Akathist to St Sergius com- this sacred bulwark of Orthodoxy. But by the intercession posed in the eighteenth century, and its author is believed to of the Most Holy Theotokos, and through the prayers of St be Metropolitan Platon (Levshin) of Moscow, who reposed Sergius, “with much disgrace” they fled finally from the walls in 1812. of the monastery, pursued by divine wrath, and soon even In later times, the monastery continued to be an inextin- their leader Lisovsky perished in a cruel manner on the very guishable torch of spiritual life and church enlightenment. day of St Sergius’s commemoration, September 25, 1617. In From its brethren many famed hierarchs of the Russian 1618 the son of the Polish king, Vladislav, came right up to Church were chosen for service, one after another. the walls of the Holy Trinity monastery. But being power- In the year 1744, for its service to the country and the less against the grace of the Lord guarding the monastery, he Faith, the monastery was designated as a Lavra. In 1742 a was compelled to conclude a peace treaty with Russia at the religious seminary was established within its enclosure, and monastery village of Deulino. After this a church was built in in the year 1814 the Moscow Spiritual Academy was trans- the name of St Sergius. ferred there. In the year 1619, Patriarch Theophanes of Jerusalem And at present the Domicile of the Life-Creating Trin- visited the Lavra during his journey to Russia. He especially ity serves as one of the primary centers of grace of the Rus- wanted to see those monks who in time of military danger sian Orthodox Church. Here at the promptings of the Holy made bold to put the chain-mail coat on over their monastic Spirit the Local Councils of the Russian Church take place. garb and with weapon in hand to go up onto the walls of the At the monastery is a place of residence of His Holiness the holy monastery, warding off the enemy. St Dionysius the igu- Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus, which carries upon it the men (May 12), in speaking about the defense, presented to special blessing of St Sergius, in the established form, “Archi- the patriarch more than twenty monks. mandrite of the Holy Trinity-St Sergius Lavra.” The first of them was Athanasius (Oscherin), very up in The fifth of July, the day of the Uncovering of the relics of years and with the yellowed greyness of an elder. The patri- holy Abba Sergius, igumen of the Russian Land, is a crowded arch asked him: “Did you go to war and lead soldiers?” The and solemn church feastday at the monastery.