Sergius of Radonezh

Our venerable father Sergius of Radonezh was a leading Russian monk in the fourteenth century who founded the Holy Trinity monastery north of Moscow. He is much revered and has a special place in Russian monasticism and the nation of Russia. An ascetic, he was deeply humble and had a firm faith in God's help. After his glorification the monastery he founded became known as the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.
==Life==
Sergius Radonezhsky (Russian: Сергий Радонежский) was born into a boyar family near Rostov. The date of his birth is unknown, and three different years are presumed as his birth year (1314, 1319, or 1322). His birthdate is traditionally held on May 3, and he is recognized with the name Bartholomew. To his parents, Kyril and Maria, he was the second of three brothers, Stephen being the eldest and Peter the youngest. Because the family became impoverished when Kyril was dispossessed of his properties under Grand Duke Ivan Danilovich of Moscow, they moved to the village of Radonezh around 1328. As Bartholomew grew up, his ability to learn did not match that of his brothers. Then one day he met an old monk who, after Bartholomew explained his difficulties, gave Bartholomew a small piece of communion bread with the blessing, "Take and eat it, this is given to you as a sign of God's grace and for understanding of the Scriptures". From that meeting on Bartholomew found his lessons easier.
In 1334, after the death of his parents, Bartholomew moved to Khotkovo near Moscow, joining his widowed older brother Stephen. In 1337, he was tonsured a monk with the name Sergius and was ordained to the priesthood. In seeking a more secluded place, he and his brother found such a place in the deep forest near the Marovets hill and built a small cell and a simple chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This was 1340. The brothers lived a secluded life in the forest, and in time Stephen found the life of seclusion difficult and left Sergius to live in Epiphany monastery in Moscow. With the departure of his brother Sergius lived alone for a number of years. The wild animals seemed to recognize him as packs of wolves and bears would come to his hut but would not harm him. One bear came to his hut to share Sergius' last piece of bread with him. Gradually people learned of Sergius and approach him for spiritual guidance. Soon, the cell grew to a small hermitage of twelve monks. The hermitage of the Holy Trinity soon became the spiritual center that eventually became the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra (Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra).
As the monastery grew, a difference of opinions grew among the monks as to whether to continue the hermitage type of life or to introduce a communal life style that Sergius favored. As the differences of opinion grew, Serguis decided to start another monastery near Makrish rather than quarrel over the issue. After his departure the original monastery began to decline, and after four years the monks at Holy Trinity begged Sergius to return.
As Holy Trinity monastery grew, Sergius began to send his disciples to spread the Gospel to the natives across central and northern Russia during the reign of Dmitri Ivanovich called Donskoy. The number of monasteries founded by these disciples approached 400, established in the most impractical places. These included the monasteries of Borisoglebsky near Rostov, Ferapontov, Kyrillo-Belozersky, Golutvin in Kolomna, and Pokrovsky near Borovsk. All these monasteries formed links of a new country centered around Moscow. As the commerce centering on Holy Trinity monastery increased a settlement was formed at the monastery gates that grew into the town of Sergiev Posad.
The news of his life and works of wonder spread far and wide. The Patriarch of Constantinople, Philotheus sent him a charter confirming the new rules of community cloister life established by Sergius at the Holy Trinity Monastery. Metr. Alexis of Moscow honored Sergius as a friend and entrusted him in the tasks of reconciling differences among the princes of Moscow and Russia. He wished to honor Sergius with the award of a gold cross, and even offered in 1378 to make Sergius his successor as metropolitan of Moscow. But, these honors did not fit with Sergius' ascetic life, and he refused both.
In the Russian struggles with the Tatar Khan Mamai, Sergius blessed the Prince Dimitri Ivanovich as he departed for battle in 1380 with the words, "Go fearless prince and believe in God's help". Dimitri's victory at the Battle of Kulikovo was decisive in the history of Russia.
In time his monastery became among the most renowned in Russia.
Sergius died on September 25, 1392. He was glorified as a saint in 1452. He is commemorated by the church on September 25, the date of his death and on July 5, the day his relics were found.
==Legacy==
Sergius has held a special place in the history of Russian monasticism. His community at Holy Trinity served as the model of secluded ascetic life organized as communities outside the limits of towns and cities. He himself was a model of asceticism. While not a learned man nor a great preacher, he was a man committed to poverty and utter sincerity. He was deeply humble and had a staunch faith in God's help. He committed to giving help to all who sought his help with loving attention. He was a true leader who led his monks in work and service by setting an example. He established a number of monastery schools and taught farmers better methods of farming.
In view of the stature of his place among Russian saints, he has been honored by adding his name to the monastery he founded: Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
==See also==
*Mahātmā Morya
==External links==
*Wikipedia:Sergius of Radonezh
*Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
*Saint Sergius of Radonezh
*From the Lives of the Saints compiled by St. Dmitri of Rostov
*Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh
fr:Serge de Radonège
ro:Serghie de Radonej
Category:Saints
Category:Russian Saints
Category:Priests
Category:Wonderworkers