Agapit the Unmercenary Doctor is a monk of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the first doctor of Kievan Rus. He lived in the 11th century in Kyiv and became famous far beyond the Pechersk Monastery for his wondrous power, with the help of which he treated sick people. He was called “Healer from God.” Now his incorruptible relics rest in the nearby caves of the Lavra, in the underground Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary and are revered by the people as healing and miraculous. For a thousand years now people have been coming and going to them, and this flow of people does not stop. People not only of the Orthodox faith, but also of other religious faiths, and even those who consider themselves atheists, come to Agapit. People of different nationalities come to him. After all, Agapit of Pechersk was always filled with love for all those in need. And even his relics continue to radiate incredible healing power to this day. Its effect is felt by many when they are close to the relics. So what is the secret of such an attraction of the Saint, such an amazing effect on people? What is the strength of Agapit of Pechersk?

The deeply revered personality of Agapit of Pechersk is shrouded in a lot of secrets. A lot of valuable information about the extraordinary Personality of Agapit of Pechersk and the secret of his great spiritual power, about the amazing week starting on February 25 and the manifestation of the unique properties of the relics of Agapit of Pechersk, is revealed in volume II of the book “Sensei”, by the popular contemporary writer Anastasia Novykh. This knowledge not only amazes with its depth and power of presentation, but also makes you think about how many unexplored secrets the world around us contains.


Not only residents of the CIS countries, but also throughout Europe know about the famous Kiev monastery of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. A huge number of legends and traditions are associated with this place. Here, over the years, the destinies of famous cultural figures and historical figures intertwine. Agapit of Pechersk, Nestor the Chronicler, Ilya Muromets, Vladimir Monomakh and many other people are one way or another connected with the life of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Believers and idle tourists from all over the world still come here to venerate the relics of the saints.


There are, perhaps, nowhere else in the world so many saints gathered in one place. Moreover, most of them are imperishable relics. Scientists, starting from the 17th century, have tried to explain this phenomenon, and in general to understand what the power of the relics actually is. In our time, they came up with everything in search of a clue: they irradiated wheat grains with radiation, contaminated the water with microbes... But after the “therapy” with relics, not a trace of radiation remained on the wheat, and the microbes mysteriously disappeared from the water.

In 1988, a group of students from the Kyiv Medical Institute conducted hygienic and microbiological research at the Lavra. They took air samples in the cave and directly in the sarcophagi where the relics of the saints are located. So, in the sarcophagi the number of microbes was 6-7 times less than in the caves, and there were no pathogenic bacteria at all. Although sarcophagi are not airtight, and logically, the air parameters of the caves and the sarcophagus should not have differed.

Having examined the relics of 54 saints, scientists came to the conclusion that during their lifetime they were too exhausted by fasting and hard work. Some were diagnosed with musculoskeletal diseases. For example, Saint Agapit limped due to a deformation of his right foot.

On the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, in the gallery of the Museum of History, among the cast busts of saints, there is a bust of St. Agapit of Pechersk, a free doctor, known for many miracles of healing seriously ill patients. The author of these unique works is a scientist, a modern forensic expert from Moscow, Sergei Alekseevich Nikitin - a man who, almost a thousand years after the death of the saints, managed, thanks to the scientific method of anthropological reconstruction of Mikhail Gerasimov, to recreate their true appearance. And now we can see these Saints as they were during their lifetime.

Along with Sergei Nikitin, many other scientists worked on the relics, conducting their own unique research. The results are simply amazing. Research has shown that near the relics of Agapit, living plants accelerate their growth, become strong and healthy. Water changes its structure, acquiring healing properties. As it turned out, the radioactive background near the relics was low. They have a strong bactericidal effect on the air. It is believed that the cause of these inexplicable phenomena near the relics is an unexplored energy, the nature of which has not yet been explained to scientists, as well as its mysterious cyclicity, since on certain days the mysterious field near Agapit of Pechersk intensifies many times over. The image and spiritual feat of Agapit of Pechersk has continued to inspire new generations of people for a thousand years.

Each saint, in secular terms, has his own specialization. Most of all, according to Father George, people go to Agapit (who healed Vladimir Monomakh from a fatal illness), Nestor the Chronicler - especially students during the session, the holy chronicler is considered the patron of sciences. More and more people come to John the Child - they pray if God has not given children, and they ask St. Erasmus to save them from depression.


Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' also visited the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych They prayed in the cell of the founder of the monastery, St. Anthony of Pechersk, and venerated the venerable relics of the Kiev-Pechersk wonderworkers, St. Agapit of Pechersk, Elijah of Murom, Nestor the Chronicler and other reverend fathers. The legendary singer Alla Pugacheva, before the start of the “Christmas Meetings” concert program, visited the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, where, accompanied by Archbishop Paul, she visited the Near Caves. There, in the cave church in honor of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos at the relics of St. Agapit of Pechersk, the governor of the Lavra served a prayer service and anointed all those present.

Nowadays, when the true appearance of the Holy Physician of Kievan Rus became known, a unique painting - a portrait of Agapit of Pechersk by artist Anastasia Novykh. This portrait will also be presented at II International Photo Exhibition “Agapit of Pechersk. For unity and friendship! "


Despite the fact that the painting is a work of art, many people have already noted its unusual influence and the literally living gaze of Agapit himself. The rumor about the unique masterpiece spread far beyond the borders of Ukraine. Surprisingly, even copies of this painting in the form of photographs, postcards, calendars do not lose this extraordinary power of influence when replicated multiple times. Obviously, along with the image, “something” hidden in the picture is also conveyed, which inexplicably manifests amazing phenomena. Thus, many people note that the expression on Agapit’s face in the photographs of Anastasia Novykh’s painting changes in an incomprehensible way, as if it predetermines events, the disposition of a person unknown to you, and gives a hint for solving a complex life issue. Agapit's gaze definitely penetrates into the most hidden corners of the soul. Some say that he is shrill and strict. Others claim that Agapit’s gaze is warm, kind, and affectionate. But everyone agrees that the Saint’s gaze is truly alive!

Many people who have a photograph of Agapit Pechersky’s painting note that their lives begin to change in their internal content. A living portrait of Agapit of Pechersk miraculously helps them navigate life situations, cope with difficulties, and get answers to hidden questions. Even in this unusual way, Agapit selflessly helps people, inspires them, and gives them a rare opportunity to listen to themselves. Obviously, everything connected with the extraordinary Saint Agapit of Pechersk has enormous spiritual power, filled with the great mystery of creation.

A detailed description from several sources: “Agapit Pechersk prayer helps with what” - in our non-profit weekly religious magazine.

Memory: June 1 / June 14, September 28 / October 11 (Cathedral of the Reverend Fathers of the Kiev Pechersk, resting in the Near Caves)

Agapit of Pechersk is a humble ascetic and a skilled herbalist. He healed Vladimir Monomakh from a serious illness, miraculously avoided poisoning from an envious Armenian doctor, who later, seeing the holiness of Agapit, repented and became a monk. One of the heavenly patrons of pious doctors. People turn to St. Agapit with prayer in illness and sorrow.

Troparion to St. Agapit of Pechersk, tone 5

Jealous of the God-bearing Anthony's humility, like some kind of healing potion, you healed the sick, Reverend Agapit, thus convincing the doctor that he was unfaithful, you guided him on the path of salvation. Heal our illnesses too and pray to the Lord for those who sing your praises.

Second troparion to St. Agapit of Pechersk, tone 2

You rejoiced in the great faith of correction, in the cave seclusion, as if on the water of repose, the Reverend Father Agapit, who are ignited by the fire of Divine love, by vigil and prayer you achieved dispassion and you appeared equal to the angels on earth. Through his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion to St. Agapit of Pechersk, tone 6

This doctor is remarkable, wonderful, revealing your undoubted faith, denouncing the Armenian unbelief and leading him to piety. When you were near death, you asked God for the continuation of your life and, having thus miraculously assured him, you brought him to Christ, standing before Him in joy, praying about us, reverend.

Greatness to Saint Agapit of Pechersk

We bless you, Reverend Father Agapit, and honor your holy memory, teacher of monks and interlocutor of angels.

First prayer to St. Agapit of Pechersk, free doctor

Oh, all-blessed Agapit, earthly angel and heavenly man! We fall to you with faith and love and pray to you diligently: show us, humble and sinners, your holy intercession; for it is not a sin for our sake, the imams of the freedom of the children of God to ask our Lord and Master for our needs, but to you, a favorable prayer book, we offer to Him and ask you with zeal for many: ask us from His goodness for beneficial gifts for our souls and bodies: the right faith, love for everyone is unfeigned, in those suffering - patience, those obsessed with serious illnesses - healing from ailments, under the burden of sorrows and misfortunes that are unbearable, those who fall and despair of their lives will receive quick relief and deliverance through your prayers. Do not forget, blessed father, your holy monastery, which always honors you, and keep it and all who live and strive in it and come to worship there, unharmed from the temptations of the devil and all evil. When our departure from this temporary life and migration to eternity arrives, do not deprive us of your heavenly help, but with your prayers bring us all into the haven of salvation and reveal us to be the all-bright Kingdom of Christ, so that we sing and glorify the ineffable bounties of the Lover of Mankind, God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and yours, together with the Venerables Anthony and Theodosius, is a fatherly intercession forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer to St. Agapit of Pechersk, free doctor

Reverend Father Agapit! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are a mountain in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we will run to you and cry: teach us to walk in your way, enlighten and guide us. Your entire holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Don’t stop, servant of God, crying out to the Lord for us. By your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy. Do not disgrace us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, having performed your miracles and beneficent mercies, confess you to be their patron and intercessor. Show your ancient mercies, which you helped your father to, do not reject us, their children, who are marching towards you in their footsteps. Standing before your most honorable icon, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them up on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help in our needs. Strengthen us, the faint-hearted, and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! Help all of us who flow to you with faith through your intercession to the Lord and guide us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and move with hope into the blessed bosom of Abraham, where you now joyfully rest, glorifying God with all the saints, glorified in the Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to St. Agapit of Pechersk:

  • Prayer to Saint Agapit of Pechersk. Agapit of Pechersk is a humble ascetic and a skilled herbalist. He healed Vladimir Monomakh from a serious illness, miraculously avoided poisoning from an envious Armenian doctor, who later, seeing the holiness of Agapit, repented and became a monk. One of the heavenly patrons of pious doctors. People turn to St. Agapit with prayer in illness and sorrow.

Akathist to St. Agapit of Pechersk:

Canon to St. Agapit of Pechersk:

Hagiographic and scientific-historical literature about St. Agapit of Pechersk:

  • Venerable Agapit of Pechersk, free doctor– Pravoslavie.Ru
Read other prayers in the "Orthodox Prayer Book" section

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Saint Agapit of Pechersk: life and prayers

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In everyone's life, sooner or later situations happen when a person, even one who does not believe in miracles, goes to church and worships the saints, hoping for a miracle. On the one hand, this may indicate strengthening of faith. On the other hand, everyone must understand that without faith there is no miracle. Speaking about saints, it should be noted that in the Orthodox world there is a fairly large number of saints, before whom believers bow and pray with requests. One of the most revered is Saint Agapit of Pechersk.

Brief life of the saint

The Monk Agapit of Pechersk is from Kyiv. Lived in the 11th century. The monk was from Lyubech, which is located near Chernigov. He was tonsured to St. Mount Athos. When he came to Kyiv, for settlement he chose one of the caves in the wooded mountains, which was located next to the Dnieper River. His ascetic life brought together quite a large number of people who wanted to live under his leadership and lead a monastic life. This was the beginning of the creation of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery.

Agapit of Kiev-Pechersk wanted to receive healing of the soul through tonsure into the Ionic rank. After he achieved what he wanted, he served very zealously. He followed the angelic life of St. Anthony. Agapit was guided by his instructions. It so happened that the monk witnessed how Anthony healed the sick with his prayer. Moreover, he hid his talent by giving medicinal herbs from his food.

Watching what was happening, Agapit began to compete in feats. When one of the brethren fell ill, he left his cell and went to serve the sick person. He put him to bed, carried him in his arms for walks and prayed for his healing. His prayer healed more than one person. Word of the healings quickly spread throughout Kyiv and sick people from all over the city began to come to him so that he could heal them.

At the same time, an Armenian doctor lived in Kyiv. He had a different gift. When he looked at a sick person, he could instantly tell not only how serious the illness was, but also accurately name the date of death. When he saw a seriously ill person and knew that his death would soon come, he refused to treat him. One day, Prince Vsevolod fell ill with a mortal illness. The Armenian plunged him into despair and predicted his death in 8 days.

The prince was brought to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra to the Monk Agapit. The monk made a prayer for him, gave him medicinal herbs, which he himself used, and a miracle happened, the prince was healed. The Armenian did not like this act, and he ordered Agapit to be poisoned. But he failed.

When Agapit became very ill, the same Armenian doctor came to him and predicted death in three days. But the monk said that the Lord would take him to him only after three months, to which the doctor made a vow that if his prediction was not fulfilled, he would go to serve in a monastery. The Monk Agapit the Pechersk physician, without compensation, died three months later in 1095. After his death, the Armenian came to the abbot of the Pechersk Monastery and repented, after which he took monastic vows.

It should be noted that the saint is still revered today. There are a lot of secrets and various guesses associated with his personality. But most likely, all of them will probably remain unsolved. Everyone knows him as the first doctor of Kievan Rus.

Agapit of Pechersk: icon and relics

It's no secret that the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is famous throughout the CIS. All of Europe has heard stories of how many miracles happen on its territory. To this day, the Pechersk Caves with their secrets attract many parishioners who want to reveal the secrets. It is in this place that the relics of the saint are located. Also in the temple of the Pechersk Lavra there is an icon of St. Agapit. Believers from all over the world come to her to venerate the saint and pray for help.

In addition, on the territory of the monastery there is a historical museum, which contains busts and paintings of many saints. Among them you can see a bust of the healer Agapit of Pechersk.

Prayer of Agapit of Pechersk changing fate

The saint's memorial day is June 14. In the evening on the eve of this day, a religious procession is traditionally held across the territory of the Lavra. He is revered along with such healers as Panteleimon. There are many stories that confirm that miracles of healing from veneration of the relics and icon of the saint occur to this day.

They say that if you bow to the relics, you will feel an inexplicable warmth from them. It’s interesting, but the fact today is that even in the most secluded corners of the world, the miracles that took place through the prayer of Agapit of Pechersk for healing are known.

And so, what do the believers ask in prayer from the Reverend:

  • About healing from serious incurable diseases. Such, for example, as onco.
  • Healing from cholelithiasis.
  • About healing the blind,
  • Healing liver diseases and much more.

One man tells how he became infected against his will with a disease caused by a bacterium. He developed a fever, severe sweating and ulcers all over his body. He was given a terrible diagnosis that cannot be treated all over the world. After hearing this, he began to sincerely pray to the healers Luke, Panteleimon and Agapit of Pechersk. And a miracle happened, he was healed.

Arriving at the hospital for examination, the doctors froze in amazement; not a trace remained of the disease.

In addition to the prayer before the icon of the saint, an akathist is also read, which can be found in the prayer book.

The prayer to Agapit of Pechersk sounds like this:

Reverend Father Agapit! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are a mountain in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we run to you and cry: teach us to walk in your way, enlighten us and guide us. Your entire holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying to the Lord for us. By your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy. Do not disgrace us, who come to you with faith.

All Orthodox Christians, having performed your miracles and beneficent mercies, confess you to be their patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercies, and to whom you helped the Father, do not reject us, their children, who are marching towards you in their footsteps. Standing before your most honorable icon, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them up on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help in our needs.

Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! Help all of us who flow to you with faith through your intercession to the Lord, and guide us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and move with hope into the blessed bosom of Abraham, where you now rest joyfully in your labors and struggles, glorifying God with all the saints , in the Trinity glorified, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

filaretuos

The realities of our life

Friends and enemies

Saint Reverend Agapit and miracles through our prayers to him.

June 14 The Orthodox Church honors the memory of one of the great ascetics - Venerable Agapit, hegumen of Pechersk, a famous doctor from the times of Kievan Rus.

The previous evening, according to tradition, in a religious procession with the participation of the clergy of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and believers, the relics of St. Agapit were transferred from the Near Caves to the Refectory Church, where the All-Night Vigil was celebrated.

Today, the clergy and brethren of the monastery performed the gratuitous singing of the akathist and the Divine Liturgy at the shrine with the relics of the doctor. On this day, many believers bowed to Agapit of Pechersk. Those who venerated the saint in an open shrine spoke of feeling warmth from the relics, a sensation similar to touching a living person.

Today is the day of remembrance of St. Agapit of Pechersk, who is known all over the world.

We venerate St. Agapit on a par with the great martyr and healer Panteleimon and a number of other healers, to whose prayerful and gracious help we resort. Today the Monk Agapit of Pechersk is known all over the world. The abbots of many churches ask for pieces of his relics, but there were always so many requests that at one time the Spiritual Council of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra decided not to distribute them.

Today about miracles through prayers to St. Agapit and the Pechersk Fathers they know even in Alaska. Many miracles are happening these days, they cannot be counted. We are all sick, we come to the monk, we pray, we ask for healing. People don't go to an empty well. Millions of people come to the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to visit the monks.

At one time, Prince Vladimir Monomakh came to Agapit of Pechersk, whom the monk healed of a fatal illness. Which famous person of our time prayed at the saint’s shrine?

The Monk Agapit of Pechersk healed everyone who came to him, regardless of rank and position, family and nobility.

Bill Clinton visited the Lavra three times and visited the shrine of St. Agapit. I stood for a long time, was late for important meetings, but did not want to leave. He said that he received healing when he first arrived.

Other famous personalities also visited the relics of Agapit. Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Ilham Aliyev... Heads of European states. I can't remember them all. Many came.

Although today, if we talk about people known or unknown, they change so quickly that before you have time to see them, they are no longer there. Believers, no matter what positions they hold at one time or another, come to the Church. Many people talked about miracles in their lives. For example, a girl recently received her sight. Cancer patients are cured. I know cases of healing of those who had gallstone disease.

Oil illuminated in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra on the relics of St. Agapit for various diseases.

As Metropolitan Pavel of Chernobyl says, according to his diagnosis, he should no longer live. But he prayed to the venerable fathers of Pechersk, the healer Panteleimon, and Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), and remained alive. The doctors themselves are surprised, admitting that it was beyond their power to save him. Because this bacterium, which entered the Metropolitan’s body against his will, has very terrible consequences - the person dies. Temperature, sweating, abscesses... But Metropolitan Paul feel the gracious help of not only St. Agapit of Pechersk, but also Damian, Hypatius, Anthony, Theodosius and all the miracle workers of Pechersk. These are truly our intercessors and prayer books.

From the Patericon we know about many miracles that took place in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

Many miracles are happening today. Of the modern ones, the first and most important miracle is that, through the prayers of the Kiev-Pechersk fathers, the Lavra was reopened in 1988. The second miracle - the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the main cathedral church of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, was recreated.

Third. How many seriously ill people come to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra! So many. And according to the sayings of many experts, having received their dose of radiation in the years after the Chernobyl disaster, many of those people could have died. The Orthodox people have great grace from God through the prayers of the Kiev-Pechersk fathers. And many touched this grace in the laurel. Therefore, speaking of miracles, “I suppose that the world itself could not contain books that could be written” (John 21:25). In the words of the Evangelist John the Theologian.

The Lord has no dead; cases of miraculous appearances of saints in our days are associated with this.

The Pechersk Fathers - they are always with us, they have not died, they are alive, they are all here. In the hospital, the lying priests and believers saw the venerable fathers of Pechersk. This is not a hallucination. This happened, for example, with Metropolitan Pavel on the second day after the operation, which took place in February, during the tragic events on the Maidan. Here is how Metropolitan Pavel himself talks about it:"This was the second day of the experience. They told me that they were seizing the Lavra. I began to pray to the venerable fathers of Pechersk. And I saw that the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk with the holy brethren came out from the Economic Gate of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, walked around the Holy Gates and entered the lower territory, near the hospital that we want to open. And we went into the lavra... I called Father Zinon: “Don’t worry. No one will come to the lavra.”

I had surgery on February 18th. This was on the 19th or 20th of February. They call me and say: “Vladyka, they are seizing the Lavra!” I prayed, saw the religious procession of the venerable fathers of Pechersk, called the brethren and said: “The Lord and the Mother of God will not leave us.” I saw this myself. In reality."

The saints of the Kiev-Pechersk were healers. They treated, first of all, with prayer - this is an invisible fact. And the visible fact is that they gave people the herbs that they themselves ate. Because every herb has healing powers. The Lord arranged it this way. Only we have already switched over to chemicals. But if you use the herbs that grow correctly... The same loboda, a wild plant, became useful from the hands of Prokhor Lobodnik. For those who, with his blessing, took this herb during famine, it was bread; through the prayers of the righteous, the ashes became salt. And whoever took it without blessing - it was a bitter potion, unpleasant to the taste.

The Lord arranged everything wisely. It gives us the opportunity to take linden, chamomile, thyme... Today it is called homeopathy. But if these plant extracts were created with prayer, it would be completely different.

My icon of Saint Agapit.

The Lavra monks were herbalists.

They ate grass and gave it to the sick. But most of all, it was not the grass that helped, but the power of prayers. Let's remember their lives. One of the monks read without lighting candles. There was such a glow in his dungeon that he could see the letters. The hermits had enormous fortitude. Stay 30-40 years underground without going outside! They acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit. After all, it doesn’t come naturally. It is given to a person at birth. But the abundance of the grace of the Holy Spirit is difficult to acquire through fasting, prayer, and abstinence of mental and physical feelings. And the Lord rewards such warriors.

The exploits of the saints of the Kiev-Pechersk people are great. To be buried in the ground for thirty years, like St. John the Long-Suffering, in order to defeat the lustful thoughts of the enemy of fornication - not everyone can consciously do this. You know, when you read the Patericon of Kiev-Pechersk, you get goosebumps. At the dawn of Christianity in Rus', these great men were no different in their exploits from the Egyptian hermits. Although Christianity has certainly been on our land since the days of St. Andrew the First-Called. Because the apostles left priests and bishops where they visited. But how this happened exactly on our land is unknown. If the Apostle Paul wrote about his works, then Andrew the First-Called did not write anything about himself. But it seems to me that, bearing such grace of the Holy Spirit, he probably left his proteges here in the Holy Spirit.

When I think about this, I think how unhappy and poor we are. Our television and press, unfortunately, tell people little about the spiritual wealth that we have. If only people knew their history, their heavenly patrons. Then there would be fewer problems. Everyone would see his neighbor as a man, a friend and a brother.

The first thing you need to find out is the life story of your heavenly patron and pray to him. A Christian must know the life of the saint in whose honor he is baptized. We must learn his troparion, kontakion, and magnification so that we can ask for help at any moment. Who else but he can invisibly appear before the Lord against the spirits of wickedness in high places. A Christian must know the prayer “Our Father...”, the invocation of the grace of the Holy Spirit - the prayer “To the Heavenly King...”.

So many people are sick these days, why do some pray - the Lord helps them, hears them, while others do not. Why are people not healed as often as in apostolic times?

I think this is all because we pray with inattention. Not everyone receives communion with faith and worthiness, and that is why they get sick. Today, not everyone wants to observe fasts, attend evening services, or read the statutory rule of the person fasting for Holy Communion in order to receive communion. If a person asks with faith, then the Lord sends. But if we don’t hear ourselves, how can the Lord hear us?!

For example, you read the morning or evening rule, try to think about it, and it happens that the enemy of the human race knocks you out of your thoughts - look at the clock, see how many pages are left... Some are used to being late for services, others are used to jostling in church, judging their neighbors. And it turns out that the person did not pray, but sinned. And the Lord does not hear him. How can you hear such a person, he doesn’t ask for anything. He only expresses his dissatisfaction - in everything. And he harms himself.

And what is also important is that the Lord asked to devote only one day to Him. The remaining six days were spent on our labors and worries. But we cannot use this day to talk with God.

Or, it happens that during the liturgy a person prays for unknown reasons. In church during the liturgy, it is enough to listen to the peaceful litany - and the person will understand why he came. There are petitions for the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Holy Churches of God, for those who hate and slander us, for there to be no shortages and buckets - that is, rain and drought. About a blessed death. About the mercy of the world. Everything is there - you just need to delve into it!

The Lord Himself descends to the throne during the liturgy. He is present in the temple when the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. But unfortunately, many do not feel this because they do not have the fear of God.

For a believer, everything is possible. Why didn't the Lord perform miracles everywhere? Because people didn't believe. The Monk Agapit of Pechersk did not refuse his help to anyone; after praying, he gave people a potion - a visible image of treatment, and the Lord Himself healed - by the power of God, for the sake of His righteous man.

Liturgy cannot be boring. Often people don’t think about anything except their worries - then, of course, it’s boring. They don’t hear “Those who are baptized into Christ...”, “Put aside all worldly concerns now...”, “The cherubim are secretly forming...” Just imagine, you are standing next to the cherubim - and at the liturgy this is so, invisibly. The liturgy and evening worship are composed of petitions, thanksgivings and praises to the Lord. “Let us pray to the Lord in peace,” we ask, all together. We rejoice together with the saints and martyrs.

You can turn to Agapit of Pechersk with all everyday needs. But most often the monk helps in healing illnesses and illnesses. One day, a woman with cancer was brought to the Pechersk Lavra in a sheet. It was brought three times. The third time she left the caves on her own.

Metropolitan Paul of Glyfada from Athens was diagnosed with cancer; it was already in the last stage. While praying in the Lavra caves, he drank water from the holy springs of Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk. And when he arrived home, he was examined - nothing was found on him. He said: “The monks healed me.”

The Gospels say that healing miracles come in different forms. When the disciples asked Christ about the blind man: who sinned, his parents or him? To which they received the answer: “neither he nor his parents sinned, but this was so that the works of God might be revealed in him.”

Miracles can happen at different times to different people. Maybe, through the prayers of family and friends. And even those who have already died. It is said that the blessing continues to the seventh generation. But people who have died, they can only pray for the living. And here we can pray for both the living and the dead, and feel their prayer for us. The Lord can show His mercy on any person, show His mercy towards him.

“Reverend Father Agapite, pray to God for us”. You can pray in your own words, but at the same time understand what you are asking for.

“Lord, I ask for Your mercy!” How do I know what I really need on earth? The Lord created me, and I will indicate: give me this or that?

When our reverend father Anthony of Pechersk was glorified with the gift of healing, blessed Agapit came to his cave from Kyiv, wanting to receive spiritual healing through tonsure into the monastic rank; having received what he desired, he followed with all his heart the angelic life of St. Anthony, guided by his instructions. Agapit was an eyewitness to how this great man himself ministered to the sick and healed them with his prayer, and, hiding the gift given to his prayer, he gave herbs from his food to the sick under the guise of medicine. Seeing this, blessed Agapit began to compete with the holy elder in exploits and worked for many years; when one of the brethren was praised, the blessed one left his cell, in which there was nothing that could be stolen, came to the sick brother and served him: he lifted him, laid him down, carried him out in his arms and incessantly prayed to God for the healing of the sick man; if the illness sometimes dragged on, then through this the Lord wanted to increase faith and strengthen the prayer of His servant Agapit. Imitating the exploits of the Monk Anthony, blessed Agapit was honored to be a participant and equal to his grace: with his prayer he healed all the sick, also giving them herbs, which he boiled for his own food, for which, in fact, he was nicknamed the doctor. Rumor spread about him in Kyiv, and many sick people came to him, leaving healthy.

At that time there lived in Kyiv a certain doctor, an Armenian by origin and faith, so skilled in his work that previously there was no equal to him. It was enough for him to look at someone suffering from a mortal illness, as he immediately recognized and announced the day and hour of his death, and always unmistakably; He never wanted to treat such a patient. One of the sick of this kind, the first boyar of the Grand Duke Vsevolod, whom the Armenian plunged into despair by predicting death in eight days, was brought to the Pechersky Monastery. But blessed Agapit, having made a prayer for him, gave him herbs for food, which he himself ate, and healed him; and immediately his fame spread throughout the Russian land. The Armenian, wounded by the arrow of envy, began to reproach the blessed one and sent one condemned to death to the Pechersk Monastery, who was supposed to take poison before Agapit and die. The blessed one, seeing this man dying, gave him, with a prayer for him, the herb that he himself had eaten, and thereby delivered the doomed man from death. Since then, the Armenian especially armed himself against the blessed one and persuaded his fellow believers to give Agapit himself a drink laced with mortal poison; The blessed one accepted and remained unharmed. “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly from temptation” (2 Pet. 2:9) according to His word: “If they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them” (Mark 16:18).

Then Prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh fell ill in Chernigov. The Armenian, although he diligently treated him, was unsuccessful, so that the illness increased more and more. Already at the point of his death, the prince asked the then abbot of Pechersk, John, to send Blessed Agapit to him in Chernigov for healing. The abbot called him and informed him of the prince’s request, but blessed Agapit, whom no one had ever seen leaving the gate to heal outside the monastery, said with humility:

If I go to the prince for this matter, then I must go to everyone. I ask you, father, do not encourage me to go beyond the monastery gates for the sake of human glory, which I promised to avoid before God until my last breath. If you allow, it would be better for me to retire to another country and then return here again when this need passes.

The prince sent, convinced that he would not be able to call the blessed Agapit himself to his master, began to ask him to at least give herbs for healing. According to the abbot’s convictions, the blessed one gave the messenger herbs from his food; they were brought to the prince, the latter partook and immediately recovered through the prayers of the blessed one.

Then Prince Vladimir Monomakh himself came to the Pechersky Monastery, wanting to see the one through whom God restored his health; he had never met the blessed one before and now wanted to honor him by generously giving him gifts. But Agapit, not wanting earthly glory, disappeared; then the prince gave the abbot the gold he had brought for the saint of God. But after a little time, the same Vladimir again sent one of his boyars with many gifts to Blessed Agapit. The messenger found Saint Agapit in his cell and placed the prince’s gifts before him. The blessed one told him:

Child, I never took anything from anyone (for healing), because I healed not with my own power, but with Christ’s; I don’t demand this even now.

The boyar answered:

Father. He who sent me knows that you do not demand anything; but I beg you, accept this to comfort your son, to whom God gave health through you; give the gift, if you wish, to the poor.

The elder answered him:

If you say so, I will accept it with joy. Tell the one who sent you that everything else he has is someone else’s, and he will not take anything with him when he gives up his life; therefore let him distribute the rest to the poor. For the Lord Himself, Who is among the destitute, delivered him from death, but I on my own would not have had any success; and I ask that he not disobey these instructions of mine, so as not to suffer more severely.

With these words, blessed Agapit took the gold he brought and left the cell with it, as if to hide it; carried it out and threw it away, but he himself ran and disappeared. After a little time, the boyar came out, saw the gifts thrown in front of the gate, picked them up and gave them to Abbot John. Returning to the prince, he told him everything that he had seen with the blessed one and what he had heard from him; and everyone understood that this was a true servant of God, seeking reward from God alone, and not from people. The prince, not daring to disobey the saint, began to distribute generous alms to the poor.

After many godly works and deeds, the unpaid doctor himself, the blessed elder Agapit, fell into illness. Having learned about this, the aforementioned Armenian doctor came to visit him and began to argue with him about the art of medicine, asking what remedy was used to treat Agapit’s illness.

The blessed one answered:

To those to whom the Lord Himself, the physician of soul and body, gives health.

The Armenian considered him completely ignorant of healing and said to those accompanying him:

He knows nothing about our art.

Then he took him by the hand and said:

I tell you the truth: on the third day he will die; if my word changes, then I will change my life and I myself will become the same monk.

The blessed one said passionately:

So this is your method of healing: talk more about death than about help! If you are skilled, give me life; If you cannot do this, why do you humiliate me and condemn me to death on the third day? The Lord informed me that in three months I would go to Him.

The Armenian said to him again:

Now you have already changed completely; these never survive more than three days.

Saint Agapit was truly in extreme exhaustion, so that without outside help he could not even move. Meanwhile, a certain sick person from Kyiv was brought to Blessed Agapit, who was the most seriously ill. The blessed one, with God's help, immediately stood up, as if he were not sick at all, took his usual herb, which he had eaten, and showed it to the Armenian, saying:

This is the herb with which I heal: look and understand.

He looked and said to the saint:

This is not one of our herbs, but I think it is from Alexandria.

The blessed one, condemning his ignorance, gave the sick man a taste of herbs, prayed and immediately made him healthy. Then he said to the Armenian:

My son, I ask you, taste this herb with me, if you want, for I cannot treat you with anything else.

Father,” the Armenian answered him, “we are fasting for four days this month, and now I am fasting.”

Hearing this, the blessed one asked him:

Who are you and what faith?

He answered:

Haven't you heard about me that I am Armenian?

Then the blessed one said to him:

How did you dare to come here and desecrate my cell, and even hold me by my sinful hand? Get away from me, heterodox and wicked.

And he, disgraced, left.

After that, blessed Agapit lived, as he had previously predicted, for three months and, having become slightly ill, went to the Lord. Being a free doctor on earth, he accepted a great reward in heaven, where there is no disease. The brethren prepared his honorable body for burial and, with the usual singing, laid it in the cave of the Monk Anthony. After the death of the saint, an Armenian came to the Pechersk Monastery and said to the abbot:

From now on, I leave the Armenian heresy and truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom I wish to work in the holy monastic rite. Blessed Agapit appeared to me and said: “You promised to take on a monastic image; if you lie, you will destroy both life and soul.” I believe that the one who appeared to me is holy, and if he wanted to live here longer, God would have granted it to him. I believed that he would not survive three days, but God added three months to him, and if he had wished, he would have lived three years. But I think that he himself, as a saint, wanted to leave us, striving for the Kingdom of Saints, and if God removed him from temporary life in this monastery, for that he granted him eternal life in the heavenly abodes. Therefore, I wish to quickly fulfill the command of this holy man.

The abbot, having listened to the Armenian, tonsured him as a monk and for a long time instructed the doctor of the body, so that, following the blessed Agapit, he would be skilled in healing his soul. The Armenian labored in a godly asceticism and, having spent the rest of his life in the same Pechersk monastery, here he accepted a blessed death, betraying his soul into the hands of the doctor of souls and bodies, our Lord Jesus Christ, glorified with the beginningless Father and with the Most Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit now and ever , and forever and ever. Amen.

Reliquary with the relics of St. Agapit of Pechersk

Another biography of St. Agapit of Pechersk

The Monk Agapit of Pechersk, a free doctor ("healer"), originally from Kyiv, tonsured and disciple of the Monk Anthony of Pechersk, lived in the 11th century. If anyone from the monastery brethren fell ill, the Monk Agapit came to him and selflessly looked after the sick person, fed him boiled grass, which he prepared himself, and the sick person recovered through the prayer of the monk. Many lay people also turned to the monastery doctor, who had the gift of healing. At the same time, in Kyiv there was an experienced Armenian doctor who, based on the appearance of a patient, could determine the degree of illness and even accurately determine the day of his death. When one of these doomed people turned to Saint Agapit, the blessed healer with prayer gave him a taste of food from the monastery meal, and the patient recovered. The doctor, fueled by envy, wanted to poison Agapit, but the Lord preserved the monk, and the poison did not work.

Saint Agapit healed the Chernigov prince Vladimir Monomakh, the future Grand Duke of Kyiv (1114-1125), by sending him boiled pasta. The grateful prince himself came to the monastery and wanted to see his healer, but the humble ascetic hid and did not accept the gifts.

When the holy healer himself fell ill, the same Armenian doctor came to him and, after examining him, said that death would follow in three days. At the same time, he vowed to become an Orthodox monk if his prediction did not come true. The monk replied that the Lord had revealed to him that he would call him only in three months.

Saint Agapit died after 3 months (June 1, no later than 1095), and the Armenian came to the abbot of the Pechersk Monastery, repented and took monastic vows. “It is true that Agapit is a saint of God,” he said. “I knew well that it was impossible for him to survive three days during his illness, but the Lord gave him three months.” Thus the monk cured his mental illness and directed him to the path of salvation.

Notes

1. Rev. Anthony, originally from Lyubech (40 versts from Chernigov), tonsured to St. Mount Athos. Arriving in Kyiv, he chose a cave in a wooded mountain near the Dnieper as a place of settlement. The Godly ascetic life of St. Antonia gathered around him many who wanted to lead a monastic life under his leadership. This is how the famous Kiev-Pechersk Monastery arose. Rev. passed away. Anthony, a 90-year-old man, after 46 years of exploits in a cave, in 1073, May 7. His memory is July 10.

2. Vsevolod Yaroslavich reigned for the first time for six months (1075-1076) and for the second time from 1078 to 1093.

3. Vladimir Vsevolodovich then reigned in Kyiv from 1114 to 1125.

4. Armenians share the Monophysite heresy, condemned by the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon (451) and reject all the Ecumenical Councils that followed it. The essence of the Monophysite heresy is the teaching that the Lord Jesus Christ, born of two natures, or natures, is not in two - for human nature in the Person of God the Word is so closely united with His Divine nature that it can only mentally differ from it. In Ancient Rus', in general, there was a view of the Armenians as evil heretics: thus, Metropolitan Cyprian (1376-1406) in his canonical answers wrote to Abbot Athanasius: “the Armenian heresy is the most vile heresy; for this reason, it is not worthy for the Orthodox peasant (i.e., Christian ) not have any communication with them."

Hagiographic and scientific-historical literature about St. Agapit of Pechersk:

  • Venerable Agapit of Pechersk, free doctor- Pravoslavie.Ru

But if people knew that they have the opportunity not only to ask for the healing of their bodies, but also, what is much more important, to ask for the salvation of their souls, especially on the days of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the relics of Agapit, which every year begin on February 25 and last a whole week, it would be incomparably more beneficial for their souls.

“As long as you are alive, man, you have a chance to pray for eternity in God’s love for your soul. And while you have this CHANCE, go to Agapit on Holy Week and pray before the Holy Spirit only for your soul. For your body is perishable, it is dust. And all earthly worries are empty. But remember, man, what you promise before God in your petition - fulfill it! For He, like any parent, does not tolerate lies, forgives, but then does not trust.”

“It is no good to worry the Lord about anything other than the salvation of your soul. Don’t ask for your body, don’t ask for your health, don’t worry about your belly—all this is empty decay, insatiable in desires. For there is no petition more worthy than the petition for the salvation of one’s soul.”

My True Father,
I trust in You alone,
And I pray to You, Lord,
Only about saving your soul,
Thy Holy will be done
We are my strength on this path,
For life without You is an empty moment.
And only in serving You is Eternal life. Amen.

AGAPIT PECHERSKY, FREE DOCTOR.

Agapit Pechersky, free doctor. Interest in this historical figure only grows over the years and gradually becomes overgrown with secrets and miracles, the news of which spreads throughout the globe. Who is he? Doctor? There are quite a few of them, both in our times and during the life of St. Agapit. Saint? And there are plenty of shrines all over the globe. Monk? From time immemorial, such people are not uncommon in our lands. And to the shrine with the relics of St. Agapit of Pechersk, the pilgrimage path widens year after year, and the number goes into the millions. It's hard not to notice this. Therefore, it is natural to want to “get to the bottom of things.”

According to the official church version, the Monk Agapit, hegumen of Pechersk, a famous doctor from the times of Kievan Rus, was one of the first to come to the monastery and took monastic vows under Anthony of Pechersk, the founder of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. One of the first! This probably means that he knew Anthony and was one of those with whom it all began and the one who started everything.

From “The Life of Our Venerable Father Agapit, the Free Physician”:

“When our reverend father Anthony of Pechersk was glorified with the gift of healings, blessed Agapit came to him from Kyiv to the cave, seeking spiritual healing through tonsure into the holy monastic order, and received it. And he followed with all his soul the equal-angelic life of the Monk Anthony, whose exploits he witnessed; like that great man, he himself served the sick and healed them with his prayer, but, hiding the gift given to his prayer, he gave them the potion from his food, as if it were medicinal. Blessed Agapit saw this and worked for many years, competing with the holy elder in his exploits.” ()

This passage gives rise to a lot of questions, as does the entire Life, in principle. Where was Agapit and what did he live before he came to Anthony? Why did you come? “seeking spiritual healing through tonsure into the holy monastic order.” Strange... Did you come for what you had? And here: “Blessed Agapit saw this and worked for many years, competing in the exploits of the holy elder.” Is it possible to compete in such “feats”? And the very idea that Agapit came to Anthony and learned from him to heal people, which he does practically to this day, out of competition with the other saints, after death, is absurd. And here’s another: “imitating the exploits of St. Anthony, blessed Agapit was honored to be a partaker of the same grace.” How can you believe this logically? Is it possible to learn this, and even “by imitating the exploits of St. Anthony”? And yet, for me the question remains open: where was Agapit and what did he do before coming to the caves, who taught whom, what, and did he teach at all?

Further more interesting. Among the patients of Agapit of Pechersk there are quite a few famous historical figures, such as Prince Monomakh, for example. How can you “imitate” and “learn” so that all of Kievan Rus knows about you? And then another question arises. Why did he need all this: caves, monks, service? Considering, again, that he was one of the first to arrive? This entire officially accepted history of the life of a simple doctor, whose national fame has not faded over the centuries, raises more questions than answers. She is quite abrupt and does not say a lot of things, and perhaps hides them. Why? For whom?

Where does holiness come from, where do incorruptible relics and an unovergrown pilgrimage path to a simple monk-healer come from, who “sought spiritual healing” and learned to heal by “imitating” and “competing” with another saint?
The questions become even more relevant if we move into our time. It's no secret that huge queues to the nearby caves on the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra are directed, first of all, to the Church of the Presentation. And this fact sometimes caused inexplicable attacks of “impatience” among employees of nearby caves. Which, for me personally, is not entirely clear. Well, according to the logic of things: let's rejoice together that people believe and go to the temple, and not to the stall for a bottle.

Again, it is officially stated that the relics of Agapit of Pechersk are the same as those of the other Reverend Fathers, and carry the same power, as well as the relics of other healers. Although, the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, in an interview with UNIAN-Religion, spoke “about the secret of the great spiritual power of Agapit of the Pechersk and about the miracles that happen these days through prayers to the holy doctor and to all the Pechersk fathers. We venerate St. Agapit on a par with the great martyr and healer Panteleimon and a number of other healers, to whose prayerful and gracious help we resort. Today the Monk Agapit of Pechersk is known all over the world. The abbots of many churches ask for pieces of his relics, but there were always so many requests that at one time the Spiritual Council of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra decided not to distribute them.”

Further, in his words: “Today even in Alaska they know about miracles through prayers to St. Agapit and the Pechersk Fathers. Many miracles are happening these days, they cannot be counted. Both the brethren and I testify to this: we are all sick, we come to the monk, we pray, we ask for healing. People don't go to an empty well. Millions of people come to the caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra to visit the monks.” ()

From all that has been said, it is quite obvious that with the death of the body of Agapit of Pechersk, the power to heal did not disappear, but on the contrary... But what about: “imitating the exploits of St. Anthony, blessed Agapit was honored to be a partaker of the same grace”? What then is happening now near the shrine with the relics of Agapit of Pechersk? Who or what performs miracles of healing? Why is the place near the shrine with the relics of St. Agapit of Pechersk never empty? Why is Agapit of Pechersk known to millions in the world, and the miracles of healing near his relics are so numerous that they have lost count and ceased to be miracles. Why is the shrine containing the relics filled with bouquets of flowers from those who were grateful and healed?
Let us also quote the metropolitan’s words: “Today they know about miracles through prayers to St. Agapit and the Pechersk Fathers even in Alaska.” Again, not singling out Agapit of Pechersk, but emphasizing: “to the Venerable Agapit and the Fathers of Pechersk.” But, further: “...both the brethren and I testify: we are all sick, we come to the monk, we pray, we ask for healing. People don’t go to an empty well.”

There is also a very interesting point. If you believe the words that the popularity of Agapit of Pechersk is no different from the popularity of other Pechersk fathers, then the following fact becomes strange. From the same interview:
“At one time, Monomakh came to Agapit of Pechersk, whom the monk healed of a fatal illness. Which famous person of our time prayed at the saint’s shrine? They say that Bill Clinton resorted to the prayerful help of St. Agapit and the Pechersk Fathers - he went down into the caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and prayed there for a long time. This is true?
The journalist emphasizes in the question: “They say that Bill Clinton resorted to the prayerful help of St. Agapit and the Pechersk Fathers.”

Metropolitan Pavel answered this question like this:
“Reverend Agapit of Pechersk healed everyone who came to him, regardless of rank and position, family and nobility.
Bill Clinton visited the Lavra three times and visited the shrine of St. Agapit. I stood for a long time, was late for important meetings, but did not want to leave. He said that he received healing when he first arrived.
We also had other famous personalities. Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Ilham Aliyev... Heads of European states. I can't remember them all. Many came."

Do those known in this world venerate all holy relics? Is Bill Clinton Orthodox? Perhaps they know more than we, ordinary parishioners, have a right to know. What's the secret? One can only guess or... Observe carefully and draw conclusions. Having scoured the Internet, it is not difficult to find photographs of famous personalities near the shrine of St. Agapit of Pechersk.

The fact that they were made precisely near the shrine of Agapit of Pechersk is, in itself, surprising. Let us quote the same interview with Metropolitan Paul, timed to coincide with the Day of Remembrance of Agapit of Pechersk: “Those who venerated the saint in an open shrine talked about how they felt warmth from the relics, a sensation similar to touching a living person.”

On the days of remembrance of the saint, the shrine with the relics of Agapit of Pechersk is placed in the Refectory Church.

Having examined the photographs with celebrities, we understand that they were all taken in the Vvedenskaya Church, and therefore not on the day of remembrance of the saint designated by the Orthodox Church. This fact makes you think no less than all of the above.
Having studied the phenomenon of Agapit of Pechersk for several years, I realized one thing. The official information of the Orthodox Church about Agapit of Pechersk, a free doctor, is a story that rather erased more facts than left truths. She is clearly holding back something... After all, facts are stubborn things, and they speak for themselves.

The popular popularity of Agapit of Pechersk is so high that it is simply impossible not to notice it. Why do people go to Agapit? Why is the church silent about this? Who, after all, is hiding behind the glass of the shrine of the Church of the Vvedenskaya in the nearby caves?

As Metropolitan Paul said: “People don’t go to an empty well.”

The relics of Agapit of Pechersk are located on the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, in nearby caves, in the Church of the Presentation.

Prepared by Oleg Veritas (Latvia).

The idea to write this article came to me a long time ago. But it was postponed for quite a long time for various reasons: either doubts arose - “am I worthy of raising such a topic”, then I was buried under a pile of literature accumulated while searching for materials, or there were no serious facts that would shed light on the events of those times. But doubts aside! This topic is alive in me, so today I decided not to listen to my consciousness and start at least small. Perhaps this investigative article will be of interest not only to me, but also to readers. I gladly propose that we unite together in common efforts and find the Truth.

The main questions that this investigation poses are to try to find out who he was in the world and about his actions, to study more deeply the events of the 10th-11th centuries. The purpose of the research is to find information about Agapit in all existing sources in order to become acquainted with the most extensive information about this unique Personality.

While researching this issue, I came to the conclusion that it is very difficult to find information that should be available to all people. For the example of the feat that Agapit accomplished is necessary for modern society like air. Such an example of True Service should be a guiding star for us in every day of work on ourselves, in every step towards the unification of all humanity. Having learned this information, you can more deeply understand the true role of this Person in the fate of many generations of people and find mechanisms for unifying the current society.

So, what do we know about Agapit so far?

Official Church Information

From the information of the Russian Orthodox Church we have information that Agapit was tonsured and a student of Anthony of Pechersk. Neither the place nor the date of birth of the Monk Agapit of Pechersk is known. In his daily activities, the Saint helped many suffering people, including healing with herbs and prayers, for which he did not charge a fee. For this reason, many may now know him as a free doctor. Also, the story of the Armenian doctor has reached our times, which is already known to everyone who is even more or less familiar with the history of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Agapit died on June 1, 1095.

There is also information that Agapit healed Vladimir Monomakh, who then ruled in Chernigov (the reign of the prince in Chernigov - 1078-1094). Below are more details about this event:

“The death of the wonderful free doctor St. Agapita followed no later than 1095, since the illness, after which he died three months later, occurred following the healing of Monomakh, the Chernigov prince, who stayed in Chernigov until 1094, and John was the Pechersk abbot from 1088.”

And one more quote about this event:

“After this, Prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh fell ill in Chernigov, whom an Armenian treated diligently, but unsuccessfully. The illness intensified. Therefore, the prince, already near death, sent to the Pechersk abbot (then the abbot was Jonah), asking to send blessed Agapit to him in Chernigov. Having called him, the abbot conveyed to him the prince’s request. But blessed Agapit, who was never seen leaving the monastery or healing outside of it, answered with humility: “If I go to the prince with such a matter, then I must go to everyone. I ask you, father, to allow me not to leave the monastery gates for human glory, from which I promised before God to run until his last breath; If you want, I’d rather go to another country and come back here when this need passes.” The one sent by the prince, realizing that he would not be able to call the blessed Agapit himself to his master, began to ask him to give at least potions for healing. By agreement of the abbot, the blessed one gave the messenger potions from his food; and when it was brought to the prince, and he accepted it, he became healthy through the prayers of the blessed one.”

There is also information that many famous people visit the Agapit Cave whenever possible. Among them is former US President Bill Clinton, who was there three times and stood for a long time, sometimes being late for meetings.

Orthodox prayers to Agapit:

“O all-blessed Agapit, earthly Angel and heavenly man! We fall to you with faith and love and pray diligently: show us your holy intercession to the humble and sinful; Behold, for the sake of our sin, the imams are not free to ask the children of God for our needs to our Lord and Master, but to you, a favorable prayer book, we offer to Him and ask you with zeal for many: ask us from His goodness for useful gifts to our souls and bodies, faith to the right, love for everyone is unfeigned, patience in suffering, those obsessed with serious illnesses - healing from ailments, under the burden of sorrows and misfortunes, those who fall intolerable and despairing of their lives will receive quick relief and deliverance through your prayers.

Do not forget, blessed father, this holy monastery, which always honors you, but keep it and all who live and labor in it and who come to worship there unharmed from the temptations of the devil and all evil. When our departure from this temporary life arrives, and our migration to eternity, do not deprive us of your heavenly help, but with your prayers bring us all into the haven of salvation and reveal us to be the heirs of the all-bright Kingdom of Christ, so that we sing and glorify the ineffable generosity of the Lover of Mankind, God the Father and The Son and the Holy Spirit and yours, together with the Venerables Anthony and Theodosius, are your fatherly intercession forever and ever. Amen".


Conclusion:
As it turned out, there is not so much information about Agapit that I found in Orthodox literature. At the same time, a search was also carried out on Greek resources using modern translator programs, but the information found is almost identical to Russian-language Orthodox sources. I would be grateful if you suggest in the comments sources where you can find something else interesting.

From the information presented in the books of Anastasia Novykh

There is much more information about the life of Agapit here. Let me briefly summarize the main reference points that can be used in our research:

It would not be amiss to quote the essence of what Agapit taught people:

“You understand what’s the matter, Agapit taught the monks the true service of God. He said that “gold” and “monk” are incompatible things. A person cannot serve two masters: either he serves God or earthly wealth, that is, the devil. There is no third. The monk, for all his deeds, truly expects reward only from God in the next world, and not here from people. Gold is rubbish for the soul and a temptation for thoughts. This is the defilement that many crave, but which in fact is a ghostly deception. The true value for a monk is in sincere prayer for his soul. It is not about the satiety of your belly and the health of your body that you need to worry about. Because no matter how much you eat, sooner or later you will still get hungry. And no matter what your health is, sooner or later your flesh will still die. The soul is eternal. And only she is worthy of true care. As Agapit said, a monk prays out of his heart’s desire for all people, but the whole point of monasticism is to serve God and beg Him for salvation for your soul.”

  • It turns out that the Holy Spirit himself resided in the image of Agapit.
  1. Agapit brought the Grail into this world, “cast lots,” leaving the inscription of the Grail on the stones in the ancient dungeons of Mount Moriah.
  2. While on Athos, Agapit conveyed to the highly spiritual elders some knowledge not only about Mary, as the bearer of the power of the Grail, but also about the current location of the Grail. A certain White Monk was privy to this information, who, as it turned out, was directly involved in the events that shaped the state of affairs in Medieval Europe.
  3. Agapit was the teacher of the one who later became the teacher of Omar Khayyam, passing on knowledge to Omar when he was 16 years old. The name of this man is Nasir al-milla wa-d-Din Sheikh Mohammed-i-Mansur.
  1. Anthony was dedicated to the guardianship of the Lotus Temple, which is on the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
  2. Healings still occur in the Lavra to this day, thanks to the discovery of the relics of Agapit, in which the Holy Spirit himself once resided on Earth. It is not surprising that other relics lying next to him become healing. But people often ask for earthly things, forgetting about the soul.
  1. Yaroslav the Wise (Grand Duke of Kiev, former Prince of Rostov, Prince of Novgorod) met Agapit the Pechersk Physician Without Remuneration due to his illness. In those days, the fame of Agapit’s medical art extended far beyond the borders of Kievan Rus. And Yaroslav had problems with his spine due to damage to his hip and knee joints.
  2. Agapit of Pechersk partially initiated Yaroslav the Wise into the secret of active signs, told in detail how and what kind of main religious buildings to build in the capital and the state, and most importantly, how and what kind of signs to place on them. And also what needs to be done to activate these signs in order to generate a spiritual surge among people and protect them from the influence of the negative forces of the invisible world.
  3. As a result of such communication, the first independent Russian monasteries arose, moreover, in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Active work began on the translation of foreign books (especially from Athos), a diligent census of Old Slavonic tomes (even Old Russian “pagan” letters written on birch bark).
  4. These facts clarify much in such a sharp change in Yaroslav’s behavior: from a tough ruler who did not hesitate in the means of seizing power in Kyiv, to becoming a “wise” leader during his reign in Kievan Rus after meeting Agapit of Pechersk.
  5. Thanks to the timely intervention of Agapit of Pechersk, positive symbols were activated in Kievan Rus, many of which (the AllatRa, Allat signs, rhombuses, circles, equilateral crosses) were well known in the pre-Christian period. Agapit, in fact, updated Knowledge, including about the four Essences, about the spiritual liberation of man. Of course, this was not done explicitly, but hidden, but nevertheless. So, thanks to the spiritual work of Agapit of the Pechersk Doctor, the Merciless, there was a renewal of mostly positive signs, which naturally affected the spiritual future of the Slavic peoples.
  6. Agapit was directly related to the spiritual activities of the Vatopedi monastery (erected in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and the monastery of St. Panteleimon (Rusik, Rossikon) on Athos.
  7. Supernova Explosion:

“During the life and active work of Agapit of Pechersk, in particular, in the summer of 1054, a bright star appeared in the sky, which was visible even during the day. You then also clarified that it was light that reached the Earth from the explosion of a supernova, which is located in the constellation Taurus in our Galaxy. I read that the remnants of this supernova explosion are now observed in the form of an expanding Crab Nebula and a neutron star (pulsar) located in its center, into which the flaring star turned. It’s interesting that the beam of radio waves from that same pulsar is still gliding across the Earth, like the beam of a rotating lighthouse across the sea as a signal for ships.”

From the program “Frank dialogue about what matters most” on ALLATRA TV channel

  1. “, well, let’s just say that Byzantine authors wrote, and there are mentions on Mount Athos. Well, whoever wants it will find it. And it will reduce everything to one thing. It turns out to be a very interesting and funny story.”
  2. “But for some reason they don’t mention his spiritual exploits and don’t talk about his spiritual life. We remember him as the guy with the medicines, the herbs and everything else. And there are really very interesting references about him, about his spiritual exploits, let’s say, today, which, as I have already listed, are few in other sources, but they mention Agapit specifically.
    How many people has he helped take the spiritual path? And to save not only the temporary body, but who else but us knows that the body is mortal. And the most offensive thing is that it is suddenly mortal.
    And he helped to take the path that leads to immortality. In my opinion, this is much more valuable and important. And he really did a lot. And when he came here, he had already moved a little away from his spiritual exploits. And here he simply existed as a monk.”

Painting by Anastasia Novykh “Agapit of Pechersk”. The portrait corresponds to the true appearance of Saint Agapit of the Pechersk, restored thanks to anthropological studies of his relics resting in the Near Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

Instead of conclusions, to this part of the series of articles I would like to bring Agapit's prayer, which strengthens the Spirit and leads to pure and unconditional love for our Father, the Lord. According to legend, Agapit told this prayer one winter evening to Anthony, the founder of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra:

Agapit's soul-saving prayer

My True Father,
I trust in You alone,
And I pray to You, Lord,
Only about saving your soul,
Thy Holy will be done.
We are my strength on this path,
For life without You is an empty moment.
And only in serving You is Eternal life.
Amen.

To be continued…

I would like to express my gratitude to the ALLATRA Vesti team for their help in writing this article!

http://saints.ru/a/14inprpAgapitPecherskii.html
http://www.panteleymon.com/archive/aphealer/aphealer_det/aphealer_det1212.html?ptitle=aphealer

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