St. Sergius the Wonderworker of Radonezh, Abbot of Russia (Feast Day: September 25)

Born on 14 May 1314 (transliterated as Sergey Radonezhsky or Serge of Radonezh) he was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. Together with Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, he is one of the Russian Orthodox Church's most highly venerated saints.

His medieval biography states that he was born to Kiril and Maria, a boyar family, near Rostov the Great, where Varnitsy Monastery now stands. He was originally baptized with the name Bartholomew (Варфоломе́й Varfolomei in Russian).

 (St. Sergius's Illumination: "Vision to the Youth Bartholomew" by Russian artist Mikhail Nesterov)

 Although an intelligent boy, Bartholomew had great difficulty learning to read. His biography states that a starets (spiritual elder) met him one day and gave him a piece of prosphora (holy bread) to eat, and from that day forward he was able to read. Orthodox Christians interpret the incident as being an angelic visitation.

When the Principality of Rostov fell into the hands of the Prince Ivan Danilovich of Grand Duchy of Moscow, his parents Kiril and Maria became impoverished and moved to Radonezh together with their three sons: Stefan, Bartholomew and Peter.

Upon his parents' death, Bartholomew went to Khotkovo near Moscow, where his older brother Stefan was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to live the ascetic life. In the deep forest at Makovets hill they decided to build a small cell and a church dedicated in honor of the Trinity. Thus started the history of the great Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.

In time, Stefan moved to a monastery in Moscow. Bartholomew took monastic vows, taking the name Sergius, and spent more than a year in the forest alone as a hermit. Soon, however, other monks started coming to him and building their own cells. After some time, they persuaded him to become their hegumen, or father superior, and he was ordained to the priesthood. Following his example, all the monks had to live by their own labor. Over time, more and more monks and donations came to this place. Nearby, there appeared a posad, which grew into the town of Sergiev Posad, and other villages.

When the news of Sergius's accomplishments reached patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople, he sent to him a monastic charter. During the reign of St. Dmitri Donskoi, his disciples started to spread his teaching across central and northern Russia. They settled intentionally in the most impracticable places and founded numerous monasteries, of which Borisoglebsky, Ferapontov, Kirillo-Belozersky and Vysotsky monasteries could be mentioned. St Sergius was also connected with the foundation of two monastic communities in Moscow - Andronikov and Simonov monasteries. All in all, disciples of Sergius founded about 40 monasteries, thus greatly extending the geographical extent of his influence and authority. However, when Metropolitan Alexius asked him to become his successor, Sergius declined, preferring to remain a simple monk.

(St. Sergius of Radonezh blessing Dmitri Donskoi before the Battle of Kulikovo depicted in a 1907 watercolor on paper by Ernst Lissner)

 

As an ascetic, Sergius did not take part in the political life of the country. However, he blessed Dmitry Donskoy when he went to fight the Tatars in the signal Battle of Kulikovo field – but only after he was certain Dmitry had pursued all peaceful means of resolving the conflict.

St. Sergius died on September 25, 1392, and was glorified (canonized) in 1452. His incorrupt relics were found in 1422 and placed in the new Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra of St. Sergius,
which he founded. The church commemorates him on September 25, the day of his death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered.

 

Need more details for younger kids? Here are a couple of book written on St. Sergius:

The Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh Wonderworker of Radonezh for Young People by Maria Naumenko 

 

The Wonderful Life of Saint Sergius of Radonezh by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Author), and Nadezda Glazunova (Illustrator)

 

Singing parise for St. Sergius on his Feast Day (Russian)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJl6C661W5Q

Troparion to St. Sergius of Radonezh

As a virtuous ascetic athlete, and true warrior of Christ our God / fighting fiercely the good fight against the passions during this earthly life, / labouring in song, vigil and fasting thou wast an example to thy disciples./ Wherefore, the Holy Spirit made His abode in thee / Whose activity adorned thee with radiant beauty: / Since thou hast great boldness towards the Holy Trinity/ remember thy flock wisely gathered by thee / and forget not as thou didst promise to visit thy children, O holy Father Sergius!