The Holy Church celebrates the day of the uncovering of the precious relics of Venerable Sergius, the hegumen of Radonezh.

Venerable Sergius has projected holiness of his life via simplicity and humility, wisdom and courage; he was Russia personified.

Venerable Sergius taught not only with the word but his life as well. No written account of his teachings has preserved except for the last address to his brethren. Venerable Epiphanius the Wise, the author of the first Life of the wonderworking saint, wrote down the saint’s spiritual will for us. It begins with the words filled with deep spiritual meaning: “Brethren, be attentive to yourselves!” In response to our aspiration to improve ourselves, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit capable of changing us and, through this, the whole world around us.

By acquiring the Holy Spirit and through his personal spiritual growth, the Wonderworker of Radonezh has changed the world around him and became the illustrious historical figure. With holiness, rather than the superficial gifts or power, he unified the fragmented Russian princedoms. With heart enlightened by the Divine grace, Venerable Sergius perceived that Prince Dmitry Donskoy would be the military leader capable of crushing the enemy. By unifying the divided Russian lands with his quiet voice and fervent prayer, the God-pleasing saint pre-determined the outcome of the Battle of Kulikovo as it became the turning point in the liberation of our country.

The Sergiyevsky skete of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery celebrated the patronal feast today. The Lesser Vespers service with the akathist, Vigil, the prayer service to the Most Holy Mother of God with water blessing and the Divine Liturgy were held at St. Sergius of Radonezh Church, the main church of the skete. Following the services, the clergymen and the sisters of the monastery went in a procession around the church.

On her Name Day, Hegumenia Sergiya, the abbess of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery, prayed at the Vigil and the Divine Liturgy services at the Sergiyevsky skete.