Orthodoxy Venerable Varlaam Khutynsky magnificence. Monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky: reviews, address, how to get there, schedule of services, photos

VARLAAM KHUTYNSKY

Varlaam was born in Novgorod into a wealthy family. In the world he bore the name of Alex Mikhalevich. According to the local Novgorod tradition, the saint's parents lived on the Sophia side of the city, at the Nerevsky end. Subsequently, the place where the future great ascetic spent his youth was marked with a cross, and then a chapel.

After the death of his parents, Alex decided to leave the world and settle in a deserted place on the banks of the Volkhov River. This place was called Hutyn. (According to legend, Khutyn meant: a bad place; once an unclean force seemed to have lived here.) The ascetic did not come here for an ascetic life. Together with him were other Novgorodians, who also came from a noble and wealthy family - Porfiry (Proksha) Malyshevich and his brother Fyodor. Later, Alexa received the tonsure from a certain hieromonk. He cut down a small cell for himself and lived as a hermit; the monastery in this place was established later, already shortly before the death of the saint.

How severe the hermit life of the saint was, can be judged by his chains and hair shirt, which were later kept in the Khutynsky monastery. The verigs that Saint Barlaam wore on his body consisted of iron links in a quadrangle with large iron crosses on his chest and back.

The rumor about the ascetic spread around the neighborhood, and many began to come to him to receive a blessing and listen to his instructions. Among them were princes, boyars, and ordinary people. The Life cites the words with which the Monk Barlaam addressed those who came to him. “My children! Beware of various vices: envy, slander, anger, lies, covetousness, partial judgment; leave false oaths, abstain from fornication, especially have meekness and love - the mother of all good. Do this so as not to be deprived of the eternal blessings that the Lord has promised to all the righteous. "

During his lifetime, the monk became famous for the gift of miracles and foresight. The Life tells of several cases when this gift manifested itself clearly for everyone. Once the Novgorod prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, the great-grandson of Vladimir Monomakh (at the end of the 12th century he reigned in Novgorod several times; the case in question took place around 1190), came to Varlaam for a conversation. “Be healthy, good prince, and with your son,” the monk said to him when he met. The prince was very surprised because he did not have a son; but when he came home, he learned that during his absence he had a son. At the request of Prince Yaroslav, Varlaam baptized the newborn.

Another case may seem even more surprising, but it testifies that the saint looked at the world differently from ordinary people, and saw what was hidden from others. Once, on the Novgorod bridge, the monk met a crowd of people who were about to throw into the river a certain person convicted of a crime. Glancing at the condemned man, the Monk Barlaam asked the people to hand over the criminal to him: "He will make amends for his guilt in Khutyn." Out of respect for the hermit, people gave him the condemned man. Barlaam sent him to a monastery and assigned him to work. Subsequently, this man became a monk of the Khutynsky monastery. On another occasion the monk again passed through the bridge and again saw that the Novgorodians wanted to throw the condemned man into the river. The relatives of the condemned man began to ask the saint to save the unfortunate man from death. But this time Varlaam rode past in silence. When the perplexed disciples asked him why he saved one, but did not show the same mercy to another, the monk answered: “I saw with my heart's eyes that the first condemned man whom I asked of the people was defiled by many sins and was justly condemned; but when the judge condemned him, he repented. I saw that he had faith in salvation, and I begged him on bail and arranged him as the Lord pleased. The second was condemned unjustly and contrary to the law; he was innocent. I saw that he was dying a martyr's death and a crown was prepared for him from Christ; he does not need my prayer to Christ. "

Here is another incident that Life tells about. Once the monk sent fishermen from the monastery to fish. The catch was very good; Among other fish, a huge sturgeon was caught, but the fishermen decided to hide it and brought only small fish to the monastery. Disassembling the fish with his staff, Barlaam asked: "You brought children, but where did your mother go?" The ashamed fishermen repented and brought back the hidden fish.

One instance of the saint's sagacity was subsequently immortalized in the history of Novgorod. Once, on the eve of Peter's Lent (in June), Barlaam came to Vladyka Gabriel (Gregory), the brother of St. John of Novgorod. Releasing him from himself, the saint asked that the elder visit him a week later. "If the Lord pleases," answered the monk, "on Friday of the first week of fasting I will come to you in a sleigh." The archbishop was surprised that the elder promised to come to him on a sleigh in the summertime, but he did not say anything. A week later, in fact, deep snow fell and frost hit. When the elder (and indeed on a sleigh) came to Vladyka, the saint began to grieve that frost might beat the rye. Consoling him, the monk said: “Do not grieve, but rather give thanks to our Lord for having sent down His mercy on us. If He had not sent snow and frost, then the worms, which are in abundance on the rye root, would have ruined the entire harvest. The snow will stay for only one day, and then warm weather will come, and instead of rain, snow will water the earth and multiply the fruits of the earth. " Indeed, the next day it became warm, the snow melted, and worms died from frost were found at the roots of rye. And there was such a harvest that summer as had not been known in Novgorod for a long time. Subsequently, in memory of this event, on Friday, during the first week of St. Peter's Lent, in Novgorod, an annual procession was made from the St. Sophia Cathedral to the Khutynsky monastery.

At the end of his life, Varlaam decided to establish a monastery on Khutyn and laid a stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The temple was consecrated by Archbishop Gabriel (Gregory) on August 6, 1192. At the same time, the archbishop opened the monastery. The Monk Varlaam tried in every possible way to provide his monastery with means of subsistence. He donated to the monastery a floodplain meadow, fishing, a village, land - hayfields and fields, as well as cattle and servants. The contribution letter of Hegumen Varlaam to the monastery he founded has survived to this day.

There are different opinions about the time of the death of the Monk Varlaam, based on the contradictions available in the sources. The chronicles of the 15th century name the exact date of the saint's death: November 6, 1193. In the interim Life of the saint, it is said that shortly before his death, the pilgrim Dobrynya Yadreykovich (who later became archbishop of Novgorod with the name Anthony) returned to Novgorod from Constantinople from Constantinople: it was to him that Barlaam allegedly entrusted his monastery. However, it is reliably known from the oldest Novgorod chronicle that Dobrynya returned to Novgorod only in 1211 (or, perhaps, in 1210); at the same time he accepted the tonsure at the Khutynsky monastery, and then was elected archbishop of Novgorod. Consequently, the researchers conclude that either Barlaam died after 1210/1211, or the indication of the Life of the Saint to transfer the monastery to Anthony is incorrect.

Local celebration of the Monk Varlaam in Novgorod began in the second half of the 14th century. In the 15th century, under the Archbishop of Novgorod Euthymius Vyazhischsky, the relics of the saint were uncovered. The subsequent posthumous miracles of the saint glorified him throughout Russia as a great miracle worker.

Especially famous is the miracle that took place over Grigory Tumgan, the bed-bed of the Grand Duke Vasily Vasilyevich the Dark. In 1460, during the stay of Vasily the Dark in Novgorod, Gregory fell seriously ill, so that he was close to death. Believing in the miraculous power of Saint Varlaam of Khutynsky, he ordered to be taken to the Khutynsky monastery. In a dream, the monk appeared to him and promised healing. The delighted young man used to say to his companions: "Even if death catches me on the way, all the same - and take me dead to the saint." And indeed, on the way he died. The dead were taken to the monastery. And now, not far from the monastery, the dead man suddenly came to life; Arriving at the monastery, he bowed to the monk and was completely healed.

This wondrous miracle at the grave of the Monk Varlaam served as a pretext for the establishment of a church celebration in honor of the Khutyn miracle worker in Moscow, and then throughout Russia. At the same time, the first church in the name of the Monk Varlaam was built in Moscow.

In conclusion, let us cite one more famous miracle, accomplished, according to legend, by the monks. In 1471, the Grand Duke Ivan III came to Novgorod, defeating the Novgorodians on the battlefield before that, ravaging the entire Novgorod region and wishing to finally conquer the great city. (A few years later, Ivan would indeed annex Novgorod to Moscow.) He then stopped at Khutyn to venerate the relics of the monk, and demanded that the monastic authorities open the saint's tomb. Although the abbot of the monastery replied that for a long time no one dared to see the relics of the miracle worker, the Grand Duke insisted on his own. And now, at his command, they began to open a stone board and dig the ground, when smoke burst out of the coffin of the wonderworker, and then a flame that scorched the walls of the temple. The Grand Duke ran out of the temple in horror. Legend tells that at the same time he dropped his grand-ducal staff, on which he leaned while walking. Subsequently, this rod was kept in the Khutynsky monastery.

The life of the saint also tells about other miracles performed by the monk after death. These miracles made him one of the most revered Russian saints. The church celebrates the memory of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky on November 6 (19).

LITERATURE:

Selected Lives of Russian Saints. X-XV centuries. M., 1992;

A. I. Ponomarev Monuments of ancient Russian church teaching literature. Issue 2. Part 1. SPb., 1896;

Klyuchevsky V.O. Old Russian Lives of Saints as a Historical Source. M., 1988.

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The Monk Varlaam, in the world Alexei, asceticised in the XII century on the banks of the Volkhov. He was the son of the rich and eminent citizens of the great Novgorod, Mikhail and Anna, who were distinguished by their pious life. Raised under the influence of virtuous parents, from an early age Alexei felt a special disposition for a pious and secluded life, retired from all games and the company of friends, loved to read holy books, often visited the temple of God, and spent time at home in prayer and fasting. Fearing for the health of the young ascetic, his parents tried to persuade him not to exhaust himself with fasting, but the Monk meekly answered them: “I, kind parents, have read the holy books, but nowhere did I find that the parents themselves would advise their children anything bad, as you advise me Is not the kingdom of heaven more dear to us? But not food and drink will lead us there, but fasting and prayer. Remember how many people were after Adam, and they all died and mixed with the earth, but who pleased God with a virtuous life, shedding for Christ blood their own and out of love for Christ those who renounced the world received the kingdom of heaven and are glorified by everyone. Therefore, with the help of God, I want to imitate them in my strength. " Hearing such an answer, the parents were amazed at the young man's mind and gave him complete freedom to live at will. After the death of his parents, the Monk, having distributed all his property to the poor, withdrew into the wilderness to the ascetic Porfiry and received from him tonsure with the name of Barlaam.

Seeking perfect solitude, the Monk Varlaam decided to settle in a remote place, 10 versts from Novgorod. This place was called Khutyn (thin, bad place) and was notorious; in the opinion of the people, evil spirits lived here, and everyone was afraid to come here. But no evil spirits are terrible for the servant of Christ, armed with an irresistible weapon - the cross of Christ, which drives away all enemies far away. Approaching Khutyn, the Reverend saw a light ray shining from the dense thicket of the forest. From this sign, he understood that his intention to settle here is in accordance with the will of God. With a feeling of gratitude to the Lord, the Monk exclaimed in the words of the Prophet: "Here is my peace and here I will dwell in the century of the century!" (Psalm 131, 14). Having prayed fervently to the Lord, the Monk set up a cell for himself in the middle of a deaf thicket. He spent the whole day in labors, and the night in prayer, fasted strictly, wore severe clothes and chains (the sackcloth of the Monk kept in the Khutyn monastery has 18 pounds, and the chains - 8 pounds). The strict ascetic from the devil had to endure many attacks. Trying to drive out the hermit, the demons either took the form of various beasts, snakes in order to frighten him, then aroused people against him in order to force him to leave his chosen place with insults, then aroused in him various thoughts, tried to bring him to breaking his fast, but the Monk meekly endured all insults, with fervent tearful prayer and strict fasting suppressed all these thoughts and destroyed all the tricks of the devil.

The highly moral life of St. Varlaam soon became famous in the country, and princes, boyars, and ordinary people began to come to him for advice and blessing; many asked permission to live with him. No matter how much the Reverend loved solitude, remembering the Lord's commandment about love for neighbors, according to which everyone must first and foremost care about the benefit of others, he readily and lovingly accepted everyone who turned to him. His strict non-covetousness, love and condescension to the repentant, the meek and at the same time imbued with the strength of sincere feelings, the word of edification made a strong impression on everyone who came to him. Each was instructed in relation to his position. He told the chiefs and princes to always remember three things: first, that they rule over people the same as themselves; second, that they must rule according to the laws; third, that they will not always rule and that they will also have to give an account to God in their judgments, for there is God's judgment over them. He taught the monks not to be exalted if they were appointed heads of the monastery, but all the more diligently to work for God. All brethren must work day and night in their chosen field. He inspired the rich not to forget that there is eternity with torment for the idle, and that many sorrows cover the way to the kingdom of heaven. He taught the laity and everyone in general not to repay evil for evil, not to offend each other, to move away from all unrighteousness and impurity and to remember their sins.

The number of monks who wished to pursue asceticism in the monastery of the Monk was constantly increasing. St. Varlaam built a small wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in memory of the wonderful light that shone on this place when St. Varlaam decided to settle here, and several cells. The monk, by his example and by his instructions, led the monks who lived with him to spiritual perfection. He worked the land himself, he built himself a cell; and now the well he dug is intact.

For his virtuous life, St. Barlaam was glorified by the Lord during his lifetime with the gift of clairvoyance and miracles.

Therefore, the Archbishop of Novgorod often turned to the Monk for advice.

Once, having gone to the Archbishop, St. Varlaam saw on the bridge over the Volkhov a large crowd of people and an executioner who was preparing to throw a convicted criminal into the river (the usual death penalty in Novgorod in ancient times). The monk stopped the executioner, and asked the people to give him the condemned man, saying "He will make amends for his guilt in Khutyn." All at once unanimously shouted: "Give, give the condemned man to our Reverend Father Barlaam." Having freed the condemned man from bondage, St. Barlaam sent him to his monastery. After some time, the one who was saved from execution accepted monasticism and, having lived piously in the monastery, died. But in another similar case, St. Barlaam acted differently. He had to cross the bridge again when they were preparing to overthrow the convict. Relatives and many of the people, seeing the Monk, begged him to save the condemned man, but he, not paying attention to all the requests, ordered his charioteer to go as soon as possible, and the execution was completed. This act of the saint amazed the people.

"What does it mean?" - everyone said to each other, - "One was saved from execution by the Reverend, although he was not asked about it, and he did not want another, in spite of all the pleas." Upon their return to the monastery, the disciples of St. Barlaam asked him to explain this act. "The fate of the Lord," - answered the Monk, - "the abyss is many. The Lord wants salvation for everyone and does not want the death of the sinner. The first was justly condemned, but after the condemnation he confessed his sins, and the Lord delivered him from death through my unworthiness in order to give him time to repent and atone for his sins, which he did in the monastery. The second was condemned innocently, but the Lord allowed him to die, so that later he would not become a bad man; now, having died innocently, he received a martyr's crown from the Lord. This is the mystery of God's destinies. : "Who is the mind of the Lord for the mind, or who is his counselor" (Rom. 2, 33, 34).

Once Prince Yaroslav arrived in the wilderness to the Monk. St. Barlaam, blessing him, said: "Be healthy, prince, and with your noble son." This greeting amazed the prince, who did not yet know about the birth of a baby. Having soon received the joyful news of the birth of his son, he asked the Monk to be the recipient of the newborn, to which St. Barlaam willingly agreed. This was in 1190.

Possessing the gift of clairvoyance, the Monk tried to warn the brethren against sinful falls. Once the monastery fishermen, among a multitude of small fish, caught a large sturgeon and hid it, wanting to sell it, and they brought only small fish to the Monk. Looking at them with a smile, St. Barlaam said: "You brought the children to me, where did you hide their mother." Embarrassed by this meek denunciation, the fishermen fell at the feet of the Monk, asking for forgiveness.

Teaching others to refrain from temptation, the Monk strictly watched over himself, suppressing any evil thoughts by prayer and fasting. Once they brought fresh fish to the Monk. He wanted to taste it, but, suppressing this desire in himself, ordered to cook the fish and put it in a vessel in the cell. He spent three days in strict fasting and prayer. On the fourth day, the Saint opened a vessel with a fish and, seeing there a multitude of worms, he said: "Barlaam, Barlaam? Every animal, after its destruction, turns to decay; it is fitting for us to be allowed from every pleasure of brashen and addiction to this life. sweet food and drink sweet drink, then why are you called a black man? You have already left the world in the desert to serve your Creator. " Having said this, he threw away the fish, and the thought of sweet food did not bother him any more.

A particularly remarkable case of St. Barlaam's sagacity remained forever memorable in Novgorod.

The monk had to be with the Archbishop of Novgorod. At parting, the Archbishop ordered him to visit in a week. St. Varlaam answered: "If God bless, I will come to your shrine in a sleigh on Friday of the first week of the fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul." The Archbishop was surprised at this answer. Indeed, on the eve of a certain day, deep snow fell on the night, and on Friday there was a severe frost all day. The monk on a sleigh came to Novgorod to the Archpastor. Seeing the sadness of the Archbishop on the occasion of such an untimely bad weather, as a result of which the bread could freeze, St. Barlaam said to him: "Do not grieve, Vladyka, do not grieve, but you need to thank the Lord. If the Lord did not send this snow and frost, then there would be hunger for to the whole country, with which the Lord wanted to punish us for our sins, but through the prayers of the Theotokos and the Saints, he took pity on us and sent frost so that the worms that had eaten away the roots of the bread would die out. In the morning it will be warm again, this snow will melt and water the earth. , there will be fertility. " The next day, as St. Varlaam predicted, it was warm. The archbishop was brought from the field of rye ears with roots, on which there were many extinct worms. And there was an unprecedented harvest that year.

In addition to the gift of clairvoyance, the Lord glorified His saint with the gift of miracles.

One villager who had a son lived near the monastery of St. Barlaam. He especially honored the Monk, often came to the monastery to listen to his conversation and sent him to the monastery needs as much as he could within his means. The villager's son fell ill and there was no hope of his recovery. Then the father, taking the sick son, carried him to the monastery of the Monk. But on the way, the boy died. With a bitter cry, the grieved father approached the saint's cell and said: "I hoped that through your prayers my son would recover, but received great sorrow. It would be better for me if he died at home than on the road." St. Barlaam said to him: "You are in vain weeping and lamenting. Do you not know that death and common judgment await everyone, and as the Lord delighted, so did so. Therefore, beloved, do not grieve over this, but go and prepare everything necessary for burial ". Meanwhile, St. Barlaam, touched by his grief, knelt down, began to fervently pray to the Lord to resurrect the boy, and the Lord heard the prayer of His saint - the deceased came to life. The father was amazed to see his son sitting on the bed of the Reverend, completely healthy. With joyful tears, he fell at the feet of St. Barlaam, thanking him and glorifying God, who works miracles in His saints. Not wanting human glory, St. Varlaam tried to hide the miracle that had happened and said to the villager: “You, as I see, were deceived and from strong sadness, having lost your sound mind, did not understand reality. Your son did not die and did not rise again, but, exhausted dear from the cold, fell into insensibility, and you thought that he was dead. Now, having warmed up in a warm cell, he regained consciousness, but it seems to you that he has risen. " But the villager could not agree with this explanation. "Why do you, saint of God, want to hide a miracle from me?" he said to the Saint. - "I know very well that my son was dead. If I had not seen clearly that he was dead, I would not have prepared everything necessary for burial." Then the Monk strictly forbade him to talk about the miracle that had taken place during his lifetime, warning that if he told anyone about it, then he himself would be deprived of God's mercy and would again lose his son. Rejoicing and glorifying God and His saint Barlaam, the villager returned to his house.

Shortly before his death, the Monk completed the construction of a stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord instead of the old wooden one. Anticipating his demise. St. Barlaam summoned all the brethren to him and said: "The time has come, my children, of my departure to the Lord, but I will not leave you orphans and will always be with you in spirit, and if you live in love, then this monastery will continue after mine. death will lack nothing. " The monks cried inconsolably, saying goodbye to their beloved instructor, but the Monk persuaded them not to grieve, but to pray for him. In his last conversation, with fatherly love, he urged them not to weaken in the exploits of fasting and prayer, to protect their souls from all evil thoughts, but to live so that every day they would be ready for death. “I entrust you, first of all, into the hands of God,” he said to the brethren, ““ I leave Abbot Anthony, who is now in Jerusalem, the guardian of your souls and bodies. By the gift of clairvoyance, the Monk saw Anthony approaching the monastery. The Monk Varlaam gave him his flock with a blessing and died peacefully on the 6th day of November 1192.

The news of the death of the dearly beloved and revered by all the Monk Varlaam greatly saddened all the inhabitants of Novgorod. At his burial came the Archbishop of Novgorod with all the clergy, monks from all monasteries and almost all the inhabitants of the city, of all ages, sex and status. The cry of the people drowned out the funeral chants. For this love of the people, the Monk rewarded with love: many sick people received healing.

This day remained memorable for the people, and in the monastery of the Monk the custom is still preserved on the day of his death to give alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them come, according to the commandment of Saint Barlaam, who commanded to receive all the strange, feed them and put them to rest.

The Lord gave Saint Barlaam the gift of working miracles after his death, so that all who come with faith to the grave of the Pleasant receive what they ask for.

It is difficult to describe all the many miracles of St. Barlaam. One blind man who had suffered for a long time and who had been cured of his illness a lot without success, asked to be brought to the monastery of St. Varlaam. During the singing of the prayer service to the Mother of God, the blind man prayed fervently at the grave of the Monk. When they sang: "To the mistress, accept your servant's prayers ..." he suddenly saw the tomb of the Monk. Not daring to believe his healing, he approached the tomb and touched it. With a feeling of living joy and gratitude to the Holy One, he announced to everyone about his miraculous healing, and everyone glorified the Lord and His Pleasant.

One man, who had great faith in the Monk, set off on the water with his wife to bow to his relics; on the way back from the monastery, the boat capsized and he drowned. Fishermen from a neighboring village with difficulty found his body and dragged him out with nets. At the sight of the drowned man, some murmured at the Monk that they had not saved from death a man who came to him with faith. "Having come to the relics of the Monk, this man hoped to receive health and a long life," they said; "but instead he died such an accidental death. It would be better for him not to come and not pray than to die like that after praying." But the Lord did not allow reproof against His Pleasant. The drowned man suddenly got up, glorifying God and Saint Barlaam.

In 1408, the Novgorod prince Konstantin fell seriously ill, so that they completely lost hope of his recovery. He ordered to be taken to the monastery of St. Barlaam. Without memory, they brought the prince to the saint's grave, and those close to him began to think about burial. But the reverent monks consoled them with the hope of St. Barlaam's help. “Believe only in God and put your hope on the Reverend, who will bring healing to the prince,” they said. Having performed a prayer service at the tomb of the Saint, the abbot and the brethren went to the meal, leaving the sick man in the church. Suddenly he became completely healthy, as if awakened from a deep sleep. Having received the news of this, the abbot and the brothers hurried to the church and found the prince healthy, praying at the grave of the Monk.

In 1445 the Grand Duke Vasily the Dark arrived in Novgorod with his sons. There, Prince Gregory's beloved bed-clerk fell dangerously ill and lay without food for eight days. In a dream, he answered as if asking him, although none of those who were with him spoke to him. When he regained consciousness, he was asked who he was talking to. Gregory replied: "Lying on my bed, I was thinking how I could visit the monastery of St. Varlaam to pray at his tomb. Suddenly I heard a voice that the miracle worker himself was coming to you. I saw that St. Varlaam was coming to me with Approaching me, the Monk said: “You pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker and call me for help, not knowing me, and you copied my canon and life, even vowed to take a haircut in my monastery. Pray in the future to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and I am your assistant. Now, having seen me, be faithful to me: I will deliver you from your illness. "" Therefore, I ask you, "- continued Gregory; -" Take me to the monastery of St. Varlaam, even if death befall me here, bury me in his monastery "At this request, the patient was put in a sleigh and taken to the monastery. He died on the way. Those who saw him off did not know what to do, whether to take the body to the monastery or take it to his parents. But following the request of the deceased, they decided to take him to the monastery. the dead suddenly came to life and loudly exclaimed: “I was dead, and now I am here!” Those who saw him off began to ask, but he could not say anything more. Hearing about this miracle, Abbot Leonty and the brethren gathered in church and performed a prayer service at the grave of Saint Varlaam. The revived one stood on his feet, but was dumb.When he was led into his cell and at his request they brought the icon of St. Barlaam, the young man, approaching the icon, suddenly spoke. With tears he thanked the Monk for his healing and told the Abbot and the brethren about what happened to him: "At the hour of death I saw a multitude of demons around me, and one of them was holding a scroll where my sins were written. But St. Nicholas, driving away the demons from me, said: "Few of his good deeds mean more than his sins, of which, moreover, he repented to his spiritual father." Then the demons disappeared, angels appeared, and one of them led me to a bright place where many beautiful trees grew. Here I saw the Monk Varlaam with a staff in his hand, as he is depicted on the icon. Approaching me, he said: "Gregory! I did not have time to come to you when you were leaving. Now do you want to stay here?" “I want to stay here,” I replied. St. Barlaam said: "It would be nice for you to stay here, but your parents will grieve; go comfort your father and mother." Taking my hand, the Monk led me, and the angel walked in front in the deacon's attire. Passing the flowering trees, the angel disappeared, and the Reverend, overshadowing me with the cross and the icon of St. Nicholas, said: "In seven years you will be with me" and became invisible, and I came to life. This miracle took place on January 31, 1445.

The miracles that took place at the grave of the Monk Barlaam prompted Archbishop Euthymius of Novgorod to begin the examination of his holy relics. The Archbishop proceeded to this with reverence. Having summoned the Khutyn abbot Tarasiy to him, he commanded a three-day fast and prayer in the monastery, and he himself fasted and prayed these days. Three days later, the Archbishop with the hegumen and one subdeacon entered the church, with prayer they removed the stone roof from the coffin and saw the honest body of the Monk completely incorrupt: his face and beard were similar to the image on the icon that stood over the coffin. All glorified God, and the subdeacon, struck by a miracle, took monastic vows. This was around 1452.

The relics of the Reverend remained closed even after that. In 1471, the Grand Duke of Moscow John III, having conquered Novgorod, arrived at the Khutynsk monastery to bow to Saint Barlaam. "Why don't they open the Holy Sepulcher?" he asked Abbot Nathanael. “For a long time, no one dares to see the relics of a miracle worker,” the abbot answered: neither for princes, nor for archbishops, nor for boyars they open them until it is pleasing to the Lord to express His will. ”Then the Grand Duke angrily said:“ None of saints are not hidden, but they are visible everywhere in the universe, so that every Christian can come with faith to the holy relics, kiss them and receive protection. The relics of St. Nicholas were discovered in Bara, and also in Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch on the feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner publicly raises his honest hand. ”With these words, he menacingly ordered to open the coffin, angrily striking the ground with a rod. strong lands are nothing before the face of the Lord. ”As soon as they began to raise a stone board and dig the ground, thick smoke came out of the saint’s tomb and then a flame that scorched the walls of the temple. In memory of the miracle, this rod is kept in the monastery.

One monk Tarasiy prepared candles at night for the morning divine service in the church where the relics of St. Barlaam are located. Suddenly he sees that by themselves candles have lighted up over the tomb of the Saint and in front of the icons, the coals in the censer were kindled, and the temple was filled with a fragrance. Then Tarasius saw that the Monk had risen from the grave and, standing in the middle of the church, prayed for a long time for the great Novgorod, so that the philanthropic Lord would turn away His wrath from him and deliver him from the punishment awaiting him. Terrified, Tarasius fell at the feet of the Monk. St. Varlaam, lifting him up, said: "Do not be afraid, brother Tarasiy, I want to reveal to you the fierce grief that the Lord is preparing for the great Novgorod for being filled with untruth. Go up to the church roof and see what is happening over Novgorod now." Tarasiy ran and saw that the waters of Lake Ilmenya rose high and were ready to flood Novgorod. St. Varlaam prayed to the Lord with tears for the salvation of the city. Then he again sent Tarasius to look at the city. Tarasius saw many angels who were throwing arrows of fire at crowds of men, women and children. The monk again began to pray with tears and then said: "With the prayers of our Lady Theotokos and all the Saints, the Lord had mercy on Novgorod from the flood, but there will be a severe pestilence on the people. For the third time, Saint Barlaam Tarasius sent to look at the city. He saw a fiery cloud that went to the city. "Brother Tarasiy! - said the Monk: after the pestilence there will be a great fire in Novgorod, and its entire trading side will burn. "After that, the Saint returned to his coffin, the candles and incense extinguished by themselves. All predicted came true. Four years after this revelation, Tarasius in 1509 was pestilence and severe fire in Novgorod (Collected chronicles. III. 245-247).

Thus, St. Barlaam, even after his death, did not leave without help both his monastery and his homeland - Novgorod, and together with this he was a warm prayer book for the entire Russian land.

The monk's help in the spiritual life of the inhabitants of the Novgorod land is also known. The Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Ioannovich had an apparition: in a dream he saw the Monk Varlaam, who told him that in Novgorod three monasteries did not have shepherds: on Khutyn, St. George and St. Anthony, and the brothers in them live badly. (Barlaam was the Metropolitan in Russia). It was then that monks were sent to Moscow with a request to send abbots to these monasteries (there was no Archbishop in Novgorod at that time). This was in 1517. The Grand Duke immediately ordered the appointment of abbots to the aforementioned monasteries. From that time on, the Grand Duke began to especially venerate the Monk Varlaam, and the Monk often appeared to him in a dream and strengthened him in the struggle against his enemies, so that the Grand Duke attributed his victories over them to the help of St. Varlaam. But the memory of St. Varlaam began to be celebrated in Moscow much earlier. In 1461, a chapel in the name of St. Varlaam Khutynsky was consecrated at the Church of St. John the Baptist at the Borovitsky Gate. In the very monastery of the Khutynsky church in honor of St. Varlaam was built in 1410 (Collected years. III. 104 235. IV. 114. IV. 182).

Having moved to the heavenly abode, St. Varlaam, according to his promise, did not leave his care for the earthly abode he had built. He strictly monitored the observance of the Rule given to them by the monks and often, appearing himself, punished or helped them. Hegumen Sergius, who arrived at the Khutynsky Monastery from the Moscow Androniev Monastery, led an unrestrained life, was unmerciful to the poor, and forbade the admission of wanderers. The monk did not tolerate such a violation of his commandment. Once, during the all-night vigil, one of the monks saw that St. Barlaam, having risen from the tomb, went up to Sergius, took the staff from him and punished the abbot with it. Like a dead, the unworthy abbot fell, the brothers took him to his cell, where he died a week later.

The Monk also punished the other abbot Nicephorus in the same way for violating the commandment of mercy to the poor. In the seventh year of Nikiforov's reign, a severe famine began in the Novgorod land. Many poor people came to the monastery of St. Barlaam and asked for bread with tears, but hegumen Nicephorus ordered them to be driven away and the gates closed. At night St. Varlaam appeared to him with a rod in his hand and said: "Why do you act so unmercifully with the poor? They are exhausted from hunger and are close to death, and you not only did not give them food, but also locked the gate of the monastery. And I commanded everyone for those living in my monastery, first of all, to love each other, to feed and rest the poor and the strange who come to the monastery. For such mercy, by the grace of Christ, my monastery will never become scarce. You insulted Christ with your stinginess and dislike of you, allowed many to leave our monastery hungry and exhausted. " Having said this, the Monk punished the igumen with a rod. From that moment, Nicephorus felt relaxation in his hand and leg, so he had to leave the management of the monastery and retire to the Miracle Monastery, where he repented of his sin and received healing through the prayer of St. Barlaam.

In the monastery of St. Varlaam there was a monk Tarasiy, an icon painter, handsome in appearance and distinguished by spiritual merit, so that the brethren entrusted him with the monastic treasury. But Tarasius in a short time changed his temper, began to get drunk with the wine he kept in his cell, and did not want to help the poor. According to the bequest of St. Varlaam on November 6, the day of his death, the monastic treasury was supposed to give alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them came to the monastery. Tarasiy did not give anything to the poor that day, and he himself, leaving even the liturgy, feasted with his friends.

While Tarasius was sitting at the table with friends in his cell, the Monk appeared to him and severely began to reproach him for his bad life and failure to fulfill his commandments. The monk cruelly punished Tarasius with a rod, and he fell to the ground. They raised him, thinking that he had fallen into a grave illness, but he told everyone about the appearance that had happened to him and repented of his sin.

The monastery chaplain was also punished by the monk, who did not want to give wine to the brethren in necessary cases, but himself constantly got drunk. St. Barlaam appeared to the wicked and punished him with a rod, after which he died in relaxation.

Kelare Joasaph led an unrestrained life, drinking in monastery wine and honey, and was severely punished by the Monk. Once Joasaph, being in the cellar, drank wine there. Suddenly St. Varlaam appeared to him and said to him with anger: "Is that how you, elder, should you live? Does the charter allow you to drink, eat and enjoy sweet honey and food untimely, as you do, not caring about your salvation? Not for us? The Lord created that we eat and drink, dress in various clothes and please this perishable body, and so that by fasting, prayer, repentance, tears and alms, we please God. others who live according to the monastery's charter? ""

After this the Monk began to beat him with a rod, saying: Repent, you accursed one, and turn to God; if you do not repent, you will die an evil death. " From that time on, Joasaph fell into relaxation. The brethren brought him barely alive to the church and began to sing a prayer service. Through the prayers of the brethren, the cellarer was healed. But forgetting about admonition, after a while Joasaph again began to lead a drunken life and was again punished. A rich merchant came from Moscow to worship St. Barlaam and offered a hearty meal to all the brethren. As soon as the drunk cellare wanted to drink the cup of health, he immediately fell to the ground and died.

A severe famine broke out in the Novgorod land. At that time, a certain Dosifei was a builder in the Khutynsky monastery. He forbade the cellarer to distribute bread to the poor and to feed the strangers in the monastery. In the fall, bread was brought from all the monastery fields and all the granaries were filled with it. Once the clerk of the grain, Theodore, entering the main granary, which was in the garden, saw that the bread was significantly reduced. In a few days, the bread has gone down to a hundred measures. Theodore announced this extraordinary loss to the housekeeper Savvaty and the builder Dositheus. Having examined carefully the granary and not finding any damage, Dositheus realized that St. Barlaam was denouncing his sin - his violation of the commandment of the Monk about mercy to the poor. Then he still ordered bread to be distributed to the poor and to feed the strangers. And what? Three days after this order, the housekeeper Savvaty, entering the same granary, found it full of bread.

Monk Agapius, who was a baker of bread for the brethren, used to sleep in a dough in which he dissolved bread, not thinking that this solution was consecrated by the blessing of the priest and holy water. St. Barlaam, having appeared to him, denounced his reverence, threatening with cruel punishment if he did not abandon his bad habit. The monk was horrified and was ill for a whole week. When the sick man was brought to the Saint's sepulcher and a prayer service was performed, the Monk Varlaam appeared to him again and, having healed him from his illness, said: "Now you are healthy now; do not sin ahead so that something worse does not happen to you."

Strict towards violators of the charter, St. Barlaam at the same time was merciful to those monks who performed their duties, and was a quick helper in need and illness. So he healed the sexton Jonah, who had been ill for a long time, appearing to him in a dream and saying: "Do not grieve any more, Jonah, about your illness: now you are well." When Jonah woke up, he felt completely healthy.

Another monk, Irinarkh, distinguished by his God-fearing life, was seriously ill for three years, so that he was close to death and prepared for it. One night the patient forgot himself and saw that St. Barlaam was coming to him in priestly vestments with a cross in his hand, followed by a deacon with a censer and brethren with icons and candles. Entering the cell of Irinarkh, the Monk ordered to put up icons, light candles and bless the patient with the words: "Here you are, brother Irinarkh, do not sin, pray to God, the Most Holy Theotokos and call me for help." After that St. Barlaam became invisible. Waking up, Irinarchus felt healthy. One villager who lived by the Msta River had a ten-year-old son, deaf, dumb and blind. Taking him with her, the woman went to the Khutynsky monastery to pray to St. Varlaam. When they approached the gate of the monastery, the youth suddenly regained his sight and said: "Is this Khutyn monastery?" The amazed mother saw with joy that through the prayer of the saint of God, her son received everything that he had been deprived of from birth - he began to see, hear and speak. With tears of gratitude, she fell to the tomb of the Wonderworker and told about the miracle that had happened to Archbishop Macarius, who at that time came to the monastery with a procession from Novgorod.

The son of one Novgorod boyar Eleutherius, the youth Simeon was relaxed and did not control his right hand, did not speak. His pious grandmother, Evdokia, brought the sick man to the monastery of the Monk Varlaam and fervently begged him for help. While reading the Gospel at the prayer service, the patient suddenly stood directly on both legs, began to cross himself with his right hand and speak.

In Novgorod, near the Nikolsky Monastery, there lived one artisan Gregory, whose wife Mamelfa suffered from relaxation for 12 years, not owning either hands or feet. On the Wednesday of the first week of the fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, at night two radiant husbands appeared to her in a dream. One of them was in bishop's vestments, holding a cup with the Holy Mysteries in his hand, and having given the sacrament to the sick, became invisible. The other was an elder in a monk's attire. The elder asked the patient: "Do you know Mamelph, the Saint, who communed you with the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ?" The patient humbly replied: "No, holy father, I am a sinner, I don’t know myself in my illness, and even more so I can’t know who he is. I saw him only in holy clothes. I saw him in an extraordinary light, shining like the sun, what my mind cannot comprehend; should I, a sinner, know his name? " Then the elder said to her: "This is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker." "Who are you, Father?" the patient asked him: "I am Varlaam, hegumen of the Khutynsky monastery," the person who appeared to her answered, "now get up and follow me. When your husband comes, tell him what you saw, and ask him on Friday, when there will be a procession with the cross to my monastery, brought you there, and at my grave you will receive healing. " Having said this, St. Barlaam became invisible. The patient immediately felt relief. On Friday, she and her husband arrived at the monastery of St. Varlaam. Having prayed at his grave and venerated the icon, she received complete healing.

In the monastery of St. Varlaam, there lived one monk, a money-loving and voluptuous monk who never helped the poor from the abundant gifts that his relatives brought him from the city. It happened to him once with these gifts to receive poison and he lay dying. At night in a dream he saw himself in the church where the relics of St. Barlaam are located. The monk, approached him, began to reproach him for intemperance in food, the cause his illness, for his stinginess and mercy to the poor, and told him that if he repent of his sins and changed his intemperate life, he would receive forgiveness and healing from illness. Then St. Barlaam ordered him to call a priest, serve a prayer service and drink holy water. When the sick man fulfilled the command of the Monk, he received healing. From that time on, he spent his life in fasting, prayer, and diligently helping the poor.

Monk Tikhon, who held the ponomar position at the monastery of St. Varlaam, suffered a serious illness for about two years, so that he could not bend down to the ground, or lift anything. Tikhon often prayed at the grave of the Monk, but did not receive healing. Once, being alone in the church, he, approaching the tomb of the Saint, as if with reproach, said: "The Pleasant of Christ and the Wonderworker Barlaam! To strangers who come to you from afar, suffering from various ailments, you abundantly give healing from all diseases, and me, you do not heal your own servant. Have mercy on me, Holy Pleasure of Christ, and heal me from my illness! " At that very moment, the patient felt perfect healing.

The cleric of the Sophia Church in Novgorod, Panteleimon, a relative of Archbishop Gennady, fell into relaxation, stopped speaking and lay motionless for three years. On the Friday of the first week of Lent of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, when the procession of the cross is taking place in the monastery, they also brought this relaxed one there and laid him at the tomb of St. Varlaam. Suddenly the patient saw that St. Varlaam had come out of the coffin and scorched it with fire. Out of fear, the patient jumped up and cried out: "Holy Wonderworker Barlaam! Have mercy on me and heal me from a real illness!" The monk said to him: "Now you are healthy and do not sin ahead." Having said this, St. Barlaam became invisible. Suddenly the patient recovered and told everyone about his vision.

Many other miracles were accomplished at the tomb of St. Barlaam, many of them are being performed now for all who call on the Beneficent of God with faith. He was always a warm man of prayer and intercessor before the Lord and for individuals, and for Novgorod, and for the entire Russian land. More than once, through his prayers, the Lord saved our native Russia from terrible enemies. So in 1521, at the intercession of the Monk before the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, the attack on the Russian land of the Tatars under the leadership of Makhmet-Girey was repulsed. The salvation of Moscow from Makhmet-Girey is described in the legend of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, called Vladimirskaya. In 1521, the Crimean, Nogai and Kazan Tatars attacked Moscow possessions so quickly that Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich barely managed to withdraw his troops to the banks of the Oka. Having defeated the Russian governor, the Tatars moved to Moscow, exterminating all the villages on their way from Nizhny to Moscow. Residents of the outskirts of Moscow fled to Moscow. Metropolitan Barlaam and all the inhabitants fervently prayed to the Lord for salvation, and the Lord consoled the needy with a wonderful vision of turning away his anger from them. An elderly and blind nun who lived in the Ascension Monastery, who together with others fervently prayed to the Lord for the deliverance of the city from terrible enemies, was awarded a wonderful vision. She suddenly heard a kind of great noise, whirlwind and ringing, and saw that the Saints and other persons in sacred clothes were walking from the Kremlin to the Spassky Gate, carrying the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This procession had the appearance of a procession of the cross. Among the Saints were Sts. Peter, Alexy and Jonah, Metropolitans of Moscow and other saints. When this Cathedral of Saints was leaving the Kremlin gates, on the one hand, Reverend Sergius came out to meet them, and on the other - Reverend Varlaam of Khutynsky. Both of them, having met the Cathedral of Saints (according to an ancient handwritten legend, this meeting took place on the Execution Ground), fell at their feet and asked: "Why are they going out of the city and to whom do they leave it when the enemy invades?" The saints answered with tears: "We prayed much to the All-Merciful God and the Most Pure Mother of God for deliverance from the proper sorrow, but God commanded us not only to come out of this city, but also to carry with us the miraculous image of His Most Pure Mother; for these people have despised the fear of God and oh His commandments were not delighted; therefore, God allowed this barbarous people to come, so that they will be punished now and through repentance they will return to God. " The holy ascetics Sergius and Barlaam began to beg the Saints to propitiate the Lord with their prayers. Together with them, they began to pray, they overshadowed the city crosswise. And then everyone returned to the Kremlin with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God. By the betrayal of the Saints of the Russian Church, the danger threatening Moscow has passed. When the Tatars wanted to burn the Moscow townships, they saw an innumerable Russian army around the city and with horror informed the Khan of this. "Tsar, why are you delaying? Countless troops from Moscow are coming at us." Frightened by this news, Makhmet hastily retreated and fled to his possessions.

In 1610, through the prayers of the Monks Sergius, Barlaam and other Saints of the Russian land, the Poles were expelled from Moscow and Russia (Palitsyn on the siege of the Trinity Lavra).

In 1663, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Monk Varlaam revealed with a new miraculous vision that he did not leave the Khutynsky monastery, which he had set up, under his care. In a chapel near the Khutynsky monastery, the Monk appeared to a certain farmer Ivan, commanded him to go to the monastery and say that he, the Monk, as a result of the iniquities committed by the brethren, had left the monastery and was living in the chapel, and if the brothers did not repent, the monastery would burn down and the horses would die out. The brothers did not believe Ivan, and the Novgorodians, by order of the mayor, Prince Ivan Repnin, put him in prison. For disbelief, Prince Repnin was punished with bodily relaxation, and then the farmer Ivan was sent with a letter from Prince Repnin to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who awarded him and released him. In the same year the monastery burned down and the horses were measured, as predicted by the Monk Barlaam in a vision.

(This legend was recorded in 1663 in the Solovetsky Monastery, from the words of the service book of the Novgorod Cathedral Church of the Lion, and was preserved in the 17th century manuscript of the Imperial Public Library. Novoye Vremya 1898 February 2, N 7879).

The Reverend does not leave his native land with his help now, and he will not leave it for the future, if only we resort to it with warm prayer and living faith in the Lord.

(Aleksa Mikhalevich; † 6.11.1193 ?, Khutynsky Monastery near Novgorod), Venerable. (memorial November 6, on the 1st Friday of Peter's Lent, on the 3rd week after Pentecost - in the Cathedral of Novgorod Saints), founder and first hegumen Varlaamiev of Khutynsky in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The main sources of information about V. Kh. Are the Novgorod chronicles and the life of the saint, preserved in numerous copies, to-rye reflect more than 10 editions (the earliest list is in the Prologue, created no later than 1323 (RGADA. F. 381. D. 157), contains a short (Protruding, 1st, edition); for the text of the life, see: Dmitriev. Life stories of the Russian North). The life contains very little information about the life of the monk, the main place in the lengthy editions is occupied by the description of miracles performed through prayers to V.Kh. The worldly name of the saint was first mentioned in the Synodal list of the NPL (2nd half of the 13th century), apparently, he belonged to the Novgorod boyar family.

The chronicle informs that V. Kh., Being already a "church", "put a church downstairs on Khutin ... in the name of the Holy Savior of the Transfiguration", in 1192 the church consecrated St. Gabriel (in schema Gregory), archbishop. Novgorodsky, and "the name of the monastery" (PSRL. T. 3. P. 40). The original parchment supplementary letter of V.Kh. has survived, who gave the Khutynsky mon-ryu his ancestral lands, fishing, hunting grounds, reap, p. Locker with servants and cattle (NGOMZ. Inventory No. 25982/1543). Among the first companions of V. Kh. Was the father of Varlaam (Prokshinich) Proksha Malyshevich, who took monastic vows in the Khutynsky monastery with the name Porfiry and died there in 1207; his life also mentions a certain Theodore.

The year of V.Kh.'s death is indicated in the late Novgorod-Sofia annals and later editions of his life. Some chronicles (some lists of Novgorod IV, Sofia I, Novgorod Karamzinovskaya), possibly under the influence of earlier sources, write about the repose of the saint in 1193, others - in 1197 (some lists of Novgorod IV) or 1243. (Novgorod II, Novgorod III, as well as some lists of life). The last date is erroneous, since it refers to another monk of the Khutynsky mon-ry - Varlaam (Vyacheslav Prokshinich), to whom late Novgorod sources are often confused with the founder of the mon-ry. A.A. Zaliznyak and V.L. Yanin, based on the message from the life that the rite of V.Kh.'s funeral service was performed by St. Anthony (Dobrynya Yadreykovich), date V.Kh.'s death to the time after 1208/09, when, according to the chronicles, Dobrynya Yadreykovich took monastic vows at the Khutynsky monastery. This t. Sp. seems insufficiently substantiated, since the data of V. Kh .'s life are unreliable. The day of the death of the monk, 6 nov. (without specifying the year), is given in the life of the 1st (Prolozhnaya) edition (according to Dmitriev's classification).

Local veneration of V. Kh. Is noted already in the XIII century. (apparently, then the 1st edition of the Life was created), in the beginning. XV century. a second edition appeared, supplemented by a story about miracles performed at the saint's tomb. In 1410, through prayers to V.Kh., Prince was healed. Konstantin Dmitrievich, younger brother led. book Basil I. In the 1st decade of the 15th century. a half-length image of V.Kh. appeared on the seal of the abbot of the Khutynsky monastery. In 1410, in the Lissitzky monastery located near the Khutynsky monastery, in the name of the Nativity of the Mother of God, husband. mon-re was built over the gate c. in the name of V. Kh., in 1445 a stone temple with the same dedication appeared in the Khutynsky monastery. In 1440 under the Novgorod Archbishop. St. Euphemia II, the relics of V.Kh., left hidden under a bushel, were examined. On the initiative of St. Euphemia Pachomius Logofet (Serb) made a new revision of the life of V.Kh., supplemented by lit. an introduction and a story about 4 miraculous healings that were accomplished through prayers to the saint. Pachomius also wrote the Praise and Canon of V.Kh. The Pakhomiev edition of the Life, together with the 1st (Prototype) edition, became part of the Great Menaea-Cheti Metr. St. Macarius. In Chetyakh-Minei, Metr. St. Demetrius (Tuptalo) used Protracted edition, supplemented by a description of miracles from the text of Pachomius.

After in 1460 at the coffin of V.Kh. was raised from the dead bed-bed led. book Vasily II Vasilyevich - Grigory Tumgen, veneration of V. Kh. Went beyond Novgorod, as evidenced by the device in 1461 in the Moscow c. John the Forerunner of the throne in the name of the monk. In 1471 led. book John III Vasilievich went on a campaign against Novgorod and visited the Khutynsky monastery. According to the Widespread edition of the life of V. Kh. (1526), \u200b\u200bwhen John III ordered the abbot. Nathanael to move the slab from the tomb of the monk, from the ground "came out fire", "from the smoke of the church wall," and the prince ran out of the cathedral, abandoning his staff (in the 19th century he was shown in the mon-re).

A reverent admirer of the memory of V. Kh. Was led. book Vasily III Ioannovich, who took a schema before his death with the name Barlaam. By order of the led. Prince in 1515 on the site of the dismantled Transfiguration Church (XII century) in the Khutynsky Monastery a new cathedral was built. The chronicles report a miracle that took place during the reign of Vasily III through the prayers of V.Kh. and St. Sergius of Radonezh. During the attack in 1521 of the Crimean Khan Magmet-Girey on Moscow, a nun of the Kremlin Ascension Monastery had a vision: the Moscow saints wanted to carry the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God from the Kremlin, but they were implored by the Monks Sergius of Radonezh and V. Kh., And the shrine was returned, Moscow got rid of ruin (PSRL.SPb., 1913. T. 21. Part 2. S. 600-602). The life of V. Kh. Tells about his appearance to Vasily III, the saint asked for the lead. to send the prince to several. Novgorod monasteries worthy of the abbots, which was done. In 1533, in front of the saint's reliquary, a candle lit by itself, wax was sent from it. to the prince.

"On the onset of winter at Petrov post". Miniature from the Facial Life of St. Varlaam Khutynsky. XVII century (PIAM. Inv. 291/49. Sheet 107 ob.)

"On the onset of winter at Petrov post". Miniature from the Facial Life of St. Varlaam Khutynsky. XVII century (PIAM. Inv. 291/49. Sheet 107 ob.)

On the 2nd Thursday. XVI century 2 new editions of the life of V.Kh. were created: Distributed (1526), \u200b\u200bthe edges are a collection of messages about the monk, collected from the previous editions of the life, chronicles, legends, records of miracles and stories of monks of the Khutynsky mon-ry, as well as Special (between 1526 and 1553), with the presentation of additional information, new names and facts, including those of little credibility (the recognition of Venerable Anthony of Dymsky as the successor of V. Kh., the repose of the saint is attributed to 1243, etc.). There are also known later revisions of the life, in particular, created in the beginning. XVIII century Ioannikiy and Sophroniy Likhuda (one of the lists of this edition, not included in Dmitriev's register, is kept in the OPI NGOMZ (KP No. 30056-212. Cr. 247)). In 1645 the brothers of the Khutynsky mon-ry built a wooden chapel in the Nerevsky end of Novgorod on Doslan street. when crossing it with Yakovleva, at the place where, according to legend, the estate of V.Kh.'s parents stood on November 6, on the saint's memory day, according to the testimony of an official of the Sofia Cathedral of the 17th century, a bishop's service was performed in the Khutynsky monastery, bread and copper coins.

They turned to V. Kh. With intensified prayer during natural disasters, since it is believed that the monk has a special power over natural phenomena. This is confirmed by the story of the life about the prediction of the saints of snow falling on the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul (July 12); before the beginning. 20s XX century. in memory of this miracle, on the 1st Friday of Peter's Lent, a procession was held in the Khutynsky Monastery. In 1505 V. Kh. Appeared to the Khutyn sexton Tarasiy and warned that Novgorod was in danger due to the flooding of the lake. Ilmen. The monk implored the Mother of God to deliver the city from the flood, to punish the townspeople for their sins, "execution ... with mercy" was sent to them - a pestilence, when sinners perished, and the righteous were saved by angels. The monk also predicted a fire in the city for Tarasius 3 years after the pestilence. (The vision of the sexton Tarasiy is described in the Distributed Edition of the Life of V.Kh., in the Special Edition the sexton is named Prokhor; the epidemic and fire in Novgorod are noted in the annals of 1505-1508).

The relics of the saint still rest under a bushel in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Khutynsky Monastery. The first cancer over the tomb of the monk was, apparently, made of wood (in 1540, as the chronicle says, "the miracle-working tomb is ogre"). The tomb suffered during the capture of the mon-ry by the Swedes: 139 hryvnias of silver and pearls were removed from it. In 1639, a silver shrine was arranged, decorated with basma embossing, in 1851 it was replaced with a new silver shrine, the edges were removed from the monastery in 1922 and sent to be melted down. Until the 20s. XX century. in the monastery sacristy were kept, according to legend, V.Kh.'s robe, surplice (now in NGOMZ. Inventory No. 1624), cross, epitrakhil.

By 2003, a refectory church in the name of V.Kh. was restored in the Khutynsky monastery, a new silver shrine was arranged in the Transfiguration Cathedral over the relics of the monk. On the hill, where, according to legend, the saint's cell stood, a wooden chapel was built, and a canopy was erected over the well dug by V. Kh. 6 (19) Nov and on the 2nd Friday of Peter's Lent, processions of the cross are performed around the mon-ry.

Source: PSRL. T. 3.M., 2000.S. 40, 50, 231, 247, 402, 424; NovgorLet. S. 11, 16, 316-319, 388-390; PSRL. T. 4. Part 1. M., 2000. S. 174, 176, 445, 506, 523, 551, 555, 570, 591; T. 6. Iss. 1. Stb. 248; Issue 2. Stb. 23-27, 131-142, 144, 147, 194; T. 13.P. 38-43; T. 15. Iss. 1. Stb. 24, 280; T. 16. Stb. 47, 52, 159, 186, 199-202, 204, 209, 214; T. 42. SPb., 2002.S. 79, 106; Monuments of ancient Russian lit-ry. SPb., 1862. Iss. four; The life of Varlaam Khutynsky: In 2 lists // OLDP. Issue 41. SPb., 1881; VMCH: November, days 1-12. SPb., 1897.S. 198-222; Nikolsky, A. Life of St. Varlaam Khutynsky Likhudievskaya edition // VAI. 1911. no. 21; The vision of the Khutyn sexton Tarasiy // PLDR: Con. XV - 1st floor. XVI century M., 1984.S. 416-421, 724-725; Makariy [Mirolyubov], archim. Inventory of the Novgorod Spaso-Khutynsky Monastery of 1643 // ZRAO. 1856, vol. 9, pp. 411-555; Inventory of Novgorod 1617 M., 1984. Part 1. S. 88-91. (Monuments of patriotic history; Issue 3).

Lit .: IRI. Part 6, pp. 608-646; Makariy [Mirolyubov], archim. Archeol. description of the church. antiquities in Novgorod and its environs. M., 1860. Part 1. S. 429-454; Part 2.S. 157, 184-185, 322, 334, 338, 340; he is. Ancient churches. rituals in Novgorod at the direction of a written bishop official, or the Charter. M., 1861.S. 7, 43-44; Krasnyansky G. Months (saints) of the Novgorod saints of God, openly and sleeping under the bus. Novgorod, 1876.S. 153-170; Klyuchevsky. Old Rus. lives. S. 58-64, 140-146; RAP: Report on the activities of the Company from 25. XI. 1879 to 1. IV. 1880 St. Petersburg, 1880. Issue. 2.S. 59-70; Stroyev. Lists of hierarchs. Stb. 49. No. 2; Barsukov. Sources of hagiography. Stb. 79-85; Varsanofiy (Okhotin), bishop. Akathist St. and to our God-bearing father igum. Khutynsky, Novgorod miracle worker Varlaam // PS. 1902. No. 11. P. 600; Slezskinsky A. G. Khutynsky Monastery: From an excursion in the vicinity of Novgorod // IV. 1903. T. 94. No. 12. S. 926-942; Yablonsky V. Pachomius the Serb and his hagiographic writings. SPb., 1908. S. 13, 21-37, 114-119, 130-136, 144-151; Dmitriev L. AND . Life stories of Rus. Of the North as monuments to the literature of the 13th-17th centuries. L., 1973.S. 13-95, 271-281; he is. Life of Varlaam Khutynsky // SKKDR. Issue 1.S. 138-142; he is. The vision of the Khutyn sexton Tarasiy (Prokhor) // Ibid. Issue 2. Part 1. S. 135-138; he is. Life of Varlaam Khutynsky // Literature of Ancient Rus: Biobibliogr. dictionary / Ed. O. V. Tvorogova. M., 1996.S. 60-61; SKSRK, XI-XIII centuries M., 1984. No. 167. S. 187-188; Zaliznyak A. A., Yanin V. L. Contribution letter of Varlaam Khutynsky // Russian linguistics. 1993. [T.] 16. S. 185-202; Vodov V. The first Novgorod shrines and saints (until the beginning of the 15th century) // Vel. Novgorod in medieval history. Europe. M., 1999.S. 382-390; Novikova V. K. Venerable Varlaam Khutynsky, Novgorod saint. SPb .; M., 2003.

L.A. Secretary

Iconography

Saints Varlaam Khutynsky, John the Merciful, Paraskeva Friday and Anastasia with the Mother of God "The Sign". Icon. 2nd floor XV century (Timing)

Saints Varlaam Khutynsky, John the Merciful, Paraskeva Friday and Anastasia with the Mother of God "The Sign". Icon. 2nd floor XV century (Timing)

V. Kh. Is represented by numerous miniatures, monuments of icon painting, monumental painting, sewing, applied art, graphic lines, engravings reflecting general Russian. the nature of the veneration of the saint. Most of the images have survived in works of Novgorod and Moscow art. In the iconographic tradition of V. Kh., Several can be distinguished. main options. The earliest type of image is the one-person frontal image of V. Kh., Dating back to the one that has not reached the present. time for the tombstone portrait of the saint. The half-length version of this edition was reproduced on the abbot seals of the Khutynsky mon-ry from the 1st decade of the 15th century. (for the first time - on the seal of Abbot Varlaam). The monk is presented in a doll, in his hand a rolled-up scroll (?) (State Historical Museum, GE). Obviously, icons depicting the saint were painted in Novgorod even before the archbishop's examination. Euthymius of the relics of V. Kh. (1440), since the aforementioned abbot. Varlaam, becoming archimandrite of St. George's Mon-ry, already in 1410 built a gateway c. in the name of V. Kh., where his image was to be placed next to the royal gates. Since at the same time (between 1408-1422 and 1438) the second edition of the life of the saint appeared, usually accompanied by the painting of the icon and the laying of the cover on the tomb, it should be assumed that the iconography of V. Kh. Was added more anciently. To the most ancient iconographic type of V. Kh. include his images on embroidered covers, known to us from the monuments of the 16th century. In the Moscow workshop of Tsarina Irina Godunova, a veil was sewn, put into the Khutynsky mon-r in 1579, on which V.Kh. is represented in a schema, a doll with a Calvary cross on his head, a rolled-up scroll in his hands (NGOMZ; earlier covers from Khutynsky mon-ry are known from the description ( Makariy (Mirolyubov), Archbishop Archeol. description of church antiquities in Novgorod and its environs. M., 1860.Vol. 2.S. 305-308). The great temple icons of the saint belong to the same tradition; their iconography differs only in details: a doll put on or lowered on the shoulders, a closed or open scroll, the content of the text written on it. About such an icon of the 16th century. in the refectory c. Varlaam of Khutynsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Khutynsky monastery is mentioned by archbishop. Macarius: “In the left hand of the monk a scroll with the inscription:“ Brothers, about him weariness, strive for that and do not neglect your salvation; and our Lord Jesus Christ may keep you in His love; But even if I am physically departing from you, but in spirit I will be with you, and let it be reasonable about everything, if I have found grace before God, the monastery even after my death, as well as with my belly, nothing ”” (Ibid. p. 80. Note 153). A carved image of the saint has survived, which adorned the top cover of a wooden reliquary from Dimitrievsky Church. in Novgorod (middle of the 16th century (1560?), NGOMZ), where V. Kh. is depicted without a doll, with a forked beard, blessing, with an unrolled scroll in his hands with the text: “Blessed is the person who will remember my name on the day of remembrance mine. " The same image of the monk (along with his coming to the Savior in the Deesis composition) is found in the centerpieces of the hagiographic icons.

The earliest surviving image of V. Kh. Together with saints, whose days of remembrance are close, on the Novgorod icon, 2nd floor. XV century “Saints Varlaam Khutynsky, John the Merciful, Paraskeva Friday and Anastasia with the Mother of God“ Sign ”(RM). The saint is presented frontally, he is in a golden ocher cassock, a light green schema with a thrown back doll and a violet-brown mantle, holding a rolled scroll with both hands. On a tablet from a set of saints of St. Sophia Cathedral, the monk is represented in the center of the reverse side (on the obverse - "Exaltation of the Cross") between Saints Chariton the Confessor, Bishop. Iconium, and Sergius of Radonezh. He is depicted in a dark cherry mantle and a yellow cassock, a blessing doll, with a scroll in his hand (NGOMZ). In the future, especially in the 16th century, this version of the image of the monk will be the most widespread. From the 2nd floor. XV century up to the end. XVII century on Moscow and Novgorod icons V. Kh. is often represented with St. Sergius of Radonezh. For Novgorodians, V. Kh. Personified the glory of local history, the spiritual principle of the Novgorod church and monastic life, just as in Moscow the same ideas were associated with the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The earliest image is a fresco east. the walls of the brownie c. in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Archbishop. Jonah in the Novgorod Detinets (between 1460 and 1463). The embroidered decoration of Vasily's white cowl, archbishop. Novgorodsky, decorated after 1478 with splitters with 3 figures of Russian. saints: V. Kh., Sergius of Radonezh and Cyril Belozersky (Ibid. p. 347). On the Novgorod icon "Selected Saints" (1560, Tretyakov Gallery) on the left side of the Mother of God "The Sign" there are half-length figures of V. Kh. (In the schema) and St. Sergius of Radonezh, both with scrolls. In the XVI-XVII centuries. there was a version of pyadnichny icons with images of these two reverends ("Saints Barlaam and Sergius of Radonezh", late 16th century, State Russian Museum). The same principle is characteristic of the numerous images of V. Kh. In the fields of icons of different versions: the saint is most often represented in a pair or next to St. Sergius of Radonezh, for example. on the Moscow icon "The Mother of God Hodegetria with the Holy Trinity and the Selected Saints" (last quarter of the 15th century, Tretyakov Gallery). The image of V. Kh. Often appears on icons with saints in the margins as part of other reverends: a half-length frontal image of V. Kh. In a medallion is shown on the lower margin of the embroidered sovereign "The Appearance of the Mother of God to the Monk Sergius of Radonezh" (the last quarter of the 15th century, GMZMK). By the beginning. XVI century we can note the convergence of the faces of V. Kh. and St. Sergius of Radonezh, as evidenced, for example, by the image on the above-mentioned wooden reliquary of 1560.

During the XVI-XVII centuries. the frontal image of the monk is often presented with Novgorod saints, for example. on the embroidered shroud of gray. XVI century together with the Novgorod saints John and Nikita, Iona Otensky, Euthymius Vyazhitsky, overshadowed by the spiritual symbol of Novgorod - the image of the Mother of God "The Sign" (embroidered in the Stroganovs workshop and invested by D. A. Stroganov in the Khutynsky mon-ry, now in the NGOMZ). The special attitude of the Novgorodians to the memory of the saint is evidenced by the fact that already in 1645 on the place where, according to legend, the parents of the monk lived, a chapel was built in honor of V.Kh., decorated with his icon, and in 1679 in it a stone cross with images of the "Crucifixion" and V.Kh. ( Makariy (Mirolyubov), archim. Inventory of the Novgorod Spaso-Khutynsky monastery in 1642 // ZORSA. 1857.Vol. 9, p. 406. Notes. one).

A special iconographic type of the forthcoming or praying V. Kh. Was formed with the introduction of his image into the Deesis rite. Such icons became widespread primarily in Novgorod art (an icon from the iconostasis of the Assumption Church of the Kolmov Monastery near Novgorod, circa 1530, NGOMZ), most often the saint is depicted together with St. Sergius of Radonezh, for example. on the Deesis icons (c. 1558) of the iconostasis of c. Apostles Peter and Paul in Kozhevniki in Novgorod (NGOMZ). Deesis icons of the 16th-17th centuries with the image of V. Kh. are known in the museums of Novgorod and Pskov (both 1550, NGOMZ, PIAM; not cleared). In anticipation, V. Kh. Is often depicted among the Russian. venerables in front of the miraculous image of the Mother of God or before icons-holidays: on the veil of the "Mother of God" Burning Bush ", with selected saints" (late 15th - early 16th centuries, RM) - next to St. Sergius of Radonezh. Together with St. Anthony the Roman, he is depicted in the prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" on the fresco of the central spain of the south. walls of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Khutynsky Monastery (Ibid. p. 411). Together with the same saint, V. Kh. Stands before the Lord Almighty on a two-sided icon painted by the master G. Semyonov on a particle of stone - a relic of St. Anthony the Roman (18th century, Russian Museum). On a number of icons V. Kh. Is to be prayed to Christ (or the Mother of God) together with St. Procopius Ustyug (16th century, AMII; 17th century, Tretyakov Gallery); on an icon from Kargopol with Saints Nicholas of Mirliki and Alexis, the Man of God (16th century, AMIA).

Often V. Kh. Is depicted standing among the saints: in the margins of the Vologda icon "Exaltation of the Cross" (2nd half of the 16th century, Tretyakov Gallery) - paired with St. Sergius of Radonezh; on a reliquary cross from Novgorod (beginning of the 16th century, GMMK) - a staff in his hand (in a number of hagiographic tests - the appearance of V.Kh. with a staff, to-eye he punishes sinners; the staff lay on the saint's shrine already at 20-30 -x years of the XVI century (Dmitriev L.A. Life stories of the Russian North as monuments of the literature of the XIII-XVII centuries L., 1973. S. 49, 52, 54).

"The Appearance of the Mother of God to St. Sergius of Radonezh" with selected saints. Sir. Last Thursday XV century. (GMMK)

"The Appearance of the Mother of God to St. Sergius of Radonezh" with selected saints. Sir. Last Thursday XV century. (GMMK)

The sole image of V. Kh., Coming in prayer to the Savior, the Holy Trinity or the Mother of God with the Child, in the 16th-17th centuries. was the most common: the icon of ser. XVI century (Museum-apartment of P. D. Korin); 2 icons 2nd floor. and con. XVI century (both in the State Tretyakov Gallery), Pskov embroidered cover of the 16th century. (PIAM), on icons of the 16th-17th centuries. (Timing). On a rare iconography image of the 17th century. (private collection) the saint stands before the image of the Holy Trinity, obviously, in memory of the appearance to him in the place of Bud. mon-rya of 3 rays. At his feet, in the forest thickets, the buildings of the Khutynsky monastery are shown - the stone Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and the tent-roofed church. "Under the bells" in the name of the schmch. Gregory of Armenian, educator led. Armenia. Most of these icons are of the type blessed by the Savior in the cloud segment, for example. the icon "Varlaam Khutynsky in prayer before the Savior", painted in 1701 by K. Ulanov - the monk is depicted against the background of a landscape in a schema, in the hands of a rosary (RM). The inventory of the Khutynsky mon-ry in 1642 lists many such icons (for example, "The image of Varlaam the Wonderworker, standing, okladnoy, in the Savior cloud", "The pyadnichny image of Varlaam in prayer, in the Savior cloud"). The middleman of the icons V.Kh. mentioned in this inventory was of the same version ( Makariy (Mirolyubov)... Inventory. T. 9.P. 431-434). In the inventory of 1630 of the cell treasury of Patriarch Filaret there are 6 images of V.Kh. (RIB. M., 1876. T. 3. Art. 890), the inventory of 1701 of the Moscow Assumption Cathedral names several. icons of the saint, among which is “Barlaam of Khutynsky standing, from his right country in the clouds is the image of the Savior's belt” (ibid. Art. 654). Such icons were painted in great numbers in the Khutynsky monastery or at his order in other places for sale to pilgrims and presenting to noble guests, as evidenced by numerous traces with the image of V. Kh. (Markelov. Saints of Ancient Russia. T. 1. No. 72 , 73).

After the miracle of the resurrection at the shrine, V.Kh. had nothing to do with bed. book Basil II Gregory Tumgeny in 1460 the veneration of the saint spread in Moscow, where his images immediately appeared. It reached a special scope during the reign of Prince. Basil III, who took the name Barlaam before his death in monastic tonsure. The veneration of V. Kh. Influenced the formation of the new iconography of the saint. Probably at that time in Moscow on the ancient icon "Savior on the Throne" (late XIV - early XV centuries, GMMK), taken out of Novgorod and placed in the local row of the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, the kneeling figure of V. H. in monastic vestments (removed during the restoration in 1934-1935). Perhaps a copy of it was an icon from c. sshmch. Gregory of Armenian in the Khutynsky mon-re ( Makariy (Mirolyubov)... Inventory. T. 2.P. 48).

"Savior of Smolensk" with the leaning reverends Sergius of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutynsky. Icon. Beginning XVIII century Church in the name of mch. John the Warrior in Moscow

"Savior of Smolensk" with the leaning reverends Sergius of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutynsky. Icon. Beginning XVIII century Church in the name of mch. John the Warrior in Moscow

The iconography of V.Kh., who fell along with St. Sergius of Radonezh at the feet of the standing Savior - "Savior of Smolensk". The first image of such a version, according to legend, was written in gratitude for the capture of Smolensk in 1514 and placed above the Frolov Gate of the Kremlin (destroyed in 1917). The iconography of this fresco is based on the vision of a blind nun of the Kremlin Ascension Mon-ry, which happened in 1521, when the hordes of Magmet-Girey approached Moscow. Saints V. Kh. And Sergius, seeing the saints taking out the relics from the Kremlin, fell at their feet, asking: "For the sake of it, come out of this city." The saints replied that they were leaving the Kremlin by the will of God, since the Muscovites had angered God and were punished for this by the invasion of the Mongol-Tatars. Touched by the prayer of the monks, the miracle workers returned back to the Kremlin, and Magmet-Girey led his troops away without a fight. The earliest among the numerous repetitions (see also traces: Markelov. Saints of Ancient Russia. T. 1. Ill. 249-251) of this iconography is the centerpiece of the icon "Savior with parables" from the local row of the iconostasis of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (mid. XVI century ., GMMK). By the beginning. XVIII century refers to the image "Savior with the falling st. Varlaam Khutynsky and Sergius of Radonezh "in the Moscow c. John the Warrior on Yakimanka, located in the icon case on the right in front of the iconostasis.

Little is known about V.Kh.'s hagiographic icons, almost all of them date back to the 16th-17th centuries. The earliest is the Novgorod icon of the middle - 3rd quarter. XVI century "Varlaam Khutynsky, with 14 hallmarks of life" from Borovichi (State Historical Museum), the image of V. Kh. In the centerpiece is similar to the image on a Novgorod tablet. The content of the hallmarks goes back to the 2nd edition of the life, which included the legend of Rodion Kozhukh about the miracle of 1460 with the bed-man Gregory Tumgen; some of the plots are connected with childhood, the ascetic exploits of the saint, and the arrangement by him of a mon-ry. One of the most significant monuments of the saint's iconography is the Moscow icon “St. Varlaam Khutynsky, with 20 hallmarks of life "of the 60s. XVI century (Timing). The middle man repeats the tradition. the image of the monk in prayer, coming to the blessing Lord Almighty in the heavenly segment. Lit. the source of the hagiographic cycle was the text of Pachomius Logofet. The rarest are the 3 hallmarks of the lower field, which illustrate in detail the miracle with Gregory Tumgen. Yaroslavl icon 2nd floor. XVI century "Varlaam Khutynsky in his life with 36 hallmarks" (YAHM) illustrates the text of the 2nd edition of the hagiographic story with the addition of episodes about the procession of the cross in Petrov Lent, V. Kh. In the middle is depicted blessing, in a schema, with an unrolled scroll in his hand held aside ... To the 2nd floor. XVI century (?) refers to an icon with 24 hallmarks illustrating the widespread edition of the life, surrounding V. Kh., the forthcoming image of the Mother of God "Odigitria" in the cloud segment (from the State Tretyakov Gallery transferred to the museum in Tbilisi). The hagiographic icon of V. Kh. With 12 hallmarks, con. XVII or early. XVIII century, from the Riga Grebenshchikov Old Believer community, at its core, it has one of the short versions of the Distributed Edition of the Life; the saint in the centerpiece is presented in a rare iconographic version - up to the waist, with a scroll and the image of the temple in his hands. By the 1st floor. XVII century can be attributed to the icon "Varlaam Khutynsky in deeds" with 38 hallmarks, edges in the beginning. XX century. was located in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Khutynsky Monastery (Nikolsky A. Life of Venerable Varlaam of Khutynsky Likhudievskaya edition // VAI. 1911. Issue 21. pp. 32-34. Perhaps at the present time is located in NGOMZ. Inv. 7623 . 182´ 142 cm; under the note). Judging by the listed brands, the author of the icon used one of the most detailed lists of the widespread edition. There are several other versions of this and the Special edition. monuments: an icon from c. Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl with 18 hallmarks of the life and the image of the coming Savior V. Kh. (1st half of the 17th century, YaMZ). Its last 3 hallmarks contain a vision of the Khutynsk sacristan, which became in the 16th century. the theme of individual icons is "The Vision of the Sexton Prokhor". Beginning - 1st floor XVIII century you can date the icon "Varlaam Khutynsky in his life, with 18 brands" from the Exaltation of the Cross. Petrozavodsk (Museum of Fine Arts of Karelia). In the centerpiece, V.Kh. is turned to the blessing Savior depicted in the left cloud segment. Detailed hagiographic cycles are known from numerous miniatures of the 16th-17th centuries. (Novgorod manuscripts with illustrated life of V.Kh .: Sat. XVII century - IRLI. Collection of F.A.Kalikin No. 35; BAN. 30.7.30; RNB. Sof. No. 1430, XVII century - on sheet 103 miniature "Vision of the sexton Tarasiy"; Facial life of the 17th century - PIAM. Inv. 291/49. L. 97). Makariy (Mirolyubov). Inventory. Vol. 9, p. 435). Close in time is the icon of the con. XVI - early. XVII century (NGOMZ). The earliest repetitions also include the temple image of the 16th century. Varlaamievsky side-altar of the Intercession Cathedral on Red Square. and a small icon of the beginning. XVII century from the collection of the State Russian Museum. All of them (including the late, early 18th century, the State Tretyakov Gallery) repeat the same compositional scheme and apparently go back to the ancient model. The version of the vision of the Khutynsk sacristan Prokhor is known in the monumental painting by painting in c. Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl (1680), where the chapel of V.Kh. was arranged in the deaconist, decorated with the hagiographic cycle of the saint, and the winter Chapel of the Intercession of the same church, painted in 1697.

Among other hagiographic plots, a separate composition was the depiction of V. Kh .'s burial on the icons-pyadnitsa (late 16th century (with recordings), State Russian Museum). This scene, the only one from the whole life, corresponds to a detailed description in the icon-painting originals (see Markelov. Saints of Ancient Rus. T. 2. S. 68-70).

During the XV-XVIII centuries. V. Kh .'s iconography varied: he was painted either in a doll, or with his head uncovered, or in an abbess's cap, with a beard of various shapes and lengths. In the icon-painting originals, he is also described in different ways: "Brada Rusa with gray hair, menshi of Vasily Kesariyskogo, at the very end he is already joking" (RNB. Peretz. No. 524. L. 82); “Rus is exhausted, brada to Perseus, narrow, on the head is a schema, from under it the Kuder people know, venerable vestments” (Filimonov. Icon-painting original, p. 186). Images of V. Kh. Wearing an abbess's cap are rare (for example, on the upper margin of the icon "Resurrection-Descent into Hell" from Pskov, 15th century, PIAM).

Numerous images of V. Kh. Are placed along with other Russian. wonderworkers in the rank of reverends in such subjects as "The Exaltation of the Cross", "Rejoices in Thee", "The Protection of the Mother of God", "The Mother of God of Bogolyubskaya with Falling Down", etc.

Lit .: Snegirev I. M. Kremlin Spassky Gate in Moscow // ДЧ. 1862. Part 2.S. 199-203; Gusev P. L. Novgorod XVI century according to the image on the Khutyn icon "The Vision of the Sexton Tarasiy". SPb., 1900; Catalog of churches. department of the exhibition, arranged for the XV Archeol. congress in Novgorod. Novgorod, 1911. Cat.1; Anisimov A. And. Icon of Varlaam Khutynsky in the Novgorod Diocesan Wood Storage // Tr. Novgorod church-archeol. about-va. Novgorod, 1914.T. 1.S. 146-167; Zimin, A. AND . Tale of the XVI century. on Sat. Rogozhsky sobr. // Zap. OR GBL. M., 1958. Issue. 20. S. 189-198 (The story "The sign is terrible and glorious how the city of Moscow was saved ..."); Antonova, Meeva. Catalog. T. 2. Cat. 366 (fig. 7 mirrored), 374, 456, 498, 587, 625, 640, 721, 899; Malyshev V. And. Old Rus. manuscripts of the Pushkin House. M .; L., 1965.S. 37; Likhacheva L. D. Miniaturists - readers of Novgorod litas. works // TODRL. 1966, vol. 22, pp. 335-341; Porfiridov N. G. Two plots of Old Russian. painting in their relation to lit. based // Ibid. S. 112-118; Antonova V. And. Old Rus. art in the collection. P. Korina. M.,. S. 54-55, 127; Yanin V. L. Act seals of Ancient Rus X-XV centuries. M., 1970. T. 2. S. 139-141, No. 770; Romashkevich T. AND . The painting of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Novgorod Detinets // PKNO, 1977. M., 1977. S. 227; Smirnova E. S., Laurina, V. K., Gordienko E. AND . Painting by Dr. Novgorod. XV century M., 1982.S. 181- 185, 271-272, 317; Novgorod icon of the XII-XVII centuries. L., 1983, No. 239, 240; 1000 Jahre Orthodoxe Kirche in der Rus`: 988-1988: Russische Heiligen. in Ikonen, 20 Nov. 1988 - 15 Jan. 1989. Recklinghausen 1988 S. 39; Sinitsyna L. P . On the iconography of Varlaam Khutynsky // Sculpture. Applied art: Restoration and research: Sat. scientific. tr. VKHNRTS. M., 1993.S. 149-157; Rus. wooden sculpture / Comp. N.N. Pomerantsev, ed. entry Art. S. I. Maslenitsyn. M., 1994.S. 23-24, 224; Shalina I. AND . Icon "Varlaam Khutynsky in the Life" of the 16th century. and its lit. basis // DRI. SPb., 1994. [Issue:] New attributions. S. 25-39; she is. Icon of Varlaam Khutynsky in the life of the 16th century. in the collection. Russian Museum // Rus. ist. figures in the icon: Abstracts. report scientific. Conf., Dec. 1989 M., 1995. S. 27-30; she is. Icon "The Vision of the Sexton Tarasiy" // Sofia. Novgorod, 1996. No. 4 (20). P. 15; Popova L. FROM . The hagiographic icon of Varlaam Khutynsky from the collection of the Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve // \u200b\u200bRus. ist. figures in the icon. S. 30-32; Russian monasteries: art and traditions. B. m., 1997. S. 138, 139, 145; Markelov. Saints of Ancient Russia. T. 1. Il. 55, 72, 73, 198, 225; Northern letters: Sobr. AMII: Cat. / Comp. O. N. Veshnyakova, T. M. Koltsova. Arkhangelsk, 1999. Cat. 35, 36; Gordienko E. AND . Novgorod in the XVI century. and his spiritual life. SPb., 2001.S. 206, 388- 399; The artistic heritage of Dionysius: Icons, book. miniatures, sewing, small plastic, early printed books con. XV - mid. XVI century M., 2002.S. 155-157; Dionysius - "the notorious painter": To the 500th anniversary of the painting of Dionysius in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos at Ferapontov Monastery. M., 2002. Cat. 41, 57; Ignashina E. IN . Old Rus. sewing in sobr. Novgorod Museum. Veliky Novgorod, 2002.S. 9-11; Yaroslavl Art Museum: Cat. collection icons. Yaroslavl, 2002. T. 1. Cat. 52; Novikova V. K. Venerable Varlaam Khutynsky, Novgorod saint. SPb., 2003.S. 158-162.

I. A. Shalina

For our readers: the life of Varlaam of Khutynsky with a detailed description from various sources.

A Brief Life of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky

The Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky lived in the XII century, was the son of a noble Novgorod citizen and spent his childhood years in Novgorod. In his youth, having retired to the Lisich monastery near the city, the Monk Varlaam received tonsure. Then he settled on a secluded hill above Volkhov, in a tract called Khutyn, 10 versts from Novgorod. In solitude, the Monk Barlaam led a stern life, performing unceasing prayers and observing a very strict fast. He zealously struggled in his labors - he chopped wood himself, sawed wood, plowed the earth, fulfilling the words of Holy Scripture: “If anyone does not want to do, let him be lower” (2 Sol.: 10). Some of the inhabitants of Novgorod gathered to him, wishing to share with the monk the labors and exploits. Teaching those who came, the Monk Barlaam said: “Children, guard against all untruth, do not envy, do not slander. Refrain from anger, do not lend money to growth. Beware of judging wrong. Do not swear falsely by making an oath, keep it. Do not indulge in bodily passions. Always be meek and treat everyone with love. This virtue is the beginning and root of all good ”.

Soon a church was erected in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord and a monastery was founded. The Lord sent down the gift of miracles and clairvoyance to the saint for serving his neighbors. When his days were drawing to a close, by God's will, Anthony, a peer and friend of the monk, arrived from Constantinople from Constantinople. The blessed one, addressing him, said: “My beloved brother! God's grace rests over this abode. Now I am handing over this monastery to your hands. Watch it and take care of it. I am already going to the Heavenly King. But do not be embarrassed by this: I leave you in body, but in spirit I will always be with you ”. Having taught the instruction to his brethren, having commanded to preserve the Orthodox faith and constantly abide in humility, the Monk Barlaam reposed in the Lord on November 6, 1192.

The Complete Life of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky

The Monk Varlaam, in the world Alexei, asceticised in the XII century on the banks of the Volkhov. He was the son of the wealthy and eminent citizens of Veliky Novgorod, Mikhail and Anna, who were distinguished by their pious lives. Raised under the influence of virtuous parents, from an early age Alexei felt a special disposition for a pious and secluded life, retired from all games and the company of friends, loved to read holy books, often visited the temple of God, and spent time at home in prayer and fasting. Fearing for the health of the young ascetic, his parents tried to persuade him not to exhaust himself with fasting, but the monk meekly answered them: “I, kind parents, have read many holy books, but nowhere did I find that the parents themselves would advise their children anything bad, as you do to me. advise. Is not the Kingdom of Heaven more dear to us than anything else? But it is not food and drink that will lead us there, but fasting and prayer. Remember how many people were after Adam, and they all died and mingled with the earth, but those who pleased God with a virtuous life, shed their blood for Christ and renounced the world out of love for Christ, received the Kingdom of Heaven and are glorified by everyone. That is why I, with the help of God, want to imitate them in my strength ”. Hearing such an answer, the parents were amazed at the mind of the young man and gave him complete freedom to live at will. After the death of his parents, the monk, having distributed all his property to the poor, withdrew into the wilderness to the ascetic Porfiry and received from him the tonsure with the name of Barlaam.

Seeking perfect solitude, the Monk Varlaam decided to settle in a remote place 10 versts from Novgorod. This place was called Khutyn (thin, bad place) and enjoyed a bad reputation; in the opinion of the people, evil spirits lived here, and everyone was afraid to come here. But no unclean force is terrible for the servant of Christ, armed with an irresistible weapon - the cross of Christ, which drives away all enemies far away. Approaching Khutyn, the monk saw a light ray shining from the dense thicket of the forest. From this sign, he understood that his intention to settle here is in accordance with the will of God. With a feeling of gratitude to the Lord, the monk exclaimed in the words of the Prophet: "Here is my rest and here I will dwell in the age of the age!" (Ps.: 14). Having prayed fervently to the Lord, the monk set up a cell for himself in the middle of a deaf thicket. He spent the whole day in labors, and the night in prayer, fasted strictly, wore severe clothes and chains (the saint's hair shirt kept in the Khutyn monastery has 18 pounds, and the chains - 8 pounds). The strict ascetic from the devil had to endure many attacks. Trying to drive out the hermit, the demons then took the form of various animals, snakes, in order to frighten him. either they aroused people against him in order to force him to leave his chosen place with insults, then they aroused various thoughts in him, tried to bring him to breaking his fast, but the monk meekly endured all insults, with fervent tearful prayer and strict fasting suppressed all these thoughts and destroyed all the tricks of the devil.

The highly moral life of St. Varlaam soon became famous in the country, princes, boyars, and ordinary people began to come to him for advice and blessing; many asked permission to live with him. No matter how much the monk loved solitude, remembering the Lord's commandment about love for neighbors, according to which everyone must first and foremost care for the benefit of others, he readily and lovingly accepted everyone who turned to him. His strict non-covetousness, love and condescension to the repentant, his meek and at the same time imbued with the strength of sincere feeling, the word of edification made a strong impression on everyone who came to him. Each was instructed in relation to his position. He told the chiefs and princes to always remember three things: first, that they rule over people the same as themselves; second, that they must rule according to the laws; third, that they will not always rule and that they will also have to give an account to God in their judgments, for there is God's judgment over them. He taught the monks not to be exalted if they were appointed heads of the monastery, but all the more diligently to work for God. All brethren must work day and night in their chosen field. He inspired the rich not to forget that there is eternity with torment for the idle, and that many sorrows cover the way to the kingdom of heaven. He taught the laity and everyone in general not to repay evil for evil, not to offend each other, to move away from all unrighteousness and impurity, and to remember their sins.

The number of monks who wished to asceticise at the monastery of the monk was constantly increasing. St. Varlaam built a small wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in memory of the wonderful light that shone on this place when St. Barlaam accepted the intention of settling here, and several cells. The monk, by his example and by his instructions, led the monks who lived with him to spiritual perfection. He worked the land himself, he built himself a cell; and now the well he dug is intact.

For his virtuous life, St. During his lifetime Barlaam was glorified by the Lord with the gift of clairvoyance and miracles. Therefore, the archbishop of Novgorod often turned to the monk for advice.

Once, having gone to the archbishop, St. Varlaam saw on the bridge over the Volkhov a large crowd of people and an executioner who was preparing to throw a convicted criminal into the river (the usual death penalty in Novgorod in ancient times). The monk stopped the executioner, and asked the people to give him the condemned man, saying, "He will make amends for his guilt in Khutyn." All at once unanimously shouted: "Give, give the condemned man to our venerable father Barlaam." Having freed the condemned from bondage, St. Barlaam sent him to his monastery. After some time, the one who was saved from execution accepted monasticism and, having lived piously in the monastery, died. But in another similar case, St. Varlaam acted differently. He had to cross the bridge again when they were preparing to overthrow the convict. Relatives and many of the people, seeing the monk, begged him to save the condemned man, but he, not paying attention to all the requests, ordered his charioteer to go as soon as possible, and the execution was accomplished. This act of the saint amazed the people.

“What does this mean? - everyone said to each other. “The monk saved one from execution, although he was not asked for it, and he did not want the other, despite all the pleas.” Disciples of St. Upon returning to the monastery, Varlaam was asked to explain this act. “The fate of the Lord,” answered the monk, “the abyss is many. The Lord wants salvation for everyone and does not want the death of the sinner. The first was justly condemned, but after condemnation he recognized his sins, and the Lord delivered him from death through my unworthiness in order to give him time to repent and atone for his sins, which he did in the monastery. The second was condemned innocently, but the Lord allowed him to die, so that later he would not become a bad person; now, having died innocently, he received from the Lord a martyr's crown. This is the mystery of God's destinies: "Who is the mind of the Lord, or who is his advisor" (Rom. 33-34).

Once Prince Yaroslav arrived in the wilderness to visit the monk. St. Barlaam, blessing him, said: "Be healthy, prince, and with your noble son." This greeting amazed the prince, who did not yet know about the birth of a baby. Having soon received the joyful news of the birth of his son, he asked the monk to be the recipient of the newborn, to which St. Varlaam agreed willingly. This was in 1190.

Possessing the gift of clairvoyance, the monk tried to warn the brethren against sinful falls. Once the monastery fishermen, among a multitude of small fish, caught a large sturgeon and hid it, wanting to sell it, and they brought only small fish to the monk. Looking at them with a smile, St. Barlaam said: "You brought the children to me, where did you hide their mother." Embarrassed by this gentle reproof, the fishermen fell at the saint's feet, asking for forgiveness.

Teaching others to refrain from temptations, the monk strictly watched over himself, suppressing all evil thoughts by prayer and fasting. Once they brought fresh fish to the monk. He wanted to taste it, but, suppressing this desire in himself, ordered to cook the fish and put it in a vessel in the cell. He spent three days in strict fasting and prayer. On the fourth day, the saint opened a vessel with a fish and, seeing there a multitude of worms, said: “Barlaam, Barlaam. Every animal, after its destruction, turns into decay; it befits us, too, to be relieved of all enjoyment of brushes and addiction to this life. If you want to eat sweet food here and drink sweet drink, then why are you called a black man? You have already left the world in the wilderness to serve your Creator. ” Having said this, he threw away the fish, and the thought of sweet food did not bother him any more.

A particularly remarkable case of the sagacity of St. Varlaam remained forever memorable in Novgorod.

The monk had to be with the Novgorod archbishop. At parting, the archbishop told him to visit in a week. St. Varlaam answered: “If God bless, I will come to your shrine in a sleigh on Friday of the first week of Sts. apostle Peter and Paul ”. The archbishop was surprised at this answer. Indeed, on the eve of a certain day, deep snow fell on the night and on Friday there was a severe frost all day. The monk on a sleigh came to Novgorod to see the archpastor. Seeing the sadness of the archbishop over such an untimely bad weather, as a result of which the bread could freeze, St. Barlaam told him: “Do not grieve, Vladyka, do not grieve, but you need to thank the Lord. If the Lord had not sent this snow and frost, then there would have been a famine in the whole country, with which the Lord wanted to punish us for our sins, but through the prayers of the Mother of God and the saints, he took pity on us and sent frost so that the worms that were eating away the roots of bread would die. In the morning it will be warm again, this snow will melt and give water to the earth. By the grace of the Lord, there will be fertility. " The next day, as St. Varlaam, it's warm. The archbishop was brought from the field of rye ears with roots, on which there were many extinct worms. And there was an unprecedented harvest that year.

In addition to the gift of clairvoyance, the Lord glorified His saint with the gift of miracles.

Near the monastery of St. Barlaam was lived by one villager who had a son. He especially venerated the monk, often came to the monastery to listen to his conversation and sent him to the monastery needs as much as he could within his means. The villager's son fell ill, and there was no hope of his recovery. Then the father, taking the sick son, carried him to the monastery of the monk. But on the way, the boy died. With a bitter cry, the grieved father approached the saint's cell and said: “I hoped that through your prayers my son would recover, but he received great sorrow. It would be better for me if he died at home than on the road. " St. Barlaam said to him: “In vain do you weep and lament. Do you not know that death and general judgment await everyone, and as the Lord desired, so did he. Therefore, beloved, do not grieve about this, but go and prepare everything necessary for burial. " Meanwhile, St. Barlaam, touched by his grief, knelt down, began to fervently pray to the Lord to resurrect the boy, and the Lord heard the prayer of His saint - the deceased revived. The father with amazement saw his son sitting on the bed of the monk, completely healthy. With joyful tears he fell at the feet of St. Barlaam, thanks to him and glorifying God, working miracles in His saints. Not wanting human glory, St. Varlaam tried to hide the miracle that had happened and said to the villager: “You, as I see, were deceived and from strong sadness, having lost your sound mind, did not understand reality. Your son did not die, and did not rise again, but, exhausted on the road from the cold, he fell into insensibility, and you thought that he was dead. Now, having warmed himself in a warm cell, he regained consciousness, and it seems to you that he has risen. " But the villager could not agree with this explanation. “Why do you, saint of God, want to hide a miracle from me? He said to the saint. “I know very well that my son was dead. If I had not seen clearly that he was dead, I would not have prepared everything necessary for burial. " Then the monk strictly forbade him to talk about the miracle that had happened during his lifetime, warning that if he told anyone about it, then he himself would lose the mercy of God, and again would lose his son. Rejoicing and glorifying God and His saint Barlaam, the villager returned to his house.

Shortly before his death, the monk completed the construction of a stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord instead of the old wooden one. Anticipating his demise. St. Barlaam summoned all the brethren to him and said: “The time has come, my children, for my departure to the Lord, but I will not leave you orphans and will always be with you in spirit, and if you live in love, this monastery will not will have nothing shortage. " The monks cried inconsolably, bidding farewell to their beloved preceptor, but the monk persuaded them not to grieve, but to pray for him. In his last conversation, with fatherly love, he urged them not to weaken in the exploits of fasting and prayer, to protect their souls from all evil thoughts, but to live so that every day they would be ready for death. “I entrust you first of all into the hands of God,” he said to the brethren, “but as the guardian of your souls and bodies, I leave Abbot Anthony, who is now in Jerusalem.” By the gift of clairvoyance, the monk saw Anthony approaching the monastery. The Monk Varlaam gave him his flock with a blessing and died peacefully on the 6th day of November 1192.

The news of the death of the dearly beloved and revered by all the Monk Varlaam greatly saddened all the inhabitants of Novgorod. The archbishop of Novgorod arrived at his burial with all the clergy, monks from all monasteries and almost all the inhabitants of the city, of all ages, sex and status. The cry of the people drowned out the funeral chants. For this love of the people, the monk rewarded with love: many sick people received healing.

This day remained memorable for the people, and in the monastery of the monk the custom is still preserved on the day of his death to give alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them come, according to the commandment of Saint Barlaam, who commanded to receive all the strange, feed them and put them to rest.

The Lord gave Saint Barlaam the gift of working miracles after his death, so that all who come with faith to the saint's tomb receive what they ask for.

It is difficult to describe all the numerous miracles of Saint Barlaam. One blind man, who suffered for a long time and was treated with no success for his illness, asked to be brought to the monastery of St. Varlaam. During the singing of the prayer service to the Mother of God, the blind man prayed fervently at the grave of the saint. When they sang: "Lady, accept the prayers of your servant ...", he suddenly saw the saint's grave. Not daring to believe his healing, he approached the tomb and touched it. With a feeling of living joy and gratitude to the saint, he announced to everyone about his miraculous healing, and everyone glorified the Lord and His saint.

One man, who had great faith in the monk, set off on the water with his wife to bow to his relics; on the way back from the monastery, the boat capsized and he drowned. Fishermen from a neighboring village with difficulty found his body and dragged him out with nets. At the sight of the drowned man, some murmured against the monk that they had not saved from death a man who came to him with faith. “Having come to the relics of the monk, this man hoped to receive health and a long life,” they said, “but instead he died such an unexpected death. It would be better for him not to come and pray than to die like that after praying. ” But the Lord did not allow reproof against His saint. The drowned man suddenly got up, glorifying God and Saint Barlaam.

In 1408, the Novgorod prince Konstantin fell seriously ill, so they completely lost hope of his recovery. He ordered to be taken to the monastery of St. Varlaam. Without memory, they brought the prince to the saint's grave, and those close to him began to think about burial. But the reverent monks consoled them with the hope of St. Varlaam. “Believe only in God and put your hope on the monk who will bring healing to the prince,” they said. Having performed a prayer service at the saint's grave, the abbot and the brethren went to a meal, leaving the sick man in the church. Suddenly he became completely healthy, as if awakened from a deep sleep. Having received news of this, the hegumen and the brethren hurried to the church and found the prince healthy, praying at the saint's grave.

In 1445, the Grand Duke Vasily the Dark arrived in Novgorod with his sons. There, Prince Gregory's beloved bed-clerk fell dangerously ill and lay without food for eight days. In a dream, he answered as if asking him, although none of those who were with him spoke to him. When he regained consciousness, he was asked who he was talking to. Gregory replied: “Lying on my bed, I was thinking how I could visit the monastery of St. Barlaam to pray at his tomb. Suddenly I heard a voice that the miracle worker himself was coming to you. I saw that St. Varlaam with a cross in his hand. Approaching me, the monk said: “You pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker and you call me for help, not knowing me, and you have copied my canon and life, even vowed to be tonsured in my monastery. Pray in the future to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and I am your assistant. Now, having seen me, be faithful to me: I will deliver you from your illness ”. “Therefore, I ask you,” Gregory continued, “take me to the monastery of the Monk Varlaam, even if death befall me here, bury me in his monastery.” At this request, the patient was put into a sleigh and taken to the monastery. He died on the way. Those who saw him off did not know what to do, whether to take the body to the monastery or take it to his parents. But, fulfilling the request of the deceased, they decided to take him to the monastery. At the monastery gates, the dead suddenly came to life and loudly exclaimed: "I was dead, and now I am here!" Those who saw him off began to ask questions, but he could not say anything more. Hearing about this miracle, Abbot Leonty and the brethren gathered in the church and performed a prayer service at the grave of the Monk Varlaam. The revived one stood on his feet, but he was dumb. When they brought him into the cell and, at his request, brought the icon of St. Varlaam, the young man, approaching the icon, suddenly spoke. With tears he thanked the monk for his healing and told the abbot and the brethren about what had happened to him: “At the hour of death I saw many demons around me, and one of them was holding a scroll where my sins were written. But St. Nicholas, driving away the demons from me, said: "Few of his good deeds mean more than his sins, of which, moreover, he repented to his spiritual father." Then the demons disappeared, the Angels appeared, and one of them led me to a bright place where many beautiful trees grew. Here I saw the Monk Barlaam with a staff in his hand, as he is depicted on the icon. Approaching me, he said: “Gregory! I did not have time to come to you at the end of yours. Now do you want to stay here? " “I want to stay here,” I replied. St. Barlaam said: “It would be nice for you to stay here, but your parents will mourn; go comfort your father and mother. " Taking my hand, the monk led me, and the Angel walked in front in the deacon's attire. Passing the flowering trees, the Angel disappeared, and the monk, overshadowing me with the cross and the icon of St. Nicholas, said: "In seven years you will be with me" and became invisible, but I revived. " This miracle took place on January 31, 1445.

The miracles that took place at the grave of the Monk Barlaam prompted Archbishop Euthymius of Novgorod to begin the examination of his holy relics. The archbishop proceeded to this with awe. Having summoned the Khutyn abbot Tarasiy to him, he commanded a three-day fast and prayer in the monastery, and he himself fasted and prayed these days. Three days later, the archbishop with the hegumen and one subdeacon entered the church, with prayer they removed the stone roof from the tomb and saw the honest body of the monk completely incorrupt: his face and beard were similar to the image on the icon that stood over the tomb. Everyone glorified God, and the subdeacon, struck by a miracle, took monastic vows. This was around 1452.

The saint's relics remained closed even after that. In 1471, the Grand Duke of Moscow John III, having conquered Novgorod, arrived at the Khutynsk monastery to venerate Saint Varlaam. "Why don't they open the tomb of the saint?" He asked Abbot Nathanael. “For a long time no one dares to see the relics of a miracle worker, - answered the hegumen, - neither for princes, nor for archbishops, nor for boyars they do not open them until the Lord pleasingly expresses His will for that." Then the Grand Duke said angrily: “None of the saints hide, but they are visible everywhere in the universe, so that every Christian could come to the holy relics with faith, kiss them and receive protection. The relics of St. Nicholas were discovered in Bara, and also in Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch on the feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner publicly raises his honest hand ”. With these words, he threateningly ordered to open the coffin, angrily striking the ground with a rod. But the Lord was pleased to admonish the prince that all the powerful lands are nothing before the face of the Lord. As soon as they began to lift the stone board and dig the earth, thick smoke came out of the saint's tomb and then a flame that scorched the walls of the temple. In horror, the prince rushed with his retinue out of the temple, dropping the rod, with which he angrily hit the ground. In memory of the miracle, this rod is kept in the monastery.

One monk Tarasiy prepared candles at night for the morning service in the church where the relics of St. Varlaam. Suddenly he sees that the candles over the tomb of the saint and in front of the icons were lit by themselves, the coals in the censer were kindled, and the temple was filled with a fragrance. Then Tarasius saw that the monk had risen from the grave and, standing in the middle of the church, prayed for a long time for the great Novgorod, so that the philanthropic Lord would turn away His anger from him and deliver him from the punishment awaiting him. Terrified, Tarasius fell at the saint's feet. St. Varlaam, raising him, said: “Do not be afraid, brother Tarasiy, I want to reveal to you the fierce grief that the Lord is preparing for Veliky Novgorod for the fact that he was filled with untruth. Go up to the church roof and see what is happening over Novgorod now. ” Tarasiy ran and saw that the waters of Lake Ilmenya rose high and were ready to flood Novgorod. St. Varlaam prayed to the Lord with tears for the salvation of the city. Then he again sent Tarasius to look at the city. Tarasius saw many Angels who were throwing arrows of fire at crowds of men, women and children. The monk again began to pray with tears and then said: “With the prayers of our Lady Theotokos and all the saints, the Lord had mercy on Novgorod from the flood, but there will be a severe pestilence on the people. For the third time Saint Barlaam Tarasius sent to look at the city. He saw a fiery cloud that went to the city. “Brother Tarasiy! - said the monk. "After the pestilence, there will be a big fire in Novgorod, and the entire trade side of it will burn down." After this, the saint returned to his grave, the candles and incense extinguished by themselves. Everything predicted came true. Four years after this revelation to Tarasius in 1509 there was a pestilence and a strong fire in Novgorod (Collected chronicles. III. 245-247).

Thus St. Even after his death, Barlaam did not leave without help both his monastery and his homeland - Novgorod, and together with this he was a warm prayer book for the entire Russian land.

The monk's help in the spiritual life of the inhabitants of the Novgorod land is also known. The Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Ioannovich had an appearance: in a dream he saw the Monk Varlaam. who told him that in Novgorod three monasteries did not have shepherds: on Khutyn, St. George and St. Anthony, and the brothers in them live badly. (Barlaam was the Metropolitan in Russia). It was then that monks were sent to Moscow with a request to send abbots to these monasteries (there was no archbishop in Novgorod at that time). This was in 1517. The Grand Duke immediately ordered the appointment of abbots to the aforementioned monasteries. From that time on, the Grand Duke began to especially venerate the Monk Barlaam, and the Monk often appeared to him in a dream and strengthened him in the struggle against his enemies, so that the Grand Duke attributed his victories over them to the help of St. Varlaam. But the memory of St. Varlaam began to be celebrated in Moscow much earlier. In 1461 he was consecrated at the church of St. John the Baptist at the Borovitsky Gate, a chapel in the name of St. Varlaam Khutynskago. In the very monastery of the Khutynsky church in honor of St. Barlaam was built in 1410 (Collected years. III. 104 235. IV. 114. IV. 182).

Having moved to the heavenly abode, St. Varlaam, according to his promise, did not leave his care for the earthly abode he had built. He strictly monitored the observance by the monks of the statute given to them and often, appearing himself, punished or helped them. Hegumen Sergius, who arrived at the Khutynsky monastery from the Moscow Androniev monastery, led an unrestrained life, was unmerciful to the poor and forbade the admission of wanderers. The monk did not tolerate such a violation of his commandment. Once, during the all-night vigil, one of the monks saw that St. Barlaam, having risen from the coffin, went up to Sergius, took the staff from him and punished the abbot with it. Like a dead, the unworthy abbot fell, the brothers took him to the cell, where he died a week later.

In the same way the monk also punished another abbot, Nicephorus, for violating the commandment of mercy to the poor. In the seventh year of Nikiforov's reign, a severe famine began in the Novgorod land. Many poor people came to the monastery of St. Barlaam and with tears asked for bread, but hegumen Nicephorus ordered to drive them away and lock the gates. At night St. Barlaam, with a rod in his hand, said: “Why do you act so mercilessly with the poor? They are exhausted from hunger and are close to death, and you not only did not give them food, but you also locked the gate of the monastery. And I have commanded all those living in my monastery to first of all love each other, to feed and rest the poor and strange who come to the monastery. For such mercy, by the grace of Christ, my abode will never become scarce. You insulted Christ with your stinginess and dislike, and allowed many to leave our monastery hungry and exhausted. " Having said this, the monk punished the igumen with a rod. From that moment, Nicephorus felt relaxation in his hand and leg, so he had to leave the management of the monastery and retire to the Miracle Monastery, where he repented of his sin and received healing through the prayer of St. Varlaam.

In the monastery of St. Barlaam was the monk Tarasiy, an icon painter, handsome in appearance and distinguished by spiritual merit, so that the brethren entrusted him with the monastic treasury. But Tarasius in a short time changed his temper, began to get drunk with the wine he kept in his cell, and did not want to help the poor. According to the will of St. Barlaam on November 6, the day of his death, from the monastic treasury they were supposed to distribute alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them came to the monastery. Tarasiy did not give anything to the poor that day, and he himself, leaving even the liturgy, feasted with his friends.

While Tarasius was sitting at the table with his friends in his cell, the monk appeared to him and severely began to reproach him for his bad life and failure to fulfill his commandments. The monk cruelly punished Tarasius with a rod, and he fell to the ground. They raised him, thinking that he had fallen into a grave illness, but he told everyone about the appearance that had happened to him and repented of his sin.

The monastery chaplain was subjected to the same punishment from the monk, who did not want to give wine to the brethren in necessary cases, but himself constantly got drunk. St. Barlaam appeared to the wicked and punished him with a rod, after which he died in relaxation.

Kelare Joasaph led an unrestrained life, drinking in monastery wine and honey, and was severely punished by the monk. Once Joasaph, being in the cellar, drank wine there. Suddenly St. Barlaam said to him with anger: “Is this how you should live, elder? Does the charter permit premature drinking, eating and enjoying sweet meads and meals, as you do, not caring about your salvation? The Lord did not create us for us to eat and drink, dress in various clothes and please this perishable body, but in order to please God by fasting, prayer, repentance, tears and alms. Are you not afraid of the Last Judgment and eternal torment, reveling in and still mocking others who live according to the monastery's charter? "

After this the monk began to beat him with a rod, saying: “Repent, you accursed one, and turn to God; if you don’t repent, you will die an evil death ”. From that time on, Joasaph fell into relaxation. The brethren brought him barely alive to the church and began to sing a prayer service. Through the prayers of the brethren, the cellarer was healed. But, forgetting about admonition, after a while Joasaph again began to lead a drunken life and was again punished. A wealthy merchant came from Moscow to worship St. Barlaam and offered a hearty meal to all the brethren. As soon as the drunk cellare wanted to drink the cup of health, he immediately fell to the ground and died.

A severe famine broke out in the Novgorod land. At that time, a certain Dosifei was a builder in the Khutynsky monastery. He forbade the cellarer to distribute bread to the poor and to feed the strangers in the monastery. In the fall, bread was brought from all the monastery fields and all the granaries were filled with it. Once the clerk of the grain, Theodore, entering the main granary, which was in the garden, saw that the bread had decreased significantly. In a few days, the bread has gone down to a hundred measures. Theodore announced this extraordinary loss to the housekeeper Savvaty and the builder Dositheus. After examining the granary carefully and not finding any damage, Dositheus realized that St. Barlaam denounces his sin - his violation of the commandment of the monk about mercy to the poor. Then he still ordered bread to be distributed to the poor and to feed the strangers. And what? Three days after this order, the housekeeper Savvaty, entering the same granary, found it full of bread.

Monk Agapius, who was a baker of bread for the brethren, used to sleep in a dough in which he dissolved bread, not thinking that this solution was consecrated by the blessing of the priest and holy water. St. Barlaam, having appeared to him, denounced his reverence, threatening with cruel punishment if he did not abandon his bad habit. The monk was horrified and was ill for a whole week. When the sick man was brought to the saint's grave and a prayer service was performed, the Monk Barlaam appeared to him again and, having healed him of his illness, said: “Now you are well; do not sin ahead, so that something worse does not happen to you ”.

Strict towards violators of the charter, St. At the same time, Barlaam was merciful to those monks who performed their duties, and was a quick helper in need and illness. Thus, he healed the sexton Jonah, who had been ill for a long time, appearing to him in a dream and saying: “Do not grieve any more, Jonah, about your illness: now you are well”. When Jonah woke up, he felt completely healthy.

Another monk, Irinarchus, distinguished by a God-fearing life, was seriously ill for three years, so that he was close to death and prepared for it. One night the patient forgot himself and saw that St. Barlaam in priestly vestments with a cross in his hand, followed by a deacon with a censer and brethren with icons and candles. Entering the cell of Irinarkh, the monk ordered to put icons, light candles and blessed the patient with the words: "Here you are, brother Irinarch, do not sin, pray to God, the Most Holy Theotokos and call me for help." After that St. Varlaam became invisible. Waking up, Irinarchus felt healthy.

One villager who lived near the Msta River had a ten-year-old son, deaf, dumb and blind. Taking him with her, the woman went to the Khutynsky monastery to pray to St. Varlaam. When they approached the gates of the monastery, the youth suddenly regained his sight and said: "Is this Khutyn monastery?" The amazed mother saw with joy that through the prayer of the saint of God, her son received everything that he had been deprived of from birth - he began to see, hear and speak. With tears of gratitude, she fell to the tomb of the wonderworker and told Archbishop Macarius about the miracle that had happened, who at that time came to the monastery with a procession from Novgorod.

The son of a Novgorod boyar, Eleutheria, the youth Simeon was relaxed and did not control his right hand, did not speak. His pious grandmother Evdokia brought the sick man to the monastery of the Monk Varlaam and fervently prayed for his help. While reading the Gospel at the prayer service, the patient suddenly stood directly on both legs, began to cross himself with his right hand and speak.

In Novgorod, near the Nikolsky Monastery, there lived one artisan Gregory, whose wife Mamelfa suffered from relaxation for 12 years, not owning either hands or feet. On the Wednesday of the first week of Lent, Sts. The apostles Peter and Paul at night appeared to her in a dream two radiant men. One of them was in bishop's vestments, holding a cup with the Holy Mysteries in his hand, and having given the sacrament to the sick, became invisible. The other was an elder in a monk's attire. The elder asked the patient: "Do you know, Mamelph, the saint who communed you with the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ?" The patient humbly replied: “No, holy father, I, a sinner, in my illness and do not know myself, and even more so I cannot know who he is. I saw him only in holy clothes. I saw him in an extraordinary light, shining like the sun, which my mind cannot comprehend; Do I, a sinner, know his name? " Then the elder said to her: "This is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker." "Who are you, holy father?" The patient asked him. “I am Varlaam, hegumen of the Khutynsky monastery,” the person who appeared to her answered, “now get up and follow me. When your husband comes, tell him what you saw, and ask him to take you there on Friday, when there is a procession with the cross, and you will receive healing at my tomb. ” Having said this, St. Varlaam became invisible. The patient immediately felt relief. On Friday, she and her husband arrived at the monastery of St. Varlaam. Having prayed at his grave and venerated the icon, she received complete healing.

In the monastery of St. Varlaam lived one monk, who was loving and voluptuous, never helping the poor from the abundant gifts that his relatives brought him from the city. It happened to him once with these gifts to receive poison, and he lay dying. At night in a dream he saw himself in the church where the relics of St. Varlaam. The monk approached him, began to reproach him for intemperance in food, which was the cause of his illness, for his stinginess and mercy towards the poor, and told him that if he repent of his sins and changed his intemperate life, he would receive forgiveness and healing from illness. ... Then St. Barlaam ordered him to call a priest, serve a prayer service and drink holy water. When the sick man fulfilled the command of the monk, he received healing. From that time on, he spent his life in fasting, prayer, and diligently helping the poor.

He held the ponomar post at the monastery of St. Varlaam, the monk Tikhon suffered a serious illness for about two years, so he could not bend down to the ground or lift anything. Tikhon often prayed at the saint's grave, but did not receive healing. Once, being alone in the church, he, approaching the saint's tomb, as if reproachfully said: “The pleasing of Christ and the miracle worker Barlaam! To strangers who come to you from afar, suffering from various ailments, you abundantly give healings from all diseases, but you do not heal me, your inherent slave. Have mercy on me, holy saint of Christ, and heal me from my illness! " At that very moment, the patient felt perfect healing.

The cleric of the Temple of Sophia in Novgorod, Panteleimon, a relative of Archbishop Gennady, fell into relaxation, stopped speaking and lay motionless for three years. On Friday of the first week of Lent, Sts. The apostles Peter and Paul, when the procession of the cross is taking place in the monastery, they brought this relaxed one there and laid him at the tomb of St. Varlaam. Suddenly the patient saw that St. Varlaam came out of the coffin and scorched it with fire. Out of fear the patient jumped up and cried out: “Holy miracle worker Barlaam! Have mercy on me and heal me from a real illness! " The monk said to him: "Now you are healthy and do not sin ahead." Having said this, St. Varlaam became invisible. Suddenly the patient recovered and told everyone about his vision.

Many other miracles took place at the tomb of St. Barlaam, many of them are being accomplished even now for all who call on the saint of God with faith. He was always a warm man of prayer and intercessor before the Lord and for individuals, and for Novgorod, and for the entire Russian land. More than once, through his prayers, the Lord saved our native Russia from terrible enemies. So, in 1521, at the intercession of the monk before the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, the attack on the Russian land of the Tatars under the leadership of Makhmet-Girey was repelled. The salvation of Moscow from Makhmet-Girey is described in the legend of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, called Vladimirskaya. In 1521, the Crimean, Nogai and Kazan Tatars attacked Moscow possessions so quickly that Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich barely managed to withdraw his troops to the banks of the Oka. Having defeated the Russian governor, the Tatars moved to Moscow, exterminating all the villages on their way from Nizhny to Moscow. Residents of the outskirts of Moscow fled to Moscow. Metropolitan Barlaam and all the inhabitants fervently prayed to the Lord for salvation, and the Lord consoled the needy with a wonderful vision of turning away his anger from them. An elderly and blind nun who lived in the Ascension Monastery, who, together with others, fervently prayed to the Lord for the deliverance of the city from terrible enemies, was awarded a wonderful vision. She suddenly heard a kind of great noise, whirlwind and ringing, and saw that saints and other persons in sacred clothes were walking from the Kremlin to the Spassky Gate, carrying the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This procession had the appearance of a procession of the cross. Among the saints were Sts. Peter, Alexy and Jonah, metropolitans of Moscow, and other saints. When this cathedral of saints was leaving the Kremlin gates, the Monk Sergius came out to meet them on one side, and the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky on the other. Both of them, having met a cathedral of saints (according to an ancient handwritten legend, this meeting took place on the Execution site), fell at their feet and asked why they were going out of the city and to whom they left it during the invasion of enemies. The saints answered with tears: “We prayed much to the All-Merciful God and the Most Pure Theotokos for deliverance from the impending sorrow, but God commanded us not only to leave this city, but also to carry with us the miraculous image of His Most Pure Mother; for these people despised the fear of God and did not care about His commandments; therefore God allowed this barbarous people to come, that they will be punished now and through repentance they will return to God ”. The holy ascetics Sergius and Barlaam began to beg the saints to propitiate the Lord with their prayers. Together with them, they began to pray, they overshadowed the city crosswise. And then everyone returned to the Kremlin with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God. By the betrayal of the saints of the Russian Church, the danger that threatened Moscow was over. When the Tatars wanted to burn the Moscow townships, they saw an innumerable Russian army around the city and with horror informed the khan of this. "King! why are you hesitating? Countless troops from Moscow are marching towards us. ” Frightened by this news, Makhmet hastily retreated and fled to his possessions (The Legend of the Vladimir Icon by God., Published in 1849).

In 1610, through the prayers of the Monks Sergius, Barlaam and other saints of the Russian land, the Poles were expelled from Moscow and Russia (Palitsyn on the siege of the Trinity Lavra).

In 1663, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Monk Varlaam revealed with a new miraculous vision that he did not leave the Khutynsky monastery, which he had set up, under his care. In a chapel near the Khutynsky monastery, the monk appeared to a certain farmer, Ivan, commanded him to go to the monastery and say that he, the monk, as a result of the iniquities committed by the brethren, had left the monastery and was living in the chapel, and if the brethren did not repent, the monastery would burn up and the horses would die. The brothers did not believe Ivan, and the Novgorodians, by order of the mayor, Prince Ivan Repnin, put him in prison. For disbelief, Prince Repnin was punished with bodily relaxation, and then the farmer Ivan was sent with a letter from Prince Repnin to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who rewarded him and released him. The monastery burned down in the same year and the horses were measured, as predicted by the Monk Barlaam in a vision. (This legend was recorded in 1663 in the Solovetsky Monastery from the words of the servant of the Novgorod Cathedral Church of the Lion and was preserved in the 17th century manuscript of the Imperial Public Library. "Novoye Vremya". 1898, February 2, N 7879).

The monk does not leave his native land with his help now, and he will not leave it for the future, if only we resort to it with warm prayer and living faith in the Lord.

See also: "The life of our venerable father Varlaam, the miracle worker of Novgorod" as presented by St. Demetrius of Rostov.

Wikipedia has articles about other people with the name

Service book, according to legend, belonged to Varlaam Khutynsky

Varlaam Khutynsky (in the world Alexa Mikhailovich (Mikhalevich); XII century, Veliky Novgorod - November 6, 1192) - the founder and abbot of the Transfiguration of the Savior Khutynsky monastery. Numbered among the saints by the Orthodox Church.

Biography

Born into a wealthy and noble Novgorod family. As a young man, he tonsured his tonsure at the Lisich Monastery, and then began to hermit on the Khutyn hill (thin, bad place) by the Volkhov River, ten miles from Novgorod. In 1192, he built a stone Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in the Khutyn area on the right bank of the Volkhov, 10 km north of Novgorod, founded a monastery and became its abbot.

The present (supplementary) letter of Varlaam Khutynsky, written on parchment and being the most ancient Russian act that has come down to us in the original, has survived. According to this charter, Varlaam Khutynsky transferred the arable land, hayfields and other lands of two villages that belonged to him to the monastery founded by him, including the territory on which the monastery was located.

Local veneration of Varlaam Khutynsky in Novgorod has been known since the 13th century, later in Moscow, and in 1461 all-Russian veneration began. The memory of the Monk Varlaam is celebrated on the 1st Friday of Peter Lent and on November 6 (according to the Julian calendar).

On the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin above the main gate hangs the icon "Savior of Smolensk" with a full-length image of the Savior and the saints Reverend Sergius of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutynsky falling at his feet.

Life of Varlaam Khutynsky

The life of Varlaam Khutynsky is one of the most popular Novgorodian lives. It has come down to us in more than ten editions, subdivided into a number of options and groups. The literary history of the Lives covers the time from the 13th to the 18th century. Novgorod legends were widely reflected in these lives.

Temptation

Once they brought fresh fish to the Monk. He wanted to taste it, but, suppressing this desire in himself, ordered to cook the fish and put it in a vessel in the cell. He spent three days in strict fasting and prayer. On the fourth day, the Saint opened a vessel with a fish and, seeing there a multitude of worms, said: “Barlaam, Barlaam? Every animal, after its destruction, turns into decay; it befits us, too, to be relieved of all enjoyment of brushes and addiction to this life. If you want to eat sweet food and drink sweet drink here, then why are you called a black man? You have already left the world in the wilderness to serve your Creator. " Having said this, he threw away the fish, and the thought of sweet food did not bother him any more.

Salvation of the Condemned

Once, going to the archbishop, Barlaam saw on the bridge over the Volkhov a large crowd of people and an executioner who was preparing to throw a convicted criminal into the river (the usual death penalty in ancient Novgorod). The monk stopped the executioner, and asked the people to give him the condemned man, saying: "He will atone for his guilt in Khutyn." All at once unanimously shouted: "Give, give the condemned man to our Reverend Father Barlaam." After some time, the one who was saved from execution accepted monasticism and, having lived piously in the monastery, died. But in another similar case, Varlaam acted differently. He had to cross the bridge again when they were preparing to overthrow the convict. Relatives and many of the people, seeing the Monk, begged him to save the condemned man, but he, not paying attention to all the requests, ordered his charioteer to go as soon as possible, and the execution was accomplished. "What does it mean?" - everyone said to each other, - "One was saved from execution by the Reverend, although he was not asked about it, and he did not want another, despite all the pleas." Upon their return to the monastery, the disciples of St. Barlaam asked him to explain this act. Barlaam answered: “The fate of the Lord is a great abyss. The Lord wants salvation for everyone and does not want the death of the sinner. The first one was justly condemned, but after condemnation he realized his sins, and the Lord delivered him from death through my unworthiness in order to give him time to repent and atone for his sins, which he did in the monastery. The second was condemned innocently, but the Lord allowed him to die, so that later he would not become a bad person; now, having died innocently, he received from the Lord a martyr's crown. This is the mystery of God's destinies: "who is the mind of the Lord for the understanding, or who is his advisor" (Rom. 11:33, 34).

The monastic fishermen, among a multitude of small fish, caught a large sturgeon and hid it, wishing to sell it, and they brought only small fish to the Monk. Looking at them with a smile, Varlaam Khutynsky said: "You brought the children to me, where did you hide their mother." Embarrassed by this denunciation, the fishermen fell at the feet of the Monk, asking for forgiveness.

Varlaam Khutynsky and Archbishop

Varlaam Khutynsky visited the Novgorod archbishop. At parting, the Archbishop ordered him to come in a week, to which Barlaam replied: "If God bless, I will come to your shrine in a sleigh on Friday of the first week of the fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul." The archbishop was surprised. On the eve of a certain day, deep snow fell in the night, and on Friday there was a severe frost all day. The monk arrived in Novgorod on a sleigh. Seeing the sadness of the Archbishop on the occasion of such an untimely bad weather, as a result of which the bread could freeze, Barlaam told him: “Do not grieve, Vladyka, do not grieve, but you need to thank the Lord. If the Lord had not sent this snow and frost, then there would have been famine in the whole country, with which the Lord wanted to punish us for our sins, but through the prayers of the Mother of God and the Saints, he took pity on us and sent frost so that the worms that were eating away the roots of the bread would die. In the morning it will be warm again, this snow will melt and water the earth. By the grace of the Lord, there will be fertility. " The next day it was warm. The archbishop was brought from the field of rye ears with roots, on which there were many extinct worms. There was an unprecedented harvest that year.

Varlaam Khutynsky and the prince

Once Prince Yaroslav arrived in the wilderness to the Monk. Varlaam Khutynsky, blessing him, said: "Be healthy, prince, and with your noble son." This greeting amazed the prince, who did not yet know about the birth of a baby. Soon after receiving the joyful news of the birth of his son, he asked the Monk to be the recipient of the newborn, to which Barlaam willingly agreed. This was in 1190.

The vision of the Khutynsk sacristan Tarasiy

In 1505, the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky, whose relics were hidden in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Khutynsky monastery, appeared at night to the sexton Tarasy. The saint showed the sexton that Lake Ilmen threatened to flood the city when flooded. Barlaam prayed to the Mother of God to save the city and discovered to Tarasius that for the sins of the townspeople they would be punished by the plague, after which a fire would follow three years later.

see also

• Herodion Kozhukh
• Cyprian (Starorussennikov)

Notes (edit)

Literature

• Gordienko, E.A. Varlam of Khutynsky and Archbishop Anthony in the Life and Mysteries. XII-XVI centuries. SPb., Alliance-Archeo, 2010, 640 p.
• Gordienko, E.A. Varlam of Khutynsky and Archbishop Anthony in the Life and Mysteries // Ancient Russia... Questions of medieval studies. 2004. No. 2 (16). S. 18-23.
• A.G. Melnik The history of the spread of the cult of St. Varlaam Khutynsky in Russia in the 15th – 16th centuries. // Bulletin of the Volgograd State Pedagogical University. - 2016. - No. 4 (108). - S. 136-140. - ISSN 1815-9044.
• Novikov, V.K. The Monk Varlaam of Khutinsky, Novgorod saint. M., OLMA-Press; Neva, 2003, 192 p.

The life of Varlaam Khutynsky is one of the most popular Novgorodian lives. It has come down to us in more than ten editions, subdivided into a number of options and groups. Despite such a number of options, it contains very little information about the life of the monk. The main place in the lengthy editions is occupied by the description of the miracles performed through prayers to Varlaam Khutynsky.

The Monk Varlaam, in the world of Alex, was born in the 12th century in Veliky Novgorod into a wealthy and noble family. Presumably, he belonged to the Novgorod boyar family.

He received a good upbringing - he was taught to read and write, comprehended book wisdom and easily penetrated the mind of Divine Scripture. Raised under the influence of virtuous parents, from an early age Alexei felt a special disposition for a pious and secluded life, retired from all games and the company of friends, loved to read holy books, often visited the temple of God, and spent time at home in prayer and fasting. Fearing for the health of the young ascetic, his parents tried to persuade him not to exhaust himself with fasting, but the Monk meekly answered them: “I, kind parents, have read many holy books, but nowhere did I find that the parents themselves would advise their children anything bad, as you advise me ... Is not the Kingdom of Heaven the most precious to us? But it is not food and drink that will lead us there, but fasting and prayer. Remember how many people were after Adam, and they all died and mingled with the earth, and those who pleased God with a virtuous life, shed their blood for Christ and for the love of Christ renounced the world received the Kingdom of Heaven and are glorified by everyone. Therefore, with the help of God, I want to imitate them according to my strength. " Hearing such an answer, the parents were amazed at the young man's mind and gave him complete freedom to live at will.

The monk came early to the idea of \u200b\u200bthe vanity of worldly life, he hated the world and its delights and said to himself: "Truly our life, like a shadow and a dream, revolves like a wheel."

After the death of his parents, the Monk, having distributed all his property to the poor, withdrew into the wilderness to the ascetic Porfiry and took monastic tonsure from him with the name of Barlaam.

Seeking perfect solitude, the Monk Varlaam decided to settle in a remote place on the banks of the Volkhov River, 10 versts from Novgorod. This place was called Khutyn (thin, bad place) and enjoyed a bad reputation; in the opinion of the people, evil spirits lived here, and everyone was afraid to come here. There was also a swamp, popularly known as Viden, where, according to popular belief, the unclean people were seen. But no unclean force is terrible for the servant of Christ, armed with an irresistible weapon - the cross of Christ, which drives away all enemies far away. Approaching Khutyn, the Reverend saw a light ray shining from the dense thicket of the forest. From this sign, he understood that his intention to settle here is in accordance with the will of God. With a feeling of gratitude to the Lord, the Monk exclaimed in the words of the Prophet: "Here is my peace and here I will dwell in the century of the century!" (Psalm 131, 14).

Having prayed fervently to the Lord, the Monk set up a cell for himself in the middle of a deaf thicket. He spent the whole day in labors, and the night in prayer, fasted strictly, wore severe clothes and chains (the sackcloth of the Monk kept in the Khutynsky monastery weighs 18 pounds, and the chains - 8 pounds).

The strict ascetic from the devil had to endure many attacks. Trying to drive out the hermit, the demons either took the form of various beasts, snakes in order to frighten him, then aroused people against him in order to force him to leave his chosen place with insults, then aroused in him various thoughts, tried to bring him to breaking his fast, but the Monk He meekly endured all insults, with fervent tearful prayer and strict fasting suppressed all these thoughts and destroyed all the tricks of the devil.

The rumor about the ascetic soon spread throughout the entire district. Princes, boyars, and ordinary people began to come to him for advice and blessings; many asked permission to live with him. No matter how much the Reverend loved solitude, remembering the Lord's commandment about love for neighbors, according to which everyone must first and most of all care about the benefit of others, he readily and lovingly accepted everyone who turned to him. His strict non-covetousness, love and condescension to the repentant, the meek and at the same time imbued with the strength of sincere feelings, the word of edification made a strong impression on everyone who came to him. The monk meekly admonished them: “My children! Beware of various vices: envy, slander, anger, lies, covetousness, partial judgment; leave false oaths, abstain from fornication, especially have meekness and love - the mother of all good. Do this so as not to be deprived of the eternal blessings that the Lord has promised to all the righteous. Avoid eternal torment by fasting, prayer and good deeds, night vigils and daily labors. "

Each was instructed in relation to his position. He told the chiefs and princes to always remember three things:
- first, that they rule over people the same as themselves;
- the second, that they must rule according to the laws;
- third, that they will not always rule and that they will also have to give an account to God in their courts, for there is God's judgment over them.

He taught the monks not to be exalted if they were appointed heads of the monastery, but all the more diligently to work for God. All brethren must work day and night in their chosen field. He inspired the rich not to forget that there is eternity with torment for the idle, and that many sorrows cover the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught the laity and everyone in general not to repay evil for evil, not to offend each other, to move away from all unrighteousness and impurity and to remember their sins.

The lofty deeds of self-denial purified the inner eyes of the saint and acquired him the blessed gift of insight and miracles. The monk struggled for a long time in the exploit of hermitism. But the gift of insight and miracles glorified him and attracted many who wanted to fight with him. Then Saint Varlaam decided to build a monastery on Khutyn and built several cells and a small wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in memory of the wonderful light that shone on this place when he decided to settle here. So it appeared Khutynsky monastery.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Khutynsky Monastery, Veliky Novgorod

The monk, by his example and by his instructions, led the monks who lived with him to spiritual perfection. He worked the land himself, built a cell for himself (the well he dug is still intact). The Monk Varlaam tried to provide the monastery with the means of subsistence and to protect its property from the claims of selfish people. He donated to the monastery a land meadow, fishing, village, land, hayfields and fields, cattle and servants. The number of monks who wished to pursue asceticism in the monastery of the Monk was constantly increasing.

Varlaam-Khutynsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral

Shortly before his death, he laid a stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord instead of the old wooden one. The temple was consecrated by Archbishop Gregory on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6) in 1192.

Creating the buildings of the monastery and its economy, the Monk Varlaam did not forget the internal structure of the monastery - the life of the monks. He gave his monastery a charter, which, unfortunately, has not survived to our time. According to the charter, the Khutynsky monastery was probably a communal one. At least it is known that the Monk Varlaam ordered the monastery to spend the rest of its funds on charity, and so was prescribed by all organizers of co-ordinate monasticism both in the ancient Eastern Church and in the Russian Church. The commandment of the Monk Barlaam, given to the monastery, was as follows: “To rest, drink and feed those strange on the way, to rest those who come on horseback with all kinds of rest and do alms to the poor. If you don’t forget your strange love, then by the grace of God my abode will never become scarce. ”

Having built the Khutynsk monastery, the monk felt the approach of his death. Addressing the brethren, the dying ascetic said: "So, brethren, in body I leave you, but in spirit I will always be with you."

The year of the death of the Monk Varlaam is not known with certainty. According to the chronicle, the ascetic reposed November 6, 1192.

Cancer with the relics of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky

The death of the ascetic, revered by all, gathered a multitude of people into the desert Khutyn monastery. The archbishop of Novgorod arrived, monks from the surrounding monasteries gathered and honorably buried the arduous body of the monk. At that time, many sick with various diseases were healed. This day remained memorable for the people, and in the monastery of the Monk the custom is still preserved on the day of his death to give alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them come, according to the commandment of Saint Barlaam, who commanded to receive all the strange, feed them and put them to rest.

Numerous miracles at the saint's grave were the basis for his glorification. In the 15th century, the incorruptible relics of the saint of God were found. The Archbishop of Novgorod was then Blessed Euthymius II. Having summoned the Khutyn abbot Tarasiy to him, he commanded a three-day fast and prayer in the monastery, and he himself fasted and prayed these days. Three days later, the Archbishop with the hegumen and one subdeacon entered the church, with prayer they removed the stone roof from the coffin and saw the honest body of the Monk completely incorrupt: his face and beard were similar to the image on the icon that stood over the coffin. All glorified God, and the subdeacon, struck by a miracle, took monastic vows. It was about 1452 years.

But the relics of the saint remained closed even after that, and the celebration of his memory did not spread further than the Novgorod region. IN 1471 year The Grand Duke of Moscow John III, having conquered Novgorod, arrived at the Khutyn monastery to bow to Saint Barlaam. "Why don't they open the Holy Sepulcher?" he asked Abbot Nathanael. “For a long time, no one dares to see the relics of a miracle worker, - answered the hegumen - neither for princes, nor for archbishops, nor for boyars they do not open them until it is pleasing to the Lord to express His will for that." Then the Grand Duke said angrily: “None of the saints hide, but they are visible everywhere in the universe, so that every Christian can come to the holy relics with faith, kiss them and receive protection. The relics of St. Nicholas were discovered in Bara, and also in Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch on the feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner publicly raises his honest hand. " With these words, he threateningly ordered to open the coffin, angrily striking the ground with a rod. But the Lord was pleased to admonish the prince that all the powerful lands are nothing before the face of the Lord. As soon as they began to lift the stone board and dig the ground, thick smoke came out of the Saint's tomb and then a flame that scorched the walls of the temple. In horror, the prince rushed with his retinue out of the temple, dropping the rod, with which he angrily hit the ground. This rod is kept in memory of the miracle and the monastery.

Cases of clairvoyance and miracles during life

For his virtuous life, St. Barlaam was glorified by the Lord during his lifetime with the gift of clairvoyance and miracles.

Salvation of the Condemned... Once, going to the Archbishop of Novgorod, the Monk Varlaam saw on the bridge over the Volkhov a large crowd of people and an executioner who was preparing to throw a convicted criminal into the river (the usual death penalty in Novgorod in ancient times). The monk stopped the executioner, and asked the people to give him the condemned man, saying: "He will atone for his guilt in Khutyn." All at once unanimously shouted: "Give, give the condemned man to our Reverend Father Barlaam." Having freed the condemned man from bondage, Saint Barlaam sent him to his monastery. After some time, the one who was saved from execution accepted monasticism and, having lived piously in the monastery, died. But in another similar case, Saint Barlaam acted differently. He had to cross the bridge again when they were preparing to overthrow the convict. Relatives and many of the people, seeing the Monk, begged him to save the condemned man, but he, not paying attention to all the requests, ordered his charioteer to go as soon as possible, and the execution was accomplished.

Karpenko Yu.P. Varlaam Khutynsky

This act of the saint amazed the people. "What does it mean?" - everyone said to each other, - "One was saved by the Reverend from execution, although he was not asked about it, and he did not want another, despite all the pleas." Upon their return to the monastery, the disciples of the Monk Barlaam asked him to explain this act. “The fate of the Lord,” answered the Monk, “the abyss is many. The Lord wants salvation for everyone and does not want the death of the sinner. The first was justly condemned, but after condemnation he recognized his sins, and the Lord delivered him from death through my unworthiness in order to give him time to repent and atone for his sins, which he did in the monastery. The second was condemned innocently, but the Lord allowed him to die, so that later he would not become a bad person; now, having died innocently, he received from the Lord a martyr's crown. This is the mystery of God's destinies: "Who is the mind of the Lord, or who is his advisor" (Rom. 2:33, 34).

Varlaam Khutynsky and the prince... Once Prince Yaroslav arrived in the wilderness to the Monk. Saint Barlaam, blessing him, said: "Be healthy, prince, and with your noble son." This greeting amazed the prince, who did not yet know about the birth of a baby. Having soon received the joyful news of the birth of his son, he asked the Monk to be the recipient of the newborn, to which Saint Barlaam willingly agreed. It was in 1190.

Catch. Possessing the gift of clairvoyance, the Monk tried to warn the brethren against sinful falls. Once the monastery fishermen, among a multitude of small fish, caught a large sturgeon and hid it, wanting to sell it, and they brought only small fish to the Monk. Looking at them with a smile, Saint Barlaam said: "You brought me children, where did you hide their mother." Embarrassed by this meek denunciation, the fishermen fell at the feet of the Monk, asking for forgiveness.

Temptation. Teaching others to refrain from temptation, the Monk strictly watched over himself, suppressing any evil thoughts by prayer and fasting. Once they brought fresh fish to the Monk. He wanted to taste it, but, suppressing this desire in himself, ordered to cook the fish and put it in a vessel in the cell. He spent three days in strict fasting and prayer. On the fourth day, the Saint opened a vessel with a fish and, seeing there a multitude of worms, said: “Barlaam, Barlaam? Every animal, after its destruction, turns into decay; it befits us, too, to be relieved of all enjoyment of brushes and addiction to this life. If you want to eat sweet food here and drink sweet drink, then why are you called a black man? You have already left the world in the wilderness to serve your Creator. " Having said this, he threw away the fish, and the thought of sweet food did not bother him any more.

Varlaam Khutynsky and Archbishop. A particularly remarkable case of the sagacity of the Monk Varlaam remained forever memorable in Novgorod.

The monk had to be with the Archbishop of Novgorod. At parting, the Archbishop ordered him to visit in a week. Saint Barlaam answered: “If God bless, I will come to your shrine in a sleigh on Friday of the first week of the fast of Sts. Apostle Peter and Paul ". The Archbishop was surprised at this answer. Indeed, on the eve of a certain day, deep snow fell on the night, and on Friday there was a severe frost all day. The monk on a sleigh came to Novgorod to see the Archpastor. Seeing the grief of the Archbishop on the occasion of such an untimely bad weather, as a result of which the bread could freeze, Saint Barlaam said to him: “Do not grieve, Vladyka, do not grieve, but you need to thank the Lord. If the Lord had not sent this snow and frost, then there would have been famine in the whole country, with which the Lord wanted to punish us for our sins, but through the prayers of the Mother of God and the Saints, he took pity on us and sent frost so that the worms that were eating away the roots of bread would die. In the morning it will be warm again, this snow will melt and give water to the earth. But by the grace of the Lord, there will be fertility. " The next day, as Saint Barlaam predicted, it was warm. They brought the archbishop from the field rye ears with roots, on which there were many extinct worms. And there was an unprecedented harvest that year.

The resurrection of a deceased boy. In addition to the gift of clairvoyance, the Lord glorified His saint with the gift of miracles.

Near the monastery of the Monk Varlaam lived one villager who had a son. He especially honored the Monk, often came to the monastery to listen to his conversation and sent him to the monastery needs as much as he could within his means. The villager's son fell ill and there was no hope of his recovery. Then the father, taking the sick son, carried him to the monastery of the Monk. But on the way, the boy died. With a bitter cry, the grieved father approached the saint's cell and said: “I hoped that through your prayers my son would recover, but he received great sorrow. It would be better for me if he died at home than on the road. " Saint Barlaam told him: “In vain are you crying and lamenting. Do you not know that death and general judgment await everyone, and as the Lord desired, so did he. Therefore, beloved, do not grieve about this, but go and prepare everything you need for burial. " Meanwhile, Saint Barlaam, touched by his grief, kneeling down, began fervently to pray to the Lord to resurrect the boy, and the Lord heard the prayer of His saint - the deceased revived. The father was amazed to see his son sitting on the bed of the Reverend, completely healthy. With joyful tears, he fell at the feet of Saint Barlaam, thanking him and glorifying God, who works miracles in His saints. Not wishing for human glory, Saint Barlaam tried to hide the miracle that had happened and said to the villager: “You, as I see, were deceived and because of strong sadness, having lost your sound mind, you did not understand reality. Your son did not die, and did not rise again, but, exhausted on the road from the cold, he fell into insensibility, and you thought that he was dead. Now, having warmed up in a warm cell. he regained consciousness, but it seems to you that he has risen. " But the villager could not agree with this explanation. "Why do you, saint of God, want to hide a miracle from me?" he said to the Saint. “I know very well that my son was dead. If I had not seen clearly that he was dead, I would not have prepared everything needed for burial. " Then the Monk strictly forbade him to talk about the miracle that had taken place during his lifetime, warning that if he told anyone about it, then he himself would be deprived of God's mercy and would again lose his son. Rejoicing and glorifying God and His saint Barlaam, the villager returned to his house.

Miracles after the death of the Monk Barlaam

The Lord gave Saint Barlaam the gift of working miracles after his death, so that all who come with faith to the grave of the Pleasant receive what they ask for.

The blind man's vision. It is difficult to describe all the numerous miracles of Saint Barlaam. One blind man who had suffered for a long time and who had been cured of his illness a lot without success asked to be brought to the monastery of St. Barlaam. During the singing of the prayer service to the Mother of God, the blind man prayed fervently at the grave of the Monk. When they sang "To the Lady, accept your servant's prayers ...", he suddenly saw the tomb of the Monk. Not daring to believe his healing, he approached the tomb and touched it. With a feeling of living joy and gratitude to the Holy One, he announced to everyone about his miraculous healing, and everyone glorified the Lord and His Pleasant.

The resurrection of the drowned man. One man, who had great faith in the Monk, set off on the water with his wife to bow to his relics; on the way back from the monastery, the boat capsized and he drowned. Fishermen from a neighboring village with difficulty found his body and dragged him out with nets. At the sight of the drowned man, some murmured at the Monk that they had not saved from death a man who came to him with faith. “Having come to the relics of the Monk, this man hoped to receive health and a long life, they said; - and instead died such an accidental death. It would be better for him not to come and not pray than to die like that after praying. " But the Lord did not allow reproof against His Pleasant. The drowned man suddenly got up, glorifying God and Saint Barlaam.

Healing of the Novgorod prince. IN 1408 year The Novgorod prince Konstantin fell seriously ill, so they completely lost hope of his recovery. He ordered to carry himself to the monastery of Saint Barlaam. Without memory, they brought the prince to the saint's grave, and those close to him began to think about burial. But the reverent monks consoled them with the hope of the help of Saint Barlaam. “Believe only in God and place your hope in the Monk, who will bring healing to the prince,” they said. Having performed a prayer service at the tomb of the Saint, the abbot and the brethren went to the meal, leaving the sick man in the church. Suddenly he became completely healthy, as if awakened from a deep sleep. Having received the news of this, the abbot and the brothers hurried to the church and found the prince healthy, praying at the grave of the Monk.

Resurrection from the dead of the bed-bed Grand Duke Vasily the Dark ... In 1445, the Grand Duke Vasily the Dark arrived in Novgorod with his sons. There, Prince Gregory's beloved bed-clerk fell dangerously ill and lay without food for eight days. In a dream, he answered as if asking him, although none of those who were with him spoke to him. When he regained consciousness, he was asked who he was talking to. Gregory replied: “Lying on my bed, I thought how I could visit the monastery of St. Barlaam to pray at his grave. Suddenly I heard a voice that the miracle worker himself was coming to you. I saw that Saint Barlaam was coming to me with a cross in his hand. Approaching me, the Monk said: “You pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker and you call me for help, not knowing me, and you have copied my canon and life, even vowed to be tonsured in my monastery. Pray in the future to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and I am your assistant. Now, having seen me, be faithful to me: I will deliver you from your illness. " “Therefore, I ask you,” Grigory continued; - “Take me to the monastery of the Monk Varlaam, even if death overtakes me here, bury me in his monastery.” At this request, the patient was put into a sleigh and taken to the monastery. He died on the way. Those who saw him off did not know what to do, whether to take the body to the monastery or take it to his parents. But fulfilling the request of the deceased, they decided to take him to the monastery. At the monastery gates, the dead suddenly came to life and loudly exclaimed: "I was dead, and now I am here!" Those who saw him off began to ask questions, but he could not say anything more. Hearing about this miracle, Abbot Leonty and the brethren gathered in the church and performed a prayer service at the grave of the Monk Varlaam. The revived one stood on his feet, but he was dumb. When he was led into his cell and, at his request, the icon of St. Barlaam was brought, the young man, approaching the icon, suddenly began to speak. With tears he thanked the Monk for his healing and told the abbot and the brethren about what had happened to him: “At the hour of death I saw many demons around me, and one of them was holding a scroll where my sins were written. But St. Nicholas, driving away the demons from me, said: "Few of his good deeds mean more than his sins, of which, moreover, he repented to his spiritual father." Then the demons disappeared, angels appeared, and one of them led me to a bright place where many beautiful trees grew. Here I saw the Monk Barlaam with a staff in his hand, as he is depicted on the icon. Approaching me, he said: “Gregory! I did not have time to come to you at the end of yours. Now do you want to stay here? " “I want to stay here,” I replied. St. Barlaam said: “It would be nice for you to stay here, but your parents will mourn; go comfort your father and mother. " Taking my hand, the Monk led me, and the angel walked in front in the deacon's attire. Passing the flowering trees, the angel disappeared, and the Reverend, overshadowing me with the cross and the icon of St. Nicholas, said: "In seven years you will be with me" and became invisible, and I came to life. " This miracle took place on January 31, 1445.

The vision of the Khutyn sexton Tarasiy. IN 1505 year one monk Tarasiy prepared candles at night for the morning divine service in the church where the relics of Saint Barlaam are located. Suddenly he sees that by themselves candles have lighted up over the tomb of the Saint and in front of the icons, the coals in the censer were kindled, and the temple was filled with a fragrance. Then Tarasius saw that the Monk had risen from the grave and, standing in the middle of the church, prayed for a long time for the great Novgorod, so that the philanthropic Lord would turn away His wrath from him and deliver him from the punishment awaiting him. Terrified, Tarasius fell at the feet of the Monk. Saint Varlaam, lifting him up, said: “Do not be afraid, brother Tarasiy, I want to reveal to you the fierce grief that the Lord is preparing for the great Novgorod for being filled with untruth. Go up to the church roof and see what is happening over Novgorod today. " Tarasiy ran and saw that the waters of Lake Ilmen had risen high and were ready to flood Novgorod.

Icon of the Vision of Sexton Tarasiy

Saint Varlaam prayed to the Lord with tears for the salvation of the city. Then he again sent Tarasius to look at the city. Tarasius saw many angels who were throwing arrows of fire at crowds of men, women and children. The monk again began to pray with tears and then said: "With the prayers of our Lady Theotokos and all the Saints, the Lord has mercy on Novgorod from the flood, but there will be a severe pestilence on the people." For the third time Saint Barlaam Tarasius sent to look at the city. He saw a fiery cloud that went to the city. “Brother Tarasiy! - said the Reverend - after the pestilence there will be a big fire in Novgorod, and the whole trade side of it will burn down. " After this, the Saint returned to his tomb, the candles and incense extinguished by themselves. Everything predicted came true. Four years after this revelation to Tarasius in 1509, there was a pestilence and a strong fire in Novgorod (Collected chronicles. III. 245-247).

Thus, St. Barlaam, even after his death, did not leave without help both his monastery and his homeland - Novgorod, and together with this he was a warm prayer book for the entire Russian land.

The appearance of the Monk Varlaam in a dream to the Grand Duke Vasily III... The Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Ioannovich (father of Ivan the Terrible) had a phenomenon: in a dream he saw the Monk Varlaam, who told him that in Novgorod three monasteries did not have shepherds: on Khutyn, St. George and St. Anthony, and the brothers in them live badly. (Barlaam was the Metropolitan in Russia). It was then that the monks were sent to Moscow with a request to send abbots to these monasteries (there was no Archbishop in Novgorod at that time). It was in 1517 year... The Grand Duke immediately ordered the appointment of abbots to the aforementioned monasteries. From that time on, the Grand Duke began to especially venerate the Monk Varlaam, and the Monk often appeared to him in a dream and strengthened him in the struggle against his enemies, so that the Grand Duke attributed his victories over them to the help of Saint Varlaam.

But the memory of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky began to be celebrated in Moscow much earlier. IN 1461 year at the church of St. John the Baptist at the Borovitsky Gate was consecrated a side-altar in the name of St. Varlaam Khutynskago and all-Russian veneration began... In the very monastery of the Khutynsky church in honor of St. Barlaam was built in 1410 (Collected years. III. 104 235. IV. 114. IV. 182).

Punishment of the abbot of the Khutynsky monastery. Having moved to the heavenly abode, the Monk Barlaam, according to his promise, did not leave with his care the earthly abode he had built. He strictly monitored the observance of the Rule given to them by the monks and often, appearing himself, punished or helped them. Hegumen Sergius, who arrived at the Khutynsky Monastery from the Moscow Androniev Monastery, led an unrestrained life, was unmerciful to the poor, and forbade the admission of wanderers. The monk did not tolerate such a violation of his commandment. Once, during the all-night vigil, one of the monks saw that the Monk Barlaam, having risen from the sepulcher, went up to Sergius, took the staff from him and punished the abbot with it. Like a dead, the unworthy abbot fell, the brothers took him to his cell, where he died a week later.

Punishment of Hegumen Nicephorus. The Monk also punished the other abbot Nicephorus in the same way for violating the commandment of mercy to the poor. In the seventh year of Nikiforov's reign, a severe famine began in the Novgorod land. Many poor people came to the Khutynsky monastery and asked for bread with tears, but hegumen Nikifor ordered them to be driven away and the gates closed. At night the Monk Barlaam appeared to him with a rod in his hand and said: “Why do you act so mercilessly with the poor? They are exhausted from hunger and are close to death, and you not only did not give them food, but you also locked the gate of the monastery. And I have commanded all those living in my monastery to first of all love each other, to feed and rest the poor and strange who come to the monastery. For such mercy, by the grace of Christ, my abode will never become scarce. You insulted Christ with your stinginess and dislike, and allowed many to leave our monastery hungry and exhausted. " Having said this, the Monk punished the igumen with a rod. From that moment, Nicephorus felt relaxation in his hand and leg, so he had to leave the management of the monastery and retire to the Miracle Monastery, where he repented of his sin and received healing through the prayer of the Monk Barlaam.

Punishment of monk Tarasius for a bad life and non-observance of the commandments... In the Khutynsky monastery there was a monk Tarasiy, an icon painter, handsome in appearance and distinguished by spiritual dignity, so that the brethren entrusted him with the monastic treasury. But Tarasius in a short time changed his temper, began to get drunk with the wine he kept in his cell, and did not want to help the poor. According to the will of the Monk Varlaam, on November 6, the day of his death, from the monastic treasury they were to give alms to all the poor, no matter how many of them came to the monastery. Tarasiy did not give anything to the poor that day, and he himself, leaving even the liturgy, feasted with his friends. While Tarasius was sitting at the table with friends in his cell, the Monk appeared to him and severely began to reproach him for his bad life and failure to fulfill his commandments. The monk cruelly punished Tarasius with a rod, and he fell to the ground. They raised him, thinking that he had fallen into a grave illness, but he told everyone about the appearance that had happened to him and repented of his sin.

Punishment of the monastery chalice. The monastery chaplain was also punished by the monk, who did not want to give wine to the brethren in necessary cases, but himself constantly got drunk. Saint Barlaam appeared to the wicked and punished him with a rod, after which he died in relaxation.

The story of Celareus Joasaph. Kelare Joasaph led an unrestrained life, drinking in monastery wine and honey, and was severely punished by the Monk. Once Joasaph, being in the cellar, drank wine there. Suddenly Saint Barlaam appeared to him and said to him with anger: “Is that how you, elder, should you live? Does the charter permit premature drinking, eating and enjoying sweet meads and meals, as you do, not caring about your salvation? The Lord did not create us for us to eat and drink, dress in various clothes and please this corruptible body, but so that by fasting, prayer, repentance, tears and alms, we would please God. Are you not afraid of the Last Judgment and eternal torment, reveling in and still mocking others who live according to the monastic rule? " After this, the Monk began to beat him with a rod, saying: “Repent, you accursed one, and turn to God; if you do not repent, you will die an evil death. " From that time on, Joasaph fell into relaxation. The brethren brought him barely alive to the church and began to sing a prayer service. Through the prayers of the brethren, the cellarer was healed. But forgetting about admonition, after a while Joasaph again began to lead a drunken life and was again punished. A rich merchant came from Moscow to worship the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky and offered a plentiful meal to all the brethren. As soon as the drunk cellare wanted to drink the cup of health, he immediately fell to the ground and died.

Miracle with the granary of the monastery. A severe famine broke out in the Novgorod land. At that time, a certain Dosifei was a builder in the Khutynsky monastery. He forbade the cellarer to distribute bread to the poor and to feed the strangers in the monastery. In the fall, bread was brought from all the monastery fields and all the granaries were filled with it. Once the clerk of the grain, Theodore, entering the main granary, which was in the garden, saw that the bread was significantly reduced. In a few days, the bread has gone down to a hundred measures. Theodore announced this extraordinary loss to the housekeeper Savvaty and the builder Dositheus. Having examined carefully the granary and not finding any damage, Dositheus realized that the Monk Barlaam was denouncing his sin - his violation of the commandment of the Monk about mercy to the poor. Then he still ordered bread to be distributed to the poor and to feed the strangers. And what? Three days after this order, the housekeeper Savvaty, entering the same granary, found it full of bread.

Enlightening the baker... Monk Agapius, who was a baker of bread for the brethren, used to sleep in a dough in which he dissolved bread, not thinking that this solution was consecrated by the blessing of the priest and holy water. The Monk Varlaam, having appeared to him, denounced his reverence, threatening with cruel punishment if he did not abandon his bad habit. The monk was horrified and was ill for a whole week. When the sick man was brought to the Saint's sepulcher and a prayer service was performed, the Monk Varlaam appeared to him again and, having healed him from his illness, said: “Now you are well; do not sin ahead, so that something worse does not happen to you. "

Healing the sexton. Strict towards violators of the charter, the Monk Barlaam at the same time was merciful to those monks who performed their duties, and was a quick helper in needs and diseases. So he healed the sexton Jonah, who had been ill for a long time, appearing to him in a dream and saying: “Do not grieve any more, Jonah, about your illness: now you are well.” When Jonah woke up, he felt completely healthy.

Healing the terminally ill monk Irinarkh. Another monk, Irinarkh, distinguished by his God-fearing life, was seriously ill for three years, so that he was close to death and prepared for it. One night the sick man forgot himself and saw that the Monk Varlaam was coming to him in priestly vestments with a cross in his hand, followed by a deacon with a censer and brethren with icons and candles. Entering the cell of Irinarkh, the Monk ordered to put up icons, light candles and blessed the patient with the words: “You are healthy, brother Irinarkh, do not sin, pray to God, the Most Holy Theotokos and call me for help.” After this, Saint Barlaam became invisible. Waking up, Irinarchus felt healthy.

Healing a 10-year-old boy.One villager who lived by the Msta River had a ten-year-old son, deaf, dumb and blind. Taking him with her, the woman went to the Khutynsky monastery to pray to the Monk Varlaam. When they approached the gate of the monastery, the youth suddenly regained his sight and said: "Is this Khutyn monastery?" The amazed mother saw with joy that through the prayer of the saint of God, her son received everything that he had been deprived of from birth - he began to see, hear and speak. With tears of gratitude, she fell to the tomb of the Wonderworker and told about the miracle that had happened to Archbishop Macarius, who at that time came to the monastery with a procession from Novgorod.

Healing a boyar son. The son of one Novgorod boyar Eleutherius, the youth Simeon was relaxed and did not control his right hand, did not speak. His pious grandmother, Evdokia, brought the sick man to the monastery of the Monk Varlaam and fervently begged him for help. While reading the Gospel at the prayer service, the patient suddenly stood directly on both legs, began to cross himself with his right hand and speak.

Healing a relaxed woman. In Novgorod, near the Nikolsky Monastery, there lived one artisan Gregory, whose wife Mamelfa suffered from relaxation for 12 years, not owning either hands or feet. On Wednesday, the first week of Lent, Sts. The apostles Peter and Paul at night appeared to her in a dream two radiant men. One of them was in bishop's vestments, holding a cup with the Holy Mysteries in his hand, and having given the sacrament to the sick, became invisible. The other was an elder in a monk's attire. The elder asked the patient: "Do you know Mamelph, the Saint, who communed you with the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ?" The patient meekly answered: “No, holy father, I am a sinner, in my illness I don’t know myself, and even more so I cannot know who he is. I saw him only in holy clothes. I saw him in an extraordinary light, shining like the sun, which my mind cannot comprehend; Should I, a sinner, know his name? " Then the elder said to her: "This is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker." "Who are you, Father?" the patient asked him: “I am Varlaam, hegumen of the Khutynsky monastery,” the person who appeared to her answered, “now get up and follow me. When your husband comes, tell him what you saw, and ask him to take you there on Friday, when there is a procession with the cross, and you will receive healing at my grave. " Having said this, the Monk Barlaam became invisible. The patient immediately felt relief. On Friday, she and her husband arrived at the Khutynsky monastery. Having prayed at his grave and venerated the icon, she received complete healing.

Appearance of a saint to a money-loving monk. In the Khutynsky monastery there lived one monk who loves money and voluptuousness, who never helped the poor from the abundant gifts that his relatives brought him from the city. It happened to him once with these gifts to receive poison and he lay dying. At night in a dream he saw himself in the church, where the relics of the Monk Barlaam are located. The monk, approached him, began to reproach him for intemperance in food, which was the cause of his illness, for his stinginess and mercy towards the poor, and told him that if he repent of his sins and changed his intemperate life, he would receive forgiveness and healing from disease. Then the Monk Barlaam ordered him to call a priest, serve a prayer service and drink holy water. When the sick man fulfilled the command of the Monk, he received healing. From that time on, he spent his life in fasting, prayer, and diligently helping the poor.

Healing of the sacristan Tikhon. Monk Tikhon, who held the ponomar position in the Khutyn monastery, suffered a serious illness for about two years, so that he could not bend down to the ground, or lift anything. Tikhon often prayed at the grave of the Monk, but did not receive healing. Once, being alone in the church, he, approaching the tomb of the Saint, as if with reproach, said: “Pleased with Christ and Wonderworker Barlaam! To strangers who come to you from afar, suffering from various ailments, you abundantly give healing from all diseases, but you do not heal me, your inherent slave. Have mercy on me, Holy Pleasure of Christ and heal me from my illness! " At that very moment, the patient felt perfect healing.

Defense of the Russian land from enemies

Many other miracles were performed at the tomb of St. Barlaam, many of them are being performed today for all who call on the Beneficent of God with faith. He was always a warm man of prayer and intercessor before the Lord and for individuals, and for Novgorod, and for the entire Russian land. More than once, through his prayers, the Lord saved our native Russia from terrible enemies.

So in 1521 at the intercession of the Monk before the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, the attack on the Russian land of the Tatars under the leadership of Makhmet-Girey was repelled. The salvation of Moscow from Makhmet-Girey is described in the legend of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, called Vladimirskaya. In 1521, the Crimean, Nogai and Kazan Tatars attacked Moscow possessions so quickly that Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich barely managed to withdraw his troops to the banks of the Oka. Having defeated the Russian governor, the Tatars moved to Moscow, exterminating all the villages on their way from Nizhny to Moscow. Residents of the outskirts of Moscow fled to Moscow. Metropolitan Barlaam and all the inhabitants fervently prayed to the Lord for salvation, and the Lord consoled the needy with a wonderful vision of turning away his anger from them. An elderly and blind nun who lived in the Ascension Monastery, who together with others fervently prayed to the Lord for the deliverance of the city from terrible enemies, was awarded a wonderful vision. She suddenly heard a kind of great noise, whirlwind and ringing, and saw that the Saints and other persons in sacred clothes were walking from the Kremlin to the Spassky Gate, carrying the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This procession had the appearance of a procession of the cross. Among the Saints were Sts. Peter, Alexy and Jonah, Metropolitans of Moscow and other saints. When this Cathedral of Saints was leaving the Kremlin gates, on the one hand, Reverend Sergius came out to meet them, and on the other - Reverend Varlaam of Khutynsky. Both of them, having met the Cathedral of the Saints (according to the ancient handwritten legend, this meeting took place on the Execution Ground), fell at their feet and asked: "Why are they going out of the city and to whom do they leave it when enemies invade?" The saints answered with tears: “We prayed much to the All-Merciful God and the Most Pure Theotokos for deliverance from the proper sorrow, but God commanded us not only to come out of this city, but also to carry with us the miraculous image of His Most Pure Mother; for these people despised the fear of God and did not care about His commandments; therefore God allowed this barbarous people to come, so that they will be punished now and through repentance they will return to God. " The holy ascetics Sergius and Barlaam began to beg the Saints to propitiate the Lord with their prayers. Together with them, they began to pray, they overshadowed the city in a cruciform manner. And then everyone returned to the Kremlin with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God. By the betrayal of the Saints of the Russian Church, the danger threatening Moscow has passed. When the Tatars wanted to burn the Moscow townships, they saw an innumerable Russian army around the city and with horror informed the Khan of this. "King! why are you hesitating? Countless troops from Moscow are marching towards us. " Frightened by this news, Makhmet hastily retreated and fled to his possessions (The Legend of the Vladimir Icon by God, published in 1849).

In 1610 through the prayers of the Monks Sergius, Barlaam and other Saints of the Russian land, the Poles were expelled from Moscow and Russia (Palitsyn on the siege of the Trinity Lavra).

In 1663, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Monk Varlaam revealed with a new miraculous vision that he did not leave with his care the Khutynsky monastery, which he had established. In a chapel near the Khutynsky monastery, the Monk appeared to a certain farmer Ivan, commanded him to go to the monastery and say that he, the Monk, as a result of the iniquities committed by the brethren, had left the monastery and was living in the chapel, and if the brothers did not repent, the monastery would burn down and the horses would die out. The brothers did not believe Ivan, and the Novgorodians, by order of the mayor, Prince Ivan Repnin, put him in prison. For disbelief, Prince Repnin was punished with bodily relaxation, and then the farmer Ivan was sent with a letter from Prince Repnin to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who rewarded him and released him. The monastery burned down in the same year and the horses were measured, as predicted by the Monk Barlaam in a vision. (This legend was recorded in 1663 in the Solovetsky Monastery, from the words of the service book of the Novgorod Cathedral Church of the Lion, and was preserved in the 17th century manuscript of the Imperial Public Library. Novoye Vremya 1898 February 2, N 7879).

The Reverend does not leave his native land with his help now, and he will not leave it for the future, if only we resort to it with warm prayer and living faith in the Lord.

Rev. Varlaam of Khutynsky

Troparion, voice 3
Lying on earth, with fasting and vigilance, exhausting Your body, reverend! Thou hast killed all the fleshly wisdom, and the Healing Stream of the Unenviable Thou didst, flowing in faith to the race of Thy relics, Barlaam our Father: pray to Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion, voice 8
Like another Elijah, Father! the rain has brought you down from heaven. He will bring down the fire, and surprise the king; Thou art Thou cheered Thy people, and Thou hast arranged triumph, Great Novagrad boasts of Thee, having Thy power in him: keep him from the unshakable enemy, but we call Ty: Rejoice, Reverend Barlaam Our Father!

Despite the fact that between Moscow and Novgorod there was not always, let's say, understanding, to the Novgorodian Varlaam Khutynsky Muscovites treated him with indispensable respect, dedicating chapels to him in churches and calling for help in difficult circumstances.

Varlaam Khutynsky - (in the world Aleksa Mikhalevich, died in 1192) - one of the revered saints of Novgorod. Born into a wealthy family, but preferred monastic life... Some time after the tonsure, he left for a hermit, through the feat of prayer and fasting he drove out the evil spirits from the Khutyn hill (thin, that is, "bad place"), In 1192, shortly before his death, he founded the Khutynsky monastery.
He is known both for lifetime miracles (he predicted the birth of a son to the prince, etc.) and posthumous (in 1505 he appeared to sexton Tarasius, predicting a pestilence and a fire in Novgorod). By this time, the local veneration of Varlaam Khutynsky had already grown into an all-Russian one.
Commemoration of the Monk Varlaam - the first Friday of Peter's Lent and 6 November.

About birth and upbringing saint Varlaam of Khutynsky there is no reliable information. It is not even known when he was born. This event can be dated only approximately to the first half of the 12th century, since we know that the monk died in 1193 in his advanced years.

In the world, Saint Varlaam Khutynsky was called Oleksa (Alexei) Mikhailovich and was, as the legend says, the offspring of a wealthy and pious Novgorod family. When Oleksa's parents died, he distributed the inheritance that remained to him and retired to a monastery - it is assumed that to Antoniev or to Lissitzky.

There, Varlaam took tonsure, after which he settled in solitude on one of the hills that rise above Volkhov, in a tract called Khutyn, which means "a bad, bad place", which is 10 versts from the city.

Foundation of the Khutynsky monastery

Seeking a solitary life, Barlaam left the monastery. He walked around the outskirts of Novgorod until he came to a place called "Khutyn". Here he was stopped by a ray of light that shone from the thicket, and he realized that God was blessing his intention to settle in this remote place.

Here, in solitude, the monk led a stern life, dedicated to unceasing prayer, strict fasting and tireless labors in the name of the Lord. He chopped wood and sawed wood, and plowed the earth, fulfilling the covenant of the Holy Scriptures: "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread, until you return to the ground from which you were taken, for dust you are and to dust you will return".

Having set up a cell for himself, saint Barlaam, according to the hagiographic formula, he spent his days in labor and nights in prayer. Like many other hermits, he suffered many attacks from demons. They aroused people against him, frightened him, appearing to him in the form of wild beasts, tried to persuade him to break his fast and instill despondency in his soul. But it was all in vain. The monk conquered demonic tricks by prayer.

Holy life venerable Barlaam soon became known to the whole district. People now came to him for spiritual advice and blessing. Many asked permission to settle nearby. These requests were heavy for the monk. Leaving Novgorod, he wished for complete solitude ... But, remembering that a person must love his neighbors, the saint did not alienate anyone from him. Soon, cells grew around his modest hut, then a wooden church was built in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The Khutynsky monastery was formed.

Varlaam Khutynsky miracle worker

Even during the life of Saint Varlaam of Khutynsky, the Lord glorified him with the gift of miracles and perspicacity. So, Novgorodians will forever remember the following case. Once the monk visited the Archbishop of Novgorod and, saying goodbye, said to him:

"If God bless, I will come to your shrine on a sleigh on Friday of the first week of the fast of the holy apostles."

meaning the Petrovsky post. Vladyka was surprised, but considered these words a kind of "eccentricity" and did not attach much importance to them. But on the eve of the first Friday of Peter's Lent, thick snow really fell and frost hit. The Monk Barlaam, as he had promised, came to the archbishop in a sleigh and found him in great distress that frost would destroy all the crops and famine would come. To these fears, the saint objected to him:

“It is necessary not to grieve, but to thank the Lord. If the Lord had not sent this snow and frost, there would have been a famine throughout the country, with which the Lord wanted to punish us for our sins, but through the prayers of the Mother of God and the saints he had mercy and sent frost so that the worms that were eating away the roots of the bread would die. In the morning it will be warm again, the snow will melt and give water to the earth. By the grace of the Lord, there will be fertility. "

And so it happened. And the harvest that year was unprecedented. In memory of the "sleigh journey" of St. Barlaam to the archbishop, a procession of the cross was subsequently established, which became one of the strongest Novgorod traditions.

It is curious that the "pupils" of Saint Varlaam of Khutynsky, knowing about his amazing sagacity, sometimes still tried to dissemble before him. So schoolchildren, knowing that the teacher sees right through them, still indulge in deception in order to hide their pranks. Once the fishermen of the monastery, returning from fishing, decided to hide the large sturgeon they had caught (they wanted to sell it in their favor) and brought only small fish to the Monk Varlaam. And they were a lot embarrassed when he looked at them with a smile and asked:

"You brought the children to me, where did you hide their mother?"

While instructing his disciples in such a meek way, the ascetic was much more severe towards himself. Under his hair shirt, he wore heavy chains, and fasted more strictly than any of the inhabitants of the monastery.

Death and canonization of St. Varlaam of Khutynsky

Shortly before his death, the elder gathered the brethren around him and entrusted them to the care of one of his disciples,. He himself promised the monks, who, due to human weakness, grieved over the imminent death of their mentor:

"I will not leave you orphans and will always be with you in spirit, and if you live in love, then this monastery will have nothing shortage even after my death."

The Monk Barlaam reposed in the Lord on November 6, 1193. All Novgorod mourned his death. Before his departure, the monk commanded the brethren to preserve the Orthodox faith and to abide in humility and love.

The life of the saint says that "the cry of the people drowned out the funeral chants." He was canonized in the middle of the 15th century, after his relics were found incorruptible.

Prayer to the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky

O Reverend and God-bearing Our Father Barlaam! Hear us praying to You and wake us a helper in our sorrows, and deliver us from misfortunes, for the multitude of sins that come upon us; pray, Christ's Grace! The All-good God grant us the abandonment of all from our youth to the present day and hour, by deed, word, thought and all the feelings of the sins we have committed, propose to us the unselected entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, so we glorify the All-Holy Trinity and the Trinity, constantly glorified by the Angel, and the Trinity, the Father Holy Spirit! and Thy merciful intercession for endless Eternity. Amen! And glory to God!