Holy Matrona of Moscow has won the love and appreciation of many Orthodox people around the world. But she is especially honored, of course, in Russia. Who is she?
Family and childhood
Nikonova Matrona Dmitrievna was born in 1881. The place of her birth was the village of Sebino, located in the Epifansky district of the Tula province. Even from the first months of pregnancy, parents began to think about giving the child to an orphanage (there were already several children in the family), and when they realized that the girl who was born did not see, they only strengthened their decision. But one night, Matrona's mother had an unusual dream, as if a magnificent snow-white bird sat on her chest, only she was completely blind. This incident made the woman think carefully about her decision, and in the end she left the child. The girl's parents did not yet suspect that soon crowds of believers would be interested in how to get to Matrona of Moscow. To this day, sources that tell about life have been preserved. St. From them you can learn that, for example, when she was eight years old, she opened the gift of healing. She could also predict the fate of people. As soon as Matrona turned 18, she was partially paralyzed, and she lost the ability to walk.
Hardness, poverty and moving to Moscow
1917 brought new troubles: the saint was left without a home, she even had nothing to eat. Together with her friend Lydia Yankova, she went to the city to find at least some food and get a job. And Matrona moved to the capital a little later - in 1925. Most likely, she decided on this thanks to her brothers, who also settled there. However, she never lived with them, but for some reason she was either with friends or with friends. It is noteworthy that peace, tranquility and grace settled in the houses where the Matrona of Moscow stayed for at least some time.
Meeting with Stalin
There is evidence that before the war of 1941 Joseph Vissarionovich himself addressed the saint. She then assured him that the Russians would definitely win. There is even an icon called "Matrona and Stalin", which depicts their meeting. However, you cannot blindly believe everything. It is possible that this is just idle gossip that has nothing to do with reality. At least, reliable sources do not confirm this.
Death prediction
It's amazing - the Holy Matrona of Moscow knew in advance the day she would die. But it cannot be said that before her death she was in frustrated feelings, this is not at all the case. She continued to receive the afflicted until she passed away. The date of the saint's death is May 2, 1952. At the Danilovsky cemetery, which is located in the capital, Matrona of Moscow is buried. Moscow was her favorite city, and she wanted to be buried here. Since then, an endless stream of people has been reaching out there to pray to the saint or ask her for something.
In the spring of 1998, an exhumation was carried out, after which the remains were placed in a shrine (the so-called tomb) and taken to a church located near the Intercession Monastery.
Popularity among the people
The old woman was canonized far from immediately, but people always knew and remembered her. Even then, many were interested in how to get to the Matrona of Moscow. People came to the grave in droves. There you could always see lit lamps, as well as candles. They were placed by sick, unfortunate, infirm people who hoped for favorable changes in the future. And after some time, many were surprised that the ailments passed, things got better, the suffering stopped.
They say that Matrona helps everyone, even skeptical people. After worshiping a shrine, something miraculous also happens in their lives, and often they gain faith.
It doesn't happen that a person leaves Matrona with nothing. She gives hope to everyone, overshadows everyone with her love. A person who has come into contact with a shrine feels how his general condition improves, his spirit rises. There were cases when people were healed literally instantly, right at the grave.
Canonization
Of course, the rumor about miracles quickly spread throughout Russia. People who were cured of ailments did not hesitate to testify publicly that St. Matrona of Moscow. More and more believers learned how to get to her grave. It is not difficult to guess what led to the canonization of the old woman in 1998.
Currently, the sacred relics of this great woman are stored in the Intercession Monastery, which is located in the capital. It has become a very popular pilgrimage site with many visitors every day.
Matrona and John of Kronstadt
Not everyone knows about an interesting incident that happened when the saint was 14 years old. Then she met with John of Kronstadt. He conducted the service, and Matrona stood near the doors of the church. And so, when the last sounds of prayer subsided, the priest asked the people to part, and the girl to come up to him. John said that she would replace him, and he was right.
The old woman's prophecy has reached us, which has come true with 100% accuracy. The Holy Matrona of Moscow said that when she died, only relatives would come to her grave, and then very rarely. And when they die, there will be no one to look after the burial place. Only occasional travelers may stop a few times a year to pray and meditate. But some time will pass, Matrona said, and an endless stream of unfortunate people will rush to her grave, they will beg her for help and patronage. And holypromised to help everyone.
On the way to the Intercession Monastery, you can see thousands of people walking there with flowers. Yes, this is not a mistake, there are really so many of them. And everyone's soul hurts, everyone wants to be heard. You will understand how to get to Matrona Moskovskaya by following them. Dying, the old woman said that she would look at the earth from that better world that she had dreamed of all her life. And, seeing suffering people, she will not be able to remain indifferent - she will certainly console everyone.
What Matrona taught us
Let's remember what else the holy old woman was talking about. Firstly, she asked not to judge people, but to pay attention first of all to yourself. She spoke figuratively that each lamb would be hung by its own tail. Sooner or later, this is bound to happen to everyone. And why think about other tails when yours is dear to you? A very reasonable statement.
Matrona also claimed that people during her lifetime were literally hypnotized, atheism is not normal, but everyone is forced to think that higher powers do not exist. She said that in the old days, demons lived only in impenetrable thickets and swamps, and even more so in their houses. But people have forgotten their prayers, they never even cross themselves, and now these sinister and vile entities have settled in many dwellings. And no one even tries to get rid of them.
But the old woman also said that peoples who have lost their hope in God suffer catastrophes, and then completely cease to exist, but our country will live forever. Matrona asked people to pray, believe and notforget about confession. She assured that God would be merciful to us and not let us perish.
Matrona claimed that everyone who turns to her will gain eternal life, she will personally meet everyone in a better world. We must hope that the saint does not forget about us and asks the Lord for mercy on us.
How to get to Matrona Moskovskaya
The Intercession Monastery is located in the capital on Taganskaya Street, house number - 58. Remember or write down this address, it will definitely come in handy. You already know where the relics of the Matrona of Moscow are, but how to get there? The easiest option is the subway. You should get to "Marksistskaya", "Ploschad Ilyich" or "Rimskaya" - it depends on how it will be more convenient for you. If you got off at the first station, you need to walk along Taganskaya Street, you will reach it in just 7-10 minutes. And from the "Rimskaya" and "Ploshchad Ilyich" the distance is greater - you will need a quarter of an hour.
If you are interested in when the Matrona of Moscow was in Nizhny Novgorod, then you are a little late - her icon and relics were there from February 23 to March 2. But do not be discouraged, you will still have the opportunity to bow to the shrine, but next time hurry up to make sure you are in time.
