Reverend Barnabas. Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane - olenkovo.rf

ELDER BARNABAS - GETHSEMANE WONDERWORKER. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" December 23, 1857 young Vasily (that was the name of the elder in the world) became a novice of the Gethsemane monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, he took monastic vows under the name Barnabas. In 1871, Barnabas was ordained as a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872. as a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the title of national confessor of the Caves of Gethsemane. From that moment, Barnabas’s fame among believers began to come for his blessing. He called all the men who came “My sons.” women “My daughters.” People called him “The Wise Simpleton”! Among the “sons” of Elder Barnabas was the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas the Second. In January 1905, literally a year before the death of Elder Barnabas, Emperor Nicholas II came to the monastery. visited the famous elder. Elder Barnabas received Emperor Nicholas in his cell. Of course, it remains unknown what the holy-king-passion-bearer Nicholas was talking about with the holy venerable elder. It will only become known that the elder predicted the king’s martyrdom and blessed the king for this martyrdom. For almost 20 years, the holy Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsky himself was under the spiritual guidance of Elder Barnabas, and thanks to Elder Varnava, Hieromonk Seraphim grew into a great saint of God. The testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with Elder Barnabas contain many examples of the elder’s foresight. Father Barnabas predicted the abbess to one of the visitors, and consoled another, who was crying about his son, who, out of unreasonable jealousy, rushed to Africa to help the Boers: “Well, why are you crying? Your son will be brought to Moscow tomorrow with other comrades to such and such a station.” The third he lovingly convicted of hidden sin: “Good lady, stop smoking your tobacco, and you will be golden to me.” And one day he sat a young man down next to him and suddenly hugged him in a fatherly way: “You are my dear, an ascetic, you are a confessor of God.” Years later, his visitor Ilya Chetverukhin will become the rector of the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, and after persecution, arrests and exiles, he will receive the crown of martyrdom in one of the Perm camps. On some days, the visitors waiting to be received by Father Barnabas closed their ranks so tightly that even his mother, the meek, humble elder schema-nun Daria, after several unsuccessful attempts to squeeze through the crowd of people, quietly retreated to a corner and hid behind them. And a minute later, as an admonition to the ladies who pushed her aside, the high, clear voice of the priest was heard: “Where is the “nun”? Skip the “nun”... Mother, are you really waiting in line? Why are you abandoning your son! I’m not giving up on you!” The elder loved to pray every free minute. He also prayed during his labors mentally or in a whisper. He constantly repented of his sins and fasted daily throughout his life. But the elder carefully hid all these exploits from the world, from human eyes. Before his death in 1906, he predicted the persecution of the godless authorities against the Church: “There will be terrible persecutions against our Church and there will be destruction of churches.” Persecution against faith will continually increase. Grief and darkness unheard of until now will cover everything and everyone, and churches will be closed. But when it becomes unbearable to endure, liberation will come. The time will come to flourish. Temples will begin to be built again. There will be an unprecedented flourishing of the Church of Christ. Before the end there will be this blossoming. Elder Varnava founded another monastery, the Vyksa Women's Monastery, in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The site for the future monastery was marked with a twig by the Monk Barnabas of Gethsemane in the fall of 1863. In 1864, an almshouse for 12 people was built on this site at the expense of merchants. The community grew, new buildings appeared, and the Monk Barnabas sent the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, blessing the community to be called Iveron. At the beginning of the 20th century, a list measuring one and a half by two meters was made in the icon-painting workshop of the monastery. The copy from the icon became famous as miraculous; the icon given by Father Barnabas has not survived. In the city of Vyksa, a monument to Elder Barnabas was erected. On March 2, (and according to the old style on February 17), 1906, Elder Barnabas died in the altar of the temple right at the altar after he performed the sacrament of confession in the temple. They buried him in the cave of the very Gethsemane monastery in which he served, and his holy relics now rest in the temple there. In 1989, the Russian Orthodox Church raised the issue of canonizing the holy elder Barnabas. For six years, materials about the elder and testimonies of spiritual help and healing from those people who revered the elder were collected. In 1995, Elder Barnabas was canonized as one of the holy reverend fathers. PRAYER TO REVEREND BARNABA O Reverend Father Barnabas, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer book for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to a parent, obedience to the Lord and service to others. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flocked to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and you appeared as his faithful disciple. While staying in the monastery of the Mother of God by the command of Abbot Anthony, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight into spiritual thoughts from God. For this reason, you were a spiritual mentor to the monastics, the creator of the nuns of the Iverskaya monastery on Vyksa River, and to all the suffering and sick, you were a healer and merciful guardian even until the hour of death. After your repose, God will show many mercies to those who honor your memory, and the monk will teach you faithfully. In the same way, we pray to Thee, righteous Father, as before, intercede before God with Thy prayers for all people in every rank to acquire a consoling spirit and for everyone to find it: for the young, to preserve obedience and chastity through the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and the consent to acquire; for those who are hungry to be satisfied not only with their daily bread, but especially with the word of God; for those who cry - to be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; beings in prison - to be freed from bonds; for the pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our life, and moreover, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and mouth we glorify the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Va-si-liy Ilyich Mer-ku-lov (in other words Var-na-va) was born on January 24, 1831 in the village. Pru-di-shi of the Tula region, next to those places, from where they came to Vyk-su os-but-va-te-li- she-go-ro-da brothers-for-water-chi-ki Ba-ta-she-you.

Childhood and adolescence

Ro-di-te-li Va-si-lia, Ilya and Daria Mer-ku-lo-you, were there crosses-on-mi. The people are kind and God-minded, they were happy about the birth of their son and named him in honor of the saint.
As the old man remembered his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. On-the-god's-ro-di-te-li-from-da-his-from-ro-ka to the school of psal-lo-schi-kov, where he studied the Cha-so-words and Psalter. Some time later, the owner of Mer-ku-lo-vyh, sells them to the village of Na-ro-Fo-min-skoye Mos -Kov-government. The new owner, Prince Shcher-ba-tov, is planning to train an up-to-date mechanic.
In his free time from work, Va-si-liy still grows in the middle of nowhere Zo-si-mo -wu are deserted and know-to-me-from-no-one - mo-na-hom Heron-di-em. This will force him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to the service of God.

Listener Gef-si-man-ski-ta

He was especially confirmed in this when, in 1850, he sat together with mother Tro-i-tse-Ser-gi-e-vu Love -RU. A year later, Va-si-liy leaves there together with Geron-di-em, who decides to end his life near the relics of Sergius Ra- before-tender, and in 1852, according to the blessing of the Lav-ry, An-to-niya moved to the -la-gav-shiy, three west from the Lavra, the Geth-si-man monastery. This monastery lived according to the rules of the Sarov Pu-sta-ni, described by the San-no-mu Sarov Elder Pa-i-si-Ve-li-kim.
During his stay in the monastery, the monk Da-ni-il had a particularly great influence on the future elder (Skhimovsky).
February 17, 1856 Va-si-liy received the release of the gra-mo, that is, freedom from the place.
On December 23, 1957, he began to listen to no one. And only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, after the death of the elder Da-ni-i-la Va-si-liy, He was given a haircut and subsequently carried out the feat of old age under the name Var-na-va (“di-cha of mercy, son of consolation”).

National spirit

In 1871 Var-na-va ru-ko-po-lo-zhen in hiero-dya-ko-ny, on January 10, 1872 - in hiero-mo-na-hi, and also some -some time later, the local governor of Lav-ry confirmed him in the title of the clan-spirit-of-the-cave of Gef-si-man-sko -go ski-ta.
From this moment on, Var-na-you is known among the believers. For his blessings, people come from many corners of Russia. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, we find many examples of the vision of old age. tsa. In January 1905, im-per-ra-tor-mu-che-nik Niko-lai II himself went to visit Var-na-ve.

Arrangement of the Iverskaya monastery on Vyk-se

Old age in Russia was a special form of my mo-na-sh-stva. The elders left behind not only pure spirituality, but also the ma-te-ri-al-embodiment of this spirit. but-sti-mo-na-sty-ri, which lived under their influence.
A lot of effort and work about. Var-na-lo-lived on the creation of our Iver-women's mo-na. The monastery has been maintaining its history since 1863, when the first villagers appeared here in the built almshouse.
Thankfully, the old man's labor began to flourish at the beginning of the 20th century.

On February 17, 1906, the old man passed away. And on the 19th, in response to the request of the sister of the Iver-monastery for the care of the elder within the walls of the monastery, rya ober-pro-ku-ror of the Holy Si-no-yes from-ve-cha-et-le-gram-my, that the deceased will be buried on his brother- skom cemetery of Gef-si-man-sko-go Ski-ta.
In 1913, there was a question about re-naming the Vyk-sun women's monastery in Iver Var-navsky women's monastery. But his decision, vi-di-mo, is in the way of war and re-vo-lu-tion.

Canonization

In 1989, the question of the ka-no-ni-za-tion of the hiero-mo-na-ha Var-na-vy was raised on So-bo-re. After studying the ma-te-ri-a-lov, the pre-se-da-tel commission for the ka-no-ni-za-tion of the mit-ro-po-lit of Juve-na- liy before-lo-lived pat-ri-ar-hu Alexy II about the possibility of ka-but-ni-za-tion of the elder Var-na-you.
September 30, 1994 pat-ri-arch na-pra-vil letter-mo na-place-ni-ku Tro-i-tse-Ser-gi-e-voy Lav-ry ar-hi-mand -ri-tu Fe-o-gno-stu, in which he co-announced that the commission had unanimously come to you about the possibility -but-sti at-the-number of hiero-mo-na-ha Var-na-you (Mer-ku-lo-va) to the li-ku of the places of venerable saints of Moscow- of the Diocese in the dream of the Ra-do-Nezh saints.
In 1995, on the day of the Council of the Rad-tender saints, in the Assumption Council of the Moscow Kremlin of the Holy Patriarchs ri-ar-khom was so-ver-she-na ka-no-ni-za-tsia hiero-mo-na-ha Var-na-you (Mer-ku-lo-va).

Prayers

Canons and Akathists

Akathist to the Holy Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane

Kontakion 1

We praise you with love, the chosen saint of Christ and the wonderful wonderworker, the great teacher of the ascetics of the Russian land and our intercessor, Reverend Father Barnavo. But you, who have great boldness towards the Lord, free us from all troubles with your prayers, and let us call to you:

Ikos 1

The Creator of angels and Creator of all creation, the Lord, having foreseen your life as equal to the angels, O Reverend, from your youth chose you to serve Him in reverence and truth, and see to adorn you with many heavenly gifts: drive away demons, heal ailments, comfort the afflicted, soften hardened hearts. Also from us, unworthy, receive praise and make a prayer for the salvation of the souls of all who honor your memory with love, may we magnify you:
Rejoice, living for the glory of God; Rejoice, illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, thou who countest earthly vanity for nothing; Rejoice, beloved heavenly treasure. Rejoice, zealot of the exploits of the venerable fathers; Rejoice, spiritual successor of the wondrous elders and mentors. Rejoice, kind and long-suffering shepherd; Rejoice, diligent worker of Christ's grapes. Rejoice, thou blessed with the gift of miracles; Rejoice, wonderful imitator of the life of the angels. Rejoice, O God-given prayer book for the whole Russian land; Rejoice, thou crowned with the crown of glory from the Lord.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the Lord, your soul was prepared to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, as if you were following the path of piety by your will, in which you were instructed by your Christ-loving parents, who from your youth kept you in illness and adversity. From your small years you glorified the All-Bountiful God, the Physician of souls and bodies, singing to Him the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having a mind illuminated by the grace of God from youth, you came, Reverend Father, to the elder Gerontius, so that he would direct you to the path of true life and bless you for spiritual deeds. You found in him the monastic work of a good mentor, obeying his fatherly advice and putting aside all worldly cares, you learned prayer and humility. Moreover, honoring your memory, we call you this:
Rejoice, God-given consolation to the parents of the pious Elijah and Daria; Rejoice, you who were well brought up by them in the faith and passion of God. Rejoice, wonderfully preserved from death by the power of God; Rejoice, you who have been drunk from childhood with the teachings of piety. Rejoice, loving the Lord with all your heart; Rejoice, having tasted the sweetness of prayer from a young age. Rejoice, you who direct your soul towards God; Rejoice, having acquired Christian virtues from your youth. Rejoice, adorned with faith, hope and love from childhood; Rejoice, you who have received the good yoke of Christ upon yourself. Rejoice, for through obedience to the elder you cultivated humility in yourself; Rejoice, for from your youth you prepared yourself for monasticism.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 3

The power of God strengthened you, reverend father, when you followed the advice of Elder Gerontius, you left your fatherland and home and moved into the monastery of the Trinity-Sergius, where you continued in fasting, prayer, tireless work and vigil and conquered all temptations of the world, singing to the only God : Hallelujah.

Ikos 3

Have the elders-mentors of the godly wise Gregory and Daniel, you received the prophecy from them, reverend, as you will guide many to salvation. You served faithfully as your mentor until their very death, patiently pursuing an ascetic life and ascending from strength to strength. Likewise, we, marveling at your faithfulness and obedience as an elder, cry out to you like this:
Rejoice, filled with Divine zeal; Rejoice, despising the vanity of this world and all its blessings. Rejoice, for you have loved purity and silence from your youth; Rejoice, for from the years of adolescence you desired the monastic life. Rejoice, for the sake of love for the Lord you left your father’s house; Rejoice, you who have taken up residence in the Lavra of St. Sergius. Rejoice, having preserved obedience to your elder and in the monastery; Rejoice, faithful executor of your blessings. Rejoice, you who imitated the ascetic elder Gregory and Daniel in their labors; Rejoice, having served them well until their blessed death. Rejoice, having subdued your flesh through fasting and abstinence; Rejoice, having prepared your heart for the abode of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 4

Avoiding the storm of temptation from the more crowded monastery, you moved into the monastery of Gethsemane, O Reverend Father, desiring to spend your life in silence and converse with God freely, offering prayers for all people to the Savior of the world and singing to Him the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing about your godly life, reverend, those who came to you from all ends of the Russian land, near and far, and you accepted them with love, guided you to salvation. In the same way, your elder schemamonk Gregory handed you two prosphoras, saying: with this feed the hungry - with words and bread, as God wants, and bless you for the feat of eldership and priesthood. We, glorifying the Lord who strengthened you, joyfully cry out to you:
Rejoice, called by God to a holy monastery; Rejoice, you have received the blessing of the elders on your monastic path. Rejoice, image of true obedience; Rejoice, decoration of the monks of the monastery of St. Sergius. Rejoice, lover of vigil and prayer; Rejoice, having cleansed yourself from passions through exploits. Rejoice, having astonished everyone with meekness and humility; Rejoice, immaculate worker of Christ’s commandments. Rejoice, you who diligently served those who want salvation; Rejoice, for you received those who came to you with love. Rejoice, good helper to those seeking spiritual salvation; Rejoice, for you have led many to a truer faith.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 5

You, the servant of God, were like a God-flowing star with rays of grace illuminating the people of Russia, when you were honored with the image of monasticism and the priesthood, and from that hour you led many to the Sun of Truth, Christ, with the word of grace and the example of your life, which was all devoted to the service of God and your neighbors. And just as people saw you at the throne of the temple of God, praying for everyone and everything to the Savior of the world, now offer up your prayers for the Church of the Saints, our Fatherland and for all who honor you and sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The people of Orthodoxy have seen your angelic life, Father Barnavo, your depth of humility, meekness, unfeigned love, mercy for those who mourn, complacent patience with illnesses, abstinence and great spiritual gifts, they were amazed and glorified the Lover of Mankind, God, who gave them such an intercessor and comforter. For this reason, we, motivated by love, bring you songs of praise and prayerfully call on you for help:
Rejoice, you who have been named the son of consolation in monasticism; Rejoice, loving father of those who come running to you. Rejoice, imitating your heavenly patron, the holy Apostle Barnabas; Rejoice, tireless preacher of the Gospel of Christ. Rejoice, chosen by God for sacred service; Rejoice, priesthood, for you have received the gift of God. Rejoice, you who offered the Bloodless Sacrifice with reverence and fear of God; Rejoice, faithful intercessor at the throne of God for people. Rejoice, shepherd, who raised his flock in faith and piety; Rejoice, inexhaustible source of mercy. Rejoice, guide to a pure and immaculate life; Rejoice, prayer book for our souls to God.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 6

You appeared as a preacher of the power and glory of God, Father Barnavo, for you illuminated our land with wondrous miracles and received deep grace to heal ailments, comfort the afflicted, drive away demons. From every corner of our land, suffering people - men and wives and infants, old men and young men, the rich and the poor, have flowed to you and through your intercession I have found health of souls and bodies, crying out to the Giver of all good things to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You have shone in the lands of Russia, Father Barnavo, like a multi-bright light, illuminating with the light of truth every person who comes to you. You were a mentor to monks and the worldly, and you increased many ascetics of the faith, imbuing them with piety. Illuminate the rays of your virtues and all of us who love you and pray to you:
Rejoice, you who created your heart as a vessel of grace; Rejoice, illuminated by miraculous faith. Rejoice, God-wise teacher of fasters and monks; Rejoice, wonderful helper to those living in the world. Rejoice, free physician of mental and physical illnesses; Rejoice, faithful guide to salvation. Rejoice, you covered everything with your love; Rejoice, reject anyone who comes to you. Rejoice, adorned with many spiritual gifts from God; Rejoice, educator of the ascetics and elders of Russia. Rejoice, rule of faith and piety; Rejoice, true shepherd of human souls.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 7

Wanting to show Your love for the children of God, the Most Merciful Mother of the Lord, bless you, Reverend Varnavo, on the river Vyksa to erect a maiden monastery in the name of the Iveron Icon of Her, from which there would be a restful haven for many Russian virgins and wives. But you, reverend, appeared as a good father and mentor to all the nuns gathered in it, and as a good helmsman, you guided the sisters of the monastery to salvation, instructing with the word and example of your life to sing to God with one heart and one mouth: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You, Reverend Father, took up new labors and exploits for the establishment of the monastery of Iverstey, and the nuns labored in their zealous service to Christ God, and you were their gracious and righteous teacher. Then I raised up a campaign of persecution against the monastery, trying to turn you away from these labors. But you, strengthened by grace from above, overcame many sorrows and temptations and entrusted the fate of the sisters to the providence of God, urging them to fervently pray to the Most Holy Lady Theotokos. Moreover, we glorify your holy memory and cry out to you:
Rejoice, faithful and beloved child of the Mother of God; Rejoice, invisibly overshadowed by Her Protection. Rejoice, Zealous Intercessor, reverent admirer; Rejoice, you who tearfully offered prayers to Her day and night. Rejoice, having erected a monastery in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos; Rejoice, for in it you have gathered a multitude of nuns. Rejoice, not afraid of great labors and sorrows; Rejoice, having placed all your trust in the Most Pure Mother of God. Rejoice, you humbly praying to the Lady to direct your path; Rejoice, you who received heavenly help from Her. Rejoice, you who have established the temple of the Goalkeeper of Athos in the monastery of the Lady; Rejoice, thou who faithfully served the Most Holy Theotokos.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 8

We see a strange miracle in you, Reverend Barnavo, how God glorified you on earth and enriched you with great gifts of grace: insight, prophecy, love, prayer, healing. You, like another Elijah, brought down the rain from heaven, for this sake all the people of Orthodoxy, who were delivered from disaster, gratefully cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Having been filled with all divine grace, Reverend Father Barnavo, you foresaw the clairvoyant eyes of the future as if it were real, and you foretold the mystery of lawlessness to the faithful, as if the devil would raise a storm of persecution against the Russian Orthodox Church. Afterwards, the sorrow of the children of God will turn into spiritual joy, and throughout the Russian land, like villages, churches and monastic monasteries will flourish. We, who have now seen the fulfillment of these prophecies in vain, say to you:
Rejoice, illuminated by the spirit of wisdom and reason; Rejoice, filled with the spirit of counsel and strength. Rejoice, enlightened by the spirit of knowledge of the present and future; Rejoice, radiant with the gift of insight. Rejoice, venerable one with the gift of reasoning; Rejoice, you who have been awarded the gift of Divine knowledge. Rejoice, foreseeing the coming disaster on the Church of God; Rejoice, having prepared the true servants of God for the crown of confession. Rejoice, you have become like the great prophet of God Elijah; Rejoice, for through your prayers the rain was brought down to the earth in good time. Rejoice, thou who bestowed childbearing on a childless parent; Rejoice, God-gracious helper of man.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 9

You were all in God, Holy Barnabas, when with prayer on your lips you gave up your righteous soul in the hand of God, peacefully and serenely, kneeling at the altar before the throne of the temple of God. Death is truly your repose from great labors and unceasing deeds. Rejoicing in your blessed dormition, let us sing a song to our Creator: Hallelujah.

Ikos 9

The branches of multi-proclamation will not be able to utter an abundance of spiritual joy, which will fill the hearts of the faithful about your glorification, Father Barnabas, in the person of the saints, as a great elder and wonderworker of the Russian Church. Moreover, as we sing your glorification, we pray to you: do not forget your children who honor your name and cry out to you gratefully:
Rejoice, you who have filled the cities and towns of Russia with the glory of your exploits; Rejoice, glorified in miracles from God. Rejoice, having prepared yourself for death with tears and prayers; Rejoice, you who have received a blessed death from God. Rejoice, you who foresaw the nearness of your departure to the Lord; Rejoice, teach us through your life and outcome. Rejoice, having demonstrated by your righteous death the holiness of your life; Rejoice, you who have entered into the joy of your Lord. Rejoice, new triumph for the Russian Orthodox Church; Rejoice, bright lamp of all Russian lands. Rejoice, heir to the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, sorrowful and prayerful for the whole world.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 10

Desiring the salvation of all, the good shepherd Father Barnavo, until the end of his days, taught and strengthened many people burdened with worldly affairs, giving them joy with your care and easing the burdens of labor. Likewise, after your departure, you provide help and intercession in all needs and trials to those who pray to you and sing a song of gratitude to God for you: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Thy miraculous relics appear as a wall of intercession to the Orthodox people of our country, O Reverend Barnavo, for from them you give healing to incurable passions, you give light to the blind, to the deaf hearing, to the weakened health, to those suffering from cancerous ulcers healing, and you pour out grace to all, illuminating with joy those who come to the race of your relics and those who sing to you with love this:
Rejoice, thou art willing to reveal thy holy relics, like a great treasure; Rejoice, you who have sanctified your monastery. Rejoice, gloriously exalted by God through the incorruption of your relics; Rejoice, vessel of grace, flowing healing myrrh to the sick. Rejoice, rejoicing through miraculous healings from the relics of your faithful; Rejoice, for all those who come to them receive abundant blessings from the giver. Rejoice, healer of severe and incurable bodily ailments; Rejoice, healer of the infirmities and passions of the soul. Rejoice, give ambulance to those praying at the shrine of your relics; Rejoice, great miracle worker, given to us for consolation. Rejoice, thou who lookest upon our earthly sorrows and needs; Rejoice, fill us with spiritual joy.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 11

We bring you all-contrite singing according to our heritage about the many miracles that came from your relics, Father Barnavo, by whose grace your holy monastery shines, devastated by the godless. Moreover, the multitude of monks gathered here, together with all those who honor your memory with love, sing to God, wondrous in His saints, the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The luminous lamp of the grace-filled eldership appeared and you lived like an Angel on earth, Reverend Father Barnavo. For this sake, you have raised many ascetics of piety and elders, so that the fragrant flower of eldership in the Russian land will not fade. Now, being in heaven with your disciples in the host of the saints of our land, remember us, crying out to you with love like this:
Rejoice, you who enlighten our land with the radiance of your virtues; Rejoice, lamp of Divine grace. Rejoice, having illuminated your earthly Fatherland with the brilliance of miracles; Rejoice, having confirmed many in the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, seer of human destinies; Rejoice, you have raised perfect ascetics through your instructions and prayers. Rejoice, you who saw the light in the young novice of the future elder Zacharias; Rejoice, merchant Vasily, the future elder Seraphim Vyritsky, who directed him on the path of spiritual achievement. Rejoice, for you helped the future Optina elder Barsanuphius to leave the world; Rejoice, future ascetic and elder Bishop Tikhon of Cherepovets, spiritual teacher. Rejoice at the great saint, Metropolitan Tryphon, spiritual father and mentor; Rejoice, Tsar-Passion-Bearer Nicholas II blessed the feat of his service.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 12

Great grace was bestowed upon you by the Lord, wonderful servant of God, just as in your earthly life you prophesied and performed wondrous and many miracles, so to this day you have not ceased to work miracles and bring healing to all who honor you. In the same way, heal us with your prayer, be a quick helper and a spiritual doctor for us, and through repentance we will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and there with you and with all those who please God we will sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your glorification in the face of the saints of our land, we praise, glorify and please you with love, Reverend Our Father Barnabas, as an intercessor and prayer book for us before the Lord. You, with the grace given to you, sanctify, enlighten and guide us sinners on the path of salvation; Hear us, the sorrowful, the ailing, the suffering, crying out to you, the great All-Russian elder-comforter:
Rejoice, earthly angel and heavenly man; Rejoice, great servant of God. Rejoice, for you burned with seraphic fiery love for God; Rejoice, for with the Angels you now stand before the Most Holy Trinity. Rejoice, in your monastic labors and labors you became like your ancient father; Rejoice, shining star in the face of the saints. Rejoice, under the roof of the monastery of St. Sergius you accomplished the monastic feat; Rejoice, for those who labor in her for the eternal intercession of salvation. Rejoice, for you have renewed the devastated Iveron monastery with your prayers; Rejoice, for you stand before God with prayers for her sisters. Rejoice, you who have acquired great boldness before God; Rejoice, our vigilant prayer book to the Mother of God.
Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 13

O venerable and God-bearing Father Barnavo, you have appeared in our Fatherland as a pillar of piety, the rule of abstinence, an image of humility, an intercessor, a comforter and a guardian to all who come running to you. Forget not us, your children, save and intercede from the evils that find us, so that through your prayers we may be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven in Christ Jesus our Lord, singing to Him the victorious song: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos: “Creator of Angels...” and the 1st kontakion: “The chosen saint of Christ...”.)

Prayer to St. Barnabas of Gethsemane

O Reverend Father Barnavo, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer book for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to your parents and service to your neighbors. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flocked to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and you appeared as his faithful disciple. While you were in the monastery of the Mother of God, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight from God. For this reason, you were the spiritual mentor and nun creator of the Iverskaya monastery on Vykserets for the monastics and the merciful healer and caretaker of all the suffering and sick even until the hour of death. After your repose, God will show many mercies to those who honor your memory and your faithful teacher as a monk.
In the same way, we pray to you, righteous father, as before, to intercede before God with your prayers for all people in every rank to acquire the spirit of comfort and for everyone to find: to preserve obedience and chastity for the young through the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and the consent to acquire; for those who are hungry to be satisfied not only with their daily bread, but especially with the word of God; for those who cry - to be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; beings in prison - to be freed from bonds; for the pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our life, and moreover, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and one mouth we glorify the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

in the world - Vasily Ilyich Merkulov, born on January 24, 1831 in the village Prudishchi, Venevsky district, Tula province. Vasily's parents, Ilya and Daria Merkulov, were serfs.

Good and God-fearing people, they rejoiced at the birth of their son and named him in honor of Saint Basil the Great. As the elder himself recalled his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. Devout parents sent their boy to a school of psalmists, where he studied the Book of Hours and the Book of Psalms.

Some time later, the landowner, the owner of the Merkulov serfs, sells them to Prince Shcherbatov in the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. The new owner orders the teenager to be taught plumbing. In his free time from his craft, Vasily visits the nearby Zosimova Hermitage and meets the hermit - the monk Gerondiy. This forces him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to serving God.

He was especially confirmed in this when in 1850 he visited the Trinity-Sergius Lavra with his mother. A year later, Vasily went there together with Gerondiy, who decided to end his life near the relics of Sergius of Radonezh, and in 1852, with the blessing of the governor of the Lavra, Anthony moved to the Gethsemane monastery, located three west from the Lavra.

During his stay at the monastery, the monk Daniil Schimovsky had a particularly great influence on the future elder. On February 17, 1856, Vasily received a letter of release, that is, freedom from the landowner.

On December 23, 1857, he became a novice, and only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, after the death of Elder Daniel, he took monastic vows with the name Varnava (child of mercy, son of comfort).

In 1871, Barnabas was ordained a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872, a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the title of national confessor of the Caves of the Gethsemane monastery.

From this moment on, Barnabas's fame among believers begins. Pilgrims from many parts of Russia come for his blessing. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, there are many examples of the elder’s foresight. People began to flock to him from everywhere, and he refused to help and edify anyone. Every day he received from 500 to 1000 people, finding for everyone the necessary words of consolation and reconciliation with God.
The elder became famous throughout Russia. After the events of January 9, 1905, Tsar Nicholas II and his family visited him. The Tsar went to Elder Barnabas of Gethsemane at the Chernigov monastery at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, with two adjutants. Confession and conversation remained secret; the only thing that is reliable in church tradition: and It is known that Nicholas II received the blessing to accept the end of martyrdom.

Father Barnabas put a lot of effort and effort into creating the Vyksa Iversky Women's Monastery. The monastery traces its history back to 1863, when there, in the almshouse that was built, the first nuns appeared. Thanks to the efforts of the elder, by the beginning of the 20th century the monastery began to flourish. Assistant to Fr. Barnabas, his spiritual son V.N. became involved in the establishment of the new monastery. Muravyov (Venerable Seraphim Vyritsky) . Today St. Barnabas is considered the heavenly patron of the city of Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod province.

Predictions about. Barnabas came true with amazing accuracy. Thus, many were warned in advance by him about the coming persecution for the faith that befell the Russian Church during the Soviet period. His further predictions are also known: “And the time of prosperity will come. Temples will begin to be built again.

There will be blossoming before the end.”

His insight was such that he saw the contents of the letter without opening it, so he did not even give his blessing to open some letters, saying: “There is no need to answer this letter.” He cared mainly for the merchants and philistines - the urban middle class. But Barnabas also had Vladimir Solovyov as a spiritual son (until 1892). Vladimir Solovyov was not forgiven for his “friendship” with Catholics, participation in Catholic mass, communion, and so on. He was called to the porch of Barnabas and was told: “Now confess to your priests.”

Secretly, Solovyov converted to Catholicism, he believed that the division of churches was not for him, Solovyov ignored this. His last confession, however, was accepted by an Orthodox priest and his funeral service was performed according to the Orthodox rite, as if “not knowing” about this; Hieromonk Peter Zverev, the future Solovetsky hieromartyr (canonized at the Council of 2000), took part in the funeral service.

The elder's service culminated in his blessed death at the altar in front of the Holy See in 1906 on February 17 (n.s. March 2). He was buried in the Iverskaya cave chapel, where during his life he loved to pray. After the discovery of his relics, a life-giving spring flowed from the grave, bringing healing to many today from various ailments. The old man’s house has miraculously survived to this day, bestowing warmth and hospitality on the monastery’s pilgrims.

In 1989, at the Council of Bishops, the question of the canonization of Hieromonk Varnava was raised. After studying the materials, the Chairman of the canonization commission, Metropolitan Yuvenaly, reported to Patriarch Alexy II about the possibility of canonizing Elder Barnabas. In 1995, on the day of the Council of Radonezh Saints, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus' IIThe canonization of Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov) took place.

During his lifetime, the elder of the Gethsemane monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Father Barnabas, was called the elder-comforter.

The saint was born in 1831 in the Tula province, in the village of Prudishchi, into a family of serf peasants, the Merkulovs.

At baptism the boy was named Vasily in honor of St. Basil the Great.

In 1840, the Merkulov family was sold to another landowner who lived in the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. Not far from this village was the Trinity-Odigitrievskaya Zosimova hermitage, near which at that time the monk Gerontius lived, who became the first spiritual mentor of the young Vasily.

The entire future fate of this young man was influenced by an incident that happened to him in 1850. In the fall, 19-year-old Vasily and his mother went to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. When, after the service, the young man venerated the relics of St. Sergius, he felt an inexplicable joy. Vasily felt God’s blessing on his monastic path and at that very moment decided: if it was God’s will, he would enter the monastery. A year later, the 20-year-old young man, having received the blessing of Father Gerontius and his parents, came to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Soon Father Gerontius also came here, taking the schema with the name Gregory. A month later, realizing that in this monastery he would not find the desired solitude (many pilgrims came to the Lavra every day), Vasily began to ask to go to a more secluded place - the Gethsemane monastery, located in the Korbukh forest three miles from the Lavra.

10 Secrets of Orthodox Saints

Having received the blessing of his mentor and permission from the governor of the monastery, he went to the monastery, where he received the obedience of a mechanic. Schemamonk Gregory gave Vasily into obedience to the monk Father Daniel. In 1854, novice Vasily was tonsured into the ryassophore. Father Vasily was very upset when he was transferred from the main Gethsemane monastery to the Cave department of the same monastery. The fact is that the Cave Department lived according to its own rules and was more open to visitors. The solitude of Father Vasily, to which he strove, was violated. Living in the Cave Department, he spent all his free time in the forest with Father Daniel, in addition, he visited his first mentor, Schemamonk Gregory. On one of these visits, Vasily found Father Gregory on his deathbed. The mentor announced the will of God to the student: Vasily needed to take on the feat of eldership (at that time he was only 30 years old).

The elder bequeathed to him to lovingly receive everyone who came and not refuse advice and instructions to anyone. Vasily had to accept the feat of eldership after the death of both mentors. At the end of the conversation, Schemamonk Gregory said that Vasily, by the will of God, was to found a women’s monastery not far from Moscow. “This monastery,” said the elder, “should serve as a light for the lost children of the Orthodox Church. The Mother of God herself will take care of this and will indicate the location of the monastery. In Her name the monastery should be consecrated.”

Vasily decided that this burden exceeded his capabilities, and with tears asked his mentor to choose someone else for this feat. But the elder was adamant: “Child, it is not my will for this, but God’s will be done over you. Do not complain about the weight of the cross: the Lord will be your helper..."

It so happened that a year later, Father Vasily began to found a women’s monastery in the Nizhny Novgorod province, in the place indicated to him from above. And just two years after the death of his mentor, he fulfilled the elder’s second behest.

According to Metropolitan Philaret, Vasily was preparing to “build the monastery and always lead it.” But there was also the elder’s first commandment - “the cross of people’s mentoring” (as the Iveron Chronicle calls this feat).

When Father Vasily, with his last hope, begged Father Daniel to “remove this unbearable burden from him,” the elder’s throat began to bleed, and he died in the arms of his disciple.

After this testimony of the will of God, Father Vasily could no longer doubt that it was he who would have to accept this feat. In 1866, he was tonsured into a mantle with the name Barnabas (translated from ancient Greek, this name means “son of consolation”).

In 1871, Father Barnabas was ordained a hieromonk, and a year later the brethren elected him the people's confessor of the Cave Department of the monastery. At the same time, Father Barnabas first met his future beloved student.

A young man named Zacharias (later Schema-Archimandrite Zacharias) approached the threshold of Barnabas’ cell and stood behind a large crowd of people. But Barnabas, who had the gift of clairvoyance, said: “Come here, Lavra monk.” There was not a single Lavra monk in the crowd, but the people parted to let Barnabas through, who approached the young man and led him to the porch. Zacharias at that time was a novice in the Beloberezh desert, but his mentor ordered him to enter the Lavra. Father Barnabas blessed the young man to stay in the monastery and took him into his spiritual care. He predicted to Zacharias that, despite all the persecutions and hardships, he would become the confessor of the entire Lavra brethren and would be the last to leave the Lavra. This is exactly what happened later.

In 1905, Emperor Nicholas II visited the old comforter. Almost nothing is known about the details of this meeting, but the year of this meeting - 1905 - speaks volumes. It is known that the sovereign wanted to repent after Bloody Sunday, which was committed without his knowledge.

Elder Barnabas confirmed the prophecy of the Monk Seraphim, already known to the king, about the martyrdom of the king who would glorify the saint. In addition, Father Barnabas blessed Nicholas II to accept martyrdom, thereby strengthening in him the conscious will to bear his cross, “when it pleases the Lord to lay this cross...”

It is known that it was Elder Barnabas who predicted the martyrdom of the future archpriest Father Elijah Chetverukhin when he, while still a student, came to ask the elder for his blessing to enter the theological academy. Father Barnabas greeted him with these words: “You are my dear ascetic, you are a confessor of God.” The prediction of the elder comforter was fulfilled: in 1932, Father Elijah accepted the crown of martyrdom. Then the Bolsheviks rounded up 200 people (mostly all were priests) and burned them alive, locking them in the building of the camp club in the village of Krasnaya Veshera.

Elder Barnabas is known for predicting the future of many people, and in addition, he always told what to do in difficult situations. He left many wills to his spiritual children. It is known that the disciples lived according to his commandments in 1930-1960, when Father Barnabas was no longer alive and they had no one to ask for advice. These prophetic edifications and instructions, incomprehensible at one time, later, after the revolution, helped people live correctly, and sometimes even simply survive. Father Barnabas had a presentiment of his death several years in advance. In 1905, he already knew the year and month of his death. On February 17 (old style), 1906, the elder arrived at the Sergiev Posad charity house. In church, he confessed to the warden, and after confession, with a cross in his hands, he entered the altar, bowed low and did not get up again...

The elder comforter died in the holy altar in front of people and at the same time secretly from them.

In 1995, Barnabas was canonized as a locally revered saint of Radonezh, and his relics rest in the Chernigov monastery - the Cave branch of the former Gethsemane monastery at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

Vasily Ilyich Merkulov (monastic name Varnava) was born on January 24, 1831 in the village. Prudishchi, Tula region, near the places where the founders of our city, the Batashev brothers-breeders, came to Vyksa.

Childhood and adolescence

Vasily's parents, Ilya and Daria Merkulov, were serfs. Good and God-fearing people, they rejoiced at the birth of their son and named him in honor of Saint Basil the Great.
As the elder recalled his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. Devout parents sent their boy to a school of psalmists, where he studied the Book of Hours and the Book of Psalms. Some time later, the landowner, the owner of the Merkulovs, sells them to the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. The new owner, Prince Shcherbatov, orders the teenager to be taught plumbing.
In his free time from his craft, Vasily visits the nearby Zosimova Hermitage and meets the hermit - the monk Gerondiy. This forces him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to serving God.

Novice of the Gethsemane Skete

He was especially confirmed in this when in 1850 he visited the Trinity - Sergius Lavra with his mother. A year later, Vasily went there together with Gerondiy, who decided to end his life near the relics of Sergius of Radonezh, and in 1852, with the blessing of the governor of the Lavra, Anthony moved to the Gethsemane monastery, located three west from the Lavra. This monastery lived according to the rules of the Sarov Hermitage, described by the Sarov elder Paisius the Great.
During his stay at the monastery, the monk Daniel (Skhimovsky) had a particularly great influence on the future elder.
On February 17, 1856, Vasily received a letter of release, that is, freedom from the landowner.
On December 23, 1857, he became a novice. And only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, after the death of Elder Daniel, Vasily took monastic vows and subsequently carried out the feat of eldership under the name Barnabas (“child of mercy, son of consolation”).

People's confessor

In 1871, Barnabas was ordained a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872, a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the rank of national confessor of the Caves of the Gethsemane monastery.
From this moment on, Barnabas's fame among believers begins. Pilgrims from many parts of Russia come for his blessing. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, we find many examples of the Elder’s foresight. In January 1905, the martyr Emperor Nicholas II himself went to confession to Barnabas.

Organizer of the Iveron Monastery on Vyksa

Eldership in Rus' was a special form of monasticism. The elders left behind not only a purely spiritual, but also a material embodiment of this spirituality - monasteries that lived under their influence.
A lot of effort and work about. Barnabas contributed to the creation of our Iversky convent. The monastery traces its history back to 1863, when the first nuns appeared in the almshouse that was built here.
Thanks to the efforts of the elder, by the beginning of the 20th century the monastery began to flourish.

On February 17, 1906, the elder passed away. And on the 19th, in response to the request of the sisters of the Iversky Monastery to bury the elder within the walls of the monastery, the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod responded with a telegram that the deceased would be buried in the brotherly cemetery of the Gethsemane Skete.
In 1913, the question was raised about renaming the Vyksa Convent Iversky Varnavsky Convent. But his decision was apparently hindered by war and revolution.

Canonization

In 1989, the Council raised the question of the canonization of Hieromonk Barnabas. After studying the materials, the Chairman of the canonization commission, Metropolitan Yuvenaly, reported to Patriarch Alexy II about the possibility of canonizing Elder Barnabas.
On September 30, 1994, the Patriarch sent a letter to the Viceroy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite Theognost, in which he said that the commission unanimously came to the conclusion about the possibility of canonizing Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov) among the venerable saints of the Moscow diocese in the host of Radonezh saints.
In 1995, on the day of the Council of Radonezh Saints, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness the Patriarch performed the canonization of Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov).

Elder St. Barnabas of Gethsemane is the spiritual father of St. Seraphim Vyritsky (Muravyova)

Elder Varnava blessed Vasily Muravyov to be his spiritual son. Fr. looked with spiritual joy. Varnava for the spiritual success of Vasily Muravyov and generously shared his spiritual experience with him, preparing him for monasticism. With the blessing of their spiritual father, the Muravyov spouses were to take monastic vows when difficult trials befell Russia. The years spent under the guidance of the elder became the time when a solid foundation was laid on which the further spiritual growth of Vasily Muravyov took place.

October 26, 1920 Bishop Veniamin blessed to tonsure novice Vasily Muravyov into monasticism at the same time as Olga Muravyova, and on October 29, 1920, the Lavra’s abbot, Archimandrite Nikolai (Yarushevich), tonsured novice Vasily Muravyov into monasticism and gave him the name Varnava (in the schema Seraphim) in honor of his spiritual father, Elder Varnava Gethsemane. At the same time, in the Resurrection Novodevichy Monastery in Petrograd, Olga Ivanovna Muravyova was tonsured into monasticism and given the name Christina (in the schema of Seraphim). It's finished! Vasily Nikolaevich Muravyov’s cherished wish came true. The goal that he had persistently and patiently pursued for almost forty-five years was achieved.

Prayers

Troparion, tone 5

From childhood you loved Christ God purely, / you were the son of consolation, O Reverend Father Barnabas. / According to your name and life, / you appeared to the afflicted, to the poor, and to the King, / you appeared as a meek shepherd, a comforter and a healer. / Remember us, gracious father, / may God, the giver of life, grant us comfort and great mercy through your warm prayers.

Kontakion, tone 2

From your youth you followed the saddened figure of the Russian land, the Venerable Sergius, O holy Barnabas, / and the covenant of your elder, who recited: / “This is what God wants: / feed the hungry with words and bread,” - you truly fulfilled it to the end. / For this reason, we now pray to you; / do not forsake us, comforting father, / with your heavenly love.

Greatness

We bless you, Rev. Father Barnabas, and honor your holy memory, teacher of monks and interlocutor of Angels.

Prayer

O Reverend Father Barnavo, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer book for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to a parent, obedience to the Lord and service to others. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flocked to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and you appeared as his faithful disciple. While staying in the monastery of the Mother of God by the command of Abbot Anthony, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight into spiritual thoughts from God. For this reason, you were a spiritual mentor to the monastics, the creator of the nuns of the Iverskaya monastery on Vyksa River, and to all the suffering and sick, you were a healer and merciful guardian even until the hour of death. After your repose, God will show many mercies to those who honor your memory, and the monk will teach you faithfully. In the same way, we pray to Thee, righteous Father, as before, intercede before God with Thy prayers for all people in every rank to acquire a consoling spirit and for everyone to find it: for the young, to preserve obedience and chastity through the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and the consent to acquire; for those who are hungry to be satisfied not only with their daily bread, but especially with the word of God; for those who cry - to be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; beings in prison - to be freed from bonds; for the pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our life, and moreover, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and mouth we glorify the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.