Saint Theodorite, locally venerated Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom. Saint Theodoret of Ryazan and the Great Troubles Ryazan Archbishop Theodorite

Theodorite Archbishop of Ryazan

Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom.

Born in 1551 (in a copy of the home notes of A.V. Sergeev - in 1549). There is an assumption that he was a close relative of the boyar Sheremetyev.

He took monastic vows no earlier than 1589 under the influence of Patriarch Job (+ 1607; commemorated April 5/18, June 19/July 2).

Since 1604 - Archimandrite of the Ryazan Spassky Monastery.

In August 1605, Metropolitan Hermogenes of Kazan († 1612; commemorated February 17/March 2, March 12/25, October 5/18) was consecrated Bishop of Ryazan and Murom with elevation to the rank of Archbishop.

On May 8, 1606, Archbishop Theodoret was present at the marriage of the impostor False Dmitry I with Marina Mnishek.

After the overthrow of False Dmitry I, he participated in the spiritual celebration at the wedding of Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky to the kingdom.

On June 10, 1609, Vladyka Theodoret opened the incorruptible relics of St. Basil, Bishop of Ryazan (†

1295; commemorated June 10/23, July 3/16), and solemnly transferred them from Boris and Gleb Church to the Assumption Cathedral.

In 1613 he invited Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to the kingdom and blessed with an icon Mother of God.

Archbishop Theodoret worked hard to improve his vast diocese.

Literature:

Titov A. A. Ryazan bishops. - M., 1860. Solovyov S. M. History of Russia since ancient times: in 6 books. - 3rd ed. - SPb., 1911. - Prince. 2, p. 1040.1041-1048.1053. Ambrose (Ornatsky), archbishop. History of the Russian hierarchy: in 6 volumes - M., 1807-1815. - T. 1, p. 132.

Tolstoy M.V. Stories from the History of the Russian Church. - M., 1901, p. 463, 467. Snessoreva S. I. Earth life Holy Mother of God. - 3rd ed. - St. Petersburg, 1909, p. 210, 211. Bulgakov SV Handbook for clergymen. - Kyiv, 1913, p. 1411. Artsybashev N. S. Narration about Russia: in Zt.-M., 1838-1843.-T. 3. Vozdvizhensky T. Ya. Historical review of the Ryazan hierarchy and all church affairs of the sowing diocese from its establishment to the present time ... - M., 1820.

Karamzin N. M. History of the Russian state: in 3 books. from 12 volumes - 3rd ed. - St. Petersburg, 1842-1843. - T. 12.

Stroev P. M. Lists of hierarchs and abbots of monasteries Russian Church. - St. Petersburg, 1877, p. 415, 419.

N. D[urnovo]. Nine hundredth anniversary of the Russian hierarchy 988-1888. Dioceses and Bishops. - M., 1888, p. 36.

Bantysh-Kamensky D.N. Dictionary of memorable people of the Russian land, containing the life and deeds of famous generals, ministers and husbands of state, great hierarchs Orthodox Church, excellent writers and scientists, known for their participation in the events of national history: at 5 o'clock - M., 1836. Historical description of the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery.

Lives of the Saints, in Russian, set forth according to the guidance of the Menaia of Saint Demetrius of Rostov with additions, explanatory notes and images of the saints: in 12 books, 2 books. add. - M., 1903-1911, 1908, 1916. - Book. 2, add., p. 547. Ryazan diocesan statements. - 1870, No. 12-23.

Ryazan provincial sheets. - 1846, No. 14. Christian reading. - St. Petersburg, 1859. - Part 1, p. 371.

Russian archive. - M., 1895. - Book. 3, no. 11, p. 407.

Collection of State Letters and Treaties kept in the State Collegium of Foreign Affairs: in 5 volumes - M., 1813-1894. - T. 1. Telescope. - 1835.

Russian biographical dictionary: in 25 volumes - St. Petersburg; M., 1896-1913. - T. 25, p. 244-248. (Bulgakov), Metropolitan. History of the Russian Church: in 9 volumes - M., 1994-1997. - T. 6, p. 112.

Big biographical encyclopedia

The saint of God, Saint Theodoret, was born under Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1551. There is no reliable information about his childhood and parents. There is only a legend that he came from a noble family of Sheremetevs and had estates in Ryazan.

In the 90s of the 16th century, he took monastic vows in honor of the Hieromartyr Theodoret of Antioch, and then the priesthood. Patriarch Job blessed him for this. The saint of God Theodoret worked tirelessly, prayed and practiced other monastic deeds.

Being in adulthood, he was elected to the episcopal service, and in 1605 Metropolitan Hermogenes ( future patriarch- Hieromartyr) ordained Hieromonk Theodoret Bishop of Ryazan and Murom. At that time it was a vast diocese. In addition to the Murom and Ryazan lands, it included parts of the current Lipetsk, Voronezh, Tula and Tambov dioceses. The archpastoral ministry of St. Theodoret began at a time when great trials were omitted for the Russian people: the country was in the power of the impostor False Dmitry, who betrayed it into the hands of enemies. Poles and Cossacks burned cities and villages, robbed the people. At the same time, by the providence of God, people of mighty spirit appeared. Many of them belonged to the clergy. One of these prayer books and mourners for the Russian land was St. Theodoret. He took care of the salvation of the Ryazan people from both external and internal enemies, pacifying the rebellions that were ready to break out in the city. The noble appearance of a shepherd, alien to political ambitions, caring for peace in his Fatherland, incessantly caring for his flock, aroused deep respect. From the first days of his ministry, Vladyka Theodorit often had to be in the capital. Important affairs of state demanded his frequent presence. Immediately after the overthrow of False Dmitry I, Saint Theodoret, together with other archpastors, addressed the people from the Execution Ground to convene a Zemsky Sobor to elect a sovereign and a Patriarch. Soon he participated in the spiritual celebration at the wedding of Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky to the kingdom.

On the same days, together with the tsar and noble clergy and secular persons, the Ryazan bishop met the honest relics of the innocently murdered tsarevich Dimitriy, transferred by tsar's order from Uglich to Moscow in 1606. Later, Saint Theodoret participated in the celebrations for the erection on patriarchal throne Metropolitan Hermogenes, the future Hieromartyr, held in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. All these events brought Saint Theodoret closer to the sovereign. The Ryazan archpastor took care of the needs of the clergy, who suffered hardships along with the people. In response to his petition, the sovereign granted a gracious charter that gave the Ryazan clergy wider rights to material support.

Saint Theodoret also took care of the splendor of churches and the spiritual well-being of his flock. He understood the importance and necessity of transferring the burial place of St. Basil of Ryazan to a more protected place. The archpastor considered that it would be appropriate for the relics of the saint to rest in the Ryazan Kremlin surrounded by strong walls, in the Assumption Cathedral (now the Nativity of Christ) Cathedral. To do this, it was necessary to complete its restructuring, which began eight years ago. But then the people suffered great hardships, and they did not have the means. The Ryazan archpastor again turned to Tsar Vasily Shuisky for help, who immediately responded to the bishop’s petition and sent masons “for church crafts ... And he ordered to watch over them so that church work was done well, and firmly, and forever, and they would finish the same summer.” At the same time, the interior decoration of the temple was also updated, and a stone tomb was built on the left kliros near the iconostasis. In 1606, the cathedral was completed in rough next year Archbishop Theodoret consecrated it. For more than three hundred years, the remains of St. Basil of Ryazan rested in the ground. And when Archbishop Theodoret discovered the remains of St. Basil, people saw a great miracle - that his body had not undergone corruption for hundreds of years. On June 10 (23), 1609, Archbishop Theodoret solemnly transferred the holy relics from the Borisoglebsk church to the Assumption (now the Nativity) Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin. Saint Theodoret properly prepared for this great event of the Ryazan diocese: in honor of Saint Basil, he “composed hymns of praise in stichera, troparia, and kontakia, composed a biography, and ordered that Saint Basil be depicted on an icon.”

During the hours of sorrows and national disasters of troubled times, Archbishop Theodoret, together with the Orthodox Ryazan people, prayed more than once at the relics of St. Basil, placing their hope in the intercession of the newly glorified saint of God and receiving consolation.

The improvement of the city of Ryazan, in particular the construction of the majestic Assumption Cathedral and the glorification of St. Basil, took place during a difficult war with Poland, when Sigismund III besieged Russian cities. And Ryazan served as an example of revival for a people in distress, which instilled hope and strengthened their spirit.

To educate the people in faith and piety, Vladyka Theodoret had a wise and powerful word. Showing zeal and zeal for Orthodox shrines in that difficult period Russian history, Saint Theodoret thereby wanted to testify to the great truth that the Orthodox faith is the support of the state and its inner strength, and that the guarantee of the future of Russia and its prosperity is the establishment of the entire Russian people in Orthodoxy. When the turmoil of the people reached the borders of the Ryazan diocese, Saint Theodoret skillfully eradicated it, acting firmly and wisely. Only thanks to this, Pereyaslavl Ryazansky remained one of those who remained faithful to the Moscow Tsar Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky. The irresistible influence of St. Theodoret on his contemporaries rallied around him the selfless defenders of the faith and the Church, who were burning with the desire to fight for the freedom of the Russian people, and thus the Ryazan land became one of the centers of the movement to rid Russia of its enemies. Soon Shuisky was deprived royal throne. Saint Theodoret perspicaciously saw that after the unlawful overthrow of the God-given tsar, even greater unrest would arise and even greater dangers for the faith and the Orthodox Church must be expected.

When False Dmitry II appeared in Russia, the people of Ryazan did not recognize him as king. Their retinue, led by Prokopy Lyapunov, with the archpastoral blessing of His Grace Theodoret, drove the impostor's troops away from their hometown. And later she cleared the Ryazan cities of Pronsk, Mikhailov, Zaraysk from the enemy. In December 1610, after the assassination of False Dmitry II, the Poles occupied Moscow and soon became full masters in it. There was a danger of the accession of the Polish king Sigismund to the Russian throne, which threatened the spiritual foundations of Russian statehood - the preservation of the Orthodox faith.

Among the Russians, a movement began to liberate the capital from enemies and expel them from the Fatherland, inspired by St. Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow, supported by all Russian hierarchs. The Ryazan Bishop was among the first to respond to the calls of the fiery prayer book for the Russian land. The saint blessed Procopius Lyapunov to send letters to various cities calling for marching towards Moscow "having a military reserve and a food supply." “Hurry to the reigning city against the destroyers of the Christian faith… Let’s not delay even an hour: every moment is precious when it is necessary to save the Fatherland…”, Saint Theodoret and Lyapunov called to the hearts Orthodox people. The desire to join forces in the fight against the invaders found a warm response in all Russian lands. Enemies of Orthodoxy could not calmly look at such an ebullient activity of the Ryazan people. They sent detachments of Cossacks to ravage the "Ryazan places." Lyapunov went to them, but new forces arrived in time for the robbers ... Vladyka Theodoret again kneeled to the Almighty God and the Wall of the Invincible Christian family about the victory of the Orthodox militia over the Gentiles. The aspirations of the Bishop - a prayer book and a peacemaker - came true. With his archpastoral parting words, Prince Dimitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky came to the rescue of Procopius with a detachment of the Zaraisk voivode. In his person, Lyapunov acquired a true ally for the common struggle. The enemies were defeated and fled, Lyapunov and Pozharsky went together to Ryazan, where, on the orders of His Grace Theodoret, "they were given a solemn meeting to the sound of bells."

Soon, Prokopy Lyapunov appointed a collection of military forces near Shatsk. Detachments from 25 cities gathered to him on Ryazan land throughout February 1611, including Kaluga residents led by a former supporter of False Dmitry I, boyar Dimitry Trubetskoy and a detachment of Don Cossacks of Ataman Zarutsky. With bright, inspired words, but with inner pain, the Ryazan archpastor admonished this diverse army. In March, during the thaw, the assembled militia moved towards the capital. Ahead was the squad of Prince Pozharsky. But it was not in vain that the heart of the saint ached. Prince Pozharsky, having entered Moscow with an advanced detachment, was seriously wounded, and Prokopy Lyapunov was treacherously cut down by the insurgent Cossacks. The entire Russian people has not yet turned to repentance, the wrath of the Lord has not yet softened, Russia has not yet passed the tests measured against it.

Events in Russia continued to develop rapidly. After the death of one of the best governors - Prokopy Lyapunov, a traitor to the interests of Russia - the ataman of the Cossack camp Ivan Zarutsky - took under his protection the widow of both impostors Marina and decided to look for accomplices in order to enthrone his son-baby. Hearing about this, the hieromartyr Patriarch Hermogenes found an opportunity to send a letter from prison to Nizhny Novgorod, in which he said: “Write to Kazan to Metropolitan Ephraim: let him send a teaching letter to the regiments to the boyars and to the Cossack army so that they stand strong and do not accept Marinkin son to the kingdom - I do not bless. Yes, and in Vologda, write to the authorities about this, and to the Ryazan lord: let them send a teaching letter to the boyars to the regiments, so that they would appease robbery, preserve brotherhood and, as they promised to give their souls for the house of the Most Pure, and for miracle workers, and for faith, so would have done."

It can be seen from this charter that the Patriarch placed hopes on Archbishop Theodoret of Ryazan that he, through his hierarchical power and prayers, enjoying authority both among the boyars and among the people, would inspire the liberation movement in his diocese.

At this time, Kosma Minin-Sukhoruky, the Nizhny Novgorod Zemstvo headman, announced a three-fold appearance to him. St. Sergius, who ordered "to collect the treasury for military people and go to cleanse the Moscow state from enemies." Among the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod began raising funds for the compilation of the militia. It was unanimously entrusted to lead it to Prince Dimitri Mikhailovich Pozharsky, who healed the wounds received in the battle for Moscow. Remembering the example of Sacred History, when only after strict fasting, which strengthened the spiritual and bodily forces the tribes of Israel, they were able to free themselves from the heavy yoke of the Philistines on the battlefield, the militia "fasted at their own discretion, from a week to Saturday ... on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they did not eat anything, did not drink, on Thursday and Friday they ate dryly." The Poles now faced not a diverse and diverse crowd of militias, but a mighty fighting force united from above. The movement of the Russian people in defense of the Fatherland and Orthodoxy ended in complete triumph. The Time of Troubles has come to an end. Exhausted by anarchy, suffering from lawlessness, the Russian people decided to unite to elect a single tsar. At the beginning of 1613, elected representatives from all over the world began to gather in Moscow.

It was also attended by the Ryazan representation, headed by Bishop Theodoret. The holy cause required intense preparation: the meetings of the council were preceded by three days of strict fasting and prayer throughout Russia. On February 21, 1613 - the week of the triumph of Orthodoxy - the Lord put into the hearts of the Russian people the unanimous idea of ​​electing Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to the kingdom. The Council instructed Saint Theodoret to address the people from the Execution Ground. All those gathered in Red Square unanimously supported the Council's decision. Pereyaslavl of Ryazan, guided by the instructions and prayers of St. Theodoret, was among the first to swear allegiance to the God-chosen Tsar.

The Zemsky Sobor also instructed Archbishop Theodorit of Ryazan and Murom to head the embassy to Tsar Mikhail Romanov. The ambassadors carried a letter in which the people implored Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov: “The Russian state is without cover; her crown was orphaned; the fatherland weeps that it has no father. Come to us, sweet hope of all the Russian land! Chosen king after the heart of all the people!

Only after much persuasion by Saint Theodoret did the young tsar agree to accept the throne of Moscow, and the saint of God blessed him with the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God. This happened on March 14, 1613. Since then, all the royal persons from the House of Romanov, who were of foreign origin and were married to the Grand Dukes, received the patronymic Fedorovna.

Saint Theodoret remained in Moscow until the coronation of the tsar, and at the end of July 1613 he departed for his diocese. The main concern of the saint was the restoration of ruined churches and monasteries, supplying them with the necessary sacred supplies. Vladyka Theodoret did not forget about alleviating the fate of the ordinary inhabitants of the Ryazan diocese, who became impoverished during the Time of Troubles. Until the end of his life, he did not leave state concerns, participating in meetings of the Zemsky Sobor.

On September 10 (23), the saint peacefully reposed in the Lord and was buried in the Archangel Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin - the necropolis of the Ryazan bishops. The memory of St. Theodoret has always been sacredly honored not only in the Ryazan region, but throughout Russian state. When the emperor and members of the House of Romanov were in Ryazan, they always visited the Archangel Cathedral to pray at a memorial service at the burial place of the saint.

With the blessing of the All-Memorable His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia On January 12, 1987, Archbishop Theodoret of Ryazan and Murom was glorified as a saint of Ryazan. At present, the relics of St. Theodoret are openly kept in the Boriso-Glebsky Cathedral in the city of Ryazan for public veneration.

His memory is celebrated on September 10 (23) on the day of repose, on June 10 (23) in the Cathedral of the Ryazan Saints, on September 10 (23) in the Cathedral of the Lipetsk Saints, on January 23 (February 5) in the Cathedral of the Kostroma Saints.

Sources

1. Macarius, mit. Moscow. History of the Russian Church. Book. 6. M., 1995.

2. John (Snychev), Metropolitan Cathedral Russia. St. Petersburg, 1993.

3. Holy lands of Ryazan. OOO Publishing house "Delo", 2010.

4. A. Yu. Klokov, L. A. Morev, A. A. Naydenov, and Evfimiya (Voronina), Mon. Four centuries of the holy Zadonsk monastery. Lipetsk, 2010.

5. L. A. Morev. Blessing of St. Theodoret // Zadonsk pilgrim. Orthodox almanac of the Zadonsk Christmas - Bogoroditsky Monastery. 2011 - No. 84.

6. Hieromonk Seraphim (St. Petersburg), T.M. Pankov. Life and Akathist to St. Theodoret, Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom. Ryazan, 2001.

Theodorite, Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom

Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom; as the legend says, he was born in 1551 (and in copies of A. V. Sergeev's home notes - in 1549), during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Who were the parents of F. and how he spent the secular field of his life, there is no reliable indication of this. There is, however, an assumption that he was a close relative of the boyar Sheremetev, had estates in Ryazan, and that Patriarch Job persuaded him to become a monk. The adoption of monasticism could follow no earlier than 1589, since in this year the patriarchal throne was established in Moscow. The history of the monastic life of this famous person, before his consecration to the rank of Ryazan archbishop, is also shrouded in obscurity. True, the name F. is found during the investigation on the occasion of the death of Dmitry Tsarevich, who was killed in Uglich (May 15, 1591): in the act written on this occasion by Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky, Metropolitan Gelasy and other investigators, among other things it is said: "and Osip Volokhov was brought in under them, under him, under the archimandrite under Theodoret and under the hegumen under Savatei. But it is still not known for certain who the archimandrite Theodoret mentioned here was, whether the future archpastor of Ryazan, or any other person. From 1604, Mr.. F. was the archimandrite of the Ryazan Spassky Monastery. In 1605, the archbishop's throne in Ryazan became vacant. Itnaty the Greek, who had previously been the archbishop of Cyprus, who ruled the Ryazan diocese, was elevated to the rank of Moscow patriarch by Demetrius the Pretender. Prudent Hermogenes, while still the Metropolitan of Kazan, ordained Archimandrite F. of the Ryazan Spassky Monastery to the rank of Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom. From this time on, the active service of this archbishop to the fatherland and the church begins at the most disastrous time for the state. In every important event he took a more or less active part, accompanied by beneficent consequences. Indeed, the position of Russia at that time was the most disastrous: she was in the power of an impostor who betrayed her into the hands of enemies. F. morally suffered at the sight of new dangers threatening the fatherland and, feeling the impossibility of removing them, wanted at least to weaken their strength in his diocese; he tirelessly cared about her salvation from both external and internal enemies and pacified the rebellions that were ready to break out in Ryazan itself. F. relied in his activities on strong and noble men: he was then patronized by Shuisky, Germogen, his friends Volkonsky; the false patriarch Ignatius himself humbled himself before him. With the assistance of some of these patrons, F. managed to return to the bishop's house the property taken from his predecessors. From the charter given in Moscow on August 29, 1605 by the impostor in the name of F., it is clear that the impostor was on favorable terms with the archbishop. Perhaps he thought to win over the famous archpastor to his side. But F., knowing that by silence one could save oneself from oppression and save the flock from enemies, remained indifferent to the actions of the impostor, saying nothing either against him or for him; From the legends of contemporaries about the impostors, it is clear that the Ryazan archbishop was at the marriage of the impostor with Marina on May 8, 1606, only his name was not indicated in the ceremonial. After the overthrow of False Dmitry from the throne (May 17, 1606), F. participated in the spiritual celebration at the wedding of Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky to the kingdom. Two days later, together with Shuisky himself and the most eminent clergy and secular persons, he met the relics of St. Demetrius Tsarevich, transferred by royal command from Uglich to Moscow. These events brought F. closer to the sovereign. F. became attached to him with all his heart and zealously took care of maintaining him on the throne. Taking advantage of his closeness and favor, F. first of all interceded with him for the Ryazan clergy. And Shuisky, three weeks after his accession (June 19, 1606), granted a gracious letter to all the cathedral clergy with the clergy and employees at the cathedrals. The letter is remarkable in its content: on the one hand, it restored the former rights that the cathedral clergy used under the last Ryazan princes, and on the other hand, new ones were also given. Diligently caring about the exaltation and provision of the cathedral clergy as their closest collaborators in the matter of serving the church and managing the flock, Archbishop F. at the same time, he took active care of another, no less important enterprise in his patronal city, in full hope for the assistance of the sovereign Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky. The first Archbishop of Ryazan, Mitrofan, founded in 1598 "a new stone cathedral church in the name of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos." Due to various circumstances, it was not completed for eight years, until the very time of F.'s presidency, Archbishop F. decided to complete the construction of the cathedral church. But, not having the means to carry out such an important enterprise, he turned to Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky for help. Shuisky willingly fulfilled the request of his beloved archpastor. According to the order of the king, the cathedral church was built in 1606. Upon completion of the construction, having splendidly decorated the cathedral church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, His Grace F. had the consolation and spiritual joy to see the glorification of his primate and to perform in the Ryazan church one of those sacred rites that made his name unforgettable for Ryazan and in a special way consecrated the newly built Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God . This is the opening and transfer of the relics of St. Basil, the miracle worker, the first bishop of present-day Ryazan. In 1609, according to the inscrutable fate of God, the relics of the Bishop of Ryazan, St. Basil, were found incorrupt. Archbishop F. opened them on June 10, on Saturday, on the eve of the week of all saints, and with due solemnity transferred them from the Borisoglebsk church, from the old prison, to the Assumption Cathedral. How the reverent archpastor F. added his name to the number of saints, composed laudatory songs in stichera, troparia and kontakia in honor of him, in imitation of Anthony the Roman, compiled a description of his life on the basis of the legend in the Chet'i Menaia, wrote a chronicle of the transfer of his holy relics from the St. Boris and Gleb Cathedral this Christmas, he himself sang to him prayer singing and, finally, ordered to depict the holy face of the saint of God on the icon, since when opening the holy relics, he could see the holy face of the righteous man better than anyone. According to his behavior, a stone tomb was erected over the place in the cathedral where the relics of the saint were laid, and on it was placed that miraculous icon of the Mother of God, with which St. Vasily sailed to Ryazan. In difficult moments for Russia, Archbishop F. made a vow to God to bring a gift to the church in gratitude for his salvation and the flock from threatening disasters during the time of the first impostor False Dmitry and, two years after the transfer of the relics of St. Basil, he fulfilled his vow. In 1611, he brought into the cathedral church of the Assumption of the Mother of God an altar celebratory cross made of pure gold of chased work. Filled with feelings of reverence for the shrine of his patronal city, with a living consciousness of the holy patronage of the Queen of Heaven to the Ryazan flock, Archbishop F. ordered to write with miraculous icon two copies, the most faithful in size, size and appearance. In order to perpetuate the sacred memory of the very place of its appearance, F. sent one of these holy icons to the village of Fedot'evo, from where it was transferred to Ryazan in 1487. Another such copy from the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Fedotievskaya F. put in the Borisoglebsky Cathedral, the first chair of the Ryazan saints. After this, it is clear why the far-sighted Hermogenes, from the very beginning of F.'s entry into monasticism, paid special attention to him and distinguished him as the chosen one. The merits of Archbishop F. to the fatherland in the difficult time of disasters are so great that his name entered in the annals among the first saviors of Russia in 1612. interregnum (March 14, 1613), F. was a vigilant guardian of the salvation of not one Ryazan, but the whole Russian state. Without a doubt, Pereyaslavl Ryazansky owed his salvation from treason to the prudent F. In patriotic influence on the people, F. was supported by his friends, the princes Volkonsky, and especially Prince Mikhail Volkonsky, the Moscow governor. Amid all sorts of worries, cruel blows one after another struck the sensitive soul of F. With deep contrition of heart, he mourned the misfortune of his benefactor, Tsar Shuisky, when he learned about the insidious plan of Zakhary Lyapunov, who deposed Shuisky from the throne on July 17, 1610 and forcibly tonsured a monk on July 19 ; looked with horror at the disaster of Moscow, with inexpressible grief - at the impending collapse of the state; bitterly lamented when he learned about the intrigues of Sigismund against herself Orthodox faith , and only in a fiery prayer for Russia and the church did he seek consolation, placing all his hope on the wondrous providence of God in their destinies. Taking advantage of close contact with representatives of the authorities in the Ryazan land, Pozharsky, Lyapunov and Archpriest Demetrius, F. communicated with them about the plight of the fatherland and the defense of the Orthodox faith. The soul of F. was deeply shocked at the sight of the most terrible disasters in Russia, which reached the most extreme limits: Hermogenes was starved to death by the Poles in prison on February 17, 1612; Lyapunov fell under the walls of Moscow at the hands of villains; Pozharsky was wounded in a battle with the Poles and, exhausted from his wounds, left the militia, etc. But these disasters were already the last. In Nizhny Novgorod, under the influence of religious and holy feelings, under the influence of messages from the Trinity Lavra, the butcher citizen Kuzma Minin Sukhoruky appeared with an appeal to the Russian people about the salvation of faith and the fatherland; at the head of the zemstvo uprising, a friend of F., Prince Dimitri Mikhailovich Pozharsky, with Minin elected from the people, became the leader of the militia. Although the annals pass in silence the name of F., however, it should be noted that he had a rather strong influence on the leaders of the uprising. Antiquity has preserved for us one monument of that time, indicating F.'s concern for maintaining the religious life of the flock in the spirit of Orthodoxy. This is the antimension of the time when Moscow was already liberated from enemies and the Russian kingdom was ruled by the council of the boyars. The year 1613 opens before us in the annals of the history of Russia the great and glorious feat of Archbishop F. in the memorable deed of electing Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov to the All-Russian throne as tsar and autocrat. On February 21, the week of Orthodoxy, the last Zemsky Sobor was held in Moscow. After the prayer service in the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, reverent prayers, brought in the person of the people's representatives by the entire Russian church, illuminating the spirit of the people, led to the desired end: by the unanimous opinion of all the ranks of the cathedral, both spiritual and secular, a sixteen-year-old youth was elected to the kingdom and named king and autocrat , Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov. The council instructed F. to announce the name of the chosen one before the people. F., accompanied by the cellar of the Trinity Lavra Avraamy Palitsyn, the Novospassky Archimandrite Joseph and the boyar Vasily Petrovich Morozov, announced on Red Square the name of the chosen one, whom the people themselves strongly desired. Then the Zemsky Sobor elected F. as a representative to invite Mikhail Feodorovich to the kingdom. Many archimandrites and abbots were appointed to the embassy with F., among whom were the famous cellar of the Trinity Lavra Avraamiy Palitsyn and the Zaraysk archpriest Dimitri; from the boyars - the paramount boyar Fedor Ivanovich Sheremetev, Prince Bakhteyarov-Rostovsky, Golovin and others, from each class - attorneys of citizens. In this way, a large embassy was formed, which was instructed "to go to the Sovereign Tsar and Grand Duke Mikhail Feodorovich of All Russia in Yaroslavl or where he, the Sovereign, will be." It was entrusted to F. to deliver a speech to Mikhail Feodorovich and his mother, in which he had to clearly present the disastrous state of the Russian land, reveal what the Poles and Lithuanians did, how they ruined the state and explain to Mikhail Feodorovich how the great zemstvo council was formed to elect the sovereign throughout the Russian land. F.’s assignment was very difficult: a sixteen-year-old youth who had experienced all the disasters of heavy captivity from enemies, who saw the vicissitudes of the fate of the former kings, many betrayals and perjury of the people, who well understood the upset state of the Russian kingdom, to convince him to accept this kingdom in order to arrange it - a lot is needed was mind and energy. F., as a parting word to himself and the embassy, ​​received on behalf of the cathedral the shrine of Moscow: the icon of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Lady, written by the holy Metropolitan Peter. On March 2, he and other members of the embassy received an order from the Zemsky Sobor, and on the same day he left Moscow. On March 13, at Vespers, we arrived in Kostroma and, two versts before reaching the city, stopped in the village of Novoselki on the upland side of the Volga River, opposite the Ipatiev Monastery. On the same day, after communicating with F., the mayors with a multitude of people hurried to Novoselki to go with the archbishop and the embassy to the place where Mikhail Feodorovich lived. F. let Mikhail Feodorovich know about his arrival with ambassadors and received an order to be with him the next day. On March 14, Sunday of the fourth week of Great Lent, after the celebration of matins, F. began to cross the Volga with the embassy. To meet the sacred procession of F. with a cathedral of clergy and ambassadors, all the Kostroma clergy descended from the city, with crosses, banners and with the miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God; to meet him at the ringing of bells came another procession monastics from the holy gates, accompanied by the future king and his nun-mother. After F., having blessed Mikhail Feodorovich with a cross, presented him with a letter, explained the reason for the embassy and heard a refusal from Mikhail's lips, F. was very sad and again, together with Sheremetev, began to beg Mikhail Feodorovich to accept the royal crown. The archbishop delivered a lengthy speech in which he expressed the great truth of the people's actions, which vouched for the most beneficial outcome of the calling to the kingdom. For a long time F. had to beg Michael not to renounce the kingdom, but all was in vain; then he presented a picture of the disasters of Russia: the desecration of the shrine, the captivity of the people, internecine strife, bloodshed, etc. Mikhail Feodorovich, so as not to spare us the poor and leave us orphans? etc. The fear of responsibility before the formidable judgment of God made Marfa Ivanovna tremble. The cry and sobbing of the people, the unrelenting prayer of the archbishop, the cathedral and the boyars, the sight of miraculous icons shook the soul and heart of the old mother: she expressed her consent to her son to accept the kingdom. After the triumph of the election of Mikhail Feodorovich to the kingdom, caring F. and his comrades on the same day that Mikhail was elevated to the kingdom, drew up a letter of notice to the Moscow Zemsky Sobor. On April 1, the Zemsky Sobor wrote to F. and Sheremetev to report to the sovereign when he would arrive in Moscow and where to meet him, but on April 18 the sovereign himself notified the clergy and boyars that he had slowed down his arrival in Moscow due to bad weather. May 2 F. with the clergy participated in the procession at the meeting of the sovereign. Thus, F. accomplished the great state work entrusted to him by the cathedral, and showed himself in it as a true son of the fatherland, a zealous hierarch and father of the church, a great statesman, wholly devoted to the good and glory of his fatherland. After such great labors, used for two months on an anxious journey to Kostroma, the archpastor needed some peace of mind. But soon new works and worries awaited F. upon his return to Moscow. F. took a lively, active part in writing a letter of election to the throne of the House of Romanov. In the letter, outlining the merits of the faithful sons of the church and the fatherland, the cathedral among the figures placed the name of the glorious Ryazan Archbishop F. The cathedral so valued the words and speeches of F., spoken by him to Mikhail Feodorovich and his mother, that he included them in the state act in authentic terms, and all orders and actions of him with a detailed description. The great merits of F., so highly appreciated by contemporaries at the cathedral, were not left without attention by the sovereign himself. By decree of June 8, 1613, Mikhail Feodorovich ordered that F. be given full possession of "his old yard place in Moscow, in the White Tsar's City, on Egunevskaya Street, near Prechisty Grebenskaya and in that place a stone church of the Life-Giving Trinity, and under it a stone cellar" . With the end of the celebration of the coronation of Mikhail Feodorovich, in which F. and other bishops took a prominent part, his state activity did not stop. F. as a statesman in the last years of his life with complete jealousy shared the work and care of the sovereign and his assistants - statesmen. vigilant care, wise advice, how experienced husband, he greatly contributed to the protection of the throne from the claims of the enemies of Russia, to the establishment of peace and silence in the fatherland. F. worked hard in putting in order and beautifying his vast diocese, both in terms of church and economic. In his free time from public employment, F. hurried to visit his flock. Upon arrival in Ryazan, he reacted with lively participation to the plight of his flock. Diligent labors and cares gradually began to destroy his health, and ailments brought him closer to last days life. Less than a year later, his archpastoral activity ceased. F. died peacefully on September 10, 1617, at the age of 66, in the 12th year of archpastoral service.

Ambrose, "History of the Russian hierarchy". - N.D., "Nine hundredth anniversary of the Russian hierarchy". - Bantysh-Kamensky, "Dictionary of Memorable People". - "Ryazan Provincial Gazette", 1846, No. 14. - "Tepeskop", 1835 - Narration about Russia, Artsybasheva, vol. III. - Vozdvizhensky, "Historical Review of the Ryazan Hierarchy". - Solovyov, "History of Russia", vol. VIII. - Karamzin, "History of the Russian State", vol. XII. - Ustryalov, "Russian history". - "Collection of State Letters and Treaties", Part 1. - "Historical Description of the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery". - "Ryazan Diocesan Gazette", 1870, No. 12-23. - "Christian Reading", 1859, part I, p. 371. - P. Stroev, "Lists of Hierarchs". - Titov, "Ryazan bishops".

Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom.

Born in 1551 (in a copy of the home notes of A.V. Sergeev - in 1549). There is an assumption that Theodoret was a close relative of the boyar Sheremetyev.

He took monastic vows no earlier than 1589 under the influence of Patriarch Job (+ 1607; commemorated April 5/18, June 19/July 2). Since 1604 - Archimandrite of the Ryazan Spassky Monastery.

In August 1605, Metropolitan Hermogenes of Kazan († 1612; commemorated February 17/March 2, March 12/25, October 5/18) was consecrated Bishop of Ryazan and Murom with elevation to the rank of Archbishop. On May 8, 1606, Archbishop Theodoret was present at the marriage of the impostor False Dmitry I with Marina Mnishek.

After the overthrow of False Dmitry I, he participated in the spiritual celebration at the wedding of Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky to the kingdom. On June 10, 1609, Vladyka Theodoret opened the incorruptible relics of St. Basil, Bishop of Ryazan († 1295; Comm. 10/23 June, 3/16 July), and solemnly transferred them from the Borisoglebsk Church to the Assumption Cathedral. In 1613 he invited Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to the kingdom and blessed with an icon of the Mother of God.

Archbishop Theodoret worked hard to improve his vast diocese. On September 10, 1617, Archbishop Theodoret peacefully reposed in the Lord.

Literature: Titov A. A. Ryazan bishops. - M., 1860. Solovyov S. M. History of Russia since ancient times: in 6 books. - 3rd ed. - SPb., 1911. - Prince. 2, p. 1040.1041-1048.1053. Ambrose (Ornatsky), archbishop.

History of the Russian hierarchy: in 6 volumes - M., 1807-1815. - T. 1, p. 132. Tolstoy M. V. Stories from the History of the Russian Church. - M., 1901, p. 463, 467. Snessoreva S.I. The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos. - 3rd ed. - St. Petersburg, 1909, p. 210, 211. Bulgakov SV Handbook for clergymen. - Kyiv, 1913, p. 1411. Artsybashev N. S. Narration about Russia: in Zt.-M., 1838-1843.-T. 3. Vozdvizhensky T. Ya. Historical review of the Ryazan hierarchy and all church affairs of the sowing diocese from its establishment to the present time ... - M., 1820. Karamzin N. M. History of the Russian state: in 3 books. from 12 volumes - 3rd ed. - St. Petersburg, 1842-1843. - T. 12. Stroev P.M. Lists of hierarchs and abbots of the monasteries of the Russian Church. - St. Petersburg, 1877, p. 415, 419. N. D[urnovo]. Nine hundredth anniversary of the Russian hierarchy 988-1888. Dioceses and Bishops. - M., 1888, p. 36. Bantysh-Kamensky D. N. Dictionary of memorable people of the Russian land, containing the life and deeds of famous generals, ministers and statesmen, great hierarchs of the Orthodox Church, excellent writers and scientists, known for their participation in the events of national history: at 5 o’clock - M., 1836. Historical description of the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery.

Lives of the Saints, in Russian, set forth according to the guidance of the Menaia of Saint Demetrius of Rostov with additions, explanatory notes and images of the saints: in 12 books, 2 books. add. - M., 1903-1911, 1908, 1916. - Book. 2, add., p. 547. Ryazan diocesan statements. - 1870, No. 12-23. Ryazan provincial sheets. - 1846, No. 14. Christian reading. - St. Petersburg, 1859. - Part 1, p. 371. Russian archive. - M., 1895. - Book. 3, no. 11, p. 407. Collection of state letters and treaties kept in the State Collegium of Foreign Affairs: in 5 volumes - M., 1813-1894. - T. 1. Telescope. - 1835. Russian biographical dictionary: in 25 volumes - St. Petersburg; M., 1896-1913. - T. 25, p. 244-248. Macarius (Bulgakov), Metropolitan.

History of the Russian Church: in 9 volumes - M., 1994-1997. - T. 6, p. 112.

In the history of our Fatherland, there have been many various trials sent down to it according to the inscrutable fates of the Providence of God. But rarely have these tests reached such strength as in the time of troubles known in people's memory as "hard time".

Soon after the martyrdom of Tsarevich Dimitry and after the death of Theodore Ioannovich, the last Russian tsar from the house of Rurik, impostors began to appear in Russia - first Grishka Otrepiev, who was defrocked, then the Tushinsky thief, Bolotnikov and many others, who freely roamed long-suffering Russia. But God kept Holy Russia. He sent her deliverers, thanks to whom she shook off the shame of dishonor and humiliation and quickly blossomed into a powerful and glorious state. One of the prayer books and mourners for the Russian land was St. Theodoret, Archbishop of Ryazan and Murom.

Archbishop Theodoret worked for the good of the Fatherland and the Church in the most sad times for Russia - he knew Ivan the Terrible, his son, the meek Theodore, saw the fall of the Godunov house, the times of impostors, the weak reign of Shuisky, the collapse of the state without a king; he also saw the hope of Russia - Tsar Mikhail Romanov.

The saint was born in 1551, during the reign of Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible. There is no reliable information about his childhood and parents. There is, however, a legend that the saint was a close relative of the boyar Sheremetyev and had estates in Ryazan. The future archbishop took monastic vows no earlier than 1569, under Patriarch Job, who blessed him to accept the monastic rank.

In 1605, at a difficult time for Russia, the prudent Hermogenes, the future patriarch, at that time Metropolitan of Kazan, ordained Theodoret Bishop of Ryazan and Murom and elevated him to the rank of archbishop. From that moment on, Archbishop Theodoret took part in almost every state event, and his active participation was always accompanied by good consequences.

And the position of Russia at that time was disastrous: the country was in the power of the impostor False Dmitry, who betrayed her into the hands of enemies. Poles and Cossacks burned cities and villages, robbed the people. Anticipating new dangers, Archbishop Theodoret tried to weaken their influence as much as possible, at least in his diocese: he took care of saving the Ryazan people from both external and internal enemies, pacifying rebellions ready to break out in the city.

False Dmitry reigned for a short time (from April 17, 1605 to May 17, 1606). Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky, the patron saint of St. Theodoret, overthrew the impostor from the throne and became sovereign of all Russia. While then in Moscow, Saint Theodoret participated in the spiritual celebration at the wedding of Shuisky to the kingdom.

On the same days, together with Shuisky and noble clergy and secular persons, the Ryazan bishop met the relics of the holy Tsarevich Demetrius, transferred, by royal command, from Uglich to Moscow. These events brought Theodoret closer to the sovereign. Close to the tsar, Saint Theodoret petitioned him for the Ryazan cathedral clergy, hoping to have faithful helpers in the management of the faithful. The king, in turn, having granted the clergy a charter, according to which it was endowed with broad rights to material support and the collection of trade duties, received in his person a firm support for his throne.

Diligently caring about the provision of the clergy, Archbishop Theodoret did not forget about the improvement of his patronal city. Back in 1598, Archbishop Mitrofan of Ryazan laid a new cathedral church in the name of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, which could not be completed for eight whole years. Archbishop Theodorit decided to complete the construction, but, not having sufficient funds, turned to Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky. Shuisky willingly fulfilled the request of the archpastor. On June 26, 1606, he sent to Pereyaslavl Ryazan stonework apprentice Sergeyka Abramov and 24 masons with him. The tsar ordered Saint Theodoret to look after them, “so that the church work is done well, and firmly, and forever, and they would complete the same summer.” The five-domed Assumption Cathedral, according to the order of the king, was completed in the same year, 1606.

Having magnificently decorated the cathedral church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, Saint Theodoret had spiritual joy to see the glorification of the High Hierarch of Ryazan Vasily. Those were disastrous times for Russia of unrest and impostors. Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky barely kept on the throne. Trinity Lavra, the only stronghold of the king, was under siege by the Poles and Cossacks. Pereyaslavl Ryazan was one of the few cities that remained loyal to the tsar. But the unrest penetrated here too. In this extremely difficult time, the Providence of God was pleased to glorify the First See Ryazan Church and to reveal in him an angel-comforter to the suffering, a prayer book and intercessor for the distressed Church, the guardian of the city of Pereyaslavl and all believers of the great intercessor.

For more than three hundred years, the remains of the first Ryazan Bishop Vasily rested in the ground. In 1609 the holy relics of the first bishop of Ryazan were found incorrupt. Archbishop Theodoret opened his holy relics and people beheld a great and glorious miracle - the body of the High Hierarch Basil for hundreds of years did not undergo decay. On June 10 (June 23, according to the new style), Archbishop Theodoret solemnly transferred them from the Borisoglebsk church to the Assumption (now the Nativity) Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin.

Informed from above, Archbishop Theodoret did not dare to openly lay the holy relics of the Primate in the cathedral, for this was not pleasing to the righteous himself. His holy relics were laid under a bushel, on the left kliros near the iconostasis. But reverent Ryazan lord did everything that was required for the sacred memory and glorification of the righteous. Archbishop Theodoret included the name of the First Hierarch Basil among the saints. He composed stichera, a troparion, a kontakion in his honor, compiled a life, wrote a chronicle of the transfer of the holy relics of the saint from Borisoglebsky to the Assumption (Nativity of Christ) Cathedral, blessed to portray the face of the newly glorified saint on the icon. It was through the efforts of Archbishop Theodoret that the tomb of St. Basil was richly decorated.

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, with which Primate Vasily arrived in Old Ryazan, began to be called the "Prayer of St. Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Murom", and later - Murom. At the holy relics of St. Basil, before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archbishop Theodoret, together with Orthodox Ryazan people, prayed more than once during the hours of sorrows and national disasters of troubled times, placing their hope in the mercy of the Queen of Heaven and the intercession of the newly glorified saint of God.

It should be noted that the improvement of the city of Ryazan, in particular the construction of the majestic Assumption Cathedral and the glorification of St. Basil, took place during a difficult war with Poland, when Sigismund III besieged Russian cities. Thus, Ryazan showed an example of revival, strengthening the people's spirit. It can be said with confidence that the city in these years acquired an all-Russian significance.

Since ancient times, Ryazan has been under the blessed protection of the Mother of God in Her miraculous icon, called Theodotievskaya. Ryazan bishops, the great princes of Ryazan with the boyars and all the Orthodox people bowed in prayer before Her holy face. Filled with reverence for the shrine of his patronal city, Archbishop Theodoret ordered that two copies be made of the miraculous icon, one of which he conveyed with due honor to the village of Feodotyevo, from where it was brought, after numerous miracles, in 1487 to Ryazan; put another copy of the miraculous icon in Borisoglebsk cathedral. Here she is to this day.

The year 1613 captured in the annals of the history of Russia the great and glorious feat of Archbishop Theodoret in the election of Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov to the All-Russian throne.

After the liberation of Moscow from enemies, the leaders of the militia Dmitry Trubetskoy, Dimitry Pozharsky, Kuzma Minin, together with the boyars and eminent men, decided to elect the king of the Russian land. Bringing an ardent prayer to the Almighty for happy outcome great and holy cause, Archbishop Theodoret hurried to Moscow. His perspicacious soul remembered the sufferer for the faith and Fatherland, Patriarch Hermogenes, who pointed out the chosen one before his death.

On February 21, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, having prayed, Archbishop Theodoret, accompanied by the cellar of the Trinity Lavra Avraam Palitsyn, archimandrite Joseph of the Novospassky Monastery, and the boyar Vasily Petrovich Morozov, went to the place of execution and asked the people who had gathered in countless multitudes on Red Square, who did they want to have as their tsar? “Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov,” was the only answer. So the voice of the people, like the voice of God, justified the decision of the fates of the Most High - Michael to reign!

All of Moscow immediately swore allegiance to Mikhail Romanov, followed by other regions. Already on March 4, the governor of Pereyaslavl Ryazansky swore allegiance to Mikhail.

Meanwhile, the named Tsar Michael did not even think about reigning. Upon his release from Polish captivity, he immediately retired with his mother, nun Marfa Ioannovna, to his Kostroma estate and lived in the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery.

At the Zemsky Sobor, they understood how difficult it would be to persuade a mother nun to bless her son to the kingdom, and her son to accept the kingdom, and therefore they appointed an embassy to Kostroma from spiritually wise and eminent men, and at its head they put an experienced in matters of faith and piety, a blessed archbishop Ryazan Theodoret. As a parting word to himself and the embassy, ​​he received on behalf of the Cathedral the shrine of Moscow - the icon of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, painted by the holy Metropolitan Peter, the image of St.

On March 14, the Sunday of the fourth week of Great Lent, after the celebration of Matins, Archbishop Theodoret put on hierarchal robes, blessed all the clergy who were with him to put on vestments, and, raising crosses and icons, the embassy began to cross the Volga. Temples of nearby Kostroma villages welcomed the embassy bell ringing. All the Kostroma clergy with crosses, banners and the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Feodorovskaya joined the procession of the embassy of Archbishop Theodoret, accompanied by the townspeople. A single solemn religious procession headed along the coast to the Ipatiev Monastery. A religious procession of monks came out of the walls of the monastery, accompanied by the future tsar and his nun mother. Sadness lay on the meek face of Michael and his mother: they foresaw that this celebration was arranged for their sake.)

“Such an honor did not even cross my mind ... - said Mikhail, - hand over the power to men who have become famous for their merits and deserve it more than me.”

Shaken by the refusal, the Ryazan hierarch Michael and his mother, nun Marfa Ioannovna, prayed not to oppose the Providence of God. But mother and son remained adamant. And then Archbishop Theodoret introduced them to them, what great disasters await Russia, with holy images he again came to them and begged them not to leave the Russian land.

And, gathering her strength of mind, Marfa Ioannovna said: “Here is the sacrifice required of me, the sacrifice to the Fatherland ... When God so pleases, so be it. I bless Mikhail Feodorovich for the kingdom. Becoming king, let him be the first servant of the Fatherland.

“The wisdom of God will overshadow him, and the right hand of the Most High will accomplish all his undertakings!” exclaimed Archbishop Theodoret.

Michael, bowing his head under the blessing of Archbishop Theodoret, with devotion to the will of God, said: "When it is the will of God, and the will of my sovereign mother, so be it."

And when the Sovereign sat on the royal chair, many years were pronounced and Mikhail Feodorovich was named "Autocrat of all Great and Small and White Russia." Archbishop Theodoret with a council of clergy and people, bringing loyal congratulations to the Sovereign, bowed to him to the ground.

With the blessing of Archbishop Theodoret, prayers were sung in all churches for three days and bells were rung. With his wise blessing and the advice of the clergy, it was then established to celebrate on the 14th day of March (according to the old style) a feast in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, called Feodorovskaya.

Having completed the great mission of electing Mikhail Romanov to the throne, the state activity of Archbishop Theodoret did not stop: the then state of Russia required increased activity of the members of the Zemsky Sobor. The border towns that served as a stronghold for Russia were in the hands of foreigners; Swedes dominated Novgorod; in Smolensk and Chernigov - Poles; Ryazan, Kashira and Tula fought off the Tatars with difficulty ... The whole land was devastated: military people were dying of hunger; there was not a penny in the treasury. The royal treasures were plundered and taken to Poland. And a highly experienced ruler cannot, without the assistance of the Zemsky Sobor, arrange such a state. And the Council, headed by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, became a faithful and reliable adviser to the king. Having labored in calling and enthroning young Michael, Archbishop Theodoret even now helped the sovereign in word, deed, and strength of conviction, and in the last years of his life he already saw the fruits of the labors of the sovereign and his own. Even during his lifetime, the enemies of the Fatherland began to disappear one after another, negotiations began with the Swedes, who returned Novgorod, Staraya Russa, Porkhov, Gdov to Russia; with the Poles about the exchange of prisoners, among whom was the father of the Sovereign, Metropolitan Filaret. But the Lord did not lead Archbishop Theodoret to live to see the return of the sufferer from captivity.

In his free time from state affairs, His Grace Theodoret hurried to visit Ryazan. The disorder of diocesan affairs demanded his presence. The inhabitants of Ryazan suffered greatly from the enemies of the Fatherland, many villages were devastated, others were burned, some monasteries were empty, others were left without support. Archbishop Theodoret petitioned the Sovereign for support for the victims in troubled times, and after the pacification of Russia, the parishes were gradually equipped, the churches were renovated.

The 65th year of the life of Archbishop Theodoret, the 11th year of his archpastoral and state activity, was expiring. Two circumstances, which happened almost simultaneously, greatly undermined his health. In 1616, Lisovsky invaded Ryazan with a gang and in a short time devastated many villages and villages between Ryazan and Kolomna. In the same year, a fire broke out not far from the holy chambers. It quickly spread among the cramped buildings, and many houses and churches quickly fell victim to the flames. Sorrow upon sorrow lay in the soul of the compassionate heart of Archbishop Theodoret. Funds to help the victims were scarce, and there were no funds left at all for the construction of God's temples. Archbishop Theodoret was ready to sacrifice the last, but labors and worries brought him closer to the last days of earthly life: on September 10 (according to the old style), 1617, in the 66th year, he peacefully reposed in the Lord. Saint Theodoret was buried in the Archangel Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin.

In 1999, on the Day of the Holy Spirit, the solemn glorification of Archbishop Theodoret took place in the Holy Trinity Monastery of Ryazan. The solemn divine service, at the end of which St. Theodoret was included in the Cathedral of the Ryazan Saints, was led by Archbishop Simon of Ryazan and Kasimov.

Now the holy relics of St. Theodoret rest in the Trinity Monastery in the city of Ryazan.

Troparion, tone 5

Mentor of humility and piety, the rule of faith and virtue, the Church of the lamp, St. Theodore, you piously saved your flock and brought you to Christ, the same crown of glory from the Lord is adorned, praying diligently to the King of Glory, may save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 5

The good helmsman, having been to the ship of the Church of Ryazan, prayerful for his flock, vigilant, keeping the spirit of faith in her and piety, the saint of the relics of St. Basil, brought you and the miraculous image of Our Lady of Feodotievsky in the time of adversity, you indicated to her as a source of healing and inexhaustible consolation, caring for the land of Russia , you called Tsar Michael to the kingdom of Russia. Sainted Father Theodore, remember us, worthy of honoring your holy memory, may the Lord save our souls.