Orthodox tradition involves a very reverent attitude towards the relics of saints. People come to bow to them from the most remote places of our country, while the people are ready to stand in line for many hours in order to be in the church and bring their request or prayer of thanks to the shrine. This is exactly what happened when this summer (in 2017) the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Almost half a million Russians managed to see them. They came to Moscow from all cities of Russia and spent more than half a day waiting before they got to the temple. But none of the pilgrims grumbled, because each of them was waiting for a holy miracle. And miracles require humility and faith, ministers of the Orthodox Church often say this.
The relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker left the Cathedral of Christ the Savior several months ago, but until now, not only believers, but also politicians who could see it are talking about this incredibly important eventthe first step towards rapprochement between the Orthodox and Catholic churches. From our article you will learn everything about the stay in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior of the holy relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, as well as about the saint himself and his lifetime deeds.
Location of the shrine
In the last month of spring this year, with the help of Orthodox sponsors, the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to Moscow to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Most people perceived such an event with enthusiasm and hope for the reunification of the entire Christian world, which is now divided into Orthodox and Catholic.
The relics themselves are in permanent storage in the small town of Bari. They were brought there at the beginning of the nineteenth century and placed in a Catholic basilica. Negotiations on the visit of the shrine to our country began in the winter of last year. Then, in Cuba, a meeting took place between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis. Surprisingly, both heads of the church quickly found a common language and were able to agree on key issues. For the first time in history, a sacred object of the Catholic Church was handed over to Orthodox clergy. This gesture of goodwill was perceived by the entire Christian world as the first step towards rapprochement of all followers of one religion.
Description of relics
What kind of relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow with the help of sponsors? Pilgrims often asked this question when they were about to go to the shrine. Well, there is no secret in this. In May, the tenth left rib of Nicholas the Wonderworker was imported into Russia. Interestingly, the believers themselves believe that it is these relics that have incredible power, because the rib was closest to the heart. And in him faith in God is born.
A few words about the saint
Nikolai Ugodnik is revered by believers all over the world. They come to him with various troubles and requests. It is believed that the saint during his lifetime was so kind that he helped everyone who needed it. Naturally, even after death, he continues to listen to the prayers of believers and guide them to the true path.
Saint Nicholas is known to have lived around the fourth century AD. His parents waited a very long time for the Lord to send them a child, and constantly prayed about it. At the end of their lives, God heeded their requests, and an extraordinary boy was born. Surprisingly, almost immediately after his birth, he began to work miracles. For example, during baptism, the baby stood on its feet and stood in this position throughout the ceremony.
Nikolai devoted all his time to the Holy Scriptures. He was so religious and pious that he practically did not leave the walls of his house, so as not to spend time in idleness. Very soon they began to turn to him for advice, and the boy never refused it to the one who asked.
The boy's uncle, seeing the religious zeal of his nephew, advised him to give him into the service of God, which was done. Young Nicholas very quickly received the priesthood, and then became the bishop of the city of Mira. In some descriptions of the life of the saint, the fact is indicated that, thanks to the heavenlythe sign of the clergy immediately elevated the young man to the position of bishop. Historians do not dispute this version, because in those distant times this was quite possible.
Nikolai Ugodnik dedicated his whole life to serving God and people. He was considered and is considered an intercessor for souls before the Creator, and prayers to him carry great power.
Miracles of Saint Nicholas
Even during his lifetime, the saint performed many deeds that spread the rumor about him all over the world. First of all, he is considered the protector of sailors and travelers. This is due to the fact that in the biography of Nikolai Ugodnik there are many stories about the salvation of sailors by him. Once he resurrected a sailor who had crashed to death by falling from the mast. On another occasion, the saint did not allow the traveler to board the ship, seeing that he would die during a storm. Nicholas is also credited with numerous cases of subduing the elements.
Often young unmarried girls who dream of starting a family pray to this saint. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of girls, because during his lifetime he saved three sisters from shame, who did not have a dowry. They were raised by the same father, who was very sad that the daughters would have to earn a living from their appearance. After all, without a dowry, no one will ever marry them. Hearing his speech, Nikolai threw a bag of money onto his porch. This allowed the happy father to marry the eldest of his daughters. When the middle one grew up, a bag of gold reappeared on the man's porch. And she quickly found a husband. When the time came for the third sister to get married, her father began to guard at nightbenefactor helping their family. One night, he saw Nikolai leaving money on the doorstep. But he asked the man not to reveal his secret to others.
In addition to the benefits already listed, the saint became famous for curing the sick, protecting the orphans and the oppressed, and caring for those who were unjustly condemned or accused.
How the shrine ended up in Italy
As we said, the relics were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior by a special flight from Italy. However, they got there as a result of the abduction, because after death the body of the saint remained in the World.
According to historical sources, literally immediately after the death of Nicholas the Pleasant, pilgrims reached out to the body. Over time, a small basilica was erected over his grave, which later transformed into the Church of St. Nicholas.
In the eighth century AD, the Turks, who invaded many territories, began to plunder Christian shrines. During this period, many of them were destroyed and lost, so Christians feared for the fate of the relics of St. Nicholas. However, it was not the Turks who stole them from the church.
The city of Bari was once famous throughout Italy as a religious center, but it managed to lose its significance. The inhabitants of the city set out to restore glory by hosting the relics of the saint. Therefore, an expedition went to Mira, the purpose of which was the banal theft of the ark. The same goal was pursued by the Venetian merchants, who dreamed of bringing the shrine to their city. The most successful were the Bari, who at the end of April 1087 penetrated intochurch, broke the sarcophagus and took out the relics of the saint from the ark.
Thus, most of the relics found their home in Bari, where they are kept to this day. However, small parts of the skeleton were stolen by the Venetians. Later they were transported to the Lido Island and a temple was erected there.
When the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker arrived at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior: date
This event was covered by all the media. After all, for the first time a shrine was brought into the territory of Russia, the equal of which is difficult to find today in the world. The relics at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior arrived directly from the airport on May 21, 2017. They became available to pilgrims literally the next day. Many were interested, when preparing to go to Moscow, how long the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker would remain in the capital, because hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from almost all Russian cities wanted to go to the temple.
It is noteworthy that the shrine stayed in the capital for fifty-two days. Then she was taken by special flight to St. Petersburg, where she stayed until the twenty-eighth of July. After that, the relics were safely returned to the Italian city.
Sponsorship
Believers do not always think about how difficult it is to organize a visit to another country of religious shrines. It is quite expensive, so it is impossible to overpower the budget without the participation of sponsors. However, there are still people in the country who are not indifferent to spiritual development, and they are ready to spend in order to gain later.
It is known that the main sponsor of the journey of the relics to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is a large Russian chemical concern. CompanyPhosAgro covered all the main expenses for the transportation, escort and protection of the shrine in our country. Additional funding was provided by the government of the capital.
It is noteworthy that PhosAgro is known not only for bringing the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, but also for organizing Sunday schools, creating websites where you can get information on the Orthodox theme, and facilitating any events that lead to the spiritual enrichment of people.
Therefore, we can hope that in the future more than one shrine brought from Orthodox or Catholic churches scattered around the world will visit our country.
Church opening hours
Visit the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was available from eight in the morning. It was at this hour that its doors were opened for believers who were hungry for spiritual food. People had to leave the temple by nine o'clock in the evening. However, due to the huge number of believers who want to get closer to the shrine, the working time has been increased. The church often closed after midnight. Unfortunately, even this time was not enough for the pilgrims. Many even tried to stay in line for the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker all night, so that in the morning they would still be the first to enter the temple.
How was it possible to get to the temple
Literally from the first day, incredibly long lines began to line up on the way to the church. It was possible to get to the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker by standing on the street for almost a whole working day. But over timethe number of believers only increased, so the waiting stretched out for twelve or thirteen hours. Not everyone was able to endure this, because sick people, thirsting for healing, also went to the shrine. Some of them became ill and were forced to refuse to attend the temple.
Usually the queue started at the Crimean bridge, and only after passing all three checkpoints, it was possible to touch the cherished ark with the relics.
Feedback on the level of organization of visiting the temple
For ordinary believers, it is very important that the Moscow government perfectly organized and coordinated all the actions of Orthodox believers, providing them with the most comfortable conditions in this difficult situation. Almost all pilgrims note a large number of volunteers and law enforcement officers all the way to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to the relics of St. Nicholas. The testimonials of the believers contain thanks to these people who did their job very well. Without them, many would not have been able to stand in line for so long.
Despite the fact that recommendations were issued to the Orthodox, going to the temple, which contained information about things that must be taken on the road with them, the city government organized eleven food points. They were painted in a bright yellow-orange color, so it was quite difficult not to notice them. Here everyone could buy a full meal or just a snack. At the same time, many noted the affordability of prices. For example, a two-course meal and a drink cost the pilgrims about one hundred and fiftyrubles.
Rest buses were placed all the way to the temple. They could sit and warm up for free.
Naturally, the organizers also took care of dry closets, they were installed in large numbers along the route of the queue. In the event of a deterioration in their he alth, the pilgrims had to immediately contact the volunteers or the police. They called the doctors on the radio, and after a few minutes the necessary assistance was provided to the person.
Preferential category of citizens
Bypassing the queue, only wheelchair users and women with babies could get to the shrine. For this purpose, a separate entrance and checkpoint was organized. Each wheelchair user was accompanied by one accompanying person.
You had to show your passport and documents confirming your state of he alth at the checkpoint.
The strongest prayer at the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
We have already mentioned that you can pray to this saint in a variety of situations. The internet is replete with testimonials from people it has helped with problems. Some of the stories are truly miraculous. Therefore, believers are interested in which of the prayers to the saint is considered the most powerful. Let's try to figure it out.
I would like to note that quite a lot of prayers to the saint in Orthodoxy are known and we cannot bring them all within the framework of one article. However, if we take into account that mostly people went to the relics to ask for healing, marriage and help in money, then we decided to quote the texts of these three prayers.
Abouthealing to the saint is prayed quite often. Sometimes requests are dressed in simple and sincere words, but it is better to say a prayer specifically for healing. We will give its text below.
You can ask Nikolai Ugodnik for marriage in the following words.
Many pilgrims wanted to touch the shrine to ask for an improvement in their financial situation. Therefore, we could not help mentioning this prayer:
If in spring and autumn you could not get to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and bow to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, then do not be discouraged. Another twenty-five temples of the capital keep fragments of the relics of the saint, where you can pray. Be sure, the Pleaser will surely hear your prayers and answer them.
