There was a time when in Russia the most expensive dowry for newlyweds was considered not precious utensils, dresses and jewelry, but spiritual books. People knew: if there is faith, there will be the blessing of the Lord over the family, and the rest will be added. The Gospel, "Philokalia" - the teachings of the holy fathers of the Church were passed down from generation to generation. And among the most famous sources of wisdom and goodness, a special place belonged to the Fourth Menaion.
Today, not everyone knows what it is. This is a whole set of lives (bios) of saints, covering the entire annual circle of memorable dates. The Menaion were read at home in the circle of relatives, they were the most favorite reading in families where they knew the letter. Not everyone knows about the one who made the lives of the saints in Russia the basis of home book collections - about the wonderful pastor and outstanding spiritual writer - St. Demetrius of Rostov, whose memory the Church commemorates on November 10.
Not having acquired "estate, except for the books of the saints"
... The sun was sinking to the west, the autumn day of 1709 turned out to be difficult for Metropolitan Demetrius. Three days before that, Vladyka felt weak, but he could not refuse to serve at the throne in the temple on the day of his heavenly patron -
And, although each step was difficult for him, he celebrated the Liturgy, especially solemnly, joyfully, as if he felt that he was offering God a bloodless sacrifice for the last time. Many guests came to congratulate him, and he, as usual, was "not like a reclining, but like an employee." That day, one of the visiting nuns fell ill, and he, forgetting about his illness, hurried to her to support, encourage, and already with difficulty returned to his cell.
It was already late when the Metropolitan unexpectedly called the singers to him and listened for a long time, leaning his sore back against the stove, in order to somehow alleviate his coughing fits, his favorite spiritual hymns and hymns. He blessed everyone, somehow especially warmly, sympathetically. Holding one of them for a short time, he bowed to him from the waist, heartily thanking him for his labors (he helped him a lot to copy his spiritual writings cleanly).
And in the morning the news spread around Rostov - Metropolitan Dimitri had died. As soon as the bells struck for matins, the attendants found him kneeling and, as it were, praying before the images; his soul had already departed to the Lord.
A great multitude of people accompanied Vladyka. The widow of Tsar Ivan Alekseevich, Tsarina Paraskeva, with her daughters, arrived from Moscow, the laity and the clergy streamed in streams to bow for the last time to the one who endowed all of Russia with his knowledge. The poor, the beggars, whom the Metropolitan had been lending for years both in clothing and food, were constantly walking, accepting them as brothers. The seminarians cringed as if orphaned.
For many years, Vladyka of Rostov, at the expense of the bishop's house, maintained a religious school in the city, squandering what he himself could use to support students, especially those from poor families. The first thought, the first feeling for everyone was: "Lost!", and only later, when the sounds of the requiem had ceased, did they understand, realized that "acquired": from earthly labors he is called to new labors as a prayer book for Russia.
He was never seen idle. He managed the affairs of the Church, constantly wrote something: spiritual writings, instructions to the laity and the clergy, took care of the needy and turned schismatics and heretics from error to the truth, aching for them as if they were perishing.
In all this, there was simply no place for "private", "one's own". Over the long years of his hierarchal service, Vladyka did not accumulate earthly wealth - he distributed everything to the last, squandered it for people. His monastic poverty reached the point that in one of his letters he asked for forgiveness from one person for not being able to bring him to him: “No horse, no rider, the sheep are scanty, and there are no horses.”
And in the spiritual will, drawn up shortly before his death, Metropolitan Dimitri spoke about his financial condition even more frankly, so as not to cause embarrassment among those who, in the event of his sudden death, would decide to look for his "estate":
“From the time I took the holy monastic image and took the vows in the Kiev monastery eighteen years old and promised God to keep voluntary poverty ... I did not acquire property and passion for things, only for holy books, I did not collect gold and silver, I did not deign to have extra clothes, nor any other things except the most necessary ... But no one is zealous after my death, looking for any of my cell savings ... I believe that it will be more pleasing to God that not a single penny is left for me than a rich inheritance was handed out."
With such voluntary poverty, Metropolitan Dmitry left a great spiritual legacy for entire generations.
treasure - 12 volumes of the lives of the saints.
42 years have passed since his burial, and on September 21, 1732, his holy relics were found incorruptible, from which healings began to take place. By the Holy Synod, St. Demetrius was numbered among the newly-appeared miracle-workers of Russia.
The following year, Empress Elizabeth arranged a silver reliquary for his relics, and in 1763 Empress Catherine made a journey on foot from Moscow to Rostov to venerate the relics of St.
The Gift of the Disciple
Metropolitan Demetrius prepared for his main work from a young age. Not everyone is given what was the core of his character - the constant need for learning.
He was born in the Kiev region in an humble but pious family of a Cossack centurion. Having learned to read and write, as a young man he firmly decided to enter the theological school at the Church of the Epiphany in Kyiv.
His abilities and desire to learn were such that, with modest means, he became the first student on the course. It was then that a spark of that ardent love for God was planted in the heart, when the soul desires only one thing - to serve Him entirely.
At the age of 21 he took monastic vows, and at the age of 25 he was already ordained a hieromonk, i.e. a monk holding the priesthood. At that time, he did not stop, as before, to read, to delve into all questions related to the history of the Church, especially regarding controversial opinions, so that, as a pastor, he could give the only true answer to unenlightened people. The time was not easy: Orthodoxy in the southern Russian lands had to defend the true confession before the onset of Western preachers.
The young priest was appreciated for his diligence and pastoral responsibility. Less than ten years had passed since his studies, and Kyiv and Chernigov, Slutsk and Vilna were already challenging each other for the right to have a young pastor who turned his unceasing teaching for the benefit of the Church. Early on, he was also entrusted with the position of abbess - the duties of the abbot of the monastery. Someone was surprised, but the bishop, who elevated him to the rank of abbot, foreseeing his even higher calling, said that he wished him "by name - Demetrius - and Mitra", i.e. service in the hierarchical field .
Not honor meant for him the acceptance of hegumen rank. It was a call to even more diligent service. Soon Abbot Demetrius moved to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to continue his studies. From 1684 began for him a twenty-year period of work on compiling a multi-volume edition of Chetiy-Menaeus. This became the main work of his life, which he continued both in the monastic cell, and in the dignity of rector, and later, when the Moscow Patriarch Adrian transferred him to Rostov, at the hierarch's chair. Many years of work, so that even today in Russia people could simply reach out, take the necessary volume from the shelf and read a chapter about one or another of the saints, starting from the first centuries of Christian history.
Make saints close to people
In order to understand what was the main merit of St. Demetrius of Rostov, one must have a little idea of the history of Russian spiritual literature. Before him, the Church usually used the Menaia of the Metropolitan of Moscow Macarius. They were less complete, and most importantly, they were written in Church Slavonic using the old vocabulary.
That is why Metropolitan Peter of Kyiv, blessing Hegumen Demetrius for the work of compiling new Menaia, wanted them to be written in such a way that they could be read not only by the clergy, but also by the laity.
To supplement the already known information about the saints, Demetrius of Rostov used many new sources: Russian prologues and patericons, as well as Greek books ordered from the Holy Mountain (especially Simon Metaphrastus, who worked hard on the lives of the saints in the 10th century).
St. Demetrius tried to paint in the same way as a good icon painter paints an icon: so that the face, the spiritual image of the saint, could be seen. The facts collected by him, little known before, were also interesting, but, thanks to his works, accessible language, they rose from the pages of his work, like living, spirit-filled apostles and great saints of the Church, martyrs who glorified God with the strength of their faith and imitated the life of Christ, reverend, humble righteous and fearless prophets.
"Spiritual Rainbow" rose over a world full of evil. Is it possible to be discouraged when we have such friends and intercessors, was it worth it to be endlessly sad about the losses, when there, with God, many dear ones are waiting for us, knowing about us and prayerfully participating in our lives, sometimes regardless of our appeal to them?!
The feeling of closeness of the saints, which Saint Demetrius himself experienced more than once, he was able to convey to his readers. – During his work, those whom he wrote about appeared to him more than once in a dream, as if assuring him that the Heavenly Church was praying for the successful accomplishment of his work for the benefit of the earthly Church.
Many well-known spiritual mentors say: when you read the life of this or that saint, know that he is next to you. The Menaia of Demetrius of Rostov were read in all corners of Russia. It is known that they were constant reading in the family of the last Russian sovereign - Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov.
What do we choose?
Unfortunately, today one of the prophecies of the Holy Fathers is coming true, saying that there will come a time when what “the ancestors collected bit by bit, the descendants will leave lying on the shelves.” Not many families today have at least 1 - 2 volumes of the collection of Dimitri Rostovsky in their home library. What our predecessors cherished leaves the cultural heritage, the historical memory of the people, along with traditional ideas about humanity, goodness, and truth.
About 20 years have passed since the moment when churches were reopened in Russia, and we have the opportunity to choose what to feed the mind, soul? – What is given directly and apparently easily from the screens, or what requires a certain compulsion of oneself: to find, to acquire something that is not in book sales, but without which Orthodox Christians could not imagine their life before? The first is easier, but how often does this choice leave behind deep “seedlings”? The second is incomparably more difficult, but it is the first step towards spiritual freedom, coupled with responsibility.
Someone is confused by the seriousness of spiritual literature. Of course, there is neither an exciting plot nor the usual humor here, this is a different kind of reading. But, perhaps, for those who face a choice today, a small parting word from St. Demetrius of Rostov will be useful: “... There is no sorrow for the righteous that would not turn into joy, just as there is no joy for sinners that would not turn into sorrow.” Only that which is acquired with effort and consolidated by experience is truly durable and valuable.
Dimitry was born (in the world - Daniil Savvich Tuptalo) in the town of Makarov near Kiev in 1651. He studied at the Kiev-Bratsk Collegium, after which he was tonsured at the St. Cyril Monastery.
Dimitri lived there for about six years, during which time he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon, and then to the rank of hieromonk. After that, he received the appointment of a preacher and left for Chernigov. Dimitry of Rostovsky devoted the next two years to the preaching service, during which time he managed to become famous for his sermons far beyond the borders of Chernigov. After serving in Chernigov for several years, he traveled to Ukrainian monasteries, creating his first notes - "Diary". They set out the main events of those years related to Ukraine.
Dmitry Rostovsky. Portrait
(Image from radiovera.ru)
From 1679 to 1684 the saint lived and served in various monasteries in Nikolaev, Chernigov, Baturin, c. It was in the Lavra that Demetrius was given the obedience to compose the biographies of the saints. He worked on this book for many years. The compilation of the lives of the saints (several collections were obtained, among which the Cheti-Minei remain the most famous) subsequently glorified Father Demetrius as an outstanding and thoughtful church author. However, Dimitri Rostovsky is also known as the author of numerous sermons, articles, plays and poems.
For some time, Dimitri served as rector of the monasteries of Yelets and Novgorod Seversky, and soon after the transition of the Kiev Metropolis to the submission of the Moscow Patriarchate (this happened in 1698), he went to Moscow. In the spring of 1701 he became bishop and metropolitan of Tobolsk and all Siberia. But a year later, by decree of the Tsar, Father Demetrius was transferred to the Rostov Metropolis - the reason for this decision was the developing debilitating disease. As Metropolitan of Rostov, from the very first days of his ministry, Dimitri was known for his tireless concern for educational work among the population and the planting of the main moral principles. He founded a Slavic-Greek school for youth, to the best of his ability eradicated rampant drunkenness and general ignorance, as well as the Old Believers. Saint Demetrius sacrificed his fortune for the poor, the sick, the defenseless, the orphans.
Father Demetrius died in his cell while praying at night, this happened on October 28, 1709. He was buried in the Church of the Conception of the Yakovlevsky Monastery - so he bequeathed himself, immediately upon arrival in the diocese.
Miracles of Healing
42 years after the death of Demetrius of Rostov, a seemingly strong cast-iron floor sank over the grave of the Metropolitan. The floor had to be repaired, and at the same time the workers opened the log cabin of Dimitri's grave. So they were discovered and acquired by the church in untouched vestments and decay. After a thorough examination of the relics and numerous healings at the tomb of Demetrius, the church canonized him as a saint - this happened already in 1757.
Orphans and widows, as well as poor people for help in need, always prayed to Dimitry of Rostov for the intercession. His relics became famous for healing many diseases, especially those of the lungs and heart: the metropolitan himself suffered from "chest disease", which caused his death. The days of the memory of the saint were the day of the death of the metropolitan and the day of finding his relics - September 21.
After the discovery of the incorruptible relics of the saint, their fame spread widely, and pilgrims began to flock to the tomb of the Metropolitan. It soon became clear that healings began to flow from the relics: the sick, the blind, the dumb, the demon-possessed, went to the tomb of the saint. Everyone was healed according to the holy relics of the saint.
Dmitry Rostovsky. Icon
(Image from tobolsk.tumentoday.ru)
Only in 1867 the following cases of healings were officially registered:
In 1753, Maria Varfolomeyeva, a resident of the village of Lazortseva, Rostov district, was healed by prayers at the relics of St. Demetrius from blindness and constant headaches.
The landowner Vyazemskaya of the Yaroslavl district, praying at the tomb of Dimitry of Rostov, received healing from fever and "animal disease" (abdominal disease).
In 1753, the widow Praskovya Artemyeva from the village of Zalessky, Pereslavl district, suffering from a fever, heard a voice ordering her to go and pray at the tomb of St. Demetrius. After praying at the tomb, she was healed of her illness, and in 1754, while in Moscow, she had a dream in which Dimitri Rostovsky, in full dress, was going to extinguish the Moscow fire. In the morning there really was a fire, but only the roofs of the houses burned down, while the houses themselves remained untouched.
Good healings from all kinds of illnesses are performed at the relics of St. Demetrius to this day. Especially often there are healings from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Through the sincere prayer of the sick and their loved ones, the relics of the saint grant healing from illness: we believe that the incorruptible body of the saint is with us, and the soul is at the throne of the Lord, where the saint can pray for us and ask for God's intercession for the sick and the needy.
Since 1991, the relics of St. Demetrius of Rostov have been transferred to the Yakovlevsky Church on the territory of the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery. Anyone can go to bow to the relics of the saint at the address: Yaroslavl region, Rostov the Great, Engels street 44. If you walk from the Kremlin towards Lake Nero, the path to the monastery will take about 15 minutes.
The saints of God came to the salvation of their souls in different ways. Someone accepted the crown of martyrdom, someone headed the monasteries. And there are people who left a significant mark in the Tradition of the Church with their creations. One of these is St. Dmitry, Metropolitan of Rostov.
Childhood, education and first steps to God
The future archpastor was born in 1651 near Kiev in a Cossack family. Both the father and mother of the child led a pious and God-fearing life, so little Daniel (as the saint was called in the world) grew up in an atmosphere of love and faith in God. It is noteworthy that in his diary entries, the son describes with great reverence the quiet and calm death of his mother. According to this record, it is clear that the son loved his mother very much and considered her life an example of faith.
Saint Dmitry of Rostov
Daniil received his first education at home, his parents taught him to read. When he grew up and it was time to study further, he entered the school, where he quickly became one of the best students. He was especially good at rhetoric and public speaking. The skills acquired during his studies helped the future great preacher to develop a unique style of speech, which betrayed his words and sermons with special persuasiveness, ardor and sincerity.
A distinctive feature of the young man already in the years of his apprenticeship was a deep spiritual contemplative life. He was a stranger to the amusements familiar to young people, in his free time he prayed, read the Bible, the holy fathers. He loved the temple of God very much, he tried not to miss divine services.
Unfortunately, the political situation in the country did not allow the gifted young man to complete his studies. Ukraine at that time constantly passed under the authority of different states, and military conflicts were constant. The school where the future ascetic studied was destroyed, and the students had to interrupt their studies. But even those three years spent in the school were enough for the young ascetic to learn a lot and finally establish himself in his choice to embark on the path of monasticism.
tonsure and abbess
As a very young man, Daniel decides to enter a monastery. The parents did not put obstacles in this choice of their son and gave their blessing, because they saw that this was the path prepared by the Lord for their child. And the young man Daniel leaves home for the St. Cyril Monastery. The rector of the monastery is the former rector of the school where Daniel studied, so the young man is warmly welcomed in the monastery.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov
And in 1668, the most long-awaited event in Daniel's life comes - tonsure. The father hegumen himself performed it, and he named the new monk Demetrius. The newly-made monk immediately began to zealously fulfill the monastic rule, choosing as an example for himself the saints Anthony and Theodosius, as well as the rest of the ascetics of the Caves.
Important! Even as a monk, Father Demetrius did not leave education and scientific research in his cell.
7 years after the first tonsure, Father Dmitry met with the then Metropolitan of Chernigov. Seeing that before him was a talented and zealous servant of the Lord, the bishop invited the monk to preach in the Chernihiv diocese. There he quickly earned the love of ordinary people and church ministers. Many monasteries and large parishes began to invite Father Dmitry to listen to his instructive sermons. The power of his word was such that many people believed in the Lord.
Having traveled to a large number of monasteries and got acquainted with many church hierarchs, Father Dimitry receives an invitation from the brethren of the Kirillov Monastery to become their abbot. The archbishop approves the inspired monk without hesitation, and Father Demetrius becomes rector.
Subsequently, by the Providence of God, he will lead more than one monastery, and in every place St. Dmitry will be an example for all the brethren. A strict ascetic life, asceticism, and at the same time a lively participation in the life of every person made him a favorite abbot in every monastery.
About Orthodox monasteries:
- Zadonsky Tikhonovsky Transfiguration Monastery in the Lipetsk region
Cheti-Minei - the main work of St. Demetrius
Archimandrite Varlaam of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra for a long time was looking for a monk who could do a great and difficult job - to put together all the known lives of the saints. During the Polish raids and military conflicts, many liturgical and church books were lost, including the lives available at that time. The choice of the archpastor to carry out this, without exaggeration, historical task fell on Father Demetrius, who at that time had resigned from his duties as hegumen and lived as a simple monk in one of the monasteries.
Dimitri Rostovsky
Interesting! Out of his great humility, the ascetic at first refused such responsible obedience for a long time, but later agreed, realizing the necessity of such work for the Church of Christ.
For more than two years, the saint of God worked in the Lavra, compiling the biographies of the saints. But the brethren of the Baturinsky Monastery again turned to him, persuading him to take control. The monk refused for a long time, citing his obedience, but eventually gave in. So he again became abbot, but did not leave his work. Already in his new position, Dimitri finished and handed over to Archimandrite Varlaam his work, compiled for the months from September to November. The archimandrite highly appreciated the work of the abbot, and the first quarter of the Chetya Menaion was immediately put into print.
The first published book was highly approved by the church leadership, and Father Demetrius was awarded a commendable patriarchal diploma for his work. After that, he decides to fully devote his time to writing the second book, and again relieves himself of the duties of abbot.
However, no matter how the monk aspired to a reclusive life, too many hearts needed his pastoral experience and the Christian word. And the future saint becomes hegumen of the Peter and Paul Monastery. There, skillfully managing the monastery, he writes the second part of the collection of the lives of the saints. This is followed by several more new appointments to other monasteries, and everywhere the ascetic does not leave his labors. The ascetic finishes the third part of his work with an increase in the hierarchy in the rank of Archimandrite of Chernigov.
Consecration to the rank of Metropolitan of Rostov
During the works on the Cheti-Minei, Emperor Peter the Great himself was worried about the search for a primate to lead large territories of Siberia. At the direction of the Kiev Metropolitan, the choice fell on Dmitry. However, he was so burdened by the prospect of moving to such remote villages, where he would not have access to the data he needed on the lives of the saints, that the ascetic fell ill. Upon learning of this, Emperor Peter allowed to wait for the appointment to a not so distant land. And after a short time, the ascetic was ordained Metropolitan of Rostov.
Consecration to the Metropolitans
Taking upon himself the task of leading the new metropolis, the ascetic discovered many problems and discords. Being a zealous servant of the Lord and his Church, he immediately set about eradicating all the evil customs that had taken root in every parish. The primate was especially saddened by the attitude of the local clergy towards divine services and church shrines.
Important! In order to guide negligent pastors on the true path, the new metropolitan issued two epistles to the local clergy.
The first epistle was in the spirit of paternal love and care, in which Saint Demetrius tearfully asked the shepherds to remember their status and their holy duties towards the flock. The second epistle was written on the basis of the hierarchical authority, which the metropolitan commanded to give due respect and reverence to all church shrines, especially the Body and Blood of Christ.
Whatever power the metropolitan was endowed with, he perfectly understood that the only way to eradicate the spiritual vices of the local negligent clergy was by a worthy example, exhortation and enlightenment. Therefore, at his home, he organized a parish school, where there were three classes with individual teachers.
The Law of God was studied at the school, the Gospel was studied, and prayers were read regularly. Metropolitan Demetrius personally monitored the level of training of students, and upon graduation from the college assigned them to serve at churches, showing sincere concern for each of them.
Surprisingly, even with such a rich service, the ascetic had enough time and strength to continue working on the collection of the lives of the saints. So, already in the rank of Metropolitan of Rostov, he finishes and submits to print the last fourth book of the Chet'i-Minei.
Important! Thus, without interrupting his devotional service, Metropolitan Dimitry of Rostov is completing the most complete collection of the lives of the saints, the most complete collection of the lives of the saints, the Cheti-Minei, historical for the Church. This work took him more than 20 years of his ascetic life.
The fight against schismatics
Having completed one great and soul-saving work for the entire Christian people, the Providence of God placed new concerns on the Metropolitan. The future saint had to save the flock entrusted to him from the misfortune of schismatics.
Dimitri Rostovsky
Entire schismatic clans and sects were hiding in the Bryn forests adjacent to his metropolis, who sent their preachers everywhere in order to spread their false teachings. Many people, especially simple people and not learned in the subtleties of theology, fell into their nets and began to waver in the true faith.
One conversation that took place between the Lord and ordinary people is described. Once, after the service, two people approached him and asked if they could shave their beards, as the then decree commanded. There was an opinion among the people that along with a beard, the image of God is also taken away from a person. For a long time the metropolitan explained to them that the image of God cannot be in a beard, that it is in the human soul.
Of course, with such a level of knowledge about Christ, the people easily fell into schismatic heresy. Then the metropolitan writes several essays on faith, in which he firmly and confidently explains what the false teaching of the schismatics is and why it leads away from God.
In addition, Vladyka regularly travels around the diocese entrusted to him and everywhere personally denounces schismatics and calls on Orthodox Christians to avoid this teaching in every possible way. Being a zealous preacher and a true Christian, he cannot watch without pain how ordinary people are misled from the true path by cunning false preachers.
What should beware of the Orthodox Christian:
Other works of the holy ascetic and his spiritual gifts
Having experience in writing a large church work, Metropolitan Demetrius decided to write another book that tells about the events of the Bible. The fact is that at that time the Bible in the Slavic language was very rare, and was very expensive. Therefore, the majority of the ordinary population could not afford such a luxury and were deprived of the blessed reading of the Holy Scriptures. Moreover, even many of the priesthood were poorly versed in biblical events and confused the chronology.
Icon of Demetrius
Saint Demetrius begins a new work. In it, he uses the main biblical events and plots, and ascribes teachings and interpretations to them. By reading this work, even a person who was completely unfamiliar with the Bible could form a clear idea of the Holy Scripture. Unfortunately, the saint was never able to complete this great work because of his very poor health.
In addition to writing books, all his life the ascetic was engaged in preaching the faith of Christ. Possessing a unique gift of speech, he knew how to build his speech in such a way that no one who heard them remained indifferent. Since most often his listeners turned out to be ordinary people, he built his sermons simply, like a conversation between a father and his beloved children. And no matter what labors and worries fell to the lot of the ascetic, he never left the feat of preaching until the very last days of his life.
One of his ascetic exploits was prayer, which he never abandoned. Trying to visit the church every day, he served the liturgy every Sunday and church holiday. He taught everyone who was in his immediate circle to pray constantly and zealously, remembering the Lord every minute.
Interesting! The post of the ascetic was also very strict. So, on Holy Week, he ate only once - on Maundy Thursday.
Of course, such a deep spiritual life affected his earthly life, his communication with people. With everyone whom Dmitry Rostovsky met, he was attentive and courteous. All his life he helped the poor and the suffering - some with a word of consolation, and some with money. Saint Demetrius was distinguished by extreme non-acquisitiveness, he was always content with only the necessary minimum of goods for himself, and distributed the rest to those in need.
The result of such an attentive attitude to one's own soul was the acquisition of the greatest humility. The ascetic always remembered the words of the Lord that whoever wants to be the first in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the last in earthly life. In the life of Metropolitan Demetrius, this commandment was embodied in deep reverence for any superiors, in mercy for subordinates, in compassion for the mourners.
Bright death and memory of the saint
Even at the very beginning of his ministry as metropolitan, Saint Demetrius commanded that he should be buried in the Spaso-Yakovlevsky monastery. With a close friend, Metropolitan Stefan, the ascetic had an agreement that if he went to the Lord first, then Stefan would come to bury him. The saint died only at the age of 59, before reaching a ripe old age. But during his life he managed to put in so much work for the benefit of the Church that it becomes amazing how he could do it all.
A few days before his death, the saint still served the Liturgy, but he could no longer deliver the sermon, and the text was read for him by the reader according to the Metropolitan's note. After the service, he had several more meetings with the clergy. He even managed to personally visit one of the nuns he had tonsured, who very stubbornly asked for it.
Returning to his cell with great difficulty, Father Demetrius left with him the servants of his temple, who sang spiritual songs to him.
Interesting! During his life, along with many labors and deeds, Saint Demetrius wrote the texts of some spiritual songs, which were sung to him during the last hours of his earthly life.
At the end of the hymns, everyone began to disperse, and the metropolitan detained one of the readers, who helped to copy the works of Vladyka. Sincerely thanking the reader for the work done, the Metropolitan bowed directly at his feet, once again showing everyone an example of amazing humility. The reader was surprised and discouraged by such a farewell, and left the Lord in tears.
Left alone, the metropolitan set about his most beloved occupation - prayer. In the morning, the brethren found the beloved Metropolitan dead peacefully on his knees, in the same position in which he always prayed.
The news of the death of the beloved archpastor quickly spread throughout Rostov and beyond. People began to flock from everywhere to say goodbye to the deceased. Metropolitan Stefan also arrived, who was supposed to bury his friend according to a long-standing agreement. All those who arrived deeply mourned the invaluable loss of such a revered pastor, who by his word set many on the path of the faith of Christ.
After all the necessary preparations and lengthy funeral services, the body of the saint was interred in the place where he himself had bequeathed. A huge number of people attended the funeral, many cried. Saint Demetrius was indeed to many a loving father and an example of a true servant of God.
For more than 40 years the body of the saint was buried. Later, when repair work was being carried out and the floor was being changed in the cathedral of the monastery, a large wooden frame was found under the rotten boards. When they took out all the broken boards and earth from there, they saw the tomb of the saint. Its top was damaged by fallen logs, but the body of the saint was not subjected to decay. Even the funeral robes of the ascetic remained imperishable.
Very quickly, the news of the discovery of the holy relics spread throughout the district, and people again flocked to the monastery, seeking healing and consolation from the saint. And miracles were not long in coming: by applying to the holy relics, many received recovery from a wide variety of ailments. Those possessed by demons were also brought to the relics, and the demons immediately left the body of the sufferer.
Having officially examined the relics and studied all the facts of miracles, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to canonize Metropolitan Dimitry as a saint, which was done in 1757. After the glorification, a service was compiled for him, and his follower and new Metropolitan of Rostov, Arseniy, compiled the life of the new saint.
And to this day, the help of St. Dmitry of Rostov has not weakened to anyone who comes to him with sincere faith or turns in prayer. And the main written work of the saint, Chet'i-Minei, entered the history of the Church forever as the most complete work, where the lives of the saints are collected.
Video about the life of St. Dmitry of Rostov
He became famous mainly for the fact that he compiled the widely known Cheti-Minei. This priest lived during the reforms of Peter the Great and generally supported them. However, at the same time, the saint resisted in every possible way the interference of the state in the affairs of the Church, and at the end of his life he became close to the supporters of Tsarevich Alexei.
Childhood
The Orthodox Saint Dmitry of Rostov was born in the winter of 1651 in the village of Makarovo, not far from Kyiv. They named him Daniel. His family was very pious, the boy grew up a deeply believing Christian. In 1662, his parents moved to Kyiv, and he entered the Kiev-Mohyla Collegium to study. Here he successfully studied Latin and Greek, as well as a number of classical sciences. In 1668, the quiet, weak health Daniel took monastic vows in the St. Cyril Monastery and received the name Dmitry. He passed monastic obedience until 1675.
Preacher of the Word of God
In 1669, Dmitry Rostovsky, whose biography is full of a variety of events, was consecrated a hierodeacon. In 1975, Bishop Lazar Baranovich summoned him to Chernigov and, consecrating him as a hieromonk, appointed him a preacher at the Assumption Cathedral. From here, Father Dmitry traveled to Slutsk and Vilna, where he worked hard for the glory of God. Soon, the glory of a very talented preacher was entrenched in him, he was often invited to his secular and spiritual authorities. After the death of his friend, the founder of the Slutsk monastery, monk Skachkevich, he returned to his homeland - to Little Russia in Baturino.
Abbess and the beginning of the work of a lifetime
In Little Russia, Saint Dmitry of Rostov settled in a monastery in Baturino. However, the Bishop of Chernigov soon drew attention to him. In 1681, the 30-year-old preacher became abbot of the Maksanovsky monastery, and after a while - Baturinsky. In this position, Father Dmitry did not stay long. In 1683 he moved to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Here, in 1684, the saint began the main work of his life - the compilation of the Fourth Menaia. After some time, he was appointed rector of the Baturinsky Monastery for the second time. But in 1692 he again moved to Kyiv. Then he was successively appointed abbot of the Glukhovsky, Kirillovsky and Yelets (Chernigov) monasteries. In 1700, he was summoned to Moscow, where he first met Peter the Great, and was appointed Metropolitan of Rostov. The dedication took place on March 23, 1701.
Metropolitan of Rostov
In 1703, Dmitry Rostovsky, whose biography was closely connected with this particular parish until his death, arrived at a new place of service. Here he encountered many difficulties, the main of which was the interference of secular authorities in the affairs of the parish. Shortly before the appointment of Father Dmitry, the Monastic order was recreated in the city, managing church property, supervising the monks and almshouses. Very unpleasantly, the saint in Rostov was also struck by the rudeness and ignorance of not only the common people, but also the servants of the Church. The priests did not revere the saints at all, treated the poor with contempt, divulged the secret of confession, etc. Seeing such a mess, Father Dmitry zealously set about correcting the situation. He gave instructions, explained what the duty of a priest means, and delivered sermons to the people.
One of his main concerns was the school for the children of the ministers of the Church and the poor. Education here was completely free. In the school opened by Metropolitan Dmitry, as in Kyiv, Greek and Latin were taught, theatrical performances were shown. The first graduates left its walls in 1706. Unfortunately, the school was closed that same spring.
On October 28, 1709, Father Dmitry Rostovsky died. They buried him in the cathedral church of Rostov, next to his predecessor, St. Joasaph. According to the will of the metropolitan, drafts of his unfinished books were placed in the coffin. Tsarina Paraskeva Feodorovna herself, the widowed wife of Tsar Ivan, brother of Peter the Great, arrived at the funeral of the saint.
relics of a saint
In 1752, it was decided to make repairs in the cathedral church. During its execution on September 21, while repairing the floor, Father Dmitry was found. It was a real miracle. The walls in the burial were damp. The oak coffin of the saint and the manuscripts inside were completely decayed. The body of the saint himself, as well as his rosary, miter and sakkos, turned out to be incorruptible.
After some time, miraculous healings from many diseases began to occur at the relics of the saint, which was reported to the Synod. By order of the latter, Archimandrite Simonovsky Gabriel and Metropolitan Sylvester of Suzdal arrived in Rostov. They witnessed the relics and the healings they performed. On April 29, 1757, Metropolitan Dmitry of Rostov was ranked among
On May 25, 1763, the relics of the saint were transferred to a silver reliquary, where they remain to this day. The reliquary was made by order of Empress Catherine the Second, who personally carried it to the installation site, along with the holy fathers.
"Lives of the Saints" by Dmitry Rostovsky
The saint wrote this book for 20 years. The result was a work in 12 volumes. It describes the life, miracles and deeds of many great holy Christians. "Cheti-Minei" of St. Dmitry became an edification for all Orthodox who wish to follow the path of piety.
The narratives in this book are presented in the order of months and days in them. Hence their name "menaion" (Greek month). “Cheti” in Church Slavonic means “to read”, “intended for reading”. Compiled "Lives of the Saints" by Father Dmitry were partly based on the work of Macarius. At the moment, several Menaia are recognized in the Orthodox Church (hieromonk German Tulumov, Chudovsky, Ionna Milyutina, etc.). However, the "Lives of the Saints" by Dmitry Rostovsky are the most revered and widespread. This book is written in a very competent Church Slavonic language.
Other books of the saint
Another well-known work of the Metropolitan of Rostov is the “Search for the Bryn Faith”. This book was directed against the Old Believers. This work, unlike the Menaia, was not very successful. Of course, he did not convince the Old Believers, but he caused a surge of hatred on their part.
Among other things, Saint Dmitry of Rostov actively collected historical information about his diocese and the country as a whole. For example, he worked on compiling the chronology of the Slavic people. He also wrote such books as "Irrigated Fleece", "Discourse on the Image of God and Likeness in Man", "Diarias", "Short Martyrology", "Catalogue of Russian Metropolitans". Belong to his pen and all sorts of prayers and instructions.
Church of St. Dmitry Rostovsky in Ochakovo
Many saints are venerated in Russia. Dmitry Rostovsky, of course, is one of them. Many temples are dedicated to him. For example, there is such a building in Ochakovo. In 1717 a wooden church was built here and consecrated in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. In 1757 the village passed to another owner. He erected next to the wooden one a new stone church in the name of Metropolitan Dmitry. This church has come down to us almost unchanged. It was built in the beautiful Russian Baroque style. With the help of the refectory, a high bell tower is connected to the temple.
The history of the church of St. Dmitry is very rich. In 1812 there was a fire in Ochakovo. At the same time, the old wooden church of the Most Holy Theotokos burned down in a fire. Ekaterina Naryshkina, who bought the village in the same year, according to tradition, decided to open a new temple in return for which she rebuilt one of her estates. The church was consecrated in honor of and presumably attributed to the church of St. Dmitry.
In 1926, this religious building was closed by decision of the authorities. It is known that in 1933 the temple of Dmitry of Rostov was adapted for a grain warehouse and had a completely deplorable appearance. The cross was demolished from it, and on one of the pediments a five-pointed star was painted, which was subsequently very difficult to erase.
In 1972, the church decided to restore. The work lasted for about 6 years. In 1992, the temple of Dmitry Rostov was again returned to believers. Those Orthodox who want to visit this ancient church should go to 17 Street in Moscow.
Temple of Dmitry Rostov in the village. Right Khava
This church, also consecrated in honor of Dmitry Rostovsky, was built in 1824 in the classicist style. Its dome is crowned with a cylindrical cupola. The bell tower built next to it is crowned with a beautiful figured spire.
In 1882, a school was opened in this church by the educator Lyutitsky. It is officially believed that from 1930 to 1990 this temple was also used as a grain warehouse. However, there is evidence that grain was never stored in this historic building. Believers remember that in 1954-1962 the church even functioned with short interruptions (because there were not enough priests).
In 1990, the church of Dmitry Rostovsky in Right Khava was transferred to the diocese, after which it was restored by the parishioners themselves. Inside the temple, the remains of wall painting, as well as the frame of the iconostasis, were miraculously preserved. Since September 2010, V.V. has served as a priest here. Kolyadin. At the moment, this ancient church, among other things, is an object of cultural and historical heritage of the Voronezh region.
Prayer to Dmitry Rostov
Dmitry Rostovsky, whose life was righteous, and after death continues to protect believers from all sorts of misfortunes. You can be healed of a disease, for example, not only by bowing to the relics of this saint. The prayer dedicated to him is also considered miraculous. Its original text can be found in church literature. It sounds something like this:
Holy Great Martyr of Christ Dmitry. Presenting yourself before the King of Heaven, ask him for forgiveness for our sins and for our deliverance from the all-destructive ulcer, fire and eternal punishment. Ask for his mercy on our church and parish, and also on strengthening us for good deeds pleasing to Jesus Christ. We will be strong with your prayers and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, where we will glorify it with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Who can heal from illnesses, has come a long pious path and can serve as an example for all Orthodox Christians. Today it is one of the most revered saints. Most often, they turn to him for pulmonary diseases. It is also believed that prayer to this saint can help get rid of all sorts of eye problems.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov (name in Baptism - Daniel) is glorified by the Church as an outstanding preacher, Christian writer, eradicator of schisms, missionary, educator.
He was born in the town of Makaryevo (located near the city of Kyiv), in the family of the military centurion Tuptala Savva Grigorievich, in December 1651.
Daniel's parents were distinguished by firmness of faith and piety. From an early age, they instilled in their son respect for God's law, devotion to the Church and Fatherland.
In view of the frequent absences of his father, associated with the performance of military duty, the main role in the upbringing of Daniel was played by his mother. Subsequently, he repeatedly remembered her as a virtuous daughter of the Church.
Wanting to give their son a decent education, his parents assigned him to the Kiev Fraternal School (founded through the efforts of Metropolitan Peter Mohyla, this school was famous throughout the district; subsequently, the Theological Academy was formed on its basis).
In the process of training, Daniel showed extraordinary abilities. Thanks to his innate abilities, diligence, determination, he more than once became the object of admiration from teachers and administration. In the process of completing the educational course, he mastered several languages (Greek, Latin, Polish, Jewish), learned the rules of rhetoric and poetics, and imbued with the teachings of the God-bearing fathers.
Along with the theoretical disciplines, Daniel sought to absorb and assimilate the practical skills of living in Christ. He preferred a quiet and silent stay in the temple, reading edifying literature, and mental prayer to noisy companies and pleasure walks in the circle of peers.
When in 1665 the Polish conquerors, having captured Kiev, set fire to the Fraternal monastery and school, Daniil was forced to return to his parents' house. When he returned, he did not abandon his studies, but with even greater spiritual impulse he indulged in self-education.
During this period, he regularly participated in church services, studied the Books of Scripture, heeded the instructions of the pastors. Gradually, with the help of God, he disposed his heart to monasticism.
monastic life
In the eighteenth year of his life, having finally established his determination to devote himself to God, Daniel asked for a parental blessing and went to the Kiev Cyril Convent. Having entered the monastery and having passed the test of obedience, in 1668 he was tonsured and received a new name: Demetrius.
Fiery zeal, combined with humility and appropriate modesty, did not go unnoticed: the following year, Demetrius was elevated to the rank of hierodeacon.
priestly ministry
Assimilated to angelic ministry both as a monk and as a deacon, Demetrius acquired even greater love among the brethren.
In 1675, Archbishop Lazar (Baranovich) elevated him to the rank of hieromonk. Understanding the personal merits and spiritual gifts of Father Demetrius, the archbishop called him to him and assigned him to preach at his cathedra.
The fiery sermons of the young priest, the clarity and accessibility of exhortations revealed in him a very zealous and educated pastor, sensitive, close to people. Soon they started talking about him both in Ukraine and Lithuania.
Instructing his neighbors in matters of moral perfection, Father Demetrius was no less attentive to himself.
In 1667, he was honored with an unusual dream, through which God reminded him of the need for a stricter fulfillment of monastic and priestly duty. He remembered this dream for the rest of his life.
When Father Demetrius, wishing to bow to the miraculous image of the Mother of God, visited, with the blessing of the authorities, the Novodvorskaya monastery (located within the Lithuanian borders), the Belarusian Bishop Theodosius suggested that he go to Slutsk and asked him to preach at the Fraternal Transfiguration Monastery.
Father Demetrius agreed. He spent more than a year in the Brotherhood Monastery. After the death of Bishop Theodosius, he was forced to return to Ukraine.
With the intervention of Hetman Samoylovich, he settled in the Krutitsy Nikolaev monastery. Some neighboring monasteries offered him the position of abbot, but he kept away from this post in every possible way: firstly, out of humility, and secondly, he was kept by the hetman.
Abbot ministry
In 1681, Hieromonk Demetrius went with a message from the hetman to Archbishop Lazar Baranovich. The latter, having met the messenger, gave him a warm welcome. Taking into account the personal petition of the hetman and taking into account the desire of the brethren of the Maksakov monastery (Chernigov province), the archbishop elevated hieromonk Dimiriy to the rank of abbot of this monastery.
The following year, at the insistence of the hetman, with the blessing of Bishop Lazar, Father Dimitry left the Maksakov Monastery and headed the Baturin Krutitsy Monastery. He ruled this monastery for one year and eight months, but then, seeking prayer solitude, he refused leadership and retired.
Some time later, Archimandrite Varlaam, rector of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery, invited Father Demetrius to the Lavra, so that he would carry out the important work he had long conceived: he compiled the Lives of the Saints.
In 1684, Father Demetrius, having accepted the invitation, took up this work.
In 1685, he was honored with two Revelations, within the framework of which it was indicated to him that the saints favored his work. This strengthened and inspired him to continue his work.
In 1686, with the blessing of Metropolitan Gideon, Father Demetrius headed the Baturinsky Nikolaevsky Monastery. Managing the affairs of the monastery, he continued to write Lives. Soon the first part of the work was published.
After some time, in order not to be distracted from writing, he moved from the rector's quarters to a modest cell, and then, refusing to lead the brethren, he moved to Kyiv.
Here he was found by Archbishop Theodosius of Chernigov and, due to personal considerations, elevated him to the rank of archimandrite, put him in charge of the Peter and Paul Monastery (located near the city of Glukhov).
Soon, by order of Metropolitan Varlaam, Father Demetrius was transferred to the Kiev Trinity-Kirillov monastery, but he did not stay here for long either.
After five months, he was consecrated to the archimandrite and appointed rector of the Yelets Chernigov Monastery. In addition, the Glukhovsky Monastery came under his leadership.
More than two years later, a new appointment followed: to Novgorod, to the Seversk monastery of the All-Merciful Savior.
clergy ministry
In 1700, Tsar Peter I turned to the Kiev Metropolitan with a wish to find a man of righteous life for the Siberian cathedra, capable of becoming an educator of the pagans. After the choice fell on Archimandrite Demetrius, he was summoned to Moscow, where he met with the sovereign.
In 1701, a month and a half after his arrival, Saint Demetrius was consecrated Metropolitan of Tobolsk and Irkutsk.
The saint could not immediately go to his pulpit. As a result of endless wanderings, his health was undermined. In addition, realizing that in distant Siberia he would hardly be able to complete the compilation of the Lives, he fell into deep sorrow, and then fell ill. Upon learning of what had happened, the autocrat honored Saint Demetrius with a visit and ordered not to leave Moscow, but to wait for a place in one of the closer dioceses.
Stay in Moscow lasted about a year. During this time, the saint gained the respect of a number of influential people, got acquainted with the essence of state reforms.
By this time, Metropolitan Joasaph of Rostov had reposed, and Vladyka Dimitry was appointed to the orphaned cathedra. The Siberian department was headed by Vladyka Philotheus Leshchinsky.
In March 1702 Saint Demetrius arrived in Rostov and settled down in the Yakovlev monastery. In the monastery church, he designated a place for his future burial.
Getting acquainted with the state of affairs, he soon discovered that among the local clergy there were many irresponsible, ignorant clergymen. The saint devoted much time and effort to normalizing this situation.
In order to improve the training of future priests, he organized a school at his own expense. This school was located at his chambers. It included three educational classes. Vladyka vigilantly followed how the educational process was carried out. At the same time, he monitored the moral education of his disciples: he demanded that they regularly attend church services, he himself performed solemn services, and he himself instructed them by word and example.
Along with this, Saint Demetrius worked to overcome schisms, fought obscurantism and popular superstitions.
Despite being busy managing the department, during this period he finished writing the Lives of the Saints.
In 1705, Dimitry of Rostov departed on a call to Moscow. During this period, the main type of his activity was enlightenment, preaching, and the fight against sectarian movements.
In 1707 he returned to the diocese. By this time, his health had deteriorated significantly, but he did not step aside from pastoral duties and continued to engage in the field of literary creativity.
Three days before his repose, Demetrius of Rostov served a service dedicated to the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, but he no longer had the strength to preach. The following time he was in a state of severe physical exhaustion.
Before his death, singers visited him and performed the spiritual chants composed by him. Then he let them go and closed. The next morning, October 28, 1709, he was found kneeling in a prayer position, but already lifeless.
Troparion to Saint Demetrius of Rostov, tone 8
Orthodoxy to the zealot and schism to the eradicator, / Russian healer and prayerful new to God, / with your writings buih chaste wise, / spiritual barn, Blessed Demetrius, / pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion to St. Demetrius of Rostov, Tone 4
The Russian Star, which shone from Kyiv, / and reached Rostov through Novgrad Seversky, / illumined this whole country with teachings and miracles, / let us appease the golden-spoken teacher Demetrius: / he wrote everything to everyone, even for instruction, / yes, he will gain everyone, like Paul , to Christ // and will save our souls with orthodoxy.
Troparion to the Saints of Rostov, tone 4
Hierarchs of Wisdom, / your flock a teacher of divine enlightenment, / having multiplied the faith of the gospel in people, / imitating the love of Heaven on earth, / the people of the country of Rostov and Yaroslavl who shared salvation, / truly God’s service / and the companions of the apostles worthy appeared to you, / Leonty Hieromartyr, Isaiah , Ignatius, James, Theodore / and the golden-speaking Russian Dimitri, / pray to Christ God / for the bishops, on the throne of your successor, / for people who piously revere you, / for our Orthodox country // and for the whole Church of Christ.
Kontakion to the Saints of Rostov, Tone 4
Keepers of the New Testament of God with people, / performer of the gospel commandments, / in good deeds perfection, / hierarch of wisdom, reverend and righteous God-bearing, / the land of Rostov and Yaroslavl / fragrant with prayers, / naming everything and unnaming, / manifestation and concealment, / forthcoming Life-Giving Trinity, / do not depart from us in spirit / and bow down Divine mercy to us, / yes, with boldness, we bring all glory to God in the Highest, / may peace be indestructible on earth, / love and goodwill // among all people.
