Russia, Moscow, 1100, 12th-15th Century Folder, Mongol Yoke.kmz

Russia, Moscow, 1100, 12th-15th Century Folder, Mongol Yoke

Russia, Moscow, 1100-1199, 12th Century, Moscow Founded

Russia, Moscow, 1149-1151, Prince, Yuri Dolgorukiy, Murom, Founder of Moscow, Andrei's Father
Moscow Prince, 1149-1151, Yuri Vladimirovich, Murom, Founder of Moscow; St Peter, Tonsured David, the Wonderworker of Murom, Commemorated on June 25 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1200-1299, 13th Century, First Prince, Daniel of Moscow, First Monastery, Danilov

Russia, Moscow, 1223-1240, Mongol invasion of Rus, 1227
Moscow, 1223-1240, Mongol invasion of Rus; Icon of the Mother of God œKursk-RootÂ, Commemorated on November 27; Icon of the Mother of God œElets-ChernigovÂ, Commemorated on February 5 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1223, Battle of Kalka River, at Mariupol, Mongol Victory
Battle of Kalka River at Mariupol; Mongol Tartar Invasion 1223-1241; Venerable Pambo the Recluse of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on July 18; Venerable Abramius the Archimandrite and Wonderworker of Smolensk, Commemorated August 21 ; Icon of the Mother of God "œof the Sign"Â, the "œKursk-Root"Â, Commemorated on September 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1227-1255, Tatar (Mongol) Horde of Batu Khan, Conquest of Russia
Tatar (Mongol) Horde of Batu (Batu Khan 1227-1255) Battle of Sita River ; Right-believing George the Great Prince of Vladimir, Commemorated on February 4; Icon of the Mother of God of St Theodore, Commemorated on March 14; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23;

Russia, Rostov, 1230 & 1501, Yaroslavl, Rostov, both ruled like Christians 1230, under & to Horde, both incorrupt relics 1501
Russia, Rostov, 1230 and 1501, Yaroslavl, Rostov (Kotorosl River Mouth at Volga River 8), both ruled like a Christian in 1230, under and to the Horde, both incorrupt relics in 1501; Yaroslav; Finding of the relics of St Basil the Prince of Yaroslavl, Commemorated on June 8; holy Princes Basil and Constantine Vsevolodovich of Yaroslavl. their youth they lost their father, Vsevolod, who fell in battle with the Tatars (Mongols). Basil, the elder brother, succeeded to the throne. As prince, he had to face a multitude of concerns, tasks and sorrows. city and the villages were devastated from the invasion of the Tatars, many households remained without shelter and food, and he had to concern himself about everything and about everyone. this, it was necessary to gain the good will of the Tatar Khan, and the holy prince more than once journeyed for this reason to the Horde. suffered also a family misfortune, the loss of his only son. his tribulations the holy prince suffered without complaint, and he ruled the princedom, like a true Christian. did not enter into disputes with other princes, he concerned himself with the unfortunate among his subjects, and he built churches. But soon his life, filled with many sorrows, exhausted the strength of the prince, and he took sick and died in the year 1249. him holy Prince Constantine succeeded to the throne. He strove to imitate his but to his great dismay, everywhere he saw pillage and murdering done by the Tatars. 1257 the Tatars fell upon Yaroslavl itself. The prince came out to fight the enemy, but here in this battle he gave up his life for his country. the year 1501 the incorrupt relics of the holy princes were uncovered and now rest in the Yaroslav cathedral.

Russia, Moscow, 1237, First Battle with the Tartars at Kolomna (1237)
In 1237 the Tatar whirlwind broke upon Rus. In December Ryazan fell under Batu. Prince Yuri had decided not to send his forces over to provide assistance, since he was faced with the difficult defense of Vladimir. The Tatars offered him peace, and he was prepared to negotiate. But the conditions of the peace, tribute and vassal servitude under the Khan, were unacceptable. "glorious fight,"Â said the prince, "œis better than a shameful peace."Â The first battle with the Tatars was at Kolomna, and Vsevolod Yurievich commanded the troops, but they were cut to pieces. The enemy turned then towards Moscow, which they captured and burned. Yuri''™s other son, Vladimir, was captured while leading the defense of Moscow. Right-believing Prince Basil (Vasilko) of Rostov, Commemorated on March 4; St Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on December 21; Icon of the Mother of God "œElets-Chernigov"Â, Commemorated on February 5 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1238, Mologda, Vologda, Battle of Sit River
Mologda, Vologda, 1238, Battle of Sit River ; Right-believing George the Great Prince of Vladimir, Commemorated on February 4; Icon of the Mother of God of St Theodore, Commemorated on March 14; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23;

Russia, Moscow, 1283-1303, P Daniel of Moscow, Nevsky's youngest, Churches Ms, first victory, humble, united rus
Russia, Moscow, 1283-1303, Prince Daniel of Moscow; father died when he was only two years old. Of his father's patrimonies, he received the least valuable, Moscow.[1] Aleksandrovich (1261-“ 4 March 1303) was the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and forefather of all the Grand Dukes of father died when he was only two years old. Of his father's patrimonies, he received the least valuable, Moscow.[1] When he was a child, the tiny principality was being governed by tiuns (deputies), appointed by his paternal uncle, Grand Prince Yaroslav has been credited with founding the first Moscow monasteries, namely the Lord's Epiphany, and The Danilov Monestery (Saint Daniel Monestery): named in his honor, situated on the right bank of the Moskva River at a distance of 5 miles from the Moscow Kremlin, and founded, by Daniel, as the first monastery wooden church of St. Daniel-Stylite no later than also built the first stone church in the Moscow Kremlin in the 1280s, dedicated to the Great Martyr took part in his brothers (”Dmitri of Pereslavl and Andrey of Gorodets) ”struggle for the right to govern Vladimir and Novgorod, respectively. After Dmitry's death in 1294, Daniel made an alliance with Mikhail of Tver and Ivan of Pereslavl against Andrey of Gorodets of Novgorod. participation in the struggle for Novgorod in 1296 indicated Moscow's increasing political influence. Constantine, the prince of Ryazan, tried to capture the Moscow lands with the help of a Mongol force. Prince Daniel defeated it near Pereslavl. This was a first victory over the Tatars, though not a tremendous victory, but it was noteworthy as a first push towards freedom.[2] 1300, he went to Ryazan with an army and imprisoned the ruler of the Ryazan Principality "by some ruse", as the chronicle says, and destroyed a multitude of Tatars. To secure his release, the prisoner ceded to Daniel his fortress of Kolomna. It was an important acquisition, as now Daniel controlled all the length of the Moskva River. 1302 his childless nephew and ally, Ivan of Pereslavl, bequeathed to Daniel all his lands, including Pereslavl-Zalessky.[2] the Mongol occupation and internecine wars among the Rus' princes, Daniel created peace in Moscow without bloodshed. 30 years of ruling Daniel participated in battles only once.[1] According to legend, Daniel was popular and respected by his subjects for his meekness, humility and peacefulness. Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow, Commemorated on March 4; the time of Great Prince Ivan III (1462-1505), Saint Daniel gave reminders of himself to his forgetful descendents. He appeared as a stranger to a youth who attended the Great Prince and said: Don’t be afraid of me. I was a Christian and the master of this place, my name is Daniel Prince of Moscow, and by the will of God I am here. Tell Great Prince John about me saying: you are enjoying yourself while you have forgotten me, but God has not forgotten me. this, the Great Prince ordered panikhidas for his ancestral princes to be sung in the cathedral. During the time of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the dying son of a barge merchant was healed at the grave of Saint Daniel. The Tsar, struck by the miracle, renovated the ancient Danilov monastery and established a yearly church procession. The Metropolitan led the way to the the holy prince’s tomb, and served a panikhida there. 1652 holy Prince Daniel was glorified by the uncovering of his incorrupt relics, which were transferred on August 30 to the church dedicated to the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council. holy relics were placed in a reliquary “to the glory of the Holy Trinity and for the healing of the infirm. Metropolitan Platon of Moscow (+ 1812), in the Life of the holy prince which he compiled, writes: “The founder laid the foundation of Moscow’s grandeur, modestly making only a small path to it. Just as any edifice, which is not built with excessive haste, but rather with great artistry and skill, receives a particular firmness and stands indestructible for a long time; like a tall tree that grows for many centuries after beginning as a small sapling, then slowly becomes sturdier, with its branches spreading about far around, so this city was to grow from small, but firm beginnings, so that its first sparkle would not bedazzle the eyes of the envious, and so it would not be shaken or felled early on, before it had attained its full height. Thus did this founder prepare the great city given him, giving it a modest but steady radiance, undisturbed by any gusts of the wind. He left the great glory of its rise to his son Great Prince John, called Kalita.

Russia, Moscow, 1283-1295, Basil, Bishop of Ryazan, Murom Icon and Mantia Story
Russia, Ryazan, 1295, Basil, Bishop of Ryazan, Murom Icon and Mantia Story; Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Murom: His memory is celebrated by the Church on June 10 and July 3 (the day of his death in 1295). On June 10, 1609 the holy relics of Bishop Basil at Ryazan were uncovered and transferred to the Dormition cathedral church. Basil I, Wonderworker of Ryazan, is mentioned in the Lavrentian Chronicles. In the ancient list of Ryazan hierarchs, he is mentioned as the fourth. (Basil II was consecrated as bishop in 1356 by Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow,). older tradition connects with Saint Basil the transfer to Ryazan of the wonderworking Murom Icon of the Mother of God (April 12). Saint Basil was at first bishop of Murom. But by the slander of the spirit of evil, the citizens rose up against him, unjustly accusing him of transgressions unbecoming an archpastor. Then the saint, after prolonged prayer, left for the River Oka, and spreading out on the water his bishop’s mantiya he stood upon it, holding in his hands the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Murom. A strong wind carried him against the current and after several hours he reached Ryazan, where he was received with reverence by the prince and people of Ryazan. during his lifetime Saint Basil was regarded a righteous and pious man. Long before his relics were uncovered at the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Ryazan people cherished his memory and called him “their constant intercessor, helper in sorrows and travail.â€ To him most often they turned before setting out on journeys: seeking his help against problems on dry land, and to protect them from drowning in the water. about the year 1540 the monk Erazm Ermolaev wrote “An Account of Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Muromâ€. Right-believing Prince Basil (Vasilko) of Rostov, Commemorated on March 4; Icon of the Mother of God of Murom, Commemorated on April 12; Finding of the relics of St Basil the Bishop of Ryazan, Commemorated on June 10; Synaxis of the Saints of Ryzan, Commemorated on June 10; St Basil the Bishop of Ryazan, Commemorated on July 3 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1283-1305, Patriarch Maximus, Metropolitan of all Rus, his icon moved see to V
Vladimir, 1283-1305, Patriarch Maximus, Metropolitan of all Rus; Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Icon of the Mother of God of St. Maximus, Commemorated on April 18;

Russia, Moscow, 1283-1305, Maximus, Met of all Rus, throne north, MOG stay Vladimir, need Yuri D peace Michael of T, & go Horde
Russia, Kiev, 1283-1305, Maximus, Metropolitan of all Rus, from Greece in 1283, to Kiev, Tartars there, to Briansk, to Suzdal, to Volhynia, terrible times throne north to Tver, prayer, MOG stay in Vladimir 1299, recognizing needs, need Yuri D of M peace w Michael of T, need Yuri D go to Horde, Michael of T throne of V, rules for fasting, lawful marriage, gilded over grave 1305, Maximov Icon 1299 from his vision, v on crypt ; Saint Maximus, Metropolitan of Kiev, Commemorated on December 6; Maximus, successor of Metropolitan Cyril III of Kiev (1243-1280), was a Greek by birth, and he arrived in Rus, then suffering under the Mongol (Tatar) Yoke, in 1283 as Metropolitan. saint decided to remain at Kiev, but the city was completely devastated by the plundering incursions of the Tatars. Metropolitan Maximus withdrew to Briansk, and from there to Suzdal. During his visit to Volhynia the saint met with Saint Peter the igumen of the Rata monastery, (December 21), who would succeed him as metropolitan. 1295 the saint deposed James from the bishop’s cathedra at Vladimir and replaced him with Simon. these terrible times the throne of the Great Prince was first at Vladimir, then at Pereslavl, then at Tver. lest he insult the South Russian princes by moving to the north, the saint offered fervent prayers to the Mother of God, and She indicated Vladimir as the place of his residence. the year 1299 Metropolitan Maximus went to Vladimir, and in the following year he established Saint Theoctistus (December 23) as Bishop of Novgorod. 1301, Metropolitan Maximus was in Constantinople for a Patriarchal Council, where at the urging of Saint Theognostus, Bishop of Zaraisk, he set forth questions concerning the needs of the Russian Church to be resolved by the Council. the need to build up the strength of subjugated Rus, the saint urged Prince Yuri Danilovich of Moscow to make peace with the holy Prince Michael of Tver. also advised Yuri to journey to the Horde to receive the throne. 1304, the saint installed Saint Michael of Tver (November 22) upon the Great-princely throne of Vladimir. an example of intense spiritual life for others, Metropolitan Maximus was concerned about the spiritual growth of his proverbial flock. the saint established rules for fasting for other times in addition to Great Lent. He ordained it for the Apostles’, Dormition and Nativity lenten periods, and he defined when fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is allowed (in Russia until the fourteenth century they did not fast on the Midfeast and Leave-taking of Pascha). holy metropolitan was particularly concerned with upholding lawful marriage: “I write, therefore, about this, so that you my children, born and newly-sanctified in the baptismal font, will take your wife from the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, for the woman is for the salvation of the man. If you cleave to them in promiscuity without marriage, does it benefit you? No, but rather beseech and implore them, whether young or old, to be married in the Church.” saint reposed on December 6, 1305, and his body was buried in the Dormition cathedral in Vladimir. A gilded covering was built over the saint’s grave. Maximov Icon of the Mother of God (April 18) was placed on the wall above the grave of the saint. It was painted in the year 1299 following a vision to Metropolitan Maximus. A description of this vision was inscribed on the left side of the crypt. Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Icon of the Mother of God of St. Maximus, Commemorated on April 18; Saint Maximus Icon is in the cathedral church of the city of Vladimir. Metropolitan Maximus (December 6), a Greek by birth, painted the Icon in 1299, as he was told to do in a vision while he slept in his cell. When St. Maximus arrived in Vladimir from Kiev, the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream and gave him an omophorion saying, "My servant Maximus, it is good that you have come to visit my city. Take this omophorion and shepherd the rational flock of my city." he awoke, he found he was holding an omophorion. The appearance of the Mother of God was regarded as a sign of approval for the transfer of the metropolitan See from Kiev to Vladimir. description of this vision was inscribed on the left side of his crypt. The Mother of God is shown in full stature, holding the Divine Child on her left arm. With her right hand, she offers the omophorion to Saint Maximus, who is standing on a pillar. The contrast in the size of their figures is meant to show the difference in their spiritual states. A variant Icon depicts Saint Maximus kneeling at the feet of the Theotokos. a golden coffer was made, and the omophorion was placed inside. This omophorion was kept in the Vladimir cathedral as a relic for 112 years. It was hidden by the cathedral’s doorkeeper Patrick in 1412 during an invasion by the Tartars, Patrick was killed when he refused to show them where the cathedral's treasures were hidden. The coffer has not yet been found. Icon, which measures five feet by two and a half feet, has been glorified by many miracles.

Russia, Moscow, 1290, Ustiug saved by Annunciation Icon w Procopius, Fool for Christ
Russia, Moscow, 1290, Ustiug saved by Annunciation Icon w Procopius, Fool for Christ; Ustiug Annunciation Icon of the Mother of God The “Ustiug Annunciationâ€ is a venerable icon, before which Saint Procopius, Fool-for-Christ (+ 1303) prayed with intense fervor on June 25, 1290 for the salvation of the city of Ustiug from the wrath of God. icon was painted by a Novgorod iconographer when the holy Prince Vsevolod-Gabriel (February 11) ruled in the city. In 1567, under Metropolitan Philip (January 9), the holy icon was transferred from Great Ustiug to Moscow and placed in the Dormition cathedral. At the present time it is located in the state Tretyakov gallery.

Russia, Moscow, 1293, Murom joined to and saved by Moscow by Daniel
Russia, Ryazan, 1293, Murom joined to and saved by Moscow by Daniel; 1272, Prince Daniel received as his allotted portion the city of Moscow and its adjacent lands. The holy prince built a church (and a monastery beside it) in honor of his patron saint, Saint Daniel the Stylite (December 11) on the banks of the River Moskva. this period, the Moscow principality was small and unobtrusive. While growing up, Prince Daniel strengthened and expanded it, not in unjust or coercive ways, but peacefully and with benevolence. It was a time of unrest. Fratricidal strife among the appanage princes was rife. Often bloodshed was averted, thanks to Prince Daniel and his incessant striving for unity and peace in the Russian Land. 1293 his brother, the Great Prince Alexander, with Tatars summoned from the Horde and headed by Diuden (“the Diudenev Hostâ€), laid waste to Russian cities: Murom, Suzdal, Kolomna, Dmitrov, Mozhaisk, and Tver. Prince Daniel decided to join them to Moscow to save their people from perishing, for they were not strong enough to resist. Murom; Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow, Commemorated on March 4;

Russia, Moscow, 1293, Kolomna joined to and saved by Daniel of Moscow
Russia, Ryazan, 1293, Kolomna joined to and saved by Daniel of Moscow; 1272, Prince Daniel received as his allotted portion the city of Moscow and its adjacent lands. The holy prince built a church (and a monastery beside it) in honor of his patron saint, Saint Daniel the Stylite (December 11) on the banks of the River Moskva. this period, the Moscow principality was small and unobtrusive. While growing up, Prince Daniel strengthened and expanded it, not in unjust or coercive ways, but peacefully and with benevolence. It was a time of unrest. Fratricidal strife among the appanage princes was rife. Often bloodshed was averted, thanks to Prince Daniel and his incessant striving for unity and peace in the Russian Land. 1293 his brother, the Great Prince Alexander, with Tatars summoned from the Horde and headed by Diuden (“the Diudenev Hostâ€), laid waste to Russian cities: Murom, Suzdal, Kolomna, Dmitrov, Mozhaisk, and Tver. Prince Daniel decided to join them to Moscow to save their people from perishing, for they were not strong enough to resist. prince braced himself for terrible destruction and pillaging. Standing up for his rights, Saint Daniel was compelled to come out against his brother near a place called Yurievo Tolchische (“Yurievo Threshing-Millâ€), but his desire for peace prevailed, and bloodshed was averted. Kolomna; Right-believing Prince Basil (Vasilko) of Rostov, Commemorated on March 4;

Russia, Moscow, 1292-1318, Mikhail oTver, G Prince, Nervsky's b, lost to Yury of M, while M was in Sarai
Russia, Moscow, 1292-1318, Mikhail of Tver, G Prince, Nervsky's b, lost to Yury of M, while M was in Sarai, born after monk father's death going to Horde, raised w love fGod by his mother, educated by Novgorod Archbishop, Tver Prince after bro Svyatoslav, 1285 built stone church, 1305 tHorde&appointed Great Prince, but Yuri oMoscow sought title, Yuri often aHorde&married Khan Uzbek's daughter& given GPrince title, Yuri began Civil war wTver, Tartar detachment wKavgadi heading, sent by Uzbek, but Tver wMichael defeated Yuri 1317, m captives incl K and Yuri's wife, wife dies, Yuri slandered M before Khan, Khan demands Michael appear Sarai and give account, M does knowing he will be killed, M farewell family&Tver, receives blessing, guilty unjust trial, death sentence, heavy wooden stocks, read Psalter wBoy turning pages, blessed Lord for allowing him to suffer for him, not deprived Christian solace, Orthodox priests, confession, Holy Mysteries, but Yuri&Kavgadi want revenge for defeat, sent assassins, tortured and cut out heart, Tartars & Orthodox see radiant clouds over body, wild animals no touch, everyone said M a saint unjustly murdered, bod to Moscow Kremlin, but wife Anna not aware, 1319 Yuri returns wMichaels yarlyk (trial edict) Tver boyars&Prince Constantine, 1319 Tver learns about M&hisMoscow burial, Anna asks Yuri permission cary M to Tver, Boyers sent, miracles arriving Moscow, incorrupt relics, Anna&sons went out toward Volga to meet wTears, relics transferred tTver 1320, local veneration soon after, 1606 M helped Russia riding out on white horse wSword forcing Poles Lithuanians to flee; Martyr Michael the Prince of Tver, Commemorated on November 22; Holy Right-Believing Prince Michael of Tver was born in the year 1272, the death of his father Great Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavich, the brother of Saint Alexander Nevsky (November 23). his journey to the Horde, Prince Yaroslav fell ill, and was tonsured as a monk with the name Athanasios, then he reposed. ’s mother, Xenia, raised her son with fervent love for God. Michael was educated and studied under the guidance of an Archbishop (probably Clement) of Novgorod. took the place of his older brother Svyatoslav in the principality of Tver. 1285 Michael built a stone church in honor of the Savior’s Transfiguration to replace of the wooden church of Saints Cosmas and Damian. the death of Great Prince Andrew Alexandrovich (+1305), Michael went to the Horde and was appointed as Great Prince by right of seniority. Yurii of Moscow would not submit to this, however, because he sought the princely title for himself. He was often at the Golden Horde of the new Khan Uzbek, who had converted to Mohammedanism, and was known for his cruelty and fanaticism. Yurii knew how to please the Khan, so he married the Khan's sister Konchaka and was given the title of Great Prince. then he did not calm down, but instead began a civil war with Tver. Yurii’s army was a detachment of Tatars sent by Uzbek, with Kavgadi at the head. the men of Tver, led by Prince Michael, defeated Yurii on December 22, 1317. Many captives were taken, including Kavgadi, whom Saint Michael released, and the Moscow Prince Yurii's wife Konchaka, who died unexpectedly at Tver. Yurii slandered Prince Michael before the Khan, accusing him of poisoning Konchaka. Khan became enraged, threatening to destroy Saint Michael’s princely holding, and demanded that he appear to give an account. wishing to spill Russian blood in an unequal struggle with the Khan, Saint Michael went humbly to the Horde, knowing that this meant certain death for him. bade farewell to his family and the people of Tver, and received a blessing for his exploit of martyrdom from his Spiritual Father Igoumen John. “Father,” said Michael, “I was much concerned for the peace of Christians, but because of my sins, I was not able to stop this civil war. give me your blessing, so that if my blood is shed for them, they might have some respite, and so the Lord may forgive my sins.” unjust trial was held at the Horde, which found the Saint guilty of disobedience to the Khan, and sentenced him to death. removed him under guard and put him in heavy wooden stocks. As was his habit, Saint Michael constantly read the Psalter in prison blessed the Lord for allowing him to suffer for Him. asked not to be abandoned in his present torments. the hands of the holy sufferer were secured in the stocks, a boy sat before him and turned the pages of the Psalter. holy captive languished at the Horde for a long time, enduring beatings and ridicule. suggested that he flee, but the Saint replied, “Never in my life have I fled from an enemy. If I save myself and my people remain in peril, what glory is that for me? No, let it be as the Lord wills.” the mercy of God, he was not deprived of Christian solace: Orthodox priests attended to him, the Igoumens Alexander and Mark. week he made his Confession and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, thus receiving a Christian preparation for his death. the instigation of Prince Yurii and Kavgadi, who wanted revenge on Michael for their defeat, were sent into the encampment where the captive was held. November 22, 1318, they beat the Martyr severely and kicked him, then one of them stabbed Prince Michael with a knife and cut out his heart. royal Martyr’s naked body was exposed for abuse, and later they covered him with a cloth and placed him on a large board attached to a cart. Two guards were posted to watch the body that night, but fear overcame them and they fled. the morning, the body was not on the board. the previous night many, not only Orthodox but Tatars as well, had seen two radiant clouds shining over the place where the Martyr's body lay. many wild animals roamed the steppes, not one of them touched him. the morning everyone said, “Prince Michael is a Saint, and was unjustly murdered." the body of the martyred Prince was brought to Moscow and buried in the Kremlin's Monastery of the Savior in the Transfiguration church. Anna was not yet aware of her husband's martyrdom. year later, Prince Yurii returned from the Khan with Michael's yarlyk.1 He brought with him the Tver boyars and Prince Constantine from the Horde. year later, in 1319, the people of Tver learned the fate of their Prince, his death, and his burial in Moscow. Anna and her children asked Prince Yurii of Moscow for permission to carry the holy relics to Tver, and he barely gave his consent. boyars from Tver were sent to Moscow to bring Saint Michael's body back to Tver. they arrived in Moscow they witnessed a remarkable miracle by which the Lord was pleased to glorify His Saint: his body showed no signs of decay. boyars took the coffin with the Holy Prince's relics and carried them to Tver with much honor. the procession approached the city, Princess Anna and her sons Dēmḗtrios, Alexander and Basil went toward the Volga, and Bishop Barsanuphios, with all the priests of the cathedral and countless people, met the holy relics on the shore. was much sobbing, so loud that the choir could not be heard, and Princess Anna wept bitter tears. the request of his wife, Saint Anna of Kashin (October 2), and the people of Tver, the relics of Saint Michael were transferred to his native city, on September 6, 1320 they were placed in the church he had built in honor of the Lord's Transfiguration. veneration of the Holy Prince began soon after the transfer of his relics to Tver, his Church-wide glorification took place at the Council of 1549. November 24, 1632 the incorrupt relics of Saint Michael were uncovered. martyred Prince has often helped the Russian land. 1606 the Polish and Lithuanians besieging Tver repeatedly saw an unknown horseman ride out from the city on a white horse, with sword in hand, forcing them to flee. when they saw an icon of Saint Michael, they affirmed with an oath to Archbishop Theoktistos of Tver that the horseman was indeed Saint Michael. 1 ярлык: An emblem of Saint Michael's office as Great Prince. Tver, 1304-1318, Vladimir Great Prince, Mikhail of Tver; Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on July 18 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on August 8 ; Repose of the Holy Right-believing Princess Anna of Kashin, Commemorated on October 2 ; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated on March 24; Venerable Gerontius the Canonarch of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1293, Suzdal joined to and saved by Daniel of Moscow
Russia, Vladimir, 1293,Suzdal joined to and saved by Daniel of Moscow; 1272, Prince Daniel received as his allotted portion the city of Moscow and its adjacent lands. The holy prince built a church (and a monastery beside it) in honor of his patron saint, Saint Daniel the Stylite (December 11) on the banks of the River Moskva. this period, the Moscow principality was small and unobtrusive. While growing up, Prince Daniel strengthened and expanded it, not in unjust or coercive ways, but peacefully and with benevolence. It was a time of unrest. Fratricidal strife among the appanage princes was rife. Often bloodshed was averted, thanks to Prince Daniel and his incessant striving for unity and peace in the Russian Land. 1293 his brother, the Great Prince Alexander, with Tatars summoned from the Horde and headed by Diuden (“the Diudenev Hostâ€), laid waste to Russian cities: Murom, Suzdal, Kolomna, Dmitrov, Mozhaisk, and Tver. Prince Daniel decided to join them to Moscow to save their people from perishing, for they were not strong enough to resist. prince braced himself for terrible destruction and pillaging. Standing up for his rights, Saint Daniel was compelled to come out against his brother near a place called Yurievo Tolchische (“Yurievo Threshing-Millâ€), but his desire for peace prevailed, and bloodshed was averted. Suzdal (Southern Valley) ; Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow, Commemorated on March 4;

Russia, Moscow, 1300-1399, 14th Century, Moscow the Capital of Rus, St Sergius, Black Plague

Russia, Moscow, 1303-1325, Prince Yuri D, of Moscow, Son of Dan, elevated to supreme p by the GH Khan
Moscow Prince, 1303-1325, Yuri of Moscow ; Danilovich, also known as Georgiy Danilovich ( in Russian) (1281-21 November 1325) was Prince of Moscow (1303-1325) and Grand Prince of Vladimir (from 1318). was the oldest son of Daniel, the first prince of Moscow. His first official action was to defend Pereslavl-Zalessky against Grand Duke Andrew III. Upon Andrew's death the next year, Yury had to contend the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir with Mikhail of Tver. While the Tverian army besieged Pereslavl and Moscow itself, Mikhail went to the Golden Horde, where the Khan elevated him to the supreme position among Russian princes. the meantime, Yury arranged the murder of Prince Konstantin of Ryazan. This unlucky ruler had been captured by Yury's father back in 1302 and had been incarcerated in Moscow since then. While Ryazan was shocked by such a barbarity, Yury annexed the key Ryazanian fortress of Kolomna to Moscow Duchy. He also captured Mozhaisk, which formerly belonged to the princes of Smolensk. By 1314, Yury secured backing from the Metropolitan Peter and formed an alliance with Novgorod against Tver. Now, he felt strong enough to challenge Mikhail of Tver in the Horde. 1315 Yury went to the Golden Horde and, after spending two years there, constructed an alliance with Uzbeg Khan. Yury's marriage to the khan's sister Konchaka, Uzbeg Khan deposed Mikhail and nominated Yury as the Grand Duke of Vladimir. in Russia with a large force of Mongols, Yury approached Tver. However, Yuri's army was defeated and his brother Boris and his wife were taken prisoners. he fled to Novgorod and sued for peace. At that time his wife, still held in Tver as a hostage, died unexpectedly. Yury availed himself of the confusion that followed and announced to the khan that she had been poisoned on Mikhail's order. The khan summoned both princes to Sarai and, after a trial, had Mikhail executed. returned to Russia, hated by other princes and populace alike, in 1319. He was now entrusted with the task of gathering all-Russian tribute to the Horde. Mikhail's son and successor, Dmitry the Terrible Eyes, still opposed him. In 1322, Dmitry, seeking revenge for his father's murder, went to Sarai and persuaded the khan that Yury had appropriated a large portion of the tribute due to the Horde. Yury was summoned to the Horde for a trial but, before any formal investigation, was killed by Dmitry. Eight months later, Dmitry was also executed in the Horde.[1] before his death, Yury led the army of Novgorod to fight the Swedes and founded a fort in the mouth of the Neva River. Upon signing the Treaty of Orekhovo in 1323, Yury continued eastward and conquered Velikiy Ustyug the same year. Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated July 18 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on August 8; Icon of the Mother of God of St Peter of Moscow, Commemorated on August 24; Uncovering of the relics of St Daniel the Prince of Moscow, Commemorated on August 30; St Stephen Miliutin of Serbia, Commemorated on October 30; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Repose of St Theoctistus the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on December 23; Venerable Schemamonk Cyril, the Father of St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on January 18; St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1304-1318, Mikhail of T, Nervsky's n, lost GP to Yury, Novgrd, Khan's sister, k by Horde, incorrupt r
Tver, 1304-1318, Vladimir Great Prince, Mikhail of Tver; Yaroslavich (1271 - 22 November 1318), also known as Michael of Tver, was a Prince of Tver (from 1285) who ruled as Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1304 until 1314 and again from 1315–1318. was canonized and counted among the saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. Yaroslavich was the second son of Yaroslav III (Yaroslav Yaroslavich), the younger brother of Aleksandr Nevsky; he succeeded his elder brother Yaroslav as Prince of Tver in 1285. mother Xenia was the second spouse to Yaroslav III and is known as the saint Xenia of Tarusa. the death of Andrei Aleksandrovich (Aleksandr Nevsky's son and Yaroslav's nephew), Mikhail became the Grand Prince of Vladimir in 1304, as was consistent with the rota system of collateral succession that had been practised in Rus since the time of Yaroslav the Wise. He was confirmed in office by Tokhta, Khan of the Golden Horde.[1] as Grand Prince and Rivalry with Moscow[edit] he seemed secure in the throne, being the legitimate heir and having been confirmed by the Khan in Sarai, Grand Prince Mikhail suffered a series of setbacks as grand prince which led to him losing the grand princely office for both himself and, in some ways, ultimately for his descendants. He was, like most Grand Princes of Vladimir, accepted as Prince of Novgorod the Great in 1309,[2] but fought with Novgorod, going so far as to withdraw his lieutenants (namestniki) and cut off grain shipments into the city in 1312. Last Words, by Pimen Orlov he was on decent terms with Tokhta Khan, and initially with his successor, Uzbeg Khan (Mikhail paid homage on Uzbeg's accession to the throne in 1313 and remained in Sarai until 1315), he eventually lost influence to Yury of Moscow, who gained influence in Novgorod while the grand prince was away in Sarai. Mikhail did manage to finally take control of the city in 1316 with Mongol aid, but the following year Uzbeg Khan gave the yarlik or patent of office of the Grand Prince of Vladimir to Yury, who also married Uzbeg's sister.[3] granting Yury the iarlyk or patent of office, the Khan sent his army under the Mongol general Kavgadii to help Yuri in his struggle with Mikhail Yaroslavich. On 22 December 1317 Mikhail defeated Yuri at a village called Bortenevo (40 km from Tver). Mikhail captured Yuri's wife, who was the Khan's sister. When she died in Mikhail's custody, he was blamed for her death, although it seems unlikely that he would have killed her knowing how much it would hurt him politically for such little gain. He released Kavgadii, who returned to Sarai and accused Mikhail of murdering the Khan's sister, withholding tribute, and warring against his Mongol overlord. As a result, Mikhail was summoned to the Horde by the Khan and executed on 22 November 1318.[4] and the Church[edit] also alienated the Church, particularly Metropolitan Petr (ruled 1308-1326). When Metropolitan Maksim died in 1305, Mikhail nominated another candidate, but Petr was consecrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople. Petr sided with Moscow and opposed Mikhail on several occasions. In 1309, he appointed David as Archbishop of Novgorod and David was instrumental in the argument that led Mikhail to withdraw his lieutenants and cut the grain supplies to the city. In 1314, Novgorod called on Yury to be named grand prince and for Mikhail to be deposed. Thus the support of the Church aided Yury to Mikhail's detriment.[5] his having been unfavored by the Russian Orthodox Church during his lifetime, the Church later declared Mikhail a saint because of his piousness during his summons by the Khan which he knew was to certain death and because his relics, when transported to his hometown, were discovered to be incorrupt.[6] and children[edit] In 1294 Mikhail married Princess Anna of Rostov, daughter of Dimitry of Rostov. They had five children: Prince Dmitry of Tver (1299–1326) Prince Alexander of Tver (1301–1339) Prince Konstantin of Tver (1306–1346) Prince Vasily of Kashin (d. after 1368) Feodora of Tver Mikhail's sons and successors Dmitry the Terrible Eyes and Alexander were both also loved in the Horde, as was Alexander's elder son, Mikhail. Both Aleksandr Mikhailovich, and Mikhail Aleksandrovich briefly held the Grand Princely office (in 1326-1327 and 1371-1372 respectively)[7] but Mikhail's failure to defeat Yury of Moscow, followed by Aleksandr's role (real or perceived) in the Tver Uprising of 1327, led the Tver branch to lose the favor of the Khans, and the Danilovich - the Muscovite princes, held the title for all but two years after 1317. wife took the veil in Kashin's nunnery and died there on 2 October 1368. She is commemorated as Anna of Kashin by the Russian Orthodox Church and was canonized in 1677. Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on July 18 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on August 8 ; Repose of the Holy Right-believing Princess Anna of Kashin, Commemorated on October 2 ; Martyr Michael the Prince of Tver, Commemorated on November 22; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated on March 24; Venerable Gerontius the Canonarch of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1305-1368, Anna of Kashin, Mike of T's wife, righteous sons, grave miracles, old Believers, 2nd glorification
Moscow, 1305-1368, Saint Anna of Kashin; Anna of Kashin (Russian: Ð¡Ð²ÑÑ‚Ð°Ñ [Ð±Ð»Ð°Ð³Ð¾Ð²ÐµÑ€Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð²ÐµÐ»Ð¸ÐºÐ°Ñ ÐºÐ½ÑÐ³Ð¸Ð½Ñ - Ð¸Ð½Ð¾ÐºÐ¸Ð½Ñ] ÐÐ½Ð½Ð° ÐšÐ°ÑˆÐ¸Ð½ÑÐºÐ°Ñ) (1280 – 2 October 1368) was a Russian princess from the Rurik Dynasty, who was canonized in 1650. was a daughter of Prince Dmitry Borisovich of Rostov and a great-granddaughter of Prince Vasily of Rostov. From her earliest years, Anna was brought up strictly Christian. She was taught the virtues of humility and obedience. Her teacher was Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Rostov (died 1288), who was noted for strict selflessness and pacifism. Like all royal daughters of her time, Anna learned different kinds of needlework. When the princess grew up, Princess Xenia of Tver, second wife of Grand Prince Yaroslav of Tver sent ambassadors to Rostov with a request to marry Anna to her son Mikhail. The embassy was successful, and Anna became the wife of Prince Mikhail. Anna's marriage to Prince Mikhail took place on 8 November 1294 in the Preobrazhensky cathedral of Tver. In celebration of this event, dwellers in the city of Kashin built the Saint Michael Church and the triumphal gates from the local Kremlin to the Tver road, naming the gates also "Mikhaylovsky." In the Kashin Uspensky cathedral a special Feast was established and celebrated annually on 8 November. Repose of the Holy Right-believing Princess Anna of Kashin, Commemorated on October 2; Holy Right-believing Princess Anna of Kashin, a daughter of the Rostov prince Demetrius Borisovich, in 1294 became the wife of the holy Great Prince Michael Yaroslavich of Tver, who was murdered by the Mongol-Tatars of the Horde in 1318, (November 22). After the death of her husband, Anna withdrew into Tver’s Sophia monastery and accepted tonsure with the name Euphrosyne. Later, she transferred to the Kashin Dormition monastery, and became a schemanun with the name Anna. She fell asleep in the Lord on October 2, 1338. Anna’s sons also imitated their father’s steadfast confession of faith in Christ. Demetrius Mikhailovich (“Dread Eyesâ€) was murdered at the Horde on September 15, 1325; and later, Alexander Mikhailovich, Prince of Tver, was murdered together with his son Theodore on October 29, 1339. at Saint Anna’s grave began in 1611, during the siege of Kashin by Polish and Lithuanian forces. There was also a great fire in the city which died down without doing much damage. The saint, dressed in the monastic schema, appeared to Gerasimus, a gravely ill warden of the Dormition cathedral. She promised that he would recover, but complained, “People show no respect for my tomb. They ignore it and my memory! Do you not know that I am supplicating the Lord and His Mother to deliver the city from the foe, and that you be spared many hardships and evils?â€ She ordered him to tell the clergy to look after her tomb, and to light a candle there before the icon of Christ Not-Made-By-Hands. the Council of 1649 it was decided to uncover her relics for general veneration and to glorify the holy Princess Anna as a saint. But in 1677 Patriarch Joachim proposed to the Moscow Council that her veneration throughout Russia should be discontinued because of the Old Believers Schism, which made use of the name of Saint Anna of Kashin for its own purposes. When she was buried her hand had been positioned to make the Sign of the Cross with two fingers, rather than three. However, the memory of Saint Anna, who had received a crown of glory from Christ, could not be erased by decree. People continued to love and venerate her, and many miracles took place at her tomb. June 12, 1909 her second glorification took place, and her universally observed Feast day was established. Her Life describes her as a model of spiritual beauty and chastity, and an example to future generations.

Russia, Moscow, 1306, St Peter Icon, given to St Maximus, MOG, bishop rather on one who painted this icon
+Ratne, Volhynia; Icon of the Mother of God of St Peter of Moscow, Commemorated on August 24; Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Of Saint Peter” was so called because it was painted by Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow (+ December 21, 1326) while he was igumen of the Ratsk monastery near Volhynia. During a visit to the Ratsk monastery by Saint Maximus, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia (+ December 6, 1306), Saint Peter gave him this icon as a gift. The Metropolitan took it to Vladimir at Klyazma, where his cathedral was then located. the death of Saint Maximus, the igumen Gerontius, who wished to become the new metropolitan, intended to take this icon to Patriarch Athanasius of Constantinople (October 24). The journey of Igumen Gerontius was delayed, however, by a terrible storm at sea. During this storm, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to him and said: “The office of bishop will not be conferred upon you, but rather on the one who painted My Icon.” he came before Patriarch Athanasius, Saint Peter was already in Constantinople and had been consecrated as Metropolitan. The Patriarch gave the icon to Saint Peter with the words: “Take the holy icon of the Mother of God, which you painted with your own hands, for this reason the Ever-Virgin Herself has granted you this gift, and She foretold your path.” Peter took the icon to Vladimir, and when the metropolitan cathedral was transfered to Moscow in the year 1325, the icon was placed in the Dormition Cathedral above the table of oblation. Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, was born in Volhynia of pious parents, Theodore and Eupraxia. Even before the birth of her son, the Lord revealed to Eupraxia the preordained blessedness of her son. At the age of twelve, young Peter entered a monastery. He successfully studied the book sciences of those times and eagerly fulfilled his monastic obediences. The future saint devoted much time to an attentive study of the Holy Scriptures, and he also learned iconography. The icons painted by Saint Peter were distributed to the brethren and to Christians who visited the monastery. of his virtuous and ascetic life, the igumen of the monastery had Saint Peter ordained as a hieromonk. After years of ascetic labors at the monastery, the hieromonk Peter, with the blessing of the igumen, left the monastery in search of a solitary place. built a cell at the Rata River and began to pursue asceticism in silence. Afterwards, at the place of his ascetic exploits, a monastery was formed, called the Novodvorsk. A church dedicated to the Savior was built for the monks who came to him. Chosen as igumen, Saint Peter guided his spiritual children, and never became angry with a guilty monk. Instead, he instructed the brethren by word and by example. The virtuous igumen and ascetic became known far beyond the vicinity of the monastery. Prince Yuri of Galicia frequently visited the monastery in order to receive spiritual instruction from the holy ascetic. in his travels through the Russian land, Metropolitan Maximus of Kiev and Vladimir (December 6) visited the monastery with words of instruction and edification. Having received the blessing of Saint Maximus, Saint Peter presented him with an icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, which he had painted. Saint Maximus prayed before the icon for the salvation of the Russian land entrusted to him by God until the end of his days. Metropolitan Maximus died, the See of Vladimir remained for a certain time unoccupied. An abbot named Gerontius, aspiring to become the primate of Russia, went to Constantinople with Saint Peter’s vestments, archpastoral staff, and the icon he had painted. The Great Prince of Vladimir, Saint Michael of Tver (November 22), sent him to the Patriarch of Constantinople with a petition that he be appointed as Metropolitan of Russia. the suggestion of Prince Yuri of Galicia, Igumen Peter reluctantly went to the Patriarch of Constantinople with a petition that he be consecrated as Metropolitan. God chose Saint Peter to nourish the Russian Church. The Mother of God appeared to Gerontius during a storm on the Black Sea and said, “You labor in vain, for you will never be bishop. The one who painted this icon, the Rata igumen Peter, shall be elevated to the throne of Kiev.” words of the Mother of God were fulfilled. Patriarch Athanasius of Constantinople (1289-1293) elevated Saint Peter as Metropolitan of Russia, bestowing upon him the hierarchal vestments, staff and icon, brought by Gerontius. Upon his return to Russia in 1308, Metropolitan Peter arrived at Kiev after a year, and then proceeded on to Vladimir. chief hierarch was tested by many trials during his first years of guiding the Russian metropolitanate. Suffering beneath the Tatar (Mongol) Yoke the Russian land was in turmoil, and Saint Peter was often obliged to change the place of his residence. During this period the saint’s labors and concerns to affirm the true Faith and morality in the realm were particularly important. On his journeys throughout the diocese, he incessantly instructed the people and clergy on preserving Christian piety. He also brought quarrelsome princes to peace and unity. the year 1312 the saint made a journey to the Horde, where he received a decree from Khan Uzbek, safeguarding the rights of the Russian clergy. 1325 Metropolitan Peter, at the request of Great Prince John Kalita (1328-1340), transferred the metropolitan See from Vladimir to Moscow. This event had very great significance for all the Russian land. Saint Peter prophetically predicted deliverance from the Tatar Yoke and that Moscow would become the foremost city in Russia. his blessing, the foundation of the cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Moscow Kremlin was laid in August 1326. Peter fell asleep in the Lord on December 21, 1326. The holy relics of the saint were buried in the Dormition cathedral in a stone crypt, which he himself had prepared. Many miracles were accomplished through the saint’s prayers. Many healings were even done secretly, which testifies to his profound humility even after death. veneration of the first hierarch of the Russian Church was affirmed and spread throughout the Russian land. In 1339, under Saint Theognostus (March 14), Saint Peter was numbered among the saints. Princes kissed the cross on the saint’s tomb as a sign of their fidelity to the Great Prince of Moscow. a particularly venerated protector of Moscow, Saint Peter was called on to witness the drawing up of government treaties. The people of Novgorod once had the right of nominating their own bishop in the cathedral of Saint Sophia. After their annexation to Moscow under Ivan III, they swore an oath that henceforth they would only consecrate their archbishops at the grave of Saint Peter the Wonderworker. And it was at the grave of the saint that the first hierarchs of Russia were named and chosen. Russian Chronicles mention him frequently, and no significant state undertaking was initiated without prayers at the grave of Saint Peter. The relics of Saint Peter were transferred in 1472 and 1479. In memory of these events, feastdays were established for October 5 and August 24.

Russia, Moscow, 1308-1326, St Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, moved see from Vladimir to Moscow
Moscow Patriarch, 1308-1326, St Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, moved from Vladimir in 1325 ; Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev[1] and all Russia (c. 1260- 20 December 1326) was the Russian metropolitan who moved his see from Vladimir to Moscow in 1325. Later he was proclaimed a patron saint of Moscow. In spite of the move, the office remained officially entitled "Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus'" until the autocephalous election of Saint Jonah of Moscow in 1448. Icon of the Mother of God of St Peter of Moscow, Commemorated on August 24; Translation of the relics of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on August 24; Repose of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Schemamonk Cyril, the Father of St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on January 18;

Russia, Moscow, 1314, Tolga Icon, across from river Tolga, fiery column and bridge leading to it, Icon in air, Prayer, staff
Russia, Rostov, 1314, Tolga Icon stopped with the approach of night 7 versts distant from Yaroslavl, at the right bank of the Volga River there flows opposite into it the River Tolga. At midnight, when everyone was asleep, the saint awoke and saw a bright light illuminating the area. The light proceeded from a fiery column on the other bank of the river, to which there stretched a bridge. Taking up his staff, the saint went across to the other bank, and having approached the fiery column, he beheld on it the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, suspended in the air. Astonished at the miracle, the saint prayed for a long time, and when he went back, he forgot to take his staff. The next day, after serving Matins, when Saint Prochorus was preparing to continue his journey by boat, they began to search for his staff, but they were not able to find it anywhere. The saint then remembered that he had forgotten his staff on the other side of the river, where he had gone across on the miraculous bridge. He then revealed what had occurred, and sent servants across on a boat to the other shore. They came back and reported that in the forest they had seen an icon of the Mother of God suspended in the branches of a tree, next to his bishop'™s staff. The Tolga Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is also commemorated on August 8; Tolga Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared on August 8, 1314 to the Rostov hierarch Prochorus (Tryphon in schema). Going about his diocese, the saint visited the environs of White Lake and from there traveled along the banks of the Rivers Sheksna and Volga, to Yaroslavl. Having stopped with the approach of night 7 versts distant from Yaroslavl, at the right bank of the Volga River there flows opposite into it the River Tolga. midnight, when everyone was asleep, the saint awoke and saw a bright light illuminating the area. The light proceeded from a fiery column on the other bank of the river, to which there stretched a bridge. Taking up his staff, the saint went across to the other bank, and having approached the fiery column, he beheld on it the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, suspended in the air. Astonished at the miracle, the saint prayed for a long time, and when he went back, he forgot to take his staff. next day, after serving Matins, when Saint Prochorus was preparing to continue his journey by boat, they began to search for his staff, but they were not able to find it anywhere. The saint then remembered that he had forgotten his staff on the other side of the river, where he had gone across on the miraculous bridge. He then revealed what had occurred, and sent servants across on a boat to the other shore. They came back and reported that in the forest they had seen an icon of the Mother of God suspended in the branches of a tree, next to his bishop’s staff. saint quickly crossed over with all his retinue to the opposite shore, and he recognized the icon that had appeared to him. Then after fervent prayer before the icon, they cleared the forest at that place, and put down the foundations of a church. When the people of Yaroslavl learned of this, they came out to the indicated spot. By midday the church was already built, and in the evening the saint consecrated it in honor of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, and having installed the icon there he established a Feast on the day of its appearance. Saint Prochorus later built the Tolga monastery near this church. Saint Prochorus died on September 7, 1328. Tolga Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is also commemorated on July 18. Icon of the Mother of God of Tolga, Commemorated on July 18; Tolga Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared on August 8, 1314 to the Rostov hierarch Prochorus (Tryphon in schema). Going about his diocese, the saint visited the environs of White Lake and from there traveled along the banks of the Rivers Sheksna and Volga, to Yaroslavl. Having stopped with the approach of night 7 versts distant from Yaroslavl, at the right bank of the Volga River there flows opposite into it the River Tolga. midnight, when everyone was asleep, the saint awoke and saw a bright light illuminating the area. The light proceeded from a fiery column on the other bank of the river, to which there stretched a bridge. Taking up his staff, the saint went across to the other bank, and having approached the fiery column, he beheld on it the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, suspended in the air. Astonished at the miracle, the saint prayed for a long time, and when he went back, he forgot to take his staff. next day, after serving Matins, when Saint Prochorus was preparing to continue his journey by boat, they began to search for his staff, but they were not able to find it anywhere. The saint then remembered that he had forgotten his staff on the other side of the river, where he had gone across on the miraculous bridge. He then revealed what had occurred, and sent servants across on a boat to the other shore. They came back and reported that in the forest they had seen an icon of the Mother of God suspended in the branches of a tree, next to his bishop’s staff. saint quickly crossed over with all his retinue to the opposite shore, and he recognized the icon that had appeared to him. Then after fervent prayer before the icon, they cleared the forest at that place, and put down the foundations of a church. When the people of Yaroslavl learned of this, they came out to the indicated spot. By midday the church was already built, and in the evening the saint consecrated it in honor of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, and having installed the icon there he established a Feast on the day of its appearance. Saint Prochorus later built the Tolga monastery near this church. Saint Prochorus died on September 7, 1328. Tolga Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is also commemorated on August 8.

Russia, Moscow, 1317, Moscow Civil War with Tver, Yuri D defeated by Michael T, Yuri's wife d, slander, k, radiant clouds
Tver, 1317, Moscow Intercene (Civil) War with Tver , Martyr Michael the Prince of Tver, Commemorated on November 22 ; Holy Right-Believing Prince Michael of Tver was born in the year 1272, after the death of his father Great Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavich, a brother of holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (November 23). On the journey to the Horde, Prince Yaroslav fell ill, and was tonsured a monk with the name Athanasius, then died. Michael’s mother, Xenia, raised her son in fervent love for God. Michael was educated and studied under the guidance of the Archbishop (probably Clement) of Novgorod. He took the place of his older brother Svyatoslav in the principality of Tver. 1285 he built a stone church in honor of the Savior’s Transfiguration in place of the wooden church of Saints Cosmas and Damian. the death of Great Prince Andrew Alexandrovich (+1305), Michael went to the Horde and received the grant to the great princely throne by right of seniority. Prince Yurii Danilovich of Moscow would not submit to this, because he sought the princely rule for himself. He was often at the Golden Horde of the new Khan Uzbek, who had accepted Mohammedanism and was distinguished by his cruelty and fanaticism. Prince Yurii knew how to please the Khan, and he married his sister Konchaka and became Great Prince. then he did not calm down, but instead began an internecine war with Tver. In Yurii’s army was a detachment of Tatars sent by Uzbek, with Kavgadi at the head. But the men of Tver, with holy Prince Michael at the head, on December 22, 1317 defeated Yurii. Many captives were taken, including Kavgadi, whom Saint Michael released, and the Moscow prince’s wife Konchaka, who unexpectedly died at Tver. Yurii slandered Saint Michael before the Khan, accusing him of poisoning Konchaka. The Khan became enraged, threatening to destroy Saint Michael’s princely holding, and demanded that he appear to give an account. Not wishing to spill Russian blood in an unequal struggle with the Khan, Saint Michael humbly went to the Horde, knowing that this meant death for him. He bid his his family and the Tver people farewell, and received a blessing for his exploit of martyrdom from his spiritual Father Igumen John. “Father,” said the saint, “I was much concerned for the peace of Christians, but through my sins, I was not able to stop internecine war. Now give me your blessing, so that if my blood is spilled for them, they might have some respite, and that the Lord will forgive my sins.” the Horde an unjust trial was held, which found the saint guilty of disobedience to the Khan, and sentenced him to death. They removed him under guard and put him in a heavy wooden stock. As was his habit, Saint Michael constantly read the Psalter in prison and blessed the Lord for granting him to suffer for Him. He asked not to be abandoned in his present torments. Since the hands of the holy sufferer were secured in the stock, a boy sat before him and turned the pages of the Psalter. The holy captive languished at the Horde for a long time, enduring beatings and ridicule. They suggested that he flee, but the saint bravely answered, “In all my life I never fled from an enemy. If I save myself and my people remain in peril, what glory is that to me? No, let it be as the Lord wills.” the mercy of God, he was not deprived of Christian solace: Orthodox priests attended to him, the igumens Alexander and Mark. Each week he made his Confession and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, thus receiving a Christian preparation for his death. At the instigation of Prince Yurii and Kavgadi, who took revenge on the holy prince for their defeat, assassins rushed into the encampment where the captive was held. They fiercely beat the martyr and kicked him with their feet, then one of them stabbed Saint Michael with a knife. holy martyr’s naked body was exposed for abuse, and later they covered him with a cloth and placed him on a large board attached to a cart. By night two guards were set to watch the body, but fear seized them and they fled. In the morning, his body was not on the board. the previous night many, not only Orthodox but also Tatars, had seen two radiant clouds shining over the place where the body of the martyr lay. Although many wild animals roamed the steppes, not one of them had touched him. In the morning everyone said, “Prince Michael is a saint, and was innocently murdered.” From the Horde the body of the prince was transferred to Moscow, where they buried him in the church of the Savior-Wood in the Kremlin. a year later, in 1318, the people of Tver learned the fate of their prince. At the wish of his wife, the right-believing Princess Anna of Kashin (October 2), and at the request of the people of Tver, the relics of Saint Michael were transferred to his native city, and on September 6, 1320 were placed in the church he built in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Local veneration of the holy Prince began soon after the transfer of his relics to Tver, and the general Church glorification of the saint took place at a 1549 Council. November 24, 1632 the incorrupt relics of Saint Michael were uncovered. The holy Prince has often helped the Russian land. In 1606 the Polish and Lithuanians besieging Tver repeatedly saw a wondrous horseman ride out from the city upon a white horse with sword in hand, turning them to flight. Later, when they saw an icon of holy Prince Michael, they affirmed with an oath to Archbishop Theoctistus of Tver that the horseman was indeed Saint Michael himself. Prince Yurii Danilovich of Moscow; Yuri was often at the Golden Horde of the new Khan Uzbek, who had accepted Mohammedanism and was distinguished by his cruelty and fanaticism.; Yuri'™s army was a detachment of Tatars sent by Uzbek, with Kavgadi at the head. the men of Tver, with holy Prince Michael at the head, on December 22, 1317 defeated Yurii. captives were taken, including Kavgadi, whom St Michael released, and the Moscow prince'™s wife Konchaka, who unexpectedly died at Tver. released Kavgadii, who returned to Sarai and accused Mikhail of murdering the Khan's sister, withholding tribute, and warring against his Mongol overlord. As a result, Mikhail was summoned to the Horde by the Khan and executed on November 22, 1318.

Russia, Moscow, 1325-1340, Prince Ivan I of Moscow, John Daniilovich Kalita, controlled V and M
Moscow, 1325-1340, Prince Ivan I of Moscow ; St Mercurius the Bishop of Smolensk, Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on August 7; Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on August 24; Icon of the Mother of God of St Peter of Moscow, Commemorated on August 24; Translation of the relics of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on August 24; Translation of the relics of the Venerable Sergius the Wonderworker of Valaam, Commemorated on September 11 ; St Hypatius of Gangra, Commemorated on November 16; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Repose of St Theoctistus the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on December 23; St Moses the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on January 25; St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; St Theognostus the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, Commemorated on March 14; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26 ; Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6 ; Venerable Sergius the Wonderworker of Valaam, Commemorated on June 28; Icon of the Mother of God "œTenderness"Â in Novgorod, Commemorated on July 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1327-1352, Patriarch, Theognostus of Kiev and All Russia, influence repaired Hagia Sophia
Moscow Patriarch, 1327-1352, Theognostus of Kiev and All Russia; St Theognostus the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, Commemorated on March 14; Theognostus the Greek succeeded Saint Peter (August 25 and December 21) as Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, holding this office from 1327 until 1353. It was through his influence that the Grand Prince Simeon sent money to the Byzantine Emperor John Cantacuzene for repairs to the Great Church of Hagia Sophia. Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1330, St Hypatius of Gangra, killed by Novatians after 325 E Council, m relics, appeared 1330 in Ipatiev, Russia
Armenia, 325, St Hypatius of Gangra, Paphlagonia, killed by Novatians coming back from 325 E Council, m relics, appeared 1330 in Ipatiev, Russia; Gangra; St Hypatius of Gangra, Commemorated on November 16; Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra, was bishop of the city of Gangra in Paphlagonia (Asia Minor). In the year 325 he participated in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea, at which the heresy of Arius was anathematized. Saint Hypatius was returning in 326 from Constantinople to Gangra, followers of the schismatics Novatus and Felicissimus fell upon him in a desolate place. The heretics ran him through with swords and spears, and threw him into a swamp. Like the Protomartyr Stephen, Saint Hypatius prayed for his murderers. Arian woman struck the saint on the head with a stone, killing him. The murderers hid his body in a cave, where a Christian who kept straw there found his body. Recognizing the bishop’s body, he hastened to the city to report this, and the inhabitants of Gangra piously buried their beloved archpastor. his death, the relics of Saint Hypatius were famous for numerous miracles, particularly for casting out demons and for healing the sick. of old the hieromartyr Hypatius was particularly venerated in the Russian land. Thus in the year 1330 the Ipatiev monastery was built at Kostroma, on the place where the Mother of God appeared with the Pre-eternal Christ Child, the Apostle Philip, and the hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra. monastery later occupied a significant place in the spiritual and social life of the nation, particularly during the Time of Troubles. ancient copies of the Life of the hieromartyr Hypatius were widely distributed in Russian literature, and one of these was incorporated into The Reading Menaion of Metropolitan Macarius (1542-1564). In this Life there is an account of the appearance of the Savior to Saint Hypatius on the eve of the martyr’s death. entry for the saint’s Feast consists of his Life, some prayers, and words of praise and instruction. The pious veneration of Saint Hypatius was also expressed in Russian liturgical compositions. During the nineteenth century a new service was written for the hieromartyr Hypatius, distinct from the services written by Saint Joseph the Studite, contained in the March Menaion.

Russia, Moscow, 1330-1380, Blessed John the Hairy, Fool f Christ of Rostov, no shelter, humility, patience, unceasing prayer
Russia, Rostov, 1330-1380, Blessed John the Hairy or Merciful, Fool for Christ of Rostov (Lake Nero), Rostov the Great, no permanent shelter, humility, patience, unceasing prayer, hair upon his head abundantly; Rustov; Rostov the Great; Rustov Cathedral; Blessed John œthe Hairy and Fool-For-Christ at Rostov, Commemorated on September 3 ; John the Merciful of Rostov (also known as “the Hairy”) struggled at Rostov in the exploit of holy foolishness, enduring much deprivation and sorrow. did not have a permanent shelter, and at times took his rest at the house of his spiritual Father, a priest at the church of the All-Holy, or with one of the aged widows. in humility, patience and unceasing prayer, he spiritually nourished many people, among them Saint Irenarchus, Hermit of Rostov (January 13). a long life of pursuing asceticism, he died on September 3, 1580 and was buried, according to his final wishes, beside the church of Saint Blaise beyond the altar. had “hair upon his head abundantly,” therefore he was called “Hairy.” title “Merciful” was given to Blessed John because of the many healings that occurred at his grave, and also in connection with the memory of the holy Patriarch John the Merciful (November 12), whose name he shared.

Russia, Moscow, 1331, Moscow Final Russian Capital after 1331
Russia; Russians; Tartars; Ukrainians ; Icon of the Mother of God "the Seeker of the Lost", Commemorated February 5 ; Right-believing Prince Basil (Vasilko) of Rostov, Commemorated on March 4; Icon of the Mother of God of St Theodore, Commemorated on March 14; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Blessed Prince Gleb Andreevich the Son of St Andrew Bogoliubsky, Commemorated on June 20 ; St Menas, Bishop of Polotsk, Commemorated on June 20;

Russia, Moscow, 1334-1392, Demetrius the Wonderworker of Priluki, Pereyaslavl, Poltava, Ukraine (Udai River 1)
Russia, Moscow, 1334-1392, Demetrius the Wonderworker of Priluki, Pereyaslavl, Poltava, Ukraine (Udai River 1) Demetrius of Priluki, Wonderworker, was born into a rich merchant’s family in Pereyaslavl-Zalessk. From his youth the saint was uncommonly handsome. Receiving monastic tonsure at one of the Pereyaslavl monasteries, the saint later founded the Saint Nicholas cenobitic monastery on the Saints Boris and Gleb Hill at the shore of Lake Plescheevo near the city, and became its igumen. 1334 Saint Demetrius first met with Saint Sergius of Radonezh, who had come to Pereyaslavl to see Metropolitan Athanasius. From that time, he frequently conversed with Saint Sergius and became close with him. The fame of the Pereyaslavl igumen was so widespread that he became godfather to the children of Great Prince Demetrius Ioannovich. Under the influence of the Radonezh wonderworker, Saint Demetrius decided to withdraw to a remote place, and went north with his disciple Pachomius. the Vologda forests, at the River Velika, near the Avnezh settlement, they built a church of the Resurrection of Christ and they prepared to lay the foundations for a monastery. The local inhabitants were fearful that if a monastery were built there, their village would become monastery property. They demanded that the monks leave their territory, and wishing to be a burden to no one, they moved farther away. far from Vologda, at the bend of a river in an isolated spot, Saint Demetrius decided to form the first of the cenobitic monasteries of the Russian North. The people of Vologda and the surrounding gladly consented to help the saint. The owners of the land intended for the monastery, Elias and Isidore, even trampled down a grain field, so that a temple might be built immediately. In 1371 the wooden Savior cathedral was built, and brethren began to gather. disciples of the monk came there from Pereyaslavl. Saint Demetrius combined prayer and strict asceticism with kindliness. He fed the poor and hungry, he took in strangers, he conversed with those in need of consolation, and he gave counsel. He loved to pray in solitude. His Lenten food consisted of prosphora with warm water. Even on feastdays, he would not partake of the wine and fish permitted by the Rule. Both winter and summer he wore an old sheepskin coat, and even in his old age he went with the brethren on common tasks. The saint accepted contributions to the monastery cautiously, so that the welfare of the monastery would not be detrimental to those living nearby. Lord granted His servant the gift of clairvoyance, and he attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. Saint Demetrius died at an advanced age on February 11, 1392. The brethren approaching found him as though asleep, and his cell was filled with a wondrous fragrance. from the relics of Saint Demetrius began in the year 1409, and during the fifteenth century his veneration spread throughout all Rus. And no later than the year 1440, the Priluki monk Macarius recorded his Life (Great Reading Menaion, February 11) based on the narratives of Saint Demetrius’s disciple Igumen Pachomius. Priluki city (Udai River); Venerable Demetrius the Wonderworker of Priluki, Vologda, Commemorated February 11 ; St Euphrosyne the Princess, (Eudoxia) of Moscow, Commemorated on May 17 ; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5;

Russia, Moscow, 1334-1392, Saint Sergius of Radonezh, most highly venerated
Moscow, 1334-1392, Saint Sergius of Radonezh; Repose of St Philaret (Drozdov) the Metropolitan of Moscow, Commemorated on November 19 ; Venerable Schemamonk Cyril, the Father of St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on January 18; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26 ; Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6 ; St Eudokia, in Monasticism Euphrosyne, the Grand Duchess of Moscow, Commemorated on July 7;

Russia, Moscow, 1337-1407, Sabbas of Storozhi and Radonezh, Saint Sava
Russia, Tver, 1337-1407, Sabbas of Storozhi and Radonezh, Saint Sava ; Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, Tver; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Vishera, Novgorod, Commemorated on October 1 ; Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius, Commemorated November 17 ; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Zvenigorod the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated December 3 ; Opening of the Relics of the Venerable Sava of Storozhev, or Zvenigorod, Commemorated on January 19 ; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5;

Russia, Moscow, 1340, MOG Appearance leaving Footprint&Spring fMonastery, Pochaev, Volhynia (high point, sources 5 rivers)
Russia, Volhynia, 1340, Appearance MOG leaving Footprint and Spring, Pochaev, Volhynia (Styr, Seret, Western Bug, Horyn, and Ikva Rivers Sources), 2 Monks in Cave on hill where monastery now located, reading prayer rule, tTop of Hill, beheld Theotokos enveloped in flames, summoned other monk tWitness, shepherd J B also ran there, she left footprint in rock which became healing spring; Pochaev; Pochayiv Lavra; Uniates; Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Footprint” at Pochaev, Commemorated on April 21; Bright Friday we commemorate the Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Footprint” at Pochaev. the year 1340, two monks came and settled in a cave on the hill where the monastery is now located. reading his usual Prayer Rule, one of them went to the top of the hill, and and suddenly he beheld the Theotokos standing on a rock and enveloped in flames. summoned the other monk, who also witnessed the miracle. third witness of the vision was the shepherd John Bosoy. He ran to the hill, and the three of them glorified God. Most Holy Theotokos left the imprint of her right foot on the stone where she had stood, and this filled up with water. Since that time, many people have been healed at this miraculous spring. Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev, Commemorated on July 23; Commemoration of the Miraculous Appearance of the Mother of God at Pochaev, which saved the Monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks, Commemorated on July 23; of the Miraculous Appearance of the Mother of God at Pochaev, which saved the Monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is among the most revered sacred objects of the Orthodox Church. Located in the Dormition Cathedral at Pochaev, Ukraine, the Icon is reknowned throughout the entire Slavic world, and is venerated in Russia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and in other places. Christians of other confessions also venerate the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. The wonderworking Icon has been treasured at the Pochaev Lavra for over 400 years. miracles have taken place before the holy Icon, and these are recorded in special books at the monastery. The books contain the personal testimonies of people who prayed before the Pochaev Icon and were healed of their illnesses, delivered from unclean spirits, or freed from captivity. Many sinners were also brought to repentance. Feast Day in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was appointed to commemorate the deliverance of the Dormition Lavra from a siege by the Turks on July 20-23, 1675. the summer of 1675 during the Zbarazhsk War with the Turks, in the reign of the Polish King Jan Sobesski (1674-1696), regiments composed of Tatars under the command of Khan Nurredin via Vishnevets fell upon the Pochaev monastery, surrounding it on three sides. The weak monastery walls and its stone buildings did not offer much protection against a siege. Igoumen Joseph Dobromirsky urged the brethren and laypeople to pray to their heavenly intercessors, the Most Holy Theotokos and Saint Job of Pochaev (October 28). monks and the people prayed fervently, prostrating themselves before the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God, and the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Job. At sunrise on the morning of July 23, as the Tatars prepared to attack the monastery, the Igoumen ordered an Akathist to the Theotokos to be sung. At the opening words, “O Queen of the Heavenly Hosts,” the Mother of God suddenly appeared over the church, in “an unfurled radiant white omaphorion,” with angels holding unsheathed swords. Saint Job stood beside the Mother of God, bowing to her and beseeching her to defend the monastery. Tatars believed that the heavenly army was a vision, and in their confusion they started shooting arrows at the Most Holy Theotokos and Saint Job, but the arrows turned backwards and wounded those who shot them. The enemy, gripped by terror, fled in panic, trampling upon and killing each other. The defenders of the monastery pursued them and took many prisoners. Later, some of the prisoners converted to the Orthodox Faith and remained at the monastery thereafter. the year 1721, Pochaev was occupied by the Uniates. Even during this difficult time for the Lavra, the monastery Chronicle lists 539 miracles of the Pochaev Icon. In the second half of the eighteenth century, a Uniate nobleman, Count Nicholas Pototski, became a benefactor of the Pochaev Lavra through the following miraculous circumstance. After accusing his coachman of overturning the carriage with runaway horses, the Count took out a pistol to shoot him. The coachman, turning towards the mountain of Pochaev, stretched out his hands and cried: "Mother of God, depicted in the Pochaev Icon, save me!” times Pototski tried to shoot the pistol, which had never failed him, but the weapon misfired and the coachman remained alive. Pototski went at once to the wonderworking Icon and resolved to devote himself and all his property to building up the monastery. With the money he contributed, the Dormition cathedral was built, as well as other buildings for the brethren. return of the Pochaev Monastery to the Orthodox Church in 1832 was marked by the miraculous healing of the blind maiden Anna Akimchukova, who had come on pilgrimage to the holy shrine along with her seventy-year-old grandmother from Kremenets-Podolsk, 200 versts away. In memory of this event, the Archbishop of Volhynia and Archimandrite Innocent of the Lavra (1832-1840) appointed that an Akathist be read on Saturdays before the wonderworking Icon. During the time of Archimandrite Agathangelus, Archbishop of Volhynia (1866-1876), a separate chapel was built in the galleries of the Holy Trinity church, which was dedicated on July 23, 1875 in memory of the victory over the Tatars. wonderworking Pochaev Icon is also commemorated on Friday of Bright Week, and on September 8.

Russia, Moscow, 1340 & 1500's, Pochaev Icon, MOG, flames, foot imprint spring, monk transported, more
Russia, Volynia, 1340, Pochaev Icon, Volynia (Styr, Seret, Western Bug, Horyn, and Ikva Rivers Sources), Theotokos standing on rock, top of hill, enveloped in flames, 3 witnesses, foot imprint in rock, healing spring from imprint, 1559 radiant icon, 1597 healing icon given to monk on hill and monastery, monk transported from Tartar captivity, icon most revered Orthodox objects; Pochaev; Pochayiv Lavra; Uniates; Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev, Commemorated September 8 ; the year 1340, two monks came and settled in a cave on the hill where the monastery is now located. reading his usual Prayer Rule, one of them went to the top of the hill, and suddenly he beheld the Theotokos standing on a rock and enveloped in flames. summoned the other monk, who also witnessed the miracle. A third witness of the vision was the shepherd John Bosoy. ran to the hill, and the three of them glorified God. Most Holy Theotokos left the imprint of her right foot on the stone where she had stood, and this filled up with water. that time, many people have been healed at this miraculous spring. 1559 Metropolitan Neophytus of Constantinople, on his journey through Volhynia, visited the noblewoman Anna Goiskaya living at the estate of Orlya, not far from Pochaev. a farewell blessing he left Anna an icon of the Mother of God which he brought from Constantinople. began to notice a radiance coming from the icon. 1597 Anna’s brother Philip was healed of an ailment before the eyes of a monk who lived on the hill at Pochaev. then gave the wonderworking image to the monk. The icon was placed in a church which was built in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. monastery was later established there, and Anna Goiskaya provided a large portion of the money needed for construction. following is one of the more famous accounts of help from the Queen of Heaven through her wonderworking Pochaev Icon. monk of Pochaev monastery was taken into captivity by the Tatars. Held as a slave, he thought of the Pochaev monastery, its holy things, the divine services, and the church singing. In particular the monk yearned to be in Pochaev for the approaching Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. He prayed tearfully to the Mother of God for deliverance from captivity, and suddenly, through the prayers of the Holy Virgin, the walls of the dungeon disappeared, and the monk found himself standing before the walls of the Pochaev monastery. Pochaev Icon is also celebrated on Friday of Bright Week and on July 23. Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev, Commemorated on July 23; of the Miraculous Appearance of the Mother of God at Pochaev, which saved the Monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is among the most revered sacred objects of the Orthodox Church. in the Dormition Cathedral at Pochaev, Ukraine, the Icon is reknowned throughout the entire Slavic world, and is venerated in Russia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and in other places. of other confessions also venerate the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. wonderworking Icon has been treasured at the Pochaev Lavra for over 400 years. miracles have taken place before the holy Icon, and these are recorded in special books at the monastery. The books contain the personal testimonies of people who prayed before the Pochaev Icon and were healed of their illnesses, delivered from unclean spirits, or freed from captivity. Many sinners were also brought to repentance. Feast Day in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was appointed to commemorate the deliverance of the Dormition Lavra from a siege by the Turks on July 20-23, 1675. the summer of 1675 during the Zbarazhsk War with the Turks, in the reign of the Polish King Jan Sobesski (1674-1696), regiments composed of Tatars under the command of Khan Nurredin via Vishnevets fell upon the Pochaev monastery, surrounding it on three sides. The weak monastery walls and its stone buildings did not offer much protection against a siege. Igoumen Joseph Dobromirsky urged the brethren and laypeople to pray to their heavenly intercessors, the Most Holy Theotokos and Saint Job of Pochaev (October 28). monks and the people prayed fervently, prostrating themselves before the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God, and the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Job. At sunrise on the morning of July 23, as the Tatars prepared to attack the monastery, the Igoumen ordered an Akathist to the Theotokos to be sung. At the opening words, “O Queen of the Heavenly Hosts,” the Mother of God suddenly appeared over the church, in “an unfurled radiant white omaphorion,” with angels holding unsheathed swords. Saint Job stood beside the Mother of God, bowing to her and beseeching her to defend the monastery. Tatars believed that the heavenly army was a vision, and in their confusion they started shooting arrows at the Most Holy Theotokos and Saint Job, but the arrows turned backwards and wounded those who shot them. The enemy, gripped by terror, fled in panic, trampling upon and killing each other. The defenders of the monastery pursued them and took many prisoners. Later, some of the prisoners converted to the Orthodox Faith and remained at the monastery thereafter. the year 1721, Pochaev was occupied by the Uniates. Even during this difficult time for the Lavra, the monastery Chronicle lists 539 miracles of the Pochaev Icon. In the second half of the eighteenth century, a Uniate nobleman, Count Nicholas Pototski, became a benefactor of the Pochaev Lavra through the following miraculous circumstance. After accusing his coachman of overturning the carriage with runaway horses, the Count took out a pistol to shoot him. The coachman, turning towards the mountain of Pochaev, stretched out his hands and cried: "Mother of God, depicted in the Pochaev Icon, save me!” times Pototski tried to shoot the pistol, which had never failed him, but the weapon misfired and the coachman remained alive. Pototski went at once to the wonderworking Icon and resolved to devote himself and all his property to building up the monastery. With the money he contributed, the Dormition cathedral was built, as well as other buildings for the brethren. return of the Pochaev Monastery to the Orthodox Church in 1832 was marked by the miraculous healing of the blind maiden Anna Akimchukova, who had come on pilgrimage to the holy shrine along with her seventy-year-old grandmother from Kremenets-Podolsk, 200 versts away. In memory of this event, the Archbishop of Volhynia and Archimandrite Innocent of the Lavra (1832-1840) appointed that an Akathist be read on Saturdays before the wonderworking Icon. During the time of Archimandrite Agathangelus, Archbishop of Volhynia (1866-1876), a separate chapel was built in the galleries of the Holy Trinity church, which was dedicated on July 23, 1875 in memory of the victory over the Tatars. wonderworking Pochaev Icon is also commemorated on Friday of Bright Week, and on September 8.

Russia, Moscow, 1340-1353, Prince, Simeon of Moscow, and Vladimir, against Novg and Lith, died Black Death
Moscow Prince, 1340-1353, Simeon of Moscow ; Icon of the Mother of God "Chukhloma" from Galich, Commemorated July 20 ; Repose of the Venerable Abramius of Galich or Chukhom Lake, and Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated July 20 ; Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on August 24; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; St Mercurius the Bishop of Smolensk, Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on August 7; St John the Bishop of Suzdal, Commemorated on October 15; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Paul the Abbot of Obnora, Vologda, Commemorated on January 10; Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on January 19; St Moses the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on January 25; St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17; Venerable Lazarus of Murom, Commemorated on March 8; St Theognostus the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, Commemorated on March 14; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26 ; Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6;

Russia, Moscow, 1345-1406, Sava of Zvenigorod, constant toil, lamenting, trembling, model of humility, confessor tAll, incrrpt r
Russia, Tver, 1345-1406, Sava of Zvenigorod, constant toil, lamenting, trembling, model of humility, confessor to all, incorrupt relics, tonsured bSergius oRadonezh, his mentor, loved solitude, avoided conversation, constant toil, lamenting his soul's poverty, trembling God's judgement, model oSimplicity humility, attained spiritual wisdom, Radonezh confessor, excedingly learned, became igumen aDemetry otDon's Dubenka River monastery, ate plants, wore coarse clothing, slept oGround, 1392 igumen Trinity-Sergius, built well, Yuri oZ, Sergius' godson, chose Savva spiritual father, come bless my whole family, begged to stay, prayed before icon, accepted, new Storozhi monastery 1399, dug well, carried water, wooden palisade circling m, hollow cell above it, 1399 blessed Yuri campaign, speedy victory, stone church, died 1406, appointed Savva II igumen, miraculous curative power from his grave, numerous appearances, divine light illuminating all, 1539 called wonderworker, 1480 appeared t4th igumen, I am Savva tFounder othis place, dream verified by one who knew him, obeyed command paint Icon oSavva, incorrupt relics 1652; Russia, Tver, 1345-1406, Sava of Storozhev, or Zvenigorod, Tver, Moscow River 3, Trinity-Sergiev Lavra 1345, solitude, constant toil, lamenting, trembling, model of simplicity and humility, father confessor to all, Donskoy's Dubenka River monastery 1380, 1392 Trinity monastery, Yuri of Z's monastery 1399 , Opening incorrupt relics 1652; Cape of Storozhev (Zvenigorod, Moscova River 2), Steep Banks of the Moscova River; Opening of the Relics of the Venerable Sava of Storozhev, or Zvenigorod, Commemorated on January 19 ; we commemorate opening of the incorrupt relics of Saint Savva of Storozhev and Zvenigorod on January 19, 1652. Savva is also also commemorated on December 3, as determined by the Moscow Council of 1547. Venerable Savva, Igoumen of Zvenigorod, Disciple of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on December 3; Savva of Zvenigorod forsook the world in his early youth, and received the monastic tonsure from Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5), and was his disciple and fellow-ascetic. Savva loved solitude, and avoided conversing with people. He lived in constant toil, lamenting the poverty of his soul, and trembling before the judgment of God. He was a model of simplicity and humility, and he attained such a depth of spiritual wisdom that “in the monastery of Saint Sergius he was the Father Confessor to all the brethren, a venerable and exceedingly learned Elder.” Great Prince Demetrios of the Don built the monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God at the Dubenka River, in gratitude for the victory over Mamai, Savva became the Igoumen, with the blessing of Saint Sergius. Maintaining the simple manner of his life of asceticism, he ate plants, wore coarse clothing and slept on the ground. the departure of their Igoumen Saint Nikon (November 17) into the wilderness in 1392, the brethren of the Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra asked Saint Savva to become the Igoumen of the monastery. Here he “shepherded the flock entrusted to him well, to the best of his ability, helped by the prayers of his Spiritual Father, Saint Sergius.” According to Tradition, the well outside the Lavra walls was built while he was Igoumen. Yuri of Zvenigorod, a godson of Saint Sergius, regarded Saint Savva with much love and esteem. He chose Saint Savva as his Spiritual Father and begged him to come and bestow his blessing upon his entire household. The Saint had hoped to return to his monastery, but the Prince begged him to stay and establish a new monastery, “in his fatherland, near Zvenigorod, at a place called Storozhi.” Savva acceded to the request of Prince Yuri, and praying tearfully before an icon of the Mother of God, he entreated her protection for that site in the wilderness. On Storozhi Hill, he built a small wooden church in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and nearby a small cell for himself. Here he established a monastery in 1399, with paternal love he accepted all who came seeking a life of quietude and seclusion. Savva worked very hard to build up the monastery. He dug a well at the foot of the hill, from which he carried water on his own shoulders. He encircled the monastery with a wooden palisade, and in a hollow above it, he dug out a cell where he could live in solitude. 1399 Saint Savva blessed his spiritual son, Prince Yuri, to go on a military campaign, predicting that the enemy would be defeated. Through the prayers of the holy Elder, the forces of the Prince won a speedy victory. Through the efforts of Saint Savva, a stone church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was built to replace the old wooden one. Savva went to the Lord at an advanced age on December 3, 1406. He appointed his disciple, who was also named Savva, as his successor. of the holy God-pleaser by the local people began immediately after his death. The miraculous curative power issuing from the Saint's grave, and his numerous appearances, convinced everyone that Igoumen Savva was "truly an unsetting sun of divine light, illumining all with its miraculous rays.” In a letter of 1539 Saint Savva was called a wonderworker. Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich had a special veneration for him, repeatedly visiting the monastery of Saint Savva on foot. Tradition has preserved for us a remarkable account of how Saint Savva was saved from a ferocious bear. Life of Saint Savva, compiled in the XVI century, relates how at the end of the XV century (1480-1490), the Saint appeared to Father Dionysios, the fourth Igoumen of Saint Savva Monastery and said: “Dionysios! Wake up and paint my icon.” When Father Dionysios asked who he was, he replied, “I am Savva, the founder of this place.” Father Dionysios had not known the Saint personally, so he summoned Elder Habakkuk, who had known Saint Savva in his youth, hoping to convince himself that his dream was not a delusion. He described the Saint's outward appearance, and Father Habakkuk assured him that the Saint looked exactly as the Igoumen had seen him in the dream. Then Father Dionysios obeyed the command and painted an icon of Saint Savva. Feast Day of Saint Savva was established at the Moscow Council of 1547. His incorrupt relics were recovered on January 19, 1652.

Russia, Moscow, 1350, 14th C, Mercurius t Faster of the Far Caves, deep spiritual friendship & buried w Paisus
Russia, Kiev, 1350, Mercurius t Faster of the Far Caves, deep spiritual friendship & buried w Paisus; Kiev Far Caves - Berestovo Village ; Venerable Mercurius the Faster of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated November 24 ; Mercurius of Kiev Caves pursued asceticism in the Farther Caves in the fourteenth century, and was strict in fasting. During his lifetime Saint Mercurius had a deep spiritual friendship with Saint Paisius, and when they died, they were buried in the same grave. November 24 commemoration of the saint is made because of his namesake, the holy Great Martyr Mercurius. He is also remembered on August 28, the Synaxis of the Saints of the Far Caves; and on the second Sunday of Great Lent, the Synaxis of all the monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves. Venerable Paisius of the Kiev Far Caves Commemorated on July 19 Saint Paisius of the Caves was a monk of the Kiev Caves monastery. From the Canon to the Kiev Caves monks, venerated in the Far Caves, it is known that he was connected by oneness of mind and brotherly love with Saint Mercurius (November 24). Both saints were inseparable, they lived in the same cell, and after death were placed in the same grave. At the present time their relics rest in separate reliquaries.

Russia, Moscow, 1350-1353, Black Plague in Russia, Worldwide 1331-1353
Moscow, 1350-1353, Black Plague in Russia, Worldwide 1331-1353; Venerable Dorothy of Kashin, Commemorated on September 24;

Russia, Moscow, 1350-1370 , St John, B Suzdal&Nizhegorod, attending angel, lower taxes, poor houses, hospices, Mordovians
Russia, Vladimir, 1350- , Saint John, Bishop of Suzdal; Suzdal (Southern Valley) ; St John the Bishop of Suzdal, Commemorated October 15 ; John, Bishop of Suzdal, entered one of the monasteries of Suzdal while a youth. his virtuous and humble life, the saint was made the first Bishop of Suzdal and Nizhegorod in 1350. John merited a great mercy of God: Prince Boris of Suzdal saw how an angel of God attended the saint during the Divine Liturgy. John was known for his love towards the destitute and the sick; he interceded for the poor before the princes to lower their taxes. He also built poor houses and hospices for the sick. saint was very concerned about enlightening the pagan Mordvians with the Christian Faith. the annexation of Suzdal to the Moscow Diocese, Saint John took the monastic schema and withdrew to the Bogoliub monastery. He lived there in seclusion and died in peace. Numerous miracles took place at his grave.

Russia, Moscow, 1350, Chukhoma Icon found in a tree, Jesus, Galich, Kostroma
Russia, Moscow, 1350, Chukhoma Icon found in a tree, Jesus, Galich, Kostroma Russia, Vologda, 1350, Chukhoma Icon found in a tree, Jesus, Galich, Kostroma ; Chukhloma Icon of the Mother of God of Galich appeared in the year 1350 to Saint Abraham of Galich, who came there from the north for ascetical labors with the blessing of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. On the wild shores of the Galich lake near the large mountain, hidden in the dense forest, he turned with prayer to the Mother of God, asking Her blessing for his endeavors. After completing his prayer the saint sat down to rest, and suddenly a bright light appeared on the nearby mountainside and he heard a voice: “Abraham, come up the mountain, where there is an icon of My Mother.” monk went up the mountain where the light shone, and indeed found an icon of the Mother of God with the Infant on a tree. With tenderness and in gratitude to God, the holy ascetic took the revealed icon and, strengthened by prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos, he built a chapel at that place, in which he put the icon. a certain time the Galich prince Demetrius Feodorovich, learned about the Elder’s trip, and asked him to bring the icon. Saint Abraham rowed across the Galich lake in a boat and, accompanied by clergy and a throng of people, he took the wonderworking icon to the cathedral church of the city of Galich. this day a large number of the sick were healed by this icon. When Saint Abraham told about the appearance of the icon, the Prince offered money to build a monastery. a church was built in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, around which a monastery grew. Saint Abraham founded several more monasteries, the last being founded was the Chukhloma, not far from the city of Chukhloma, from the name of this monastery the ascetic was named “of Chukhloma,” and the wonderworking icon became known as the Chukhloma Icon of Galich. icon is also commemorated on May 28, July 4, and August 15. Galich (Lake Galich);

Russia, Moscow, 1350, middle 14th to first half 15th centuries, Strigolniki Heretics, social justice
Strigolniki Heretics, middle 14th to first half 15th centuries; Strigolniki were followers of the first Russian heretical sect of the middle of the 14th and first half of the 15th century, established in Pskov and later in Novgorod and Tver.[1] origins of the name remain unclear. Some historians believe it has something to do with handicrafts that the first Strigolniki were engaged in, such as cloth-cutting or hairdressing (it appears that the word strigolnik derives from the Russian root strig-, which connotes cutting or trimming. Others think the name comes from a special initiation ceremony (a specific haircut, or strizhka), performed by a deacon named Karp – a supposed founder of the sect (together with deacon Nikita) yet others think it could mean that these people refused to either grow a beard or cut their beards when they entered churches. participants of the sect were tradespeople and low-ranking clergy. They renounced all ecclesiastic hierarchy and monasticism, sacraments of priesthood, communion, repentance, and baptism, which had been accompanied by large fees ("extortions", in their view) to the benefit of the clergy. Criticizing and exposing the venality, vices, and ignorance of the priests, the Strigolniki demanded the right to a religious sermon for laymen. Their sermons were full of social motifs: they reproached the rich for enslaving the free and the poor. Karp found many followers in Pskov, but had to move to Novgorod to avoid persecution. Some scholars argue that Archbishop of Novgorod Vasilii Kalika (1330–1352) ignored the heresy, but that his successors, Moisei (1325–1330; 1352–1359), and Aleksei (1359–1388) took firm measures against the heretics. In 1375, enraged citizens of Novgorod threw three heretics from the bridge into the Volkhov River.[2] Beginning in 1382, the sect was opposed by Archbishop Dionysios of Suzdal. the teachings of the Strigolniki lived on. They spread widely in Novgorod, in Pskov, and also in Tver, where bishops Feodor Dobry and Yevfimiy Vislen came forward with support for the movement. In the early 15th century Photius, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Russia, denounced the Strigolniki teachings.[3] has been no record of the sect since the second half of the 15th century. Some historians believe that it merged with the Sect of Skhariya the Jew. The Orthodox Church believes the heresy ended in 1427.[citation needed] St Dionysius the Archbishop of Suzdal, Commemorated on June 26 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1351-1453, Sophia of Lithuania, Vytautas' daughter, Russian Basil I's wife, regent for son Vasily II
of Lithuania (1371–1453) was a Grand Princess consort of Muscovy by marriage to Vasili I of Russia. She was regent of Muscovy during the minority of her son from 1425 to 1434. was the only daughter of Vytautas the Great of Lithuania and his first wife, Anna. On 21 January 1391, while her father was engaged in the Lithuanian Civil War, she married Vasili I of Russia. She was the longest serving consort of Russia. Vasili's death in 1425 she became regent for their ten-year-old son Vasili II. Her father supported Vasili's claim to the throne, which was disputed by his uncle, Yuri of Zvenigorod. was buried in the Ascension Convent; the sarcophagus was moved in 1929 to the Cathedral of the Archangel by Soviet authorities.[1] She and Vasili I of Russia had at least nine children: Anna of Moscow (1393 – August 1417), wife of John VIII Palaiologos Yury Vasilievich (30 March 1395 – 30 November 1400) Ivan Vasilievich (15 January 1396 – 20 July 1417), husband of a daughter of Ivan Vladimirovich of Pronsk Anastasia Vasilievna (d. 1470), wife of Vladymir Alexander, Prince of Kiev. Her husband was a son of Vladymir, Prince of Kiev. His paternal grandparents were Algirdas and Maria of Vitebsk. Daniil Vasilievich (6 December 1400 – May 1402). Vasilisa Vasilievna, wife of Alexander Ivanovich "Brukhaty", Prince of Suzdal, and Alexander Daniilovich "Vzmetenj", Prince of Suzdal. Simeon Vasilievich (13 January – 7 April 1405) Maria Vasilievna, wife of Yuri Patrikievich. Her husband was a son of Patrikas, Prince of Starodub, and his wife, Helena. His paternal grandfather was Narimantas. Vasily II of Moscow (10 March 1415 – 27 March 1462) Lithuanian prince Vitovt 1392-1430 (Vytautas the Great); (c. 1350 – October 27, 1430), also known as Vytautas the Great[1] (Lithuanian: About this soundVytautas Didysis (help·info), Polish: Witold Kiejstutowicz, Witold Aleksander or Witold Wielki[1] Ruthenian: Vitovt, Latin: Alexander Vitoldus, Old German: Wythaws or Wythawt)[2] from the 15th century onwards, was a ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which chiefly encompassed the Lithuanians and Ruthenians. He was also the Prince of Grodno (1370–1382), Prince of Lutsk (1387–1389), and the postulated king of the Hussites.[3] modern Lithuania, Vytautas is revered as a national hero and was an important figure in the national rebirth in the 19th century. Vytautas is a popular male given name in Lithuania. In commemoration of the 500-year anniversary of his death, Vytautas Magnus University was named after him. Monuments in his honour were built in many towns in the independent Lithuania during the interwar period from 1918 to 1939. It is known that Vytautas himself knew and spoke in the Lithuanian language with Jogaila.[4][5] for power[edit] –1384[edit] article: Lithuanian Civil War (1381–1384) Seal of Vytautas, c. 14th-15th centuries uncle Algirdas had been Grand Duke of Lithuania until his death in 1377. Algirdas and Vytautas' father Kestutis had ruled jointly in the form of diarchy, with Algirdas governing the east and Kestutis the west, primarily responsible for defense against the Teutonic Order. Algirdas was succeeded by his son Jogaila, and a struggle for power ensued. 1380, Jogaila signed the secret Treaty of Dovydiskes with the Teutonic Order against Kestutis. Kestutis discovered this in 1381, he seized Vilnius, imprisoned Jogaila, and made himself Grand Duke. Jogaila escaped and raised an army against Kestutis. The two sides confronted each other but never engaged in battle. Kestutis was ready to negotiate, but he and Vytautas were arrested and transported to Kreva Castle. One week later, Kestutis was found dead. Whether he died of natural causes or was murdered is still a matter of debate. and Kestutis imprisoned by Jogaila. Painting by Wojciech Gerson 1382, Vytautas escaped from Kreva and he sought help from the Teutonic Order, who were negotiating with Jogaila at the time. Jogaila and the Order agreed to the Treaty of Dubysa, by which Jogaila promised to accept Christianity, become an ally of the Order, and give the Order part of Samogitia up to the Dubysa River. However, the treaty was never ratified and in summer 1383, the war between Jogaila and the Order resumed. was baptised as a Catholic, receiving the name of Wigand. Vytautas participated in several raids against Jogaila. In January 1384, Vytautas promised to cede part of Samogitia to the Teutonic Order, up to the Nevezis River in return for recognition as Grand Duke of Lithuania. in July of the same year, Vytautas broke with the Order and reconciled with Jogaila. He then burned three important Teutonic castles, and regained all Kestutis' lands, except for Trakai. –1392[edit] article: Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392) and Lithuania, 1386–1434 1385, Jogaila concluded the Union of Krewo with Poland, under which he married Jadwiga of Poland and became King of Poland as WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw II JagieÅ‚Å‚o. participated in the Union and in 1386 was re-baptised as a Catholic, receiving the name Alexander. left his brother Skirgaila as regent in Lithuania. However, Skirgaila was unpopular with the people and Vytautas saw an opportunity to become Grand Duke. In 1389, he attacked Vilnius but failed. early 1390, Vytautas again allied with the Teutonic Order through the Treaty of Konigsberg (1390).[6] Vytautas had to confirm his agreement of 1384, and cede Samogitia to the Order. army now invaded Lithuania.[citation needed] Also, to gain more influence, Vytautas married his only daughter Sophia to Vasili I of Russia in 1391.[6] Polish nobles were unhappy that their new king spent too much time on Lithuanian affairs. It was clear that the war could continue for years and would not bring any benefit to Poland. 1392, Jogaila sent Henry of Masovia with an offer to make Vytautas regent instead of Skirgaila. Vytautas accepted and again broke with the Order. He burned three Teutonic castles and returned to Vilnius. and Vytautas signed the Astrava Treaty in which Vytautas recovered all KÄ™stutis' lands, including Trakai, and was given more. Vytautas would rule Lithuania in the name of Jogaila. After Vytautas' death, all his lands and powers would revert to Jogaila. Duke of Lithuania[edit] towards the East[edit] to Vilnius Cathedral issued by Vytautas in Vilnius on February 16, 1410 (Latin language) continued Algirdas' vision to control as many Ruthenian lands as possible. Much of the territory was already under the Grand Duke's rule, but the rest was controlled by the Mongols. Khan of the Golden Horde, sought help from Vytautas when he was removed from the throne in 1395 after his defeat by Timur. An agreement was reached that Vytautas would help Tokhtamysh to regain power, and the Horde would cede more lands to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in return. In 1398, Vytautas' army attacked a part of the Crimea and built a castle there. Now Lithuania spanned from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. A number of Tatar captives were brought to ethnic Lithuania. attempts on the part of Poland to subordinate Lithuania drove Vytautas for the third time into the arms of the Order, and by the Treaty of Salynas in October 1398, Vytautas, who now styled himself Supremus Dux Lithuaniae, ceded his ancestral province of Samogitia to the knights, formed an alliance with them for the conquest and partition of Pskov and Novgorod the Great.[6] of Smolensk coin with lions or leopards and the Columns of Gediminas, showing it as a vassal of Vytautas the Great, circa 1399–1401. by his successful campaign against Timur, Vytautas and Jogaila won support from Pope Boniface IX for organising a crusade against the Mongols. political move also demonstrated that Lithuania had fully accepted Christianity and was defending the faith on its own, and that the Teutonic Knights had no further basis for attacks against Lithuania. campaign resulted in a crushing defeat at the Battle of the Vorskla River in 1399. Over twenty princes, including two brothers of Jogaila, were killed, and Vytautas himself barely escaped alive. This came as a shock to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland. number of territories revolted against Vytautas, and Smolensk was retaken by its hereditary ruler, George of Smolensk, and not re-conquered by Lithuanians until 1404. waged a war in 1406–1408 against his son-in-law Vasili I of Moscow and Svitrigaila, a brother of Jogaila who with the support of the Teutonic Order had declared himself grand prince. A major stand-off between the two armies ended without a battle in the Treaty of Ugra, by which Velikiy Novgorod was granted to Jogaila's brother Lengvenis, and the important city of Pskov to Jogaila's envoy Jerzy Nos, the latter settlement a clear violation of the treaty of Raciaz.[7][8] The war with Muscovy ended in December 1408, on terms that made further conflict with the Teutonic Order inevitable, despite Hermann II of Celje's attempt to negotiate a solution.[9] against the Teutonic Order[edit] article: Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War the Great as shown on Jan Matejko's oil painting of the Battle of Grunwald the Great Monument in Kaunas the Treaty of Salynas Vytautas had transferred Zemaitija Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights. Zemaitija/Samogitia was especially important for the Order because it separated the Teutonic Knights, based in Prussia, from the Livonian Order, based in Latvia. The two orders desired to unite and form a mighty force. However, the knights ruled Zemaitija for only three years, because on March 13, 1401, the Samogitians, supported by Vytautas, rebelled and burned two castles. The knights received support from Svitrigaila, brother of Jogaila, who desired to take Vytautas' title. In 1404 Peace of Raciaz was signed, which in essence repeated the Treaty of Salynas: Zemaitija/Samogitia was transferred to the Teutonic Knights. Poland promised not to support Lithuania in case of another war. The knights promised to support Vytautas in the east and not to support any Gediminid who could have claims to the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania. However, the treaty did not solve the problems, and all the parties prepared for war. 1408, Vytautas reached peace in the east and returned to Samogitian matters. In 1409 the second Samogitian uprising against the Teutonic Knights began, as the rebels burned SkirsnemunÄ— castle. Both Poland and Lithuania supported the rebels. Vytautas gathered a large army from 18 lands under his control. The army joined Polish forces and advanced towards the Teutonic headquarters at the castle of Marienburg (present-day Malbork). In 1410, Vytautas himself commanded the forces of the Grand Duchy in the Battle of Grunwald, also called the Battle of Å½algiris (Lithuanian) or Tannenberg (German). The battle ended in a decisive Polish-Lithuanian victory. Even though the siege of Marienburg was unsuccessful, the Teutonic Knights never regained their strength and from then on posed a reduced threat to Poland-Lithuania. From now on, Poland-Lithuania began to be regarded in the west as a great power, and Vytautas stood in high favour with the Roman curia.[6] a result of the Peace of Thorn of 1411, Vytautas received Zemaitija (Samogitia) for his lifetime. However, the parties could not agree on the border. Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, agreed to mediate the dispute. In 1413, it was declared that the whole right bank of the Nemunas (Neman River) was Zemaitija and therefore belonged to Lithuania. The Teutonic Knights disagreed and a new war started in 1414. The war lasted for just a few months, and the dispute was brought to the Council of Constance. Even though the dispute was not resolved, the Samogitians had a chance to present their case to the leaders of Europe. It is seen as an important event in the diplomatic history of Lithuania. Several other mediation attempts failed, and yet another war with the Teutonic Order started in 1422. After several months of fighting, the Treaty of Lake Melno was signed. Å½emaitija/Samogitia was returned to Lithuania in perpetuity, while the city of Memel (present-day KlaipÄ—da) and surrounding territories stayed with the Order. This border, as established by the treaty, remained stable for some 500 years until the Memel Territory dispute of 1923. With peace established, Vytautas could now concentrate on reforms and the relationship with Poland. with Poland[edit] 1399 Jadwiga of Poland and her newborn died in childbirth. Jogaila's power in Poland was jeopardised as he was a foreigner king with no other ties to the throne but his wife. Also, the defeat at Vorskla forced a re-evaluation of the relationship between Poland and Lithuania. The result was the Union of Vilnius and Radom in 1401. Vytautas was granted wide autonomy, but after his death the title and powers of Grand Duke of Lithuania were to be transferred to the king of Poland. In case JagieÅ‚Å‚o died first without an heir, the Polish nobility agreed not to elect a new king without consulting Vytautas. The unique feature of this union was that the Lithuanian nobility presented their own document: for the first time somebody other than dukes played a role in the state matters. of Vytautas the Great. Built around 1400 in Kaunas was one of the creators of the Union of HorodÅ‚o with Poland in 1413. According to the act of the union, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was to retain a separate Grand Duke and its own parliament. At the same time both the Polish and Lithuanian Sejms were to discuss all the important matters jointly. This union was important culturally as well as politically because it granted Lithuanian Christian nobles the same rights as the Polish szlachta. This act did not include Orthodox nobles. This paved the way for more contacts and cooperation between the nobles of Poland and of Lithuania. January 1429, at the Congress of Lutsk it was proposed by Sigismund, king of Hungary, that Vytautas should be crowned King of Lithuania. It resulted in a great crisis between Vytuatas, king WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw and Polish nobles. envoys who were transporting documents supporting Vytautas coronation and proposing alliance between Lithuania, Hungary and Teutonic Order were stopped at Polish-Lithuanian border in the autumn of 1430.[10] died in the Trakai Island Castle, ending the whole affair. He was buried in the Cathedral of Vilnius. The knowledge about his remains has been lost. to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, Vytautas "was certainly the most imposing personality of his day in Eastern Europe, and his martial valour was combined with statesmanlike foresight." the Great watch tower in Kherson, Ukraine commemorative coin dedicated to Vytautas the Great backed the economic development of his state and introduced many reforms. Under his rule the Grand Duchy of Lithuania gradually became more centralised, as local princes with dynastic ties to the throne were replaced by the governors loyal to Vytautas. The governors were rich landowners who formed the basis for the Lithuanian nobility. During Vytautas' rule, the influential Radvila (RadziwiÅ‚Å‚) and GoÅ¡tautas families began their rise. 1398, Vytautas brought over families of the Karaim (388 families) and Tatar peoples. Their principal role was to guard the castle and the bridges, but they also served as translators, farmers, traders, and diplomats. He retains a very high reputation among them, with the anniversary of his death being officially celebrated in 1930 in the kenesa in Vilnius.[11] beside his uncle Algirdas on the Millennium of Russia in Veliky Novgorod. in 1350 in the castle of present-day Old Trakai (Senieji Trakai), Vytautas was the son of KÄ™stutis and his wife BirutÄ—. Vytautas was a cousin and childhood friend of Jogaila (WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw II JagieÅ‚Å‚o), who became King of Poland in 1386. Around 1370, he married Anna, who gave birth to Sophia of Lithuania. Sophia was married to Vasily I, Grand Prince of Moscow, and mother and regent to their son Vasili II. After Anna's death in 1418, Vytautas married her niece Juliana Olshanska, daughter of Ivan Olshanski who outlived him.[12] Because of the relationship between the two women, the Bishop of Vilnius was unwilling to perform the ceremony without a papal dispensation; however, Jan KropidÅ‚o did not have such scruples and married them on 13 November 1418.[13] According to the 16th century Bychowiec Chronicle, his first wife was Maria Åukomska, however, this is not confirmed by other sources.[13] Icon of the Mother of God œthe Blessed Heaven, Commemorated on March 6;

Russia, Moscow, 1351-1456, Therapont of Belozersk (White Lake)
Russia, Moscow, 1351-1456, Therapont of Belozersk (White Lake); Therapon's Ferapontov Monastery; Theraponov monastery was 50 versts from St Cyril's White Lake Monastery betwee two lakes: St Therapon moved to another place fifteen versts away from Cyril, between two lakes, Borodava and Pava. Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Martinian the Abbot of Byeloezersk, Commemorated on October 7 ; Venerable Martinian the Abbot of Byeloezersk, Commemorated on January 12 ; Venerable Therapon the Abbot of White Lake, Commemorated on May 27; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on June 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1353-1359, Prince, Ivan II of Moscow, John II, chose GHorde over Lith, Donskoy's father
Moscow Prince, 1353-1359, Ivan II of Moscow ; Venerable Stephen the Abbot of Makhrishche, Vologda, Commemorated on July 14 ; Blessed Nicholas Kochanov the Fool-For-Christ at Novgorod, Commemorated July 28 ; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; St Mercurius the Bishop of Smolensk, Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on August 7; St John the Bishop of Suzdal, Commemorated on October 15; St Demetrius of Tsilibinsk, Commemorated on October 26; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Paul the Abbot of Obnora, Vologda, Commemorated on January 10; Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on January 19; St Moses the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on January 25; St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17; Venerable Lazarus of Murom, Commemorated on March 8; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8; Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1354-1378, Alexius, Metropolitan of M, calling at 12, church order, Khan' wife healed, monasteries
Moscow, 1354-1378, Patriarch Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow; St Eudokia, in Monasticism Euphrosyne, the Grand Duchess of Moscow, Commemorated on July 7; St. Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia the Wonderworker (in the world Eleutherius), was born in the year 1292 (or according to another source, 1304) at Moscow into the family of the noble Theodore Byakont, a descendant of the Chernigov princely line. Lord revealed to the future saint his lofty destiny from early childhood. At twelve years of age Eleutherius went to a field and set nets to ensnare birds. He dozed off and suddenly he heard a voice: “Alexis! Why do you toil in vain? You are to be a catcher of people.” this day on the boy abandoned childish games and spent much time in solitude. He frequently visited church, and when he was fifteen he decided to become a monk. 1320, he entered Moscow’s Theophany monastery, where he spent more than twelve years in strict monastic struggles. The renowned ascetics of the monastery, the Elders Gerontius and Saint Stephen (July 14), brother of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, were guides for him and his companions. Theognostus, who had taken notice of the virtuous life and spiritual gifts of Saint Alexis, bade the future saint to leave the monastery and manage the ecclesiastical courts. The saint fulfilled this office for twelve years. Towards the end of 1350, Metropolitan Theognostus had Alexis consecrated as Bishop of Vladimir. After the death of the metropolitan, he became his successor in the year 1354. this period the Russian Church was torn by great rifts and quarrels, in part because of the pretensions of Metropolitan Romanus of Lithuania and Volhynia. In 1356, in order to put an end to the troubles and disturbances, the saint went to Constantinople to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Patriarch Callistus gave Saint Alexis the right to both be called and to consider himself Archbishop of Kiev and Great Russia with the title, “All-Venerable Metropolitan and Exarch.” the return journey, during a storm at sea, the ship was in danger of shipwreck. Saint Alexis prayed and vowed to build a temple to the saint of that day on which the ship should come to shore. The storm subsided, and the ship arrived on August 16. Moscow delightedly came out to meet the saint. spite of problems on every side, Saint Alexis devoted himself to his flock: he appointed bishops, he established cenobitic monasteries (on the model of the Trinity Lavra, founded by Saint Sergius), and he brought order to Russian relations with the Khans of the Horde. The saint journeyed more than once to the Golden Horde. In 1357 the Kh an told the Great Prince that the saint should come to him and heal the blindness of Taidulla, his wife. “This is beyond my powers,” said Saint Alexis, “but I believe that God, Who gave sight to the blind, will also aid me.” Through his prayer, and after being sprinkled with holy water, the wife of the Khan was healed. Great Prince Ioann died, his young son Demetrius (the future saint), still a minor, was taken under the saint’s guardianship. The holy bishop had much toil in reconciling and appeasing princes obstinately refusing to accept the authority of Moscow. Nor did the metropolitan neglect the work of organizing new monasteries. 1361 he founded the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-by-Hands monastery at the Yauza in Moscow (Andronikov, the disciple of Saint Sergius, was the first igumen of the monastery), fulfilling the vow he had made on his return journey from Constantinople, when the ship was in danger. also founded the Chudov monastery in the Moscow Kremlin. Ancient monasteries were restored: the Annunciation monastery at Nizhni-Novgorod, and Saints Constantine and Helen at Vladimir. In 1361 a women’s cenobitic monastery was named for him (the Alekseev). Alexis reached the advanced age of seventy-eight, having spent twenty-four years upon the metropolitan cathedra. He reposed on February 12, 1378 and was buried in accord with his last wishes at the Chudov monastery. His relics were uncovered in a miraculous manner fifty years later, after which the memory of the great holy hierarch and man of prayer began to be celebrated. Alexis is also commemorated on May 20 (Uncovering of his relics) and on October 5.

Russia, Moscow, 1357-1427, Saint Cyril of White Lake monastery
Mologa Saint, 1357-1427, St Cyril of White Lake monastery, Sheksna, Vologda; St Cyril of White Lake monastery; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on July 28 ; White Lake Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos resembles the Vladimir Icon (May 21, June 23, August 26) in appearance. It was originally in the cell of Saint Cyril of White Lake (June 9), who often prayed before it. day, while he was chanting the Akathist before this icon, the Mother of God appeared to Saint Cyril and told him to establish a monastery on White Lake. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are seen on either side of the Virgin’s head, and various saints are depicted around the border of the icon. White Lake Icon is also commemorated on June 8. Venerable Theodoritus the Enlightener of the Lapps, Solovki, Commemorated on August 17; Venerable Joseph the Abbot of Volokolamsk, Volotsk, Commemorated on September 9 ; Finding of the relics of the Venerable Cyril the Abbot of Novoezersk, Vologda, Commemorated on November 7 ; Hieromartyr Philip the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on January 9 ; St Innocent of Komel the Disciple of St Nilus of Sora, Vologda, Commemorated on March 19; Venerable Zosimas the Abbot of Vorbozomsk, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Oshevensk, Commemorated on April 20; Repose of the Venerable Nilus the Abbot of Sora, Commemorated on May 7; Venerable Cornelius the Abbot of Komel, Vologda, Commemorated on May 19; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on June 8;

Russia, Moscow, 1359-1389, Dmitry Donskoy (D otDon), age 9 GP M, GPrince Vladmir 1363, Horde victory, Submitted tThem fVictories
Russia, Moscow, 1359-1389, Prince Dmitry Ioannovich Donskoy (Dimitrius of the Don), ascended at age 9 GP Moscow, regent Met Aleksey, most prized title GPrince oVladmir 1363, national hero, central figure middle ages, great victory over Horde then submitted to Horde to defeat everyone else; Moscow, 1363-1389, Prince Dmitry Donskoy (Dimitrius of the Don); Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy ( tr. Dmítriy Ivanovich Donskóy, also known as Dimitrii or Demetrius), or Dmitry of the Don, sometimes referred to simply as Dmitry October 1350 – 19 May 1389), son of Ivan II the Fair of Moscow (1326–1359), as the Prince of Moscow from 1359 and Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1363 to his death. was the first prince of Moscow to openly challenge Mongol authority in Russia. is regarded as a national hero and central figure of the Russian Middle Ages. nickname, Donskoy ("of the Don"), alludes to his great victory against the Tatars in the Battle of Kulikovo (1380), which took place on the Don River.[1] He is venerated as a Saint in the Orthodox Church with his feast day on 19 May. reign[edit] was born in Moscow in 1350, the son of Ivan the Fair, Grand Prince of Moscow, and his second wife, Alexandra Vassilievna Velyaminova, the daughter of the mayor of Moscow. was orphaned at the age of nine and ascended the throne of the Principality of Moscow.[2] Per the terms of Ivan's will, during Dmitry's minority, Metropolitan Aleksey served as regent. 1360 Khiḍr Khan, Khan of the Golden Horde, transferred the title most prized among the Rus' princes, that of Grand Prince of Vladimir, to Dmitry Konstantinovich of Nizhny Novgorod. 1363, after that prince was deposed, Dmitry Ivanovich was crowned at Vladimir. Three years later, he made peace with Dmitry Konstantinovich and married his daughter Eudoxia. most important event during Dmitry's early reign was to start building the Moscow Kremlin; it was completed in 1367. Thanks to the new fortress, the city withstood two sieges by Algirdas of Lithuania during the Lithuanian–Muscovite War (1368–1372).[3] The war ended with the Treaty of Lyubutsk. 1375, Dmitry settled, in his own favor, a conflict with Mikhail II of Tver over Vladimir. princes of Northern Russia acknowledged his authority and contributed troops to the impending struggle against the Horde. By the end of his reign, Dmitry had more than doubled the territory of the Principality of Moscow. against Mamai[edit] Monument to Dmitry Donskoy in front of Marinkina tower (Kolomna Kremlin) domination of Rus began to crumble during Dmitry's thirty-year reign. The Golden Horde was severely weakened by civil war and dynastic rivalries. Dmitry took advantage of this lapse in Mongol authority to openly challenge the Tatars. he kept the Khan's patent to collect taxes for all of Russia, Dmitry is also famous for leading the first Russian military victory over the Mongols. Mamai, a Mongol general and claimant to the throne, tried to punish Dmitry for attempting to increase his power. In 1378 Mamai sent a Mongol army, but it was defeated by Dmitry's forces in the Battle of Vozha River.[3] years later Mamai personally led a large force against Moscow. of Radonezh blessed Dmitry Donskoy when he went to fight the Tatars in the signal Battle of Kulikovo field, but only after he was certain Dmitry had pursued all peaceful means of resolving the conflict. sent the two warrior monks Alexander Peresvet and his friend Rodion Oslyabya to join the Russian The battle of Kulikovo was opened by single combat between two champions. The Russian champion was Alexander Peresvet. The Horde champion was Temir-murza. The champions killed each other in the first run. defeated the Horde.[2] In gratitude for the victory, Dmitry established the Dormition monastery on the Dubenka River and built a church in honor of the Nativity of the Holy Theotokos over the graves of the fallen warriors.[4][5] defeated Mamai was presently dethroned by a rival Mongol general, Tokhtamysh. That khan reasserted Mongol rule of Rus and overran Moscow in 1382 for Dmitry's resistance to Mamai. however, pledged his loyalty to Tokhtamysh and to the Golden Horde and was reinstated as Mongol principal tax collector and Grand Duke of Vladimir. his death in Moscow in 1389, Dmitry was the first Grand Duke to bequeath his titles to his son Vasili I of Russia without consulting the Khan.[2] and children[edit] He was married to Eudoxia of Nizhniy Novgorod. She was a daughter of Dmitry of Suzdal and Vasilisa of Rostov. They had at least twelve children: Daniil Dmitriyevich (c. 1370 – 15 September 1379). Vasiliy I of Moscow (30 September 1371 – 27 February 1425). Sofia Dmitriyevna. Married Fyodor Olegovich, Prince of Ryazan (reigned 1402–1427). Yuriy Dmitriyevich, Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich (26 November 1374 – 5 June 1434). Claimed the throne of Moscow against his nephew Vasiliy II of Moscow. Maria Dmitriyevna (d. 15 May 1399). Married Lengvenis. Anastasia Dmitriyevna. Married Ivan Vsevolodovich, Prince of Kholm. Simeon Dmitrievich (d. 11 September 1379). Ivan Dmitriyevich (d. 1393). Andrey Dmitriyevich, Prince of Mozhaysk (14 August 1382 – 9 July 1432). Pyotr Dmitriyevich, Prince of Dmitrov (29 July 1385 – 10 August 1428). Anna Dmitriyevna (born 8 January 1387). Married Yury Patrikiyevich. Her husband was a son of Patrikas, Prince of Starodub and his wife Helena. His paternal grandfather was Narimantas. The marriage solidified his role as a Boyar attached to Moscow. Konstantin Dmitriyevich, Prince of Pskov (14 May/15 May 1389 – 1433).[3] Demetrius Ioannovich Donskoy Right-Believing Prince Honored in Eastern Orthodox Church Canonized 6 June 1988, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius by 1988 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, (Patriarch Pimen I of Moscow) Major shrine Cathedral of the Archangel Feast 23 January, 9 May, 19 May, 6 July, 22 August, 22 September Attributes sword and helmet Patronage The Military Police of Russia Prince Demetrius Ioannovich Donskoy was canonized on 6 June 1988 in Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius by 1988 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church under Patriarch Pimen I of Moscow.[6] Blessed Nicholas Kochanov the Fool-For-Christ at Novgorod, Commemorated July 28 ; St Roman of Kirzhachsk, Commemorated on July 29 ; St Mercurius the Bishop of Smolensk, Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on August 7; Icon of the Mother of God "œthe Converser"Â, Commemorated on August 14; Intercession of the "Don" Icon of the Mother of God against the Tatars Attack, Commemorated August 19 ; St Cornelius of Paleostrov and Olonets, Commemorated on August 21; Repose of the Venerable Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh, Commemorated on September 25; Repose of St Cyprian the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on September 16 ; St John the Bishop of Suzdal, Commemorated on October 15; St Paul of Rostov, Commemorated on October 22; St Demetrius of Tsilibinsk, Commemorated on October 26; Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius, Commemorated on November 17; Venerable Mercurius the Faster of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated on November 24; St James the Bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov, Commemorated on November 27; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Zvenigorod the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on December 3; St Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Macarius the Abbot of Pisma, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Paul the Abbot of Obnora, Vologda, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Michael the Fool-for-Christ of the Klops Monastery, Novgorod, Commemorated on January 11; Venerable Martinian the Abbot of Byeloezersk, Commemorated on January 12; Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on January 19; St Moses the Archbishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on January 25; St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on February 12; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17; St Arsenius the Bishop of Tver, Commemorated on March 2 ; Icon of the Mother of God "œCzestochowa"Â, Commemorated on March 6; Venerable Lazarus of Murom, Commemorated on March 8; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Rufus the Obedient of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 8; Venerable James the Abbot of Zheleznoborov, Commemorated on April 11; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26 ; Venerable Micah the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on May 6 ; Venerable Pachomius the Abbot of Nerekhta, Commemorated on May 15; St Euphrosyne the Princess, (Eudoxia) of Moscow, Commemorated on May 17; Venerable Cornelius the Abbot of Paleostrov, Commemorated on May 19; Uncovering of the relics of St Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Commemorated on May 20; Venerable Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 4; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on June 8; Venerable Cyril the Abbot of White Lake, Commemorated on June 9; Venerable Andronicus the Abbot of Moscow and Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 13; Venerable Andrew Rublev the Iconographer, Commemorated on July 4; St Eudokia, in Monasticism Euphrosyne, the Grand Duchess of Moscow, Commemorated on July 7;

Russia, Moscow, 1363-1394, Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov, founded 3 monasteries, many great ascetic disciples, iconographer
Russia, Rostov, 1363-1394, Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov, founded Old & New Simonovo Monastery near Kremlin 1379, Dimitri o Don confessor, 1387 bishop of Rostov, many great ascetic disciples, iconographer, founded Rostov monastery; Rostov-Yaroslavl; Saint Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov, in the world John, the son of Stephen (brother of Saint Sergius of Radonezh), who occupied an important post under Prince Andrew of Radonezh. a widower, Stephen became a monk, and together with his twelve-year-old son, went to the monastery to Saint Sergius, who foreseeing the ascetic life of the child John, tonsured him with the name Theodore on the Feast of Saint Theodore the Hair-Shirt Wearer (April 20). Theodore attained an appropriate age, he was given a blessing to be ordained to the priesthood. the blessing of Saint Sergius, Saint Theodore built a church in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and founded a monastery on the banks of the River Moskva, at the place called Simonovo. the monastery began to attract a throng of people. Saint Theodore built a cell five versts from the Moscow Kremlin, and pursued new ascetical labors, and here disciples gathered around him. Sergius, visiting this place, blessed the founding of a monastery, and Metropolitan Alexis blessed the construction of a church in the name of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos at Novoe Simonovo, which also had its foundations laid in 1379. The old Simonov monastery remained the burial place of monks. of his virtuous life and strict asceticism, Saint Theodore became known in Moscow. Metropolitan Saint Alexis elevated him to the rank of igumen, and Great Prince Demetrius of the Don chose him as his father confessor. Theodore journeyed to Constantinople several times on church matters for the Russian Metropolitan. his first journey in 1384, Patriarch Nilus made him an archimandrite. Simonov monastery was put directly under the Patriarch, thus becoming stavropegial. 1387, he was consecrated archbishop and occupied the See of Rostov. the igumen, and then the archimandrite of the Simonov monastery, and despite being occupied with churchly matters, Theodore stalwartly guided those in the monastic life and counted many great and famous ascetics among his disciples. Cyril (June 9) and Therapon (May 27), the future founders of two famous White Lake monasteries, were tonsured at the Simonov monastery. Theodore occupied himself with iconography, and he adorned with icons of his own painting both the Simonov monastery, and many Moscow churches. Rostov, Archbishop Theodore founded the Nativity of the Virgin monastery. blessed death of the saint occurred on November 28, 1394. His relics are in the Rostov Dormition cathedral. Theodore is also commemorated on May 23. Saints Paul and Theodore of Rostov, Commemorated on October 22: Paul and Theodore of Rostov founded a monastery at the River Ust, not far from Rostov, in honor of the holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb (May 2). Theodore (November 28) first came to the site of the future monastery from the Novgorod region. Paul came three years later for ascetic struggles. Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5) came to Rostov, his native region, in 1363. of this, Saints Theodore and Paul went to the great ascetic for spiritual counsel. Sergius visited their wilderness monastery and blessed them to build a church there named for the holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb. during the construction of this first church, monks began gathering around the ascetics. igumen, Saint Theodore, joyfully accepted all who came. Soon a second temple was built in honor of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. the Borisoglebsk monastery in order, Saint Theodore entrusted its direction to Saint Paul. he himself took several disciples and withdrew into the Vologda forest. at White Lake, near to the confluence of the River Kouzha into it, he founded a monastery and lived an ascetic life for several years. He built a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, set the monastery in order, and appointed an igumen for it. receiving a revelation about his impending death, he returned to the Boris and Gleb monastery, where he died on October 22, 1409. Saint Paul directed the two monasteries for a certain time, then he also died at the Monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb.

Russia, Moscow, 1367-1389, Eudoxia of Moscow, wife of Dmitri Donskoy, Grand D, Archangel Icon, monastic
Russia, Moscow, 1367-1389, Eudoxia of Moscow, Grand Duchess, wife of Dmitri Donskoy; of Moscow, with monastic name Euphrosyne (1353 - 1407), was a Grand princess of Moscow and wife of Dmitry Donskoy. was a daughter of Dmitry Konstantinovich, Grand Prince of Suzdal[1] and Nizhny Novgorod and Vasilisa of Rostov. maternal grandparents were Konstantin Vasilievich, Prince of Rostov and Maria of Moscow. Maria was a daughter of Ivan I of Moscow and his first wife Yelena. 18 January 1366, Eudoxia married Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy. In 1382, she stayed in Moscow in the absence of her husband, while the army of khan Tokhtamysh was approaching the capital. After the birth of her son Andrey Dmitriyevich, she attempted to leave Moscow, but was detained by the Muscovites, who agreed to let her go only after long negotiations. works[edit] (Raka) of Eudoxia of Moscow was greatly influenced by Alexius, Metropolitan of Kiev. After her husband's death, Eudoxia became known for her piety; legend has it that she possessed the gift of healing. To commemorate her husband's victory at the Battle of Kulikovo, Eudoxia commissioned an icon of the Archangel Michael, which later became the patronal icon of the Kremlin'™s Archangel Cathedral.[1] 1387, Eudoxia established the Ascension Monastery next to the Frolovskaya (Spasskaya) Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. Later in her life, Eudoxia Dmitriyevna took the veil at the Ascension Monastery under the name of Yefrosiniya (Euphrosyne) and remained there until her death in 1407.[1] 1393, she founded the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, the oldest surviving building in Moscow. The church was dedicated to the Virgin's Nativity, because on this feast her husband defeated the Tatars in the Battle of Kulikovo. According to tradition, in 1395, during Tamerlane'™s invasion into southern Russia, she had the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God transferred to Moscow.[2] died on 7 July 1407 and was buried in the Ascension Convent. In 1929 the authorities ordered the destruction of the church and her relics were lost, but were uncovered in 2002, and then transferred to the Cathedral of the Archangel located inside the Kremlin. was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. and Dmitri Donskoi had at least 12 children: Daniil Dmitrievich (c. 1370 – 15 September 1379). Vasily I of Moscow (30 September 1371 – 27 February 1425). Sofia Dmitrievna. Married Fyodor Olegovich, Prince of Ryazan (reigned 1402–1427). Yury Dmitrievich, Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich (26 November 1374 – 5 June 1434). Claimed the throne of Moscow against his nephew Vasily II of Moscow. Maria Dmitrievna (d. 15 May 1399). Married Lengvenis. Anastasia Dmitrievna. Married Ivan Vsevolodich, Prince of Kholm. Simeon Dmitrievich (d. 11 September 1379). Ivan Dmitrievich (d. 1393). Andrei Dmitrievich, Prince of Mozhaysk (14 August 1382 – 9 July 1432). Piotr Dmitrievich, Prince of Dmitrov (29 July 1385 – 10 August 1428). Anna Dmitrievna (born 8 January 1387). Married Yuri Patrikievich. Her husband was a son of Patrikei, Prince of Starodub and his wife Yelena. His paternal grandfather was Narimantas. The marriage solidified his role as a Boyar attached to Moscow. Konstantin Dmitrievich, Prince of Pskov (14 May/15 May 1389 – 1433). 15 August 2007, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church instituted the Order of St. Euphrosyne, named after Eudoxia, who was the first noblewoman of Moscow to enter monasticism. The award was established to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Euphrosyne's death. According to the synod's ukase (decree), the new decoration will be given to women for special contributions towards the strengthening of spiritual and moral traditions in society, development of the church's social activities, maintaining relations between church and state or church and society, and other fields of work for the betterment of the Orthodox faith. The Order of St. Euphrosyne will be the second women's decoration of the Russian Orthodox Church after the Order of Saint Olga.[3] Archangel Michael Icon By Andrei Rublev Arkhangelsky Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin Reproduction; Moscow, 1362-1389, Prince Dmitry Donskoy (Dimitrius of the Don); St Euphrosyne the Princess, (Eudoxia) of Moscow, Commemorated on May 17; St Eudokia, in Monasticism Euphrosyne, the Grand Duchess of Moscow, Commemorated on July 7;

Russia, Moscow, 1370-1389, Demetrios Donskoy, piety&political talents fUnification&Emancipation fMongols bSubmission
Russia, Moscow, 1370-1389, Demetrios Donskoy, raised by St Alexis, piety&political talents, fUnification&Emancipation fMongols, 1380 gathered forces&visited Sergius fBlessing, S blessed 2 Monks to go along& predicted victory, marched tKolomna, Icon appeared in air before Battle of Kulikovo, hovering oPine tree, descended D's hands, that night Lithuanian Montvid Montvilo (w later saved D taking sword) dreamed St Nicholas, chest icon oNik, promised famous descendent for Russia, Alex Motovilov story (wrote aim of Christian Life& how to acquire Grace), after K Field battle Nik Church built on site by D, ; Moscow; Right-believing Demetrios Donskoy, Grand Prince of Moscow, Commemorated on May 19; right-believing Great Prince Demetrios of Moscow was born in 1350. father died when Demetrios was just a young child, and so he was entrusted to the guidance of Saint Alexis of Moscow (February 12). holy Prince Demetrios combined Christian piety with his remarkable political talents, devoting himself to the unification of the land of Russia and to the emancipation of Russia from the Tatar-Mongol Yoke. August 18, 1380, after gathering his forces for a decisive battle with Mamai of the Golden Horde, Saint Demetrios visited Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25) in order to receive his blessing. The Elder blessed two monks from his monastery, Schema-monk Andrew [Oslyaba] and Schema-monk Alexander [Peresvet], to go along and help the Prince. He also predicted that Saint Demetrios would be victorious. Prince left Moscow with his army on August 20, and marched toward Kolomna. day, as they made camp before the Battle of Kulikovo, an Icon of St. Nicholas appeared in the air, hovering over a pine tree, and it descended into the hands of Saint Demetrios. is a later Icon depicting this event, with Saint Demetrios kneeling before the Icon of Saint Nicholas, and laying his gold crown at the roots of the tree. of those who fought in the Battle of Kulikovo was a Lithuanian Prince by the name of Montvid Montvilo, who saved the life of Saint Demetrios by shielding him from a Tatar sword with his own body. night he beheld Saint Nicholas in a dream. The holy wonderworker told him that he had cushioned the blow because Prince Montvilo wore on his chest an Icon of Saint Nicholas, which was a family heirloom. return for saving the Prince's life, Saint Nicholas told Prince Montvilo that one of his descendants would render great service to Russia. the years, the Lithuanian name Montvilo became the Russian Motovilov. Motovilov, a descendant of Prince Montvilo, proposed and was rejected by his intended bride Maria, and so he entered a monastery. His obedience was to work in the prosphora bakery, but one day he felt so exhausted that he fell asleep at noon. Saint Nicholas appeared to him and said, "Alexander, your path does not lie in the monastery, but in family life. You will find your happiness with Maria, who turned you down. She will bear you a son, whom you shall name Nicholas. God requires him! I am Saint Nicholas, and I shall be the patron saint of the Motovilov family. I have been so since your ancestor, Prince Montvid Montvilo, served in the army of Prince Demetrios of the Don. During the Battle of Kulikovo, the Tatar warrior who struck down the monks Alexander and Andrew rushed at the Great Prince with his sword, but your ancestor took the blow, and the sword struck my Icon, which he wore on his chest. He would have been killed if I had not cushioned the blow, and then struck down the Tatar by Montvid's hand." Icon of Saint Nicholas, which was damaged by the Tatar's sword, was treasured as a holy relic in the family of George Nikolaevich Motovilov. Alexandrovich Motovilov was born on May 3, 1809, and reposed on January 14, 1879. His great service to Russia, of course, was to write down his conversation with Saint Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) about the aim of the Christian life, and how to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit. winning the battle, the Prince ordered a Moleben of Thanksgiving to God and to Saint Nicholas to be served. Later, he built a church and a monastery dedicated to St. Nicholas on that site. his victory at Kulikovo Field, between the Don and Nepryadva Rivers (on September 8, the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos), Prince Demetrios received the honorific "of the Don." He established the Dormition Monastery at the Dubenka River, and the church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos near the graves of those who died for their country. The Memorial Saturday before the Feast of Saint Demetrios of Thessalonika (October 26) was established in memory of the Orthodox warriors who were killed at Kulikovo Field in the great battle against the Horde. Demetrios fell asleep in the Lord on May 19, 1389. He was buried in the cathedral of the Archangels in the Moscow Kremlin.

Russia, Moscow, 1372-1392, Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, enmity Torgov & Sophia quarters, pretend feud
Russia, Novgorod, 1372-1392, Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, no roof, no warm clothes until end of life, wealthy parents, gave all possessions to poor, enmity Torgov quarter and Sophia quarter, pretend feud w Nicholas Kochanov on Sophia side, Volkhov Bridge, clairvoyance, see to your bread prediction, sowing turnips fire prediction, Farewell, I am going away; Veliky Novgorod; Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated January 19 ; Theodore of Novgorod was the son of pious parents, wealthy citizens of Novgorod. Having been raised in strict Christian piety, and having reached the age of maturity, he took on himself the ascetic deed of foolishness for Christ’s sake. He gave all his possessions to the poor, and he lived in great poverty until the end of his life, not even having a roof over his head, nor warm clothes on cold days. he discovered a mutual enmity between the Novgorod citizens of the Torgov quarter and the inhabitants of the Sophia quarter, Blessed Theodore pretended to be feuding with Blessed Nicholas Kochanov (July 27) who lived in asceticism on the opposite Sophia side. When Blessed Theodore happened to cross over the Volkhov Bridge to the Sophia side, then Blessed Nicholas pushed him over to the Torgov side. Theodore did the same thing when Nicholas chanced upon on the Torgov side. The blessed ones, spiritually in agreement with each other, by their unusual behavior reminded the people of Novgorod of their own internecine strife, which often ended in bloody skirmishes. blessed one possessed the gift of clairvoyance. By warning people to see to their bread, he was actually predicting an impending famine. Another time he said, “This will be bare, it will be fine for sowing turnips.” This was his prediction of a fire that devastated the streets of the Torgov quarter. Blessed Theodore foresaw his own end and said to the Novgorod people, “Farewell, I’m going far away.” his life, the citizens of Novgorod saw him as a saint pleasing to God, and had a high regard for him. After his death in the year 1392, the holy fool was buried, at his request, in the Torgov quarter, at Lubyanitsa in the church of the holy Great Martyr George, at the porch where the saint usually loved to spend his time in unceasing prayer. A chapel was built over his holy relics.

Russia, Moscow, 1375-1426, Nikon t Abbot of Radonezh, not accepted, persistance, obedience zealot, not grieve, builder, icongr
Russia, Radonezh, 1375-1426, Nikon t Abbot of Radonezh (Yakhroma River 3), Disciple & successor of Sergius, at first not accepted, persistance, zealot of obedience, w sergius in cell, time each day for silence, Edigei invasion, appearance hierarch saints, do not grieve destruction, will flourish all the more, builder, S incorrupt relics, finest iconogrophers, time of death and resting place ; Radonezh; Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius, Commemorated on November 17 ; Nikon, Abbot of Radonezh, a disciple and successor of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5), was born at Yuriev-Polsk. heard of the angelic life of the Radonezh Wonderworker, the young man came to Saint Sergius and requested to be tonsured into the angelic schema. Sergius did not accept Nikon, whether because of his youth or for some other reason. he sent him to his disciple Saint Athanasius (September 12) at Serpukhov. Saint Athanasius would not accept him right away. Only after seeing the young man’s persistence did he tonsure him into the monastic schema. Nikon struggled in prayer, studied Holy Scripture and persevered in virtue and purity. of his humility and the way he fulfilled each task assigned him without argument, Saint Nikon was called a “zealot of obedience.” he reached the age of thirty, he was ordained to the priesthood. a certain while, Saint Athanasius blessed him to go see Saint Sergius. Saint Sergius, catching sight of him, said, “It is good that you have come, my child Nikon,” and happily received him. first, he gave orders for Saint Nikon to serve the brethren. The disciple passed whole days in monastic matters, and his nights in prayerful conversation with God. Saint Sergius was comforted by his virtuous life. received a special insight concerning him, Saint Sergius bade his disciple to dwell with him in his own cell, so that he might share in spiritual attainment. instructed him in every monastic virtue, and explained much about the essence of spiritual life. Saint Sergius assigned Saint Nikon to the duty of assisting him, six months before his repose, he appointed his disciple as his successor. Then Saint Sergius withdrew into seclusion. the death of Saint Sergius (September 25, 1392), Nikon carried out his duties exactly as he was instructed by the founder of the monastery. had the habit of attending all the monastic services, and never did he forsake common tasks, working on a equal footing with all the brethren. the burden of being the igumen of the monastery weighed upon Saint Nikon. Recalling his quiet life in the Serpukhov Vysotsk monastery with Saint Athanasius, and later with Saint Sergius, he gave up his position and retired to his own cell. six years the monastery was guided by Saint Savva of Storozhevsk (December 3). the year 1400 Saint Savva founded his own monastery near Zvenigorod, and the brethren entreated Saint Nikon to again take over its direction. consented, but allotted himself a certain time each day for silence, so as to stand alone before God. reports began to spread about an invasion of the Russian land by Khan Edigei (1408), Saint Nikon zealously prayed to God to spare the monastery. a dream the Moscow hierarchs Peter (December 21) and Alexis (February 12) together with Saint Sergius appeared to him and said that he should not grieve over the destruction of the monastery, since it would not become desolate, but would flourish all the more. monks left the monastery, taking with them relics, books, and consecrated vessels. When they returned, they saw that their beloved place had been reduced to ashes. But Saint Nikon did not despair, and the brethren began to restore the monastery. of all a wooden church was built in honor of the Most Holy Trinity. It was consecrated on September 25, 1411, the anniversary of the repose of Saint Sergius. monastery was restored, and Saint Nikon began construction of a stone church over the grave of his spiritual Father, Saint Sergius. work crew digging the foundations uncovered the incorrupt relics of Saint Sergius on July 5, 1422. universal rejoicing they placed the relics in a new reliquary and at the new site a wooden church was built (now the church in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is at this place). Nikon later built a new stone church in the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. In honor and memory of his spiritual Father, he transferred the holy relics into this newly built church. Nikon brought in the finest iconographers, Saints Andrew Rublev (July 4) and Daniel Cherny (June 13) for the adornment of the temple. Then Saint Andrew painted the Icon of the Most Holy Trinity (Hospitality of Abraham), embodying what was revealed to Saint Sergius. Saint Nikon was occupied with the construction of the Trinity church until the end of his life. Nikon’s final resting place was revealed to him in a vision before his death. He summoned the brethren and gave them instructions. After receiving the All-Pure Body of Christ and His Precious Blood, Saint Nikon gave the brethren a last blessing and said, “Go forth, my soul, with joy to the place where repose is prepared for you. Christ is calling you.” made the Sign of the Cross, Saint Nikon died on November 27, 1426. He was buried near the reliquary of Saint Sergius. the hierarch Jonah (1448-1461), the hieromonk Pachomius the Logothete wrote the Service and Life of Saint Nikon. In the year 1547 a generally observed celebration to him was established. In the year 1548 a church named for him was built over the grave of Saint Nikon. In 1623 a new one was constructed in its place, in which the relics of Saint Nikon rest in a crypt. The 500 year anniversary of the repose of Saint Nikon was solemnly observed in 1976 at the Trinity-Sergeev Lavra. Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5;

Russia, Moscow, 1380, Kulikovo Battle 1380 (Don River 1) won by Dimitri over Mongol Horde
Kulikovo Battle; Icon of the Mother of God of Greben, Commemorated July 28 ; Greben Icon of the Mother of God, glorified by miracles and located in a church in the city of Greben (on the River Chira, flowing into the Don), was presented by the inhabitants of the city to Great Prince Demetrius of the Don upon his return from the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. 1471, after a successful campaign against Novgorod, Great Prince Ivan III built the church of the Dormition in Moscow at Lubyanka and placed in it the Greben icon of the Mother of God, which he had taken with him on the campaign. He adorned the icon with a silver riza covered with precious stones, and ordered an Akathist to be written in honor of the icon. When the church burned in 1617, the icon miraculously was preserved. The icon, almost a reverse image of the Iveron icon (February 12, March 31, October 13), is recognized by the distinctive folds of the Virgin’s omaphorion and the position of the Christ Child’s legs. Intercession of the "Don" Icon of the Mother of God against the Tatars Attack, Commemorated August 19 ; Don Icon of the Mother of God was painted by Theophanes the Greek. On the day of the Kulikovo Battle (September 8, 1380, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos), the Icon was with the Russian army, giving it help, but after the victory it was passed on by the Don Cossacks as a gift to their commander, Great Prince Demetrius of the Don (1363-1389), who then transferred it to Moscow. Icon at first was at the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral, and later at the Annuniciation Cathedral (the Icon is now in the Tretiakov State Gallery). In commemoration of the victory on the banks of the River Don it was called the Don Icon. the year 1591, the Crimean Khan Nuradin and his brother Murat-Girei invaded Russia with a numerous army. Advancing on Moscow, they positioned themselves on the Vorobiev hills. A church procession was made around Moscow with the Don Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in order to guard the city from the enemy. the day of battle it was in the military chapel in the ranks of the soldiers, and set the Tatars to flight. In 1592, in thanksgiving to the Most Holy Theotokos for Her mercy manifest through the Don Icon, the Don monastery was founded at the very place where the icon had stood amid the soldiers. The wonderworking icon was placed in this monastery, and its feastday was established as August 19. established custom, once every four years His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia performs the rite of the preparation of Holy Chrism in the small cathedral in honor of the Don Icon of the Mother of God. Demetrius Ioannovich of the Don; Alexander Peresvet; Repose of the Venerable Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh, Commemorated on September 25 ; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1380-1430, Saint, Andrei Rublev, artist, iconographer
Radonezh Saint, 1380-1430, Andrei Rublev; Venerable Andrew Rublev the Iconographer, Commemorated on July 4;

Russia, Moscow, 1380-1430, ANDREI RUBLEV, MONK AND ICONOGRAPHER, Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, greatest i, highest asceticism
Russia, Radonezh, 1385-1430, ANDREI RUBLEV, MONK AND ICONOGRAPHER, Trinity Lavra of St Sergius (Radonezh), the greatest iconographer, highest asceticism; Trinity Lavra (Monestary) of St Sergius; ANDREI RUBLEV, MONK AND ICONOGRAPHER, 1430, Commemorated January 29 ; Rublev, born in the 1360s, died btween 1427 and 1430, is considered to be the greatest medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescoes. is little information about his life. It is not known where he was born. Andrei Rublev probably lived in the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra monastery near Moscow. first mention of Rublev is in 1405 when he decorated icons and frescos for the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Moscow Kremlin in company with Theophanes the Greek and Prokhor of Gorodets. His name was the last of the list of masters as the junior both by rank and by age. Theophanes was an important Byzantine master who moved to Russia, and is considered to have trained Rublev. tell us that in 1408 he painted (together with Daniil Cherni) the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and in 1425–1427 the Cathedral of St. Trinity in the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. After Daniil's death Andrei came to Moscow's Andronikov Monastery where he painted his last work, the frescoes of the Savior Cathedral. is also believed to have painted at least one of the miniatures in the Khitrovo Gospels. Rublev's famous icon of the Trinity. only work authenticated as entirely his is the icon of the Trinity, ca. 1410, currently in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. It is based upon an earlier icon known as the "Hospitality of Abraham" (illustrating Genesis 18). Rublev removed the figures of Abraham and Sarah from the scene, and through a subtle use of composition and symbolism changed the subject to focus on the Mystery of the Trinity. Rublev's art, two traditions are combined: the highest asceticism and the classic harmony of Byzantine mannerism. The characters of his paintings are always peaceful and calm. After some time his art came to be perceived as the ideal of Church painting and of Orthodox iconography. died at Andronikov Monastery on between 1427 and 1430 (the traditional date is January 29, 1430). He was canonized a saint in 1988 by the Russian Orthodox Church. The church celebrates his feast day on January 29 and July 4. 1959 the Andrei Rublev Museum has been open at the Andronnikov Monastery, displaying the art of his works and his epoch. 1966, Andrei Tarkovsky made his celebrated film, Andrei Rublev loosely based on the artist's life, which shows him as "a world-historic figure" and "Christianity as an axiom of Russia's historical identity" during a turbulent period in the history of Russia. from Wikipedia Venerable Andrew Rublev the Iconographer, Commemorated on July 4; Andrew Rublev, Russia’s greatest iconographer, was born near Moscow sometime between 1360 and 1370. While still very young, he went to the Holy Trinity Monastery, and was profoundly impressed by Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25). the death of Saint Sergius in 1392, Saint Nikon (November 17) succeeded him as igumen. Saint Andrew became a novice in the monastery under Saint Nikon. Sometime before 1405 he moved to the Spaso-Andronikov Monastery founded by Saint Andronicus (June 13), with the blessing of Saint Nikon.There Saint Andrew received monastic tonsure and was taught iconography by Theophanes the Greek and the monk Daniel, Saint Andrew’s friend and fellow-ascetic. Andrew is first mentioned in the Chronicles in 1405, when he, Theophanes, and Prochorus painted the cathedral of the Annunciation. His next important project, which he undertook with the monk Daniel, was to paint the frescoes in the Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir in 1408. Nikon of Radonezh asked Saint Andrew and Daniel to paint the new church in the reconstructed monastery of the Holy Trinity, which had been destroyed by the Tatars in 1408. At this time Saint Andrew painted his most famous icon: the Holy Trinity (actually, the Hospitality of Abraham). Andrew fell asleep in the Lord between 1427-1430, and was buried in the Andronikov Monastery. He was over seventy years old at the time of his death. The monk Daniel, who died before Saint Andrew, appeared to his friend and urged him to join him in eternal blessedness.

Russia, Moscow, 1381, Pimen Icon, from Constantinople in 1381, by Met Pimen, flowed w fragrant healing myrrh, at Dormition C
Russia, Moscow, 1381, Pimen Icon, Dormition Cathedral, Kremlin, Moscow, from Constantinople in 1381, by Met Pimen, flowed w fragrant healing myrrh, kept Dormition Cathedral after 1479; Dormition Cathedral, Moscow; Icon of the Mother of God of Pimen, Commemorated on June 6; Pimen Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was brought to Moscow from Constantinople in 1381 by Metropolitan Pimen. Many miracles took place before this icon, which flowed with a fragrant healing myrrh. Pimen Icon was kept in the altar of the Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin.

Russia, Moscow, 1382, Golden Horde Siege of Moscow
Golden Horde Siege of Moscow (1382); Intercession of the "Don" Icon of the Mother of God against the Tatars Attack, Commemorated August 19 ; Venerable Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 4; Icon of the Mother of God of Pimen, Commemorated on June 6; Venerable Cyril the Abbot of White Lake, Commemorated on June 9; St Eudokia, in Monasticism Euphrosyne, the Grand Duchess of Moscow, Commemorated on July 7 ;

Russia, Moscow, 1382-1384, Metropolitan Pimen I, contested, accomplished little
Moscow Patriarch, 1382-1384, Metropolitan Pimen I; Dimitri sent him to Constantinople with his nominee for the metropolitanate. Nominee died on the way (Mitya or Mikhail). and Pimen was consecrated in his place, although this was done without the knowledge of the Grand Prince and the Patriarch was said to have been tricked (perhaps to exonerate him later for any complicity he may have had in the deception), as Pimen had apparently used forged grand princely letters to get Patriarch Nilus of Constantinople to consecrate him.[1]:219-“220 Donskoy was angry upon hearing the news of Pimen's consecration and swore not to accept Pimen upon his return. Thus Pimen's metropolitanate was contested from the start, and he accomplished little as a result. Icon of the Mother of God of Pimen, Commemorated on June 6;

Russia, Moscow, 1383, Appearance of Tihkvin Icon, Fisherman, Lake Ladoga
Russia, St Petersburg, 1383, Appearance of Tihkvin Icon, Lake Ladoga; 1383, seventy years before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, fishermen on Lake Ladoga in the principality of Novgorod the Great witnessed the icon miraculously hovering over the lake’s waters amidst a radiant light. Lake Ladoga; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26; to ancient tradition, the wonderworking icon of Tikhvin is one of several painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. The icon was taken from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the fifth century, where it was enshrined in the Church of Blachernae, which was built especially for this purpose. 1383, seventy years before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, fishermen on Lake Ladoga in the principality of Novgorod the Great witnessed the icon miraculously hovering over the lake’s waters amidst a radiant light. to an early sixteenth century Russian manuscript, “The Tale of Miracles of the Icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God,â€ the Theotokos herself decided that her image should leave Constantinople, perhaps in anticipation of the impending fall of the Byzantine Empire. after its miraculous appearance, the icon was discovered in several neighboring towns, including the village of Motchenitsy on the bank of the Tikhvinka River, before it finally appeared near the town of Tikhvin. A wooden church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos was built on the site of the icon’s final resting place. Miraculously, the icon survived a number of fires. the early sixteenth century, through the zeal of Great Prince Basil Ivanovich, a stone church was built to replace the original wooden structure. In 1560, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, a men’s monastery was established near the church and enclosed with a stone wall. 1613-1614, the Swedish army, having seized Novgorod, made several attempts to destroy the monastery. The countless prayers offered to the Theotokos before the icon were heard, and the monastery was spared. On one occasion, after monks had been alerted to the approaching Swedish army, they decided to flee and to take the icon with them. But the monks soon discovered that they could not remove the icon from its shrine. Seeing this as a sign of the Theotokos’ protection, the monks decided not to abandon the monastery, begging the Theotokos to spare them and their beloved spiritual home. To their amazement, a large Muscovite army appeared to defend the monastery. the Swedes encountered the army, they retreated immediately. Word of this miracle spread rapidly, and imperial emissaries soon visited the monastery. Accompanied by a copy of the wonderworking icon, they set off for the village of Stolbovo, 33 miles from Tikhvin, where they concluded a peace treaty with the Swedes on February 10, 1617. the copy of the icon was taken to Moscow and enshrined in the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral. the same icon was placed in the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) cathedral in Novgorod at the request of the city’s faithful, who also found themselves under attack by the Swedes. Once again, through the intercession of the Theotokos, the city was spared. the centuries, the icon’s fame spread far and wide. Copies of the wonderworking icon began to adorn churches throughout the land. Some of these copies also proved to be sources of miracles, and it was not uncommon to find the faithful praying before the icon to seek healing for children who were ill. fewer than 24 processions with the icon were celebrated each year at the Tikhvin Monastery, where the icon was enshrined. A decorative cover, or “riza,â€ adorned the icon, exposing only the faces and hands of the Holy Virgin and Christ child. Numerous precious stones studded the riza, and many of the faithful, desiring to express thanksgiving for prayers answered through the Theotokos’ intercession, affixed precious jewelry to the riza. miraculous is the fact that the icon was preserved from destruction or sale after the Russian Revolution, which ushered in a 74-year persecution of the Church. During the 1920s, the communist government demanded that the Russian Orthodox Church turn over countless icons and other precious liturgical items, which through the nationalization of private property were considered the property of “the people.â€ Many of these sacred items were sold, allegedly to raise money to feed the Russian and Ukrainian population which was afflicted by famine. the World War II German occupation, the Nazis removed the icon from the Tikhvin Monastery, from where it was taken to Pskov and subsequently to Riga, Latvia. When the city was evacuated, Bishop John [Garklavs] of Riga, in whose care the icon was placed, took the icon to Bavaria, where it was venerated by Orthodox faithful who had been displaced because of the war. Soviet agents had spotted the icon, Bishop John was permitted to take the icon to the United States in 1949, under the pretext that the icon in his care was a reproduction, the work of a simple monk, and that it was of little historic or monetary value. Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Bishop John, who was later elevated to the rank of Archbishop, was elected to oversee the Diocese of Chicago, and the icon was regularly displayed and venerated in Chicago’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. John frequently took the icon on pilgrimage to various places throughout the United States and Canada. After his retirement in the late 1970s and death on Palm Sunday in 1982, Archpriest Sergei Garklavs, Bishop John’s adopted son, became the caretaker of the icon. In 2003, over a decade after the fall of communism and the resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church, the decision was made to return the precious icon to its original home. icon began its year-long journey to Russia at the 99th annual Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania, May 23-26, 2003. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, together with members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and guest hierarchs, greeted the icon, which was available for veneration by the faithful. icon follows the Hodegetria model and is similar in style to the ancient Iveron icon of Our Lady. It differs in that the Christ child’s legs are crossed, while the sole of His foot is turned to the viewer. Several historic sources note that several other Hodegetria icons of the Theotokos had been brought to Russia in the 1380s, during the rule of the saintly prince Demetrius Donskoy. -- Archpriest John Matusiak

Russia, Moscow, 1383, Tikhvin Icon, St Petersburg area, by Luke, hovered L Ladoga, radiant light, MOG moved it there
Russia, St Petersburg, , Tikhvin, St Petersburg area (Tikhvinka River 2), Painted by Luke, from Jerusalem to Blachernae in 450, in 1383 hovered over Lake Ladoga, radiant light, Theotokos moved it there, survived fires, 1560 Ivan t T built monastery, 1613 seized Novgorod and attempted to destroy t monastery, moscow army appeared, icon copies' miracles, even preserved after Rus Revolution, taken to Pskov&Riga&Bavaria&Chicago then back to Tikvin; Tikhvin; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26; to ancient tradition, the wonderworking icon of Tikhvin is one of several painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. The icon was taken from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the fifth century, where it was enshrined in the Church of Blachernae, which was built especially for this purpose. 1383, seventy years before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, fishermen on Lake Ladoga in the principality of Novgorod the Great witnessed the icon miraculously hovering over the lake’s waters amidst a radiant light. to an early sixteenth century Russian manuscript, “The Tale of Miracles of the Icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God,” the Theotokos herself decided that her image should leave Constantinople, perhaps in anticipation of the impending fall of the Byzantine Empire. after its miraculous appearance, the icon was discovered in several neighboring towns, including the village of Motchenitsy on the bank of the Tikhvinka River, before it finally appeared near the town of Tikhvin. A wooden church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos was built on the site of the icon’s final resting place. Miraculously, the icon survived a number of fires. the early sixteenth century, through the zeal of Great Prince Basil Ivanovich, a stone church was built to replace the original wooden structure. 1560, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, a men’s monastery was established near the church and enclosed with a stone wall. 1613-1614, the Swedish army, having seized Novgorod, made several attempts to destroy the monastery. The countless prayers offered to the Theotokos before the icon were heard, and the monastery was spared. On one occasion, after monks had been alerted to the approaching Swedish army, they decided to flee and to take the icon with them. But the monks soon discovered that they could not remove the icon from its shrine. Seeing this as a sign of the Theotokos’ protection, the monks decided not to abandon the monastery, begging the Theotokos to spare them and their beloved spiritual home. To their amazement, a large Muscovite army appeared to defend the monastery. the Swedes encountered the army, they retreated immediately. Word of this miracle spread rapidly, and imperial emissaries soon visited the monastery. Accompanied by a copy of the wonderworking icon, they set off for the village of Stolbovo, 33 miles from Tikhvin, where they concluded a peace treaty with the Swedes on February 10, 1617. Afterwards, the copy of the icon was taken to Moscow and enshrined in the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral. Later, the same icon was placed in the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) cathedral in Novgorod at the request of the city’s faithful, who also found themselves under attack by the Swedes. Once again, through the intercession of the Theotokos, the city was spared. the centuries, the icon’s fame spread far and wide. Copies of the wonderworking icon began to adorn churches throughout the land. Some of these copies also proved to be sources of miracles, and it was not uncommon to find the faithful praying before the icon to seek healing for children who were ill. fewer than 24 processions with the icon were celebrated each year at the Tikhvin Monastery, where the icon was enshrined. A decorative cover, or “riza,” adorned the icon, exposing only the faces and hands of the Holy Virgin and Christ child. Numerous precious stones studded the riza, and many of the faithful, desiring to express thanksgiving for prayers answered through the Theotokos’ intercession, affixed precious jewelry to the riza. miraculous is the fact that the icon was preserved from destruction or sale after the Russian Revolution, which ushered in a 74-year persecution of the Church. During the 1920s, the communist government demanded that the Russian Orthodox Church turn over countless icons and other precious liturgical items, which through the nationalization of private property were considered the property of “the people.” Many of these sacred items were sold, allegedly to raise money to feed the Russian and Ukrainian population which was afflicted by famine. the World War II German occupation, the Nazis removed the icon from the Tikhvin Monastery, from where it was taken to Pskov and subsequently to Riga, Latvia. When the city was evacuated, Bishop John [Garklavs] of Riga, in whose care the icon was placed, took the icon to Bavaria, where it was venerated by Orthodox faithful who had been displaced because of the war. While Soviet agents had spotted the icon, Bishop John was permitted to take the icon to the United States in 1949, under the pretext that the icon in his care was a reproduction, the work of a simple monk, and that it was of little historic or monetary value. Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Bishop John, who was later elevated to the rank of Archbishop, was elected to oversee the Diocese of Chicago, and the icon was regularly displayed and venerated in Chicago’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. John frequently took the icon on pilgrimage to various places throughout the United States and Canada. After his retirement in the late 1970s and death on Palm Sunday in 1982, Archpriest Sergei Garklavs, Bishop John’s adopted son, became the caretaker of the icon. In 2003, over a decade after the fall of communism and the resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church, the decision was made to return the precious icon to its original home. icon began its year-long journey to Russia at the 99th annual Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania, May 23-26, 2003. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, together with members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and guest hierarchs, greeted the icon, which was available for veneration by the faithful. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, together with members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and guest hierarchs, greeted the icon, which was available for veneration by the faithful. icon follows the “Hodēgḗtria” model and is similar in style to the ancient Ivḗron icon of Our Lady. It differs in that the Christ child’s legs are crossed, while the sole of His foot is turned to the viewer. Several historic sources note that several other Hodēgḗtria icons of the Theotokos had been brought to Russia in the 1380s, during the rule of the saintly prince Demetrius Donskoy. -- Archpriest John Matusiak

Russia, Moscow, 1383, Converser Icon, MOG and St Nick converse with Sacristan George, to replace metal cross with wood
Russia, St Petersburg, 1383, Converser Icon, MOG and St Nick converse with Sacristan George, to replace metal cross with wood; depicts the Mother of God and Saint Nicholas of Myra conversing with the sacristan George. This event occurred soon after the appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1383, when the Most Holy Theotokos Herself commanded sacristan George to say that they should replace the metal cross on the newly-constructed temple in Her honor at Tikhvin with a wooden one. Icon of the Mother of God the Converse, Commemorated on August 14; “Converser” Icon of the Mother of God is so named since it depicts the Mother of God and Saint Nicholas of Myra conversing with the sacristan George. This event occurred soon after the appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1383, when the Most Holy Theotokos Herself commanded sacristan George to say that they should replace the metal cross on the newly-constructed temple in Her honor at Tikhvin with a wooden one. the place of this vision a chapel was built in honor of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. The chapel burned several times (the first time was in 1390 at the same time as the church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). In 1515, a wooden church was built and a monastery founded in honor of this holy icon. Russia, St Petersburg, 1383, Appearance of Tihkvin Icon, Lake Ladoga; 1383, seventy years before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, fishermen on Lake Ladoga in the principality of Novgorod the Great witnessed the icon miraculously hovering over the lake'™s waters amidst a radiant light. Lake Ladoga; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26; to ancient tradition, the wonderworking icon of Tikhvin is one of several painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. The icon was taken from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the fifth century, where it was enshrined in the Church of Blachernae, which was built especially for this purpose. 1383, seventy years before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, fishermen on Lake Ladoga in the principality of Novgorod the Great witnessed the icon miraculously hovering over the lake’s waters amidst a radiant light. to an early sixteenth century Russian manuscript, “The Tale of Miracles of the Icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God,â€ the Theotokos herself decided that her image should leave Constantinople, perhaps in anticipation of the impending fall of the Byzantine Empire. after its miraculous appearance, the icon was discovered in several neighboring towns, including the village of Motchenitsy on the bank of the Tikhvinka River, before it finally appeared near the town of Tikhvin. A wooden church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos was built on the site of the icon’s final resting place. Miraculously, the icon survived a number of fires. the early sixteenth century, through the zeal of Great Prince Basil Ivanovich, a stone church was built to replace the original wooden structure. In 1560, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, a men’s monastery was established near the church and enclosed with a stone wall. 1613-1614, the Swedish army, having seized Novgorod, made several attempts to destroy the monastery. The countless prayers offered to the Theotokos before the icon were heard, and the monastery was spared. On one occasion, after monks had been alerted to the approaching Swedish army, they decided to flee and to take the icon with them. But the monks soon discovered that they could not remove the icon from its shrine. Seeing this as a sign of the Theotokos’ protection, the monks decided not to abandon the monastery, begging the Theotokos to spare them and their beloved spiritual home. To their amazement, a large Muscovite army appeared to defend the monastery. the Swedes encountered the army, they retreated immediately. Word of this miracle spread rapidly, and imperial emissaries soon visited the monastery. Accompanied by a copy of the wonderworking icon, they set off for the village of Stolbovo, 33 miles from Tikhvin, where they concluded a peace treaty with the Swedes on February 10, 1617. the copy of the icon was taken to Moscow and enshrined in the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral. the same icon was placed in the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) cathedral in Novgorod at the request of the city’s faithful, who also found themselves under attack by the Swedes. Once again, through the intercession of the Theotokos, the city was spared. the centuries, the icon’s fame spread far and wide. Copies of the wonderworking icon began to adorn churches throughout the land. Some of these copies also proved to be sources of miracles, and it was not uncommon to find the faithful praying before the icon to seek healing for children who were ill. fewer than 24 processions with the icon were celebrated each year at the Tikhvin Monastery, where the icon was enshrined. A decorative cover, or “riza,â€ adorned the icon, exposing only the faces and hands of the Holy Virgin and Christ child. Numerous precious stones studded the riza, and many of the faithful, desiring to express thanksgiving for prayers answered through the Theotokos’ intercession, affixed precious jewelry to the riza. miraculous is the fact that the icon was preserved from destruction or sale after the Russian Revolution, which ushered in a 74-year persecution of the Church. During the 1920s, the communist government demanded that the Russian Orthodox Church turn over countless icons and other precious liturgical items, which through the nationalization of private property were considered the property of “the people.â€ Many of these sacred items were sold, allegedly to raise money to feed the Russian and Ukrainian population which was afflicted by famine. the World War II German occupation, the Nazis removed the icon from the Tikhvin Monastery, from where it was taken to Pskov and subsequently to Riga, Latvia. When the city was evacuated, Bishop John [Garklavs] of Riga, in whose care the icon was placed, took the icon to Bavaria, where it was venerated by Orthodox faithful who had been displaced because of the war. Soviet agents had spotted the icon, Bishop John was permitted to take the icon to the United States in 1949, under the pretext that the icon in his care was a reproduction, the work of a simple monk, and that it was of little historic or monetary value. Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Bishop John, who was later elevated to the rank of Archbishop, was elected to oversee the Diocese of Chicago, and the icon was regularly displayed and venerated in Chicago’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. John frequently took the icon on pilgrimage to various places throughout the United States and Canada. After his retirement in the late 1970s and death on Palm Sunday in 1982, Archpriest Sergei Garklavs, Bishop John’s adopted son, became the caretaker of the icon. In 2003, over a decade after the fall of communism and the resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church, the decision was made to return the precious icon to its original home. icon began its year-long journey to Russia at the 99th annual Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania, May 23-26, 2003. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, together with members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and guest hierarchs, greeted the icon, which was available for veneration by the faithful. icon follows the Hodegetria model and is similar in style to the ancient Iveron icon of Our Lady. It differs in that the Christ child’s legs are crossed, while the sole of His foot is turned to the viewer. Several historic sources note that several other Hodegetria icons of the Theotokos had been brought to Russia in the 1380s, during the rule of the saintly prince Demetrius Donskoy. -- Archpriest John Matusiak

Russia, Moscow, 1384-1385, Dionysius, Metropolitan of Kiev, Volga monasteries, against Strigolniki, wonderworker
Moscow Patriarch, 1384-1385, Dionysius, Metropolitan of Kiev; Dionysius I; secular name: David (1300? – October 15, 1385) was a Russian Orthodox metropolitan in 1384–1385. native of the Duchy of Kiev as a young man David entered the Kyiv Caves Lavra, where he was tonsured a hieromonk and given the religious name Dionysius. He is known to have spent a number of years living in a cave that he dug out himself on the banks of the Volga River not far from Nizhny Novgorod. Later, Dionysius founded the Pechersky Monastery on that same spot, which was dedicated in honour of the Ascension of the Lord. In 1374, he was consecrated the Bishop of Suzdal and won love and respect on the part of the locals. 1378, Dionysius was recommended as Metropolitan of Kyiv by St. Sergius of Radonezh after the death of Metropolitan Alexius. However, Grand Prince Dmitri Donskoi had his own candidate – a priest by the name of Mikhail (Mityaya). Dionysius was one of a number of bishops at the council who opposed Mikhail, who was suspected of heresy (Strigolniki). If elected, Mikhail wanted to introduce a new way of enthroning the Metropolitan at home, in Russia, rather than traveling to Constantinople to be installed by the Ecumenical Patriarch (at the time, Russia was not yet an autocephalous church). In 1379 Dionysius went to Constantinople carrying a protest against the choice of Mikhail addressed to the Patriarch. Mikhail was afraid that Dionysius would get the patriarch's blessing and followed him to Constantinople. However, Mikhail died on his way there and one of his accompanying clergymen, Archmandrite Pimen, reached Constantinople (Slavonic: Tzargrad) before Dionysius and was named Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus' in place of Mikhail. 1382 the Dionysius received the title of archbishop from the Patriarch, who was impressed with his piety and humility. In 1383, Dionysius returned from this long journey to his congregation at Suzdal and continued his struggle against the Strigolniki. He also implored Dmitri Donskoi against Pimen, whom he viewed as a usurper, since no one in the Russian Church, not even the Great Prince himself, had been consulted before Pimen was appointed Metropolitan. In 1384, Dionysius was sent back to Constantinople to ask for Pimen's deposition and his own appointment as Metropolitan. Patriarch Neilus Kerameus was not sure whether he could trust Dionysius and sent two metropolitans to Moscow, who were supposed to depose Pimen and install the archbishop of Suzdal. On his way back to Moscow, Dionysius stopped in Kiev, where he was detained by the Kievan prince Vladimir Olgerdovich at the insistence of Cyprian, Archbishop of Kiev, who was to have succeeded as Metropolitan of Moscow in 1378 upon the death of Alexius, but who was not finally welcomed into Moscow until 1390. Dionysius died in detention on October 15, 1385. He was buried in the Caves of St. Anthony at Kiev, in the monastery in which he began his spiritual life. Russian Orthodox Church used to celebrate his feast day on July 19, but subsequently this tradition died down. He is now commemorated on October 15 of the traditional Julian Calendar (October 28 on the modern Gregorian Calendar), where he is listed as "Metropolitan of Suzdal", since he was never able to take possession of his Metropolitan See. St Dionysius the Archbishop of Suzdal, Commemorated on June 26 ; Archbishop of Suzdal, in the world David, was tonsured at the Kiev Caves monastery. arrived at the Volga with an icon of the Mother of God that he had received as a blessing from Saints Anthony and Theodosius. Saint Dionysius dug out a cave not far from Nizhni-Novgorod and struggled in total solitude. Brethren constantly thronged to the holy ascetic and in the year 1335 he founded a monastery in honor of the Ascension of the Lord. Among the students of Saint Dionysius were Saints Euthymius of Suzdal (April 1) and Macarius of Zheltovod and Unzha (July 25). In the year 1352 the holy Elder sent twelve of his brethren to “the upper cities and countryside, whom God would bless” for the spiritual enlightenment of the people and the organizing of new monasteries. The monastery of Saint Dionysius exerted a deep charitable influence on the inhabitants of Nizhni-Novgorod. In the year 1371 the saint tonsured into monasticism the forty-year-old widow of Prince Andrew Constantinovich, an example of how he accepted into monasticism “various dignitaries: women, widowers, and virgins.” the year 1374 Saint Dionysius was deemed worthy of the office of bishop. His years of service as bishop occurred during a remarkable period, for Russia was rising to cast off the Mongol-Tatar Yoke. On March 31, 1375 the Tatar military-chief, having been shown to the bishop’s court by the enslaved inhabitants of Nizhni-Novgorod, shot an arrow at Saint Dionysius, but the Lord preserved his chosen one, and the arrow struck only the bishop’s mantle. In 1377, through the blessing of Saint Dionysius (who may have edited the document), the Lavrentian Chronicle was compiled by Saint Laurence, inspiring Russia in its struggle for freedom. 1379, preserving the integrity of the first hierarch’s cathedra, Saint Dionysius was one of the bishops gathered in Moscow by order of the prince, and he came out against the election of the prince’s protegee, the ill-reputed archimandrite Mityaya as Metropolitan. the same year of 1379 Saint Dionysius journeyed to Constantinople with a protest against the choice of Mityaya on grounds of his complicity with the heretical Strigolniki. The saint made a strong impression upon the Greeks by his sublime spiritual frame of mind and his profound knowledge of Holy Scripture. Patriarch Nilus, having termed the saint “a warrior of God and a spiritual man,” wrote that he himself saw him “at fasting and charity, and vigil, and prayers, and tears, and every other virtue.” From Constantinople Saint Dionysius sent two copies of the Hodegetria Icon of the Mother of God to a Council at Suzdal. In 1382 the bishop received the title of archbishop from the patriarch. Returning to Russia, the saint travelled to Pskov and Novgorod to struggle against the heresy of the Strigolniki. visited Constantinople a second time in 1383 for discussion with the patriarch on questions about the governance of the Russian metropolitanate. In the year 1384 Saint Dionysius was made “metropolitan for Russia” by Patriarch Nilus. But upon his return to Kiev the saint was arrested on orders of the Kiev prince Vladimir Olgerdovich and subjected to imprisonment, where he died on October 15, 1385. The burial of the saint was in “the Kiev Cave of the Great Anthony.” Saint Dionysius is commemorated on June 26 because it is the Feast of his patron saint, Saint David of Thessalonica, whose name he was given in Baptism. In the Synodikon of the 1552 Nizhni-Novgorod Caves monastery, Saint Dionysius is called a “wonderworking monk”.

Russia, Radonezh, 1385, Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, habitation shall prosper, even after depart
Russia, Radonezh, 1385, Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh (Yakhroma River 3), late at night, be alert for visitation, all pure one approaches, MOG Peter & John, fear not chosen one, your prayer heard, habitation shall prosper, even after departure to God, supplying and protecting your monastery, invisible, trinity monastery; Radonezh; Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on August 24; Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Saint Sergius of Radonezh: late at night, Saint Sergius (1314-1392) was reading an Akathist to the Mother of God. finished his habitual rule, he sat down to rest a bit, but suddenly he said to his disciple, Saint Micah (May 6): “Be alert, my child, for we shall have a wondrous visitation.” Scarcely had he uttered these words than a voice was heard: “The All-Pure One approaches!” Sergius rushed from the cell to the entrance, and suddenly it was illumined by a bright light, brighter than the sun. beheld nearby in imperishable glory the Mother of God, accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John. to bear such a vision, Saint Sergius reverently prostrated himself before the Mother of God. She said to him, “Fear not, My chosen one! I have come to visit you. prayer for your disciples and your monastery has been heard. not be troubled, for your habitation shall prosper, not only in your lifetime, but also after your departure to God. will be with your monastery, supplying its needs abundantly, and protecting it.” said this, the Mother of God became invisible. a long time Saint Sergius was in an inexpressible rapture, and having come to himself, he raised up Saint Micah. “Tell me, Father,” he asked, “what is the meaning of this miraculous vision? My soul nearly left my body from terror!” Saint Sergius was silent, and only his luminous face spoke of the spiritual joy which he had experienced. “Wait a bit,” he said finally to his disciple, “my soul also trembles because of this wondrous vision.” a while Saint Sergius summoned two of his disciples, Saints Isaac and Simon, and shared with them the vision and the promise of the Theotokos. all sang a Molieben to the Mother of God. Sergius spent the remaining part of the night without sleep, calling to mind the divine vision. appearance of the Mother of God at the cell of Saint Sergius, at the present place of the Serapionov chamber, was on one of the Fridays of the Nativity Fast in the year 1385. commemoration of the visit of the Mother of God to the Trinity monastery and of Her promise was reverently kept by the disciples of Saint Sergius. July 5, 1422 the holy relics of Saint Sergius were uncovered, and soon after an icon of the Appearance of the Mother of God was placed on the grave of Saint Sergius. The icon was honored with great reverence. the year 1446 Great Prince Basil (1425-1462) was besieged at the Trinity monastery by the armies of Princes Demetrius Shemyaka and John of Mozhaisk. He barricaded himself into the Trinity cathedral, and when he heard that he was being sought, he took the icon of the Appearance of the Mother of God and with it met Prince John at the southern church doors, saying: “Brother, we kissed the Life-Creating Cross and this icon in this church of the Life-Creating Trinity at this grave of the Wonderworker Sergius, that we would neither intend nor wish any evil to any of our brethren among ourselves. Now I do not know what will happen to me here.” Trinity monk Ambrose reproduced the icon of the Appearance of the Mother of God to Saint Sergius, carved in wood (mid-fourteenth century). Ivan the Terrible took the icon of the Appearance of the Mother of God on his Kazan campaign (1552). The most famous icon, painted in the year 1588, was by the steward of the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra, Eustathius Golovkin on a board from the wooden reliquary of Saint Sergius, which was taken apart in the year 1585 when the relics of Saint Sergius were placed in a silver reliquary (August 14). this icon, the Mother of God repeatedly protected the Russian army. Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich (1645-1676) took it on the Polish campaign in 1657. In the year 1703, the icon took part in all the military campaigns against the Swedish king Charles XII, and in 1812 Metropolitan Platon sent it to the Moscow military levy. The icon was carried in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, and during World War I it was at the quarters of the supreme commander-in-chief in 1914. church was built over the grave of Saint Micah and at its consecration on December 10, 1734 was named in honor of the Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos and the holy Apostles to Saint Sergius of Radonezh. September 27, 1841 the church was restored and consecrated by Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, who said: “By the grace of the All-Holy and All-Sacred Spirit the restoration of this temple is now accomplished, fashioned before us in honor and memory of the Appearance of our Lady the Most Holy Theotokos to our holy God-bearing Father Sergius, to which Saint Micah was also an eyewitness.” commemoration of this grace-bearing event is rightly marked by the consecration of a church, however, this whole monastery is a memorial of that miraculous visit. Therefore, its purpose in the continuing centuries was the fulfillment of the promise of the heavenly Visitor: “This place shall endure.” memory of the visit of the Mother of God at the Trinity-Sergiev monastery, an Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos is sung on Fridays, and a special service in honor of the appearance of the Mother of God is celebrated at the monastery on August 24, on the second day of the leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Russia, Moscow, 1385-1392, James t Wonderworker of Rostov, condmnd woman story, thrown out, Lake Nero Mantiya boat s
Russia, Rostov, 1385-1392, James the Wonderworker of Rostov, tonsured at Kopyrsk monastery, Vladimir-Suzdal (Nerl (Uktoma) mouth, Klyzma River 5), Rostov bishop 1385, condemned woman story, thrown out, Lake Nero Mantiya boat story, to site of Conception-St James monastery, Rostov repented, forgiven but never returned; Kopyrsk monastery on the River Ukhtoma, 80 kilometers (120 Kilometers) from Rostov. River Ukhtoma (River Nerl) is the major tributary of the Klyzama. St James the Bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov, Commemorated November 27 ; to a local tradition, Saint James received monastic tonsure at Kopyrsk monastery on the River Ukhtoma, 80 kilometers from Rostov. For a long time he was igumen of this monastery, in the year 1385 he was made Bishop of Rostov when Pimen was Metropolitan and Demetrius of the Don was Great Prince. defending a woman condemned to execution, the saint followed the example of the Savior, inviting whoever considered himself to be without sin to cast the first stone at her (John 8:7), and he then sent the woman forth to repentance. Prince and the Rostov nobles, disgruntled over the bishop’s judgment, threw Saint James out of Rostov. the city, the saint proceeded to Lake Nero, spread his bishop’s mantiya on the water, and having signed himself with the Sign of the Cross, he sailed off on it as if on a boat, guided by the grace of God. one and a half versts from the city, Saint James emerged on shore at the site of his future monastery. prince and the people, repenting their actions, besought the saint’s forgiveness. The gentle bishop forgave them, but he did not return again. the shore of Lake Nero he made himself a cell and built a small church in honor of the Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by Righteous Anna, marking the beginning of the Conception-Saint James monastery. James died there on November 27, 1392. is a story that Saint James fought against the Iconoclast heresy of a certain fellow named Markian, who appeared in Rostov toward the end of the fourteenth century. more ancient Lives of our saint do not mention this, and even the great hagiographer Saint Demetrius of Rostov was unaware of it. More recent hagiographers were wont to draw material from the Service to Saint James of Rostov. But the Service itself, preserved in copies from the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries, was compiled by borrowing from the Service to Saint Bucolus (February 6), who struggled against the first century heretic Marcian, and from the Service to Saint Stephen of Surozh (December 15), who contended against the emperor Constantine Kopronymos (741-775). James is also commemorated on May 23.

Russia, Moscow, 1385-1406, Cyprian, Metropolitan of Moscow, Mt Athos, Serb, service books and lit translations
Moscow Patriarch, 1385-1406, Cyprian, Metropolitan of Moscow ; Repose of St Cyprian the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Cyprian, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, was a Serb by origin, and struggled on Mt. Athos. By his pious life and education he came to the attention of Patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople (1354-1355, 1364-1376), who in 1375 consecrated Cyprian as Metropolitan of Kiev and Lithuania. the Constantinople Council it was decided to avoid a fragmentation of the Russian metropolia, and that “upon the death of Saint Alexis (February 12), he should become the Metropolitan of All Rus.” At Moscow, Saint Cyprian endured many sorrows from the Great Prince, so at first he lived either in Lithuania or at Constantinople. Only in the year 1390, in the time of Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich, was he accepted as primate at Moscow. Cyprian concerned himself with the correction of the service books. There are preserved autographic manuscripts of certain Slavonic translations by the saint, witnessing to his great scientific work. And by his pastoral epistles he encouraged the faith of the Church. His activity in the translation of liturgical literature is widely known. Venerable Sava the Abbot of Moscow, Commemorated on June 13;

Russia, Moscow, 1388,St Athanasius t Iron Staff, Sergius' disciple, Cherepovets, Mologa, Built monastery w merchant Theodosios
Russia, Vologda, 1388,St Athanasius t Iron Staff, Sergius' disciple, Cherepovets, Yagorba Mouth, Sheksna River 1 , Mologa, Built monastery w merchant Theodosios, divine light miracle, beautiful view; Cherepovets ; St Athanasius, "the Iron Staff" and disciple of St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated November 26 ; Athanasios (nicknamed "the Iron Staff") and Theodosios, were disciples of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, they settled in the Novgorod region, on the border of Cherepovets, at the confluence of the Yagorba River and the Sheksna. in the dense, impenetrable forests, they built a church in honor of the Holy Trinity, and a monastery was also established. is known for certain about Saint Theodosios, and almost no information has been preserved about Saint Athanasios, because during the Time of Troubles the Monastery was razed almost to the ground, and the written records were destroyed. do know that the Monastery church built by Saints Athanasios and Theodosios, was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, as well as to Saints Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh. the basis of this information, it is thought that both Saint Athanasios and Saint Theodosios were tonsured at Trinity-Sergius Monastery, for the ancient hermits used to build monasteries on the model of those in which they became monks. is written testimony about these Saints in an inscription in a loose-leaf book from 1568 which reads: "This is the book of the Monastery of the Resurrection of Christ and the Life-giving Trinity, and of our Venerable Fathers Theodosios and Athanasios." the the chronicle of the Saints it says: "Venerable Athanasios, called 'Iron Staff,' the disciple of Saint Sergius the Wonderworker; who reposed in the year 1392." Stroganov Manual of Iconography describes the Saint's appearance: "Venerable Athanasios... a grey beard, narrower and shorter than Blaise's." before the arrival of the monks in that region, a chapel was built through the efforts of a merchant. man decided to build a chapel after a miracle occurred. day he was transporting goods in a boat, when suddenly in the middle of the day, it grew dark, and the boat ran aground. The frightened merchant began to pray, and soon the darkness lifted, and a nearby mountain was illumined with a bright light. The man climbed the mountain and was so amazed at the beautiful view that he returned to the area and built a chapel the following year. little information about these Saints has come down to us. We know that Saint Athanasios carried an iron staff, and Saint Theodosios may have been the merchant who built the chapel. 1764, the Resurrection Monastery was abolished, and its church became a parish church. Since 1780 it has been called the Resurrection Cathedral of the city of Cherepovets. under this church, the relics of Saint Athanasios and Saint Theodosios now rest. The Cherepovets Resurrection Cathedral also has icons of Saints Athanasios and Theodosios. Saints reposed in the year 1388, and were buried in the Monastery’s cathedral church. They are also commemorated on July 5 and September 25.

Russia, Moscow, 1389-1425, Vasily I, Prince, Basil of Moscow, GH Vassal to unify R
Moscow Prince, 1389-1425, Basil of Moscow (Vasily I); Icon of the Mother of God of Koloch, Commemorated July 9 ; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on July 28 ; St Cornelius of Paleostrov and Olonets, Commemorated on August 21; Icon of the Mother of God Support of Humble, Commemorated September 16 ; Repose of St Cyprian the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Vishera, Novgorod, Commemorated on October 1; Venerable Sergius the Obedient of the Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on October 7; Venerable Amphilochius the Abbot of Glushetsa, Commemorated on October 12; Venerable Theophilus the Abbot of Omutch, Pskov, Commemorated on October 21; St Paul of Rostov, Commemorated on October 22; Repose of the Blessed Maximus of Moscow, Commemorated on November 11; Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius, Commemorated on November 17; St James the Bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov, Commemorated on November 27; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Zvenigorod the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on December 3; St Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Macarius the Abbot of Pisma, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Paul the Abbot of Obnora, Vologda, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Michael the Fool-for-Christ of the Klops Monastery, Novgorod, Commemorated on January 11; Venerable Martinian the Abbot of Byeloezersk, Commemorated on January 12; Righteous Theodore of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on January 19; St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on January 24; St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on January 29 ; St Arsenius the Bishop of Tver, Commemorated on March 2 ; Icon of the Mother of God œCzestochowaÂ, Commemorated on March 6; Icon of the Mother of God œthe Blessed HeavenÂ, Commemorated on March 6; Icon of the Mother of God œthe Blessed HeavenÂ, Commemorated on March 6; St Euthymius the Bishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on March 11; Repose of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on March 31; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable James the Abbot of Zheleznoborov, Commemorated on April 11; Venerable Euthymius the Enlightener of Karelia and Finland, Commemorated on April 18; Icon of the Mother of God of Molcha, Commemorated on April 24; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26; Venerable Cornelius the Abbot of Paleostrov, Commemorated on May 19; Venerable Therapon the Abbot of White Lake, Commemorated on May 27; Venerable Dionysius the Abbot of Glushetsk, Vologda, Commemorated on June 1; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on June 2 ; Venerable Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 4; Venerable Arsenius the Abbot of Konevits, Commemorated on June 12; Venerable Andronicus the Abbot of Moscow and Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 13; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Moscow, Commemorated on June 13; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Euthymius the Archimandrite of Suzdal, Commemorated on July 4 ; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5;

Russia, Moscow, 1389-1425, Vasili I, G Prince of Moscow, Basil I, Dimitrievich, son of D Donskoy
Moscow Prince, 1389-1425, Vasili I, Grand Prince of Moscow, Basil I ; Icon of the Mother of God of Koloch, Commemorated July 9 ; Icon of the Mother of God of White Lake, Commemorated on July 28 ; St Cornelius of Paleostrov and Olonets, Commemorated on August 21; Icon of the Mother of God Support of Humble, Commemorated September 16 ; Repose of St Cyprian the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Venerable Sergius the Obedient of the Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on October 7; Venerable Amphilochius the Abbot of Glushetsa, Commemorated on October 12; Venerable Theophilus the Abbot of Omutch, Pskov, Commemorated on October 21; St Paul of Rostov, Commemorated on October 22; Repose of the Blessed Maximus of Moscow, Commemorated on November 11 ; Repose of the Blessed Maximus of Moscow, Commemorated on November 11 ; Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius, Commemorated on November 17; St James the Bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov, Commemorated on November 27; St Theodore the Archbishop of Rostov, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Zvenigorod the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on December 3; St Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on December 21; Venerable Macarius the Abbot of Pisma, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Martinian the Abbot of Byeloezersk, Commemorated on January 12; St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on January 24; ANDREI RUBLEV, MONK AND ICONOGRAPHER, 1430, Commemorated January 29 ; St Gerasimus the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on January 29 ; Icon of the Mother of God œCzestochowaÂ, Commemorated on March 6; Icon of the Mother of God œthe Blessed HeavenÂ, Commemorated on March 6; St Euthymius the Bishop of Novgorod, Commemorated on March 11; Repose of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on March 31; Venerable Euthymius of Suzdal, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Joseph the Much-Ailing, of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable James the Abbot of Zheleznoborov, Commemorated on April 11; Icon of the Mother of God of St Maximus, Commemorated on April 18; Venerable Euthymius the Enlightener of Karelia and Finland, Commemorated on April 18; Icon of the Mother of God of Molcha, Commemorated on April 24; St Stephen the Bishop of Perm, Commemorated on April 26; Icon of the Mother of God of Putivil, Commemorated on May 2; Venerable Alphan with his brother of Novgorod, founder of the Sokolnitzky Monastery, Commemorated on May 4; Venerable Cornelius the Abbot of Paleostrov, Commemorated on May 19 ; Venerable Therapon the Abbot of White Lake, Commemorated on May 27; Venerable Dionysius the Abbot of Glushetsk, Vologda, Commemorated on June 1; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Juliana the Princess of Vyazma, Commemorated on June 2 ; Venerable Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 4; Venerable Arsenius the Abbot of Konevits, Commemorated on June 12; Venerable Andronicus the Abbot of Moscow and Disciple of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on June 13; Venerable Sava the Abbot of Moscow, Commemorated on June 13; St Methodius the Abbot of Peshnosha, Commemorated on June 14; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Euthymius the Archimandrite of Suzdal, Commemorated on July 4 ; Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on July 5;

Russia, Moscow, 1390, Unburnt Bush Icon, Mt Horeb in Median, signifies MOG conception by Holy Spirit, to Russia 1390
Median, 1390, Unburnt Bush Icon, Mt Horeb / Sinai in Median, Land of the Arabs, Unburning Bush, signifies MOG conception by Holy Spirit and not consumed, to Russia 1390 from Palestine, 1812 riza return story, 1822 arson fires story; Mt Sinai / Horeb up from the Desert of Sin and Jethro's home in Midian (not Mt Sinai in Egypt); Mt Sinai diagram not drawn to scale; Ron Wyatt's work there; Icon of the Mother of God "the Unburnt Bush"; of the Old Testament prototypes pointing to the Mother of God is the Unburnt Bush - the Bush which Moses saw on Mount Horeb. was on fire, but was not consumed (Exodus 3:2). Bush signifies the Mother of God's sinless conception of Christ when the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was overshadowed by the power of the Most High (Luke 1:35). the Angel "revealed the Holy Trinity by naming the Holy Spirit, the Power which is the Son (I Corinthians 1:24), and the Most High which is the Father" (Saint Theophylact, Commentary on the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke, chapter 1). Theotokos was born into a fallen world, yet she was absolutely pure, and did not commit any personal sin. remained a Virgin before, during, and after giving birth. the Bush burned and was not consumed, so the Virgin gave birth to Thee yet remained a Virgin" (Octoechos, Dogmatikon Tone 2, "The shadow of the Law"). ancient Unburnt Bush Icon shows a bush engulfed in flames. Virgin, with her Child in her arms, is seen above the Bush. image is rare. Icons depict an octagonal star with the Mother of God in the center with a circle of Cherubim around her. She is shown holding Jacob's Ladder, for she calls us to ascend from earth to Heaven. the gate and the rod are depicted as symbols of the Savior, Who in Church hymns is called "a rod from the root of Jesse." star is made up of two quadrangles. One is painted red, like a flame; the other is green, the color of the mysterious Bush seen by Moses. the red points of the star there are four symbols of the Evangelists: a man (Matthew), a lion (Mark), an ox (Luke), and an eagle (John). the rays are eight Angels: An Angel shows burning fire, for the earth will be destroyed by fire. The Spirit of wisdom and of the knowledge of God - spring, summer, autumn, and winter. He created all things for man's benefit. The Angel of Thunder shows Christ's second coming, for He shall come in thunder and lightning. The Angel of the spirit of piety. The cutting off of those who proclaim things contrary to the Faith. He holds the cup of the bitterness of God's wrath. The Spirit of the Lord for warmth amid winter, snow, frost, and ice. The Spirit of purification which sends forth dew and mist and rain. The Angel of Thunder and of the fear of God, revealing Christ's second coming, for He shall judge His servants at the end of the world. The Angel of lightning and scorching, i.e. He shall be the righteous Judge, for the lightning shall find all. the four corners of the Icon are the Prophets who prefigure the Virgin: and the Unburnt Bush (Exodus chapter 3); with the Seraphim touching his lips with a live coal (Isaiah 6:6); vision of the gate by which no one could enter except the Lord (Ezekiel 44:1), Jacob's vision of the Ladder (Genesis 28:12-17). to popular belief, this Icon protects the homes of the faithful from fire. a man happened to witness a great fire which engulfed many buildings. Among them was a wooden house which did not burn. A woman stood there motionless, holding an icon of the Unburnt Bush in her hands. Tears ran down her cheeks, but her face expressed complete calm and unshakable faith. She did not seem to be worried about her home, but she wept for the misfortune of others. The fire was intense, but the woman would not move. The man left, marveling at her faith, but he expected her house to be reduced to ashes by the flames. The next day he returned to the spot. the devastation of the fire only the woman's house remained standing, guarded by the power of the Icon. of the oldest icons of the Unburnt Bush is located in Moscow's Annunciation Cathedral. was brought to Russia by Palestinian foreigners in 1390 and, according to tradition, it was painted on a piece of the rock where Moses beheld the mysterious Bush. the Moscow church of the Unburnt Bush at Khamovniki, there is an Icon which was once in the Palace. The ancient writing is beautiful. The size of the Icon measures 1 arshin 12 vershkov long, and 1 arshin 7 vershkov wide. Icon is commemorated twice: on September 4, the Feast Day of the Prophet Moses, and on the sixth Sunday after Pascha (the Sunday of the Blind Man), because according to tradition, the Icon was transferred from the Kremlin to the newly-consecrated Khamovniki church on that day. was a wondrous event connected with the riza of this Icon, when Russia was attacked by Napoleon in 1812. leaving Moscow, a Polish soldier came to Father Alexei Vvedensky, the priest of the Novodevichii Monastery, and gave him the riza from the Unburnt Bush Icon, begging him to return it to the church from which it was taken. soldier confessed that ever since he took the riza, he had been unable to find peace, and he was tormented by an unbearable melancholia. the same church there is an Icon of the Unburnt Bush (which was donated in 1835) and a smaller, especially revered Icon dating from 1837. depicts someone praying before the Mother of God. In the church there is a special manuscript Service to the Icon with the note: "This Service is chanted on Holy Mount Sinai, whenever someone requests it, or whenever there is terrible lightning." 1822, in the city of Slavyansk, Kharkov gubernia, fires caused by arson became more frequent. residents were at a loss about what to do. it was revealed in a dream to a pious old woman named Belnitskaya that if they painted an Icon of the Unburnt Bush, and served a Moleben before it, the fires would stop. told the Archpriest about her dream, and the Icon was painted right away. After the Liturgy, a Moleben was served before it. that very day, there was another fire, and the arsonist was caught. crafty young woman named Maura had set all the fires. the fires ceased, and the grateful residents had a kiot made for the Icon with the inscription: "In remembrance of the city's deliverance from fire in 1822." The Icon is in the church of the Holy Trinity. is also a revered icon of the Unburnt Bush in the village of Kubenskoye, Vologda Province.

Russia, Moscow, 1391-1439, Alexander oKushta, left A fQuiet, cross iWater gathered Zealous, h leaves, seen wNicholas aDeath
Russia, Vologda, 1391-1439, Alexander oKushta, Vologda, Archbishop oRostov, obedience, strict fasting, Hiermonk, constant work or prayer, seen as angel oGod, it troubled him, left by night, river Syazhem, austere abstinence, people came, left for Kuben aka Kushta, wEuthymios, exchanged cells, r cross from E, loved quiet, cross in water prayer to gather zealous, elder came f5yrs, built church after 3rd elder came, Rostov Hegoumen blessed temple construction, 5 Tartars story, frozen by cross several hrs, Princess Maria story, offered village, saw insects on his chest, not necessary to see our misery, sick, asked prayer but told preare fEnd oLife. Wheat sack story, thief not able tLift, A admonished him &added more wheat for him, blessed burden easy to lift, A foretold death, ordered grave location, tree grew there, healing leaves, after death A& Nicholas seen praying or censing together at the temple; Savior-Kamen monastery; Venerable Alexander, Abbot of Kushta, Vologda, Commemorated on June 9; Alexander, Hegoumen of Kushta Monastery in Vologda, was born about the year 1371, and his name in the world was Alexei. was tonsured at the Savior-Stone (Spaso-Kamen) monastery by Hegoumen Dionysios of the Holy Mountain, who brought the Athonite Rule to the monastery. he became the Archbishop of Rostov. Here Saint Alexander went through all the phases of obedience and strict fasting, and was ordained as a Hieromonk. was constantly at work or at prayer. The brethren looked upon him as upon an angel of God, and this troubled Saint Alexander. left the monastery secretly by night and came to the River Syazhem, where there was a thick forest and lake. Here he built a cell and lived his life in prayer and austere abstinence. Little by little, people started coming to him. Alexander went from this place to the shore of Lake Kuben, at the mouth of the River Kushta. that time Saint Euthymios (April 11) was living there. Saint Alexander offered to exchange cells with him, and Saint Euthymios agreed to this. they parted, he gave Saint Alexander his cross as a blessing. quiet wilderness was very dear to Saint Alexander. to the lake, he immersed the cross in the water and prayed to God, asking that he might gather in this place those who were zealous for the way of the Cross. some time, a certain Elder came to Saint Alexander, with whom he dwelt for five years. a third brother arrived, Saint Alexander decided to build a church in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. saint journeyed to Rostov to see his former Hegoumen, Archbishop Dionysios (1418-1425), who blessed the construction of the temple. day, Tatars came when Prince Demetrios of Zaozersk was away, and five of them galloped up to the Kushta monastery. Saint Alexander met them calmly and he blessed them with the cross. The Tatars fell down as if they were dead; and they lay senseless for several hours, after which Saint Alexander roused them from their torpor in the name of the Life-creating Trinity. Prince Demetrios reposed, his widow, Princess Maria, who had great respect for Saint Alexander, offered a village for the support of the monastery in remembrance of her husband. Once she came to the monastery and went into the church, where Saint Alexander was reading the Psalter, while insects attacked his bare chest. The monk was distressed by her visit and said, “It is not necessary, O Princess, for you to observe our misery.” The princess humbly asked for pardon. The monk blessed her, but said, “Feed your poverty at home.” When she reached her home, the princess fell sick and asked him to pray for the recovery of her health. Saint Alexander foresaw her end and said, “Let her prepare for that life.” Princess Maria died twenty days later. was gathered on the floor of the monastery; and a certain peasant decided to steal a sack, but he was not able to lift it. The saint happened upon him and said, “My son, it is in vain that you try to lift what is beyond your strength.” The astounded thief threw himself at the feet of the venerable one, asking his forgiveness, but Saint Alexander ordered him to add more wheat to the sack. After admonishing him not to steal from others in future, he blessed him to take the sack and to go with God. The peasant easily carried the burden which was blessed, and thanked the generous Elder. that the time of his death was near, Saint Alexander said to those dwelling with him, “I am growing weak, but I urge you to endure in this place, preserving humility and mutual love.” On Sunday he served the Divine Liturgy, and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Then he prayed on his knees for himself and for his monastery, and at age of sixty-eight, he peacefully surrendered his soul to the Lord on June 9, 1439. to Saint Alexander’s last instructions in his will, his body was placed at the south side of the altar. A year afterward, a Rowan-berry tree grew up over his grave. Once, on the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, a peasant child broke off a branch from this tree and suddenly his hand began to hurt. His parents prayed and brought their son to the saint’s grave, and he was healed. From that time people began to pick berries from this tree for healing purposes. His disciples built a heated church in honor of Saint Nicholas over the saint’s grave and it was dedicated on the anniversary of his repose. Many of the sick who were brought to the church said that they saw Saint Alexander and Saint Nicholas praying together, or censing the temple. Many of the sick received healing at Saint Alexander’s grave.

Russia, Moscow, 1392, 1456, 1833, Devpeteruv Icon, miiracles list Tambov, appearance, Pitrim prayers, false accusation story
Russia, Mordovia, 1392, 1456, 1833, Devpeteruv Icon, miiracles list at Tambov, Mordovia (Studenets River Mouth at Tsna River 1), once belonged to Pitirim +1456, 1833 false accusation story; Tambov; Devpeteruv Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on February 28; Icon appeared on February 29, 1392. of the oldest shrines of the Devpeteruv (Девпетерувская) Icon of the Mother of God is now located in the Nikolaev church of the village of Batyushkova, or Batatkova, Dmitrovsky district of Moscow Province. this image, the child Jesus is shown resting on the Virgin’s right shoulder; His left hand is on His Mother’s left shoulder, and her right hand is on His right shoulder. Tambov's Transfiguration Cathedral, above the tomb of St. Pitirim (July 28), there is another list of the miracles of the Devpeteruv Icon of the Mother of God. image once belonged to St. Pitirim, and before it, he offered his fervent prayers to the Lord God. Icon became especially famous in 1833 after a miracle took place. certain woman, whose husband was falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison, once saw an Elder whom she did not know in a dream. This Elder ordered her to search the cathedral for the Icon from St. Pitirim's cell, and to have a Moleben served before it. He also showed her the Icon itself. The woman found the Saint's Icon and asked for a Moleben to be served before it. Shortly afterward, her husband was acquitted and released from prison.

Russia, Moscow, 1395, Tammerlane retreats after Dream, Vladimir Icon Mother of God (Don River 1, Kulikovo Pole)
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia, Moscow, 1395, Commemoration Luke's Vladimir Icon, Deliverance Moscow from Tamerlane, MOG great Christian protectoress
Russia, Moscow, 1395, Commemoration Luke's Vladimir Icon, Deliverance Moscow from Tamerlane, MOG great Christian protectoress, dream, holy hierarchs, golden staffs, majestic woman, she commanded him to leave Russia, icon from MOG and Joseph's kitchen table, grace of my son and me will be with this icon, 1131 to Rus Vyshgorod, 1155 Andrew B brought it to Vladimir, 1395 to Moscow, 1395 Tammerlane reaches Ryazan frontier; Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia, Moscow, 1395, Luke's Vladimir Icon, Grace of Jesus and MOG shall be with this Icon
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia, Moscow, 1395, Feast of the Dormition, Vladimir Icon sent to Moscow, same hour of meeting at Kuchkov, T's dream
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia, Moscow, 1397, part of The Robe was transferred from C to Rus by St Dionysius, Archbishop of Suzdal
Blachernae; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae; Placing of the Venerable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae: the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Leo the Great (457-474), the brothers Galbius and Candidus, associates of the emperor, set out from Constantinople to Palestine to venerate the holy places. a small settlement near Nazareth they stayed in the home of a certain old Jewish woman. In her house they noticed a room where many lamps were lit, incense burned, and sick people were gathered. When they asked her what the room contained, the pious woman did not want to give an answer for a long time. persistent requests, she said that she had a very precious sacred item: the Robe of the Mother of God, which performed many miracles and healings. Her Dormition the Most Holy Virgin bequeathed one of her garments to a pious Jewish maiden, an ancestor of the old woman, instructing her to leave it to another virgin after her death. the Robe of the Mother of God was preserved in this family from generation to generation. jewelled chest, containing the sacred Robe, was transferred to Constantinople. Saint Gennadius, Patriarch of Constantinople (August 31), and the emperor Leo, having learned of the sacred treasure, were convinced of the incorrupt state of the holy Robe, and they certified its authenticity. Blachernae, near the seacoast, a new church in honor of the Mother of God was constructed. On June 2, 458 Saint Gennadius transferred the sacred Robe into the Blachernae church with appropriate solemnity, placing it within a new reliquary. the maphorion (i.e., the outer robe) of the Mother of God, and part of Her belt were also put into the reliquary with Her Robe. This circumstance also influenced the Orthodox iconography of the Feast, in connecting the two events: the Placing of the Robe, and the Placing of the Belt of the Mother of God in Blachernae. The Russian pilgrim Stephen of Novgorod, visiting Constantinople in about the year 1350, testifies: “We arrived at Blachernae, where the Robe lies upon an altar in a sealed reliquary.â€ than once, during the invasion of enemies, the Most Holy Theotokos saved the city to which She had given Her holy Robe. Thus it happened during the time of a siege of Constantinople by the Avars in 626, by the Persians in 677, and by the Arabs in the year 717. Especially relevant for us are events of the year 860, intimately connected with the history of the Russian Church. June 18, 860 the Russian fleet of Prince Askold, a force comprising more than 200 ships, laid waste the coastal regions of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus, then entered into the Golden Horn and threatened Constantinople. The Russian ships sailed within sight of the city, setting ashore troops who “proceeded before the city, stretching forth their swords.â€ The emperor Michael III (842-867), interrupted his campaign against the Arabs and returned to the capital. All night he prayed prostrated upon the stone tiles of the church of the Mother of God at Blachernae. The holy Patriarch Photius spoke to his flock, calling for tears of repentance to wash away sins, and to seek the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos with fervent prayer. danger grew with each passing hour. “The city was barely able to stand against a spear,â€ says Patriarch Photius in another of his homilies. Under these conditions the decision was made to save the church’s sacred objects, especially the holy Robe of the Mother of God, which was kept in the Blachernae church, not far from the shore. serving an all-night Vigil, and taking it out from the Blachernae church, they carried the sacred Robe of the Mother of God in a procession around the city walls. They dipped its edge into the waters of the Bosphorus, and then they transported it to the center of Constantinople into the church of Hagia Sophia. The Mother of God protected the city and quelled the fury of the Russian warriors. An honorable truce was concluded, and Askold lifted the siege of Constantinople. June 25 the Russian army began to leave, taking with them a large tribute payment. A week afterwards, on July 2, the wonderworking Robe of the Mother of God was solemnly returned to its place in the reliquary of the Blachernae church. In remembrance of these events an annual feastday of the Placing of the Robe of the Mother of God was established on July 2 by holy Patriarch Photius. in October-November of the year 860, a Russian delegation arrived in Constantinople to conclude a treaty “in love and peace.â€ Some of the conditions of the peace treaty included articles concerning the Baptism of Kievan Rus, the payment of an annual tribute by the Byzantines to the Russians, permission for them to serve with the Byzantine army, an agreement to trade in the territory of the Empire (primarily in Constantinople), and to send a diplomatic mission to Byzantium. important was the point about the Baptism of Rus. The continuator of the Byzantine “Theophanes Chroniclesâ€ relates that “their delegation arrived in Constantinople with a request for them to receive holy Baptism, which also was fulfilled.â€ An Orthodox mission was sent to Kiev to fulfill this mutual wish of the Russians and the Greeks. Not very long before this (in 855) Saint Cyril the Philosopher (February 14 and May 11) had created a Slavonic alphabet and translated the Gospel. Saint Cyril was sent with his brother, Saint Methodius (April 6 and May 11), on a mission to Kiev with books translated into Slavonic. This was at the initiative of Saint Photius, whose student Saint Cyril was. The brothers spent the winter of 860/861 at Cherson, and in the spring of 861 they were at the River Dniepr, with Prince Askold. Askold was faced with a difficult choice, just as holy Prince Vladimir faced: both the Jews on the one hand, and the Moslems on the other, wanted him to accept their faith. But under the influence of Saint Cyril, the prince chose Orthodoxy. At the end of the year 861, Saints Cyril and Methodius returned to Constantinople and carried letters with them from Prince Askold to Emperor Michael III. Askold thanked the emperor for sending him “such men, who showed by both word and by example, that the Christian Faith is holy.â€ “Persuaded that this is the true Faith,â€ Askold further wrote, “we bid them to baptize in the hope that we may also attain sanctity. We are all friends of the Kingdom and prepared to be of service to you, as requested.â€ accepted holy Baptism with the name Nicholas, and many of his retinue were also baptized. Directly from Constantinople, the capital of Orthodoxy, through the efforts of the holy Apostles to the Slavs both the Slavonic divine services and the Slavonic written language arrived in Rus. Photius appointed Metropolitan Michael to Kiev, and the Russian metropolitan district was entered into the lists of dioceses of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Patriarch Photius in an encyclical of the year 867 called the Baptism of the Bulgarians and the Russians as among the chief accomplishments of his archpastoral service. “The Russians, who lifted their hand against the Roman might,â€ he wrote, almost quoting literally from the missive of Askold, “have now replaced the impious teaching which they held to formerly, with the pure and genuine Christian Faith, and with love having established themselves in the array of our friends and subjects.â€ (The Byzantines counted as “subjectsâ€ all accepting Baptism from Constantinople and entering into military alliance with the Empire.) “The desire and zeal of faith has flared up within them to such an extent, that they have accepted bishops and pastors, and they embrace Christian sanctity with great zeal and fervor.â€ Feast of the Placing of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae also marks the canonical establishment of the Russian Orthodox metropolitanate in Kiev. By the blessing of the Mother of God and by the miracle from Her holy Robe not only was the deliverence of Constantinople from the most terrible siege in all its history accomplished, but also the liberation of the Russians from the darkness of pagan superstition to life eternal. Together with this, the year 860 brought recognition to Kievan Rus from Byzantium, and signified the emergence of the young Russian realm into the arena of history. attempt of Prince Askold to renew the Christian evangelization begun by the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, which he intended as a religious and state reform, ended unsuccessfully. time for the spread of Christianity in the Russian Land had not yet come. The adherents of the old paganism were too strong, and the princely power was too weak. In the clash of Askold with the pagan Oleg in 882 the Kievans betrayed their prince. Askold, lured into the camp of his enemies for talks, received a martyr’s death at the hand of hired killers. the deed of Blessed Askold (the Ioakimov Chronicle calls him such) was not extinguished in the Russian Church. Oleg the Sage, who killed Askold, occupied the Kiev princedom after him, and called Kiev the “Mother of Russian Cities.â€ most ancient chronicles of Kiev preserved the grateful memory of the first Kievan Christian prince: the church of the Prophet of God Elias, built by Askold and later mentioned in Igor’s Treaty with the Greeks (in 944), is on the site where the present church of this name now stands, and there is also the church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in the 950s by Saint Olga over Askold’s grave. most important achievement of Askold, entering forever into the Church inheritance not only of Rus, but of also all Orthodox Slavs, is the Slavonic Gospel and Slavonic services, translated by Saints Cyril and Methodius. Their apostolic activity among the Slavs began in Kiev at the court of Askold in 861, and continued afterwards in Moravia and Bulgaria. Following Blessed Askold, in the words of the ancient Alphabetic Prayers, “the Slavonic tribe now soars in flight, all striving toward Baptism.â€ outstanding works of Byzantine Church hymnology and homiletics are connected with the miracle of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae. There are two homilies of Saint Photius, one of which he preached within days of the siege of Constantinople, and the other soon after the departure of the Russian forces. Also associated with the campaign of Askold against Constantinople is the composition of a remarkable “Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos,â€ which certain Church histories ascribe also to holy Patriarch Photius. This Akathist forms an integral part of the services of Praise to the Most Holy Theotokos (i.e., the “Saturday of the Akathist,â€ Fifth Saturday of Great Lent). is not only Byzantine sources that relate the events of the year 860, but also Russian historical chronicles. Saint Nestor the Chronicler, stressing the significance of the Russian campaign against Constantinople, notes that from this time “it was begun to be called the Russian Land.â€ Certain of the chronicles, among them the Ioakimov and Nikonov, preserved accounts of the Baptism of Prince Askold and Kievan Rus after the campaign against Constantinople. The popular commemoration of this event is firmly associated with the names of the Kievan princes Askold and Dir, although in the opinion of historians, Dir was prince of Kiev somewhat earlier than Askold. veneration of the feast of the Placing of the Robe was long known in the Russian Church. Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky (July 4) built a church in honor of this feastday in the city of Vladimir at the Golden Gates. the end of the fourteenth century, part of the Robe of the Mother of God was transferred from Constantinople to Rus by Saint Dionysius, Archbishop of Suzdal (June 26). holy Robe of the Mother of God, which previously saved Constantinople, later saved Moscow from hostilities. Tatars of the Horde of the princeling Mazovshi approached the walls of Moscow in the summer of 1451. Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow, with constant prayer and church services, encouraged the defenders of the capital. On the night of July 2, the Chronicle relates, great confusion occurred within the Tatar camp. The enemy abandoned their plundered goods and speedily departed in disarray. In memory of the miraculous deliverance of Moscow, Saint Jonah built the church of the Placing of the Robe in the Kremlin, making it his primary church. It burned, but in its place in the years 1484-1486 a new church, also dedicated to the Feast of the Placing of the Robe of the Mother of God, was built thirty years later. This temple, standing at present, continued to serve as the primary church of Russian metropolitans and patriarchs until the cathedral of the Twelve Apostles was built under Patriarch Nikon. Venerable Romanus the Melodist, œSweet-SingerÂ, Commemorated on October 1 ; Appearance of the Smolensk œDirectressÂ Icon of the Mother of God brought from Constantinople, Commemorated on July 28 ; Icon of the Mother of God of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated on August 17; St Callinicus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on August 23; Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Far Caves, Commemorated on September 2; Right-Believing Pulcheria, Byzantine Empress, Commemorated on September 10; Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on October 1 ; Blessed Andrew the Fool-For-Christ at Constantinople, Commemorated October 2 ; Translation of the relic of the Right Hand of John the Baptist, Commemorated October 12 ; Righteous Anna of Constantinople, Commemorated October 29 ; St Sopatra of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 9 ; Venerable Patapius of Thebes, Commemorated on December 8 ; 12 Greeks who built the Dormition Cathedral in the Kiev Caves, Far Caves, Lavra, Commemorated on February 14; Venerable Stephen the Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves, and Bishop of Vladimir, in Volhynia, Commemorated on April 27 ; Prophet Isaiah, Commemorated on May 9 ; St Germanus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on May 12; Icon of the Mother of God œthe Unbreakable WallÂ, Commemorated on May 28; St Anna and Her Son of Constantinople, Commemorated on June 13; St Anna and Her Son of Constantinople, Commemorated on June 13; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2; Translation of the "Blachernae" Icon of the Mother of God to Russia, Commemorated July 7 ;