Grace and silence, miraculous springs, peace, peace, harmony and joy are synonyms of the Holy Annunciation Nikandrov Hermitage - the most mysterious monastery in the Pskov region. Here, the holy waters give bodily and spiritual strengthening to the mourners, and miracles in the Nikandra Desert for the Glory of God continue unceasingly.
The monastery arose here a few years after the death of the Monk Nikander of Pskov (in the world - Nikon), who glorified these places with his spiritual exploits. He was born on July 24, 1507 into a pious family of peasants Philip and Anastasia in the village of Videlebye in the Pskov region, about 35 versts from Pskov. From childhood, he discovered in himself the desire for great deeds. Nikon's father soon died, and the boy remained in the care of his mother. He sought to learn to read and write in order to read the Divine Scriptures.
150 years earlier, Eleazar was born here, later the famous Euphrosynus, the founder of the Eleazar Monastery. In his early youth, Nikon got acquainted with the places where Euphrosyn and Savva Krypetsky lived as hermits. He admired the spiritual power of the saints, their self-denial in the name of love for God and people. After the death of his father and the adoption of monasticism by brother Arseny, Nikon persuades his mother to distribute property and go to the monastery. He himself decided to live according to the example of the Monk Euphrosynus, deeply revered by him.
In order to be able to read the Word of God, Nikon hired himself as a worker for the Pskov resident Philip, who, for his diligence, sent him to study with an experienced teacher. Seeing the jealousy of the young man, the Lord Himself showed him the place of achievement. Praying fervently in one of the Pskov churches, he heard a voice from the altar, commanding him to go to the desert, which the Lord would indicate through His servant Theodore: “Nikon, My servant, go to the desert indicated to you by the pious husband Theodore, and there you will find peace for yourself; and after you that place will expand, and many will be saved in it!
The peasant Theodore took him to the Demyanka River, between Pskov and Porkhov. There Nikon set up a small hut for himself and spent time in solitude, eating only plants.
The people, having learned about his dwelling, began to visit him, which involuntarily disturbed the peace of the hermit. Nikon, avoiding worldly honor, retired to the cenobitic desert of St. Savva of Krypetsky. The abbot, seeing his bodily weakness, did not immediately agree to receive him, fearing that the difficulties of monastic life would be beyond his strength. Then Nikon, crouching down on the shrine of the Monk Savva, began, as if alive, to beg him to take him to his monastery. The abbot relented and tonsured Nikon with the name Nikandr.
With new force the monk rushed to exploits - he gave himself up to God, completely renounced his will and obeyed in everything the will of the hegumen and the brethren. He constantly strengthened himself with such pious reflections: “A monastic life is like a wheat field, it requires frequent rain of tears and great industriousness. If you want to bear abundant fruit, and not thorns, then sober your mind and work; try to be good earth, and not stony soil, so that what is planted from above in your heart can bear fruit, so that it does not dry out from heat and despondency and neglect.
The time free from prayer, the Monk Nikandr spent in needlework. The hegumen and the brethren marveled at the ascetic, his good manners, humility and humility, vigor and strength in his deeds, and glorified God. Meanwhile, the Monk Nicander, again fleeing human glory and yearning for his former hermit life, went to his desert and lived there hopelessly for 15 years. He with great humility endured all the trials sent by God, showing longsuffering, mercy and meekness. But it turned out that one cannot hide from worldly passions, envy and greed. One day, robbers visited a wretched hermit's hut, and, not finding anything valuable for themselves, Nikander was severely beaten. They took with them holy icons and books. The monk began to pray to the Lord for the forgiveness of people afflicted with the sins of self-interest and hardness of heart. The robbers could not leave the forest for three days, after which two repentant ones came to Nikander and asked to forgive them, and the other two died.
But the monk was not so much afraid of the robbers as he was afraid of people's praise. Therefore, he again left the desert and for the second time went to the Krypetsky monastery, where he had previously accepted monasticism. Arriving at the monastery, the saint continued his strict ascetic life. Marveling at his exploits, the brethren appointed him as a sacristan. In addition, the difficult and difficult obedience of baking sphoras was entrusted to the saint. But the Monk Nicander joyfully began to do this work, thinking: “If our Lord Jesus Christ called the bread prepared for the Last Supper His Body, then I should rejoice that God has made me worthy of preparing such breads on which a great and terrible mystery is performed: they are transformed into the Holy Body of Christ in a wondrous and incomprehensible way. ".
And the ascetic of God continued to work tirelessly. The monks, seeing his growing zeal and falling in love with him for his humility and meekness, asked the igumen to make Nikander a cellar. The hegumen fulfilled the request of the brethren and appointed the saint to the cellars.
The saint, at this elevation, did not change his former life, but he must carry out the new one with humility and zeal, as if the work entrusted to him by the Lord Himself; he did not exalt himself with the power given to him, remembering the words of Scripture: If anyone wants to be the greatest in you, let him be a servant to all ( Matt. 20, 26). Having received power in the monastery along with the position of cellarer, the Monk Nicander behaved like the youngest, going to work before anyone else. But Saint Nicander was not a cellarer for long; he strove for his former hermit life, for silence, and therefore he decided again, forever, to leave the monastery.
Leaving the Krypetsky monastery, he settled on one island, located four versts from him; here the saint built a hut, again indulged in his usual exploits and spent three and a half years in this way. The glory of the hermit attracted many visitors to him, who sought the words of edification from the monk. Meanwhile, the enemy - the envious people inspired the hegumen and the brethren of the Krypetsky monastery with the idea that by attracting people to him, Nikandr would reduce the monastery's income. Therefore, they came to the monk and demanded that he leave this place. With the greatest humility, the saint fulfilled the demand: he again went to his desert, to the place indicated to him by God.
Arriving in his desert, the saint again indulged in ascetic labors and lived there as a hermit until his most blissful death for 32 years and 2 months.
Until the end of his life, the Monk remained a hermit: they call him that "The Monk Nicander the Hermit" but bequeathed not to leave the place of his labors after his death, promising his patronage to the inhabitants of the future monastery. Endowed with the gift of clairvoyance and miracle-working, the saint, not sparing himself, helped those who turned to him all his life. 8 years before his death, he placed a great schema on himself.
He foresaw his death, predicting that he would die when enemies attacked the fatherland, predicting their imminent defeat. On September 24, 1581, during the invasion of Pskov by the troops of the Polish King Stefan Batory, a peasant found him dead: he was lying on a matting with his arms crossed on his chest. The clergy and the people came from Pskov and performed the rite of Christian burial.
In 1584, on the fertile place of the deed of the Monk Nikander, consecrated by his almost half a century of prayer, a monastery was created, which began to be called the Nikandra Hermitage. The builder of the monastery was the monk Isaiah, who was healed through prayer to the saint. In 1686, under Patriarch Joachim, the glorification of the Monk Nikander took place, and the celebration of his memory was established on September 24, the day of his death, and on the temple feast of the monastery - the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
In the 20s of the last century the monastery was completely destroyed. The powerful Church of the Annunciation was destroyed, which was built over three centuries, constantly expanding.
History of Nikandra Hermitage
In the middle of the 17th century, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nikon (later Patriarch), the nobleman Yakov Matveyevich Muravyov built a church in the monastery in the name of St. Nikander. And a little later, the Church of Alexander Svirsky and the Holy Trinity. The well-being of the monastery is growing rapidly. In 1665 it was sacked by the Poles. However, the monastery was restored very soon, and in 1673 it burned down along with all church and fraternal property. Hegumen Hilarion was even forced to turn to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with a request for help. Many lands were granted to the monastery, and benefactors were found, with the help of which the condition of the monastery improved. Stone churches were built, new icons, books and much more appeared.
The fame of miracles from the relics of St. Nikander attracted more and more pilgrims to the monastery. This prompted the brethren of the monastery to turn to the patriarch with a request for "the discovery and examination of the holy relics and the certification of the miracles that were from them." In 1687, a commission set up at the direction of the Patriarch examined the relics and found them incorrupt. After finding the relics of the monk, the hermitage began to be called Nikandrova.
The heyday of the desert falls on late 18th- the beginning of the 19th century, thanks to the zeal of Archimandrite Gennady and the favors of Emperor Paul I. The nobility of that time could not but support the tsar. Prince Lopukhin helps the monastery, Count Sheremetyev makes large donations, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna and the Empress herself make large donations.
Only the shrine of the saint, the vestments on the icons and two candlesticks took 12 pounds, 20 pounds of silver, 18 pounds of gold, various stones and rhinestones, 16,255 pieces. In total, the silver in the monastery was, according to historians, more than 20 pounds.
The monastery had a valuable library - more than 1000 books of spiritual and secular content, not counting liturgical ones. There were handwritten books.
But the "prosperous and quiet life" ended with the coming to power in Russia of fierce theomachists and Christ-haters. During their unleashed civil war the cancer of the Monk Nikander and his multi-healing relics disappeared without a trace. And in 1928, the monastery itself ceased to exist, destroyed to the ground and completely turned into ruins.
But the monastery was reborn to the Glory of God! With the blessing of Vladyka, the monk Gabriel was the first builder in the 21st century to come to the desert. To the best of their ability, the most different people: military, journalists, road builders, pilgrims from all over Russia. They cleared the territory, ennobled the holy springs, built. In almost a year, a wooden church was restored and consecrated in honor of the icon Mother of God"Recovery of the dead".
In 2002, Abbot Spiridon (Ivashchenko) was transferred from the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery to Nikandrov Hermitage. Already under him, another temple was being built in memory of the holy Royal Martyrs, whose way of the cross began from the Pskov land.
Also in the desert completed the construction of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the only stone structure so far. The first service of the hierarchal rank took place in this revived cathedral on the day of memory of St. Nikander in 2010.
Holy springs and icons of the monastery
The holy springs located here are especially revered by believers, there are only five of them. At the entrance, on the right, is eye source of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. They do not drink water from it, they take it to treat the eyes.
One kilometer from the monastery - radon source of St. Alexander Svirsky. They also don’t drink water from it, they bathe in it.
The surprise of pilgrims is usually caused by sources of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, which are two meters apart, but even the water level in them is different, besides, one freezes in winter, and the other does not.
The central source is called by the name of the holy venerable Nicander. According to an ancient monastic tradition, this well was dug by the hands of the monk himself. Pilgrims always take water from this source with them.
Speaking about the icons of the monastery, it should be noted that The most revered icon of the Monk Nikander from the old Nikandrov Hermitage, most revered by believers. With her, they used to go to religious processions from the monastery to Porkhov. Is there some more a small icon of Nikander with a piece of the relics of the saint. It was bought in England by a certain philanthropist and presented to his father Nikolai Guryanov. From the island of Talabsk, the icon “came” to Porkhov, and later it was transferred to the restored monastery. The private icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos by Elder Valentin Mardasov after his death was also transferred to Nikandrov Hermitage. Here is located icon of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon with a piece of his holy relics.
Particularly respected are miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Search for the Lost". Before her, they pray for the souls of those who are prone to the use of drugs, alcohol, to delinquency, that is, for everyone who does not live according to the commandments of God.
AUTUMN IN THE NIKANDRA DESERT
A patch of Blessed Land...
Holy Pskov places.
Here the air is extraordinary
And the rustle of a yellow leaf.
How little we need in this life...
At the walls of the shrine you realize
That life without Faith is a clownery,
What you gain only by losing.
No domes, blinding eyes.
They were torn down by madness.
On bleeding bricks
Birch groves sprouted.
And on the ruins of the Shrine
From the darkness of unbelief night
Up ascended from the Temple to the blue
Aspens are like two candles.
The years go by inexorably
Dust among gravestones.
Spirit of the Reverend invisibly
Soars above the silence of the desert.
Can't live "easier"...
We cannot live without roots.
Holy faith holy relics
We will soon find in souls.
And touching the Holy
Rays of Love sparkle in the hearts.
From oblivion, as if waking up,
They will hammer the keys of the monastery.
The remains of the thuja alley -
Traces of novices of labors -
They will introduce an equal green,
According to the vaults of the temples of those years ...
In the thoughtful sadness of leaf fall
Burning against fate
Like an unquenchable lamp,
Crimson autumn bonfire.
Holy Annunciation Nikandrova
male desert. October 2000
HOLY SOURCE OF MONDARIA
Turning right into Mayakovo,
After walking five miles so to the cross,
You will be amazed, my friend, right,
What a miracle this place is!
There is such beauty around here,
That the heart will take in full.
Here, little by little, without noticing
The soul sings with verses.
And not much from the cross
Where was the Solpekovsky farm,
The road will still go right
Through the timber floor.
There is a forest, as in the kingdom of Berendey,
Overgrown with gray hairs.
On the road to the right
At the end of the path lies a graveyard.
Behind a thin film of fog
A vision of wondrous beauty
A glade will open to the eyes,
Ears hear splashing water.
You will see how looping stitches,
Like a brocade belt
Glade smoothly framing,
A brook runs in the gorges.
Crossing the graveyard with sand,
On the slope through the bridge
The path will bring down, running down,
On a small toe in the needles.
Where they ate in eternity froze
And the branches are tightly woven -
There is a key of a kipun of great power
Beats from the heart of mother earth.
In the stream, as if resting,
Stones are gloomy - boulders.
Possessing magical powers
The storms are roaring menacingly.
A log house in the form of a well,
And it has steps to the bottom.
Here the heart beats a little quieter.
Boiling water that is cold.
The cross stands on the corner of the font ...
Words don't come right away
Where the age-old firs freeze,
And the millstones bit into the ground.
A little further from the font,
Almost next to a stream
Close to a huge old spruce
There is a wide board.
When there are snowdrifts around
Or when the scorching heat
Here the sicknesses are left
The water is cold and icy.
Hope is found here
In healing. On trunks
Knotted clothes
in nearby trees.
Over the purity of running water
Purity of light streams.
Holy land - holy source!
Holy Pskov places!
It is a great happiness to live on Pskov land - the land of shrines, where, thanks to the great feat and prayers of our saints, God, to help us weak, shows His grace, makes it possible to feel His mercy, receive bodily healing, and whoever is worthy, then spiritual. The Holy Annunciation Hermitage is waiting for its pilgrims!
In the days of the Grand Duke of Moscow, Vasily Ioannovich 1, in the Pskov region, among the wild, swampy terrain, in the village of Videlebye, there lived a pious man named Philip. Both he and his wife Anastasia led a charitable life, often visited the temple of God, listening to the word of the Lord and learning the commandments of Christ. Their eldest son Arseniy, constantly seeing before him the pious example of his parents, left worldly fuss and took monastic vows. But his brother Nikon, later our reverend father Nikandr, became even more famous for his exploits and miracles.
Nikon was born in 1507, and from the very early age the grace of God rested on him; Even at a young age, he asked his parents to send him to teach the Divine Scriptures. Often attending church in the name of the great saint of God Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, hearing about the miracles of this glorious ascetic, the lad Nikon from a young age was inflamed with a desire to follow Christ; he also greatly liked the quiet monastic life of his brother Arseny, dedicated to labor and prayer; the example of the recently reposed and resplendent with their deeds and miracles of the Monk Savva and Euphrosynus of Pskov 2 strengthened the young man in his intention; Nikon wanted to venerate the incorruptible relics of these saints of God and visit those places near Pskov where they labored. The holy lad often and fervently prayed to the Creator that He would deliver him from pernicious worldly fuss and make him worthy of His eternal kingdom; did not like Nikon nor the games peculiar to him young age, no beautiful clothes, did not take part in idle conversations, always wore simple clothes, loved spiritual poverty and purity of heart, he constantly fought with the enemy of the human race, thus preparing himself for future, even greater spiritual exploits. Meanwhile, by the will of God, his father died. A seventeen-year-old youth, burning with a strong desire to serve the Lord, with tears and humility persuaded his mother to distribute part of his property to the poor, partly to donate in the Church of God and leave this vain world. Arriving at a convent, Anastasia took tonsure there and soon departed into eternal life, where the virtuous and pious are predestined from time immemorial to receive an unfading crown. Then Nikon went to the city of Pskov, visited all the churches and monasteries that were there, also went around the surrounding monasteries and finally reached those places that were marked by the exploits of Saints Euphrosynus and Savva; The pious young man rejoiced greatly that the Lord had led him to venerate the relics of these His saints, which he had long desired, and was even more strengthened in spirit for the feat ahead of him. Only that Nikon greatly grieved that he was not quite well taught the Divine Scripture; Therefore, the young ascetic fervently prayed to the Lord and Teacher of all, that He would enlighten his mental eyes. And so, guided by the Holy Spirit, he again went to Pskov; here a pious man named Philip met Nikon and took him to his house to work. Seeing Nikon's great desire to understand the Holy Scriptures, Philip gave him as an apprentice to a certain deacon, famous for his knowledge and wisdom. The saint prayed often and earnestly, saying:
“Instruct me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enlighten me to learn Thy words.
And God, the Lover of mankind, heard the ardent prayer of His humble servant: He revealed to Nikon the knowledge of Divine Scripture, poured out His grace on him, gave him the spirit of reason, so that everyone marveled at how soon and how well Nikon studied Scripture. Just as fire purifies gold, so misfortunes purify and elevate a person even more. The ancient envious of the human race, the devil, not enduring the pious life of the monk, raised up against him some evil people, but Saint Nikon, according to the commandment of Christ, endured all attacks with prayer and thanksgiving, and with his humility defeated those who rebelled against him.
Once, while praying in church, the monk heard the gospel words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for the yoke My blessing is mine, and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30). These words struck Nikon, and he decided to fulfill his cherished desire as soon as possible. For a long time he had heard about some kind of deserted place, remote from villages and villages, between Pskov and Porkhov 3, among wild forests and impenetrable swamps; but Nikon did not know a person who could accurately indicate to him that place; desiring to constantly fulfill in practice the words spoken by the Holy Spirit through the righteous prophet and king David: "I would go far and remain in the wilderness; 9 I would hasten to hide from the whirlwind, from the storm" (Ps.54:8-9) prayed earnestly to the Lord, saying:
- Lord and Master of my life, Jesus Christ, Son of God, hear my prayer, make me worthy to see the desert, send me a husband who would guide me on the path of salvation and show me that secluded place.
The prayer of the saint was heard, and, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he set off from Pskov to his native village of Videlebye. Here Nikon learned that one person, named Theodore, knew that place. Coming to Theodore, the monk began to ask him:
- From a young age I heard about a deserted place, but there was no person who would point it out to me. You know this place; for the sake of the great name of God, point it out to me; for this you yourself will receive a reward from the Lord and you will be a mentor to my sinful soul.
Seeing such a strong desire of Nikon, the pious husband Theodore secretly from others took him to the desert. Having built a small hut, both of them settled here and began to ascetic labors and prayers. After some time, the monk returned to Pskov, in order, according to his custom, to listen to the Divine Liturgy in the church of the holy and glorious Epiphany; in this temple there was a voice to Nikon from the altar:
“Nikon, Nikon, my servant, go to the desert indicated to you by the pious husband Theodore, and there you will find peace for yourself; that wilderness will prosper through you, and many will be saved there; those who come there will receive grace and will glorify my name.
The monk immediately left the temple in spiritual joy and went to the place indicated to him by the Lord Himself. On the way Nikon met Blessed Nicholas of Pskov 4 ; he predicted that various temptations from demons and attacks from evil people await the ascetic in the desert; but nothing could hold back Nikon; with jubilation, like a warrior going to battle, the monk returned to his wilderness and labored here for 15 years in labor, prayer, fasting, reading Divine Scripture, constant vigilance, suffered a lot from demons and evil people.
Meanwhile, the rumor about his exploits began to spread, and the surrounding inhabitants began to flock to him. This was hard for the humble ascetic: not from people, but from God, he expected his reward, earthly glory was a burden to him. And so, with tears and great sorrow, not wanting to leave this place, but at the same time fleeing from human glorification, the saint set off again for Pskov. Here he was taken into his house by that Philip, with whom the monk lived during his teaching; learning that Nikon had firmly resolved to devote himself to God, he took the blessed one to the monastery of St. John the Theologian, where the relics of the founder of this monastery, the Monk Sava of Krypetsky, rested. Seeing the image of this ascetic of God and leaning to the reliquary of his relics, Nikon began to pray like this:
- Reverend saint of God, Savva, pray to the Lord Christ, may He grant me, His sinful and unworthy servant, to follow the path you walked, may He help me in this field and may He be my intercessor.
After this, Nikon, with humility and tears, began to beg the abbot of this monastery to accept him among the brethren. The abbot held him back, saying:
“Our monastery is poor, and you yourself are not strong in health, so don’t put such a heavy burden on yourself. You can live with us, but don’t rush to take monastic vows.
But Nikon prayed for only one thing - to fulfill his request. Then the abbot, seeing such zeal of the saint, such an uncontrollable desire to accept monasticism, had to finally give in to the great requests of the saint: he ordered one of the priestly monks to tonsure Nikon, and he was given the name Nikandr.
Then the monk with new strength rushed to exploits, he more and more succeeded in virtues, bearing fruit a hundredfold to the Lord. Burning with love for Christ, he completely renounced his will, surrendered himself entirely to God and became an auspicious temple of the All-Holy Spirit; he constantly strengthened himself with such pious reflections: a monastic life is like a wheat field, it requires a frequent rain of tearful great industriousness. If you want to bear abundant fruit, and not thorns, then sober your mind and work. Try to be good earth, and not stony soil, so that what is planted from above in your heart can bear fruit, so that it does not dry out from the heat of despondency and neglect. Feeding his soul with such saving thoughts and delivering spiritual delight to it with prayers, the Monk Nicander tried to wear out his flesh; always remembering the catch of David: look at my suffering and my exhaustion and forgive all my sins"(Ps. 24:18), the monk never left bodily work. The brethren and abbot were amazed at the life and exploits of the saint and glorified God, sending such ascetics. Both the above-mentioned husbands Philip and Theodore followed the example of the saint and took monastic vows in the same monastery; the first He was named Filaret, and the second Theodosius; after a while, both of them passed away in peace into eternal life.
Meanwhile, the Monk Nicander, noticing that his ascetic life aroused astonishment in the brethren, began to be weary of life among the monks: human glory was heavy for him. Fleeing from the praises of the brethren and longing for his former hermit life, he went to his desert, and lived there for another 15 years; he often ate nothing but past, called "already" 5 , prayed and labored unceasingly, and cared in every possible way for the salvation of his soul. His very life was often in danger. So one day, evil people, at the instigation of the devil, attacked the wretched hut of the saint, stole the meager belongings of the hermit, took from him his last consolation - holy icons and books, and he himself was severely wounded in the ribs with a spear and left barely alive. With God's help, the saint got up and began to pray like this:
- Lord my God Jesus Christ, strength and strength to those who trust in You! Undeservedly, you, the Sinless One, accepted free suffering from the Jews; but I, your unworthy servant, suffered all this justly for my countless sins. I thank You for everything and with tears and a tender heart I pray to You about these people: forgive them, they do not know what they are doing, they are not guilty, but the enemy, the sower of all evil, prompted them to such a deed; do not let them, Lord, perish because of me a sinner: in ignorance they did this.
The Lord, quick to help, miraculously granted healing to His humble servant, but the thieves were also punished. At a distance of one and a half miles from the cell of the saint was Lake Demyanovo, into which the Demyanka River flows; By God's permission, on the shores of this lake, the robbers went astray; for three days they wandered, trying in vain to find their way, and suffering greatly from hunger. Two of them repented of their sin and began to say to their comrades:
– That is why we cannot find the way, because we acted unjustly: we stole the things of the saint and inflicted severe wounds on him.
The other two fell into complete despair and began to say:
And he couldn't defend himself.
But the All-seeing God heard these words and punished those who reproached the holy man; crossing the Demyanka River, they fell off the platform and drowned. Seeing this, the remaining two were terrified and began to pray to the Lord to forgive their sin. Their prayer was heard, and they soon found their way to Nikander's hut. Returning to the monk everything they had taken, they, with bitter weeping and sobbing, threw themselves on their faces before the saint, asking him to forgive them and pray to the Lord for them. With paternal love, the Monk Nicander received the repentant, forgave, fed and begged them to leave their evil thoughts, pointed out that the human enemy inspires them to follow this disastrous path, and let them go in peace. Safely returning to their homes, they told everyone about what had happened to them, while glorifying the merciful God and His saint, the Monk Nikander. Since that time, the fame of the saint has increased even more; many began to come to the monk, bringing him food and asking him for blessings.
Nicander spent many years in the wilderness, he endured many labors there, but earthly glory, which frightened him most of all, was still difficult and unbearable for him. He was not so much afraid of robbers as of human praise. Therefore, the monk again left the desert and went to the Krypetsky monastery, where he accepted monasticism. Arriving at the monastery, the saint continued his ascetic life; he ate only dry bread, quenched his thirst with plain water, did not eat wine or fish, only on Saturday and Sunday he allowed himself a little boiled food, but even that was often not available; the humble ascetic excelled everyone in the monastery with his virtuous and strict life, he was always ready to render services and help to everyone, carried water and firewood from afar, spent his nights in constant vigilance, often went out into the forest at night and, having exposed his body, let them sting him mosquitoes and gadflies, so that it was covered with jets of blood; while he himself sat motionless, spinning a wave and singing the psalms of David. When morning came, the monk returned to the monastery, was the first to rush to the church, where he stood for the entire service, without leaving his place, and was the last to leave the church. The brethren, marveling at his exploits, made him a sacristan. The difficult and difficult obedience to bake prosphora was entrusted to the saint, but the Monk Nicander joyfully began to do this work, saying:
– If our Lord Jesus Christ called the bread prepared for the Last Supper His Body, then I should rejoice that God has granted me to prepare such breads on which a great and terrible mystery is performed: in a wondrous and incomprehensible way they are changed into the holy Body of Christ.
And the ascetic of God continued to work tirelessly; the brethren, seeing his growing zeal and loving him for his humility and meekness, asked the abbot to make Nicander a cellar 6 . The hegumen fulfilled the request of the monks and appointed the monk to the cellars; the holy man, at this elevation, did not change his former life, but fulfilled his new duty with humility and zeal, as if it were a task entrusted to him by the Lord himself; he did not exalt himself with the power given to him, but he always remembered the words of Scripture: " who wants to be great among you, let him be your servant"(Matt. 20:26). But Saint Nicander was not a cellarer for long: he was afraid of offending someone in his new position; moreover, he strove for his former hermit life, and therefore he decided to leave the monastery again. Leaving the monastery, he settled on one skeleton, located four miles from the monastery, here the saint again indulged in his usual labors and spent three and a half years in them. and the devil, the envious of people, the father of lies and unrighteousness, inspired the hegumen of the Krypetsky monastery with the idea that Nikandr was reducing the income of the monastery. the wilderness, shown to him before by the Holy Spirit.
During his journey, the Monk Nikandr arrived in one village - Lokoti; the day was already drawing to a close, and the saint went to spend the night with a villager, and the latter was having a feast at that time. This just happened on the Monday of Cheese Week, when the saint was fasting according to his custom. The peasant began to offer Nikander food, but the blessed one refused to accept it. The enemy of human salvation decided to scold the saint: shortly before the saint came to the village, he inspired some evil people with the idea of plundering the house of one of the peasants of that village; so they did6 attacked his house, ransacked it and burned it. Therefore, the peasant who received the saint, offended by the refusal of the monk, began to say:
“Probably you are one of those people who burned down my neighbor’s house; and to me - I suppose - you planned something similar, because you do not want to touch my food.
About this he told his neighbors; those, having gathered, began mercilessly to be the saint's drecollet all over the body and head. Christ our Savior did not allow the saint to suffer for a long time and die from the slander of demons, but soon, through the prayers of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, delivered him from torment: the groans of Saint Nicander and the cries of those who beat him were heard by people passing by; when they arrived, they began to say:
- This old man did you no harm; what are you doing, madmen, you want to put an innocent person to death?
Those people were ashamed and began to pray to the saint to forgive them; they also offered him food as he pleased; but the saint refused to taste and began to pray like this for those who tormented him:
- Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, do not impute this to them as a sin: they do not know what they are doing.
Only in the morning of the next day Nicander ate some bread and with humility, forgiving from the bottom of his heart the villagers who had inflicted beatings on him in ignorance, set off. Once, during his further journey, the saint, tired, lay down and began to lose himself in a slumber; suddenly he sees that two huge and strong wolves are ready to rush at him. Rising, the saint made the sign of the cross and, striking the ground with his staff, said:
– "Depart from me, all you who do iniquity"(Ps. 6:9).
And the animals immediately disappeared. Arriving in his wilderness, the saint again indulged in exploits, lived there for 15 years, experienced many misfortunes from demons and evil people, but overcame and defeated their deceit with unceasing prayers and tearful sobs about his sins, decorating his soul with feats like bright beads, and always edified himself with soulful reflections.
Great is the blessing of the Creator of all, our God. He not only glorified his saint in heaven after his death, but also during his lifetime bestowed on him the gift of clairvoyance, as this is evident from the following. A certain man named Peter, nicknamed Esyukov, who lived twelve versts from the saint's hut, grieved greatly that he had no children. And then one day an elk ran up to the very courtyard of Peter. This happened not by chance, but by God's will, for the Gospel says: "A city standing on the top of a mountain cannot be hidden. And having lit a candle, they do not put it under a vessel, but on a candlestick, and it shines for everyone in the house" (Matt. 5 :fourteen). So the merciful Lord pointed out the Monk Nikander by means of an elk. Sitting on a horse, Peter, together with his people, chased the beast; his companions gradually began to lag behind him, so that at last he was left alone; for a long time Peter pursued the beast, which tried to hide in the forest; having driven into a deaf, impassable jungle, Peter lost sight of the elk; at this very time he noticed a small hut; thinking that someone lives here, Peter knocked on the door with the words
- Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.
But there was no answer; only after the third time (such was the custom with the saint) the door opened, and Nicander met Peter, who had never seen the saint before, with the words:
- My son, Peter, go to the oak, where a room for visitors is arranged, I will go there right now.
Arriving at the indicated place, Peter soon saw that a handsome old man was approaching him, he bowed to him and asked his blessing.
“The blessing of the Lord be on you and on your wife,” the elder answered.
Peter thought:
- Truly the grace of God dwells in this man, truly filled with the Holy Spirit, for, having never seen me, he knows both my name and that I am married.
Bowing to the earthly elder, Peter asked him his name and how long he had been living in the wilderness.
“Sinful Nikandr is my name, but don’t ask about the years of my stay here: only God knows about it,” the elder replied humbly.
Then Peter, falling on his knees before the saint, began to complain bitterly about his misfortune:
“Now I’m old, but I don’t have a son.
To this the Monk Nikandr answered:
- Arise, child, and return to your house: through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, a son will be born to you.
And indeed, the saint's prediction was fulfilled. Since then, Peter began to often come to the monk and was saturated with his soulful instructions.
Once a saint of God said to him:
- After my departure into eternal life, this desert place will be exalted and glorified; over the tomb, where my sinful body will be laid, a church will be erected in honor of the glorious Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos.
On another occasion, a man named Simeon came to Nicander, desiring to receive a blessing and guidance from the saint. The monk, seeing that Simeon would soon die, said:
“Child Simeon, your life time is shortening,” and, giving him scissors, he continued:
– Go to the monastery, which the Lord will show you, and take on a monastic image, for the end of your life is approaching.
Hearing this, Simeon went to one of the monasteries, took tonsure there, and soon, after partaking of the Mysteries of Christ, he passed away in peace into eternal life.
Meanwhile, people, having heard about the ascetic life of the Monk Nikander, began to come to him more and more often; when they quietly approached his cell, they heard the saint praying, how often he bows to the ground. As soon as the saint noticed their arrival, he pretended to be asleep. When the visitor knocked on his door with the words: “Bless, father,” Nicander was silent; he did not answer the second time either; only after the third time, as if rising from sleep, the saint answered:
Our Lord Jesus Christ bless you, child.
In such exploits the saint spent all his days and nights; the blessed one never went to bed, but if he was overcome by sleep, then he would sit drowsily, and then only for a short time, and then begin to pray again; Nicander stretched his disregard for the flesh to the point that he washed only his hands and face with water; he ate, for the most part, plants; when pious people brought him bread, the monk accepted the offering with thanksgiving; then he let the bread dry and ate it in this form at sunset; he quenched his thirst with water; although he led such a stern life, it was never possible to see his face gloomy, but he always shone with joy and calmness; during the entire Great Fortecost, the saint ate only once a week, and on Great Friday he went to the Demyansky Monastery; having communed there the terrible and life-giving Mysteries of Christ, he again went to his desert, considering himself unworthy to be among the brethren of this monastery. Only God knows the labors and deeds that Saint Nicander endured in the wilderness. Often evil spirits appeared to confuse the monk and even inflicted wounds on him, as was the case with Saint Anthony of Egypt 7 . Reinforcing His ascetic, the Lord sent him in a vision the Monk Alexander of Svir 8; this saint of God encouraged Nicander to fight with invisible enemies. The Gospel says that this kind is not expelled by anything, except by prayer and fasting - with this weapon, the Monk Nicander also defeated the prince of darkness. But for a long time he had to struggle with the thoughts of malice: every time Nicander wanted to rest from his labors, such a noise rose around his cell that it seemed as if many chariots were passing by, or the playing of tympanums and pipes was heard 9 . Then the monk began to read the psalms of David, and the noise ceased; so the evil spirits for a long time, day and night, did not allow the saint to rest until, by the grace of God, he finally overcame them. One day a large bear came to the saint's cell and began to scratch it with such force that the cell began to tremble and was ready to collapse. Having crossed the window of his cell and overshadowing himself with the sign of the cross, the saint looked and saw a large beast standing by the cell. Then the monk, once again marking himself with the cross, left the cell and crossed the beast. As if struck by some invisible force, the bear fell down before the saint, meekly began to lick his honest feet, and then retired into the forest. And again, another time, the Monk Alexander of Svirsky appeared to him in the hallway of the cell; strengthening him for exploits, he said:
- Do not be afraid, my brother Nikandr: from this time on, the Lord will deliver you from all the networks of the enemy.
From that time on, the saint acquired such power over demons that they did not even dare to approach close to his cell.
One man, named Nazarius, who lived not far from the monk’s cell, fell into a serious illness: his whole body was covered with worms, but a particularly large ulcer opened on his chest, so that one could see the insides; at the same time, the patient could not move without terrible pain; Nazarius suffered from such a serious illness for a year and six months. His family, seeing that Nazarius fell into such an incurable disease, wept, not knowing how to alleviate the suffering of the sick. Nazarius, hearing about the miracles and the ascetic life of Saint Nikander, ordered his household to carry himself to the monk; they fulfilled the request of Nazarius and, having brought it, laid the sick hermit in front of the cell. When Nicander left his dwelling, Nazarius, gathering all his strength, began to embrace and water the saint's feet with tears, and began to ask the blessed one to pray to the Lord for him. The reverend replied:
- Nazarius, do not touch my feet; in vain do you kiss them, in vain do you ask me for healing, because your healing is impossible for man, it is possible for God; He must be asked in faith for healing. Hearing this, the sick man was surprised that the monk knew him by them, although he had never seen him before; therefore, he began to ask him even more earnestly.
“If you, father,” Nazarius added, “leave me, then I will not leave this place and will die in front of your cell.”
Then the monk, seeing the ardent faith of Nazarius, ordered him to be taken to a room for incoming travelers, and told him to try to sleep there. But the patient replied:
“Holy Father, during all my illness I have never been able to close my eyes, how are you now advising me to sleep.
To this Nicander said:
- Even before your arrival, I heated that room, for I knew that you would come to me; now, while I go to pray, try to sleep, and then show me your wounds.
Nazarius wanted to immediately open his ulcer, but could not, because the shirt stuck to his body so tightly that it could not be torn off. Seeing this, the saint crossed the wound and released Nazarius to the indicated place, where he soon fell into a sound sleep. And the monk himself, confining himself in his cell, fervently prayed to the Lord all night, that He, the One Healer of all those who suffer, would grant health to the sick and at the same time enlighten his spiritual eyes and strengthen him in faith. Quick to help all who faithfully call on His holy name, the Lord heard the prayer of his servant: in the morning, Nazarius, waking up, felt completely healthy; he immediately got to his feet: the scab, along with his shirt, fell behind like bark; then he fervently began to thank God, who granted him healing, and to glorify His saint Saint Nikander; the monk, not wanting fame from people, forbade him to talk about the past, “so that it wouldn’t be even worse with you,” he added.
On another occasion, Simeon Vasiliev, a peasant, a man of Prince Kostrov, came to Nikander and complained bitterly to the monk that his horse had been stolen from him; the saint, hearing about this, sighed deeply; Simeon, however, continued to complain and said that five days had already passed since that time. Then Nicander, with great humility and meekness, began to say:
- Not about that, my son, you should regret that your horse was stolen from you; no, we should not mourn for what was stolen, but for the one who stole, for a person did this at the suggestion of the devil.
Simeon, with surprise, remarked to him:
“So you, father, mourn for the person who committed the kidnapping?”
Then Nicander answered:
“Child Simeon, go to your house, what was stolen from you will be returned.
These words of the saint came true: that same night the horse ran home by itself. Simeon came a second time to the monk, thanked him and told him about what had happened.
Hearing about this, Nicander was saddened and began to teach Simeon this way:
– My son, we should mourn for Christians who suffered death before they had time to repent of their sins; and for this man you need to pray, for the Lord said: " if you do not repent, you will all perish in the same way"(Luke 13:3).
The monk spoke for a long time and with his edifications, filled with love, enlightened Simeon's spiritual eyes; the latter began to glorify the Lord even more zealously, who sent such a saint of His to the earth.
Meanwhile, the Monk Nicander, seeing that the end of his earthly life was approaching, began to prepare to enter the kingdom of heaven adorned with all the virtues. He prayed day and night and asked the All-Merciful Lord to forgive him his sins; not content with the usual severity of his life, he decided to become like the angels and put on himself a great schema. For this, the monk went to the Demyansk Monastery and there he received great tonsure from the hegumen; this was eight years before his death, after which the saint again settled in his seclusion.
At that time, a deacon from the city of Porkhov, named Peter, began to visit the monk often. The saint talked a lot with him about Divine Scripture, about the faith of Christ, about the virtues of Christianity. One day Nicander told Peter about a miracle that had happened to him.
“I used to suffer often and severely with my feet, but now, by the grace of God, I have been freed from the disease.
Looking at the saint's feet, Peter saw that all of his legs were bare from their bodily covering, and he was greatly struck by this. On another occasion Nicander said to Peter:
– Soon the Lord will call my sinful soul to Himself; when you find out about my death, then come and bury my mortal body.
“Will what you tell me happen soon,” asked Peter, “and how will you let me know about what happened?”
- I don’t know how I’ll inform you, because at that time there will be a battle: then Polish and Lithuanian troops will come here and will keep Pskov and Porkhov under siege; you, when you hear about my departure to God, fearlessly bury my body in the place where you find it; and a church will be erected over my tomb in honor of the great and glorious Annunciation.
Thus Nicander peacefully prepared to leave this temporary world. After 47 years and 2 months since the reverend in last time settled in his seclusion, he fell into a bodily ailment; soon the saint felt the approach of death and with tears began to ask the Lord to grant him remission of all sins, called in prayers to all the saints and entrusted his deserted residence to the care of the Most Holy Lady Theotokos. Then the Monk Nicander lay down on his bed, folded his hands crosswise, and with the words: “Blessed be God, so willing, glory to Thee,” he surrendered his spirit to the Lord.
Thus, on September 24, 1582, this venerable father, our reverend Nicander, rested in peace in the Lord.
By God's permission, the Polish king Stefan Batory 10 brought his regiments to the Russian land; the enemies besieged the cities of Pskov and Porkhov, throughout that region there were many Polish and Lithuanian people, so that the townspeople could not go beyond the city walls. At that time, a certain peasant from the village of Borovichi, named John, nicknamed Long, came to the desert where the monk lived to receive a blessing from the saint. Knocking once, twice, a third time at the door of Nikander's cell, John still did not receive the ascetic's response; then, entering the cell, he saw that Saint Nicander had gone to the Lord, and the whole hut was filled with an extraordinary fragrance. Then John, reverently taking the honest body of the saint, covered it with earth with heartfelt tenderness; then, unnoticed, through the prayers of the saint, by the Polish troops, he came to the city of Porkhov and told all the inhabitants about the death of the monk. At this news, the citizens of Porkhov began to weep and grieve that they had lost such a glorious intercessor and prayer book before God; they strongly desired to go to the burial of the saint, but they were afraid of their enemies. Then Deacon Peter, seeing the hesitation of his fellow citizens, turned to them with the following speech:
- Brothers, listen to what I will tell you about the newly deceased father Nikander, for I myself saw with my own eyes the difficult and ascetic life of this elder; it is impossible to speak with human lips about all the virtues of this father. The monk himself prophesied to me about his repose to God; he predicted that his death would follow during the invasion of the Lithuanian people; but do not be afraid and do not be afraid, but boldly go and bury the honest body of this ascetic, for the monk himself told me that the Lord God will not betray you into the hands of enemies, and evil will not touch you.
By his speech, Peter convinced his fellow citizens to fearlessly go into the wilderness, where the saint of God labored so zealously during his earthly life. Detained by no one, all citizens, laity and clergy, men and women, old and young, came into the desert to the place where the body of the saint was covered with earth, and buried him with honor.
Saint Nikandr lived 75 years and 8 months. All the days of his life he faithfully and unhypocritically served the Lord, leaving us an example of a good and God-pleasing life; we will follow his footsteps and will constantly imitate this saint in patience and humility, may he send and give help and protection to all who believe in crying out: "Rev. Father Nikandra, pray to God for us."
In 1585, a certain monk Isaiah, desiring to follow the example of the Monk Nikander, came to the place where this saint of God lived and labored. For a long time Isaiah suffered from a disease of his legs, and finally, through the prayers of the monk, he received healing from his illness. This Isaiah, on the site of the exploits of the Monk Nikander, built a monastery 11 and gathered in it a large brethren. At the urgent request of the brethren, Isaiah accepted the hegumenate and was elevated to the holy rank by Bishop Alexander of Novgorod. The bishop began to carefully take care of the new monastery, provided it with funds and ordered to build a church in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos over the tomb of the Monk Nikander.
Troparion, tone 4:
The voice of the divine, even in the Gospel, having heard the Monk Father Nikandra: come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, and receive the cross, you followed Christ: leave the world, you settled in the wilderness, with fasting and vigil we will receive the heavenly gift, souls the sick who come to you in faith, you heal. The same and with the angels will rejoice, reverend, your spirit.
Kontakion, tone 1:
Like a ray of sunshine, Christ of the reverend pokaz: you shine more in the lands of Russian miracles of grace, and drive away the darkness of passions and sorrows from those who come to you with faith. We also honor your memory, our father Nicandra, and cry out to you: rejoice, beauty of the desert dwellers, and praise and affirmation to our country. ________________________________________________________________________
1 Prince Vasily Ioannovich 1505-1533
2 Saint Savva, founder of the Krypetsk St. John the Theologian Monastery, 20 versts from Pskov, reposed in 1495; his memory on August 28; the Monk Euphrosynus of Pskov reposed in 1481; his relics rest in the Spaso-Velikopustynsky Eleazarov Monastery founded by him in the Pskov province on the Tolba River, 30 versts from Pskov; memory of the venerable Euphrosyne - May 15.
3 Now a county town of the Pskov province.
5 Already or zhevnik - wild mustard, another name for this plant - brylena.
6 Kelar (from the Greek "kellarios") was obliged to keep the monastic supplies.
I visited the Nikandrova Hermitage in the spring, when the leaves had just broken through, and the spirit of the thawed swamp was dizzy. It was damp, fresh and disturbing. The whole swamp creature mated in the most intense way. Baba Yaga, under the nearest willow bush, of course, also gave herself to some kind of goblin, squelching her wet vagina. With her woman's quagmire. After all, what is a swamp? Wandering biomass mixed with two elements, Water and Earth, and fermented with saliva. At first, there was only water on our planet, and then God ordered the devil to go down to the bottom and bring lands for the creation of land. The devil did, but in the meantime he hid some earth behind his cheek. God scattered the brought earth everywhere, so the dry land appeared. Plants began to sprout on it. And in the mouth of the devil - too. The poor fellow could not stand it, he began to spit liquefied soil with stunted vegetation. So there were swamps, a refuge for all kinds of evil spirits. Russian wisdom says: "It would be a swamp, but the devils will follow."
So, Nikon came to the place that he had heard so much about since childhood, and settled there. Moreover, at first there was no special seclusion, but rather the development of a certain mysterious zone among the swamps - public, but still forbidden. Local residents, realizing that a hermit had appeared in the swamp, came to him, asking for prayers and blessings, and he was not even a monk yet. Just lived in a place of power.
But 15 years after moving there, he nevertheless decided to take the veil as a monk. And did it in . He cut his hair and soon returned to his old place. But then the visitors finally got it. What was to be done? Nikander returned to the monastery. And it’s even worse there: the poor fellow was made responsible for the storage and distribution of the monastery supplies. This is a person who has been practicing escape from the world all his life. It looks like bullying. He pushed around a little and decided to leave the hostel forever. But he didn't go far. He settled on the island of Lake Bolshoy, about five kilometers from the Krypetsky Monastery.
Then a story happened that church leaders explain by the machinations of the devil, but it is easier to explain it by the devilish greed of the church people themselves. The fact is that Nicander, having settled on the island, began, like a fakir, to attract those who were hungry for the divine. This aroused the indignation of the Krypetsk brethren and the rector personally. The hermit, you see, reduces the monastic income, because people are drawn to him, and not to the monastery. The monks demanded that Nikander leave their region. And he again went to his swamps. And there he lived almost without getting out for more than 32 years.
He died in 1581, when Stefan Batory was besieging Pskov and Porkhov. Moreover, he predicted in advance that this would happen during the siege, when it would be difficult to get to his desert. A peasant who came to the place of power found the hermit dead and buried him under an oak tree. At the end of the Livonian War, the Church of the Annunciation was built over his grave, as the monk wanted. A few years later, a monastery arose. Revolutions and wars left him only a pile of rubbish. Now the Nikandrov Desert is being rebuilt from wood.
There are four springs in this swamp abode. One of them, called the Eye, is located at the entrance to the monastery. The water in it is slightly cloudy, colored with peat, with bitterness, it miraculously helps with eye diseases. Another source of Peter and Paul is absolutely amazing. These are actually two different sources side by side. To the left, if you look from the monastery, there is a source of dead water: it smells of hydrogen sulfide, and many diseases are treated with it. And on the right, about two meters from the first, there is a source of living water, very tasty and also healthy. The monks drink it. And when I tried to drink from the left source, they were simply afraid for me, they said that a healthy person should not even try this water. A little further into the forest - the most main source those places, Nikandrov. Above it is a chapel with icons where they pray. And finally, three kilometers from the monastery there is still a spring named after the monk, who appeared to Nikander in visions when he was ill.
And Nikandr had a bad time more than once. After all, Robinson's life is difficult, dangerous, and sometimes unbearably bitter. Here you have dashing people, and wild animals, and diseases, and demons, and simply problems associated with the fact that you are different, not the same as others. There was a case when Nikandr was walking from the Krypetsky monastery to his swamp and stopped in the village of Lokot for the night with some peasant. The man offered refreshments, but Nicander was fasting and therefore refused. This refusal alerted the villager, he decided that since the wanderer disdains him with bread and salt, it means that he is some kind of rogue. He called the villagers, and they brutally fucked up the holy man. Devilish obsession? Holy victimhood? Well, in general, both that, and another. But the main thing is the third: he was different, different. Not only on these peasants, but on a person in general. He was a water spirit caught by dark people on the way from the Big Lake to the Demon Lake (the etymology of this word is not demonic). The peasant felt with his nose that he was no longer quite a man, that this passer-by had lost his substantiality.
Nicander's legs hurt. One day, towards the end of his life, he said to a visitor: "For a long time I used to suffer with my legs, now I feel relief." He looked and was horrified: instead of feet and shins, bare bones without soft covers. Bone legs! This must be understood: the ascetic gradually sheds the body, dries up. Not in the sense that it is losing weight, but - it is disintegrating. Block in his Swamp Cycle will say: “This cereal that burned down will not die. This bush - without decay - is thin. So is Nicander. The years spent in the swampy place of power were not in vain for the hermit. He became an incorruptible bush, a pure spirit in a withered body. They stopped seeing him as a person. Yes, he himself hardly knew how to treat himself. Learned to be human. He was outside of people, outside of culture, outside of any religion. And in this sense he has reached perfection. Although, of course, he retained certain prejudices. 8 years before his death, on his sick legs, he reached the Demyansky Monastery, which stood at the confluence of the Demyanka River with Shelon, and accepted the schema.
It is quite natural that, within the framework of Orthodox culture, a person who cannot bear to live among people and who wants to be free from their conventions becomes a Christian hermit. For it is a ready-made form into which his aspirations for an unconditioned reality and his personal experience transcendent. But - who knows what Nicander, a reserved person, was actually experiencing in these swamps, running from annoying bipeds, eager to get enough of his energy, acquired in a hermitage? And who said that his experience is reduced to the fear of the Jewish God and the invention of more and more sophisticated tortures for his body to the greater glory of God? Those who transmitted legends about him and wrote his Life? But these people did not even try to understand the aspirations of Nikander, but only adjusted the experience of the monk to fit their ideas - about life, about God, about the meaning of asceticism. They made a walking edification out of a person.
This, of course, does not apply only to Nicander. From almost any life it can be deducted that the goal of monasticism is to please God, and the essence of asceticism is torture. But this is not true. The goal of asceticism is not at all to suffer gloriously, quickly exhaust your body, please God with this and go straight to paradise. Asceticism is just a method of getting out of the conventions of the generally accepted reality. One of many methods. And if a person, practicing these methods, starts to get sick and quickly goes out, it means that he is doing something wrong. And suffering itself is needed only if you worship a deity that feeds on human pain, the tears of babies and the pus of unhealed wounds. There are such gods. But you have to run from them. Anywhere. Best of all - in the swamp.
MAP OF POINTS OF POWER OLEG DAVYDOV - ARCHIVE OF PLACES OF POWER -
Rev. Nikandr of Pskov(in Baptism Nikon) was born on July 24, 1507 in the family of peasants Philip and Anastasia in the village of Videlebye in the Pskov region.
Since childhood, he dreamed of continuing the exploits of his fellow villager, the Monk Euphrosynus of the Savior of the Savior, the head of the Pskov hermits (Comm. 15 May). The first in Nikon's family to become monks was his elder brother Arseniy. After the death of his father, seventeen-year-old Nikon managed to convince his mother to distribute the estate and retire to the monastery, where she lived until her death. Having bypassed the monasteries of the Pskov land, having venerated the relics of the Monk Euphrosynus and his disciple, the Monk Savva of Krypetsk (Comm. 28 August), he finally established himself in the desire for a hermit life.
In order to be able to read the Word of God, Nikon hired himself as a worker for the Pskov resident Philip, who, for his diligence, sent him to study with an experienced teacher. Seeing the jealousy of the young man, the Lord Himself showed him the place of achievement. Praying fervently in one of the Pskov churches, he heard a voice from the altar, commanding him to go to the desert, which the Lord would indicate through His servant Theodore. The peasant Theodore took him to the Demyanka River, between Pskov and Porkhov. (Subsequently, Philip and Theodore, who helped the monk achieve his cherished goal, through his prayers, also embarked on the path of monasticism and became tonsured at the Krypetsk Monastery with the names Filaret and Theodosius.)
After spending several years in silence and severe feats that withered his flesh, Nikon came to the monastery founded by St. Savva of Krypetsky. The abbot, seeing his bodily weakness, did not immediately agree to receive him, fearing that the difficulties of monastic life would be beyond his strength. Then Nikon, crouching down on the shrine of the Monk Savva, began, as if alive, to beg him to take him to his monastery. The abbot relented and tonsured Nikon with the name Nikandr.
The Monk Nicander endured many temptations and troubles on the cramped path of asceticism. Blessed Nikolai (Comm. 28 February) foretold him about the "desert passions" back in Pskov. Through the prayers of all the saints of Pskov and the Monk Alexander of Svir (Comm. 30 August and 17 April), who twice appeared to the monk, instructing and strengthening him, he, with the help of the grace of God, overcame all the manifold wiles of the evil one. By the power of prayers, the monk overcame the weaknesses of the flesh, human ill-will, and the fears of the devil. Once he was almost killed by robbers, taking away his only and most valuable property for a hermit - books and icons. Through the prayers of the saint, two of them, terrified by the sudden death of their comrade, repented of their crimes and received the elder's forgiveness.
In the Krypetsky Monastery, the Monk Nikandr did not live long, and with a blessing he returned to his hermitage. Subsequently, he once again came to live in the Krypetsk monastery, where he performed the obediences of a usher and cellarer, and again went to the hermitage and lived there in fasting and prayer, comprehending the Word of God. Every year during Great Lent, the Monk Nikandr went to the Damian Monastery, where he confessed and communed the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Eight years before his death, he received the great schema there. Many people began to come to the monk “for the sake of it,” for, according to the words of the Monk John of the Ladder, “monastic life is a light for all people.” Believers turned to the Monk Nikander for prayerful help, for the Lord endowed him with many grace-filled gifts. The hermit treated all the needs of his visitors with love and attention and even arranged for them a wretched “hotel by the oak” for their lodging for the night, which he himself heated. The Reverend did not allow himself to flaunt his talents. Coming secretly to his cell, people always heard that he was praying with bitter sobs. He, noticing the proximity of people, immediately fell silent, hiding from them the received gift of tears.
The Monk Nikandr remained a hermit until the end of his life (they call him that - the Monk Nikander the hermit), but bequeathed not to leave the place of his labors after his death, promising his patronage to the inhabitants of the future monastery. Deacon of Porkhovsky convent The monk commanded Peter to build a church on his grave and transfer there the icon of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos from the graveyard of Tishanka. He foresaw his death, predicting that he would die when enemies attacked the fatherland, predicting their imminent defeat. On September 24, 1581, during the invasion of the troops of the Polish King Stefan Batory, a peasant found him dead: he was lying on a matting with his arms crossed on his chest. From Pskov came the clergy and people, admirers of the monk, among whom was the deacon Peter, and performed the rite of Christian burial.
In 1584, on the fertile place of the deed of the Monk Nikander, consecrated by his almost half a century of prayer, a monastery was created, which began to be called the Nikandra Hermitage. The builder of the monastery was the monk Isaiah, who was healed through prayer to the saint. In 1686, under Patriarch Joachim, the glorification of the Monk Nikander took place and the celebration of his memory was established on September 24, the day of his death, and on the temple feast of the monastery - the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. During the reconstruction of the cathedral of the monastery, the relics of the Monk Nikander were found, hidden in the wall, and June 29 is celebrated as the day of finding his honest relics. And now the prayer connection of believers with the Monk Nikander, who is deeply revered in Pskov land, is strong.
Troparion of the Monk Nikander the Hermit, Wonderworker of Pskov, tone 4
G Divine las, / like in the Gospel, having heard, reverend Father Nikandra: / come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, / and receive the cross, you followed Christ, / leave the world, you settled in the wilderness, / with fasting and We will receive the heavenly gift with vigil, / and healing the souls of the sick who come to you with faith: / the same with the angels rejoices, reverend, your spirit.
John troparion of the Monk Nikandr the Hermit, Wonderworker of Pskov, tone 6
With Thou hast appeared to our country, God-blessed, / having valiantly endured the enmity of anger, / beating and wounding like a garment of incorruption, having been imputed to you, / having taken on the beasts, and having received perforations from evil people, / you prayed for them, do not set them this sin , verb; / the same to the Mistress of Christ, thou art likened, most praiseworthy Nicandra, our father, / pray for our souls.
Prayer to the Monk Nikander of Pskov
O Our reverend and venerable Father Nikandra, a fasting, patient-spirited, silence to the guardian of pre-obedience, a teacher who wants to be saved, the wise, a lazy punisher, a quiet one, a resolver of pernicious passions, not malice, a husband of desires, full of foresight prophetic, proclaiming future blessings to the forerunner, adamant of faith in Christ, unseen, unshakable pillar of patience, obedient, flesh-bearing Angel and the Holy Spirit, a fragrant receptacle, a desert dweller and a banisher of demons, a humble-wise performer of all virtues, a heavenly man and a cohabitant with a high official, with the meekness of the spirit, inheriting the land of the meek, the friend of Christ and the servant of the Most Holy Theotokos, even the cancer of the wholesome relics deign to glorify yours in Your temple; Falling to her with love, we pray thee, venerable one: do not stop praying to the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, send peace and prosperity to our country, victory and overcoming on the enemies, and from the slander of the enemy, our army will be preserved in peace, harmony to the Churches and all people peace and abundance of good things. And extinguish, blessed, with your prayers, the kindled demonic arrows soaring at us, so that sinful malice will not touch us. And, bestowing everything graciously on everyone, look down on me, a humble servant: for I am bound by fierce captives of sins and draw me, alas! into the abyss of the passionate sea uncontrollably. For this sake, I diligently pray to your sanctuary, become rich, and fall down to the race of your relics with tears: appear to me on the path of this miserable life, break the bonds, cast off passions, weaken from sinful chains, deliver me from the overflowing sorrow and from all evil, resolve me from Painful bonds and the salvation of the soul begged me, as if I would sing and glorify in the Trinity the glorious One God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
The reverend Ni-candr of Pskov (in Kre-shche-ni Ni-kon) was born on July 24, 1507 in the family of the peasants Philip-pa and Ana-sta- these in the village of Vie-de-les-biers in the Pskov region.
From childhood, he dreamed of continuing to live in the movement of his own one-but-sel-cha-ni-na - pre-be-good-but-go Ev-fro-si- at the Spa-so-e-le-aza-ditch-sko-go, at the beginning of the Pskov wilderness-no-zhi-te-lei (pa-myat on May 15). First in the family of Ni-ko-na, his elder brother Ar-se-niy took over as a monk. After the death of the seven-year-old father, Ni-kon su-mel persuaded the mother to give away the estate and retire to the mo-to-shtir, where she lived until sa-my con-chi-na. Go around the obi-those of the Pskov land, in the manner of the relics of the pre-be-good-no-go Ev-fro-sy-na and his teacher-no-ka pre- in-dob-no-go Sav-you Kry-pets-ko-go (pa-myat on August 28-gu-hundred), he ended-cha-tel-but approved-sya in aspiration-le-nii to from -shel-no-che-sky life.
In order to be able to read the Word of God, Nikon hired himself to work for the Pskov resident Philip-pu, who the other, for diligence, gave him for training to an experienced teacher. Seeing the jealousy of the young man, the Lord Himself showed him a place to move. Praying hotly in one of the Pskov churches, he heard a voice from the al-tar, telling him to go to the desert, which then the Lord will indicate through His ra-ba Fe-o-do-ra. Krestya-nin Fe-o-dor took him to the river De-myan-ku, between Pskov and Por-ho-vom. (Subsequently, Philip and Fe-o-dor, someone could-could-be-be-good-but-mu achieve their own za-vet-noy goal, according to him mo-lit-you also enter-pi-whether on the path of otherness and become-stri-the same-no-ka-mi name-on-mi Fila-ret and Fe-o-do-siy).
Having spent several years in silence and su-ro-moving, issuing his flesh, Ni-kon came to mo-to-stir, os-but-van-ny pre-dob-ny Sav-howl Kry-pets-kim. Igu-man, seeing his bodily infirmity, did not immediately agree to accept him, fearing that it was difficult life will be beyond his strength. Then Ni-kon, having fallen to the ra-ke of the pre-beautiful Sav-you, began, like a living thing, to beg him to take him to his abode. Igu-men softened and cut Ni-ko-na with the name Ni-kandr.
A lot of arts and troubles re-lived on a cramped path along the movement of the pre-excellent Ni-kandr. Blessed Ni-ko-lai told him about the "passion of the desert" back in Psko-ve (pa-myat 28 Feb-ra-la). Mo-lit-va-mi of all Pskov-sky places-no-kov and pre-on-dob-no-go (pa-myat 30 av-g-hundred and 17 ap-re-la), someone twice appeared to be pre-good-no-mu, setting up and strengthening him, he, with the help of God's bless-yes, pre-adopted all the many-th-different goats-no lu-ka-vo-go. The power of the prayer of the pre-beautiful in-be-dil the weakness of the flesh, the human-lo-ve-che-unkindness and dia- vol-sky stra-ho-va-nia. One day, they almost killed him once-a-fight-no-ki, taking away his only and most valuable thing for from-shel-no-ka-im-s-stvo - book -gi and icons. According to the prayers of the holy one, two of them, frightened by the sudden death of their own, then, -their evil-de-I-ni-yah and in-lu-chi-whether pro-shche-an old man.
In the Kry-pets-kom mo-on-stay-re, the venerable Ni-kandr did not live long and with the blessing he returned to his wilderness. Subsequently, he once again came to live in the Kry-pets-kyu monastery, where he performed, after listening, the charter-shchi-ka and ke- la-rya, and again went into the wilderness and lived there in prayer and prayer, comprehending the Word of God. Every-year-but Ve-li-kim in-stom pre-extra-ny Ni-kandr went to Da-mi-a-nov-sky mo-on-stir, where is-on-ve-do -wal-sya and communion of the Holy Christs of Ta-in. Seven years before his death, he accepted a great schema there. To the pre-dob-no-mu began to come a lot of-on-ro-yes "benefit-for-di", because, according to the word pre-dob-no-go , "my-on-she-life is a light for all people-lo-ve-kov." Ve-ru-yu-shchie-ra-scha-lied to pre-better-no-mu Ni-kan-dr for mo-lit-ven-noy-help, for the Lord is on -de-lil him many-gi-mi bla-go-dat-us-mi da-ro-wa-ni-i-mi. Pu-styn-nick with love-bo-view and attention-ma-ni-em from-but-strength to all the needs of your own in-the-se-ti-te-lei and yes arranged for the night-le-ga, I’m wretchedly “go-sti-ni-tsu at the du-ba”, somehow I myself pro-tap-li-val. The pre-excellent did not allow yourself to put on your da-ro-va-nia. Coming tai-but to his cell, people always heard that he was praying with a bitter cry-yes-no-eat. He, foreseeing the closeness of people, immediately fell silent, hiding from them the received gift of tears.
The pre-excellent Ni-kandr until the end of his life remains empty-sty-no-one (it’s so-ve-li-cha-yut - the pre-extra-extra Ni- kandr pus-styn-but-resident), but for-shall not leave the place of his one hundred labors after his end, promising his blood -tel-stvo on-village-no-kam bu-du-shche-go mo-na-sta-rya. Dia-ko-nu Por-hov-s-th-female-mo-on-stay-rya Pet-ru pre-dob-ny for-po-ve-gave on his mo-gi-le in- to put up a church and re-re-not-sti there-yes iko-well -shan-ki. He foresaw his death, foretelling that he would die when enemies fell on his father, fore-re-kai them at the same time soon -same. September 24, 1581, during the invasion of the troops of the Polish co-ro-la Ste-fa-on Ba-to-ria, one cross-stya-nin on- he was dying: he was lying on a ro-gozh-ke with a cross-a-hundred-about-time-but folded-wife-us-mi on a chest-di ru-ka-mi. Spirituality and people came from Pskov-va, in-chi-ta-te-whether pre-be-good-no-go, among some of them there was a dia- con Peter, and co-ver-shi-whether the rite of Christ-sti-an-sko-go-gre-be-niya.
In 1584, on a blessed place, in a dvi-ha, pre-dob-no-go Ni-kand-ra, consecrated by him almost in a lu-ve -ko-howl mo-lit-howl, would-la-create-at-the-a-tel, someone began to call-whether Ni-kan-wood-howl empty. The monk Is-a-ia was building-and-te-lem mo-on-the-stay, using the prayer of the saint. In 1686, under Pat-ri-ar-he Joachim-me, with-a-hundred-I-moose pro-glory-le-nie pre-good-no-go Ni-kand-ra and was tired new-le-but celebrating his pa-my-ty on September 24, on the day of the end-chi-ny, and on the temple-my-howl feast obi-te-li - Bla -go-ve-shche-nie Pre-holy Bo-go-ro-di-tsy. When re-re-building-ke co-bo-ra mo-na-sta-rya would-we-whether we-re-te-we might-schi pre-good-no-go Ni-kand-ra, hidden tye in the wall, and June 29 is celebrated as the day of the ob-re-te-ing of his honest relics. And now, the mo-lit-ven-naya connection of the ve-ru-yu-shchih with the pre-beautiful Ni-kan-drom is strong, someone-ro-go deep-bo-ko is honored on Pskov land.
See also: "" in from-lo-same-nii svt. Di-mit-ria Rostov-sko-go.
Prayers
Troparion to the Monk Nikander the Hermit, Pskov Wonderworker
The voice of the Divine, / who is in the Gospel, having heard, / the reverend Father Nikander: / come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, / and I will give you rest, / and accept the cross, you followed Christ, / leave the world, you settled in the wilderness, / with forgiveness and by vigil we will receive the gift of heaven, / and heal the souls of the sick who come to you with faith // the same and from the angels rejoice, reverend, your spirit.
Translation: Hearing the call of the Divine Gospel, Father Nikandr: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (), taking up the cross, you followed Christ, leaving the world, settled in, and by fasting received the Heavenly gift, and the souls of the sick who come to you with faith, you heal, and therefore rejoices with the angels, reverend, your spirit.
John troparion to the Monk Nikander the Hermit, Pskov Wonderworker
You have appeared to our country, blessed God, / having valiantly endured the enmity of enmity, / beating and wounds like a garment of incorruptibility, having been changed to you, / having fought with beasts, / and did not come from evil perforations, / pray to them: to them of this sin, saying; / the same way you became like the Lord Christ, / praiseworthy Nicandra, our father, / / pray for our souls.
Translation: You became the luminary of the unsetting light for our country, God-blessed, having valiantly endured disasters from the enemy (the devil), beatings and wounds became for you the clothes of incorruption, for you fought with beasts and were wounded by robbers, but you prayed for them, saying: “Do not impute them this sin," thereby becoming like the Lord Christ, worthy of glory Nikandr, our father, pray for our souls.
Kontakion to the Monk Nikander the Hermit, Wonderworker of Pskov
As I beam the solar Christ of showing you, reverend, / shine more in the lands of Russia with miracles of grace, / and drive away the darkness of passions and sorrows from those who come to you with faith. / There we honor your memory, Nicandra, our father, and we cry out: desert-dwellers beauty, / and praise and affirmation to our country.
Translation: Like the dawn of the sun, Christ revealed you, reverend, for you shine in the Russian land of miracles and drive away the darkness of suffering from those who come to you with faith. Therefore, we honor your memory, Nicander, our father, and appeal to you: "Rejoice, beauty of the wilderness and glory and strength of our country."
In kontakion to the Monk Nikander the hermit, Pskov miracle worker
In the election of the God-radiant star of faith, / even ascension in the Rustey of the earth, blessed Father Nikander, / with tears and fasting and vigils and prayers he oppressed his body, / there you will gain Heavenly life, / and joyfully there with the angels rejoicing, let us call: // Rejoice, father reverend Nicander the desert dweller.
Translation: Chosen and manifested by God, the star of faith that shone in the Russian land, Father Blessed Nikandr, with tears and fasting, and vigils, and prayers, you burdened your body, therefore you gained Heavenly life, and joyfully triumph there with the angels, but we cry out to you: “Rejoice! Father, the Monk Nikandr, a desert dweller.
Magnification of the Monk Nikandr the Hermit, Pskov Wonderworker
We bless you, reverend Father Nikander, and honor your holy memory, mentor of the monks and companion of the angels.
Prayer to the Monk Nikandr the Hermit, Pskov Wonderworker
Oh, Reverend and dostoblazhenne Our Father Nicandro, postniche terpelivodushny, silence rachitelyu predobly, teacher to save at-wise, nakazatelyu lazy pretihy, resolver pernicious passions gentle, husband desires prozorlivstva prorocheskago execution, predvozglasnaya future benefits harp, Adamant faith in Christ nesekomy, unshakable patience pillar, the commandments of the Creator of your perfecter blagoposlushlivy, plotonosny angels and the Holy Spirit receptacle sweet, desert dwellers and demons progonitelyu, the executor of all virtues humility, Heavenly cheloveche and cohabitant the heavenly chinonachaliem, meekness of spirit land meek nasledovavy, friend of Christ and ugodniche the Holy Virgin, which is shed and cancer deign to glorify your whole-bearing relics in Your temple; Falling down with love, we pray thee, venerable one: do not stop praying to the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, send down peace and prosperity to our country, victory and overcoming on the enemies, and from the calumny of the enemy army to be preserved in the world, Tselyushin give an abundance of good things. And quench, blessed, with your prayers, the kindled demonic arrows hovering at us, so that sinful malice does not touch us. And, bestowing everything mercifully on everyone, look upon me, a humble servant: for I am bound by fierce captives of sins and draw me, alas! into the abyss of the passionate sea uncontrollably. For this sake, I diligently pray to your sanctuary, become rich, and fall down to the race of your relics with tears: appear to me on the path of this miserable life, break the bonds, cast off the passions, weaken from sinful faiths, deliver me from the present, from all evil Painful bonds and the salvation of the soul, beseech me that I may sing and glorify in the Trinity the glorious One God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
Canons and Akathists
Akathist to the Holy Monk Nikander, Wonderworker of Pskov
Kondak 1
Chosen from the Head and Finisher of the faith, the Lord Jesus, given in the image of following the Orthodox Church to the estate, valiant ascetic and miracle worker, reverend Father Nikandra! Praiseworthy with thanksgiving, we offer you your prayer books: for with your warm intercession with the King of Heaven, you are all useful and saving intercession for us. As if having boldness to the Throne of Grace, free us from all misfortunes, let us call you:
Ikos 1
Surrounded by nine angelic powers of glory, the Lord, having foreseen the unswerving heart of your desire, as if you want to be a submissive disciple and a meticulous performer of His commandments, I will inspire you, as the prophetess Anna of old, to run to the temple of the Lord, and learn there the beginning of wisdom, which is the fear of the Lord: the same and teach us to sing to you with wonder:
Rejoice, pious root good vegetation.
Rejoice, wonderful fruiting of all Christian virtues.
Rejoice, child, at the font of renewal, consecrating yourself to the Lord for faithful service.
Rejoice, anointed one, spiritually armed from above.
Rejoice, those from youth to your body, to this world and the devil to yourself hostile.
Rejoice, thou who didst perceive thy mind to the light of the knowledge of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst seek the Lord everywhere with thy eyes, and set intention in him.
Rejoice, your hearing on the perception of the words of God, in which faith is reborn, converting.
Rejoice, open your mouth for the praise of God and psalmody, for the edification of your sincere in the spiritually beneficial.
Rejoice, arrange your hands for the creation of good deeds to those who demand.
Rejoice, guide your feet along the path of the Lord's justifications.
Rejoice, direct all your spiritual and bodily feelings to please the Giver of all blessings.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 2
Seeing the Monk Nicander with his spiritual eyes, as if there is all sorts of vanity in this world, and as if the essence of the strvasti of the present age, which has the glory to appear in heaven, is unworthy, he pandered, denied himself, the world and even in it, to instruct the Monk Euphrosynus and Savva, in a narrow and sorrowful way to the heavenly Jerusalem, having reached it now, standing before the Throne of the Lamb, worthily rejoices with them and with all the elect, singing to the Almighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having understood the Lord, having drunk thee, reverend, with a verbal and unflattering milk of piety, vouchsafe you to succeed in a husband, to the extent of your age, perfect, growing to salvation, and taste that the Lord is good: coming to Neman, he himself, like a stone, is alively built in a spiritual temple, in hierarchship is holy, offer up spiritual sacrifices favorable to God; and prosper in this. Having retired from your house, thou art afar off to thyself a god-fearing husband, get used to him, even if the essence is necessary: take away the Scriptures, in which there is an eternal life, and teach us to invite you such:
Rejoice, young man, all children's games, like an inclination to evil, contemptible.
Rejoice, with wisdom from above, and not from earth, like precious beads, beaming.
Rejoice, thou who didst adorn thy face and heart.
Rejoice, loving the Lord with all your soul and all your strength.
Rejoice, not just the Sabbath day, but all the days of the life of the Lord God is holy.
Rejoice, thou who didst not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Rejoice, honoring your parents with love, obedience and retribution.
Rejoice, thy neighbor, as thou hast loved thyself.
Rejoice, teaching of your youth in chastity.
Rejoice, as a pure virgin, betrothed to Christ the Bridegroom.
Rejoice, having created in the law by the grace of God, and in perfection of this, one more time finished.
Rejoice, selling all your possessions, and let you inherit eternal life, distributing to the poor.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 3
The power of the divine gospel word: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” like a sharp sword, I will penetrate yours, most blessed, zealous heart, being with reverence in the holy temple: you were so full of his actions, like nothing I stumble, moreover, the way to show you, by the will of God, husband Theodore, your simple spirit, like a dove in an impenetrable wilderness, you have set up a dwelling, and there you have erected a certain dwelling, you yourself presented the village to God Most High, singing to Him in the ascetic labors of prayer and fasting always: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the foundation of your God-pleasing life, our blessed father, humility, meekness and lack of vanity, but your father, seeing in secret, will reward you with reality, imagined that there was a deserted place to be the secret of your virtue. But as if saying: “There is no voice that will not be heard”; tacos and holy living yours will be famous in the surrounding countries. And let not some dirty trick of the flesh, the angel of satan, hinder your procession, and let it not tempt you to boast about this: for this reason, leaving your place of residence, God foresaw the best of you, flowed to the monastery of St. John the Theologian, and with a frank voice before the church and uttered sacred vows with angels, far away thou art in monastic service. At the same time, we sing of you like this:
Rejoice, warrior, not two masters to work, but one dot, Living in Heaven, voluptuous.
Rejoice, all commanded through the rulers appointed from Him with joy, and not with sighing, creating.
Rejoice, bearing patiently and the greatest bitterness.
Rejoice, thy flesh that fights against the spirit, mortifying through prayer and severe fasting.
Rejoice, thou who didst spend the night alone in contemplation of God and in tears.
Rejoice, exposing your body to the mortification of passions, to be eaten by flying animals.
Rejoice, stained with the blood of martyrdom as evidence of the immutable faith.
Rejoice, after the crucifixion of the old Adam, new, Who is Christ, revived in reverence and truth.
Rejoice, baptized into Christ.
Rejoice, clothed in all His splendors.
Rejoice, you eat the bread of the angels in the courtyards of the Highest Zion.
Rejoice, strengthen yourself with the word of God for many different works.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 4
A storm of confusion, raised by the winds of many different thoughts about your reverend life, who are with you in communion, shakes the ship of your humility. But you, the zealous humility, more and more filled with it, come again into the wilderness, after the decree, the voice of the Invisible from the altar proceed, but there on the greatest deeds, girded with strength from above, turn, trampling on the power of the Cross all the opposing intrigues, and tacos the victorious crown , be worthy to receive on your head from the hand of the Lord, always conquerors of the Creator of us, singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Exist in the place, great ascetic, even if your dwelling was arranged, to God acting like this, you performed your course in warm prayers, in undoubted hope, as every verb will not be exhausted from God, and in love, from nothing, neither by wounds, nor by banning, you could not be distracted by famine or any other need: both the devil, like a lion, looking for someone to devour, learn the inhuman robbers, to betray you to destruction, but nothing is possible. More glorious is your inexpressible patience: when from an ulcer with a spear in the ribs you were all stained with blood, then you cried out in your souls, like Stephen: “Father, let them go!” We see your strong complacency, with surprise we cry out like this:
Rejoice, sufferer, dedicating the pleasing God to yourself as a sacrifice.
Rejoice, not afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.
Rejoice, unshakable stone, from worthlessness all the raging waves are crushed.
Rejoice, for faith, love, humility and gentleness are in you.
Rejoice, man of sorrows, rejoice with Saint Paul in your sufferings.
Rejoice, receive joy, gladness and much reward in heaven.
Rejoice, with your blood, as if with a voice crying out to heaven, striking with blinding eyes and drowning.
Rejoice, you who turned the path of true repentance with the blood of the ovs.
Rejoice, for those who come to you are not formidable and revealing local eyes.
Rejoice, as the compassionate father of depraved children is not insulting.
Rejoice, O martyr and martyr with the outpouring of thy blood.
Rejoice, not just all those who come to you in faith, but also a warm prayer book for your enemies.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 5
The divine star, borrowing its light from the true sun of truth, the Lord Jesus, appeared to us, God-blessed Nikandra, in the gloomy night of this long-suffering life, sleeping and deluding, show us the first time of rising from sinful sleep: even in a plausible way with your word, life, love , in spirit, faith, purity, meekness and patience, leading along the path of salvation to the mountainous Heavenly Fatherland all who resort to you and cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the Orthodox Church, the pious child, and even more so around, your zealous life according to the commandment of the Lord, and the grace of the Holy Spirit dwelling in your heart, having managed to save you, you taught those who listened to your fatherly punishment, and with it you healed not only mental ailments, but also bodily , I flow to you with faith, not returning vain, but like clouds in the heavens full of moisture, irrigating the fields of my hearts, returning the good fruits of faith and crying like this:
Rejoice, source, in the midst of waterless places exude the sweet waters of useful teachings.
Rejoice, kind mentor in the hope of those who demand assurances of God's mercy.
Rejoice, blessed-leaved tree, calming with coolness and consolation in this vale of wanderers.
Rejoice, perfect fruits of it, saturating those who are hungry for the truth of Christ.
Rejoice, world-maker, containing healing for all ailments.
Rejoice, onaya, like a merciful doctor, give freely to the ailing.
Rejoice, storehouse of great mercy and the mourners of the soon-present compassion.
Rejoice, righteous judgment of the innocent and condemned.
Rejoice, thou who hast cared for spiritual poverty and has instilled within you the Kingdom of God.
Rejoice, unremittingly diligent in the purity of soul and body, and see God in the same way.
Rejoice, lampstand, kindled with the oil of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, ascended to a high place of heavenly glory.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 6
Silent deserts, monasteries, cities and towns preach your passionless life, even if you acquired it, God-wise, first killing your flesh with vigil, fasting, standing at prayers, lower lying down on your ribs, just bowing your head and a little drowsiness. Against the devil's obsessions and his hordes, sometimes into riders on horseback, with tympanums and cries, sometimes into fierce wolves and wild beasts transformed, you armed yourself: with the defeat of the rod, with the power of the Cross, and this, like the great Constantine, defeated you. Boasting about Nemzha, like an invincible weapon, sing to Him crucified on Him always: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou hast shone forth to the kingdom of the Orthodox-Russian under the years of the great lamp, placed not under a bushel, but on a candlestick, filled with barely pure faith, hope and love for the Creator, more than Christian patience, kindness and wonderful abstinence from brushes, but reveal to all the love of those who honor you for man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In the same way, we, covering the fall of sin with you, hungry and thirsty in spirit, looking at you, joyfully invite you tacos:
Rejoice, chosen warrior of Christ our God. Be faithful to Him even unto death.
Rejoice, bravely victorious in the battles of the life of invisible enemies.
Rejoice, in your service, like a fast flower, not returning back.
Rejoice, the seed of the word of God is not in the heart of stone, but in the heart of the flesh is received.
Rejoice, grower of good fruits, with them the world appeared.
Rejoice, for by those the world glorifies the Father, Who is in Heaven.
Rejoice, placing your hope both in life and in death on the One Lord.
Rejoice, conqueror of all that opposes you.
Rejoice, with it, like an invincible shield, protecting yourself.
Rejoice, for thy love is inseparable for the Bridegroom of Christ, who did not know.
Rejoice, that of all the blessings, having acquired them with your blood, enjoy forever.
Rejoice, as if by sitting Christ at the right hand of God and by His intercession you cried out in your heart: “Abba Father!”
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 7
I would like some God-fearing husband Simeon to come to bow to you and be filled with your sweet teachings, in the image I could strengthen my soul, and I improved it. But you, far-sighted, predicted his imminent death and prepared him for a peaceful departure from this deplorable vale to eternal endless life: for the sake of accepting a monastic image, direct your soul to grief, and having lived well, died and settled in the blessed bowels of Abraham; Why are you glorifying God, sing thanksgiving: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Reveal the new prophet to you, the wonderful in the high Lord, sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit to everyone, giving you the power of clairvoyance: noble for a certain husband Peter, who has matured in his days with his wife and childless, miraculously brought to you, you predicted, as if he had a son to be born to him, and as if in the place of your silence the temple of the Most Holy Mother of God will be erected, and this place will spread and be glorified, and it will come true, marveling at you, crying out to you:
Rejoice, husband of prophecies, crowned with the fulfillment of the deed.
Rejoice, contemplate the future, like the present, by the grace of God.
Rejoice, blessed trumpet, by which the hearts of the earthly ones are lifted up.
Rejoice, spiritual tablet, on which the essence of the prediction is not false.
Rejoice, teacher and founder of the desert dwelling monks.
Rejoice, with the prayers of your abode wonderful distributor.
Rejoice, richly fulfilling the monastic impoverishment and miraculously protecting from predators.
Rejoice, instruct the good flock of you gathered for salvation.
Rejoice, specious image of spiritual poverty.
Rejoice, the whole world of this red, as if quickly disappearing, for the sake of God, contemptible.
Rejoice, turning and saving many people from the path of sin to the Lord.
Rejoice, fulfilling spiritual consolations who call upon you.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 8
A strange vision and hearing that does not captivate the mind in obedience to faith and does not repent of the truth is this, as if through a dream vision, with the outstretched hand of yours, sometimes through a verb friendly, sometimes through various signs, weakened, aching, ailing, give perfect healing: we, by faith captivate, as if everything is possible for God, and “believe in me, deeds,” as Christ said, “even though I create, he will do more than these,” we glorify the Wonderworking God in you. To you, confessing to be worthy of omnipotence, His instrument of being, we loudly cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All being devoted to God: by reason - as if to think about Him, by will - as if to do what is pleasing to Him, by memory - bringing to oneself the incomprehensible things that bear Him, everything that observes and everything that leads, you presented to Him and your body, having exhausted and cleansed it with vigil, fasting and wonderful abstinence May you be vouchsafed to be a village of the Most High God, may you abide in Christ, and He in you. For this reason, during Holy Lent, you flowed to the Demansky monastery, and in the accomplishment of all your virtues, you enjoyed the Lord's meal, eating with reverence and joy the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We, looking at you, graciously cry out to you:
Rejoice, true disciple of Christ, whose desire you wished to fulfill your will.
Rejoice, marching from faith to faith, from glory to glory.
Rejoice, enjoying the ever-flowing life-giving source of sweets.
Rejoice, tasting the indestructible, eternal brashn, foretasting heavenly bliss.
Rejoice, having been honored with an incomprehensible mystery, on which the angels desire to lean down, being a companion.
Rejoice, through this connection you were called with Christ in the Kingdom of Glory to live.
Rejoice, human being filled with the thought of God and contemptible of all earthly things.
Rejoice, in disgust of the hedgehog not to see the vanity, covering your head and face with a schema.
Rejoice, about the time of your death, a hedgehog from a man no one knows, foreshadowing.
Rejoice, for by some ailment we have folded our hand crosswise to the Persian.
Rejoice, betraying your spirit with gladness in the hand of the Lord.
Rejoice, earthly life with a divine voice: “Blessed be God, good-willed, glory to Thee,” imprinting.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 9
Every human and angelic nature is worthy of marveling at the great feat from your country and your wonderful gift from above: so much more did you enslave the flesh of the spirit, as if you showed an immaterial, equal-angelic life on earth, and living in the spirit, and walking in the spirit, and in the flesh like a fleshless one appeared be. Therefore, for the sake of many miracles of creation, from the Lord, with a pure and God-pleasing soul, the grace of that, to the chosen ones, you are counted among the heavenly forces in the never-ending Kingdom, where you sing to the Almighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Vitiy of the many-talked tongue will not understand you, worthy of all glory, glorious reverend Father Nikandra, according to your property, praise and glorify your more natural deeds, even if you did on earth in the flesh of your being. But even after your death in eternal kingdom Glory, even now, through labors and labors, you sweetly rest, you do not cease to work many and glorious miracles: an honest bark, where your holy relics rest, is like Siloam, from chromia, blindness, sickness and relaxation improve health. We, having such a priceless treasure, convince us with gratitude, we sing like this:
Rejoice, earthly angel and heavenly man.
Rejoice, spiritually alive in the flesh, in peace in the world.
Rejoice, honorable wear and praise of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, consecrating the three parts of your soul to the One Lord.
Rejoice, wings of the mind close to the Tri-Sun Light.
Rejoice, thou who didst thy will to sanctify thyself, as holy is the Lord our God.
Rejoice, having care not only for yourself, but also achieve bliss for everyone.
Rejoice, filled with the peace and love of God, you were peace-loving and brotherly-loving towards all.
Rejoice, overshadowed by the spirit of grace, and make wiser those who flow to you for salvation.
Rejoice, comforting those who came to repentance with the mercy of God.
Rejoice, before the face of God, as a servant before the Lord, walking.
Rejoice, ascetic, so flowing, as if you have reached your crown, and also improve us.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 10
Salvation, although to improve your soul, reverend, from your youth, even to death, you walked along the narrow and sorrowful path, take up the cross on the frame, knowing that there is a wide and spacious path leading to destruction. Even more so if thorns, and impassable places, and evil adventures stumble to you: both, before you, the faithful Leader and Defender Jesus, reached you into the courts of heaven, where joys are inexpressible, even if the eye does not see, and the ear does not hear, and in the heart of man it is not breathing, enjoying, cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art an invincible wall to all earthly people who flow to your soon intercession and intercession, blessed Father Nikandra! The same for us to your holy relics, guarded by invisible angels, coming with faith, and merciful to anyone who asks for help, be a strong wall and an indestructible stronghold, veiling and protecting us from all troubles, for a hedgehog we cry out to you like this:
Rejoice, quick intercessor, accept our petitions and offer the goodness of God on the altar.
Rejoice, every time you fulfill petitions in their favor.
Rejoice, quick hearing of the poor.
Rejoice, compassionate judge of widows and father of orphans.
Rejoice, innocent and zealous defender of the embittered.
Rejoice, unmercenary healer of those who suffer in soul and body.
Rejoice, food and joy for the hungry and thirsty.
Rejoice, warming in the scum of existence.
Rejoice, serene haven of the overwhelmed.
Rejoice, good helmsman, steer the life of this ship.
Rejoice, richly fulfilling the impoverishment of your monastery.
Rejoice, holy temples and buildings consumed by fire, splendidly renewing the warming of reverent hearts.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 11
The singing of every earthly one is worthy of silence in the glorification of your labors exceeding the strength of human labor, and you have labored well in the wilderness, cultivating the field of your heart to spiritual fruition. Who from man will magnify your harsh life, who will glorify your courageous deeds, perfect silence, humility, gentleness, spiritual poverty, many days of fasting, unceasing prayer, purity according to the inner and outer man, for the lower you were honored with all without blemish following the Lamb, in reverend and righteous who have lived, sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
The radiant luminary appeared not only in the countries of Novagrad and Pskov, but also all God-saved Russia, you illuminate with the golden rays of your desert and God-pleasing life, reverend, and with abundant waters, from your wholesome relics, solder all the faithful, crying out to you like this:
Rejoice, having confessed Christ Jesus in word and deed before men.
Rejoice, as in recompense for this, thou hast been confessed from Him before the angels of God forever.
Rejoice, good worker of the grapes of Christ, bearing the burden of the day and the var.
Rejoice, bringing the fruits of your labors as a gift to the Lord.
Rejoice, anointing the nose of Jesus with the peace of your tears in faith.
Rejoice, for, where the voice of the Gospel penetrates, your name is proclaimed.
Rejoice, thou who prepared thy body for the habitation of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, and after death, act for Him in him for the benefit of people, worthy.
Rejoice, for the demonic forces tremble with your relics.
Rejoice, as your relics exude joy in the sorrows that have happened to anyone.
Rejoice, soul ascending to heaven, as Elijah Eliseev left mercy, you are your relics to us.
Rejoice, as by their strength, as if by that mercy, dividing the waters, we, kissing me, separate the waters of sorrows and march across the land to fulfill good desires.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 12
The grace given to St. Sergius, sometimes preached by the Grand Duke Demetrius with his own, when by that prayer of him and the help of two monks given to him from him, the wicked Agarians defeated there. Similarly, we preach your grace, when, covering Pskov with the wicked Bathory with his hordes, you led through your prayer the inhabitants of the country, sowing harmless in the midst of fire and sword, walking with the consecrated cathedral to bury your body: from here, drawing hope, get rid of any country that honors you from invasion of foreigners by your intercession, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing reverently your wilderness exploits, God's servant Nikandra, you have achieved immortal glory in heaven, and your eternal sleep in death, we glorify with our hearts and lips the God of all consolation and bounty, Who has given us to you, such a courageous ascetic to invisible enemies in following, and such merciful father, even after his repose you do not leave us, but you always fill us with abundant miracles of water, cleanse and cool. The same funeral song, we bless your memorable life with a kind remembrance and a fervent kiss:
Rejoice, man of God, adorned with the nine beatitudes of the gospels.
Rejoice, thou who didst place on high the miraculous illumination of the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, like Onufry and Sergius the great, imitating life in the desert.
Rejoice, Alexander of Svirsky, who appeared to you purely for strengthening against the attacks of demons, following in the shrine.
Rejoice, jealousy of Moses the God-seer in contempt for temporary sweets.
Rejoice, reproach to Christ, imputing more wealth, more than all treasures, looking at the reward of heavenly joys.
Rejoice, having peace and holiness with all, even for the sake of seeing God.
Rejoice, having approached the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, according to the degree of virtues.
Rejoice, from there, through your intercession, send down to us all that is good, temporal and eternal.
Rejoice, conqueror of visible and invisible enemies, created as a pillar in the Church, on which the name of God is written.
Rejoice, dead world and God is alive, give life to the dead soul.
Rejoice, living forever in the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ, with Him and pray for us to be.
Rejoice, most blessed Nicandra, our reverend father.
Kondak 13
Oh, most blessed, reverend, great wonderworker Nikandre, most merciful in our days to our patron and father! Accept this present from your heart, the prayer that is befitting you, and ask the Heavenly King with your shameless intercession: Christ God, the suffering country of Russia, from the fierce atheists and their power, may he free, and may he raise the throne of Orthodox rulers; His faithful servants, in sorrow and sorrow crying out to Him day and night, let the many-sick cry be heard and let our stomach be destroyed from destruction, from enemies visible and invisible, from all troubles, misfortunes and sorrows, and proceed to all who zealously call on you, etc. the time of life in peace and true repentance, having died, in the Kingdom of Heaven with you sing forever: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1st and kontakion 1st
