Barsanuphius. Strength of mind

11.09.2020

Cathedral - a list of saints related to a particular place and diocese. Until recently, the Cathedral of Kazan Saints included only a few people. But in 2015, Patriarch Kirill approved his updated list, and today there are 34 names in the Cathedral of Kazan Saints. These are saints and saints, martyrs and new martyrs. There is one woman among them.

About who these people were and for what merits they were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, AiF-Kazan told Chairman of the Commission for the Canonization of Saints of the Kazan Diocese Priest Anthony Yermoshin.

“Some historians themselves include some names in the canon, so more extensive lists can be found on the Internet. But officially the Russian Orthodox Church canonized 34 people associated with the Kazan land, - says Father Anthony. - All of them lived on the territory of modern Tatarstan, were revered here and marked by spiritual exploits. Some of them are of all-Russian veneration and are included in all church calendars, others are locally revered saints. However, this division is very arbitrary.

The first Kazan saint in time is Abraham of Bulgaria, who lived in the 13th century, the last is the governor of the Sedmiezernaya desert, Alexander Sedmiezerny, who died in the time of Khrushchev.

Saint Abraham of Bulgaria

It is considered not only the first Kazan saint known to us, but also, in some sources, one of the first canonized Russian saints. Almost nothing is known about his life, age, marital status, because he lived in the 13th century in the Volga Bulgaria. At the same time, he is mentioned in Russian chronicles.

Abraham of Bulgaria Photo: wikipedia.org

It is known that he was a merchant and, according to his life, professed Islam and was engaged in charity work. From Russian merchants, he learned about Jesus Christ and was so imbued with the ideas of Christianity that he decided to be baptized. And then he began to preach Christianity, for which he was killed and torn to pieces by the crowd. His remains were transported by Russian merchants to Vladimir, where Abraham of Bulgaria began to be revered as a martyr and miracle worker.

His veneration in the Kazan diocese began much later - only in the second half of the 19th century, thanks to the activities of Archbishop Anthony (Amfiteatrov). A particle of his relics was brought from Vladimir, which was placed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin, now a particle of the relics of the martyr is in the temple dedicated to him in Bolgar. By the way, according to legend, he scored in the place where Abraham was executed. It is believed that the water from it has healing properties.

Abraham of Bulgaria was included in the Cathedral of Kazan Saints last year.

Martyrs

The saints of the era of the Kazan Khanate are also known - martyrs Peter, John and Stephen of Kazan. They lived

John was a Russian peasant from the Nizhny Novgorod lands. He was taken prisoner and enslaved. He was in the service of one of the local nobles. From the legends of the 16th century it is known that the nobleman greatly appreciated him for his work and wanted to make him his assistant. But, being a convinced Muslim, he tried to persuade him to convert to his faith. He turned out to be, for which he was executed - he was cut off his head. But it so happened that John managed to survive, he woke up and, holding his head with his hands, was able to get to the dwelling of Russian merchants, where he confessed and took communion with the priest who was with them. And in the morning he died and was buried in the Russian cemetery in Kazan. Historians suggest that it was located on, outside the city. His memorial day is February 6, on the same day as Blessed Xenia of Petersburg.

Stefan of Kazan Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis

Martyrs Peter and Stefan were Kazan Muslim Tatars who converted to Christianity. Moreover, one of them even received a healing during baptism from a leg disease that had tormented him for a long time. They suffered for their faith in the spring of 1552 - six months before the capture of Kazan. As a result of the anti-Russian uprising, their relatives killed them as traitors who had abandoned their faith. According to legend, this happened in the area of the spring near the Tainitskaya tower.

In the 16th century, the Kazan Metropolitan Hermogenes petitioned for their inclusion in the holy calendar. Until the 20th century, Peter and Stefan were considered locally venerated saints of Kazan. As a result of an oversight by the editor of the church calendar in the middle of the 20th century, they were included in the list of saints of all-Russian veneration and so they remained in it. The relics of the martyrs have not been preserved.

primates

Guriy, Herman and Barsanuphius- the most revered Kazan saints, who are included in all Orthodox calendars. The day of their common memory - October 4 (October 17 in a new style) is also the day of celebration of the Cathedral of Kazan Saints.

The names of the saints are associated with the emergence and formation of the Kazan diocese.

Saint Guriy(in the world Grigory Rugotin) - the first Kazan archbishop, a native of an impoverished princely family. In his youth, he served with the Penkov princes, where he was slandered and accused of having an affair with the prince's wife. The prince's son asked not to execute him. Gury was thrown into a pit, where he spent a long time eating spikelets. But since he was literate (which was a rarity in those days), he asked his friends to bring him paper and paints and made handwritten alphabets for children. He did not stop praying and did not lose heart. And one day he saw the light - the doors of the dungeon were open. Unnoticed by anyone, he went out and went to the Joseph-Volotsky Monastery, where he took tonsure, and later became abbot. After a while he was transferred to one of the Tver monasteries.

Saints Gury and Barsanuphi. Photo: wikipedia.org

At this time, he met the young Ivan the Terrible, whom he made a great impression with his spirituality. Therefore, when the Kazan department was founded in 1555, the choice of the tsar fell on Guria. He was a bishop for a little over seven years, but, according to the scribe books, after that Kazan was a city with a large number of churches (almost all the parishes that were on the map of Kazan at the beginning of the 20th century were founded under Guria). Gury was ill a lot, in recent years he could not move - the months spent in prison had an effect. At the services he stood, leaning on a crutch.

Staff of St. Guria. Photo: Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve

His staff has survived to our time - it was kept in the Church of the Yaroslavl Wonderworkers at the Arsk Cemetery, and is now on display at the Museum of the History of the Annunciation Cathedral.

In recent years, the archbishop was brought to the service lying down. And Gury lived in the basement of the Annunciation Cathedral under construction. The cell of the saint has survived to our time. It was found by local historians in the 19th century, after which it became a place of worship.

Gury died on December 5, 1563 (according to the old style) and was buried on the territory of the Transfiguration Monastery in the Kazan Kremlin (no longer exists).

By the way, the monastery was founded by an associate of Guriy Barsanuphius. He arrived in Kazan in the rank of archimandrite, while the monastery had not yet been built. The choice fell on him not by chance. Barsanuphius was a slave in the Crimean Khanate, where he learned the Tatar language, and later the father-priest bought him. After the foundation of the monastery in Kazan, Varsonofy was elected Bishop of Tver, but, having retired, he returned to Kazan. Here he died in 1576 and was buried next to Archbishop Gury.

20 years later, during the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration Monastery, their grave was touched and the relics of the saints were found. A witness of these events, the future Patriarch of Moscow (and then Metropolitan of Kazan) Hermogenes wrote that the relics floated in the coffin on top of the fragrant world. At the same time, Hermogenes petitioned for the canonization of Guriy and Barsanuphius. In 1595 they were glorified as saints. Initially, their relics were kept in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, in 1630 the relics of Guriy were transferred to the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and the relics of Barsanuphius remained in the monastery cathedral.

The day of finding the relics of Saints Gury and Barsanuphius - October 4 (according to the new style October 17) is a common holiday of the Cathedral of Kazan Saints.

In 1918, when the Kremlin churches were being closed, the relics of the saints were taken out of the Kremlin by the future Hieromartyr Joasaph (Udalov) and the Bolsheviks allowed only what could be carried in their hands to be taken out of the churches. I had to leave a lot of shrines, but first of all, the faithful Kazan saved the relics of the saints, which in Soviet times were transferred several times to churches. In the end, the relics of Guria ended up in the temple at the Arsky cemetery, where they remain to this day. In the revived Annunciation Cathedral, a second symbolic tomb was recreated, where a particle of the relics of the saint is also located.

Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis

But the relics of St. Barsanuphius were lost: in Soviet times, they ended up in the State Museum of the TASSR (now the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan), where they were destroyed during the next subbotnik already in the 1980s. Saint Barsanuphius is revered as a healer. It is no coincidence that the temple on the street. Butlerov at the Gruzdev clinic bears his name.

The Church of St. Barsanuphius in Kazan was built in 1901 at the expense of the industrialist Alafuzov. Photo: AiF / From the museum of V. Gruzdev

The third saint, Herman, a native of the Joseph-Volotsk monastery, served in Sviyazhsk, where he arrived in the rank of archimandrite of a monastery that did not yet exist. On the island-city, he founded the Bogoroditsko-Uspensky Monastery (which is still in operation). The monastery became one of the richest and most prosperous in the entire diocese.

In 1564 Herman became Guria's successor at the Kazan cathedra - the second archbishop. Then he left for Moscow, where he took part in a number of church councils. According to the official version, he died of a pestilence in 1567, but Andrei Kurbsky wrote that he was killed on the orders of Ivan the Terrible. It is known that in the 19th century, the relics were examined, and traces of blows with an ax were found on the cervical vertebrae. This confirmed the version of Herman's violent death. He began to be widely revered as a saint at the end of the 17th century, although his relics were transported to Sviyazhsk a century earlier - during the time of St. Hermogenes. After the revolution, the relics were considered lost, but at the turn of the new millennium, during repairs in the church of the Yaroslavl miracle workers, a box under the throne was found. It turned out that these were the relics of the saint saved from Sviyazhsk, now they have been returned to the island-city and are in cancer. When repairs are completed in the Assumption Cathedral, they will be returned to their place.

The Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God was founded by St. Herman, and his relics are kept here. Photo: AiF / Daria Khodik

Patriarch Hermogenes

One of the most significant saints of the Kazan diocese is Hermogenes, the future Patriarch of Moscow. His name is associated with the glorification of Kazan saints, the acquisition of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

He was most likely not born in Kazan, but from his youth he lived here, served as a priest in the St. Nicholas Church on Gostiny Dvor, then became a monk and was the rector of the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior. After the establishment of the patriarchate in Russia and the elevation of Kazan to the rank of metropolia, he became the first Kazan metropolitan (from 1589 to 1606). His ministry in Kazan is the construction of churches, the construction of the Bogoroditsky monastery on the site of the found icon, and the enlightenment of the population of the region.

Patriarch Hermogenes. Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis

In 1606 Hermogenes was elected to the Moscow patriarchal throne. The years of his patriarchate fell on the Time of Troubles. He ended his life as a martyr - he actively fought against the Seven Boyars and refused to bless the Polish prince Vladislav Sigismundovich to the royal throne without him converting to Orthodoxy. He was imprisoned and starved to death in February 1612. He was buried in the Kremlin Miracle Monastery, canonized in 1913 as part of the anniversary celebrations on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. He was included in the Cathedral of Kazan Saints in 2015 by his successor, the current Patriarch Kirill.

holy ascetic

Another saint revered in Tatarstan is the continuer of the tradition of the Optina Elders. He labored in various monasteries and was expelled from everywhere by people who did not understand his ascetic life and considered him an eccentric.

Gabriel Sedmiezerny Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis

Once in the Kazan diocese, he lived for some time in the Raifa Monastery and in the "New Jerusalem" on Lake Kaban, but then settled in the Sevenmiezernaya Hermitage, where he spent about a quarter of a century. There, having had an accident, he became legless and lay in bed for several years, accepted the great schema and prepared to die. But he received healing and even became the abbot of the monastery. By this time he had gained fame as an elder and prayer book. Not only well-known Kazan citizens came to him, teachers and students of the Kazan Theological Academy, many public and cultural figures were fed by him (the sister of the Empress, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, also became his spiritual daughter).

Having become a victim of another slander, he was expelled from the Kazan diocese in 1908 under Archbishop Nikanor (Kamensky), but shortly before the revolution, in 1915, he returned to Kazan, where on September 24 (October 7) he died in the building of the Theological Academy and was buried in his monastery. Many of his spiritual children became martyrs for their faith in Soviet times. When the Sedmiezernaya Hermitage was destroyed, part of the relics of Gabriel was saved by one of the hieromonks of the monastery, Seraphim. He, wandering around the apartments and living with old women, carried them from one place to another. In the end, the relics of the elder ended up in the Kazan diocesan administration. In 1996, Gabriel was canonized as a locally venerated saint. Part of his relics is stored in and in the temple at the Kazan Theological Seminary on the street. Chelyuskin. Now the Kazan diocese receives many letters from believers with a request to intercede for the inclusion of Gabriel in the general church calendar.

New Martyrs

Another category of Kazan saints is the New Martyrs and Confessors killed for their faith, who went through prisons and sufferings, but died a peaceful death. Among the New Martyr Priests - Mikhail Votyakov, a rural priest from Chistopolskie Vyselok, who was shot in 1931 for allegedly inciting people against collective farms. And also two Kazan priests - Dimitri Shishokin and Filaret Velikanov.

Dimitri Shishokin served in the Trinity Church at the prison castle (the building has been preserved - now it is a pre-trial detention center on Yapeeva Street). He was arrested in the autumn of 1918, at the height of the Civil War. Allegedly for extracting testimonies from arrested Bolsheviks in prison. And although revolutionary-minded prisoners wrote letters in his defense, representatives of the council of workers, the workers of the Pyatnitsky parish, stood up for him, this did not help. He was shot on charges of counter-revolutionary activities.

Filaret Velikanov Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis

For "aiding white" shot and Filaret Velikanov, the housekeeper of the Kazan Theological Academy, who served during the Civil War in the Boriso-Glebosky Church in Pleteni at the invitation of the workers of the Krestovnikov factory (the area of \u200b\u200bmodern Akhtyamov Street). His letters from prison have been preserved and published. In one of them, he writes to the rector of the theological academy, where he touchingly asks everyone for forgiveness, disposes of his modest property and asks to inform his elderly mother about his execution as accurately as possible.

Zilant's Martyrs

The venerable martyrs of Zilantov are also counted among the saints. They were killed on the very first day of the capture of Kazan by the Red Army - September 10, 1918. It was from the side of Zilantovaya Gora that the retreating White Czechs fired at the approaches to the city, so the Red Army men took out their anger on the brethren of the monastery. 11 people were taken out for execution, but one - Hieromonk Joseph - fell first, having lost his senses. The bodies of the others fell on him. After a while, Joseph woke up and at night came to the John the Baptist Monastery, where he told about what had happened. The burial place of the brethren of the monastery is unknown.

saint among saints

Tatarstan also has its own holy woman. Margarita Menzelinskaya was a Greek by origin, grew up in Kiev. There she took monastic vows and was appointed abbess at the Menzelinsky Monastery (then it belonged to the Ufa diocese, now it is not active).

In August 1918, the White Army was retreating and it had the idea to flee. The abbess was already leaving the monastery when Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to her. He reproachfully said to her: “Why are you running from your crown?” Margarita returned to the monastery, knowing what awaited her. The next day, during the liturgy, the Red Army broke into the temple. At the walls of the temple, they shot the abbess without trial or investigation.

In the same August, the abbot of the Sviyazhsky monastery, Bishop Ambrose (Gudko), was also shot on charges of counter-revolutionary activities.

At the beginning of the 1930s, a new blow was dealt to the clergy - mainly rural ones. They were accused of agitating against collective farms. Among the victims are the brethren of the Raifa monastery. After the monastery was closed by the Bolsheviks, the inhabitants continued to live nearby, in Vasilyevo, Belo-Bezvodny, and served in closed churches. On the patronal feast - the day of memory of the Raifa venerable fathers - they gathered for the liturgy. The year was 1930. After the service, the monks were arrested, six were shot, the rest were sent into exile, and some were released. At the same time, the sacristan Hieromonk Sergius (Guskov) tortured longer than others to find out where the money of the monastery.

Raifa martyrs. Photo: Tatarstan Metropolis The Raifa martyrs were canonized in the late 1990s. With the brothers, two lay peasants were also shot. History has preserved their names - Vasily and Stepan. It is possible that over time they will also be included among the saints.

Three Kazan bishops, who became victims of the Great Terror of 1937-1938, were also canonized. These are the holy martyrs Metropolitan Kirill (Smirnov), Bishop Joasaph (Udalov) and Metropolitan Anatoly (Grisyuk). Kirill was the Kazan bishop from 1920 to 1929, however, he actually ruled the diocese quite a bit, as he was constantly in exile and prisons: in Solovki, in Siberia and Kazakhstan. In December 1937 he was shot near Shymkent.

During his imprisonment, the vicar bishops Anatoly and Ioasaph ruled the diocese.

Anatoly (Grisyuk) was the last rector of the Kazan Theological Academy (since 1913). The first time he was arrested was in 1921 for secretly continuing to teach students at a closed theological academy. Despite interrogations, he did not give out a single name of his students. At his time, the beginning of the defeat of the Kazan diocese fell. Subsequently, he was archbishop in Samara, metropolitan in Odessa. He was repeatedly arrested, undermined his health in hard work. In January 1938, while he was in the prison hospital, the camp doctors forcibly tore the Gospel out of his hands. When trying to tear off the pectoral cross, he breathed his last breath.

Bishop Joasaph (Udalov) of Chistopol took care of the affairs of the diocesan administration during the absence of Kirill (Smirnov). He also spent a long time in exile and prison. After his release, he lived with his mother in Kazan on the street. Tikhomirnov (this wooden house opposite the puppet theater was recently restored). In December 1937, he was also arrested and shot at the Arkhangelsk cemetery, his grave is unknown.

Hieromartyrs Cyril, Anatoly and Joasaph were canonized in 2000-2002.

The last Saint of Kazan was the Monk Confessor Alexander Sedmiezerny, who died in 1961. The last governor of the Sedmiezernaya Hermitage went through exile and camps, after his release from which he lived in Mordovia, where his relics are kept in the Sanaksar Monastery.

Today, not every metropolis can “boast” of such a number of miraculous icons and saints, Father Anthony notes, and work on the canonization of the martyrs of the Soviet period and ascetics of the faith of other eras continues.

On the transfer of relics, in the Cathedrals of Kazan and Tver saints

veneration

Soon, a southern chapel was added to the cathedral church of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in the name of Saints Guriy and Barsanuphius, and the relics of the saints were placed in it, in appropriate arks, one next to the other. On June 20, by order of Metropolitan Matthew, who then ruled the Kazan diocese, the relics of St. Barsanuphius were placed on the right side between the pillars of the main church. During the fire of the year, the relics were damaged by fire, after which they were placed in a silver shrine in the same place. The Service to Saints Guriy and Barsanuphius was compiled by the Metropolitan of Rostov, Saint Demetrius.

The relics of the saint rested in the same place for up to a year. In September of that year, after the closing of the monastery, they were transferred to the Cathedral of the Bogoroditsky Convent. Then the relics of St. Barsanuphius were placed in the Central Historical Museum of the TASSR, where they were kept in the cellars. In the 1980s, during the next subbotnik, the relics were destroyed; only the silver shrine survived. Subsequently, it was put on public display at the Central Historical Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan. A small particle of the relics of St. Barsanuphius has been preserved in the icon of the Three Hierarchs of Kazan, which is located in the cemetery church of the Yaroslavl Wonderworkers in the city of Kazan, over the shrine with the relics of St. Gury of Kazan.

Documents, literature

PSRL. T. 4. S. 309; T. 19. M., 2000. Stb. 482; T. 31. M., 1968. S. 141, 146.
Platon (Lyubarsky), archbishop. Kazan Sat. Art. Kaz., 1868. S. 7-32.
Hermogenes, Patr. Moscow and all Russia. Creations. M., 1912.
Barsukov. Sources of hagiography. pp. 141-143.
Church antiquities of Kazan // Izv. in the Kazan diocese. Kaz., 1877. S. 408-409.
Nevostruev K. [I.] List of scribe books for the city of Kazan with the county for 1566-1568. Kaz., 1877. S. 31.
The Art of the Stroganov Masters: Restoration. Research Problem: Cat. vyst. M., 1991. S. 162. No. 108.
Silkin A. V. Stroganov facial sewing. M., 2002. S. 278, No. 88; S. 282, No. 87; S. 296, No. 95; S. 326, No. 129.
Eliseev G. Z. Biography of St. Guria, Herman and Barsanuphius of the Kazan and Sviyazhsk miracle workers. Kaz., 1847.
[Grigory (Postnikov), archbishop]. Life of St. and Wonderworkers Archbishop Guria. Kazansky and Barsanuphius archbishop. Tverskoy. SPb., 1853.
Stroev. Hierarchy lists. S. 216, 442.
Rudnev V. St. Varsonofy as rector of the Nikolaev Pesnosh Monastery. M., 1889.
[Demetrius (Sambikin), archbishop]. Tver Patericon. Kaz., 1907. S. 81-84.
Nikanor (Kamensky), archbishop. Life of St. Varsonophia // Kazan collection. Art. Kaz., 1910.
Macarius. History of the RC. Book. 6. S. 56, 88, 139, 587. Note. 93, 617. Note. 174.
Lebedev E.M. The Spassky Monastery in Kazan. Kaz., 1895.
Batalov A. L. Mosk. stone architecture con. 16th century M., 1996. S. 44-45.

Used materials

Lipakov E. V., Chugreeva N. N., "VARSONOPHY (Ivan Vasilyevich; c. 1495 - 1576)", Orthodox Encyclopedia, vol. 6, p. 670-672:

Gury Rugotin, saint, the first archbishop of Kazan, originally from the nobility of the former town of Radonezh, was called Gregory in the world. At a young age, Gregory entered the service of Prince Ivan Penkov. The prince was so pleased with him that he entrusted him with the management of the entire house. But this power of attorney did not last long. Other servants of the prince, out of envy of Gregory, slandered him that he was in a criminal relationship with the princess. Irritated by the false slander, the prince ordered Gregory to be put in a dungeon, purposely arranged in a deeply dug hole. There the innocent sufferer languished for two years, for after two years the door of the prisoner was freely opened. Recognizing his salvation as the providence of God, he renounced the world and directed his path to the monastery of St. Joseph of Volokolamsk. There he put on the clothes of a monk, taking the name Guria, and was soon appointed (1522) abbot of the monastery; then he was transferred to the Selizharov Monastery, and on February 3, 1555, he was consecrated as archbishop of the new Kazan diocese. Gury set up two school monasteries there, for the education of children of Christians and pagans; in addition, under his special supervision, he built a stone cathedral in the name of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. Taking care of his flock, Saint Guriy multiplied it by converting many Mohammedans to the Christian faith. He reposed on December 4, 1563, having taken the schema two days before his death. His relics, found on October 4, 1595, rest in the Kazan Cathedral of the Annunciation. They were transferred in 1817 to a new silver shrine.

Guriy began a diocese in Kazan. By decree of Tsar John Vasilyevich, Metropolitan Macarius conciliarly established in 1555 an archbishopric in Kazan, third degree. After the archbishops there were, from 1589, metropolitans, and after them, from 1832, bishops and archbishops. At first, the diocesan bishops were called Kazan and Astrakhan; then, from 1602, Kazan and Sviyazhsky, and from 1799 Kazan and Simbirsk. In 1799 the vicar diocese of Kazan was established; its bishops are ordered to write Sviyazhsky; but in 1802 the Kazan vicars were abolished.

Saint Gury (in the world Grigory Grigoryevich Rugotin) was the first archbishop of the Kazan diocese established in 1555. He was born in the town of Radonezh near Moscow into a noble family. His parents were not rich, so from a young age he had to serve with Prince Ivan Penkov as the manager of the estate. From his youth, Gregory was pious, humble and gentle. He did not want to marry. Slandered before the prince in a criminal connection with his wife, Gregory was imprisoned in a dungeon. This undermined his health, but strengthened and deepened his religious feeling. In the dungeon, the prisoner wrote small books to teach children to read and write. He distributed the money for the proceeds of the alphabet to the poor.

Coming out of the dungeon, Gregory took the tonsure with the name Gury in the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery, known for its strict rule. In 1543, he was elected abbot of this monastery by the brethren and ruled it for almost 9 years, and then left the abbess and lived for two years as a simple monk. Before the bishopric, Saint Guriy ruled the Trinity Selizharov Monastery in the Tver diocese for one year. He was elected to the Kazan cathedra by lot. Supported by Saint Barsanuphius (+ 1576, Comm. 11 April), Saint Guriy greatly contributed to missionary activity. During the eight years of his hierarchship, four monasteries were built, the Annunciation Cathedral and more than ten city churches were built.

In 1561 the saint fell seriously ill. On holidays, he was brought to church, and he sat or lay there, unable to walk or stand. Shortly before his death (+ December 5, 1563) he received the great schema from Saint Barsanuphius and was buried in the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior. On October 4, 1595, the incorruptible relics of Saints Guriy and Barsanuphius were uncovered. Metropolitan Saint Hermogenes of Kazan (future Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, + 1613; Comm. 12 May) was present at their acquisition and described this event in the lives of the saints. On June 20, 1630, the relics of St. Gurias were transferred from the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior to the Cathedral of the Annunciation. Now they rest in the cemetery church in the name of the holy noble princes Theodore of Murom and his children David and Konstantin, in the city of Kazan.

The acquisition of the relics of St. Guriy, Archbishop of Kazan (+ 1563), and Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver (+ 1576), took place in Kazan, in 1595. During the construction of a new stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior, founded by St. Barsanuphius, coffins with the bodies of the saints were dug up near the altar wall of the former wooden church. The unusual appearance of imperishable coffins filled Saint Hermogenes (Comm. 17 February) with reverent audacity to open the coffins in front of a large gathering of people. St. Hermogenes himself describes this event in the following way: “We have seen a marvel, but we do not hope for it. For the saint’s cancer is full of the fragrant world, like pure water, the relics of St. Gurias are at the top of the world, like a lip I am shaking. God bestow incorruption on his honest and laborious body, as if even now it is seen by everyone. Only the upper lip touches corruption a little, but his other ribs are intact, unharmed by anything. With a touch, his funeral vestments and byakh are very strong. Then, having opened the cancer of the Monk Barsanuphius, I touch corruption at the feet of the monk, but either way the bones are not only not destroyed, but strong is strong and there is no weakness in the composition of the property, like Guria the hierarch. Many sick people were healed, having been anointed with holy ointment flowing from the relics of St. Gurias.

In the Icon-Painting Original, under October 4, it is said: "Guriy, in the likeness of a gray-haired, brad, like Basil of Caesarea, in a hat, in an omophorion, in the hands of the Gospel, the hierarch's robe. , omophorion and gospel".

In accordance with the report of the Archbishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash Veniamin (Novitsky; + October 14, 1976), His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, blessed the creation on the first Sunday after October 4 of the cathedral memory of all Kazan saints.

The transfer of the relics of St. Guriy, Archbishop of Kazan, from the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior to the Cathedral of Kazan took place in 1630.

Saint Barsanuphius

Days of Remembrance: April 11 , October 4

Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver, wonderworker of Kazan, was born around 1495 in the city of Serpukhov into the family of priest Vasily. At baptism, the baby was named John. Distinguished by diligence and understanding, the lad easily mastered reading and writing, mastered the reading of the Psalter and church singing to such an extent that he could not only read and sing himself, but also help others. In 1512, the Crimean Tatars, led by Akhmat Giray and Burnat Giray, went on a campaign against Ryazan, but “not succeeding in capturing the city of Ryazan”, they went through a quick and unexpected devastating raid along the banks of the Oka. Among many, John, at the age of seventeen, was taken into captivity. The youth had to endure a lot in captivity, but in severe trials, the faith of Christ, deeply rooted in the heart even in the parental home, bore fruit a hundredfold. Trusting in the Lord, the future saint prayed and sang psalms that came to mind, he lived as a novice lives in a monastery, imperceptibly learning obedience, gentleness and patience. John slept very little, hardly touched food, was distinguished by zeal and meekness, worked without questioning, and therefore won over even the hardened hearts of the Gentiles, who, involuntarily recognizing his merits, began to treat him softer and more condescendingly than with others. Gradually, thanks to his extraordinary abilities, he mastered the spoken Tatar language to such an extent that after two years he could not only speak well, but also write in Tatar. The captivity lasted three years. With great difficulty, having collected the necessary amount, the priest Vasily redeemed his son John from Tatar captivity. Blessed John returned home, but his heart had already cooled forever to fickle earthly joys and pleasures. According to the unshakable decision that had matured in the soul of the young man while still in captivity, he went to Moscow, where he received monastic tonsure at the Spassky Andronikov Monastery, giving God vows of virginity, obedience and non-acquisition. The newly tonsured monk was named Barsanuphius. With a strict and charitable life, monk Barsanuphius succeeded in deeds of virtue and prayer. St. Akakiy, Bishop of Tver (1522-1567), the younger brother of the Monk Joseph of Volotsk and a tonsuret of the Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery, a kind and pious archpastor, blessed by God with the gift of clairvoyance, visited the Andronikov Monastery. He repeatedly predicted to the Monk Barsanuphius, who was still in the rank of hierodeacon, that it was he who would one day become the successor of St. Akakiy at the Tver cathedra. Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow became aware of the virtuous and pious life of St. Barsanuphius, who elevated Saint Barsanuphius to the rank of abbot of the Nikolo-Peshnosha Methodius Hermitage, founded in 1461 by a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Methodius (Comm. 14 June) 15 versts from Dmitrov. In the old days, this desert was called "Nikola on Pesnusha." In 1553, on a pilgrimage (in gratitude for the miraculous deliverance from death) on the way to the Kirillov Belozersky Monastery, Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his family visited the Peshnosha monastery. He drew attention to an experienced mentor of monastic life, who had been in captivity and was versed in the Tatar language and customs. Therefore, when in 1555 a new diocese was opened in Kazan, together with St. Gury, the first archbishop of Kazan, St. Barsanuphius was sent to Kazan from the Peshnoshsky monastery in the rank of archimandrite to found a monastery there. On May 26, 1555, the primates of Kazan solemnly set off on their journey. From Moscow along the rivers Moscow, Oka and Volga, the journey to Kazan lasted two months. On Sunday, July 27, 1555, St. Guriy, with Abbot Varsonofn of Peshnoshsky and Abbot Herman of the Assumption Monastery of the Staritsa, arrived in Kazan. They were greeted with crosses and banners in the Kazan Cathedral of the Annunciation by the local clergy and population. Together with Saint Barsanuphius, monks, tonsurers of Peshnosha arrived in Kazan: Tikhon, Theodoret, Job, Andronik, Sylvester, as well as monk Simeon of the Andronikov Monastery. Already in the following year, 1556, the Monk Barsanuphius fulfilled the commission entrusted to him and established the Transfiguration Monastery in the Kazan Kremlin. He consecrated the first warm stone church in the monastery in the name of St. Nicholas the Ratny, and subsequently the main church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Secretly from everyone, he continued to wear chains to exhaust the flesh. The monastery soon became the center of the spiritual life of the former Tatar capital. A few years later, the number of monks in it reached one hundred people. Saint Barsanuphius converted the Tatars to the Orthodox faith, which was greatly facilitated by his excellent knowledge of the Tatar language. Thanks to the healing of various ailments, his name became known far beyond Kazan. And many sick people who came to him for healing were inclined to accept the Christian faith. Upon the death of Bishop Akakios of Tver ((1567), Saint Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, summoned Saint Barsanuphius to Moscow and elevated him to the rank of Bishop of Tver.

Saint Barsanuphius was a true lamp for his flock, not only with words, but with his whole being, indicating the saving path of Christ. Despite his high hierarchical rank, he continued to be a humble ascetic, as he was in the Peshnosha monastery and in Kazan. He spent his nights in prayer, his days in labor and care, resting, sewing klobuks and giving them to monks and bishops, and with unceasing prayer zealously healed the bodily and mental illnesses of those who turned to him. At that time, severe trials began for Russia - Tsar Ivan the Terrible, who wisely and piously ruled Russia, became a horror and a scourge for his subjects, planting the so-called "oprichnina". Tver did not belong to the oprichnina and therefore did not enjoy the favor of the king. With horror and indignation, St. Barsanuphius saw how his friend Herman, Archbishop of Kazan (Comm. 6 November), who had once enjoyed the respect of the tsar, was summoned from Kazan to Moscow to be elevated to the rank of metropolitan, but after reminding the tsar in quiet and meek words, that he would give an answer at the judgment of God for his cruelties, was expelled and died in captivity. Many terrible events passed before the eyes of Saint Barsanuphius during the four years of his hierarchical service. St. Barsanuphius deeply lamented for his flock. Feeling senile infirmity, in 1571 he retired to the monastery he founded in Kazan. He spent five years in the Transfiguration Monastery at rest, in prayer and solitude, where he received the great schema. When, due to weakness, he himself could not go to church, loving disciples helped him visit the temple of God, knowing his love for Divine services. Saint Barsanuphius died on April 11, 1576, and was buried in the Transfiguration Monastery by Archbishop Tikhon of Kazan. In 1595, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Job (1588-1607), a new church was built in this monastery in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. During the construction of the temple, the relics of Saints Gury and Varsonofy of Kazan were found.

Troparion to Guria, archbishop. Kazansky

The rule of faith and the image of chastity, /
teachers of good deeds /
and guide of salvation, the Lord give you /
to the newly enlightened city of Kazan, /
in it you acquired new people from the language /
and I brought you Christ. /
For this sake, in your memory joyfully descended, /
honestly celebrate your holy Assumption, /
you, our father, to the prelate of Christ Guria, /
pray to Christ God /
save our souls.

Troparion to Guria, archbishop. Kazansky and Barsanuphius, ep. Tverskoy (Finding of relics)

The first teacher before the dark, /
now to the bright and newly enlightened city of Kazan, /
the first herald of the path of salvation, /
the true guardians of the apostolic traditions, /
pillars of steadfastness, piety teacher /
and Orthodox mentor, Guria and Varsonofie, /
Pray to the Lord of all /
Grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.

Troparion Transfer of relics

Like fragrant krin, /
your myrrh-streaming relics /
from the garden to the Church of the Savior /
in the garden of the Church of the Theotokos honestly brought, /
Saint Guria, /
as if the gift is honest, /
having given you Christ the Most Pure Mother, /
and Her holy temple be filled with thy fragrance, /
and the bishop's throne rejoiced, /
received thee, his chief judge. /
Rejoice, then, the cathedral of the faithful with the saint and the clergy /
about the glorious healing of your relics, /
hedgehog we joyfully celebrating, we pray to you, /
God's servant: /
pray to Christ God /
give our souls peace and great mercy.

Rev. Paul the Simple, Bishop Barsanuphius Guriy of Tver and German archbishop. Kazansky, Prp. Evdokia

The biography of Saints Guriy and Barsanuphius was compiled by the Hieromartyr Patriarch Hermogenes.

Great people are surrounded by great co-workers; but from the holy people of God are made holy and those who labor with them. So it was with Saint Barsanuphius, a zealous collaborator of the first Kazan archpastor -. But it was not only the good influence of the High Hierarch of Kazan and the holy deed that they performed that made Barsanuphius a saint. In many ways, he owed his greatness to those sorrows that, by the will of God's Providence, he endured in his youth, and which made him the most precious for the Kazan flock, more than gold, the fire of foreboding.

The son of a poor priest of the city of Serpukhov (Moscow province), burdened with business, Varsonofy received the usual book education at that time by reading the Book of Hours, the Psalter, which served as his guide to church reading and singing.

Blessed Hermogenes, the compiler of the life of Barsanuphius, says that he is "gracefully dissatisfied with the divine voice," i.e. not only could he sing well himself, but he could also guide others to the consonant singing. And this was of great help to him; and even more than that, the prayerful mood of the spirit, which he took out from the reverent reading of the Book of Hours and the Psalter, “containing in itself, according to the word of St. Basil the Great, useful from all inspired books.

In 1512, the Crimean khans, having broken friendly relations with Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich, broke into Russian possessions with many evil Tatars, and, villainizing in every way, took many with them into captivity.

Among these unfortunates was the young Barsanuphius, John in the world. He was then about 17 years old. It was hard for him to live among completely strangers, and, moreover, evil enemies who spoke a different language and had a faith that inspires to look at Christians as worthy of the lowest contempt. It was here that the prayerful spirit that had been nurtured in him as early as adolescence turned out to be suitable for John. And here, for the first time, to the fullest extent, he used the Psalms he had memorized by heart, which “heal the old wounds of the soul, and the recently wounded are given speedy healing.” Shedding bitter tears, the young captive cried out to the Lord a thousand times with the words of the psalms: My God and protector of my salvation! Deliver me and rescue me from the hand of the sons of strangers. And God answered his prayers. At first, he sent him that spiritual consolation that prayer and solitude generally give, directed towards contemplation of God. Then such love for God flared up in him that, feeling its sweetness, he forgot both his parental home and the tender embrace of his father and mother, brothers and sisters. He completely surrendered to the will of God, and the Heavenly Father replaced everyone for him. Now he called out to Him: “Your fate is good! Blessed is the man, punish him. Let your will be done!” No longer burdened by bondage, he now tried to use his position worthily of the Lord, who arranged his fate in such a way. All the assignments that were assigned to him, he performed with the utmost zeal, as if working for the Lord Himself. And thus he became accustomed to unswerving obedience and exact fulfillment of the entrusted. The rude and careless attitude of the masters towards the powerless young captive taught him to be patient, meek, temperance and fasting. Working all day long, he would devote himself to the all-night prayer at night. And more and more comprehending the sweetness of total devotion to God, he took a vow of monasticism.

The Lord John, appreciating his kindness, resignation, zeal and fidelity, little by little lightened the burden of his labors and entered into a more trusting relationship with him.

This made it possible for the extremely capable and attentive John to thoroughly study the Tatar language, learn Arabic literacy and understand the law of their Mohammedan life, so that he soon "had completely learned the Besermen language and Saracen literacy." Now he, as a vessel of God, was completely filled with what was required in his future ministry. And so, the father of John, after three years, having learned about his place of stay in the Tatar land, came there, redeemed him and returned him to his house. John was glad for the parental home, for the caresses of his mother and loved ones, but even more he rejoiced when he received permission to fulfill the vow of monasticism. Arriving at the Moscow Androniev Monastery, he took tonsure here and was named Barsanuphius. In his monastic life, Barsanuphius followed the rules of St. Basil the Great, Ephraim the Syrian, Dorotheus, Isaac the Syrian and John of the Ladder.

Love for God, combined with contemplation of God and the presentation of God before oneself, cordial disposition towards the brethren, complete obedience to the rector, incessant transformation of oneself in the image of Christ, reading the Word of God, incessant observation of oneself, reflection on death and the vanity of earthly blessings, unceasing prayer, fasting and solitude - these are the guiding principles that Saint Barsanuphius kept in his life, following the instructions of the Holy Fathers of Ascetics. And “he walks his life well,” says the prologue. The fame of the strict, charitable life of monk Barsanuphius reached not only Metropolitan Macarius, but even the Sovereign Tsar John Vasilyevich himself.

In 1544, he was made abbot of the Pesnoshsky Monastery (Moscow Province, Klinsky Uyezd). In order to acquire the art of directing others to saving deeds, Barsanuphius indulged in even more fervent prayer, as well as exercise in reading the Word of God; and the Lord gave him special insight and wisdom, and therefore he "was quite a worthy shepherd of the sheep entrusted to him." After the conquest of Kazan, Tsar John Vasilyevich visited the monastery entrusted to Barsanuphius and was pleased with him.

When later they began to elect worthy employees to the first Kazan archbishop, St. Guriy, the tsar himself pointed to Herman (who was consecrated archimandrite of the Sviyazhsky monastery and later was the second archbishop of Kazan) and to Varsonofy, who was appointed archimandrite of the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior, which had only just been assumed to a dispensation in Kazan. Arriving in Kazan, Saint Barsanuphius immediately set about the work entrusted to him. In the afterword to the Church Charter, written by St. Barsanuphius himself, it is said: “and in Kazan a monastery was begun to be built, cells and a fence, and every building of the monastery by Archimandrite Barsanuphius, hedgehog with the brethren in Christ.” Almost all 6 people of the first Kazan monks were Pesnoshsky, who arrived together with Barsanuphius, and therefore their monastery charter was Pesnoshsky - written off from the charter of the Trinity Sergius Monastery. Soon the number of brethren increased to 100 people. This prompted Barsanuphius to fulfill his duties with even greater zeal and indefatigability. Seeing his holy life and hearing wise instructions, all the monastic brethren strove to become like him. And according to the chronicler, “many of them departed into the joy of the Lord,” evidence of which “the bodies serve as venerable incorruptibility” (acquired during the laying of the new Transfiguration Church). The holy life of Barsanuphius had a beneficial effect on many others, and even on Mohammedans and pagans. “Let the unbelievers come to the faith of Christ,” says Blessed Hermogenes about him. This conversion of Mohammedans and pagans was especially facilitated by the fact that he knew the Tatar language and all Mohammedan teachings and Tatar customs. Enlightened from above, Barsanuphius often "without quarreling with the infidels and reproaching them, and arguing, and leading to baptism, teaching and punishing to believe in the Holy Trinity." That's when those ways of God became completely visible, with which the Lord prepared Barsanuphius, through the Tatar captivity, for his great service with the light of Christian teaching. The fact that Barsanuphius knew the art of healing the sick contributed no little to the conversion of many to Christ. Patiently examining the sick who came to him, he pointed out to each one some special medicine and instructed everyone to turn to the All-Healer of the Lord, our Savior, and “in the name of the Lord, many who are sick in the body heal, not accepting bribes,” which, of course, aroused even more trust in him. To his teacher, the holy archpastor Guriy, the Monk Barsanuphius had the most heartfelt love. He willingly and faithfully fulfilled all his orders, and therefore Saint Guriy endowed him with the same love. He made him a participant in his secret thoughts and feelings regarding the better dispensation of the Kazan diocese; shared with him the hard time of his illness; before his death, he asked him to put on a schema, which Barsanuphius did; he also closed the eyes of his Master, which he always looked at with such love and a desire to fulfill everything that was silently, but clearly expressed in them, for in everything “without obeying the Monk Saint Guriy.”

After several years of zealous service to God and His holy Church in Kazan, Archimandrite Barsanuphius was appointed (in 1567) Bishop of Tver, in place of Saint Akakios, who had died in the Lord, who even during the time of hierodeaconry Barsanuphius predicted that he would take his place in Tver . Having become a bishop, Barsanuphius began to work even more on improving himself in all respects, most of all, “without pleasing God with fasting, and being in the all-night stand, offering prayer (constantly) to God!” In order not to be idle ever, he continued to write off useful books and make monastic hoods, and sent them to Kazan to the brethren of his monastery, asking for prayers for himself. In all matters of managing the flock, Saint Barsanuphius showed exemplary edification, for every word of his was full of spiritual wisdom and saving, “for to receive from God the grace of reasoning.” The time of his bishopric was a difficult time for all of Russia. The faithful Tsar John IV Vasilyevich, having become Terrible, established the oprichnina. Tver was not part of the reason. Saint Metropolitan Philip, who appointed Barsanuphius as bishop, tried to stop the Tsar, but he was exiled to the Tver Otroch Monastery. It was the same with Archbishop German of Kazan, appointed as his successor, who, together with Barsanuphius, arrived in Kazan and served here throughout the life of St. Gurias. The unexpected death of saints so close and dear to Barsanuphius's heart had a profound effect on him, depressing his already burdened life. To this was added a terrible disaster from hunger, as well as from a pestilence, from which countless people died suddenly; this disease was especially rampant in Moscow. The Tver flock was preserved from this infection by the prayers of its saint. While treating bodily illnesses, he also healed the spiritual ailments of his flock, and thereby removed the just wrath of God from them. When Barsanuphius was about 80 years old, he felt that he could no longer manage his flock, as his bodily strength noticeably weakened and his heart was weary from spiritual sorrows and striving for the complete perfection of an ascetic life. Having received a dismissal from managing the flock, Saint Barsanuphius arrived at the Savior-Transfiguration Convent in Kazan, which he had created, and put on the great angelic image, the schema, “applying work to work and pleasing God with fasting, prayer, almsgiving and standing all night.” When, due to illness, he could no longer stand at the service, he asked his disciples to carry themselves to the service in a cart, so as not to be deprived of the enjoyment of the common glorification of the Lord. Finally, old age exhausted the last of his strength. On April 11, 1576, foreseeing his death, he took communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and looking with love at the upcoming disciples, peacefully reposed in the Lord. The holy body of Barsanuphius was buried with honor by Archbishop Tikhon and laid not far from the altar of the cathedral monastery church, near the tomb of St. Gurias, with whom he was so close during his lifetime.

On October 4, 1595, his body was found incorruptible. Many different healings were obtained from him, and Saint Barsanuphius was numbered among the holy hierarchs and wonderworkers of Kazan. Praising the holy life of Barsanuphius and praising his great labors, the holy church sings to him:

Troparion of St. Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver

Herald of the path of salvation, / true guardian of the apostolic traditions, / unshakable pillar, piety teacher / and Orthodox mentor, St. Barsanuphius, / Lord of all moths / grant peace to the universe / and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion of St. Barsanuphius

Having enslaved the body to the spirit by continence, / you created the soul equal to the angel, / for this sake of hierarchy, you are honored with dignity, / you are purer than the purest. ,// praise and approval to our city of Kazan.

The Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior, founded by St. Barsanuphius, after him continued to beautify and grow, both in its buildings and in the number of the holy brethren.

According to the testimony of Patriarch Hermogenes, “the monastery created by the saint, until now we have been observed by God, grows younger and spreads, like a tree by the waters is blessed and good-fruited, the holy hierarchs and reverend monks bear imperishable fruit.”

In this monastery, during the creation of the stone church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the holy miraculous relics of St. Gurias and Barsanuphius were found. The relics of St. Gurias were transferred to the Kazan Cathedral, and the relics of St. Barsanuphius rested in the cathedral monastery church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, exuding many miracles of God's mercy to all who flowed with faith to the living source of grace. Together with these saints, the bodies of some of the first ascetics of the monastery were found incorruptible, but they remained at the place of their discovery, not yet revealed to the world. The monastery church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built in the likeness of the Cathedral Church of the Annunciation, but then it was modified with extensions and superstructures. Less modified is the refectory church in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, called Ratny, built by St. Barsanuphius himself.

Instead of the oldest one-day church of Saints Cyprian and Justinia, a new one was built - a stone one, and instead of the ancient temple on the gates (in the name of Macarius Kalyazinsky) a new one was built in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara. From St. Barsanuphius were preserved in the monastery: his rod, the church charter and the holy Gospel. In addition, one could see many ancient icons here (for example, Nikola Ratny, the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God), an erection cross upholstered with a bassman, a shroud decorated with pearls, a phelonion without a cut in front, a silver ladle and a dish - gifts from Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible. The Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior was governed by a vicar bishop of Kazan. To this monastery, in addition to some of the surviving gift estates, the Feodorovsky Monastery also belonged.