Nikon (Christmas)

Born in the village of Chashnikovo, Vereisk district, Moscow province in a large family of a rural deacon . Since childhood, he was introduced to church life, early began to read Christian literature - the Bible , the lives of saints and other books.

We old people studied in the old days: primer , Book of Hours , psalter of King David . As for the fact that the children's mind had little understanding of the meaning of the sacred words: it’s enough for the child that he enriches the memory supply. With age, his whole supply will also be illuminated by the meaning of certain expressions and words. In the meantime, it is also important that in his soul a solid foundation is laid for those church sentiments that he will then live in a conscious life. I remember myself in the arms of my parent when, after my long requests, he finally brought from the Church the Watch: How glad I was to this book, how I kissed her leather binding, her red lines! .. Immediately, sitting in my arms of my father, I made a promise to stand on the choir , learn to sing, and then read in the church ... How much joy, how much happiness — to stand on the choir, to sing along to my father, and when you learn the reading skill - read “ Now let go, ” and then shepalsalm ... Do today's children know this happiness? ^[one]

At the age of five, Nikolai went blind in one eye, but this did not stop him from learning to read and write and graduating from parish school . Then he entered the Moscow Theological College , where he was considered the best student. During his studies at the school, he, among other things, was engaged in writing, wrote poetry, and published a magazine.

In 1874 he entered the New Jerusalem Monastery novice . When the abbot, father Leonid (Kavelin) was transferred to the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra as viceroy , he followed him.

From January 1879, over the next 25 years, he was editor of the Trinity Leaflets, a religious and educational publication for the people. In 1900, he was awarded the Makaryev Prize for the publication of the Trinity Leaflets. "Trinity leaflets" for 30 years before 1917 were published in a circulation of 136 million copies. Nikon also founded such publications as “Trinity Flower”, “Trinity Folk Library”, “God's Field” and others. ^[2]

In 1880 he took tonsure with the name Nikon ; in 1882 he was ordained a hierodeacon , then a hieromonk .

In 1885 he was appointed catholic hieromonk of the Moscow Donskoy Monastery . In the same year, his book “The Life and Feats of St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and All Russia Wonderworker” was published.

In 1892 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite ; held several administrative posts in the laurel, published literature.

On March 14, 1904 he was ordained bishop of Murom , vicar of the Vladimir diocese .

Since November 8 of the same year, Bishop of Serpukhov, vicar of the Moscow diocese .

He maintained acquaintance with the Moscow monarchists: Vladimir Gringmouth , Boris Nikolsky and others; took part in the activities of monarchist organizations.

Condemned the revolution of 1905 ; together with Metropolitan of Moscow Vladimir (Epiphany) he participated in the opening of the 2nd All-Russian Congress of Russian People in Moscow on April 6, 1906; wrote articles denouncing revolutionaries; He accused the "Yids" and "Yid newspapers" of knowingly mocking religious shrines and popular morality.

April 25, 1906 was transferred to the Vologda Department , where he continued the right-wing and anti-revolutionary activities, became the honorary chairman of the Vologda department of the Union of Russian People .

Since January 31, 1907, a member of the Council of State from the Holy Synod ; since January 1, 1908, a member of the Holy Synod.

In 1911-1912 he was a member of the Council of the Russian Assembly .

In 1913 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop , on April 4 he was appointed chairman of the newly formed publishing council at the Holy Synod.

In May 1913, he took part in the conviction of Russian Athos monks imyaslavtsev in St. Andrew's Skete. He was sent by the Holy Synod to Mount Athos in a warship; at his direction, several dozen monks were eventually expelled to Russia.

In 1916, he retired from active work, upon request, was dismissed from his post as chairman of the publishing council and concentrated on serving in the monastery. At the end of his life, he published a book by Sergei Nilus, "Nearby is, at the door."

He died on December 30, 1918 ( January 12, 1919 ) in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where he was buried.

According to one version, the lord was attacked by “revolutionary mob”, was brutally mutilated and killed ^[3] . It happened outside the gates of the laurel.

• The Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh. - Sergiev Posad, 1885.
• Where is our Christianity? - Sergiev Posad, 1910.
• The death of Count L. N. Tolstoy. - Sergiev Posad, 1911.
• My diaries. - Vol. 1-7. - Sergiev Posad, 1914-1916:
  • Vol. one
  • Vol. 2
  • Vol. 3
  • Vol. four
  • Vol. four
  • Vol. 6
  • Vol. 7
• Orthodoxy and the future fate of Russia / comp. about. Yaroslav Shipov, ed. O.A. Platonov. - M .: Institute of Russian. civilization, 2013 .-- 640 p. - ISBN 978-5-4261-0058-9 .

• Nikon (Rozhdestvensky) // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.
• Russian Biographical Dictionary : In 25 volumes / under the supervision of A. A. Polovtsov. 1896-1918. http://www.rulex.ru/01140262.htm
• Strizhev A. Nikon Rozhdestvensky is the great saint of the 20th century.

• Nikon (Christmas)
• Biography on the Chronos website.