Mercury Smolensky (d. 1239 ) is an Orthodox saint, venerated in the face of martyrs . The memory takes place on November 24 (according to the Julian calendar ).
| Mercury Smolensky | |
|---|---|
| Mercury | |
 | |
| Birth | Moravia |
| Death | 1239 Longevity near Smolensk |
| In the face | and |
| Main shrine | relics in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk |
| Day of Remembrance | November 24 ( Julian calendar ) |
Biography
Mercury was a Slav from Moravia and came from a princely family. At a young age he came to Smolensk and entered the service of the Prince of Smolensk. According to life, Mercury was distinguished by piety and "a godly life: he labored in fasting and chastity ."
He received martyrdom in 1239 during the invasion of Batu Khan to Smolensk. According to legend, when the Tatar troops stood 25 miles from the city, on Dolgomost , praying at night in a cathedral in front of the icon of the Mother of God, the local sexton came the Virgin , who ordered to call Mercury.
Saint Mercury, together with the sexton, went to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the temple they found a candle that burned in front of the icon of the Virgin. Saint Mercury, having fallen before the icon, began to pray with tears, asking the Most Holy Lady for help and intercession. Then suddenly a voice came from the icon:
- My servant, Mercury, I send you to repel the enemies from this city and protect this temple ... In this battle you will defeat the enemies and receive from the Lord a crown of victory and eternal bliss.
- Dimitry of Rostov , Lives of the Saints (November 24)
Mercury obeyed the commandment of the Theotokos and went to the enemy camp at night, where, according to life, he exterminated many enemies, including some giant who inspired fear with all his strength. During the battle, the son of the murdered giant cut off his head to Mercury, but the Tatars fled in fear: "having thrown down weapons driven by some unknown force, they fled from the city, under which so many of the best fighters died, and left the Smolensky ."
The body of Mercury was buried by residents in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk. A church celebration in memory of St. Mercury was established at the end of the 16th century , but already since 1509, the inhabitants of Smolensk revered him as an intercessor of the city.
“ The Word about Mercury Smolensky ” is a monument of Old Russian writing.
In the literature
The following description is found by Ivan Bunin in “Sukhodol”: “In the corner of the footman a large image of St. Mercury of Smolensky blackened, whose iron sandals and helmet are stored on a salt in the ancient Cathedral of Smolensk. We heard: Mercury was a noble husband, called to salvation from the Tatars of the Smolensk Territory with the voice of the icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria the Guide. Having defeated the Tatars, the saint fell asleep and was beheaded by enemies. Then, taking his head in his hands, he came to the city gates in order to tell the former ... And it was terrible to look at the Suzdal image of a headless man holding a deadly bluish head in a helmet in one hand and the Guidebook icon in the other. ”
Links
- A word about Mercury Smolensky (Library of literature of Ancient Russia / RAS. IRLI)
- Martyr Mercury Smolensky // Orthodoxy.Ru
- Martyr Mercury of Smolensky, warrior . Orthodox Encyclopedia "ABC of Faith" .