Память святого Игнатия, епископа Ростовского

Saint Ignatius was born from pious parents and was raised by them in all Christian virtues. Convinced of the vanity of this world, he renounced the world and took monastic vows. Since he led a very virtuous life, he was initially appointed archimandrite, and then bishop of the city of Rostov in 3505. Having taken the Rostov diocese under his care, he tended his flock with great attention. Having remained in the priesthood for twenty-six years, he reposed in the Lord in the 6796th year from the creation of the world, the birth of God the Word in the flesh in the year 1288, on the 28th day of the month of May, on Friday, after Vespers 3506. Having learned about the death of the saint, the entire city of Rostov gathered to his body; everyone wept and sobbed bitterly, regretting the death of the common shepherd and teacher of all, a helper and intercessor in troubles and sorrows, an intercessor for widows and orphans, a nourisher of the poor and needy, a mentor and teacher of the priestly and monastic order and an adviser to princes and nobles. Having taken the honorable body of Saint Ignatius, everyone carried it into the church, but due to the multitude of people who had gathered in it, they could not bring it inside the church, but placed it in front of the church; After this, funeral chants began to be sung. At this time, two pious nuns passed by the church, one of them was called Theodosia; she was the wife of Protodeacon St. Paul, but immediately, upon entering into legal marriage, they devoted themselves to a virgin and pure life. All their lives they labored in fasting and prayer. Many could testify to the purity of their lives. When blessed Paul departed to the Lord, his wife took monastic vows. Having learned about the death of Saint Ignatius, she came to venerate his relics; Along with her came another nun named Ksenia, who led an equally virtuous and godly life. These two nuns and some other pious people who were honored with the revelation of the Divine saw such a miracle: when the honorable relics of Saint Ignatius were carried to the church, the saint of God rose from the tomb in his bishop's vestments, walked through the air and stood high in the air above the church; then he blessed all the people and the whole city; then he entered a cave dug in the ground near the altar, where a coffin was prepared for him. God revealed this to those monks, as well as to some other pious people, to glorify His saint and to show everyone his holiness; By this the Lord showed people that Saint Ignatius had earned mercy from the Lord and was granted the same share with the saints. Around the same time, another miracle happened: a certain Archimandrite Stefan had one finger bent to his palm from the day of his birth; when he touched the honest body of Saint Ignatius, his crooked finger immediately straightened out and became healthy, like his other fingers. Then the venerable body of Saint Ignatius was brought into the church. On the morning of the next day, everyone gathered again at the relics of the saint of God in order to perform the usual service and sing funeral hymns. When they laid the body of the saint of God in the tomb and gave him scrolls in his hand, in which were written the names of all those whom Saint Ignatius had ordained to the rank of presbyterate and deacon, the saint of God, as if alive, stretched out his hand and accepted the scrolls. Everyone who saw this miracle was filled with great fear and joy and glorified God. Through the prayers of this saint of God, Saint Ignatius, may we also be worthy to be, together with him, participants in the eternal blessings prepared for Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom glory is given forever. Amen. Pious faith was enlightened by the teachings of holiness and received the flock, and having become an apostle, you received the gift of miracles from God to the saint, Father Ignatius. Pray to Christ God to save our souls. Today your blessed memory appears to the blessed saint Ignatius, shining brightly in the world and showing the Divine radiance to everyone. Saint Ignatius was ordained bishop on September 19, 1262. There is news that Saint Ignatius in 1269 founded a monastery at the mouth of the Sheksna River, on the shores of White Lake in the name of the Holy Trinity. The monks of this monastery worked hard to convert the Chuds and Korels to Christianity. In 1274, Saint Ignatius was present at the local Vladimir council. Twice the saint had to undertake an arduous journey to the horde to intercede for his diocese. Saint Ignatius is known as the conciliator of princes Demetrius and Konstantin Borisovich. In memory of reconciliation, they founded the Boris and Gleb Church in Rostov. Saint Ignatius died in 1288. His venerable relics still rest in the Rostov Assumption Cathedral. You might be interested in: