Sergiy Radonezhskiy (1314-1392)

### Best Known For

Being a spiritual leader, monastic reformer, and teacher of the faith in medieval Russia.

## About

Sergiy Radonezhskiy, also known as Saint Sergius of Radonezh, was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. He was born on May 3, 1314, in Rostov, Russia, and died on September 25, 1392, near Moscow, Russia. Saint Sergius of Radonezh was a Russian Orthodox monk whose spiritual doctrine and social programs made him one of Russia's most respected spiritual leaders. His monastery of the Trinity became the Russian centre and symbol of religious renewal and national identity. Saint Sergius of Radonezh is highly honoured by the Russian Orthodox Church and is considered a saint. Together with Seraphim of Sarov, he is one of the Russian Orthodox Church's most highly venerated saints. St. Sergius is the founder of Russian monasticism, and his spiritual influence shaped the mind of Christian Russia and continues through to the present. St. Sergius was known for his kindness and compassion towards animals. He regularly shared his food with a bear that visited his hut in the forest, even when he did not have much food himself. St. Sergius believed that it was better for him to go hungry than to offend the bear by dismissing him without eating.

## Early Life and Education

Sergiy Radonezhskiy was born in the village of Varnitsy near Rostov on May 3, 1314. At the age of seven, his parents gave him to study literacy. At first, the training was difficult for him, but gradually he studied the Holy Scripture and became interested in the church. From the age of twelve, Bartholomew began to fast strictly and prayed a lot.

## Career

Sergiy Radonezhskiy's career was focused on being a spiritual leader, monastic reformer, and teacher of the faith in medieval Russia. He founded the Holy Trinity Monastery and was highly venerated as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.

## Filmography

A full-length animated film entitled “The Forgotten Miracle” about Sergius of Radonezh is set to be released on July 16, 2022, in Russian, in honour of the 600th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

## Awards and legacy

Sergiy Radonezhskiy is highly venerated as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church and is commemorated on October 8th (September 25th, old style). In addition, the Order of Saint Sergiy of Radonezh is awarded by the Russian Orthodox Church to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of dialogue between religions and the construction of prayer houses for various confessions, including mosques, synagogues, and Russian Orthodox churches. There are also several animated films about Sergiy Radonezhskiy, including “Sergiy Radonezhsky: The Legend of the Miracle Worker” and “The Forgotten Miracle”.

## Quotes

St. Sergius of Radonezh is known for the following quote: "If you want to serve God, prepare your heart not for food, not for drink, not for rest, not for ease, but for suffering, so that you may endure all temptations, trouble, and sorrow. Prepare for severities, fasts, spiritual struggles and many afflictions, for 'by many afflictions is it appointed for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven' (Acts 14,22); 'The Heavenly Kingdom is taken by force, and who use force seize it.' (Matt 11:12)”.

## See also

Some related topics to Sergiy Radonezhskiy are:

* Seraphim of Sarov, who is also considered one of the most revered saints in the Russian Orthodox Church.
* The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery, which was founded by Sergiy Radonezhskiy and embodies his blessed precepts.
* The Mother of God to St. Sergius, a famous icon depicting the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh.

## References

1. https://cerebrohq.com/en/2015/03/12/da\_studio\_usercase/
2. https://en.home-task.com/biography-of-sergiy-radonezhsky/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergius\_of\_Radonezh
4. https://orthochristian.com/146964.html
5. https://orthodoxchurchquotes.wordpress.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-sergius-of-radonezh/
6. https://orthodoxwiki.org/Sergius\_of\_Radonezh
7. https://orthodoxyforkids.blogspot.com/2014/09/st-sergius-wonderworker-of-radonezh.html
8. https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Sergius\_of\_Radonezh/
9. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sergius-of-Radonezh
10. https://www.orth-transfiguration.org/st-sergius-radonezh-1314-1392/
11. https://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-sergius-of-radonezh/
12. https://www.pravmir.com/article\_386.html
13. https://www.rbth.com/history/335959-sergius-radonezh-russian-saint
14. https://www.smp.org/resourcecenter/resource/7342/
15. https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/russian-orthodox-church-honors-alexander-machkevitch