Why venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker? What needs to be done before venerating the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - Archpriest Chaplin. Meeting with a Saint

In order to have time to venerate the relics, you must get in line before it closes at 18:00. With the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, everyone who managed to get in line will go to the relics on this day.

“Being in line is a given that can bring spiritual benefits to the pilgrim. Don’t waste your time: take with you the text of the akathist to St. Nicholas, a prayer book, and the Gospel. While you are waiting, you are already doing work to get closer to the Saint, and he sees and hears you, rejoices in your love and faith. Already in line on the embankment, you can read the akathist, pray in your own words and ask for those who are dear to you and for yourself. As experience shows, time will pass faster, and you will have time to thoughtfully ask for everything and everyone,” the Church encourages.

The queue runs along the embankment of the Moscow River, it is protected by a fence and divided into sections. This allows people not to stand behind each other and not to rush: when moving from compartment to compartment, it does not matter whether you are at the beginning of the group or at the end.

“While you are in the compartment, you can sit down in the bus specially parked here and lean on the embankment fence. Some take folding chairs and foam mats with them,” the message says.

Visitors to the Temple must wear a cross on their chest.

“It is desirable that clothing correspond to the traditions of Christian piety: for women - a headscarf (cap, hat - it doesn’t matter), a skirt below the knees, covered shoulders. Men have covered shoulders and knees. However, no special control is carried out in this regard; everyone is allowed to see the relics,” the Church warns, but they note that “if you come to venerate the shrine and are not dressed in accordance with the canons given above, ask God for forgiveness and go boldly to the temple.”

If the day is sunny, you should take a hat or panama hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with you.

“Due to the capricious nature of this summer, do not forget an umbrella or raincoat or windbreaker. Dress appropriately in cold weather. If necessary, take with you the medications that you regularly take,” the message says.

To ensure safety, we do not allow entry into the queue with liquids in glass containers, flammable liquids (including perfumes and deodorants), or sharp objects.

“If you go to have a kiss with children, think about what to do with them while they wait. The baby cannot remain in prayerful concentration for a long time or simply wait. It is important that the pilgrimage remains in his memory as a bright, good milestone in his life. Take a book, a notepad with pencils for your child. Prepare it: retell the life of St. Nicholas, explain what is happening. Explain what he sees in the church: who the priests are, why they wear such vestments, who is depicted on the icons,” the Church advises.

You should be prepared for the fact that the relics are applied very quickly.

“This is justified: if you give each pilgrim at least two to three seconds more time, the queue for others will last twice as long. That is why it is worth devoting time to prayer while waiting in line. If you want to attach icons or a body image to the relics of St. Nicholas, take them in your hand in advance and apply them to the side of the ark in which the relics rest, at the moment when you yourself apply your lips to its upper part,” the message says.

It is better to write notes for the prayer service performed by the clergy at the relics of St. Nicholas in advance (at home or while standing in line). You can submit them in the Temple - the points for accepting notes and selling candles are located in such a way that you can approach them both before and after worship.

This article contains: prayer at the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker - information taken from all over the world, the electronic network and spiritual people.

How to ask St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for help? How to pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Not being able to go on a pilgrimage to Italy, to the relics of the righteous, you can ask him for help in any temple, at home. Before praying to him for help, you should thank the saint for all the good things in life - life itself, family, work, success, etc. A huge number of people all over the world every second read a prayer of gratitude to God, the saints, including Nicholas the Wonderworker, which they hear. By joining it, everyone will be heard.

It is important to remember that Nicholas the Wonderworker was a man, and the miracles that he showed to the world were performed by the Lord through him. When praying, you need to turn, first of all, to Him.

After saying a prayer of gratitude, you can ask a righteous person for help. He will hear the appeal to him and will help only if the person praying is sincere in his faith. During prayer, you need to look at the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and mentally release your prayer into the vastness of the Universe.

How to ask St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for a difficult wish. Prayer to Nicholas the Pleasant that changes fate

If you ask a saint for something difficult, important, or something that takes a long time to wait for, you should read a prayer to the righteous person that changes fate. This must be done daily for 40 days. If you miss at least one day for any reason, you need to start counting the days again.

Having placed the image of the saint on the table (it must be clean), you need to light a candle and say the prayer three times:

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker to attract your love for marriage

Girls who want God to give them a meeting with their betrothed and marriage read the following prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker:

Read other articles about Christmas, the life and miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker HERE.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas is one of the most revered saints in Rus'. The miracles associated with his name have no boundaries. He helped people during his life, and he helps after death. A huge number of believers found their salvation and healing thanks to their fervent prayers offered in his honor.

Life of Saint Nicholas

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born in 234 AD in the city of Patara, which was located on the territory of the former Lycia (modern Turkey). From an early age he never ceased to amaze his parents. So, during baptism, not yet able to walk, Saint Nicholas stood in the font on his small legs for about three hours.

Parents Feofan and Nonna were rich, pious people and could not have children for a long time. The prayers did their job, and God sent them a son, whom they named Nikolai. All his life he gravitated towards religion, fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, avoided idleness, social life, temptations and women. His uncle, the bishop of the city of Patara, seeing such piety, advised his parents to send Nicholas to worship, which they did.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker had fabulous knowledge and had a good education. At the end of his studies, he went to Jerusalem to venerate the shrines, after which he made a firm decision to devote his life to the Lord.

Having received the priesthood, Nicholas the Wonderworker remained in constant prayer and fasting, and lived without excesses. Soon his uncle, Bishop Nicholas, entrusted him with the management of the church. After the death of his parents, he directed all the inheritance he received to help those in need. After some time, Saint Nicholas decides to leave such a life and go to an unfamiliar place where he could serve people. To do this, he moves to the city of Mira. Nobody knows him there, and he lives here in poverty and prayers. The hero of our story finds shelter in the house of the Lord. At this time, the bishop of this city, John, dies. To elect a worthy candidate to this throne, the clergy relied on God’s will, which fell on Nicholas the Pleasant.

These times were famous for the persecution of Christians, and Blessed Nicholas was their leader, ready to suffer for the faith. For this he was captured and imprisoned along with other believing brothers. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker spent a long time in prison until Emperor Constantine, who ascended the throne, freed all Christians. The city of Myra joyfully met its former shepherd.

The great saint of God lived for many years. Throughout his life, he helped people in word, deed and thought. The saint gave blessings, healed, protected and performed a great many pious deeds.

Feast of St. Nicholas

On December 19, the Russian Orthodox Church accepts congratulations on St. Nicholas Day, because he is one of the most revered saints. He has long been considered an intercessor and comforter, an assistant in sorrowful matters. Saint Nicholas is the patron of travelers and sailors. After all, while he was making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the sea became raging and the sailors asked him to pray for their salvation. Saint Nicholas, thanks to his heartfelt prayer, calmed the raging sea.

Other people also receive help from him, to whom he gives hope and helps in troubles. The saint did not refuse either a Christian or a pagan, he confessed everyone, and helped them take the true path.

Nikolai Ugodnik performed many pious deeds. And he was always helped by uncontrolled, strong and zealous prayer to God. The saint died at the end of the 4th century after a short illness, already at a very advanced age. And his relics have been kept in the Italian city of Bari since 1087.

The Orthodox Church annually sends congratulations on St. Nicholas Day to thousands of believers on December 19, and also honors the memory of the saint of God with special hymns on Thursdays.

About prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker

The prayer to Saint Nicholas is the most read in Orthodoxy. After all, the Wonderworker has been helping believers for thousands of years. Prayers to God's saint do not go unheeded. They ask him about children, travelers, marriage of daughters. They call on him when there is hunger in the house, to protect the innocently convicted.

There is no special list of appeals by which you can turn to the saint for help. He helps everyone in any difficult everyday situations.

You need to pray when your soul and heart want it. It is correct to pray twice a day: morning and evening. The most blessed and heartfelt prayer sounds at dawn, when everyone is still sleeping. Before going to bed, holy words calm the soul and set the mood for a good, restful sleep. You should not limit yourself to prayers at home. You should at least sometimes visit church and light a candle to your favorite saint there. There are 7 main prayers to St. Nicholas.

Akathist to Nikolai Ugodnik

Undoubtedly, prayers are strong and effective, and miracles and changes in life truly happen when you read the akathist to St. Nicholas. The words contained in it reflect favorably not only on your life situation, but also help improve your financial situation, get a good position without cronyism or money, open your own thriving business, get married, conceive and give birth to a long-awaited child, and overcome a serious illness.

The akathist is read for 40 days in a row and always while standing. To do this, place the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in front of you, light a candle and begin prayer. You should try not to miss a single day, otherwise you will have to start all over again.

But this is not an obligatory ritual; you can and should always contact Saint Nicholas:

when visiting church;
at home in front of the icon;
directly confronted with a difficult situation.

There is one case that passes from mouth to mouth. One very careless student, having not learned the theory properly, went to take the exam and suffered a complete fiasco. Of the three tickets that were offered to him, he did not know any of them, as a result he was given a two. Frustrated, he left the office and began to pray to Nikolai Ugodnik. The saint helped him. After some time, the teacher came out and said that he had mistakenly put a high mark on the report, and he should learn the subject and come to it again. The student not only went to church and lit a candle for the saint, but also passed the exam brilliantly.

Holy places named after St. Nicholas

The love of the people and actions that cannot be forgotten led to the fact that a number of holy places were named in honor of St. Nicholas. These include the Church of St. Nicholas, located in Demre, in Turkey. This is a significant building of Byzantine architecture in the East. It was erected at the beginning of the 6th century. At this site, before the construction of the church, there was a temple of the goddess Artemis. The venerable age of the building, ancient wall frescoes and icons, paintings, stone mosaics - all this makes the temple unique and the place amazing. Saint Nicholas was originally buried here, but fearing robbery from the Seljuk Turks, Italian merchants stole his relics and transported them to Italy, to the city of Bali, where they are still located.

Another church named after St. Nicholas is located in Athens. The exact date of its appearance is unknown, but the temple was restored in 1938. An old fresco has been preserved here in some places. All artistic work was carried out by the famous artist Fotis Kondoglu. A piece of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is kept in the temple.

In Russia, the Church of St. Nicholas is located in Klenniki in Moscow. It dates back several centuries. The temple was erected on the site of an old wooden church in the 15th century. It remained closed for sixty years (from 1932 to 1990). At this time, the temple was destroyed and was used as a warehouse for household needs. But, thanks to the efforts of believers, the church found its rebirth and began to shine with its domes. Currently, a piece of the relics of God's saint Nicholas is kept here.

Monastery of St. Nicholas

There is also a convent of St. Nicholas. It is located on the island of Cyprus. There is a legend that tells of a terrible drought in the 4th century. At this time, the territory of the island was attacked by snakes. There were so many of them that the holy Queen Helen, who was the mother of Constantine the Great, went in search of the Cross of the Lord and found it, and visited the island upon her return home. Returning to her hometown, she immediately ordered that thousands of cats be sent to Cyprus to fight poisonous reptiles, and nuns were to look after them. A small monastery was built especially for them and named after St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors.

The monastery is still in operation, with six nuns living there and many cats that they care for. Therefore, the monastery is often called simply a cat monastery.

Icon of St. Nicholas

Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints, and an icon with his face is present in every home of believers. It has long been considered a unique thing, because the icon painter, through painting, tried to convey the inner world of the saint, his essence, so that through it a person could establish a connection with God.

The appearance of St. Nicholas not only helps to pray, but also protects the house, makes sure that the people living in it do not experience need, hunger, and it also brings prosperity.

The saint is depicted in:

a half-length image, where the right hand blesses and the left holds the Gospel;
full growth, the right hand is raised for blessing, the left one holds the closed Gospel. In this pose he is depicted together with other saints, depicted in full growth;
the appearance of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisky, where he holds a sword in his right hand and a fortress in his left, as if showing that he is the defender of believers;
hagiographic icons. Here the image of the saint is supplemented with 12, 14, 20 and 24 marks, which indicate events in the life of St. Nicholas;
iconographic images. This is the Mother of God with specially selected saints, the Nativity of St. Nicholas, the Transfer of Relics.

The appearance of St. Nicholas makes a different impression on each person. Some see him as a savior, others as an assistant, and others as a mentor. The meaning of the icon is precisely to convey a certain image of holiness, which affects people no worse than a talisman. The effectiveness will be several times stronger if you say a prayer.

Placing icons in the house

The icon of St. Nicholas the Pleasant should not only be kept in the house, it is also important to place it correctly. The iconostasis, as a rule, is located in the east, but if the eastern corner is occupied, then the icons can be placed in any free place.

When placing the iconostasis, the following principles should be taken into account:

In the very center there should be an icon of the Savior (Savior Not Made by Hands, Savior Almighty and other images), it should also be the largest icon.
To the left of Jesus Christ should be the image of the Mother of God with the Child.
No icons should hang above the images of the Savior and the Virgin Mary, with the exception of the Trinity icon or the crucifix.
All other icons are selected based on the personal preferences of the Christian.
Each iconostasis should contain icons of St. Nicholas, Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov, St. George the Victorious, healer Panteleimon, Guardian Angel, as well as baptismal icons with the names of saints that a person bears.
It is recommended to hang icons in the kitchen or living room, but if this is not possible, you can place them in the bedroom.
You cannot hang icons next to paintings or images of ordinary people.
The iconostasis should be located in the most secluded place, away from the TV, computer and other entertainment equipment.

It doesn’t matter where the icons are or how many there are in the house, the most important thing is to pray to the revered saints regularly. After all, an icon is a connection with God, through which special grace is transmitted.

Relics of Nicholas the Ugodnik

The life of St. Nicholas is full of noble deeds, which is why, most likely, God gave him many years of life, because he died at 94 years old. At the moment, his relics, or rather, the main part of them, are kept by the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, located in the Italian city of Bari. Many temples are named in honor of the Pleasant, and in some of them the remaining parts of his relics are kept. They have a beneficial and healing effect on people who venerate them, healing the body and calming the soul.

In 2005, English scientists tried to recreate his image using the saint’s skull. They noticed that he had a heavy build and a height of about 1 m 68 cm. He had a high forehead, and his cheekbones and chin stood out sharply on his face. He had brown eyes and dark skin.

Modern miracles

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker worked miracles before, and he continues to perform them to this day. So, one day a group of schoolchildren went on a hike. They began to go down the water in kayaks. The boat overturned, everyone was saved, but not immediately. The youngest member of the group had a picture of St. Nicholas. According to him, it was this that helped him escape.

Another man was unemployed for a long time. He shared his problem with the priest during confession, who, in turn, suggested praying to St. Nicholas the Pleasant at the icon. The next day, an acquaintance offered the man a position in a company. It would seem nonsense, but there are thousands of similar stories. For some people, after prayer, a previously unyielding lock miraculously opens; for others, the sun suddenly appears during rain, wind and bad weather; others receive healing and continue on their way.

Therefore, pray and you will be heard, ask and you will be rewarded.

Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: how do they help, what is it?

A sensational event in Moscow is the arrival of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, accompanied by special honors and corresponding excitement around it. But not all Orthodox Christians know what the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are and how they can help? For those who are interested, we invite you to understand the material from rrnews.ru with us.

Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: how do they help?

In Orthodoxy, Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the most revered saint. Both ordinary people and scientists turn to him with requests and prayers. There are even cases where even Muslims or Buddhists turned to the saint.

Saint Nicholas, like no one else, was familiar with a wide variety of human troubles. At the same time, he always came to the aid of people in difficult situations that seemed hopeless to them. For his many good deeds he was nicknamed the miracle worker.

Many Christians know that if they just pray to St. Nicholas and tell him about their illnesses or difficulties in the family, a miracle can happen. And there is no need to talk about the miracle of touching the relics of the Saint.

Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of sailors and travelers, and also protects children. Orthodox mothers, sending their child to kindergarten or school, ask the saint to look after him. If a difficult situation happened to a child and he began to take alcohol or drugs, then in this case they also appeal to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with pleas for help.

Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: how do they help, what is it?

The relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept in Italy, in the city of Bari. Many Christians who come there specifically talk about healing miracles that happen right there.

Currently, the relics of St. Nicholas are located in Moscow, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. They are available for visiting from May 22 to July 12. Every day there is a huge queue to see the relics. But pilgrims who managed to get to the relics say that the wait for the long line was worth it.

How should one address Nicholas the Wonderworker? What prayers?

Nicholas the Wonderworker is called: Mentor, Holy Wonderworker, Intercessor, Saint of God. As for prayers, here they are:

“Our mentor and great intercessor, Father Nikolai! Accept my prayer, from the bottom of my sinful heart, protect me and my loved ones from outside evil and from my foolishness. Teach me how to do the right thing in this situation (…). In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

“St. Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra, help me cope with my mental weakness - get rid of sadness and melancholy, do not let me fall into the grave sin of despondency, teach me to enjoy life at any moment, not to lose faith in the mercy of the Lord and your intercession. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

The relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - how do they help and how to venerate them?

One of the most important helpers for believers is Nicholas the Savior, who during his lifetime answered the requests of those in need. After his death, people pray in front of his image, and the main place of pilgrimage is the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. You can ask the saint for solutions to various problems.

How were the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker obtained?

After his death, the saint was buried in a city called Mira. At that time, there were wars in these lands and people tried to leave the cities, moving to more secluded areas in the city. The Barians decided to take advantage of this, wanting to obtain the relics of the saint, since in their city he was considered the main patron. In the history concerning how the relics of Nicholas were obtained, it is stated that in 1097 a detachment attacked the temple and stole most of the relics of the saint. According to the new style, the relic was delivered to the city of Bari on May 9.

Where are the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker?

After the theft of the remains in the city of Mira, some of the relics remained, but they also did not remain in their homeland and were stolen. As a result, they ended up on the Lido Island in Venice. The main part of the saint's remains are in Bari. After transportation, the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were located in the local Cathedral, and after a while a temple was built, which received its name in honor of the saint. In 1989, the shrine was placed in an underground chapel in the Basilica. Every year, clergy collect myrrh from the relics, dilute it with holy water and distribute it to pilgrims.

How do the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker help?

The saint helps people in different situations, so near his relics you can ask for many things:

He is the patron saint of wanderers and sailors, so if loved ones are on the road, then you can ask the Wonderworker for their well-being and successful return home.
Worship of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker can be done in order to protect children from problems, strengthen their health and direct them on the righteous path.
The saint is an assistant in reconciling warring people.
Single girls and boys turn to the Miracle Worker to help them find their soulmate and find family happiness.
There is much evidence that the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were cured of various diseases.
The saint helps people who want to improve and take the righteous path. Relatives pray for innocently convicted people, asking for their release.

How to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker correctly?

Sometimes the relics are transported to other churches so that believers in other cities can venerate the shrine. There are certain rules that apply to visiting the temple in which the relic is located. Use the following tips on how to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker:

After a person enters the temple, he must be filled with deep faith. The relic must be approached without haste. It is important to remember that this is a holy place, so there is no need to jostle.
Before venerating the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, approaching the ark, mentally read the prayer addressed to the saint.
In front of the shrine, bow to the waist twice, crossing yourself. After this, you can venerate the relics, and then step aside and cross yourself a third time and bow.
The pilgrimage to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has not stopped for a long time and people from different parts of the world come to the relic, although worship does not take a few seconds.

What do they ask from the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker?

If a person managed to touch the relic, then he can ask for the most cherished things, for example, healing, the birth of a child, searching for a job, marriage, and so on. It is important that veneration of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is accompanied by sincere prayers, and every word must be spoken from a pure heart. The clergy claim that the saint helps everyone who deserves it, but first of all, you need to pray that he will help you enter the eternal kingdom of the Lord.

How to pray to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker?

When visiting the temple where the relic is located, you must read a special prayer addressed to the saint. There are several prayer texts and all of them are allowed for use. A visit to the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is an important event in the life of believers, so it is recommended to memorize the text. There are short prayers and one of them is presented above. After visiting the temple, it is recommended to pray in front of the image of the holy house.

Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - miracles

There are many stories that prove God's strength and power of the relic, so a huge number of believers seek to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in order to experience all the benefits.

When the second part of the relics was taken from the city of Myra, the bishop placed a palm branch next to them, which was brought from Jerusalem. After some time, people noticed that she was running away.
Pilgrims come to the shrine with terrible diagnoses, for example, many women dreamed of having a child, but doctors spoke of infertility, and a year after the veneration of the relics, women came to the temple again to baptize their babies. There is evidence of the healing of cancer and other serious diseases.

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People noticed that the remains of deceased saints remain incorruptible. This is a manifestation of God's will and a sign of His special favor. Therefore, they began to preserve the remains so that people could venerate them with faith for consolation and prayer.

Among Christians there were and are people who lead righteous, holy lives. Such people in Christianity began to be called saints.

The Lord, through the prayers of the saints, helps people, even after their death. The saints constantly pray for us before the Throne of God.

The origins of the tradition of venerating holy relics are found in the Bible

To find the roots of the cult of veneration of relics, let us turn to the Bible.

There is a duality in the Old Testament. On the one hand, he has a negative attitude towards the remains of dead bodies:

Whoever touches the dead body of any person will be unclean for seven days.

However, at the same time, the Old Testament describes the case of the resurrection of a person through touching the remains of a righteous man:

(2 Kings 13:21)

And it came to pass that when they were burying one man, when they saw this horde, those who were burying them threw that man into the tomb of Elisha; and when he fell, he touched the bones of Elisha, and came to life, and rose to his feet.

The New Testament mentions healing with things taken from the dead:

(Acts 19:12)

So they put handkerchiefs and aprons from his body on the sick, and their illnesses stopped, and evil spirits came out of them.

The Apostle Paul points to the presence of God in every person:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own?

The apocryphal Book of Solomon says:

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and torment will not touch them.

Apocrypha - a church book not recognized by the official church

The cult of veneration of relics developed by the 8th century. through the efforts of the Church Fathers

The cult of veneration of relics was developed in the works of the Church Fathers.

Basil the Great wrote: “Whoever touches the bones of a martyr receives some message of sanctification through the grace that dwells in the body of the martyr.”

John Chrysostom wrote:

“... just as the imperial crown, decorated on all sides with precious stones, gives off a varied shine, so the bodies of the holy martyrs, speckled as if with precious stones, with wounds raised for the Lord, are more precious and more venerable than any imperial crown.”

“...the sight of one garment of the dead or one word reproduced in thought often encourages the soul and revives the weakening memory. That’s why God gave us the remains of the saints!”

John of Damascus, in his “Accurate Exposition of the Orthodox Faith,” devoted an entire chapter to an analysis of the veneration of relics. He writes about the saints: “These have become the inner dwellings of God and His pure abiding places, for, says God, I will dwell in them and walk around, and I will be their God.”

“According to the law, anyone who touched a dead thing was called unclean, but these are not dead. For after He who is life itself, the Author of life, has been counted among the dead, we do not call those who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and with faith in Him dead. For how can a dead body work miracles?”

“The Lord Christ gave us the relics of the saints as saving springs, which exude manifold blessings and pour out fragrant myrrh... Through the relics of the saints, demons are cast out, diseases are repelled, the weak are healed, the blind receive their sight, lepers are cleansed, temptations and sorrows cease, and every good gift from the Father of lights descends on those who ask with undoubted faith"

Ephraim the Syrian writes in “A Word to All Martyrs”:

“The dead act as if they were alive, heal the sick, cast out demons, and by the power of Christ remove all obscene power, for in the holy remains there is always the grace of the Holy Spirit, performing all miracles in them.”

As a result, the dogma on the veneration of relics was adopted at the VIII Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, along with the dogma on the veneration of icons.

The relics are kept in the temple in specially equipped places

Holy relics are stored in different ways:

In crayfish. Rak - a box with holy relics, usually made in the form of a coffin. Crayfish are installed in temples and monasteries.

The crayfish of especially revered saints are made of expensive materials and richly decorated.

If the reliquary is not opened for worship, then it is said to be kept “under cover.”

In the arks. A small box for relics is called an ark. Reliquaries can have several compartments - then the relics of different saints can be placed in it.

They try to make reliquaries from expensive and reliable materials and richly decorate them.

The relics in the reliquary are placed under the altar of the temple during consecration. In this case, they read the prayer: “The Lord Himself, the Giver of good things, through the prayers of the saints, You have favored them with the position of their relics in this honorable altar of Thy existence, grant us the uncondemned bloodless sacrifice to Thee on it.”

In reliquaries. Reliquary is a general name for anyone used to store relics. Usually, a reliquary is understood as a pectoral cross with particles of relics that protects the person wearing it.

A reliquary in the shape of a cross is called an encolpion.

In reliquaries. A reliquary is an exquisitely crafted and richly decorated reliquary, usually made in the shape of a church. Reliquaries became widespread in Catholic countries.

To properly venerate the relics of saints, you must follow several rules

The rules for correct application to relics are extremely simple:

Before the saint’s shrine, one must make two prostrations to the ground;
After bowing, you must cross yourself;
After crossing yourself, you can touch the shrine containing the relics;
If the relics are open, you can venerate your arm or leg, but not your face;

You cannot touch the face of a saint - in the Orthodox Church such an act is considered insolence.

While applying, one must mentally turn to the saint and ask for help;
After applying, you need to cross yourself, bow and move away from the shrine.

A prayer to the saint is read at the relics

There are no special prayers to be read before the relics. They read a prayer to the saint whose relics the person wants to venerate. Prayer is not read at the relics out of respect for other people - after all, when the holy relics are brought, a line of believers line up to them, who want to venerate and receive divine grace.

Often, instead of relics, they are applied to the icon of a saint

The holy relics themselves are not always discovered for application. This is done for their better preservation. In this case, people venerate the icon of the saint. There is nothing wrong with this - the Lord will hear and help if the one who turns to him believes and is pure in soul.

To venerate the relics of Matrona, people stand in line for a long time

In Russia, the cult of veneration of relics is extremely widely developed. The relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow are especially widely revered.

Matrona, who went blind early, became famous during her lifetime as a healer and fortuneteller. The Lord gave her the strength and opportunity to help people.

The miraculous relics are kept in the Intercession Monastery in Moscow. It is located at st. Taganskaya, 58. You can visit the monastery every day, and getting to it is not difficult: you need to take the metro to the Marksistskaya station, go out onto Taganskaya Street and walk to the monastery (15 minutes). There is also public transport; you need to take it to the “Bolshaya Andronevskaya” stop.

Since the first centuries of Christianity, a tradition has developed of venerating the remains of holy people. Today in Russia this tradition is being revived, but its origins and rules of application to shrines remain unfamiliar to many modern Christians.

Why do Orthodox Christians venerate the relics of God's saints?

The tradition of venerating the relics of holy saints is based on the miracle of the Incarnation. The Christian Church believes that Jesus Christ was resurrected not only spiritually, but also physically, therefore the physical shell of a person has no less value than the soul. People who achieved unity with the Lord during their lifetime became the receptacle of His Grace, which they poured out into the world around them. This ability is possessed not only by a living body, but also by the remains of a holy person.

Holy relics are the greatest shrines of the Orthodox Church

The veneration of holy relics was officially established on II. At the same time, the priests emphasized the importance of understanding the fact that worship is performed neither to the remains nor to the person, but to the Divine Power contained in them.

The meaning of application to holy relics

A person who goes to venerate holy relics must understand that he is not worshiping the remains of a holy person, but God’s Grace. As during prayer in front of the icon, so during application to the relics of the holy primates, a person turns to their spirit, which is located at the Heavenly Throne. Holy people who have known His Grace during their lifetime are conductors of human prayers and the Will of the Lord.

Holy relics and church etiquette

The presence of holy relics in any locality is an important event in the spiritual life of this region. A long line of Christians line up at the shrine, wanting to partake of Divine grace. Large crowds of people require that every believer observe church etiquette and special recommendations of the Orthodox Church for pilgrims.

Holy relics help Christians strengthen their faith and experience God’s grace

When visiting any Orthodox religious organization, the following rules should be observed:

The pilgrim's clothing must comply with pious Christian traditions. Women should wear long-hemmed clothing that covers their shoulders. The presence of a headdress for ladies is a mandatory requirement. Men should choose items that cover their knees and shoulders.
You cannot approach the shrine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
While in church, you should maintain silence, do not jostle or argue with other parishioners.

Many people come to venerate the relics. The clergy consider standing in line at the shrine a spiritual test for the pilgrim. This time can be spent doing the following:

reading the life and akathist to the saint;
a prayer appeal to the primate, in which the request is stated;
writing, read by priests at the relics.

When planning to venerate the relics, you should take into account weather conditions and your own state of health. If necessary, you should take the following items with you:

an umbrella that protects from both the sun and precipitation;
folding chair;
medicines;
water in a plastic container.

Pilgrims who take children for attachment should take into account that they cannot concentrate on monotonous activities for a long time. Parents should consider what to do with their children while they wait. The child should be prepared for visiting the temple and applying to the relics as follows:

talk about the life of the holy man whose relics they decided to venerate;
explain the meaning of the action taking place;
talk about the structure of the temple, the role of priests in the spiritual life of a person.

Icon with a particle of the relics of St. Luke of Crimea, wonderworker

During your stay in the temple, you should answer the child’s questions in a quiet voice. should leave good and bright feelings in his soul.

How to properly venerate the relics of saints

Believers should understand that many pilgrims want to touch the holy relics. In order not to prolong the wait for them, while at the shrine, you should adhere to the following sequence of actions:

When approaching the shrine with the shrine, you should bow to the ground twice.
After bowing you should cross yourself.
After making the sign of the cross, the pilgrim venerates the relics. You should touch the exposed limbs or clothing of the relics.
or a personal icon can be applied to the side surface of the shrine while applying to the relics.
After venerating the shrine, you must cross yourself again and move away without holding up the line.

Is it worth reading prayers in front of the relics?

The prayer request to the primate is not read directly near the shrine with the relics, as this delays the queue. They begin to read a prayer to a holy person at home or in line at the shrine. After application, the prayer is read at home in front of home images.

The Orthodox Church recognizes not only the body, but also the bones of a holy person as relics

This recommendation applies to a situation where the relics are temporarily in a locality. Pilgrims who come to venerate the relics in their place of permanent residence should follow the recommendations given by local clergy.

Where can you venerate the relics of saints?

On the territory of Russia there are many relics of holy people who shone in the Russian lands. The most revered shrines by Orthodox Christians are located in the following monasteries:

the relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow rest in the Intercession Monastery of the Russian capital;
the holy remains of Sergius of Radonezh are located in the monastery he founded in the town of Sergiev Posad near Moscow;
the relics of Savva Storozhevsky rest in Zvenigorod;
are located in the Diveyevo Monastery, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region;
are located in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra of St. Petersburg;
They rest in the Zadonsk Bogoroditsky Monastery.

A complete list of Russian shrines can be seen on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Relics of the holy saints of God:

A piece of the relics of various saints is necessarily kept in every Orthodox cathedral. Church tradition does not allow the consecration of a new temple if a part of some shrine is not present in it.

How do they treat relics in the Orthodox Church?

Many lay people believe that only the incorruptible remains of people recognized as holy men are called relics. But the Orthodox Church recognizes as relics not only the incorruptible body, but also the bones and ashes of a holy person.

Reliquary with the relics of Saint Matrona in the Church of the Intercession Monastery

The clergy note that the basis for the canonization of a righteous person is the spiritual deeds he performs during his life, and the miraculous deeds that occur through prayer to him after the end of his earthly journey.

Interesting: Athonite monks consider the incorruption of the body to be a sign of the presence of unrepentant sins in a deceased person. The monks, having discovered such remains, begin to pray intensely for the soul of their departed brother.

Is it possible to venerate relics during menstruation?

According to the established Christian church tradition, a woman during monthly ailments should not go into the church further than the vestibule. In some cases, with the blessing of the rector of the chosen temple, she can be in the main temple premises, but at the same time she is forbidden to hold a candle, venerate shrines and receive church sacraments.

Some modern priests note that a woman during menstruation can pray at the holy relics with the blessing of her confessor, but she should not touch the Shrine.

Holy relics, along with icons, crucifixes and material evidence of the life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, are the greatest shrines of the Christian Church. They help Christians strengthen their faith and experience God's Grace, which lies in the remains of holy people.

How to venerate holy relics correctly? Archpriest Vladimir Golovin

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