The Life of St Sergius of Radonezh

A great ascetic and light of the Russian Church, St Sergius was born in 1313 in Rostov of devout parents named Kyrill and Maria. After the death of his parents, Bartholomew (as he was called before taking monastic vows) was tonsured as a monk and founded the community of the Holy Trinity in the forest of Radonezh. There, together with his monastic companions, he occupied himself with labour and prayer, On account of the purity of his life, he was made worthy of the gift of healing the sick and working miracles even, according to one tradition, raising one who had already died in the name of Christ.

The holy Mother of God appeared to him a number of times in visions. Princes and bishops came to him for counsel, and he gave his blessing to Prince Dimitri Donskoi, foretelling his victory in Russia's war of liberation against the Tartars. He had insight into men's hearts and into distant events. St Sergius' religious community became filled with monks during his lifetime, and has served through the ages as one of the chief centres of spiritual life in Russia.

St Sergius departed this life in 1392, and after his death he appeared a number of times to various people. His relics are venerated at the monastery which he founded, the Trinity-St Sergius Lavra at Sergiev Posad (formerly known as Zagorsk), outside of Moscow.

The feast of St Sergius is kept on the twenty-fifth of September each year. Another feast, commemorating the opening of his relics, is kept on the fifth of July.

A true warrior of Christ our God, righteous and holy, thou didst work with zeal enduring the suffering and sorrows of earthly life. An example to thy disciples, the Holy Spirit rejoiced in thee, illuminating thee with the radiance of his presence. O thou, who in the Holy Spirit's power hast boldness to approach the Holy Trinity, remember thy flock gathered by thee in wisdom, and according to thy promise, forget not thy children, O holy father Sergius

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