Saint Dmitry of Rostov: biography, prayer and books. Life of Saint Dmitry of Rostov

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

One of the most revered Orthodox saints is Dmitry of Rostov. He became famous mainly for the fact that he compiled the widely known Cheti-Minei. This priest lived during the reforms of Peter the Great and generally supported them. However, at the same time, the saint resisted in every possible way the interference of the state in the affairs of the Church, and at the end of his life became close to the supporters of Tsarevich Alexei.

Childhood

Orthodox Saint Dmitry of Rostov was born in the winter of 1651 in the village of Makarovo, not far from Kyiv. They named him Daniel. His family was very pious, the boy grew up a deeply believing Christian. In 1662, his parents moved to Kyiv, and he entered the Kiev-Mohyla Collegium to study. Here he successfully studied Latin and Greek, as well as a number of classical sciences. In 1668, the quiet, weak he alth Daniel took monastic vows in the St. Cyril Monastery and received the name Dmitry. He passed monastic obedience until 1675.

Preacher of the Word of God

In 1669, Dmitry Rostovsky, whose biography is full of various events, wasordained a hierodeacon. In 1975, Bishop Lazar Baranovich summoned him to Chernigov and, consecrating him as a hieromonk, appointed him a preacher at the Assumption Cathedral. From here, Father Dmitry traveled to Slutsk and Vilna, where he worked hard for the glory of God. Soon, the glory of a very talented preacher was entrenched in him, he was often invited to his secular and spiritual authorities. After the death of his friend, the founder of the Slutsk monastery, monk Skachkevich, he returned to his homeland - to Little Russia in Baturino.

Abbess and the beginning of life's work

In Little Russia, St. Dmitry of Rostov settled in a monastery in Baturino. However, the Bishop of Chernigov soon drew attention to him. In 1681, the 30-year-old preacher became abbot of the Maksanovsky monastery, and after a while - Baturinsky. In this position, Father Dmitry did not stay long. In 1683 he moved to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Here, in 1684, the saint began the main work of his life - the compilation of the Fourth Menaia. After some time, he was appointed rector of the Baturinsky Monastery for the second time. But in 1692 he again moved to Kyiv. Then he was successively appointed abbot of the Glukhovsky, Kirillovsky and Yelets (Chernigov) monasteries. In 1700, he was summoned to Moscow, where he first met Peter the Great, and was appointed Metropolitan of Rostov. The dedication took place on March 23, 1701.

Metropolitan of Rostov

In 1703, Dmitry Rostovsky, whose biography until his death was closely connected with this parish, arrivedto a new place of work. Here he encountered many difficulties, the main of which was the interference of secular authorities in the affairs of the parish. Shortly before the appointment of Father Dmitry, the Monastic order was recreated in the city, managing church property, supervising the monks and almshouses. Very unpleasantly, the saint in Rostov was also struck by the rudeness and ignorance of not only the common people, but also the servants of the Church. The priests did not revere the saints at all, treated the poor with contempt, divulged the secret of confession, etc. Seeing such a mess, Father Dmitry zealously set about correcting the state of affairs. He gave instructions, explained what the duty of a priest meant, and preached to the people.

One of his main concerns was the school for the children of the ministers of the Church and the poor. Education here was completely free. In the school opened by Metropolitan Dmitry, as in Kyiv, Greek and Latin were taught, theatrical performances were shown. The first graduates left its walls in 1706. Unfortunately, the school was closed that same spring.

On October 28, 1709, Father Dmitry Rostovsky died. They buried him in the cathedral church of Rostov, next to his predecessor, St. Joasaph. According to the will of the metropolitan, drafts of his unfinished books were placed in the coffin. Tsarina Paraskeva Feodorovna herself, the widowed wife of Tsar Ivan, brother of Peter the Great, arrived at the funeral of the saint.

Relics of the saint

In 1752 in the cathedral churchdecided to make repairs. During its execution on September 21, while repairing the floor, the imperishable body of Father Dmitry was discovered. It was a real miracle. The walls in the burial were damp. The oak coffin of the saint and the manuscripts inside were completely decayed. The body of the saint himself, as well as his rosary, miter and sakkos, turned out to be incorruptible.

After some time, miraculous healings from many diseases began to occur at the relics of the saint, which was reported to the Synod. By order of the latter, Archimandrite Simonovsky Gabriel and Metropolitan Sylvester of Suzdal arrived in Rostov. They witnessed the relics and the healings they performed. On April 29, 1757, Metropolitan Dmitry of Rostov was canonized as a saint.

On May 25, 1763, the relics of the saint were transferred to a silver shrine, where they remain to this day. The reliquary was made by order of Empress Catherine II, who personally carried it to the installation site, along with the holy fathers.

The Lives of the Saints by Dmitry Rostovsky

The saint has been writing this book for 20 years. The result was a work in 12 volumes. It describes the life, miracles and deeds of many great holy Christians. "Cheti-Minei" of St. Dmitry became an edification for all Orthodox who want to follow the path of piety.

The stories in this book are presented in the order of months and days in them. Hence their name "menaion" (Greek month). “Cheti” in Church Slavonic means “to read”, “intended for reading”. Compiled "Lives of the Saints" by Father Dmitry were partly based on the work of Macarius. At the moment, several Menaia are recognized in the Orthodox Church.(Hieromonk German Tulumov, Chudovsky, Ionna Milyutina, etc.). However, the "Lives of the Saints" by Dmitry Rostovsky are the most revered and widespread. This book is written in a very competent Church Slavonic language.

Other books of the saint

Another well-known work of the Metropolitan of Rostov is "The Search for the Bryn Faith". This book was directed against the Old Believers. This work, unlike the Menaia, was not very successful. Of course, he did not convince the Old Believers, but he caused a surge of hatred on their part.

Among other things, Saint Dmitry of Rostov actively collected historical information about his diocese and the country as a whole. For example, he worked on compiling the chronology of the Slavic people. He also wrote such books as "Irrigated Fleece", "Discourse on the Image of God and Likeness in Man", "Diarias", "Short Martyrology", "Catalogue of Russian Metropolitans". Belong to his pen and all sorts of prayers and instructions.

Church of St. Dmitry Rostovsky in Ochakovo

Many saints are revered in Russia. Dmitry Rostovsky, of course, is one of them. Many temples are dedicated to him. For example, there is such a building in Ochakovo. In 1717 a wooden church was built here and consecrated in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. In 1757 the village passed to another owner. He erected next to the wooden one a new stone church in the name of Metropolitan Dmitry. This church has come down to us almost unchanged. It was built in the beautiful Russian Baroque style. FROMwith the help of the refectory, a high bell tower is connected to the temple.

History of the Church of St. Dmitry is very rich. In 1812 there was a fire in Ochakovo. At the same time, the old wooden church of the Most Holy Theotokos burned down in a fire. Ekaterina Naryshkina, who bought the village in the same year, according to tradition, decided to open a new temple in return for which she rebuilt one of her estates. The church was consecrated in honor of the Holy Trinity and presumably attributed to the church of St. Dmitry.

In 1926, this religious building was closed by decision of the authorities. It is known that in 1933 the temple of Dmitry of Rostov was adapted for a grain warehouse and had a completely deplorable appearance. The cross was removed from it, and a five-pointed star was painted on one of the pediments, which was later very difficult to erase.

In 1972, the church decided to restore. The work lasted for about 6 years. In 1992, the temple of Dmitry Rostov was again returned to believers. Those Orthodox who want to visit this ancient church should go to 17 General Dorokhov Street in Moscow.

Temple of Dmitry Rostov in the village. Right Hawa

This church, also consecrated in honor of Dmitry of Rostov, was built in 1824 in the classicist style. Its dome is crowned with a cylindrical cupola. The bell tower built next to it is crowned with a beautiful figured spire.

In 1882, a school was opened in this church by the educator Lyutitsky. It is officially believed that from 1930 to 1990 this temple was also used as a grain warehouse. However, there is evidence that the grain inThis historic building has never been preserved. Believers remember that in 1954-1962 the church even functioned with short interruptions (because there were not enough priests).

In 1990, the church of Dmitry Rostovsky in Pravaya Khava was transferred to the diocese, after which it was restored by the parishioners themselves. Inside the temple, the remains of wall painting, as well as the frame of the iconostasis, were miraculously preserved. Since September 2010, V. V. has served as a priest here. Kolyadin. At the moment, this ancient church, among other things, is an object of cultural and historical heritage of the Voronezh region.

Prayer to Dmitry Rostov

Dmitry Rostovsky, whose life was righteous, and after death continues to protect believers from all sorts of misfortunes. You can be healed of a disease, for example, not only by bowing to the relics of this saint. The prayer dedicated to him is also considered miraculous. Its original text can be found in church literature. It sounds something like this:

“The Holy Great Martyr of Christ Dmitry. Presenting yourself before the King of Heaven, ask him for forgiveness for our sins and for our deliverance from the all-destructive ulcer, fire and eternal punishment. Ask for his mercy on our church and parish, and also on strengthening us for good deeds pleasing to Jesus Christ. We will be strong with your prayers and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, where we will glorify it with the Father and the Holy Spirit.”

Conclusion

Dmitry Rostovsky, whose prayer can heal from illnesses, has come a long pious path and can serve as an example forall Orthodox Christians. Today it is one of the most revered saints. Most often, they turn to him for pulmonary diseases. It is also believed that prayer to this saint can help get rid of all sorts of eye problems.