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The life of Saints Cyril and Mary of Radonezh, parents of Saint Sergius. Venerable Mary of Radonezh: biography, icon. Church of Cyril and Mary of Radonezh Venerable Mary of Radonezh January 31

, September 28, in the Cathedrals of Radonezh and Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints, on Thursday after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (local)

There is no information about their parents, or about their childhood and adolescence, or about the time they entered into marriage. It is only known that they belonged to a noble boyar family. At the beginning of the 14th century, the righteous spouses of the boyars Kirill and Maria lived near Rostov the Great, in the small village of Varnitsa, where their estate was located. Kirill was in the service first of the Rostov prince Konstantin II Borisovich, and then of Konstantin III Vasilyevich.

More than once, boyar Kirill accompanied his prince on dangerous journeys to bow to the Golden Horde. Before leaving, they usually wrote a will and said goodbye to all their loved ones, since many Russian people there laid down their lives for the Orthodox faith. Mary, having seen her husband off, tearfully prayed to God for him and for their young son Stephen.

Saint Cyril owned a fortune sufficient for his position. The couple preferred a simple, secluded life on their estate to the bustle of the princely court. Living in the village, they did not neglect ordinary rural labor. Subsequently, in the place where, according to legend, the house of the Monks Cyril and Mary was located, the Rostov Archimandrite Ephraim founded the Monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity.

They directed their steps to this monastery, there to spend the rest of their days in the feat of repentance, preparing for another life. But the schema-boyars did not work for long in their new rank. In the year they departed to the Lord in peace. The children honored them with tears of filial love and buried them under the shadow of the same Pokrovsky monastery, which from that time became the last shelter and tomb of the Sergiev family. The youngest son of Saints Cyril and Mary, Peter and his wife Catherine, was subsequently buried here.

Reverence

Tradition says that St. Sergius commanded, before going to his relics at the Trinity Monastery, to go to the Intercession Monastery and pray for the repose of his parents.

Talking about his parents, Epiphanius the Wise writes: “God did not allow such a baby, who was supposed to shine, to be born from unrighteous parents...” Long before his birth, the Providence of God gave a sign about him as about the great chosen one of God. One day, when his mother, pregnant with him, was in church, the child, to the great amazement of all those present, exclaimed three times with a loud voice in his mother’s womb: at the beginning of the reading of the Gospel, before the singing of the Cherubim and at the moment when the priest exclaimed: “Let us take in, the Holy of Holies.” !

After this, the mother began to especially monitor her spiritual state, remembering that she was carrying a baby in her womb, who was destined to be the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit. “His mother,” writes the author of the life, “from the day when this sign happened... carried the baby in her womb as a kind of priceless treasure... and as a chosen vessel. And when she carried a child in her and was pregnant with him, then she vomited herself from all filth and all uncleanness, protected herself by fasting, and avoided all fast food, and did not eat meat, milk, or fish, only bread and vegetables, and ate water. She completely abstained from wine, and instead of various drinks, only water, and she drank that little by little. Often, secretly in private, sighing with tears, she prayed to God, saying: “Lord! Save me, protect me, Your wretched servant, and save and preserve this baby that I carry in my womb! You, Lord, protect the baby, Thy will be done, Lord! And may Your Name be blessed forever and ever. Amen!""

Righteous Mary and her husband make a vow: if they have a boy, they will bring him to church and give him to God.

On May 3, 1314, great joy visited the righteous parents: a boy was born. On the fortieth day after birth, the baby was brought to church to perform the sacrament of baptism on him. Priest Michael named the baby Bartholomew, for on this day (June 11) the memory of the holy Apostle Bartholomew was celebrated. This name in its meaning - “Son of joy (consolation)” was especially comforting for parents. The priest felt that this was a special baby and, overshadowed by the Divine Spirit, predicted; “Rejoice and be glad, for this child will be the chosen vessel of God, the abode and servant of the Holy Trinity.”
Parents began to notice the baby’s special behavior even in the mother’s womb: if the mother ate meat, the baby did not drink mother’s milk. On Wednesdays and Fridays he went without food at all.

Abstained by fasting in the womb, the baby, even at birth, seemed to require fasting from the mother. And she began to observe fasting more strictly: she completely abandoned meat food, and the baby, except for Wednesdays and Fridays, always fed on her milk after that. When Mary tried to give the baby to the nurse, he did not want to take the nipples. Growing up, Bartholomew, as in the first days of his life, did not eat any food on Wednesdays and Fridays, and remained abstinent on other days. His mother feared that a harsh lifestyle could harm his health and urged her son to reduce the severity of his fast. However, the son asked not to dissuade him from abstinence, and the mother no longer interfered.

THE YOUTH BARTHOLMEY WITH PARENTS - REVEREND. KIRILL AND MARIA. FRESCO OF THE INTERCLOSURE TEMPLE

When Bartholomew turned 15 years old, the Rostov principality came under the rule of the Moscow Grand Duke Ivan Kalita. One of the Moscow boyars was appointed governor of Rostov, who oppressed and robbed the inhabitants. Many of the Rostovites began to leave the city. Among them was boyar Kirill. In addition to the oppression of the Moscow governors, he also went bankrupt, and did not want to stay where he once lived in wealth and honor. For residence, he chose the small town of Radonezh in the Moscow lands.

According to the custom of that time, Cyril was supposed to receive an estate, but due to his old age he could no longer serve the Moscow prince, and this responsibility was assumed by his eldest son Stefan, who by that time was already married. The youngest of the sons of Cyril and Mary, Peter, also married, but Bartholomew continued his exploits in Radonezh. When he was about twenty years old, he asked his parents for a blessing to become a monk. The parents did not object, but asked to wait only until their death: with his departure they would have lost their last support, since the two eldest sons were already married and lived separately. The blessed son obeyed and did everything to appease the old age of his parents, who did not force him to marry.

The spirit of monasticism was passed on from the son to his parents, and at the end of their lives they took monastic vows at the Khotkovsky Monastery near Radonezh. Almost at the same time, a sad change occurred in the life of their eldest son Stefan: his wife died, leaving two sons. Having buried his wife in the Khotkovo Monastery, Stefan did not want to return to the world. Entrusting his children to his younger brother Peter, he became a monk here in Khotkovo. In 1337, schemamonk Kirill and schemanun Maria departed to the Lord. The children buried them under the shadow of the Intercession Monastery, which from that time became the last shelter and tomb of the Sergius family.

Repaying his debt to filial love, Bartholomew spent forty days in the Khotkovo monastery, remembering his newly departed parents and giving alms to the poor, and after that he went with his brother Stefan into the dense forest, to a place called Makovets. Here he built a church in the name of the Holy Trinity, and three years later he took monastic vows with the name Sergius.

The spiritual ties that forever united Sergius and his parents were manifested in many miraculous events that took place at the tomb of Schemamonk Kirill and Schemanun Maria. The chronicle of the Khotkovo Intercession Monastery provides evidence of how a prayerful appeal to St. Sergius and his parents saved people from serious illnesses. Their intercession was especially evident during national disasters - the terrible pestilence of 1770–1771, cholera epidemics in 1848 and 1871. Thousands of people flocked to Khotkovo. At the tomb of the saint's parents, the Psalter and prayer to the saints Schemamonk Cyril and Schemanun Maria were vigilantly read. At that time they were already locally revered in the monastery. And each time, due to the stagnation of the saints, many people were saved from destructive diseases.

The relics of Schemamonk Kirill and Schemanun Maria invariably rested in the Intercession Cathedral, even after its numerous reconstructions. Above the tomb of the saints there was an ancient icon that embodied the idea of the Heavenly Veil over the monastery. This icon depicts the Mother of God full-length, with her hands raised in prayer; under Her feet is the tomb of Cyril and Mary; on one side of which are their children: St. Sergius, Peter and Stefan, and on the other - Stefan’s wife Anna and Peter’s wife Catherine.

Already in the 14th century, in the facial life of St. Sergius, his parents are depicted with halos. There is a legend according to which the Monk Sergius bequeathed - “before going to him, pray for the repose of his parents over their tomb.” (Poselyanin E. “Shrines of the Russian Land. With a description of the lives and exploits of saints and signs from miraculous icons” St. Petersburg, 1899, p. 72.). And so it happened - pilgrims going on pilgrimage to the Trinity Lavra first visited the Khotkovo monastery, wanting to “bow at the grave of his righteous parents, in order to appear to the blessed son from his dear grave as if with parting words from the righteous parents themselves.” (Smirnov S.K. “Pokrovsky Khotkov Convent” M., 1875, p. 47). According to legend, the Monk Sergius often went to the grave of his parents from his monastery. And today pilgrims can receive as a blessing an icon in which St. Sergius is depicted with a censer in his hand, praying at the tomb of his parents.

In the 19th century, the veneration of Saints Cyril and Mary spread throughout Russia, as evidenced by the month books of that time.

After 1917, the Khotkovsky monastery was liquidated, but before the closure of the last church, some sisters lived on the territory of the monastery, forming a handicraft artel. In the 1930s, the churches were turned into workshops and warehouses. The workers who were engaged in the reconstruction of the monastery buildings themselves suggested that the believers take from the church the remains of the Monks Cyril and Mary, who were in danger of being desecrated or destroyed. The workers helped open the floors of the temple and remove the remains of the saints, which were placed in a crypt not far from the Intercession Church, on the territory of the monastery. No external signs were placed over the crypt, but those who participated in this event remembered the burial place.

In July 1981, it was established to celebrate the Council of Radonezh Saints on July 6/19, the day after the holiday in honor of the discovery of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Schemamonks Kirill and Maria were glorified in the Cathedral of the Radonezh Saints.

In 1987, during preparations for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', the crypt with the relics of the saints was opened. Everyone was waiting for the start of services in the Church of the Intercession in order to transfer the newly acquired relics to it.

In 1989, in the Church of the Intercession of the former Khotkovo Monastery, which was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, the candle of church prayer to St. Sergius and his parents was again lit. In the same year, on the day of the celebration of St. Sergius, the relics of his righteous parents were transferred to the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. The celebration of the memory of St. Cyril and Mary resumed on September 28/October 11) and January 18/31. Faith in the intercession of the saints was strengthened after numerous healings performed at the tomb.

In 1992, the Khotkovsky Convent opened in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the same year, when the 600th anniversary of the death of St. Sergius was celebrated, the church-wide glorification of St. Cyril and Mary took place, crowning six centuries of veneration of the parents of the great lamp of the Russian land, who gave the world an example of holiness and Christian family structure.

The family in Rus' - and, above all, the mother - created that environment of piety and purity that raised the great saints and ascetics of the Russian land. Bright images of the mothers of the saints of the Russian land run through our entire church history; in many lives of saints their pious mothers are remembered.
The akathist to St. Sergius sings: “Rejoice, good and chosen fruit of good parents! Rejoice, from your mother’s womb, called to the service of the Heavenly King, like a warrior who wants to be faithful to Him! Rejoice, for by your threefold proclamation in the womb of your parents and astonishing all who hear! Rejoice, wonderful continence revealed from the mother’s breast!” And in the akathist to St. Seraphim of Sarov it is said: “Rejoice, heir to the virtues of your mother!”

Today, in all the churches of Russia, the parents of the Monk Sergius - the Monks Cyril and Mary, and the parents of the Monk Seraphim - Isidore and Agathia - the educators of the youth of the great saints of our land are commemorated.

TRINITY-SERGIUS VARNITSI MONASTERY. FOUNDED IN 1427 ON THE SITE OF THE HOUSE OF REVERENDS CYRIL AND MARY

CHAPEL ON THE SITE OF THE HOUSE OF REVERENDS KIRILL AND MARY IN ROSTOV

TRINITY-SERGIUS VARNITSI MONASTERY. PHOTO OF THE END OF THE 19th century.

PIVOTISTS IN THE POKROVSKAYA CONVENTION. ENGRAVING OF THE END OF THE 19th century.

POKROVSKY KHOTKOV MONASTERY. PHOTO LATE XIX

POKROVSKY KHOTKOV MONASTERY. NIKOLSKY CATHEDRAL. PHOTO OF THE BEGINNING OF THE XX century.

PIVOTISTS IN THE POKROVSKAYA CONVENTION. PHOTO OF THE END OF THE 19th century.

PIVOTISTS AT THE TOMB OF THE PRPP. KIRILL AND MARY. ENGRAVING OF THE END OF THE 19th century.

MEMORABLE CROSS AT THE BURNING PLACE OF THE RECENTS OF THE REVERENDS CYRIL AND MARY

STAMP OF THE ICON OF THE REVERENDS CYRIL AND MARY. OF THE HORDE GRANDWITH GIFTS OF THE APPEALING

STAMP OF THE ICON OF THE REVERENDS CYRIL AND MARY. THE HOLY CHILD CRY THREE TIMES IN THE WOMB

STAMP OF THE ICON OF THE REVEREND SERGIUS OF RADONEZH IN THE LIFE. XX century

STAMP OF THE ICON OF THE REVERENDS CYRIL AND MARY. HOLY KIRILL AND MARY AND CHILDREN FROM VARNITZA MET TO THE CITY OF RADONEZH

POKROVSKY KHOTKOV MONASTERY. VIEW FROM SOUTH-EAST

POKROVSKY KHOTKOV WOMEN'S MONASTERY OF CANCER WITH THE RECENTS OF THE ST. KIRILL AND MARIA

POKROVSKY KHOTKOV WOMEN'S MONASTERY

The Venerable Schema-Nun Maria continues the feat of earthly motherhood bequeathed by the Venerable Anna of Novgorod. Like most of the faithful princesses and boyars of Ancient Rus', the Venerable Maria, having fulfilled her duty as a wife and mother, ends her life in monastic feat. In her image, the Holy Russian Church glorifies all mothers of the Russian land. And therefore it is no coincidence that she bears the same name as the Most Blessed Mother of the Lord.

Mary means "Lady" in Hebrew. We call the Mother of God the Lady with a capital letter. Archangel Gabriel called Her “Blessed among women,” thereby including her among the holy women of humanity. The Venerable Mary becomes a lady (with a small letter), imitating the Great Lady with her life.

The church-wide glorification of the Venerable Mary in our days, after 600 years of popular veneration, is a reminder to the women of Russia of Whom they should imitate in their lives, Whom they turned to for help and blessing. In the Intercession Church of the Khotkovo Monastery, a chapel was consecrated in honor of the Venerables Cyril and Mary - the first on Russian soil.

Troparion, tone 3:

Partakers of the beatitudes of Christ, honorable marriage and care for the children of the good image, the righteous Cyril and Mark, having shown us the fruit of the piety of St. Sergius, with him earnestly pray to the Lord to send us a spirit of love and humility, so that in peace and unanimity we glorify the Trinity of the Consubstantial.

Troparion, tone 1:

Rejoice, reverend mother Mary, together with your husband the Reverend Cyril, for you gave birth to the chosen vessel of Christ our God, the Venerable Sergius, servant of the Life-Giving Trinity, for he intercedes with Her for the peace of the whole world and the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4:

Today, when we come together, let us praise the blessed duo of the blessed Cyril and the good-natured Mary, for they pray together with their beloved son the Reverend Sergius to the wondrous God in the Holy Trinity to establish our fatherland in orthodoxy, to protect our homes with peace, to deliver the young from misfortunes and temptations, to strengthen old age and save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 5:

Let us sing today to the venerables Cyril and Mary, the new miracle workers glorified in the Russian land, with the same endless streams of Orthodox people flowing to the race of your holy relics, crying out with faith and love: pray for us to the Most Holy Trinity with the God-bearing Abba Sergius, grant peace to our country and to our souls great mercy.

Greatness

We bless you, Reverend Mother Mary, and honor your holy memory, teacher of nuns and interlocutor of the angel.

Prayer

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill, Schema-nun Mary! Even though you have ended your natural temporary life in body, you do not depart from us in spirit; you guide us to Christ God, instructing us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master. You, reverent ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Holy Mother of God. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery, and you are its rulers. Be the helpers and intercessors of God's gathered squad, so that those who live in this place and come with faith, preserve with your prayers, harm from demons and from evil people, we will remain, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. . Amen.

Prayer

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill, Schema-nun Mary! Even though you have naturally ended your temporary life, you do not depart from us in spirit; you guide us to Christ God, instructing us to live according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master. You, reverend ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Most Pure Mother. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery. Be the helpers and intercessors of this squad gathered by God, so that those who live in this place and come to this monastery with faith, preserved by your prayers, may remain unharmed from demons and evil people, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

“Is it possible that a saint, whom God prepared to become the chosen vessel of the Lord, was born of unrighteous parents?” This is the question asked by Epiphanius the Wise, the author of the biography of Sergius of Radonezh. And he answers himself: “Of course not. Even before the baby was born, great miracles accompanied his birth.” And the saint’s parents were also difficult people.

In this article you will read about Sergius's mother, Mary of Radonezh. Who was this woman, canonized by the Orthodox Church as a saint? Many people know the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh. But who were his parents – Kirill and Maria? Did they have any other children besides Sergius? Why are the parents of the saint from Radonezh revered? When is their memory honored? What prayers should be said then? Read about all this below.

Biography of the couple

Alas, we cannot say anything about when Cyril and Maria of Radonezh were born. One can only assume, since they died at a respectable age, that they were born in the second half of the 13th century. Most likely, Kirill inherited the boyar title from his father. He owned an estate in the village of Varnitsa, which was located four miles from Rostov the Great. But it is reliably known that Kirill was in the service first of Prince Konstantin Borisovich, and then of Konstantin Vasilyevich.

Obviously, his wife Maria was also of a boyar family. But who her parents were, how and where her childhood and adolescence took place, and even when she got married, historians do not know. The couple lived richly, but without luxury. Kirill went to the court of the princes of Rostov only on duty. The couple spent most of their time on their estate, not disdaining, as Epiphanius the Wise writes, and physical labor. They were pious people, but they were no longer different from the Orthodox people. They had two sons - Stefan and Peter.

Miracles performed by Sergius in his mother's womb

But then Maria of Radonezh became pregnant for the third time. At first there were no signs of miracles. But one day Mary went to the holy liturgy and stood in the church. This is how the biographer of Sergius of Radonezh Epiphanius describes this amazing incident: when the priest opened the book of the Gospels and prepared to read from it, the baby exclaimed in a loud voice from his mother’s womb.

The amazement of those around was great, but what should Mary herself feel? The unborn baby cried out just as loudly during the service twice: before the singing of the cherubic glory and when the priest proclaimed: “Hearken, glory to the saints!” Since then, Sergius’s parents realized that they would have an extraordinary child in their family. And they, like once the mother of the prophet Samuel, Saint Anna, decided to dedicate it to the church.

Religious exploits of Mary herself

It seems that to bear in the womb of a future saint, who, moreover, announced himself so early, is already a great merit before God. But Saint Mary of Radonezh, as the author of the life of the founder of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra writes, stayed away from all uncleanness and defilement. She treated the child she carried as “some priceless treasure.” While other pregnant women annoyed their husbands with their whims, Maria was very restrained in food.

She strictly kept fasts and generally refused any fast food. When she was pregnant, she excluded fish from her diet. She ate only boiled vegetables and cereals, and drank only spring water, and even then in small quantities. She very often prayed alone to God, asking Him to protect her and the baby. She also often mentioned that if he were born male, she would dedicate him to the Church, that is, make him a monk, as soon as he reached the age of understanding good and evil.

Mother of the little saint

In May 1314, Maria of Radonezh happily gave birth to her third son. After 40 days, his parents took him to church to be baptized. And the priest named the baby Bartholomew. And not only because on that day (June 11) the Church honored the memory of a saint with that name. "Bartholomew" means "Son of Consolation" (Joy). The priest also felt that this baby would serve as a comforter not only for his parents, but also for many other Christians. He predicted to the parents: “Rejoice, rejoice, for this is God’s chosen vessel, the abode of the Holy Spirit and the servant of the Trinity.”

Little Bartholomew, accustomed to fasting in the womb, did not want to give it up. The rich noblewoman wanted to give the child, like her first two sons, to a wet nurse. But the baby did not want to take the breast. Then Maria began to feed her son herself. And as she noticed, on Wednesdays and Fridays, the baby refused to suck milk, and on other days he drank it. Wanting to make her son's food more nutritious, Maria began to eat meat. But little Bartholomew immediately refused to take the breast. Because of him, the mother completely gave up meat.

The adolescence of Bartholomew and the political vicissitudes of the Principality of Rostov

When the third son of Cyril and Mary of Radonezh grew up a little, he independently continued his abstinence. On Wednesdays and Fridays he kept a strict fast. And on other days I didn’t eat meat. At the same time, he was always a support and joy for his parents, fully justifying his name. The years passed, and the two eldest sons, Stefan and Peter, got married and started their own families. Only the youngest, Bartholomew, remained with his parents. When he turned 15, changes occurred that affected not only his family, but also the fates of many Rostovites.

The principality became dependent on the Moscow ruler Ivan Kalita, who sent his governor to the city. He was not of a good disposition. And since the Principality of Moscow paid tribute to the Golden Horde, the governor robbed the inhabitants of Rostov the Great. From the oppression of the governor, Kirill was completely ruined. And the family decided to move to little Radonezh, in the Principality of Moscow. Therefore, the married couple, Maria and Kirill, are called by the name of this town.

The end of earthly life

Since his adolescence, Bartholomew wanted to take monastic vows and often reminded his parents of the promise they had made to dedicate him to God. Kirill and Maria did not give up their words, but asked their son to support them in their senile weakness and poverty, because the youngest son was their only support. But since death still did not come for them, the parents decided to take monastic vows themselves. For this purpose, Schemamonk Kirill and the Venerable Mary of Radonezh retired to the Khotkovo monastery. There they spent the rest of their days in prayer and abstinence.

Meanwhile, the fate of their eldest son, Stefan, changed. His wife died. Stefan, being in grief, decided to leave the world. He gave his two sons to be raised by his younger brother Peter and also entered the Khotkovsky monastery. In 1337, the parents appeared before the Lord, and their sons buried them in the monastery, under the floor of the Intercession Cathedral. For forty days Bartholomew stayed at the tomb of Cyril and Mary, and then he distributed his property to the poor and retired with his brother Stefan to the Makovetsky forest, where they built the Trinity Church and a monastery around it. Three years later, the saint took monastic vows, taking the monastic name Sergius.

Miraculous words: the prayer of Mary of Radonezh in full description from all the sources we found.

Prayer to the Venerable Mary of Radonezh

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill, Schema-nun Mary! Even though you have ended your natural temporary life in body, you do not depart from us in spirit, leading us to Christ God, instructing us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master. You, reverent ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Holy Mother of God. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery, and you are its rulers. Be the helpers and intercessors of God's gathered squad, so that those who live in this place and come with faith, preserve by your prayers, remain unharmed from demons and from evil people, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever centuries. Amen.

Prayers to Cyril and Mary of Radonezh

People turn to Saints Cyril and Mary of Radonezh, the parents of Sergius of Radonezh, for help in marriage.

Prayer text

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill and Schema-nun Mary!

Hear our humble prayer.

Even though your temporary life has naturally ended, you do not depart from us in spirit, always following the commandments of the Lord, teaching us and patiently bearing your cross, helping us.

Therefore, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, we naturally acquired boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mother.

Even now, be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy servants of God (names).

Be our intercessors of strength, so that by living faith, by your intercession, we may remain unharmed from demons and evil men, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Prayer to St. Cyril and Mary of Radonezh, parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh, wonderworkers

Prayer to St. Cyril and Mary of Radonezh, parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill and Schema-nun Mary! Hear our humble prayer. Even though your temporary life has naturally ended, you do not depart from us in spirit, always following the commandments of the Lord, teaching us and patiently bearing your cross, helping us. Therefore, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, we naturally acquired boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mother. Even now, be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy servants of God (names). Be our intercessors of strength, so that by living faith, by your intercession, we may remain unharmed from demons and evil men, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion to St. Cyril and Mary of Radonezh, parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Participant of the beatitudes of Christ, honorable marriage and care for the children of the good image, the righteous Cyril and Mary, the fruit of piety, the Venerable Sergius, who appeared to us, with him earnestly pray to the Lord, send us the spirit of love and humility, so that in peace and unanimity we glorify the Trinity of one essence.

Today, having come together, let us praise the blessed duo of the blessed Cyril and the good-natured Mary, for they pray together with their beloved son the Reverend Sergius to the One God in the Holy Trinity, confirm our patronymic in orthodoxy, protect our homes with peace, deliver the young from misfortunes and temptations, strengthen old age and save our souls.

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The ringing of a church bell first rang over Russia in the 10th century. From this moment on, the ringing of bells is continuously connected with the spiritual life of every Orthodox Christian. The sound of a bell is not only a voice about the beginning of the Divine Service, not only a notification of great Orthodox holidays, but also a reminder of the heavenly world, a call to repentance, repentance and awareness of the real meaning of human existence.

Venerable Mary of Radonezh

All information:

Troparion

honest marriage and care for children of good character,

righteous Cyril and Mary,

the fruit of piety, St. Sergius revealed to us,

with him earnestly pray to the Lord

send us a spirit of love and humility,

yes in peace and unanimity

let us glorify the Trinity of the Consubstantial One.

Today, come back, come together,

Let us praise the blessed duo, blessed Cyril and good Mary,

They pray together with their beloved son, St. Sergius,

to the One God in the Holy Trinity,

Establish our fatherland in orthodoxy,

protect houses with peace,

deliver young people from misfortunes and temptations,

and save our souls.

O servants of God, Schema-monk Kirill, Schema-nun Mary! Even though you have ended your natural temporary life in body, you do not depart from us in spirit, but you guide us to Christ God, you instruct us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master, you, reverend ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have confidence in Christ our God and in His Holy Mother of God. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery, and you are its rulers. Be the helpers and intercessors of God's gathered squad, so that those who live in this place and come with faith, preserve by your prayers, remain unharmed from demons and from evil people, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion 1

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Seeing the all-seeing eye of the Father of lights, your great life is pleasing to God, deign to choose you, blessed one, so that you may show the world’s bright lamp of the Venerable Sergius, so that about him your names will be glorified and all the faithful will sing to the Lord who glorified you: Alleluia.

Filled with Divine reason, Cyril and Mary worked tirelessly for the Lord, instructing their children in obedience and meekness. Make us wise, reverent ones, to constantly follow the justification of the Lord without falsehood, so that together with you we may find eternal salvation and bring you the following blessings:

Rejoice, blessed ones, who have lived in love of God and preserved good faith;

Rejoice, you are filled with mercy and compassion.

Rejoice, having acquired the Kingdom of Heaven through alms and prayers;

Rejoice, having improved eternal bliss through humility and fasting.

Rejoice, for your reward is abundant in Heaven;

Rejoice, for through your prayers we too are not deprived of the hope of the Kingdom of Christ.

Rejoice, for your joy is eternal in the light of the saints;

Rejoice, for for your Lordship’s sake we too are heirs.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

By the power of God, we protect the Reverend Kirill to the Prince of Rostov with all zeal, serving and together with him in the Hagarian horde, for the sake of peace, walking, so that the Russian people weaken from their yoke and sing to God incessantly: Alleluia.

The Venerables Cyril and Mary and the people had a thought about the threefold proclamation of fruit in Mary’s womb in the church and were amazed, realizing something glorious and wonderful was happening; and having now seen the joyful birth of his son, he rejoiced and made a joyful offering to you, saying:

Rejoice, most luminous two, united by God;

Rejoice, unpretentious stars, who faithfully point out the path of married life pleasing to God.

Rejoice, parents of good and chosen fruit;

Rejoice, having fulfilled all the grace of God.

Rejoice, Christian spouses, teachers of piety;

Rejoice, you who teach good, God-fearing children the upbringing of their children.

Rejoice, chastity and continence in conjugal life are the most excellent image;

Rejoice, teachers of those who want to live a life pleasing to God.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

The storm of sorrows and misfortunes raised by the viceroy of the Grand Duke, do not weaken your strong love for God, Kirill and Blessed Mary, but moreover, teach you to better repel the kindled arrows of the evil one. Teach us, therefore, to bear all the sorrows of this world with meekness, crying out to God with joy: Alleluia.

Having heard, blessed Bartholomew, your wondrous child, who was once inexperienced in reading and writing, honoring God-inspired writings, you were greatly surprised, and the elder schema-monk, who bestowed wisdom on him, received into your home, keeping the commandment of the Apostle Paul: do not forget the love of strangers; Moreover, the Angels did not know how strange they were. Glorifying your virtue, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, faithful followers of Christ’s commandments;

Rejoice, followers of the truth of the teachings of the Gospel.

Rejoice, saints of God, as partakers of the lives of the great saints;

Rejoice, imitators of the hospitable hospitality of the ancient forefather Abraham.

Rejoice in the light of your pious life, like a divinely luminous luminary that shines forth;

Rejoice, you have shown love and mercy to the poor and orphaned.

Rejoice, a helper for the helpless;

Rejoice, for you always help us and guide us to the Heavenly Fatherland.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

The godly stars are like the speedy, blessed Cyril and Mary, who came from the country of Rostov to the boundaries of the Principality of Moscow and settled in the city of Radonezh, where they amazed the people there with their piety, striving to sing: Alleluia.

Having seen, holy, the diligence of his son, the Venerable Sergius, towards monastic life, I pray to him that he will remain with you until your death. He, like a son of obedience, taught by you from childhood to fulfill the commandments of the Lord, submitted to your will, Cyril and Mary, as God did, teaching everyone to cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, partakers of the beatitudes of Christ;

Rejoice, create an honest marriage and care for your good children.

Rejoice, angelic people;

Rejoice, venerable and righteous participants.

Rejoice, faithful saint of the Most Holy Trinity;

Rejoice, for you have taught your children to please Her.

Rejoice, for this is why your son has built a wondrous abode for the Trinitarian Deity;

Rejoice, for this reason your holy names are glorified throughout Rus'.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Preachers of the Orthodox faith and zealots of piety, not only in words, but also in your life, quickly in the city of Radonezh, praise to Cyril and Mary: in the same way, the Holy Church worthily honors you, incessantly singing to the Wonderful God in Her saints: Alleluia.

The light of your virtuous life, blessed Cyril and Mary, has risen in the city of Radonezh; When, having reached old age, she rushed to the Khotkovo monastery under the protection of the Mother of God, there she received the great image of the Angel on her body, showing us the image of the highest humility, learning from it, with love we cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, for for the sake of love, for the sake of the Lord of this world, you have given up glory;

Rejoice, for you have diligently accepted the monastic life of equal angels.

Rejoice, having come to the ancient monastery and there finding peace for yourself;

Rejoice, having entrusted your souls to the Most Pure Virgin Mary.

Rejoice, having received the image of an angel and preserved it immaculately;

Rejoice, show goodness to all monks and nuns.

Rejoice, having mortified all passions through abstinence before your death;

Rejoice, having received the holy schema into the armor of salvation.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Although the Lord, the Lover of Mankind, showed in your life, Reverend Cyril and Mary, an image of edification, not only to the people of the world, but also to the monastic face, instill in you in old age to leave earthly glory and perceive the image of a monk, in which through fasting, vigil and prayer you strive for goodness, tirelessly chanting the Seraphim's hymn to the Triune God: Alleluia.

New grace was shown to all by the Creator and Master through you, reverend ones, when nature passed from the temporary sowing vale of deplorable vale to the eternal abode. Your holy relics, even if hidden in secret, have produced many miracles and given healing to many sick people; Moreover, I will heal the babies brought to you. For this sake, O blessed healers of ours, accept this praise from us:

Rejoice, having come through temporary death to eternal life;

Rejoice, from the Lord incorruptibility and glorified miracles.

Rejoice, for your memory is with praise and your dormition is with the saints;

Rejoice, for your names are honorable and blessed in your Fatherland.

Rejoice, you who give healing to sick babies;

Rejoice, you seriously ill girl, who came to you with love and saved you from her illness.

Rejoice, O heavenly representatives who love and honor you;

Rejoice, you who ever ask us from the Lord for the gifts of His goodness.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

A terrible and terrible disaster came to the land of Moscow, when many people in cities and towns were stung by the pestilence, and many of them died. Then the cathedral, consecrated with the nuns, offered prayers to you and through your intercession you received deliverance from trouble, crying out to God who benefits through you: Alleluia.

All lovers of God were overcome with great sorrow, when in the days of hard times, those who came to the Russian land, the monastery of the Intercession of the Most Pure Virgin in Khotkovo, the atheists, were abandoned to ruin and desolation. But the memory of you, venerable one, is alive among people, and the children of Russia glorify your life and miracles of praise:

Rejoice, our wonderful wonderworkers;

Rejoice, you who do not abandon us in days of sorrow.

Rejoice, indestructible fence of the city of Khotkov and our monastery;

Rejoice, fortresses, visible and invisible, are our supporters against enemies.

Rejoice, you who shower us with many blessings;

Rejoice, the mercy of your compassion embraces everyone.

Rejoice, you have dreamed of the intercessors of salvation for all of us;

Rejoice, guardians of the persistent city of Khotkov and our monastery.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

All the angels and saints rejoiced with great joy, when your monastery, Reverend Cyril and Mary, was returned to the Church and your honorable relics, hidden by God from the ancient years, were placed in the cathedral church. And the lamp was lit by the prayer and all the people, seeing its light, were greatly surprised, they came running to you in times of misfortune and received help from you; and also make us worthy of veneration, who cry out to God for you: Alleluia.

Human infamy does not suffice for the worthy glorification of the miracles from your relics that are still being performed, the blessed Cyril and Mary: the old woman, for the weak nun, who underwent bone refraction and was not consoled by the doctors, came to you, reverend, and with tears I pray to you. Soon after receiving the complete healing, I hurried to you with tenderness of heart:

Rejoice, vessels of election of the grace of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, blessed intercessors of eternal joy to us.

Rejoice, you who quickly healed the old woman who was weak from her illness;

Rejoice, having surprised the skilled doctors with this healing.

Rejoice, imperishable fragrant flowers;

Rejoice, unflickering rays of immortality.

Rejoice, you who shine on earth with the greatness of miracles;

Rejoice, angels in heaven glorifying God.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Having inherited eternal salvation, blessed Cyril and Mary, your souls in the heavenly abodes abide inseparably in God, and with your holy relics in the monastery of the Immaculate Virgin you rest incorruptibly and exude abundant healing, leading us to the Heavenly Jerusalem, crying out to the Ruler of that City: Alleluia.

You are a wall and a refuge for all those who come to you, reverend. Because your monastery has been revived to a life of monasticism, many people seeking salvation have gathered together, you will save them from temptations and seductions, bliss, and teach them monastic work, so that, having improved what they want, they will bring you the following words of gratitude:

Rejoice, our child-loving representatives;

Rejoice, you who lead us to Christ God.

Rejoice, you who teach us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord;

Rejoice, you who teach us to patiently bear our cross and follow our Master.

Rejoice, for with our venerable father Sergius you have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Holy Mother of God;

Rejoice, for you are intercessors for us unworthy, who live in our holy monastery, and you are its rulers.

Rejoice, for you are helpers, intercessors and prayer books to this squad gathered by God;

Rejoice, for through your prayers we are preserved unharmed from demons and from evil people.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Prayer singing is brought to you, Most Blessed Kirill and Mary, not only in the Khotkovo monastery, but also in Vysotskaya, your son founded, the multi-healing relics of your part, glorify the miracles you perform: a baby has an incurable illness, receives healing from you, parents receive immeasurable joy fulfilling crying healings to the giver of God: Alleluia.

Illuminated by the tri-radiant light, Cyril and Mary, the all-blessed, with all the saints, you now stand in Heaven at the Throne of the King of Kings, and from there, like the luminaries of light, you ever enlighten the souls of your relics flowing to the race and teach true repentance. For this reason, glorifying you, we say:

Rejoice, for you have ended your natural life in body, but do not depart from us in spirit;

Rejoice, you who come to the race of your relics with faith, sanctifying them with grace.

Rejoice, shining beads who enlighten people with grace;

Rejoice, shine upon your minds, illuminating with the dawn of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, you who have known the propitiators of the Heavenly King;

Rejoice, those who call upon the prayerfully honest names of your speedy hearers.

Rejoice, because God has placed hope in you as a helper;

Rejoice, to all the faithful, you fulfill every request in their favor.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

The grace from God given to you is knowing, we diligently pray now, the most praised schemamonas: pour out a warm prayer for us to the Lord, may he keep our monastery undamaged from misfortunes and disturbances, and may he have mercy and save us, crying out to Him: Alleluia.

Singing your God-pleasing life, reverend, and glorification from God in heaven, we bless your righteous repose, we magnify the countless miracles from your holy relics flowing, and trusting in your unceasing prayers, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, your earthly life is more pious than those you passed away;

Rejoice, you have received crowns of glory from the Heavenly King.

Rejoice, having been clothed in the robe of grace-filled incorruptibility;

Rejoice, you who rest incorruptibly in the fragrance of the holy thing.

Rejoice, girded with the power of many miracles;

Rejoice, for your honest physician has revealed cancer as a human disease.

Rejoice, for from her everyone who comes with faith receives healing gifts;

Rejoice, for the monastery of our relics for your sake is glorified throughout the Russian land.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Oh, glory to the wonderworkers and saints of the Lord Kirill and Mary! Accept this prayer of ours with all our souls, now offered to you, and grant us, through your intercession in the rank of angels, to reach the Heavenly Kingdom, where all saints, Angels and men sing with unceasing voices the praise of the Most Holy Trinity, our God: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times, and then ikos 1st and kontakion 1st

The angels of earth and the people of heaven truly appeared to the Reverend Cyril and Mary, from your youth having a clear conscience towards God, and living together in goodness in piety and purity, leaving us as an example of imitation of your God-pleasing life, to whom we marvel and illuminate your miracles, we call to you voices laudatory words:

Rejoice, you who have loved Christ from your youth and worked for Him with all your heart;

Rejoice, guardians of chastity and guardians of mental and physical purity.

Rejoice, having prepared your souls and bodies on earth for the abode of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, being filled with the wisdom and intelligence of the Divine.

Rejoice, for you stand before the Trinity from earth to heaven and there from the Angels;

Rejoice, for with disembodied faces you sing the thrice-holy hymn to her.

Rejoice, you have been glorified in heaven and on earth by the Lord;

Rejoice, having found an eternal, all-bright resting place.

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Chosen miracle workers and great servants of the Lord, our monastery intercessor and dreamer of prayer for our souls, the Venerable Schema-Nun Kirill and Schema-Nun Mary! Bringing praise to you, we earnestly pray: for those who have boldness in the Lord, through your intercession free us from all troubles and make us heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, so we joyfully call to you:

Rejoice, Reverend Cyril and Mary, blasphemous intercessor for us before God.

Prayer to Saints Cyril and Mary of Radonezh

O servants of God, St. Cyril and Mary! Even though you have ended your natural temporary life in body, you do not depart from us in spirit; you guide us to Christ God, instructing us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master. You, reverend ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Holy Mother of God. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery, and you are its rulers. Be the helpers and intercessors of God's gathered squad, so that those who live in this place and who come with faith, by your prayers, may remain unharmed from demons and from evil people, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.

“...The Servant of God Kirill previously owned a large estate in the Rostov region, he was a boyar, one of the glorious and famous boyars, he owned great wealth, but towards the end of his life in old age he became impoverished and fell into poverty. Let's also talk about how and why he became impoverished: because of frequent trips with the prince to the Horde, because of frequent Tatar raids on Rus', because of frequent Tatar embassies, because of many heavy tributes and fees of the Horde, because frequent shortage of bread... Because of this misfortune, God's servant Kirill left that Rostov village, which has already been mentioned; He gathered with his whole house, and went with all his relatives, and moved from Rostov to Radonezh. And, having arrived there, he settled near the church named in honor of the Holy Nativity of Christ...

Cyril's sons, Stefan and Peter, married; the third son, the blessed young man Bartholomew, did not want to marry, but rather strived for monastic life. He repeatedly asked his father about this, saying: “Now, Vladyka, give me your consent, so that with your blessing I can begin my monastic life.” But his parents answered him: “Child! Wait a little and be patient for us: we are old, poor, sick now, and there is no one to look after us. Well, your brothers Stefan and Peter got married and are thinking about how to please their wives; But you, unmarried, think about how to please God; you have chosen a more beautiful path, which will not be taken away from you. Just look after us a little, and when you see us, your parents, to the grave, then you will be able to carry out your plan. When you put us in a coffin and cover us with earth, then you will fulfill your desire.”

The wonderful young man joyfully promised to look after them until the end of their lives and from that day he tried every day in every possible way to please his parents, so that they would pray for him and give him a blessing. He lived like this for some time, serving and pleasing his parents with all his soul and with all his heart, until his parents became monks and each of them at different times retired to their own monastery. Having lived as monks for a few years, they left this life, went to God, and every day they blessed their son, the blessed young man Bartholomew, many times until his last breath. The blessed young man accompanied his parents to the grave, and sang funeral hymns over them, and wrapped their bodies, and kissed them, and with great honors put them in the coffin, and covered them with earth with tears like some kind of priceless treasure. And with tears, he honored his deceased father and mother with memorial services and holy liturgies, and celebrated the memory of his parents with prayers, and by distributing alms to the poor, and by feeding the poor. Thus, until the fortieth day, he celebrated the memory of his parents.”

After this, the future St. Sergius returned to his home and began to part with the everyday worries of this world in order to quickly begin a monastic life.

It should be added that Saints Cyril and Mary took the monastic form in the Khotkovsky Intercession Monastery, which was located three miles from Radonezh and at that time was both male and female.

The chronicle of the Khotkovsky Intercession Monastery provides evidence of how a prayerful appeal to St. Sergius and his parents saved people from serious illnesses. The relics of Schemamonk Kirill and Schemanun Maria invariably rested in the Intercession Cathedral, even after its numerous reconstructions. Already in the 14th century, in the facial life of St. Sergius, his parents are depicted with halos. According to legend, the Monk Sergius bequeathed - “before going to him, pray for the repose of his parents over their coffin.” And so it happened - pilgrims going on pilgrimage to the Trinity Lavra first visited the Khotkovo monastery. In the 19th century, the veneration of Saints Cyril and Mary spread throughout Russia, as evidenced by the month books of that time. Unfortunately, after 1917 the Khotkovsky Monastery was liquidated. But finally, in July 1981, the celebration of the Council of Radonezh Saints was established in which Schemamonks Cyril and Maria were glorified. In 1989, services began again in the Intercession Church of the monastery, which was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the relics of the righteous parents of St. Sergius were transferred to it.

The complete life of Saints Cyril and Mary, parents of Saint Sergius of Radonezh

Four versts from Rostov the Great, on the banks of the Ishni River, was the estate of the noble Rostov boyars Kirill and Maria. Kirill was in the service of the Rostov princes. The couple already had a son, Stephen, when God gave them another son - the future founder of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, St. Sergius. Talking about his parents, he writes: “God did not allow such a baby, who was supposed to shine, to be born from unrighteous parents...”. Long before his birth, God's Providence gave a sign of him as the great chosen one of God. One day, when his mother, pregnant with him, was in church, the child, to the great amazement of all those present, exclaimed three times with a loud voice in his mother’s womb: at the beginning of the reading of the Gospel, before the singing of the Cherubim and at the moment when the priest exclaimed: “Let us take in, the Holy of Holies.” !

Righteous Mary and her husband make a vow: if they have a boy, they will bring him to church and give him to God.

On May 3, 1314, great joy visited the righteous parents: a boy was born. On the fortieth day after his birth, the baby was brought to church to perform the Sacrament of Baptism on him. Priest Michael named the baby Bartholomew, for on this day (June 11) the memory of the holy Apostle Bartholomew was celebrated. This name in its meaning - “Son of joy (consolation)” was especially comforting for parents. The priest felt that this was a special baby and, overshadowed by the Divine Spirit, predicted: “Rejoice and be glad, for this child will be the chosen vessel of God, the abode and servant of the Holy Trinity.”

Parents began to notice something special in the baby’s behavior: if the mother ate meat, the baby did not drink mother’s milk. On Wednesdays and Fridays he went without food at all. Abstained by fasting in the womb, the baby, even at birth, seemed to require fasting from the mother. And she began to observe fasting more strictly: she completely abandoned meat food, and the baby, except for Wednesdays and Fridays, always fed on her milk after that.

When Mary tried to give the baby to the nurse, he did not want to take the nipples. Growing up, Bartholomew, as in the first days of his life, did not eat any food on Wednesdays and Fridays, and kept abstinence on the rest. His mother feared that a harsh lifestyle could harm his health and urged her son to reduce the severity of his fast. However, the son asked not to dissuade him from abstinence, and the mother no longer interfered.

When Bartholomew turned 15 years old, the Rostov principality came under the rule of the Moscow Grand Duke Ivan Kalita. One of the Moscow boyars was appointed governor of Rostov, who oppressed and robbed the inhabitants. Many of the Rostovites began to leave the city. Among them was boyar Kirill. In addition to the oppression of the Moscow governors, he was also ruined and did not want to stay where he had once lived in wealth and honor. For residence, he chose the small town of Radonezh in the Moscow lands.

According to the custom of that time, Cyril was supposed to receive an estate, but due to his old age he could no longer serve the Moscow prince, and this responsibility was assumed by his eldest son Stefan, who by that time was already married. The youngest of the sons of Cyril and Mary, Peter, also married, but Bartholomew continued his exploits in Radonezh. When he was about twenty years old, he asked his parents for a blessing to become a monk. The parents did not object, but asked to wait only until their death: with their departure they would have lost their last support, since the two older brothers were already married and lived separately. The blessed son obeyed and did everything to appease the old age of his parents, who did not force him to marry.

The spirit of monasticism was passed from the son to the parents, and at the end of their lives they took monastic vows in the Khotkovsky Monastery near Radonezh. Almost at the same time, a sad change occurred in the life of their eldest son Stefan: his wife died, leaving two sons. Having buried his wife in the Khotkovo Monastery, Stefan did not want to return to the world. Entrusting his children to his younger brother Peter, he became a monk here in Khotkovo. In 1337, schemamonk Kirill and schemanun Maria departed to the Lord. The children buried them under the shadow of the Intercession Monastery, which from that time became the last shelter and tomb of the Sergius family.

The chronicle of the Khotkovo Intercession Monastery provides evidence of how a prayerful appeal to St. Sergius and his parents saved people from serious illnesses. Their intercession was especially evident during national disasters - the terrible pestilence of 1770–1771, cholera epidemics in 1848 and 1871. Thousands of people flocked to Khotkovo. At the tomb of the saint’s parents, the Psalter and prayer to the saints Schemamonk Cyril and Schemanun Maria were read vigilantly. At the same time, they were already locally revered in the monastery. And every time many people were saved from destructive diseases.

The relics of Schemamonk Kirill and Schemanun Maria invariably rested in the Intercession Cathedral, even after its numerous reconstructions. Above the tomb of the saints there was an ancient icon that embodied the idea of the Heavenly Veil over the monastery. This icon depicts the Mother of God full-length, with her hands raised in prayer; under her feet is the tomb of Cyril and Mary; on one side of her are their children: St. Sergius, Peter and Stefan, and on the other are Stefan’s wife Anna and Peter’s wife Catherine.

Already in the 14th century, in the personal life of St. Sergius, his parents are depicted with halos. There is a legend according to which the Monk Sergius bequeathed “before going to him, to pray for the repose of his parents over their tomb.” And so it happened - pilgrims going on pilgrimage to the Trinity Lavra first visited the Khotkovo monastery, wanting to “bow at the grave of his righteous parents, in order to appear to the blessed son from his dear grave as if with parting words from the righteous parents themselves.” According to legend, St. Sergius often went to the grave of his parents from his Lavra.

In the 19th century, the veneration of Saints Cyril and Mary spread throughout Russia, as evidenced by the month books of that time.

After 1917, the Khotkovsky monastery was liquidated, but before the closure of the last church, some sisters lived on the territory of the monastery, forming a handicraft artel. In the 1930s, churches were turned into workshops and warehouses. The workers who were engaged in the reconstruction of the monastery buildings themselves suggested that the believers take the remains of St. Cyril and Mary from the church, because they were in danger of being desecrated or destroyed. They helped open the floors of the temple and remove the remains of the saints, which were placed in a crypt not far from the Intercession Church, on the territory of the monastery. No external signs were placed over the crypt, but those who participated in this event remembered the burial place.

In July 1981, the celebration of the Council of Radonezh Saints was established on July 6 (19), the day after the holiday in honor of the discovery of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Schemamonks Kirill and Maria were glorified in the Cathedral of the Radonezh Saints.

In 1989, in the Church of the Intercession of the former Khotkovo Monastery, which was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, the candle of church prayer to St. Sergius and his parents was again lit. In the same year, on the day of the celebration of St. Sergius, the relics of his righteous parents were transferred to the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. The celebration of the memory of Saints Cyril and Mary resumed on September 28 (October 11) and January 18 (31). Faith in the intercession of the saints was strengthened after numerous healings performed at the tomb.

Notes

Orthodox TV channel "SOYUZ"

Text from the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, written by the saint, a disciple of St. Sergius. Unfortunately, the Life of Sergius has not reached us in its original form. In the mid-15th century, the life from the pen of Epiphanius was revised by the official hagiographer Pachomius Logothetes. Pachomius wrote after the discovery of the relics of St. Sergius in 1422. Satisfying the requirements of customers, Pachomius gave the “Life of Sergius” a ceremonial form.

Troparion to Saints Cyril and Mary

Participants of the beatitudes of Christ, / honest marriage and care for the children of the good image, / righteous Cyril and Mary, / the fruit of piety, St. Sergius revealed to us, / with him earnestly pray to the Lord / to send us a spirit of love and humility, / so that in peace and like-mindedness // let us glorify the Trinity of the Consubstantial One.

Today, faithfully, we have come together, / let us praise the blessed two, the blessed Cyril and the good-natured Mary, / for they pray, together with their beloved son, the Venerable Sergius, / to the One God in the Holy Trinity, / to establish our Fatherland in orthodoxy, / to protect our homes with peace, / deliver youth from misfortunes and temptations, / strengthen old age // and save our souls.

Kontakion to Saints Cyril and Mary

Today, faithfully, we have come together, / let us praise the blessed two, the blessed Cyril and the good-natured Mary, / for they pray, together with their beloved son, the Venerable Sergius, / to the One God in the Holy Trinity, / to establish our fatherland in orthodoxy, / to protect our homes with peace, / deliver youth from misfortunes and temptations, / strengthen old age // and save our souls.

Prayer to St. Cyril and Mary, parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Oh, servants of God, St. Cyril and Mary! Even though you have ended your natural temporary life in body, you do not depart from us in spirit; you guide us to Christ God, instructing us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to bear our cross and follow our Master. You, reverend ones, together with our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius, your beloved son, have boldness towards Christ our God and towards His Holy Mother of God. Be prayer books and intercessors for us, unworthy, living in your holy monastery, and you are its rulers. Be the helpers and intercessors of God's gathered squad, so that those who live in this place and who come with faith, by your prayers, may remain unharmed from demons and from evil people, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.