THE LIFE OF Saint Sergius of Radonezh

THE LIFE OF
Saint Sergius of Radonezh

THE HOLY ABBA OF THE NORTHERN THEBAID1

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1 Condensed from the Life of the Saint's Disciple, Epiphanius the Wise.


Commemorated July 5 and September 25

OUR HOLY FATHER SERGIUS was born in the year 1314 in the city of Rostov, of noble, devout, and righteous parents named Cyril and Mary, who for their holy lives were venerated locally as Saints after their death. The child was baptized with the name Bartholomew and was the second of three brothers, the eldest being Stephen and the youngest Peter. All were raised in strict piety and purity.

Stephen and Peter quickly learned to read and write, but Bartholomew did not learn so easily; he could not put his mind to his studies nor keep pace with his companions. The boy often prayed to God in secret and with many tears: "O Lord, give me understanding of learning. Teach me, O Lord, and enlighten me."

The great Saint received learning not from men, but from God. One day his father sent him to find some lost horses. On his way he met a strange monk, a holy elder, a priest by rank, of a holy, Angel-like appearance, who was standing beneath an oak tree, praying devoutly with many tears. The boy bowed down humbly before him and awaited the end of his prayers. His prayer finished, the elder glanced at the boy and, foreseeing with his inward eyes that he would be a chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, he called him to his side, blessed him, bestowed on him a kiss in the name of the Lord, and asked: "What are you seeking, child?" The boy answered: "My soul desires above all things to understand reading and writing, and I am sorely grieved that I understand nothing of what I am taught. Will you, holy father, pray to God for me, that He will give me understanding of book learning?" The monk raised his hands and eyes toward heaven, sighed, prayed to God, and said, "Amen." Then, taking from his sachel as it were some treasure, with three fingers he handed the boy what appeared to be a little bit of antidoron or prosphora, saying, "Take this in your mouth, child, and eat; this is given you as a sign of God's grace and for the understanding of Holy Scriptures. Though the gift appears but small, the taste thereof is very sweet."

The boy ate, tasting a sweetness as of honey! and said: "Is it not of this that it is written, How sweet are Thy Words to my palate, more than honey to my lips, and My soul doth cherish them exceedingly?" (Ps. 118:103, 167.) The monk answered, "You believe, my child, and therefore you will see even more than this; from this time forth the Lord will give you learning above that of your brothers and others your own age." Then he instructed him for the profit of his soul. The boy stood, receiving like some fertile soil the fruitful seed, rejoicing in heart and soul that he had been vouchsafed to find such a holy elder.

At the boy's tearful request the monk accompanied him to his parents' house, where Cyril and Mary came out to meet him and bowed low before him. The monk blessed them, and they offered him food, but he went first into their chapel, taking with him the child sanctified from his mother's womb, and began to recite the Hours, telling the boy to read the appointed Psalms. The boy said, "Father, I do not know how." And the elder said to him, "I told you that the Lord would grant you understanding of learning; speak the word of God without doubt!" Then the boy entered a state as it were of astonishment, and having received the elder's blessing, began to recite the Psalms very well and in an excellent rhythm, and from that hour he could rad. His parents and brothers were astonished, and glorified God.

All returned to the house where the monk ste, bestowed a blessing on the parents, and calmed their fears. For, as they informed him, their son, while yet in his mother's womb, had three times uttered a cry in church during the Divine Liturgy. "O blessed pair!" he exclaimed. "Why do you fear where there is no place for fear? Rather rejoice that you have given birth to such a child. Here is a proof that my words are true: when I leave, you will see that the child will know how to read and write superbly and will understand all the holy books. The boy will be great before God and man, and will direct others thanks to his virtuous life." He further pronounced that their son would be a dwelling of the Holy Trinity and would lead many to an understanding of the Divine commandments.

They accompanied him to the doorway, where suddenly he became invisible. Perplexed, they wondered if he had been an Angel sent to give the boy knowledge of reading. After this the boy could read and immediately understand any book, was submissive to his parents, attended church services daily, studied holy writings, and constantly disciplined his body and preserved himself in purity of body and soul. Even before the age of 12, his fasting was so severe that his mother tried to persuade him to abandon it and eat like everyone else. But the boy answered with the wisdom of an elder: "Should I not strive toward God with all the strength I have, so that He might deliver me from my sins?" And so he continued his fasting, and God helped him in his good intent.


RADONEZH, THE PLACE OF ST. SERGIUS BOYHOOD


At this time Cyril moved with his family from Rostov, where there was then much civil strife, to Radonezh, where he settled near the church of the Nativity of Christ. Two of his sons, Stephen and Peter, married, but Bartholomew, who was leading a life of prayer, fasting, and lamentation, was desirous of becoming a monk. His parents counseled him to wait and to look after them, because they were old and had become poor and sick, and they had no one else to turn to. Bartholomew gladly cared for them until both of them entered the monastic life. They lived but a few years thereafter.

Having buried his parents and prayed for them for forty days at the Divine Liturgy and at memorial services, Bartholomew began to make preparations for abandoning the world. He gave his share of his father's inheritance to his younger brother Peter, keeping nothing for himself. Stephen's wife soon died also, leaving two sons, and Stephen renounced the world and became a monk in the Monastery of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in Khotkov. Bartholomew went to him there and asked him to accompany him in the search for some desert place. Together they explored many forested places, until finally they found a clearing in the middle of a dense forest, near water. Liking the place, they prayed and then set to chopping wood.

First they built themselves a hut, then a cell and a small church. Bartholomew asked his brother, whom he now had as father in the Lord, to which feast the church should be dedicated. Stephen reminded him of the signs that had been given him even in his mother's womb, that he would be a disciple of the Holy Trinity and would lead many others to believe in the Holy Trinity. And so they agreed that the church should be dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Then they asked the blessing of the ruling prelate, and a priest was sent by Theognostes, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, to consecrate the church.

Stephen did not long remain in the wilderness with his brother. He began to find the hardships too great to endure. On all sides was nothing but forest and wasteland. There were no roads or paths, no villages or houses, no means of providing food and drink, and no one came to them or brought them anything. Stephen could not endure all this and left his brother and went to Moscow. There, in the Monastery of the Epiphany, he labored fervently in virtues and ascetic practices. In the same Monastery at this time was Alexis, the future Metropolitan and Saint. Stephen lived in spiritual communion with him, and sang together with him on the cliros. The Grandduke Simeon came to hear of Stephen and his godly life and had him ordained priest and later abbot of the Monastery, appointing him also as his own confessor.

In the meantime, the blessed youth Bartholomew remained faithful to his calling and continued to live in the wilderness alone. He had not yet taken the monastic vows, for he had not yet become sufficiently accustomed to the monastic works and rules and all else that is required of a monk. He was onsured only later, when he was 25 years old.

ALL THIS TIME our holy Father prayed fervently and with tears to God that he might be vouchsafed the Angelic habit. Finally, he invited a spiritual elder, the Abbot Metrophanes, to come and visit him in his solitude. In great humility he entreated him: "Father, have mercy, and give me the tonsure of a monk. From childhood have I desired this fervently, but my parents' needs withheld me. Now I am free from all this, and I thirst for the monastic desert life as the hart thirsts for the springs of living water."

The Abbot gave him the tonsure on the seventh day of October, giving him the name Sergius, for it was the feast day of the holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. The Abbot celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Holy Trinity, and blessed Sergius received Holy Communion; and the Grace of the Holy Spirit came upon him and remained with him from then on. From one whose witness is true and sure we are told that when he partook of the Holy Mysteries, the church and all around it was filled with a sweet odor. The Saint remained in the chapel for seven days, eating nothing but one prosphors given by the Abbot, giving himself up to fasting and prayer, having ever on his lips the Psalms of David.

The Saint in all humility asked the Abbot's instruction on living alone in the wilderness and wrestling with the enemy; and the Abbot, after discoursing with him for a while on spiritual matters, commended him to God and went away, leaving him to silence and the wilderness.

Who can express the holy youth's labors and struggles in his desert solitude? Who can understand his fervent desire, his warmth of love for God, his sighs and tears and constant prayer? Who can know the fearlessness of soul be must have had to withstand all the snares of the enemy? Many wild beasts also visited him, not only by night but also by day; there were bears, and howling wolves. At first he was afraid, being human, but then he turned to prayer, and by God's mercy the beasts departed.

One bear in particular would come to the Saint. Seeing that the animal came only to get some food, the Saint would place a small slice of bread on a log, and so the bear learned to come for the meal thus prepared for him. At this time the Saint had no variety of foods, only bread and water from the spring, and a great scarcity of these. Often there was no bread, and both he and the bear would go hungry. Sometimes the Saint would give his only slice to the bear, being unwilling to disappoint him.

Let no one be astonished at this, knowing certainly that when the Holy Spirit dwells in a man, the creatures become submissive to him, just as to first-created Adam in the beginning, before the transgression of the commandment, when he likewise lived alone in a wilderness, and everything was subject to him.

Often the Saint occupied himself with the reading of holy books, nourishing thus every virtue in himself, and by understanding what was hidden in them he inspired his mind to desire the treasures of eternal good things. He never weakened in his fervor for the silent, undisturbed life of the wilderness, remaining alone with God.

After two years or so of such a life, St. Sergius was visited by certain God-fearing monks. They expressed their willingness to endure the hardships of the place, with God's help and his prayers. Holy Sergius, seeing their faith and zeal, marvelled and said, "My brethren, I desired to dwell alone in the wilderness and to die in this place. But if it be God's will that there shall be a monastery in this place, with many brethren, then may God's holy will be done. I welcome you with joy, but let each one build himself a cell. And let it be known to you, if you come to dwell in the wilderness, that the beginning of righteousness is the fear of the Lord."

To increase his own fear of the Lord, he spent day and night in the study of God's word. Being young in years and strong in body, he could do the work of two men or more. The devil now strove to wound him with the darts of fleshly lust. But the Saint disciplined his body, mastering it with fasting, and thus by God's grace was he delivered from this passion.

The Saint was present every day with the brethren in church for the reciting of the daily cycle of services: Nocturn, Matins, the Hours, Vespers, and Compline. For the Liturgy a priest came sometimes from one of the villages At first, because of his humility, St. Sergius did not wish to be raised to the priesthood, and especially did not wish to become an abbot. He constantly remarked that the desire to be an abbot is the beginning and root of the love of power.

The monks were few in number, about a dozen. Among the first were Basil, called "the Dry"; James, called Yakuta, who was sent on errands when this was necessary; Onesimus, a deacon, and his father Elisha. They built small cells for themselves within the enclosure and put up gates at the entrance. The Saint built four cells with his own hands and performed other monastic duties at the request of the brethren. The monastery came to be a wonderful place to look upon. The forest was not far away, and the shade and murmur of trees hung above the cells; around the church was a space of trunks and stumps, and in other spaces there were garden beds, where many kinds of vegetables were grown.

The Saint flayed and ground grain, baked bread and cooked food, cut out shoes and clothing and stitched them; he drew water from the spring nearby, carrying it in two pails on his shoulders, and put water in each cell. He spent the night in prayer, without sleep, eating only bread and water, and those in small quantities. He never spent an idle hour. Remaining thus in ceaseless prayer and labors, he completely wore out and refined his flesh, having the constant desire to be a citizen of the Jerusalem that is above.

After a while the Abbot Metrophanes, who had given the tonsure to St. Sergius, came to live in the Saint's monastery. He died there a year later, and then the brethren begged the Saint to become their abbot. He protested very forcibly, but finally he agreed to submit to the will of God. And so he, together with two elders of the monastery, went to Bishop Athanasius of Volynia, begging him to give them an abbot and guide of their souls. But the venerable Athanasius had heard of the Saint and his good deeds, and he replied: "It is you who will be father and abbot of your brethren." The Saint insisted on his unworthiness, but the bishop said: "Beloved, you have acquired all virtues save obedience." And the blessed Sergius, bowing low, replied, "May God's will be done. Praised be the Lord forever and ever." And all answered, "Amen."


ICONOGRAPHIC ILLUMINATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL LIFE BY EPIPHANIUS


The holy parents of St. Sergius bring the infant to church



An Angel appears to the holy child Bartholomew, giving him the gift of book learning



While still in the world, young St. Sergius prays in his room, preserving his purity before God



THE SMOLENSK HODIGITRIA ICON OF THE THEOTOKOS St. Sergius' Main Cell-icon in Front of Which the Saint Poured Out His Heart in Prayer



ICON OF ST. NICHOLAS FROM THE CELL OF ST. SERGIUS



Apparition of the Most Holy Mother of God to St. Sergius and St. Micah (15th century embroidery)


Without delay the holy bishop led blessed Sergius to the church, and there he ordained him subdeacon and then deacon. The following morning the Saint was raised to the dignity of the priesthood and was told to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Later, after speaking to him about the teachings of the Apostles and Holy Fathers, and giving him the holy kiss, the bishop sent him forth as abbot, pastor, and physician of his spiritual brethren.

Our holy Father Sergius returned to his monastery, and there the brethren bowed low before him. He blessed them, saying, "Brethren, pray for me. I am altogether ignorant, and I have received a talent from the Heavenly King, and I shall have to render an account of it and of the flock committed to me."

After this the Saint reflected on the Lives of the ancient great Saints who, while living in the flesh, led an Angelic life on earth: Sts. Anthony the Great, Euthymius the Great, Sabbas the Sanctified, the Angel-like Pachomius, Theodosius the Cornobiarch, and others. Keeping their lives in his heart, he prayed to the Holy Trinity that he might be granted to follow in the footsteps of these Holy Fathers. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy daily, and daily the brothers confessed their sins to him.

There were twelve brothers when he became abbot, and he was the thirteenth. This number did not change for two or three years, although some died and others replaced them, until Simon, the archimandrite of Smolensk, arrived; and from that time their number steadily increased.

GOD MADE ST. SERGIUS as strong as one of the early Fathers, even in these latter times. He was a lover of hard work, and head over a number of monks. He himself baked the holy bread, entrusting this duty to no one else. He also cooked the grains for the Autis for memorial services, and made the candles. While occupying the chief place as abbot, he did not in any way alter his monastic rules, and he was lowly and humble with all.

After Compline, late at night, especially on long winter nights, after performing his rule of prayer in his cell, the Saint would go the round of the monks' cells. If he observed anyone praying, or making prostrations or busy with his handiwork, or reading sacred books, or weeping and lamenting over his sins, he rejoiced over them and gave thanks to God. But if he heard two or three monks talking together or laughing, he was displeased and would not endure such things. He would rap on the door or window and then go away. In the morning he would gently reprove such ones indirectly, by means of some parable, desiring to find out their striving and fervor toward God. The humble and submissive would quickly admit their fault and beg his forgiveness. But if one was not humble, but stood crest thinking he was not the person referred to, then the Saint would patiently explain his fault and lay a penance upon him. Thus all learned to pray to God assiduously, not to talk after the evening prayers, to work hard, and to have the Psalms of David on their lips.

In the beginning there were many hardships. At times there was no bread or flour, no oil or salt, no wine for the Divine Liturgy, no incense or wax candles. The monks sang Matins at dawn with no lights, save that of a single birch or pine torch. Thus the monks lived for over 15 years, until laymen began to come and settle near the monastery and clear the forest.

One time there was a great scarcity of bread and salt. The Saint gave orders that no one was to go out or beg from villagers, but that all should remain patiently in the monastery and await God's mercy. He himself spent three or four days without food. On the fourth day he chopped and worked all day making an entry-way at the cell of one of the elders, for the price of a few mouldy pieces of bread (for that was before the monastery was c;nobitic and each monk had his own provisions). At close of day, when he received the bread, he offered a prayer and ate the bread and drank some water.

Some of the monks, and one in particular, having had nothing to eat for two days, murmured against St. Sergius, and the Saint, seeing that all the brethren were enfeebled and in distress, assembled the whole brotherhood and gave them instruction from Holy Scriptures, saying, "God's Grace cannot be given without trials; after tribulation comes joy. It is written: In the evening weeping may pitch its tent, but joy cometh in the morning (Ps. 29:6). Now you have no bread or food, but tomorrow you will enjoy an abundance."

He had not yet finished speaking when there came a rapping at the gates. The porter, seeing that a store of provisions had been brought, ran to tell the Saint, who at once gave the order for the gates to be opened. But before eating he commanded that the samantron be sounded, and with the brethren he went into the church to sing the service of thanksgiving. Going then to the refectory, they ate the fresh bread, which was still warm and soft, and the taste of it was sweet like honey. When they had eaten, the Saint remarked, "And where is our brother who was murmuring about mouldy bread? May he notice that it is sweet and fresh. Let us remember the Prophet who said, I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping" (Ps. 101:10). Then he enquired who had sent the bread. The messengers only said, "A pious layman, very wealthy, living a great distance away, sent it to Sergius and his brotherhood."

The following day more food and drink were brought in the same manner, and again on the third day. The Saint, seeing this, gave glory to God before all the brethren, saying, "You see, brethren, God provides for everything, and neither does He abandon this place." From this time forth the monks learned not to grow despondent under trials and privations, enduring all things, trusting in the Lord God with fervent faith, and having before them the example of our holy Father Sergius.




St. Sergius Feeding His Bear



19TH-CENTURY DEPICTION OF THE FINDING OF ST. SERGIUS' RELICS



General View of St. Sergius' Lavra as It Looks Today


Blessed Sergius never wore new clothing; he only wore plain cloth, worn, dirty, and patched. So shabby were his clothes, worse than those of any of the other monks, that several people were misled and did not recognize him, taking him for an ordinary poor monk or laborer. One day a man from a nearby village came to visit him, asking, "Where is Sergius? Where is the wonderful and famous man?" He found the Saint in the garden, where he was digging, his attire patched and in holes, his face covered with sweat; but the visitor refused to believe that this was he of whom he had heard. "I came to see a prophet, and you point out to me a needy-looking beggar. I see no glory, no majesty and honor about him." The brethren wished to send the man away, but the Saint, seeing their confusion, said, "Do not do so, brethren; for he did not come to see you. He came to visit me." And the Saint went and bowed low before the visitor, blessing and praising him for his right judgment. The visitor, placed at table at the Abbot's right hand, continued to express his regret at not seeing Sergius, the famous man. The Saint remarked, "Be not sad about it, for such is God's Grace that no one ever leaves this place with a heavy heart. And now God will show you the one you seek."

As he spoke a neighboring prince arrived. The prince's armed attendants forcibly removed the visitor, and the prince then came forward and prostrated himself before Sergius. The Saint gave him his blessing, and ther both sat down while everyone else remained standing. The visitor thrust his way through and asked one of those standing by, Who is the monk sitting on the prince's right hand?" On learning that it was Sergius, he was overcome with remorse, and after the prince's departure he went and prostrated himself at the Abbot's feet and begged his forgiveness. The Saint readily forgave hin and blessed him, comforting him and conversing with him on the salvation of the soul. The man departed with firm faith in the Holy Trinity and in St. Sergius, later returning to the monastery to end his days there as a monk.


PLAN OF ST. SERGIUS LAVRA AS IT IS TODAY


MANY WERE THE MIRACLES which God performed through his chosen one. Owing to lack of sufficient water near the monastery, the brotherhood suffered great discomfort, which increased with their numbers and with having to carry water from a distance. Some of the monks complained to the Abbot, asking him why he had not built his monastery near water. The Saint told them, "I intended to worship and pray in this place alone. But God willed that a monastery such as this, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, should arise."

Going to a ravine below the monastery with one brother, he found a small pool of rainwater. He knelt down and prayed, and when he made the sign of the Cross over the spot, a bubbling spring arose which may be seen to this day, and from which water is drawn to supply the monastery. Many cures have been granted to the faithful from the waters; and people have come from long distances to get water to take to their sick to drink.

A certain Christ-loving man living near the monastery brought his sick son to the Saint and begged him to pray for him. The son died while the man was talking to the Saint. While the grief-stricken father went to prepare a grave, the Saint, filled with pity, knelt and prayed over the dead child; and suddenly he was restored to life. The father, finding his child alive, fell at the Saint's feet and thanked him.

A long way from the monastery there lived a nobleman possessed by demons, who tormented him day and night. His relatives brought him to the monastery in chains so that St. Sergius might pray for him. As they neared the monastery, the possessed man screamed and demanded to be brought back home. The brethren, hearing the screams, came out, and at the Saint's order they assembled in church and sang a moleben for him, and he grew gradually calmer. When the Saint came out of the church carrying a Cross, the sufferer fled from the spot with a loud cry and flung himself into a pool of rainwater nearby, crying, "O horrible, O terrible flame!" At this moment, by the Grace of God and the Saint's prayers, he recovered and was restored to his right mind. When he was asked what he meant by his exclamation, he said, "When the Saint wanted to bless me with the Cross, I saw a great flame proceeding from him, and it surrounded me. So I threw myself into the water, fearing that I would be consumed in the flame." From that time on the Saint was regarded in the common opinion as someone great, and as an intercessor for all, sent by God's Grace. Multitudes began to flock to him from all sides, and from many cities and towns, and many monks came to join him. By all he was regarded as a Prophet.


The last surviving church contemporary to Saint Sergius, in the Gethsemane Skete of the Lavra. 19th-century engraving.


It happened late one night that the Saint was keeping vigil, performing the usual rule and praying for the brotherhood, when he heard a voice calling, "Sergius," He was astonished, and, after praying, he opened the window of his cell and beheld a marvellous vision. An extraordinary radiance shone in the heavens; the night sky was illumined by its brilliance, exceeding the light of day. A second time the voice called, "Sergius! You pray for your children; God has heard your prayer. Behold what a great number of monks has come together in the Name of the Holy Trinity, in your fold, and under your guidance."

The Saint looked and beheld a multitude of beautiful birds flying not only to the monastery, but all around the monastery; and again he heard the voice, saying, "As many birds as you see, by so many will your flock of disciples increase; and after your time they will not grow less if they will desire to follow in your footsteps." The Saint marvelled and, desiring to have a witness of this vision, he called from a neighboring cell the above-mentioned Simon, who was able to see a part of the light before it vanished.


A 16TH-CENTURY DEPICTION: ST. SERGIUS LABORS FOR THE BRETHREN, PREPARES HOLY BREAD, EXHORTS THE BRETHREN, AND LITURGIZES


One day some Greeks arrived from Constantinople, bringing gifts and a letter from the Patriarch Philotheus. The Saint took the letter to Metropolitan Alexis, who ordered it to be read to him. The Patriarch wrote: "We have heard of your virtuous life in God, and we have greatly praised and glorified God. But one thing is still lacking to you: you do not live a c;nobitic life... Wherefore, I give you this good counsel; establish the common life in your monastery. And may the mercy of God and our blessing be with you." The Metropolitan approved this counsel, and from henceforth life on the basis of community was established in the monastery, with all things possessed in common and no monk calling anything his own.

After some time dissension arose: the devil, the hater of goodness, caused some to desire not to have the Saint over them. The Saint's own brother Stephen became envious of him, and one day he said out loud on the left cliros, "Who is Abbot here? Was I not the first to settle here?" The Saint, being the Altar, heard this, but said not a word; and when he left the church he did not even go to his cell, but went out of the monastery and began walking on the road to Pereyaslavl. Coming to the Monastery of Makra, he asked the help of the Abbot, St. Stephen, and thus he found a beautiful deserted spot near the river Kirzhach, where there is now the Monastery of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God.

The brotherhood, when it saw that the Saint had left, immediately sought him out. Then the brothers began visiting him in twos and threes. St. Sergius asked and received permission from Metropolitan Alexis to build a church, and many brethren gathered under the Saint's guidance in this new monastery.

Soon several monks from the Holy Trinity Monastery, unable to bear any longer the separation from their spiritual father, went to the Metropolitan and begged him to command St. Sergius to return to them. He did so, and the Saint obeyed without complaint. The Metropolitan, glad at his prompt obedience, sent a priest to consecrate the new church which St. Sergius had built, in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God. The Saint chose one of his disciples, Romanus, to be the Abbot of the new monastery, and sent him to the Metropolitan to be raised to the priesthood. The Saint had wished Isaacius the Silent to be Abbot of this monastery, but the latter would not agree to this and only begged the Saint's blessing to undertake a life of total silence. This the Saint gave, making the sign of the Cross over him after the Divine Liturgy, whereupon a powerful flame came from his hand and enveloped Isaacius; and from that day he never spoke a word, by the Saint's prayers.

Thus St. Sergius returned to his own monastery, to the great rejoicing of the whole brotherhood.

Once St. Stephen, Bishop of Perm, who had for St. Sergius a great spiritual affection, was travelling from Perm to Moscow along a road which lay about seven miles from St. Sergius' monastery. He thought of visiting the Saint not then, but on his way back from Moscow. When he came to the point in the road nearest to the monastery, he stopped, sang "Mect It Is," bowed low in the direction of the monastery, and said, "Peace be with you, spiritual brother!" The Saint at this hour was seated at supper with his brethren. Seeing in spirit what the holy hierarch was doing at this moment, he suddenly rose from the table, stood for a moment in prayer, then bowed and said aloud, "Do thou also rejoice, shepherd of Christ's flock; the peace of God be always with you." At the end of supper he told his inquiring disciples, "At that hour Bishop Stephen, on his way to Moscow, did reverence to the Holy Trinity and blessed us humble ones"; and he indicated the place where this had occurred. Some of the Saint's disciples went to this place and, overtaking the Bishop, confirmed the truth of St. Sergius' words.

THE SAINT'S DISCIPLES established many monasteries. St. Andronicus came from the Saint's birthplace, Rostov, and joined the monastery as a youth, receiving the tonsure from the Saint. He remained many years in the monastery in perfect obedience, being adorned with every virtue, and was much loved by the Saint. Finally the thought came to this wondrous man to establish a monastery with the rule of the common life. Just at this time St. Alexis the Metropolitan, who was in close spiritual communion with St. Sergius, visited the monastery and asked the Saint to give him St. Andronicus, so that he might found a monastery in accordance with the vow which the Metropolitan had made after being saved from shipwreck. The Saint fulfilled the Metropolitan's request, and later he visited the new monastery and blessed his disciple. St. Andronicus wisely governed his monastery, and many monks joined him; on his ceath he was succeeded as Abbot by his disciple, St. Sabbas. At the same time there was another elder here, named Andrew (Rublev), a superb iconographer, surpassing all by his great mind and honorably adorned with gray hairs; and there were many other such ones.

St. Sergius' brother, Stephen, when he had returned to the Saint, had brought with him his son Theodore, who was twelve years old. This Theodore was tonsured by the Saint and led a virtuous life in perfect obedience, never concealing a single thought of his from the Saint, either day or night. When he reached mature years and was ordained priest, he began to think about how to find a place and build a c;nobitic monastery. He confessed this thought to the Saint many times, and St. Sergius, believing this to be God's doing, finally blessed Theodore and let him go, together with those brothers who wished to follow him. They found a suitable place on the river Moscow, called Simonovo, and St. Sergius, after seeing it, blessed them to build the monastery. St. Theo dore became so famous and honored for his virtues and his monastery that St. Sergius offered fervent prayer constantly for him, lest he fall into pride. St. Theodore later founded a second glorious monastery, and finally he was made Archbishop of Rostov, reposing in sanctity in the year 1395.

One time, when Stephen, the Saint's brother, and his son Theodore (before he left the monastery), were serving the Divine Liturgy with St. Sergius, the aforementioned Isaacius the Silent saw a fourth man with a bright, shining appearance and dazzling apparel standing at the Altar-table with them. At the Little Entrance this Angel-like man came out of the Altar following St. Sergius. Another monk, Macarius, also saw this vision. When asked about this after the Liturgy, the Saint at first denied that anyone else had been present. But at their insistence he said, "Beloved brethren, what the Lord has revealed, can I keep secret? He whom you beheld was an Angel of the Lord, and this visitation of God occurs not only today, but every time I serve, unworthy as I am. But tell no one of this while I am alive." And his disciples were astonished beyond measure.

When the pagan Tatar hordes were preparing to invade Russian soil, St. Sergius blessed the Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy to go to war with them and conquer them, giving him two of his own disciples to help him. Facing the Tatar multitudes in the Field of Kulikovo, the Grand Duke and his followers began to doubt and fear, but at that moment a courier arrived from the Saint, who assured them that God was on their side; and the Russian armies fought boldly and conquered.

The Saint saw this battle with his spiritual eyes, and the whole brotherhood prayed for victory at that hour. The Saint, by spiritual vision, announced the victory and prayed by name for the Orthodox warriors who had fallen. When the Grand Duke returned he hastened to give thanks for the Saint's prayers, gave a rich offering to the monastery, and, in fulfillment of a vow made to the Saint, established a monastery on the place chosen by St. Sergius, with the Saint's disciple Sabbas as Abbot. Many brothers joined the monastery, which was dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.

At the same time the Grand Duke Demetrius asked St. Sergius to come to Kolomna, the Grand Duke's native place, and build there, on a place called Golutvino, a monastery dedicated to the Lord's Theophany. This the Saint did, going there by foot, as was his constant custom, and left his disciple, the priest-monk Gregory, as Abbot. Many monks joined this c;nobitic monastery.

At another time the pious Prince Vladimir of Serpukhov asked St. Sergius to establish a monastery there in honor of the Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God. This the Saint did, leaving his beloved disciple Athanasius as Abbot. Many brothers came to this monastery, which was called Vysotsky.

What a multitude of monasteries was established by this great pastor and man of God, St. Sergius, and how many were established by his spiritual children, and by their children! Like lamps they shine everywhere, enlightening the ends of the Russian land!

The Metropolitan Alexis, being old, sont for St. Sergius and tried to persuade him to be ordained bishop and become his successor. Despite much urging by the Metropolitan, the Saint, unyielding in his humility, continued to refuse the honor, and St. Alexis, fearing that the Saint might disappear entirely into the wilderness, gave up his entreaty and allowed him to return to his monastery. When Metropolitan Alexis died shortly thereafter, in the year 1377, the princes tried once more to persuade the Saint to accept the rank of bishop, but he was adamant in his refusal.

One day the blessed Father was praying, as was his custom, before the icon of the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Having prayed fervently to Her and sung Her Akathist, he sat down to rest a while. Suddenly he said to his disciple Micah, "Son, be sober and vigilant, for we are about to have a wonderful and fearful visitation." While he was still speaking, a voice was heard: "The Most Pure One is coming" Hearing this the Saint hurried from his cell into the entry way and suddenly a dazzling radiance shone upon him, brighter than the sun, and he beheld the Most Pure Virgin, with two Apostles, Peter and John, shining with unutterable light. Unable to bear so resplendent a vision, the Saint fell to the ground. The Most Pure Virgin, touching him with Her hand, said, "Be not afraid, My chosen one! I have come to visit you. Your prayers for your disciples and for your monastery have been heard. Be not troubled; from henceforth it will flourish. And not only during your lifetime, but also after you depart to the Lord, I will be with your monastery, supplying its needs abundantly, providing for it, protecting it."

Having thus spoken, She vanished. The Saint, being enraptured in mind, remained in great fear and trembling. Returning to his senses, he raised up his terrified disciple; but the latter flung himself down at the Elder's feet, saying, "Tell me, Father, for the sake of God: what miraculous vision was this?" The Saint, so filled with joy that his face glowed, could answer only a few words: "Wait a while, son; my soul too is trembling at this wondrous vision." He stood, wrapped in wonder, until finally he said, "Son, call Isaacius and Simon here." When these two came he recounted to them all that had happened, how he had beheld the Most Pure Mother of God with the Apostles, and what a wonderful promise She had given him. Hearing this, their hearts were filled with indescribable joy, and they all sang a moleben to the Mother of God and glorified God. All night the Saint remained without sleep, reflecting on this unutterable vision. (This happened in the year 1388, four years before the Saint's repose.)

After some time a certain bishop came from Constantinople to Moscow, He had heard much of the Saint, who was now known far and wide, even in Constantinople. But this bishop doubted the rumor about the Saint and said: "Can there be such a lamp in this land, and in these latter times?" He decided to go to the monastery in order to see the Saint himself. When he neared the monastery, terror overcame him, and no sooner had he seen the Saint when he was struck blind. The Saint took him by the hand to his cell, and there the bishop confessed his unbelief and begged with tears for healing. The Saint touched his eyes and healed him, exhorting him not to come tempting the simple monks again. The bishop, now enlightened, spoke loudly everywhere about having seen a true man of God, a heavenly man and earthly Angel.

One day the Saint was serving the Divine Liturgy with one of his dis ciples, venerable Simon, when the latter saw a wondrous vision: "While the Saint was serving, I saw a flame hovering over the Altar-table, surrounding and illuminating it. As the Saint was about to receive Holy Communion, the Divine flame coiled itself like a kind of shroud and entered the sacred Chalice, and then the Saint received Holy Communion." Seeing this, Simon trembled with feat. The Saint, seeing that Simon had been deemed worthy of this miraculous vision, forbade him to speak of it: "Tell no one of this that you have seen, until the Lord calls me away from this life." And together they offered praise to God.

Continually chastening himself with fasting, working unceasingly, performing numberless miracles, the Saint reached an advanced age, never failing from his place at Divine service or his rule of prayer. The older his body grew the stronger grew his fervor, in no way weakened by age. He foreknew his approaching end six months beforehand, and assembling the brotherhood, he appointed his dearest disciple, Nikon, to take his place, and then gave himself over silence

The great ascetic soon began to lose strength, and in September he was taken seriously ill. Seeing his end at hand, he again assembled his flock and delivered a final exhortation. He made them promise to be steadfast in Orthodoxy and to preserve oneness in mind with each other; to keep pure in body and soul and to have unhypocritical love; to avoid all evil and carnal lusts; to be moderate in food and drink; above all, to be clothed with humility; not to forget love of strangers; to avoid back-talk, and on no account to set value on honor and praise in this life, but rather to await reward from God in the joys of heaven and eternal blessings. Having instructed them also in many other things, he concluded, "The Lord already calls me, and I am about to leave you; I commit you to Almighty God and His Most Pure Mother: may They be to you a Refuge and Wall against the snares and attacks of the enemies." As his soul was about to leave his body, he partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, supported in the arms of his disciples; then, raising his hands to heaven, and having prayed, he surrendered his pure, holy squl to the Lord with prayer, in the year 1392, on September 25, being 78 years of age. After his death the Saint's body gave off an ineffable, sweet fragrance.

The entire brotherhood gathered around him and, weeping and sobbing, laid on its bier the body of him who in life had been so noble and unresting, and accompanied him with psalms and funeral prayers. His face shone white as snow and was not at all as if dead, but rather as if alive, like that of an Angel of God. His body was laid to rest within the monastery which he had established. Many were the miracles that took place at his death and afterwards, and they are still taking place. Angels preceded him after his repose and opened for him the doors of Paradise, leading him into the desired blessedness, the repose of the righteous, the radiance of Angels, and what he had always desired – the illumination of the Most Holy Trinity.

MANY WERE THE SIGNS of St. Sergius' care for his monastery atter his repose. In the autumn of 1408, when the Saint's disciple Nikon was Abbot, the fierce Tatars began to draw near to the boundaries of Moscow. St. Nikon entreated the Lord that He would preserve the monastery of His Saint, and defend it from the enemies' attacks. At the same time, he called upon the name of the great founder of the monastery, St. Sergius. Once, at night after prayer. he sat down in order to rest,and fell into a light sleep. Suddenly he saw before him the holy Hierarchs Peter and Alexis, and with them St. Sergius, who said: "It has been pleasing to the Lord that the foreigners should touch this place. But you, my child, do not grieve; the monastery will not be deserted, but will flourish yet more." Then, having given their blessing, the Saints became invisible. Coming to himself, St. Nikon hastened to the doors, but they were locked; opening them, he saw the Saints going away from his cell. Then he understood that this was not a dream, but a true vision. The prophecy of St. Sergius was soon fulfilled: the Tatars devastated the monastery and burned it. But the monks, being forewarned in such a miraculous way, left the monastery temporarily, and when the enemy left the region of Moscow, St. Nikon rebuilt the monastery and erected a wooden church in honor of the Holy Trinity, with God's help and the prayers of St. Sergius.

Thirty years after the repose of the Saint, God desired to glorify His Saint even more. Near the monastery at this time there lived a certain pious man. Having great faith toward the Saint, he often came to his grave and fervently prayed to the Saint of God. Once, at night, after fervent prayer, he fell into a light sleep, wherein St. Sergius appeared to him and said, "Tell the Abbot of the monastery: Why are they leaving me for so long under the earth in the grave, where water surrounds my body?"

On awaking, this man was filled with fear, but at the same time he felt in his heart an extraordinary joy. Immediately he told this vision to the disciple of St. Sergius, Nikon, who was then Abbot. Nikon informed the brethren and great was the rejoicing of the monks. Rumor of the impending opening of the relics spread far and wide, and many people flocked to the monastery. No sooner had they opened the Saint's grave, when immediately a great fragrance. spread all around. Then they saw a wondrous miracle. Not only was the precious body of St. Sergius preserved whole and unharmed, but corruption had not touched even his garments. On both sides of the grave there was water, but it had not touched either the relics of the Saint or his garments. Seeing this, all rejoiced and praised God, who had glorified His Saint. With rejoicing the holy relics of the Saint were placed in a new shrine. The opening of the relics of St. Sergius occurred on July 5, 1422, in memory of which a feast-day was established.

The miracles of the great St. Sergius throughout the centuries have been numberless. How many he has healed, enlightened, saved from peril and death! His miracles were especially abundant in the "Time of Troubles," in 1608-10, when the Poles surrounded and besieged his Monastery for sixteen months. Many times he appeared then, sometimes to encourage and strengthen the besieged and sometimes to threaten the enemy, sometimes by himself and sometimes with his disciple St. Nikon and other disciples; until the enemy abandoned the siege and soon thereafter left the Russian land.

After the Russian Revolution the Monastery of St. Sergius was closed and his holy relics were placed in an anti-religious museum for mockery. When, however, religion again became "useful" to the Soviet Government during the Second World War, the Monastery was reopened and the relics were returned to it. Today, St. Sergius' Holy Trinity Lavra is one of the last open monasteries in the Soviet Union, and great multitudes of Orthodox believers come to venerate tht Saint's relics. Even in our frightful times, the promise of the Most Holy Mother of God to be with the Saint's Monastery remains fulfilled, and there are still catacomb monastic disciples of the Saint nearly six centuries after his repose – the last of the numberless "birds" of the Saint's vision during his lifetime. St. Sergius, the "Father of many monasteries" and Abba of the Northern Thebaid, likewise continues to be a "carer and sorrower for the Russian land," sending his unceasing prayer to the Throne of God for the enslaved Orthodox people, who yet hope for deliverance from the Communist Yoke and even for a last flowering of true Orthodox monasticism in the spirit of the great Saint of Radonezh.