Venerable Sergius Radonezh

Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (born Bartholomew) was born on May 3, 1314, in the village of Varnitsy near Rostov, to the pious boyars Cyril and Maria, who later themselves took monastic vows. As a boy he struggled to learn to read until, tradition says, a mysterious schema-monk elder granted him understanding. After his family moved to Radonezh and his parents died, Bartholomew withdrew with his brother Stephen into the forest wilderness, where around 1337–1342 he was tonsured with the name Sergius and began a hermit's life, at one point sharing his shelter with a wild bear. Disciples gathered around him, forming the Trinity Monastery, where Sergius introduced the cenobitic (communal) rule. Renowned for profound humility, he refused the Metropolitan see of Moscow. He reconciled warring princes, strengthening Russian unity around Moscow, and in 1380 blessed Grand Prince Dmitri Donskoi before the Battle of Kulikovo, sending with him the schema-monks Alexander Peresvet and Rodion Oslyabya. He was granted a vision of the Mother of God with the Apostles Peter and John. He reposed on September 25, 1392. The Church commemorates him on September 25 (October 8, New Style) — his repose — and July 5 (July 18) — the uncovering of his relics in 1422. He was glorified for all Russia in 1447–1452.