Demetrius of Thessalonica (Thessalonian), Myrrh-Streaming. Dmitry Solunsky: biography Jn prison Dmitry Solunsky

DMITRY SOLUNSKY

Great Martyr Demetrius was born in the city of Thessaloniki in Greece.
His parents, secret Christians, baptized him and instructed him in the faith. His father, the Roman proconsul, died when Demetrius reached adulthood. Emperor Maximian Galerius, who ascended the throne in 305, appointed Demetrius in his father’s place as ruler and governor of the Thessalonian region. Demetrius's main duty was to defend his region from external enemies, but the emperor also demanded that he exterminate Christians. Demetrius instead began to eradicate pagan customs and convert pagans to the faith of Christ.
Of course, the emperor was soon informed that Proconsul Demetrius was a Christian. Returning from a campaign against the Sarmatians (tribes inhabiting the Black Sea steppes), Maximian stopped in Thessaloniki. Preparing for death, Demetrius distributed his property to the poor, and he devoted himself to prayer and fasting. The emperor imprisoned the proconsul and began to entertain himself and the inhabitants of Thessaloniki with gladiatorial battles in the circus. Christians were searched for and dragged into the arena. The perky Leah, famous among gladiators, easily defeated meek Christians in battle and, with the rejoicing of the brutal crowd, threw them onto the spears of the soldiers.
The young Christian Nestor visited Demetrius in prison, and Demetrius blessed him to fight Leah. Strengthened by God, Nestor defeated the proud gladiator and threw him onto the spears of the soldiers. Nestor should have been awarded as a winner, but instead he was executed as a Christian.
By order of the emperor, the prison guards pierced Demetrius with spears in 306.

Murder of the martyr. Dimitri. Icon. 1st quarter XVII century (Benaki Museum, Athens)

The body of the Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild beasts, but the Thessalonians secretly betrayed him to the ground. Dimitri's servant Lupp took the bloody robe and the martyr's ring and began to heal the sick with them. He was also executed. During the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (324-337), a temple was erected over the grave of the Great Martyr Demetrius, and a hundred years later his incorruptible relics were discovered. At the tomb of the Great Martyr Demetrius, miracles and healings were performed. During the reign of Emperor Mauritius, the Avars living on the Don besieged the city of Thessaloniki. Saint Demetrius appeared on the city wall, and the 100,000-strong army of the besiegers fled. Another time, the saint saved the city from famine. The life of Saint Demetrius tells that he freed prisoners from the yoke of infidels and helped them reach Thessaloniki.

From the 7th century During the cancer of Saint Demetrius, fragrant and miraculous myrrh began to flow, as contemporaries wrote about. In the XIV century. Demetrius Chrysologist wrote about it: myrrh “in its properties is not water, but it is thicker than it and does not resemble any of the substances known to us... It is more amazing than all the incense, not only artificial, but also naturally created by God.” For this reason, the Great Martyr Demetrius was called Myrrh-Streaming.

Demetrius of Thessalonica, Martyrius of Zelenetsky and John Chrysostom


Apostle Philip, Saints Theodore and Demetrius

St. Martyr. Georgy and Dimitri

Church veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in the Russian Church began immediately after the Baptism of Rus'. To the beginning 70s XI century refers to the founding of the Dimitrievsky Monastery in Kyiv, later known as the Mikhailov-Golden-Domed Monastery. The monastery was built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Duke Izyaslav, in Baptism by Demetrius († 1078). The mosaic icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica from the Cathedral of the Dimitrievsky Monastery has survived to this day and is located in the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Since ancient times, the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica has been associated in Rus' with military feats, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland. The saint is depicted on icons as a warrior in feathered armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. On the scroll (in later images) they wrote a prayer with which Saint Demetrius addressed God for the salvation of his native Thessaloniki: “Lord, do not destroy the city and the people. If you save the city and the people, I will be saved with them, if you destroy it, with them and I will perish."

In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, the veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is closely connected with the memory of the defender of the Motherland and the Church, the Grand Duke of Moscow Demetrius of Donskoy († 1389). “The Sermon on the Life and Repose of Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia,” written in 1393, like other ancient sources, praises him as a saint. Spiritual son and pupil of Metropolitan Alexy, Saint of Moscow († 1378; commemorated February 12), student and interlocutor of the great prayer books of the Russian land - St. Sergius of Radonezh († 1392; commemorated September 25), († 1392; commemorated February 11), St. Theodore of Rostov († 1394; commemorated November 28), Grand Duke Demetrius “was very sad about the churches of God, and held the country of the Russian land with his courage: he defeated many enemies who rose up against us and fenced his glorious city Moscow with wonderful walls.” Since the time of the white-stone Kremlin built by Grand Duke Dimitri (1366), Moscow began to be called White-stone. “The Russian land flourished during the years of his reign,” the title “Word” testifies. Through the prayers of his Heavenly patron, the holy warrior Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Grand Duke Demetrius won a series of brilliant military victories that predetermined the further rise of Russia: he repelled the onslaught of the Lithuanian troops of Olgerd on Moscow (1368,1373), defeated the Tatar army of Begich on the Vozha River (1378), crushed military power of the entire Golden Horde in the battle on the Kulikovo field (September 8, 1380 on the day of the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) between the Don and Nepryadva rivers. The Battle of Kulikovo, for which the people named Dimitri Donskoy, became the first all-Russian national feat that rallied the spiritual forces of the Russian people around Moscow. “Zadonshchina,” an inspired heroic poem written by priest Zephaniah Ryazan (1381), is dedicated to this turning point in Russian history.

Prince Dimitry Donskoy was a great admirer of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. In 1380, on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the main shrine of the Vladimir Demetrius Cathedral - the icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, written on the board of the saint’s tomb. In the Moscow Assumption Cathedral, a chapel was built in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius. In memory of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, Dimitrievskaya Parental Saturday was established for church-wide commemoration. For the first time, this requiem service was performed at the Trinity-Sergius Monastery on October 20, 1380 by St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, in the presence of the Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy himself. Since then, it has been celebrated annually in the monastery with the solemn commemoration of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, including the schema-monks-warriors Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrei (Oslyabi).

The Legend of the Miracles of the Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica

There are several collections of stories about the miracles of Dmitry Thessalonica, 2 of which were created in the 7th century. in Thessalonica, are considered the oldest, they formed the basis of all subsequent ones. They show the main features of the image of the great martyr and the nature of his exploits. The author of the oldest collection (Collection I - BHG, N 499-516) is Archbishop John of Thessaloniki (late 6th - early 7th century), the creation of his work dates back to the reign of Emperor Heraclius (610-641). John's collection consists of 15 thematically selected miracles.

Miracle 1 “About Eparch Mariana”

Eparch Marian of Illyricum began to indulge in gluttony, carnal passions and other sins, from which he became seriously ill, and no treatment could help him. Marian rejected the magical amulet offered to him, preferring the salvation of his soul to recovery. Then Dmitry of Thessalonica appeared to him in a dream and ordered him to go to his temple. After spending the night in the Church of the Great Martyr, Marian was healed. This event could have taken place no earlier than the middle of the 5th century, when, after the fall of Sirmium, Thessalonica became the residence of the ruler of Illyricum. It is possible that it was borrowed by John from an older collection.

Miracle 2 “About the One Who Bleeded”

A certain military leader who served under the rule of the Eparch of Illyricum suffered from severe stomach bleeding. Since he was known for his faith and gentle disposition, the whole city sympathized with him, but not a single medicine helped him. Nearing death, he asked to be taken to the temple of the city's main defender. When asked who it was, he answered: “Dionysius of Thessalonica.” He received healing in his temple.

Miracle 3 “About the Plague”

John describes in detail an epidemic from which infants, soldiers, and rulers died. Trusting in the help of the patron saint of Thessalonica, Dmitry of Thessalonica, people prayed earnestly all night in his temple, and the next morning many of them began to recover, while those who remained at home died. This event dates back to July 586.

The next group of miracles (4-7) in Collection I belongs to the category of “spiritual healing,” or deliverance from delusions.

Miracle 4 "Odemons"

Tells about a warrior who was possessed by demons and could not pray. His comrades took him to the temple of Dmitry Thessalonica and laid him there, and the next morning his sanity returned to him.

Miracle 5 “On the Claim of the Relics of a Martyr”

Emperor Mauritius demanded that Archbishop Eusebius of Thessalonica send him the relics of Dmitry of Thessalonica to help him in the war. Eusebius refused the emperor, recalling that the emperor Justinian had tried in vain to obtain the relics of the saint. Then the church ministers decided to open the relics by excavating at their supposed location, but were stopped by a sudden flame and the voice of Dmitry of Thessalonica, who forbade them to do this.

Miracle 6 “About the Silver Throne”

During a fire in the Temple of Demetrius of Thessalonica, the silver ciborium over the tomb, the main decoration of the temple, was destroyed. Archbishop Eusebius, in order to compensate for the silver missing to restore the ciborium, decided to melt the throne located in the temple, but Dmitry appeared to one of the priests in a dream and forbade him to do this. However, Eusebius did not believe him, then Dmitry appeared to the priest for the second time, and after 18 months - for the third time, this time promising to take care of the ciborium. Soon Eusebius was approached by someone named Mina, and then by other donors of silver for the restoration of the ciborium.

Miracle 7 “About the sexton Onesiphorus”

A certain young man, Onesiphorus, whose duty was to light candles and arrange lamps in the temple of Demetrius of Thessaloniki, began to steal and sell candles, and embezzle money. Dmitry appeared to him in a dream, but Onesiphorus did not heed the saint’s warning. One night he wanted to steal candles from the ciborium, but was stopped by Dmitry's voice from the coffin. Onesiphorus fell as if struck by thunder, and when he woke up, he repented and abandoned his sinful passion. The miracle took place during the time of Eusebius (John's predecessor on the ecclesiastical throne of Thessalonica), but before he became a bishop, that is, before 586.

Miracles 8-15 tell about the protection of Thessalonica from various disasters.

Miracle 8 “About the help of the great martyr in famine”

After the siege of the city was lifted, famine set in, as the attacking barbarians destroyed the crops and all supplies in the area. In addition, due to rumors that Thessalonica had been captured, merchant ships stopped coming to the city. Residents were in danger of starvation. Then the great martyr appeared in a dream to Stephen, the captain of ships with grain going to Constantinople, and ordered him to change course and sail to Thessalonica. The saint walked along the sea ahead of the ship and showed the way. When the captain arrived in the city, he spoke about the vision of Dmitry of Thessalonica, who for the first time showed miraculous power outside the walls of Thessalonica. The event dates back to the fall of 586.

Miracle 9 “About helping a martyr in famine another time”

The Great Martyr sent ships with food to his hometown, which was threatened by famine, but this time he did not appear to the merchants, but inspired them to go to Thessalonica. Dated ca. 610

Miracle 10 “About Lady Eutaxia”

The story dates back to the time of the bloody civil war under the Emperor. Phocas (602-610), which began in the East (Cilicia, M. Asia), and then spread to Illyricum and Thessalonica. One man, who had recently arrived in the city and was still unfamiliar with it, dreamed that he was in the temple of Demetrius of Thessalonica, on the left side of which there was a ciborium of extraordinary beauty. He asked what kind of building this was, and he was told that, according to rumors, a great martyr rested there. Dmitriy. The man wanted to look inside, and the gates of the ciborium were opened for him. There he saw a kind of silver bed, at the head of which there was a golden throne strewn with precious stones, and Dmitry himself was sitting on it. At the bottom of the bed there was another throne, made of silver, on which sat a beautiful noble woman. She got up and took a step towards the door, but the saint stopped her and asked her not to leave the city that needed her. The dreamer asked who she was and received the answer that she was a certain Eutaxia. She was sent by God to be a companion to Dmitry of Thessalonica. The dream was interpreted as a sign that the great martyr was not allowing Eutaxia to leave the city, which was experiencing civil strife. This miracle contains the most detailed description of the ciborium, the supposed tombstone of Demetrius of Thessalonica.

Miracle 11 “On the Blasphemous Eparch”

The central figure here again is a certain eparch of Illyricum, who was very arrogant and treated the citizens with contempt. When he reached the point of blasphemy, he was struck by illness as punishment: his body was covered with terrible ulcers. So he suffered for almost a year and was delivered from the disease only after he confessed with tears in the temple of Dmitry. This miracle dates back to ca. 586

Miracles 12-15 contain a description of the military assistance provided by Demetrius of Solonsky to the city. All of them relate to historical events witnessed by the contemporaries of Archbishop John.

Miracle 12 “On the combustion of ciborium”

On the 2nd day of the holiday in honor of Dmitry (October 26), on the night of October 28, the ciborium caught fire and molten silver flowed like a river across the floor. Awakened townspeople rushed to put out the fire. When the fire was extinguished, and the townspeople had not yet dispersed, the church servants began to fear that the temple would be robbed, and did not know how to get people out of it. Then Dmitry inspired one of them to declare a false alarm about a barbarian attack. Soon the crowd dispersed and the servants began to calmly collect the molten silver. When the townspeople, armed, climbed the walls of the city, it turned out that the Slavic army had actually quietly approached Thessalonica. The battle lasted all day until the attackers retreated. This miracle contains the earliest mention of the saint's feast day - 26 October. It is difficult to assign the event to a specific year, and proposed dates range from 584 to 609.

Miracle 13 “About the siege of the city”

Archbishop John calls it “the most important of the martyr’s miracles,” which saved Thessalonica from certain destruction. Having planned to cause as much grief as possible to the Emperor Mauritius, the leader (khagan) of the Avars gathered the Slavs subordinate to him and marched with a huge army against Thessalonica. Sweeping away everything in its path, the army advanced towards the city faster than could have been expected. But Dmitry sent darkness to the enemies, so that they took the MC fortress. The matrons left the city and stayed there, only discovering the mistake at dawn. When the assault on the city finally began, Dmitry appeared on the wall in the equipment of a heavily armed warrior and threw the first barbarian from those climbing the stairs onto the wall with a spear. As he fell, he carried everyone else with him. Overcome with fear, the barbarians retreated from the walls. After the first failure, the Avars and Slavs surrounded the city with a tight ring. The townspeople were gripped by horror, as they had never seen so many barbarians up close. In addition, the population of the city was greatly reduced after the plague epidemic, and salvation seemed impossible.

Miracle 14 “About the singer”

It is believed that initially Miracles 13-14 were a single story, which, due to its large volume, was divided into 2 parts. The 1st talks about how Dmitry prevented the barbarians from suddenly capturing the city, the 2nd talks about how Thessalonica was delivered from the siege. At the center of each of the stories is a miracle associated with the appearance of the great martyr to provide military assistance, but in addition, there are several other miracles of the saint, which explain the successes of the townspeople and the failures of the barbarians during the siege. A few days before the appearance of the barbarians, Archbishop Eusebius dreamed that he was in the city theater, where a certain singer was going to sing about him and his daughter. Waking up, Eusebius guessed that his daughter was Thessalonica. Knowing that dreams of this kind foreshadow misfortune, he prayed day and night. When the barbarians attacked the city, he immediately understood what the singer had prophesied. The city did not have enough people, money or weapons to repel the attack.

But suddenly, to the surprise of the attackers, warriors who had come from nowhere appeared on the walls - it was God who sent his army to help. The author describes in detail the siege, during which the barbarians came close to taking the city several times, but Dmitry helped repel the attacks, and the attackers returned to the camp empty-handed. On the 7th day of the siege, the barbarians decided to undertake a decisive battle. However, on the appointed day, they unexpectedly retreated from the walls of the city, overcome with horror. As they retreated, they robbed and killed each other. Defectors on their side said that the day before they saw an army ride out of the city gates, led by “a fiery and shining man on a white horse and dressed in white clothes.” The townspeople realized that it was an angelic army led by Dmitry of Thessalonica. This event can be attributed to 586 or 597. Most researchers are inclined to date September 22-29, 586.

Miracle 15 “On the Appearance of Angels”

Angels talk with the military commander. Demetrius about the fate of Thessalonica. The mark of the icon “Vmch. Demetrius of Thessalonica with his life" Beginning. XVI century

On the 3rd day of the siege, one illustration was a vision in the temple of the great martyr: 2 angels knocked on the gates of the ciborium. The gates opened, and the illustrator saw Dmitry of Thessalonica inside, from whom a dazzling light emanated. The angels told him to leave the city, which God was delivering into the hands of the pagans. Dmitry was saddened and asked the angels to convey to God his request not to give up the city or to allow him to lay down his soul for the inhabitants of the city. The angels disappeared, and Dmitry. returned to the tomb. The next morning the barbarians were put to flight. This miracle is of great importance for the formation of the image of the saint as a defender of the fatherland, who refuses to leave the city, punished for its sins, and begs for forgiveness from God.

Meeting II(BHG, N 516z - 523) arose as a direct continuation of Collection I. In the introduction, the author gives reasons to attribute its compilation to the 80-90s. VII century Collection II has been preserved in a single manuscript (Paris. gr. 1517), where it follows Collection I. Neither the name of the author nor his social position are known, i.e. The house page with the beginning of the 1st chapter has been lost, but from the work it is clear that the author was a resident of Thessalonica. Collection II consists of 6 Miracles and is more rich in historical information than Collection I. All Miracles (except the 6th) are related to the defense of the city from barbarians.

Miracle 1 “On equipping the ships of the Droguvites, Sagudates, Velegesites and others”

Tells about the miracles of Dmitry of Thessalonica, performed during the attack on Thessalonica by the fleet of Slavic tribes. Before starting the siege of the city, the Slavs, attacking from the sea on monoxyl ships (single-shafted ships), devastated other regions of Greece - Thessaly, Epirus, Achaia, captured most of the Greek islands and reached the shores of Asia Minor. They prepared sophisticated siege weapons for the assault on Thessalonica. When, after 3 days of preparations, the Slavs launched an assault, they saw Dmitry in a white robe walking around the wall and walking along the sea as if on land. And then the Slavic ships became uncontrollable, collided with each other and capsized. A headwind blew, and the surviving ships were unable to turn back; they were barely able to move away. The Slavs planned to capture the city from the inside. Their leader, named Hatzon, wanted to secretly enter Thessalonica, but was discovered and handed over to the townspeople. In memory of this, there was an image not far from the unpreserved temple of Dmitry of Thessalonica in the area. Xylon. The Slavic naval attack on the city is dated to ca. 615 About the active actions of the Slavs in the Balkans in the first decades of the 7th century. Other Byzantine authors also report, but Collection II is the only source that allows us to reconstruct the course of events in the southern regions of the peninsula. During the attack, the Slavs brought their families to Thessalonica, intending to capture the city and settle here. Their naval operations covered almost the entire coast of Greece, including the Peloponnese, with adjacent islands, the maritime zone of Macedonia and the shores of Asia Minor. First, the Slavs needed to capture the interior regions of the peninsula. The fact that Thessalonica survived under these circumstances was perceived by contemporaries as a miracle.

Miracle 2 “About the Kagan’s War”

Having failed at Thessalonica, the Slavs sent many gifts to the Avars, promising to give even more if they helped them capture the city. Gathering all the tribes under his control, the kagan marched against Thessalonica. This attack was even more dangerous than the previous one. Archbishop John tried to support the spirit of the besieged; he climbed the walls, calling for hope in the help of God and Dmitry of Thessalonica. One of the townspeople, having written the name of the great martyr on a stone, threw it at the enemies, who collided with another large stone thrown by the Slavs and turned it back. Both stones fell on the barbarians' catapult, causing great casualties. On the same day, a strong earthquake occurred, the barbarians saw that the wall had collapsed and rushed into the city, but as they approached, they were convinced that the wall stood as before. The arrows fired by the barbarians turned against them. Suddenly, the city's harbor was filled with ships carrying various supplies. The sailors said that they were sent by an unknown official, but the townspeople immediately realized that it was Dmitry, since the country did not yet know about the sudden attack of the barbarians on Thessalonica. The Kagan, seeing that he could not take the city, agreed to the ransom and retreated. The siege lasted 33 days. It is dated to 618.

Miracle 3 “On the earthquake and the burning of the temple”

Shortly after the siege discussed in the previous Miracle, Archbishop John had a vision of an earthquake in the city. He asked God to delay the punishment until his death. His prayer was heard. About a month after the death of Archbishop John, an earthquake occurred. The tremors continued for several days, but the first one was especially strong, so that part of the city immediately collapsed, but none of the townspeople died, having managed to leave their houses and the city under the care of Dmitry. Another miracle was that the Slavs who were nearby did not attack Thessalonica.

They said that when they saw the city destroyed and the gates open, they took tools to clear the rubble and went for the property of the townspeople, deciding that everyone had died. As they approached, they discovered that the city stood as before, and there were armed guards on the walls. What exactly the miracle was can be interpreted in two ways: either the Slavs became victims of an illusion, or the walls really collapsed, and Dmitry restored them. During the disaster, Dmitry of Thessalonica himself appeared to guard the city, and this time he walked accompanied by other saints. Soon after the earthquake, the temple of Dmitry caught fire. Despite all efforts, they could not put out the fire, and the basilica was completely destroyed. The Thessalonians perceived this as punishment for their sins, and some decided that Dmitry asked God to punish his temple in order to divert even greater punishment from the city. Dmitry of Thessaloniki, appearing in a dream to one righteous man, said that the temple would be restored. The described events date back to the 20s or 30s. VII century Miracle 3 ends the story about the events of the time of Archbishop John. The following Miracles refer to subsequent decades and relate events of which the unknown author of Collection II was a contemporary.

Miracle 4 “About famine and siege due to Perwood”

This text is the largest in the Collection, and it is the most historically valuable. The author divides it into several. parts. The plot is based on the attempt of the Slavs, who had long settled around Thessalonica, to capture the city. The reason for the confrontation was the arrest of the Slavic prince, who was in the city. Perwood. Slavic tribes surrounded the city on all sides, so that the inhabitants were in danger of starvation. To save his compatriots, Dmitry performed several miracles. According to his trade, Perwood was caught, who managed to escape after the first arrest. Then he stopped the flight of residents to the Slavs due to severe famine: Dmitry inspired the latter with the idea of ​​​​selling the townspeople into slavery to the Slavs of the interior regions of the peninsula. After some time, when only the weakest remained in the city, as all the young and strong sailed on ships for food to Thessaly, the Slavs decided to storm. Then Dmitry, appearing in person with a rod in his hand, drove the enemies away from the gate. Thanks to this miracle and the fact that, despite the siege engines on the one hand and the exhaustion of the defenders on the other, the enemies still could not take Thessalonica, they realized that the city had patron saints. When the imperial army came to the rescue, peace was concluded with the Slavs. The main miracle in this lengthy plot is the conversion of the Slavic master inventor to Christianity. A certain craftsman decided to build an unusual siege machine in the form of a tower, which could accommodate warriors with a variety of weapons. But Dmitry appeared to him, hit him in the face, and the master lost his mind. He fled to the mountains, where he began to live like a wild animal. Having come to his senses, he found out who the saint who had appeared to him was, and soon received baptism. This important episode outlines a new line in the saint’s miracles - the conversion of pagans to Christianity. The blockade of the city by the Slavs took 2 years and most likely dates back to 676-678.

Miracle 5 “About the internecine war planned against the city by the Bulgarians Moor and Coover”

The plot refers to a turning point in the history of the Balkan Peninsula, when the Avars are no longer mentioned in the sources, the Slavs become an important demographic element, and the Bulgarians begin to pose a serious threat. The text shows how quickly the situation in Macedonia and on the peninsula as a whole was changing. Some of the subjects of the Avar Kagan, descendants of the Greeks who had once been captured and mixed with the Slavs and Bulgarians, decided to leave the Kaganate and return to the rule of the empire. Having crossed the Danube, they reached Thessalonica and camped near the city. A Bulgarian named Kuver, who led this exodus from the Kaganate, did not want to let go of the people who were trying to return to the city of their ancestors, for fear of losing power. People began to flee from him to Thessalonica. Then Coover decided to send a man loyal to him named Moor to the city in order to cause a “civil war” there. The implementation of this plan was prevented by Dmitry Solunsky. He appeared in a dream to the commander of the ships, Sisinius, near the island of Skiathos and ordered him to urgently move towards the city, while the great martyr made the wind fair. The arrival of Sisinius' ships saved Thessalonica. These events date back to the 80s. VII century The Moor's seal and other evidence confirming the authenticity of the information have been preserved. This miracle ends the stories about the sieges of the city by barbarians. According to the author, all their attempts to take possession of Thessalonica were doomed to failure, for the city as the home of Demetrius of Thessalonica was supposed to remain untouched.

Miracle 6 “About Bishop Cyprian”

Who went from Africa to Constantinople. Off the coast of Hellas, he was captured by the Slavs and fell into slavery. One day a certain young man in military clothing appeared before him and said that his name was Demetrius and his house was in Thessalonica. He ordered Cyprian to follow him, but to remain silent along the way and not to address him. After 8 days, Cyprian reached Thessalonica and his guide disappeared. The bishop looked for the house of the warrior Demetrius in the city to thank him; in the temple of Demetrius of Thessaloniki he recognized his companion on the icon and told the Archbishop of Thessalonica about everything. Upon returning to Africa, Cyprian erected a temple in his homeland in the name of Dmitry of Thessalonica, who himself helped him get marble for construction. In this temple, many were healed from scorpion stings by anointing themselves with oil from a lamp in front of the icon of the Great Martyr.

The Miracle of Radomir

The Bulgarian Tsar Radomir was a man of fierce temper. His favorite pastime was hunting, during which he poisoned people with animals. Driven to despair, the subjects begged Dmitry to deliver them from their tormentor. Once, during a hunt, having lured Radomir to a hard-to-reach place, the great martyr appeared before him on horseback, threw Radomir off his horse with one blow and pierced him with a spear, and then became invisible. We are talking about Gabriel Radomir (1014-1015), who was the son of the Bulgarian king Samuil and led the Bulgarians’ struggle against the Byzantine conquest. He was killed by his cousin Ivan Vladislav during a hunt, as evidenced by some historical sources.

Miracle about Kaloyan

Miracle of the Great Martyr. Demetrius about Tsar Kaloyan. Icon. XVIII century

The Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan (1197-1207), having ravaged many cities in Thrace and Macedonia, was going to capture Thessalonica, where the myrrh-streaming relics of Dmitry of Thessalonica were kept. He approached the city and settled down to rest. At night, Dmitry appeared to him on a white horse and stabbed him in the heart with a spear. Kaloyan woke up with a deep wound and told the military leader Manastyr about the vision. Kaloyan died, and his army, gripped by horror, fled, taking the king’s body. Kaloyan was the younger brother of the founders of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, Peter (Theodore) and Asen (Belgun). It is known that he died suddenly or was killed at night in his tent on the eve of the assault on Thessalonica. The Bulgarians immediately retreated from the city, and the killers were not found. The mysterious death of Kaloyan gave rise to many rumors, on the basis of which the story of John Stavrakis was written down. The legend of the murder of Kaloyan by Dmitry of Thessalonica is also found among Western writers Alberic and Robert de Clary (XII-XIII centuries).

Prayers to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the Myrrh-Streamer

First prayer

Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius, quick helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, and that we may be delivered from the all-destroying plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to show mercy to this city, this temple and every Christian country. Seek from the King of those reigning victory and victory over the enemies, but for our entire power, peace, silence, firmness in faith and advancement in piety: for us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through your prayers to inherit the kingdom of heaven, for His eternal glorification with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Second prayer

Holy Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and for us, the damned (names), to be delivered from the all-destructive plague, fire and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to be generous to this parish (or house) and our temple. Ask us for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through Your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and there glorify Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Copyright © 2015 Unconditional love

- one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox world, the heavenly patron of Thessaloniki.

Life

He was born into a rich and noble family of the Roman proconsul in the city of Thessaloniki in Greece (Thessaloniki, now Thessaloniki) during the reign of the wicked god-fighting kings Diocletian and Maximian. His parents, secret Christians, had no children for a long time. They earnestly prayed to the Lord to give them an heir. The all-merciful Lord heeded their prayers and gave them a son, whom they named Demetrius. When the boy grew up, they called a priest, secretly baptized him in their secret home church and constantly instructed him in the faith.

http://files.predanie.ru/mp3/%C6%E8%F2%E8%FF%20%F1%E2%FF%F2%FB%F5%2C%20%F7%F2%E8%EC%FB %F5%20%EF%F0%E0%E2%EE%F1%EB%E0%E2%ED%EE%E9%20%F6%E5%F0%EA%EE%E2%FC%FE/106_B%EC %F7.%20%C4%E8%EC%E8%F2%F0%E8%FF%20%D1%EE%EB%F3%ED%F1%EA%EE%E3%EE%20%28%EE% EA.%20306%29.mp3

When his father died, and Demetrius had already reached adulthood, Emperor Galerius Maximian, who ascended the throne in 305, summoned him to his place. Demetrius was a handsome, chaste, intelligent and brave young man, and the emperor, convinced of his education and military-administrative abilities, appointed him in his father’s place as proconsul of the Thessalonian region, whose main duty was to defend cities from barbarians and exterminate Christians. In relation to Christians, the will of the emperor was expressed unambiguously: “ Put to death everyone who calls on the name of the Crucified One.”.

Instead of executing Christians, Dmitry began to convert the residents of Thessaloniki to the new faith. He began to openly teach them the Christian faith and eradicate pagan customs and idolatry. He was nicknamed the second Apostle Paul, since the Apostle himself founded the first community of believers here.

Rumors of this soon reached Maximian himself - the emperor’s anger knew no bounds. Returning from a campaign against the Sarmatians (tribes inhabiting the Black Sea steppes), Maximian stopped in Thessalonica, full of desire to deal with the Solunian Christians.

Having learned about this, Saint Demetrius ordered his faithful servant Luppus in advance to distribute the property to the poor with the words: “Divide the earthly wealth among them - we will seek for ourselves heavenly wealth.” And he devoted himself to fasting and prayer, preparing himself to accept the crown of martyrdom.

The emperor entered the city and called his proconsul to him. Demetrius boldly confessed himself to be a Christian and began to condemn pagan polytheism. The emperor imprisoned him.

As if in a bright palace, Saint Demetrius sat in prison, praising and glorifying God. The devil, wanting to frighten the saint, turned into a scorpion and wanted to sting him in the leg. Making the sign of the cross, the saint fearlessly trampled the attacker. He was also honored with a visit from the Angel of God, who brought him peace and encouraged him before suffering.

Meanwhile, the emperor organized gladiatorial games and began to amuse himself with the spectacles. He had one favorite strongman, an outstanding wrestler named Liy, a Vandal by birth. Having ordered the construction of high scaffolds for him, Maximian watched with great pleasure as Liy fought with his opponents and put them to a painful death, throwing them onto spears. Among the dead were many Christians who were forced into battle.

A brave young man named Nestor, from Thessalonica Christians, came to his mentor Demetrius in prison and asked to bless him for single combat with the barbarian. Having made the sign of the cross over Nestor, Saint Demetrius predicted: “ You will defeat Leah and endure torment for Christ!“Then, having entered into battle with Liy, he defeated the royal wrestler and threw him down from the platform onto sharp spears. The death of Leah greatly saddened the king: he immediately ordered that blessed Nestor be put to death. But this execution did not console Maximian; all day and all night he regretted the death of Leah. Having learned that the holy martyr Nestor entered into single combat with Leah on the advice and blessing of Saint Demetrius, the emperor ordered that Saint Demetrius be pierced with spears.

Early in the morning of October 26, 306, soldiers entered the dungeon. They found the saint standing in prayer and immediately pierced him with spears. The body of the Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild beasts, but the Thessalonians secretly betrayed him to the ground.

The faithful servant Saint Luppus collected the blood of the holy Great Martyr Demetrius on a towel, removed the imperial ring from his finger, a sign of his high dignity, and also dipped it in the blood. With a ring and other shrines, consecrated with the blood of Saint Demetrius, Saint Luppus began to heal the sick. The emperor ordered to seize and kill him.

History with relics

According to his life, after the execution of Demetrius, his body was thrown to be devoured by beasts, but they did not touch him and the remains were buried by Thessalonica Christians.

Under Saint Constantine, Equal to the Apostles (306-337), a church was erected over the tomb of Saint Demetrius, in which many miracles and healings were performed.

Basilica of St. Demetrius

And after 100 years, one Illyrian nobleman named Leonty Having received healing from a serious, incurable illness in that temple, he wanted to build a new majestic temple as a sign of gratitude.

The former small temple was dismantled, and when they began to dig a ditch for the foundation, the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius were found completely intact and incorruptible. Fragrant myrrh flowed from them, so that the whole city was filled with a fragrance, in connection with which the Great Martyr Demetrius received the church name Myrrh-streaming.

Shell for collecting peace in the basilica crypt

With great reverence, the holy relics were taken from the ground, and many sick people received healing through anointing with the flowing ointment. Leonty rejoiced not so much about his healing as about the discovery of the holy relics. He soon finished the work he had started and built a beautiful temple in the name of St. Demetrius on that place. Here, in the ark, bound in gold and silver, decorated with precious stones, the honorable relics of the great martyr were placed.

Ciborium for the shrine with the relics of St. Demetrius (located in the left nave of the basilica)

When the time came for Leonty to return to his homeland, he decided to take some of the relics of the saint in order to build a church in his city in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius. But the saint, having appeared, forbade him to separate any part of the relics. Then he took only the shroud stained with the blood of the saint, with the help of which he miraculously crossed the turbulent and high-water river that he encountered on the way. Returning to Illyria, Leonty built a temple there in the name of the holy great martyr Demetrius, and miracles happened there too: the ruler of Illyria received healing from the scabs and pus that covered his body, many demoniacs and the sick were healed forever.

Myrrh-streaming

Since ancient times, the relics of Saint Demetrius have been revered as myrrh-streaming. Believers who came to the basilica to venerate the saint collected myrrh into glass ampoules. Warriors rubbed their bodies with sacred myrrh before battle. Myrrh was revered not only by Christians. John Anagnost, who described the capture of the city by the Turks, reports that Muslims also collected myrrh, considering it a medical drug for any disease. In ancient times, the flow of myrrh was very abundant - the Byzantine historian and writer Nikita Choniates describes how the Normans, who captured Thessaloniki in 1185, blasphemously collected myrrh into pots, fried fish on it and smeared their shoes with it. Although the myrrh-streaming of the relics has now stopped, the saint’s shrine is opened at vespers on the eve of the saint’s day of remembrance and cotton wool soaked in aromatic liquid is distributed to the believers.

Tales of Miracles

Basilica of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki

There are several collections of stories about the miracles of Demetrius of Thessalonica, created at the beginning and end of the 7th century. in Thessalonica. They are considered the most ancient and formed the basis for all subsequent ones. There were especially many miracles in Thessaloniki, where the relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius rested.

The Miracle of the Silver Throne. One day there was a fire in the temple dedicated to the saint. The strong fire melted the silver canopy over the relics of the saint. The Archbishop of Thessaloniki at that time was Eusebius, who wanted to restore the silver canopy. But he had too little silver. In this temple there was a silver throne, which remained completely undamaged during the fire. The archbishop decided to transfer the throne to the canopy for the saint’s tomb, but had not yet informed anyone of his intention. At the same time, there was one pious presbyter named Demetrius at the temple. The holy great martyr appeared to him three times with the words: “Go and tell the bishop of the city: do not overfill the throne that is in my temple... I myself will take care of my temple and the city, leave me to take care of them.” And only the third time the bishop believed the presbyter and ordered not to overfill the throne. Soon a citizen of Thessaloniki, named Mina, came and brought with him 75 pounds of silver. He wished that this silver would be spent for the canopy over the saint’s tomb. Then other citizens of Thessaloniki appeared and also brought silver. From the donations a beautiful canopy was made for the tomb of the Great Martyr Demetrius.

The miracle of the siege of the city. During the reign of Emperor Mauritius, the Avars living on the Don besieged the city of Thessaloniki. Saint Demetrius appeared on the city wall and, striking with a spear, threw off the wall the first of the enemies who climbed the wall. Falling, he dragged the other attackers along with him, and the 100,000-strong army of the besiegers fled in horror. But after some time the enemy came to his senses and besieged the city again. At this time, a certain pious resident of Thessaloniki named Illustrius fervently prayed in the church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius for the deliverance of the city from its enemies. And suddenly he saw two angels entering the temple and heading towards the saint’s tomb. At their call, the saint “came out in his likeness, his face shining more powerfully than a ray of sunshine.” The angels kissed him and conveyed the Lord’s command to leave the city, for the city would be taken by the filthy. Dmitry began to cry, saddened, and asked him to tell the Vladyka: he could not leave his city in such trouble and watch its death from the sidelines. “If you destroy the city, I will perish with it; if you save me, I will be saved with him.” The angels were dissatisfied with the saint’s decision and left, warning him that God’s wrath threatened him for disobedience. The saint lay down in the coffin. In the morning, Illustry told his fellow citizens about the vision, which greatly encouraged and delighted them. On the seventh day of the siege, the enemies fled for no apparent reason, abandoning their tents and throwing weapons.

Miracle about the help of the great martyr in famine. After the siege of the city was lifted, all grain reserves were destroyed and famine began in the city. The saint appeared several times on ships sailing the sea, walked around piers and islands, commanding ships everywhere with wheat to sail to Thessaloniki. Thus the city was saved from famine.

The miracle of the reclaiming of the relics of a martyr. When the pious king Justinian built a magnificent temple in Constantinople in the name of Sophia - the Wisdom of God, he sent honest men to Thessaloniki to bring from there some of the relics of the holy great martyr Demetrius for the decoration and consecration of the newly erected temple. Arriving in Thessaloniki, the messengers approached the sacred ark, where the relics of the great martyr rested, in order to fulfill the royal command; suddenly a pillar of flame burst out of the ark, showering everyone with a whole sheaf of sparks, and a voice was heard from the fire: “Stop and don’t dare touch me.” Everyone present fell to the ground, overwhelmed with fear; then the messengers, taking only a little land from the place where the relics were located, returned to the king and told him about everything that had happened to them. Everyone who listened to their story was amazed. The messengers gave half of the taken land to the king, and the rest was placed in the church treasury.

The Miracle of the Sexton Onesiphorus. Saint Demetrius did not allow the donations made to his temple to be stolen. One day, a young man named Onesiphorus, who was performing his obedience in the Thessalonica temple, at the teachings of the devil, came up with the idea of ​​stealing the candles lit near the shrine with relics and selling them again, appropriating the proceeds for himself. Saint Demetrius appeared to Onesiphorus in a dream and denounced him with the greatest condescension. This made an impression on the young man, but not for long. Soon he returned to his previous occupation. And so, when he once again extended his hand to the candles, a loud voice came from the coffin: “Are you doing this again?!” The young man fell to the ground and lay until he was raised, after which he told those present about his sinful passion and the denunciations of Saint Demetrius and repented.

The miracle of the release of prisoners. The life of Saint Demetrius also tells that he freed prisoners from the yoke of infidels and helped them reach Thessaloniki. So two beautiful maidens, having been captured and received orders from a foreign prince to embroider an image of Saint Demetrius (the pagan prince had heard a lot about the miracles of the saint and wanted to worship his image as if it were an idol). When the tired girls fell asleep at work, they were miraculously transferred, along with the image they had embroidered, to the Thessaloniki temple, where a vigil was being held in honor of the feast of St. Demetrius. The awakened girls glorified God, and the image was placed above the altar.

Intercession against the raids of the pagan Slavs. Repeatedly approaching the city, the pagan Slavs were driven away from the walls of Thessaloniki by the sight of a formidable, bright young man who walked around the walls and inspired terror in the soldiers. Perhaps this is why the name of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica is especially revered among the Slavic peoples after their enlightenment with the light of the Gospel truth. On the other hand, the Greeks considered Saint Demetrius to be a Slavic saint par excellence.

Since ancient times, Serbs and Bulgarians have revered the Great Martyr Demetrius as the patron saint of the Slavs, calling them the “lover of the fatherland” of the Slavic peoples, linking this with the Slavic origin of the saint. It is no coincidence that the first work in the Slavic language by the saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril after they created the Slavic alphabet was the “Canon of Demetrius of Thessalonica”. This canon is considered the starting point in the birth of great Slavic literature.

Veneration of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica in Rus'

The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius performed many miracles in our Fatherland. His name in the most ancient Russian chronicles is mentioned before other names of saints: the Monk Nestor the chronicler says that the Greeks, defeated by the Grand Duke Oleg near Constantinople in 907, attributed their defeat not to the bravery of the Slavs, but to the intercession for them of their patron Saint Demetrius.

In Rus', the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica was revered as the patron of patriotism and all those who fight for the Fatherland. Russian soldiers always believed that they were under the special protection of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. Moreover, in ancient Russian epics, the Great Martyr Demetrius is depicted as Russian by origin - this is how this image merged with the soul of the Russian people.

Church veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in the Russian Church began immediately after the Baptism of Rus'.

Founded in the 11th century Dmitrievsky Monastery in Kyiv, later known as St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. The mosaic icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica from the Cathedral of the Dimitrievsky Monastery has survived to this day and is located in the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir

Erected in the 12th century Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir, which to this day is the decoration of this ancient city.

In the 13th century, the holy noble prince Daniel of Moscow erected a temple in the name of the holy great martyr Demetrius, which became the first stone temple of the Moscow Kremlin. Later, under Prince John Kalita, it was dismantled, and in its place was erected Assumption Cathedral with the chapel of Demetrius of Thessalonica.

In 1197, the icon of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, written on the saint’s tombstone, was transferred from Thessaloniki to Vladimir by the Grand Duke Vsevolod Yuryevich, and this event was included as a holiday in the ancient calendar. This miraculous icon was first in Kyiv, then in Vladimir, and on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 it was solemnly transferred to Moscow as a great shrine by the holy noble prince Dimitri Donskoy and placed in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (now located in the Tretyakov Gallery). One of the most valuable images of St. Demetrius is also the fresco on the pillar of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, painted by the Rev. Andrei Rublev.

The special veneration of Saint Demetrius in Rus' is also evidenced by the tradition of Russian princes naming their firstborns after him. This was the case with Yaroslav I, Yuri Dolgoruky, Alexander Nevsky, Ivan II, Ivan the Terrible, and Alexei Mikhailovich. In ancient Rus', the day of the Great Martyr Demetrius was considered one of the major holidays; the service was usually performed by the patriarch himself, in the presence of the tsar. The Holy Blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was a zealous admirer of Saint Demetrius.

Through the intercession of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica and the prayerful intercession of the Venerable Wonderworker Sergius of Radonezh, Russian soldiers won the most important victory in the history of our Fatherland over the heterodox Tatar-Mongol horde and the gathering of the Russian Land began. After the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in the battle with Mamai, it was installed for church-wide commemoration Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday. For the first time, this requiem service was performed on October 20, 1380 in the Trinity Monastery by the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh in the presence of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy. This church tradition is still alive today.

Iconography

Since ancient times, the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica has been associated in Rus' with military feats, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland. The saint is depicted on icons as a warrior in feathered armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. The iconography of the saint is close to the images of another Christian warrior-martyr - St. George the Victorious. Just like St. George, Demetrius of Thessaloniki did not participate in any military operations and did not win a single victory on the battlefield. Their feat consisted of courage and fortitude with which they defended their faith before pagan tormentors and, most importantly, in the resigned acceptance of death.

There are also hagiographic icons. Among them - “The Miracle of Dmitry of Thessalonica” - represents a holy warrior (sometimes in the form of a horseman with a spear), trampling the devil in the form of a scorpion, or the pagan king Koloyan, with whose name one of the many miracles of St. is associated. Dimitri. The Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan (1197-1207), having ravaged many cities in Thrace and Macedonia, was about to capture Thessalonica, where the myrrh-streaming relics of St. Dimitri. He approached the city and settled down to rest. At night, the Great Martyr Demetrius appeared to him on a white horse and stabbed him in the heart with a spear. Kaloyan woke up with a deep wound and told the military leader Manastyr about the vision. Kaloyan died, and his army, gripped by horror, fled, taking the king’s body.

Relics of the Great Martyr. Demetrius of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki

The relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius are located in Thessaloniki in the Basilica of St. Demetrius, which in 1988 was included in the list of World Heritage Sites as part of the Early Christian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki. In the Middle Ages, the relics were taken to Italy and returned back to Thessaloniki only in the 20th century: in 1978 - the honest chapter, and in 1980 - the main part of the relics (six large particles remained in Italy).

Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica

Troparion, tone 3:
You will find a great champion in troubles, the universe, a passion-bearer, and a conqueror of tongues. / Just as you brought down Liev’s pride, / and you boldly created Nestor for the feat, / so, Saint Demetrius, / prayed to Christ God / to grant us great mercy.

Kontakion, tone 3:
With the streams of your blood, Demetrius, God stained the church, giving you an invincible fortress, and keeping your city unharmed: for this you are the affirmation.

Dmitry of Thessalonica is a famous Christian saint. He is revered as one of the first to enlighten people that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God the Father, our Savior from original sin and the conqueror of death. Not all believers know about the life of Demetrius, his exploits and labors, as well as the miracles that God performed through his prayers.

One of the most revered Orthodox Christian saints, the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, was the son of the Roman proconsul. The father of the future glorified saint served in the Greek city of Thessaloniki (now this city sounds like Thessaloniki, in Old Church Slavonic - Thessaloniki). The Monk Andrei Rublev paid special attention to the personality of the Great Martyr, painting the face of Demetrius on one of the frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir.

Life of Demetrius of Thessalonica

A saint was born in the third century after Christ. Then it was a particularly difficult time for Christians: for the open confession of Jesus Christ as God from the pagans and polytheists, the brave souls were threatened with certain, most often painful, death. Therefore, Christians hid their faith, that is, they were “secret.”

The parents of Saint Demetrius were such secret Christians. The future saint was baptized in a secret church, which was located inside the house itself. The boy was raised in the Christian faith. After the death of his father, Saint Demetrius received the position of ruler of the Greek Thessaloniki. Guided by zeal for the Christian faith, he began to openly spread Christianity and teach the true religion of the Thessalonica residents, who were mostly idolaters.

Soon the emperor received a denunciation that his proconsul Demetrius is an ardent Christian. The emperor was offended and ordered Saint Demetrius to be taken into custody and imprisoned. Demetrius knew that he was in danger of death, and began to prepare in advance. He distributed his property to the poor, and he devoted himself to fasting and prayer. In prison, he was honored with a visit from the Angel of Christ, and this led to the prisoner’s desire for martyrdom even more.

Maximian stopped in the city of Thessaloniki, returning from a military campaign. The ruler, having imprisoned his proconsul, decided to teach the inhabitants of the city a lesson and entertain himself with gladiator fights. Maximian's men were looking for Christians and dragging them into the arena. The famous fighter Liy easily defeated meek Christians in battle and, while the frenzied crowd rejoiced, threw them off the platform onto spears.

A young man named Nestor, who was a pupil of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, came to prison to listen to his instructions. The young man, no longer wanting to see Liy kill many beautiful and kind people, decided to engage in a duel with the bloodthirsty killer. He went to Demetrius in prison and asked for his prayers and blessings for this matter.

The saint crossed him and prophetically said that the young man would defeat Leah and accept martyrdom. The young Christian, supported by the almighty power of the Holy Trinity, defeated Leah and threw him off the platform onto the spears.

When the ruler Maximian called Nestor to answer what kind of sorcery he used to defeat such a skilled warrior, he answered directly that the gladiator was defeated by an angel who was sent by the “God of Demetrius.” The enraged emperor ordered without delay put Nestor to death.

Realizing that it was through the prayers of Demetrius that the young man was able to win, Maximian ordered him to be put to the same death as Leah was killed: the saint was tortured with spears. Demetrius's servant named Lupp collected the blood of the great martyr onto a cloth and dipped a ring belonging to the new saint into it.

Soon miracles of healing began to emanate from these objects. Word about them quickly spread throughout Thessaloniki, people came to honor the memory of the saint and receive the necessary help. The emperor found out about this and ordered the execution of Lupp. The body of Demetrius, like-minded people of the former proconsul, was buried out of fear of the ruler in the same place where he met his martyrdom. Many signs and wonders were performed at the place of death of Demetrius of Thessalonica, and now the glory of the great martyr spread throughout Thessaly and Macedonia.

Miracles of the Great Martyr

About the silver throne

Many miracles happened at the relics of the saint, but only the brightest and most memorable ones have reached us.

One day there was a fire in the church built in honor of the great martyr. The strong flame melted the silver canopy over the shrine of St. Dimitri. The Archbishop of Thessaloniki in those years was Bishop Eusebius, who was going to restore the cover. However, he had very little silver for this.

Also in the same temple there was a silver throne, which remained completely undamaged after the fire. The archbishop decided to transfer the throne to the shrine for the saint's shrine, but at the same time did not yet notify anyone of his intention. At the same time, there was one God-fearing presbyter named Dmitry at the church. The Holy Great Martyr appeared to him three times with the same words: “Go and tell the bishop that I myself will take care of the city and my church, and that he should leave me in charge of them. Therefore, let the throne not overflow.”

The pious Christian obediently conveyed the words of the saint to the archbishop, but he only listened to the words conveyed for the third time and ordered not to overfill the throne. Soon a citizen of Thessaloniki, whose name was Mina, appeared at the temple and donated 75 pounds of silver. He expressed the desire that this precious metal be used for a canopy over the saint’s shrine. After this, other citizens of Thessaloniki also came and brought silver in the same way. From the collected donations was made magnificent cover over the shrine of the Great Martyr Demetrius.

About the siege of the city

When Emperor Mauritius came to power, the Avars living on the Don besieged the city of Thessaloniki. The Monk Demetrius appeared on one of the city walls and, striking with a spear, threw off the wall the first of the enemies who climbed there. Falling, he dragged the other attackers along with him, and the hundred-thousand-strong army of the besiegers rushed away from the city in horror. However, after some time the enemy came to his senses and laid siege to the city again.

At that time, a certain righteous resident of Thessaloniki named Illustry fervently prayed in the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius for the liberation of the city from its opponents. Suddenly he saw two angels who entered the temple and headed towards the tomb of the great martyr. At their call, Demetrius, as the story goes, “came forth in his likeness,” while, the narrator clarifies, “his face shone brighter than the sun’s light.” The welcoming angels “kissed him” and conveyed the command of the Almighty Lord to leave Thessaloniki, since Thessaloniki “will be taken by the filthy.”

Saint Demetrius began to cry, saddened, and asked to tell the Vladyka that he could not leave his hometown in such trouble and see its death, standing on the sidelines. The saint boldly answered the heavenly messengers: “If you destroy Thessaloniki, then I will perish with it; If you deliver, then I will be delivered with him.” The angels were disappointed with the decision of the great martyr and left, warning him that for disobedience he would face the wrath of God. The saint lay back in the tomb.

The next morning Illustry told his fellow citizens about what he had witnessed. They were very encouraged and rejoiced that their heavenly intercessor was with them. After a week of siege, enemies for no apparent reason fled, abandoning both their throwing weapons and tents.

About help in hunger

When the siege of the city was lifted, it turned out that all the grain reserves in the city were destroyed, and famine struck in Thessaloniki.

The Great Martyr appeared more than once on ships sailing the sea, went around the islands and piers, commanding ships everywhere with wheat to go to Thessaloniki. Thus, the city was saved by Saint Demetrius from famine.

Miracle of the relics

When the pious ruler Justinian built a magnificent temple in Constantinople in honor of Sophia the Wisdom of God, he equipped honest men to Thessaloniki to bring from there some part of the relics of St. Great Martyr Demetrius for the decoration and consecration of the newly erected temple. Arriving in Thessaloniki, the king's envoys approached the sacred shrine, in which the relics of the great martyr rested, in order to fulfill the royal command.

Suddenly, a stream of flame burst out of the shrine, showering everyone present with a stream of sparks, and a voice came from the fire: “Stop and don’t dare touch me.” All who witnessed this miracle fell on their faces, filled with awe; After this, the royal envoys, having taken only a little land near the place where the holy relics were, returned to the ruler and told him about everything that had happened to them. Everyone who listened to the story was shocked. The envoys handed over half of the brought land to the ruler, and the remaining part was placed in the temple container.

Veneration of Demetrius of Thessalonica in Rus'

There is a lot of evidence that this saint was especially revered by our ancestors, as well as confirmation Dimitri's exceptional responsiveness, helping everyone who needs his protection:

The saint, although he was not Russian by origin, was nevertheless always considered a defender of our Motherland, one of the first patrons of those who participated in military affairs. Prince Dmitry Donskoy greatly revered the Greek saint. On the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, in 1380, he solemnly transported the central shrine of the Vladimir Cathedral from Vladimir to Moscow - icon of the great martyr, which was written on the board of the saint’s tomb. In memory of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, Demetrius Parents' Saturday was established for church-wide commemoration.

For the first time such a memorial service was held in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra on October 20, 1380 by the holy Venerable Sergius himself, abbot of Radonezh, and Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy himself was also present there.

How does the Great Martyr help?

The prayer to Demetrius of Thessalonica can be offered on very different occasions. Here are some examples when the saint showed (and personally) his great help:

If anyone needs help, then you can pray to the saint with an akathist- a small home or temple service, the text of which is compiled in such a way as to cover the entire biography of the saint, mentioning his main miracles and facts of help. Such a prayer is universal and will help you correctly express your feelings and requests to one of the great Christian saints.

Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica was the son of the Roman proconsul in Thessaloniki (modern Thessaloniki, Slavic name - Thessaloniki). It was the third century of Christianity. Roman paganism, spiritually broken and defeated by a host of martyrs and confessors of the Crucified Savior, intensified persecution. The father and mother of Saint Demetrius were secret Christians. In a secret house church that was in the house of the proconsul, the boy was baptized and instructed in the Christian faith. When his father died, and Demetrius had already reached adulthood, Emperor Galerius Maximian, who ascended the throne in 305, summoned him and, convinced of his education and military-administrative abilities, appointed him in his father’s place as proconsul of the Thessalonian region. The main task entrusted to the young strategist was to defend the city from barbarians and exterminate Christianity. It is interesting that among the barbarians who threatened the Romans, our ancestors, the Slavs, occupied an important place, especially willingly settling on the Thessalonian Peninsula. There is an opinion that Dimitri's parents were of Slavic origin. In relation to Christians, the will of the emperor was expressed unambiguously: “Put to death everyone who calls on the name of the Crucified One.” The emperor did not suspect, when appointing Demetrius, what a wide path of confessional exploits he was providing for the secret ascetic. Having accepted the appointment, Demetrius returned to Thessalonica and immediately confessed and glorified our Lord Jesus Christ before everyone. Instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he began to openly teach the inhabitants of the city the Christian faith and eradicate pagan customs and idolatry. The compiler of the Life, Metaphrastus, says that he became for Thessalonica in his teaching zeal “the second Apostle Paul,” because it was the “apostle of tongues” who once founded the first community of believers in this city (, .). Saint Demetrius was destined by the Lord to follow the holy Apostle Paul in martyrdom.

When Maximian learned that the newly appointed proconsul was a Christian, and converted many Roman subjects, carried away by his example, to Christianity, the emperor’s anger knew no bounds. Returning from a campaign in the Black Sea region, the emperor decided to lead the army through Thessalonica, full of desire to deal with the Thessalonian Christians.

Having learned about this, Saint Demetrius ordered his faithful servant Lupp in advance to distribute the property to the poor with the words: “Divide the earthly wealth among them - we will seek for ourselves heavenly wealth.” And he devoted himself to fasting and prayer, preparing himself to accept the crown of martyrdom.

When the emperor entered the city, Demetrius was summoned to him, and he boldly confessed himself to be a Christian and exposed the untruth and vanity of Roman polytheism. Maximian ordered the confessor to be imprisoned, and an Angel came down to him in prison, comforting him and strengthening him in his feat. Meanwhile, the emperor indulged in gloomy gladiatorial spectacles, admiring how his favorite strongman, a German named Liy, threw the Christians he had defeated in the fight from the platform onto spears. A brave young man named Nestor, from Thessalonica Christians, came to his mentor Demetrius in prison and asked to bless him for single combat with the barbarian. With the blessing of Demetrius, Nestor overpowered the holy saint, a ferocious German, with his prayers and threw him off the platform onto the spears of the soldiers, just as a pagan killer threw off Christians. The enraged ruler ordered immediate execution Holy Martyr Nestor(October 27) and sent guards to the prison to pierce Saint Demetrius, who blessed him for his feat, with spears.

At dawn on October 26, 306, warriors appeared in the underground dungeon of the holy prisoner and pierced him with spears. Faithful Servant Saint Lupp He collected the blood of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius on a towel, removed the imperial ring from his finger, a sign of his high dignity, and also dipped it in the blood. With the ring and other shrines, consecrated with the blood of Saint Demetrius, Saint Luppus began to heal the sick. The emperor ordered to seize and kill him.

The body of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild animals, but the Thessalonica Christians took it and secretly buried it. Under Saint Constantine, Equal to the Apostles (306-337), a church was erected over the tomb of Saint Demetrius. A hundred years later, during the construction of a new majestic church on the site of the old one, the incorruptible relics of the holy martyr were discovered. Since the 7th century, during the cancer of the Great Martyr Demetrius, a miraculous outflow of fragrant myrrh begins, in connection with which the Great Martyr Demetrius receives the church name Myrrh-Streaming. Several times the admirers of Thessaloniki the Wonderworker made attempts to transfer his holy relics or particles of them to Constantinople. But invariably Saint Demetrius mysteriously manifested his will to remain the patron and protector of his native Thessalonica. Repeatedly approaching the city, the pagan Slavs were driven away from the walls of Thessaloniki by the sight of a formidable, bright young man who walked around the walls and inspired terror in the soldiers. Perhaps this is why the name of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica is especially revered among the Slavic peoples after their enlightenment with the light of the Gospel truth. On the other hand, the Greeks considered Saint Demetrius to be a Slavic saint par excellence.

The name of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is associated, by God’s decree, with the very first pages of the Russian chronicle. When the Prophetic Oleg defeated the Greeks near Constantinople (907), as the chronicle reports, “the Greeks were afraid and said: it is not Oleg, but Saint Demetrius sent against us from God.” Russian soldiers always believed that they were under the special protection of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. Moreover, in ancient Russian epics, the Great Martyr Demetrius is portrayed as Russian by origin - this is how this image merged with the soul of the Russian people.

Church veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in the Russian Church began immediately after the Baptism of Rus'. The foundation of the Dimitrievsky Monastery in Kyiv, later known as the Mikhailov-Golden-Domed Monastery, dates back to the early 70s of the 11th century. The monastery was built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Duke Izyaslav, in Baptism by Demetrius († 1078). The mosaic icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica from the Cathedral of the Dimitrievsky Monastery has survived to this day and is located in the State Tretyakov Gallery. In the years 1194-1197, the Grand Duke of Vladimir Vsevolod III the Big Nest, in the baptism of Demetrius, “created a beautiful church in his courtyard, the holy martyr Demetrius, and decorated it wonderfully with icons and writings” (i.e., frescoes). Dimitrievsky Cathedral is still a decoration of ancient Vladimir. The miraculous icon of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki from the iconostasis of the cathedral is also now located in Moscow in the Tretyakov Gallery. It is written on a board from the tomb of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, brought in 1197 from Thessaloniki to Vladimir. One of the most valuable images of the saint is the fresco on the pillar of the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral, painted by the reverend monk-icon painter Andrei Rublev. The veneration of Saint Demetrius continued throughout the family (November 23). Saint Alexander named his eldest son in honor of the holy great martyr. And the youngest son, the holy noble prince Daniel of Moscow († 1303; commemorated March 4), erected a temple in Moscow in the name of the holy great martyr Demetrius in the 1280s, which was the first stone church in the Moscow Kremlin. Later, in 1326, under Prince John Kalita, it was dismantled, and the Assumption Cathedral was erected in its place.

Since ancient times, the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica has been associated in Rus' with military feats, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland. The saint is depicted on icons as a warrior in feathered armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. On the scroll (in later images) they wrote a prayer with which Saint Demetrius addressed God for the salvation of his native Thessaloniki: “Lord, do not destroy the city and the people. If you save the city and the people, I will be saved with them, if you destroy it, with them and I will perish."

In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, the veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is closely connected with the memory of the defender of the Motherland and the Church, the Grand Duke of Moscow Demetrius of Donskoy († 1389). “The Sermon on the Life and Repose of Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia,” written in 1393, like other ancient sources, praises him as a saint. Spiritual son and pupil of Metropolitan Alexy, Saint of Moscow († 1378; commemorated February 12), student and interlocutor of the great prayer books of the Russian land - the monks († 1392; commemorated September 25), Demetrius of Prilutsky († 1392; commemorated February 11), († 1394 ; memory November 28), Grand Duke Demetrius “was very sad about the churches of God, and held the country of the Russian land with his courage: he defeated many enemies who came against us and fenced his glorious city of Moscow with wonderful walls.” Since the time of the white-stone Kremlin built by Grand Duke Dimitri (1366), Moscow began to be called White-stone. “The Russian land flourished during the years of his reign,” the title “Word” testifies. Through the prayers of his Heavenly patron, the holy warrior Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Grand Duke Demetrius won a series of brilliant military victories that predetermined the further rise of Russia: he repelled the onslaught of the Lithuanian troops of Olgerd on Moscow (1368, 1373), defeated the Tatar army of Begich on the Vozha River (1378), crushed military power of the entire Golden Horde in the battle on the Kulikovo field (September 8, 1380 on the day of the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) between the Don and Nepryadva rivers. The Battle of Kulikovo, for which the people named Dimitri Donskoy, became the first all-Russian national feat that rallied the spiritual forces of the Russian people around Moscow. “Zadonshchina,” an inspired heroic poem written by priest Zephaniah Ryazan (1381), is dedicated to this turning point in Russian history.

Prince Dimitry Donskoy was a great admirer of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. In 1380, on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the main shrine of the Vladimir Demetrius Cathedral - the icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, written on the board of the saint’s tomb. In the Moscow Assumption Cathedral, a chapel was built in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius. In memory of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, Dimitrievskaya Parental Saturday was established for church-wide commemoration. For the first time, this requiem service was performed at the Trinity-Sergius Monastery on October 20, 1380 by St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, in the presence of the Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy himself. Since then, it has been celebrated annually in the monastery with the solemn commemoration of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, including the schema-monks-warriors Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrei (Oslyabi).

Iconographic original
	Byzantium. XII. Epistilion (fragment). Icon. Byzantium. XII century Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg.
	Kyiv. 1108-1113. Vmch. Dimitri. Mosaic from the Cathedral of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. Kyiv. 1108 - 1113 years. 214.5 x 122. In 1935 it was removed from the wall, and in 1938 it was transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery. Moscow.
	Rus. XII. Vmch. Dimitri. Icon. Vladimir - Suzdal Rus'. The end of the XII - the beginning of the XIII century. 156 x 108. From the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Dmitrov. In 1930 she entered the State Tretyakov Gallery from the Dmitrov Museum. Moscow.

Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki was born in the city of Thessalonica in Greece (otherwise Thessaloniki, now Thessaloniki) during the reign of the wicked god-fighting kings Diocletian and Maximian.

His parents, secret Christians, had no children for a long time. They earnestly prayed to the Lord to give them an heir. The all-merciful Lord heeded their prayers and gave them a son, whom they named Demetrius. When the boy grew up, they called a priest, secretly baptized him in their secret home church and constantly instructed him in the faith.

His father, the Roman proconsul, died when Demetrius of Thessaloniki reached adulthood. Emperor Maximian Galerius, who ascended the throne in 305, appointed Demetrius in his father’s place as ruler and governor of the Thessalonian region.

Demetrius's main duty was to defend his region from external enemies, but the emperor also demanded that he exterminate Christians. Demetrius instead began to eradicate pagan customs and convert pagans to the faith of Christ.

Of course, the emperor was soon informed that proconsul Demetrius of Thessalonica was a Christian.

Returning from a campaign against the Sarmatians (tribes inhabiting the Black Sea steppes), Maximian stopped in Thessaloniki. Preparing for death, Demetrius of Thessaloniki distributed his property to the poor, and he himself devoted himself to prayer and fasting. The emperor imprisoned the proconsul.

As in a bright palace, Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica sat in prison, praising and glorifying God.

The devil, wanting to frighten the saint, turned into a scorpion and wanted to sting him in the leg. Making the sign of the cross, the saint fearlessly trampled the attacker. He was also honored with a visit from the Angel of God, who brought him peace and encouraged him before suffering.

At this time, the wicked Maximian entertained himself and the inhabitants of Thessaloniki with gladiatorial battles in the circus. Christians were searched for and dragged into the arena. The proud and arrogant Leah, known among gladiators, easily defeated meek Christians in battle and, with the rejoicing of the brutal crowd, threw them onto the spears of the soldiers.

The young Christian Nestor visited Demetrius of Thessalonica in prison and asked for his blessing to fight Leah. Strengthened by God, Nestor defeated the proud gladiator and threw him onto the spears of the soldiers.

The death of Leah greatly saddened Maximian, and he immediately ordered the execution of blessed Nestor. But this execution did not console the villain, and when he learned that Saint Nestor had struck the villain Leah on the advice and blessing of Saint Demetrius, he became even more angry and inflamed with the desire to avenge the death of his beloved fighter.

Early in the morning of October 26, 306, soldiers entered the dungeon. They found the saint standing in prayer and immediately pierced him with spears. So the confessor of Christ, Saint Demetrius, moved to the eternal bright monasteries. The body of the Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild beasts, but the Thessalonians secretly betrayed him to the ground.

The servant of Demetrius of Thessalonica Lupp took the bloody robe and the martyr's ring and began to heal the sick with them. When rumors of this reached Maximian, the emperor ordered his head to be cut off too.

During the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (324-337), a temple was erected over the grave of the Great Martyr Demetrius, in which many miracles and healings were performed. And a hundred years later, an Illyrian nobleman named Leonty, having received healing from a serious, incurable illness in that temple, wanted to build a new majestic temple as a sign of gratitude.

During the dismantling of the old temple, incorrupt relics were found. Fragrant myrrh flowed from them, so that the whole city was filled with fragrance. From touching the relics and anointing with holy myrrh, miracles and healings were performed. Much later, in the 14th century, Demetrius Chrysologist would write: myrrh “in its properties is not water, but it is thicker than it and does not resemble any of the substances known to us... It is more amazing than all the incense, not only artificial, but also naturally created by God.” For this reason, the Great Martyr Demetrius was called Myrrh-Streaming.

When Leonty set off for his homeland, he took with him a shroud stained with the blood of the saint, with the help of which he miraculously crossed the turbulent and high-water river that he encountered along the way.

Returning to Illyria, Leonty built a temple there in the name of the holy great martyr Demetrius, and miracles happened there too: the ruler of Illyria received healing from the scabs and pus that covered his body, many demoniacs and the sick were healed forever.


During the reign of Emperor Mauritius, the Avars living on the Don besieged the city of Thessaloniki. Saint Demetrius appeared on the city wall and, striking with a spear, threw off the wall the first of the enemies who climbed the wall. Falling, he dragged the other attackers along with him, and the 100,000-strong army of the besiegers fled in horror. But after some time the enemy came to his senses and besieged the city again.

At this time, a certain pious resident of Thessaloniki named Illustrius fervently prayed in the church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius for the deliverance of the city from its enemies. And suddenly he saw two angels entering the temple and heading towards the saint’s tomb. To the great martyr who came out to meet them, the angels announced God's command to leave the city, for God was pleased to deliver Thessaloniki into the hands of the enemy. Saint Demetrius humbly replied that he would not leave his native city, begging the mercy of God to spare the city residents, after which he returned to his tomb.

In the morning, Illustry told his fellow citizens about the vision, which greatly encouraged and delighted them. On the seventh day of the siege, the enemies fled for no apparent reason, abandoning their tents and throwing weapons.

But as a result of the siege, all grain reserves were destroyed, and famine began in the city. The saint appeared several times on ships sailing the sea, walked around piers and islands, commanding ships everywhere with wheat to sail to Thessaloniki. Thus the city was saved from famine.

When the pious king Justinian built a new magnificent temple in Constantinople in the name of Sophia the Wisdom of God on the site of the burnt old one, he sent pious men to Thessaloniki to bring from there part of the relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius. When the messengers approached the ark, a pillar of flame burst out from there, and a menacing voice was heard from the fire, forbidding touching the relics.

One day, a young man named Onesiphorus, who was performing his obedience in the Thessalonica temple, at the teachings of the devil, came up with the idea of ​​stealing the candles lit near the shrine containing the relics, and selling them again, appropriating the proceeds for himself. Saint Demetrius appeared to Onesiphorus in a dream and denounced him with the greatest condescension.

This made an impression on the young man, but not for long. Soon he returned to his previous occupation. And so, when he once again extended his hand to the candles, a loud voice came from the coffin: “Are you doing this again?!” The young man fell to the ground and lay until he was raised, after which he told those present about his sinful passion and the denunciations of Saint Demetrius and repented.

The life of Saint Demetrius also tells that he freed prisoners from the yoke of infidels and helped them reach Thessaloniki.

So two beautiful maidens, having been captured and received orders from a foreign prince to embroider an image of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica (the pagan prince had heard a lot about the miracles of the saint and wanted to worship his image as if it were an idol). When the tired girls fell asleep at work, they were miraculously transferred, along with the image they had embroidered, to the Thessaloniki temple, where a vigil was being held in honor of the feast of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica. The awakened girls glorified God, and the image was placed above the altar.

The holy great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki performed many miracles in our Fatherland.

By God's direction, his name in the most ancient Russian chronicles is mentioned before other names of saints: the Monk Nestor the chronicler says that the Greeks, defeated by the Grand Duke Oleg near Constantinople in 907, attributed their defeat not to the bravery of the Slavs, but to the intercession for them of their patron saint Dimitri.

The special veneration of Saint Demetrius among the Slavs is evidenced by the following outstanding fact: the first work in the Slavic language after they created the Slavic alphabet was the “Canon of Demetrius of Thessalonica.”

This canon is considered the starting point in the birth of great Slavic literature.

Since ancient times, Serbs and Bulgarians have revered the Great Martyr Demetrius as the patron saint of the Slavs, calling them the “lover of the fatherland” of the Slavic peoples, linking this with the Slavic origin of the saint, and in ancient Russian legends Saint Demetrius appears to be of Russian origin.

Church veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in the Russian Church began immediately after the Baptism of Rus'.

Since ancient times, Russians have tried to acquire at least the slightest particles from the relics, clothing, myrrh, or even dust from the tomb of St. Demetrius. Therefore, in all ancient Russian monasteries and churches, among the particles of the relics of various saints, there is almost certainly a part of the relics or myrrh of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius.

In the early 70s of the 11th century, the Dmitrievsky Monastery was founded in Kyiv, later known as the Mikhailov-Golden-Domed Monastery. In the 12th century, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral was erected in Vladimir, which to this day is the decoration of this ancient city. In the 80s of the 13th century, he erected a temple in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, which became the first stone temple of the Moscow Kremlin. Later, in 1326, under Prince John Kalita, it was dismantled, and in its place the Assumption Cathedral with the chapel of Demetrius of Thessalonica was erected.

In 1197, the icon of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, written on the saint’s tombstone, was transferred from Thessaloniki to Vladimir by the Grand Duke Vsevolod Yuryevich, and this event was included as a holiday in the ancient calendar.

This miraculous icon was first in Kyiv, then in Vladimir, and on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 it was solemnly transferred to Moscow as a great shrine by the holy noble prince Demetrius Donskoy and placed in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

One of the most valuable images of St. Demetrius is also the fresco on the pillar of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, painted by the Rev. Andrei Rublev.

In ancient Rus', the day of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius was one of the major holidays; the service was usually performed by the Patriarch himself in the presence of the Sovereign.

Since ancient times, the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica has been associated in Rus' with military feats, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland. The saint is depicted on icons in military armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. On the scroll was written the prayer with which Saint Demetrius addressed God in the vision of Illustration: “Lord, do not destroy the city and the people. If you save the city and the people, I will be saved with them; if you destroy them, I will die with them.”

The special veneration of Saint Demetrius in Rus' is also evidenced by the tradition of Russian princes naming their firstborns after him. This was the case with Yaroslav I, Yuri Dolgoruky, Alexander Nevsky, Ivan II, Ivan the Terrible, and Alexei Mikhailovich. The Holy Blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was a zealous admirer of Saint Demetrius.

Through the intercession of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, the Myrrh-Streamer, and the prayerful intercession of the Venerable Wonderworker Sergius of Radonezh, Russian soldiers won the most important victory in the history of our Fatherland over the heterodox Tatar-Mongol horde and the gathering of the Russian Land began.

After the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in the battle with Mamai, it was installed for church-wide commemoration. For the first time, this requiem service was performed on October 20, 1380 in the Trinity Monastery by the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh in the presence of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy. This church tradition is still alive today.

Prayers to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica

First prayer

Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius, quick helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and to free us from the all-destroying plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to show mercy to this city, this abode ( or this temple) and every Christian country. Petition from the King of the Reigns for victory and victory over the enemies, peace, silence, firmness in faith and advancement in piety for the entire Orthodox power; For us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven for His eternal glorification with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Second prayer

Holy Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and for deliverance for us, the damned. (names) from the all-destroying plague, fire and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to be generous with the coming ( or this house and our temple. Ask us for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through Your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and there glorify Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.