Saint Michael, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, Wonderworker. Michael Weiskopf - The Red Wonderworker: Lenin in the Jewish and Christian traditions There is also a shorter version of the prayer to Archangel Michael, which can be read at home and on the road
According to the church calendar, September 19th marks the Remembrance of the Miracle of Archangel Michael. Folklore Michael the Wonderworker.
On this day they tried not to work, because “God will punish.” There are many warnings about this.
In many villages, temple or patronal feasts are organized for this holiday. Traditionally, each locality in Ukraine has its own patronal feast day. As a rule, it coincided with the consecration of the church (temple, hence the temple holiday).
To add special solemnity to the events, priests from neighboring parishes came to the holiday and performed a magnificent service, which attracted people from the surrounding villages. After the service, fellow villagers invited those gathered to a “collective konun” - a festive dinner.
They laid out tablecloths near the church and the chapel, placed food and invited everyone to take part in a collective dinner. Priests and brethren gave instructive speeches, all kinds of public affairs were decided here, and even funds were collected for public needs.
They invited the elderly and the poor to the table, treated them, and at the end generously presented them with gifts. Guests from neighboring villages to the temple were one by one invited to their homes, where the celebration lasted for several days.
During temple holidays, drinking honey was always sold. They chose the most noble men from a group (people called them brothers), pre-purchased honeycombs and prepared honey from them. And in the center of the village there was a brisk trade in “konun”. Music was also played here and fun activities were held.
Usually the most active participants in the holiday were young people. The guys invited the girls to the conun, gave them communion with a delicious drink and ordered a dance. The money acquired from the sale of drinking honey went to the needs of the church, public affairs, to help large families and the infirm.
And in our time, temple holidays are celebrated magnificently in villages. People come to the holiday not only from neighboring villages, but also relatives from far away. The hosts put a variety of foods and drinks on the hospitable table. They celebrate all day.
Although people of respectable age, remembering how they once celebrated a temple holiday, say: “Once upon a time it was fun to go to church: music was played, songs were sung until the morning in the villages, it was fun and interesting.”
For reference:
It would be superfluous to say that drinking honey does not belong to strong drinks. Many folklore and literary sources recall those who “got drunk on honey” or “drunk” as if from “drinking honey,” because “the first glass is like ice, the second is like honey, and the third don’t ask, only Let's". After all, it is known that excessive consumption of anything is harmful, even “unnecessarily causing harm to the stomach.” However, they “got drunk on honey” mainly when individual mead makers in later times, in violation of traditional customs, began to counterfeit this noble drink, adding an excessive amount of yeast, alcohol and other strong ingredients, which, of course, did not correspond to its original purpose. No wonder they said: if it is not in moderation, then the honey is bitter. This drink was called honey “beer”, honey “wine”, which is reflected in many Ukrainian folk tales (“Weddings were celebrated here, honey-beer was swirling, and I sat there, drinking honey-beer, it was flowing down my mustache, but not in my mouth.” was").
Date of publication or update 11/01/2017
Saint Michael, first Metropolitan of Kyiv.
Metropolitan Michael is from Syria. In 988, during the baptism of Vladimirov, he was sent to the Grand Duke in Korsun by the Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas Chrysoverg. The Metropolitan arrived from Korsun to Kyiv, together with Grand Duke Vladimir. Michael was a zealous spreader of Christianity; passing through vast countries, he planted the seeds of the faith of Christ. Metropolitan Michael is credited with the construction of the Kiev-Zlatoverkho-Mikhailovsky Monastery, and the monks who arrived with him from Constantinople are credited with the founding of the Kiev-Mezhigorsky Monastery.
Michael, wherever he could build churches, installed priests and deacons and overthrew idols. The chronicles say that the people, attached to ancient superstition, looked at the destruction of their idols, not without regret, and when their god Perun was thrown into the Dnieper, the crowd running after their idol shouted after them: Perun, kick out! i.e. swim out. The idol, carried by the rush of the waters, supposedly obeying the voice of those crying out to it, landed on the shore at the very place where later, in the 11th century, the monastery was built and named Vydubitsky. St. Michael died in Kyiv; His relics rest openly in the great cathedral Pechersk Church. In the inscription on his shrine, it is depicted on the lattice that this saint reposed in 992 and was buried in the Church of the Tithes; that under the Pechersk abbot Theoktiste his relics were transferred to the Anthony Cave; and according to the proposal of Archimandrite Roman Kopa and by personal decree on July 23, 1730, they were transferred on October 1 of the same year to the great church (Pecherskaya).
When St. Michael is considered a saint, it is unknown: it must be assumed from the very transfer of his relics to the caves, for he was also listed in the list of saints of the Anthony Cave in Kalnofoisky in 1638; and in the book of Akathists with canons, printed in the Pechersk printing house in 1677, in canto 9, verse 1 of the Rule of the Rev. Fathers of Pechersk, his name is written, as it is still printed in this canon; but he was not in the general monthlies, like the other saints of Pechersk. Already by the decrees of St. synod on June 15, 1762, May 18, 1775 and October 31, 1784, it was allowed to print the services of the saints: Michael, Anthony, Theodosius and other miracle workers of Pechersk in books published by the Lavra printing house, and by decree of St. Synod on August 6, 1795, it was decided to compose a detailed biography of St. Michael for placement in the Four Menaions. Michael is revered as the first Metropolitan of Kyiv.
Some chronicles call him the second, and the first the Greek Leontius or Leov; in the Novgorod chronicler, the painting of metropolitans begins with Theopempt (1037). Until the 13th century, metropolitans lived permanently in Kyiv. The devastation of this city forced them to move the throne of the metropolis to Vladimir on Klyazma, and then, at the beginning of the 14th century, to Moscow, where they ruled the Russian church until the establishment of the patriarchate (1589). The All-Russian Metropolitans were first called Kyiv and All Russia. After the establishment of the patriarchate, the Kyiv metropolitans, when they were included in the Russian hierarchy, occupied first place after the patriarchs.
Akathist to Saint and Wonderworker Michael, first Metropolitan of Kyiv
Kontakion 1
A vessel chosen from Christ God, you were sent to the Russian land and you enlightened our tongue with holy baptism to the Holy Hierarch Father Michael, who now stands before your Lord in heaven, to whom you pray diligently, to deliver your flock from all troubles and misfortunes, and we call to you:
Ikos 1
King of the Archangels and Angels, and Creator and Provider of all creation, show Your mercy to the people of our country, who walked in the darkness of idolatry, and you, Saint Michael, as an apostle ambassador, may you enlighten this with the light of true knowledge of God. And behold, by your teachings, even before the sacrifice of the demon, you now offer your souls to Christ. This hymn of thanksgiving is offered to you:
Rejoice, zealous planter of the faith of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who hast eradicated idolatry;
Rejoice, having abolished the demonic sacrifices.
Rejoice, light, shining from the east;
Rejoice, you who have dispersed the darkness of idolatry.
Rejoice, you who enlightened people with the teachings of Christ;
Rejoice, you who destroyed the idolatrous demands with the cross.
Rejoice, thou who has cultivated Christ's field well;
Rejoice, fruitful seeds on her, all appearing.
Rejoice, honey-flowing lips of Christ;
Rejoice, euphonious flute of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 2
You, Saint Michael, saw the fruits of the labors of your preaching, the citizens of the glorious city of Kyiv, listening to the truth of your teaching with all your soul and heart, believing in Christ the true God, turning away from vile idols and crushing them, some with reproach, swept into the river, in them besie: “For the cruelty of us,” I cry out. In vain is this, blessed father, you rejoiced in your spirit, gratefully singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having a divinely inspired mind, most wonderfully Father Michael, you taught people goodness with your divine teaching, and with the hunger of their souls, having nourished the words of the Gospel with bread, you brought this to Christ: Pray to Him, the saint, for those who praise you:
Rejoice, beauty of the Church;
Rejoice, kindness of the bishops.
Rejoice, shining light of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, piety is the rule.
Rejoice, great teacher of the Russian people;
Rejoice, glorious perfecter of the prophecies in the apostles of the First-Called.
Rejoice, primate of the face of the God-chosen Fathers of Pechersk;
Rejoice, equal to the apostles Cyril and Methodius.
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the twelve sons of Vladimir in the font of Baptism;
Rejoice, you who diligently served his entire land.
Rejoice, you who spread the faith of Christ;
Rejoice, you who have cast down the demonic charm.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 3
By the power of your godly prayers, holy one, our forefathers helped us to believe in the One True God, to reject false gods and crush our spiritual idols: pride by humility, love of money by non-covetousness, fornication by chastity, anger by meekness, gluttony by abstinence, envy by goodwill, despondency by strong God's hope. Yes, having escaped spiritual peruns, we will be able to present ourselves to God, to Him you, Father, taught us to believe and sing unceasingly: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the kvass of faith in Christ, my wife, the God-wise Princess Olga, is hidden among the Russian people. By you, by the will of the Almighty, you leavened all the dough of the Vladimir Empire, growing into the faith of Christ. For this reason, accept from our zeal worthy praise for you:
Rejoice, God's favor to Rus';
Rejoice, the prayers of Saint Olga have been fulfilled.
Rejoice, great adviser to the gloriously powerful Vladimir;
Rejoice, wise teacher of the newly chosen people of Christ.
Rejoice, by whom our kings and all the Russian people are saved;
Rejoice, in whom our bishops, priests and monastics boast;
Rejoice, through whom the poor become rich and glorified by God;
Rejoice, for through the faith of Christ the overworked elders will rest in heaven.
Rejoice, to whom the reposed infants cry “Hosanna in the highest”;
Rejoice, for the souls of the sons of Russians, like sparks, flow along a stem to heaven.
Rejoice, our land is a wonderful blessing;
Rejoice, consecration of the glorious city of Kyiv.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 4
Having felt the storm of idols crushing, the demons cried out sobbingly: “Oh the cruelty of our wretchedness. As before we were revered by all, but now we are raising up the reproach of one stranger, who teaches people to believe in Christ, but to crush us, singing to the One God: Alleluia.”
Ikos 4
We hear in ancient times from the Divine Scripture, how the walls of Jericho fell, Joshua carried the ark: now we know how the idols fell to you, Saint Michael, who came to the Russian country. In the same way, we, your children, with you in the bright robe of Baptism, gratefully praise you calling:
Rejoice, thou who shone brightly on the mountains of Kyiv;
Rejoice, you have brought people from darkness to light.
Rejoice, thorns of polytheism that are greatly destroyed;
Rejoice, you who warmed our father with the warmth of the love of the Divine soul.
Rejoice, you who preached Christ the Son of God with your lips;
Rejoice, with your fiery tongue you denounced the wickedness of idols.
Rejoice, you who taught our fathers to believe in the Triune God;
Rejoice, you planted the fruitful tree of Jesus' paradise.
Rejoice, for the Russian people have washed from you the water of grace;
Rejoice, for through you your spiritual comb has opened them in the holy font.
Rejoice; for by you, for the glory of God, many churches have been created;
Rejoice, for through you the monasteries of monks have been built together.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Church of Russia.
Kontakion 5
The Great Vladimir, the God-blessed lamp of you, Michael the God-wise, has brought you to the Russian land darkened by idolatry, so that even here, by your coming, people will be sanctified and the knowledge of the true faith will come to their senses, and in an Orthodox and godly manner they will offer up a song of praise to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Hearing the Patriarch of Constantinople, like Vladimir, receive the holy baptism, and like the forefather of the saints, he prayed: may the city send a wise teacher to Korsun and install that metropolitan of the Russian land, he rejoiced greatly and created a council with the consecrated cathedral, choosing you, holy one, to fulfill this great obedience. The Russian people met you and saw the reverent look of your face, and heard your gray-haired sweetness, saying:
Rejoice, our good mentor;
Rejoice, successor to apostolic power and honor.
Rejoice, glorious one among the bishops;
Rejoice, great in faith.
Rejoice, thou wise in their commandments;
Rejoice, most sweet in their teaching.
Rejoice, meek in disposition;
Rejoice, high in life according to God.
Rejoice, diligent steward of truth;
Rejoice, terrible accuser of falsehood.
Rejoice, for through your prayers we hope to escape eternal death;
Rejoice, for through your teachings we believe to acquire eternal life.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 6
The preacher of the faith of Christ appeared in Novegrad, the sacred Michael, and came there, crushing idols, destroying temples, you baptized people, you built churches and appointed elders throughout the city and villages, teaching and admonishing people about brotherly love and Christian living, and all united lips and one heart with you will learn to sing to Christ God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You have shone, O Saint of Christ, like a bright star in our Fatherland, and you have completely suppressed the darkness of idolatry with the light of your Divine teachings. For this reason, for your sake, as an angel of God, the Russian people reverently call:
Rejoice, the beginning of our faith in Christ;
Rejoice, foundation of the Church of God in Rus'.
Rejoice, hierarch in preaching the word of the Gospel.
Rejoice, monk, on the path of a godly life, rule.
Rejoice, culprit of the righteous life of the laity;
Rejoice, crown minister of all who live virtuously.
Rejoice, thou who adorned thy soul with purity;
Rejoice, thou who leadest the path of temporary life in humility of spirit.
Rejoice, thou who shone brightly with good deeds;
Rejoice, you who have surprised people with many miracles.
Rejoice, for you gave a good word about your flock to the Chief Shepherd Christ;
Rejoice, for you have received righteous reward from His hand.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Church of Russia.
Kontakion 7
Although the good God chose new people for Himself, He first brought the great king Vladimir into the knowledge of the Divine, who was illuminated by the intelligent radiance of grace in the holy font, He received thee as a shepherd by revelation from above, He brought to Rus' His sheep, who had gone astray in unbelief. By the same teaching and Baptism in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, having washed in this water, you brought you into the courtyard of Christ. Standing with them now before His throne, pray that He may grant us with you in heaven to bring a song to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
We see your new apostle, Blessed Bishop Michael, flowing around the Russian land: for you have reached the city of Rostov, where you baptized a great multitude of people and taught them to believe in the Trinity, taught you piety and prudence, and erected many churches, presbyters and deacons to them You have established, and you have taught pious statutes to those who say to you:
Rejoice, thou who, by the grace of Baptism, crowned the head of Rus' with a diadem;
Rejoice, through Orthodoxy, like a ring, you have betrothed our land to Christ.
Rejoice, thou who hast clothed this in piety, as in royal purple;
Rejoice, Gospel of Christ, like the one who placed a golden hryvnia on her neck.
Rejoice, the Cross of the Lord has given her an invincible power;
Rejoice, all her Orthodox children adopted by Christ the Lord and His Most Pure Mother.
Rejoice, most luminous bridegroom of the Church;
Rejoice, glorious son of the Heavenly Father.
Rejoice, father of fathers, magnificent beauty;
Rejoice, shepherd of shepherds, all-praised kindness.
Rejoice, and prayer book of all generations of Russians;
Rejoice, companion of heavenly angels.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 8
Wandering and wandering in the desert of idolatry, the son of the Russians, you were the guide to the promised land of the Reverend Father Michael, even if not for fourty years like Moses, but for four years you were the children of the people of the Kiev country, not with perishable manna, but with the true bread that came down from heaven, this food, like is Christ the Lord. Therefore we sing a song about you: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Being all in God, you ever taught the archpastor to please your flock, your spiritual children, and begging you to prefer the love of Christ over nothing, but we are your spiritual grandchildren, we say to you:
Rejoice in Christ the Lord with all your soul and heart;
Rejoice, believe Him and love Him and teach us.
Rejoice, for you have pleased God greatly;
Rejoice, for you taught us the Divine law.
Rejoice, good and faithful servant of the Heavenly Lord;
Rejoice, the talent given to you is not hidden, but laboriously multiplied.
Rejoice, I will buy them a lot,
Rejoice, having received great praise from your Lord.
Rejoice, you who bowed your neck in humility under the good yoke of Christ;
Rejoice, you who bore the burden of the day and the wine in His grapes with zeal.
Rejoice, having received a denarius from Christ instead of the Kingdom of Heaven;
Rejoice, sweet one resting in the heavenly abodes after your labors.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 9
All the Russian people, who first wandered through pagan polytheism, now through you, Saint Michael of God, have come to good instruction in the knowledge of God and in the holy font, having been delivered from the blindness of reason, glorify their only Creator, chanting to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Human flamboyance is not sufficient to glorify your labors and exploits, Spirit-bearing Father, even though you have received it: so by faith you were jealous, just as you were jealous of the godless Hagarians, the Bulgarians and the Saracens, the husband of a certain Mark the philosopher, who sent a certain Mark the philosopher to preach and called people to Christ. Now we say to you:
Rejoice, like Elijah, jealous of the Lord Bose;
Rejoice, having given much joy to the spread of His holy faith.
Rejoice, you have labored for the glory of Christ;
Rejoice, you who brought His venerable name before the tongues.
Rejoice, having become like an apostle through your zeal for the teaching of Christ;
Rejoice, thou who imitate Christ himself in the salvation of human souls.
Rejoice, filled with Divine love;
Rejoice, filled with compassion for your neighbor.
Rejoice, destroy the pagan temple with thunder;
Rejoice, loud-voiced tympanum proclaiming the glory of the Divinity of Christ.
Rejoice, for now you have great boldness towards Christ;
Rejoice, for you stand before Her throne with inexpressible joy.
Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 10
Desiring the salvation of the people and the good establishment of the Church, our most good shepherd, this one took great care to arrange everything for the Russian tribe of the newly chosen: you placed shepherds and teachers throughout the city and thus wrought a flock of verbal sheep, you yourself went to the Chief Shepherd Christ to reign in the great weeping and mourning of your flock and having moved Prince Vladimir, those who fall to your relics, calling out to God more pitifully: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You were a faithful servant and servant of the King of Heavenly Christ God, Our Father Michael, and even if you rested in the sleep of death in the Lord, your holy body would not be involved in corruption, but it would appear as a cure for human ailments. In the same race of your upcoming relics, we prayerfully praise you: Rejoice, for through the incorruption of your body you are a light on earth; Rejoice, for with the holiness of your soul you shine in heaven. Rejoice, blessed illumination of the Russian country; Rejoice, wonderful decoration of this great temple. Rejoice, great intercessor of your city Kyiv; Rejoice, zealous prayer book of the Pechersk monastery. Rejoice, warm intercessor before God for all the children of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, you are a speedy representative to all who call upon you for help. Rejoice, for through your godly life you enlighten us all like the bright sun; Rejoice, for you are surprising the whole world with your apostolic works. Rejoice, whose most honorable body, like fragrant cypress, smells fragrant in the Church of God; Rejoice, his holy soul, like a cedar in the paradise of Christ, flourishes in joy. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 11
With singing of praise we magnify you, Saint Michael of God, and the intercessor at the Throne of the Heavenly Master, your name is tea. Do not disgrace our faith, O good shepherd, but accept our prayers like a fragrant censer, and beg Christ to grant us a virtuous end of life and to dwell with you in Christ, so that we may hear your voice to Him for us: behold, I am the children, what you have given to me, O Lord, and to Him you and I will sing together: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
You were a luminous ray, God-wise Father Michael, who sits in the darkness of polytheism, guiding you to the Sun of Truth, Christ God, to whom we pray, in the light of His commandments we will always abide, bringing joyful singing to you: Rejoice, lamp of the Trisian Light; Rejoice, dawn of the Unsetting Sun. Rejoice, scorching idolatrous wickedness with fire; Rejoice, ignite the flames of heretical teachings. Rejoice, Saint, teach everyone that there is no other God except the Heavenly One; Rejoice, thou who teachest men, saying that there is no salvation outside the catholic apostolic Church. Rejoice, instruct in a godly life; Rejoice, show the way to the Heavenly Kingdom. Rejoice, guiding star to Christ; Rejoice in the path by which you have come to the true God. Rejoice, the gate of heaven is opened to the sons of the Russians. Rejoice, intercessor, who has established countless multitudes there. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 12
The grace of God, after the passing of many, your holy incorruptible body was kept in the earth, in the Church of the Tithes, and as a valuable treasure to your flock, this is safe and sound, show this, as below your sacred clothes touch corruption: from here, by faith, understanding, as you stand before Christ and pray for those who worship you and those who sing to Him for your sake: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your holy and glorious life, Michael Equal to the Apostles, we honor your sacred memory, we praise your zeal for God, we extol your love for Christ and your neighbor. But you, O most blessed Father, do not disdain this humble singing: Rejoice, for you stand before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity; Rejoice, for you pray to the Almighty for the whole world. Rejoice, for the archangels and angels sang the Trisagion in Heaven; Rejoice, for you are with the apostles in the heavenly abodes. Rejoice, for from the faces of the saints you interceded for our souls before God; Rejoice, for from the regiment of the saints you are promoting our salvation. Rejoice, for with the Most Pure Virgin Mother of God, you raise your most honorable hands to Christ for the peace of our Fatherland; Rejoice, for you continually beseech Him for the unification of people. Rejoice, heirs with the prophets and martyrs of the Highest Kingdom; Rejoice, one of God's paradise with all the saints. Rejoice, viewer of heavenly greatness and beauty; Rejoice, endless sweets and bliss of heaven to the owner. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Kontakion 13
O all-praised and wonderful wonderworker, our Father Michael, the first saint of the Russian country and the representative of all Orthodox Christians, accept this little prayer of ours, offered to you in praise, and with your prayers ask God for us in this time of life to live a quiet and virtuous life, and in in the future life we will be worthy to sing together with you in the Trinity to the One God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer to Michael, first Metropolitan of Kyiv
Great and glorious holy archpastor and our father Michael, the first throne of the Russian country and enlightener, trustworthy intercessor of all Christian tribes before God, we pray to you: help us to be an imitator of your love for God, with which you were filled in your earthly belly. Enlighten our minds and hearts with the light of Divine teaching. Teach us to follow you faithfully and to diligently do the commandments of the Lord, so that we may be known as your children not only by name, but also by all our lives. Pray, Equal-to-the-Apostles, hierarch, for the Russian Church, for your city and monastery, in which your saints rest incorruptibly, and for our entire Fatherland, look mercifully on all your faithful admirers who seek your help: be a healer to everyone in sickness, in sorrow and a comforter to the sorrowful, a helper in troubles and needs, and in the hour of death an intercessor and patron, so that with your help we, too, sinners, may be worthy to receive salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Christ. To her, the saint of Christ, if you are willing to help us, and trust in your help, let us glorify the wondrous God in His saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion to Saint Michael, first Metropolitan of Kyiv
Troparion, tone 4
Today the prophecy of the First-Called Apostles has been fulfilled: behold, grace has risen on these mountains and faith has increased. And who, through unbelief, became dilapidated by the Divine font, was born and was born into people's renewal, the royal priesthood, the holy tongue, the flock of Christ, to whom you were the first shepherd, as you first served with Baptism. And now, standing before the Master Christ God, pray to all Russian sons to be saved: for you have boldness as a hierarch of God and a clergyman.
The ninetieth anniversary, which the artist did not live to see for only a year, is a serious date. Kurilko-Ryumin did a lot, he also experienced and re-seen. But the exhibition in just two halls on Prechistenka seems excessive. Tapestry hanging paintings, graphics, from educational drawings of the 1940s to the most recent ones, models and sketches of theatrical scenery, sketches for costumes, documentary materials from the personal archive...
Honoring its scientific secretary and vice-president, the Academy decided to build a mini-museum. The hero undoubtedly deserves it.
Kurilko-Ryumin’s “Living Life” is no less interesting and important than his work, which has become a textbook. A descendant of ancient noble families with an arrogant double surname (he is Ryumin on his mother’s side). The son of a famous theater artist and a devout theatergoer who took her child to performances almost every evening. It was destined for him to enter the theater institute immediately after school.
But war broke out, and eighteen-year-old Kurilko-Ryumin volunteered to go to the front. “I tied my glasses to my ears with a string so they wouldn’t fall off,” as he himself said with heroic irony. Then there was a serious wound near Kursk, which cost him his right arm. Treatment in Frunze, where he begins to work as an artist at the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater. Note, without professional education. Only in 1945 did Mikhail Mikhailovich enter the art department at VGIK. There his mentors will be Fyodor Bogorodsky and Yuri Pimenov, classics of what is now indiscriminately called “socialist realism.” And the St. Petersburg aristocrat will join the Soviet school of painting.
It must be said that in the list of performances designed by Kurilko-Ryumin, there are not many “Soviet” ones. But there are productions based on Arthur Miller and Jerome D. Salinger. And his stage inventions - with double curtains, slanting curtains, exceptional architectural design of space - would do credit to any Western theater. Kurilko-Ryumin's imagination was limitless, as was the range of intonations - from tragic in Hamlet and The Queen of Spades to frankly humorous in some Tobacco Captain. In total, he staged more than 200 performances throughout the USSR and the countries of the “socialist camp”. Such a legacy in the form of sketches and models cannot be accommodated in any museum. Moreover, for the artist, any sketch was a valuable work in itself, which is very noticeable at the current exhibition.
In general, he was an excellent painter of the “Korovin” school. Light, transparent landscapes made in France, Greece, Croatia or near Borovsk and Tarusa are the highlight of the exhibition “Who Worked a Miracle.”
Its pathetic title is a paraphrase of the title of the play “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson, one of the last theatrical works of the artist from 1990. But the long creative life of Mikhail Mikhailovich Kurilko is truly a miracle that we have yet to appreciate.
A vessel chosen from Christ God, you were sent to the Russian land and you enlightened our tongue with holy baptism to the Holy Hierarch Father Michael, who now stands before your Master in heaven, to whom you pray diligently, to deliver your flock from all troubles and misfortunes, so we call to you: Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious primate of the Russian Church.
King of the Archangels and Angels, and Creator and Provider of all creation, show Your mercy to the people of our country, who walked in the darkness of idolatry, and you, Saint Michael, as an apostle ambassador, may you enlighten this with the light of true knowledge of God. And behold, by your teachings, even before the sacrifice of the demon, you now offer your souls to Christ. This hymn of thanksgiving is offered to you: Rejoice, zealous planter of the faith of Christ. Rejoice, thou who hast eradicated idolatry; Rejoice, having abolished the demonic sacrifices. Rejoice, light, shining from the east; Rejoice, you who have dispersed the darkness of idolatry. Rejoice, you who enlightened people with the teachings of Christ; Rejoice, you who destroyed the idolatrous demands with the cross. Rejoice, thou who has cultivated Christ's field well; Rejoice, fruitful seeds on her, all appearing. Rejoice, honey-flowing lips of Christ; Rejoice, euphonious flute of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
You, Saint Michael, saw the fruits of the labors of your preaching, the citizens of the glorious city of Kyiv, listening to the truth of your teaching with all your soul and heart, believing in Christ the true God, turning away from vile idols and crushing them, some with reproach, swept into the river, in them besie: “For the cruelty of us,” I cry out. In vain is this, blessed father, you rejoiced in your spirit, gratefully singing to God: Alleluia.
Having a divinely inspired mind, most wonderfully Father Michael, having taught people goodness with your divine teaching, and having nourished the soul with the joy of the soul, having nourished the words of the Gospel with bread, you brought this to Christ: Pray to Him, the saint, for those who praise you: Rejoice, beauty of the Church; Rejoice, kindness of the bishops. Rejoice, shining light of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, piety is the rule. Rejoice, great teacher of the Russian people; Rejoice, glorious perfecter of the prophecies in the apostles of the First-Called. Rejoice, primate of the face of the God-chosen Fathers of Pechersk; Rejoice, equal to the apostles Cyril and Methodius. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the twelve sons of Vladimir in the font of Baptism; Rejoice, you who diligently served his entire land. Rejoice, you who spread the faith of Christ; Rejoice, you who have cast down the demonic charm. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
By the power of your godly prayers, holy one, our forefathers helped us to believe in the One True God, to reject false gods and crush our spiritual idols: pride by humility, love of money by non-covetousness, fornication by chastity, anger by meekness, gluttony by abstinence, envy by goodwill, despondency by strong God's hope. Yes, having escaped spiritual peruns, we will be able to present ourselves to God, to Him you, Father, taught us to believe and sing unceasingly: Alleluia.
Having the kvass of faith in Christ, my wife, the God-wise Princess Olga, is hidden among the Russian people. By you, by the will of the Almighty, you leavened all the dough of the Vladimir Empire, growing into the faith of Christ. For this reason, accept from our zeal worthy praise for you: Rejoice, God's favor to Rus'; Rejoice, the prayers of Saint Olga have been fulfilled. Rejoice, great adviser to the gloriously powerful Vladimir; Rejoice, wise teacher of the newly chosen people of Christ. Rejoice, by whom our kings and all the Russian people are saved; Rejoice, in whom our bishops, priests and monastics boast; Rejoice, through whom the poor become rich and glorified by God; Rejoice, for through the faith of Christ the overworked elders will rest in heaven. Rejoice, to whom the departed infants cry out “Hosanna” in the highest; Rejoice, for the souls of the sons of Russians, like sparks, flow along a stem to heaven. Rejoice, our land is a wonderful blessing; Rejoice, consecration of the glorious city of Kyiv. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Having felt the storm of idols crushing, the demons cried out sobbingly: “Oh the cruelty of our wretchedness. As before we were revered by all, but now we are raising up the reproach of one stranger, who teaches people to believe in Christ, but to crush us, singing to the One God: Alleluia.”
We hear in ancient times from the Divine Scripture, how the walls of Jericho fell, Joshua carried the ark: now we know how the idols fell to you, Saint Michael, who came to the Russian country. In the same way, we, your children, with you in the bright robe of Baptism, gratefully praise you calling: Rejoice, thou who shone brightly on the mountains of Kyiv; Rejoice, you have brought people from darkness to light. Rejoice, thorns of polytheism that are greatly destroyed; Rejoice, you who warmed our father with the warmth of the love of the Divine soul. Rejoice, you who preached Christ the Son of God with your lips; Rejoice, with your fiery tongue you denounced the wickedness of idols. Rejoice, you who taught our fathers to believe in the Triune God; Rejoice, you planted the fruitful tree of Jesus' paradise. Rejoice, for the Russian people have washed from you the water of grace; Rejoice, for through you your spiritual comb has opened them in the holy font. Rejoice; for by you, for the glory of God, many churches have been created; Rejoice, for through you the monasteries of monks have been built together. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Church of Russia.
The Great Vladimir, the God-blessed lamp of you, Michael the God-wise, has brought you to the Russian land darkened by idolatry, so that even here, by your coming, people will be sanctified and the knowledge of the true faith will come to their senses, and in an Orthodox and godly manner they will offer up a song of praise to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia.
Hearing the Patriarch of Constantinople, like Vladimir, receive the holy baptism, and like the forefather of the saints, he prayed: may the city send a wise teacher to Korsun and install that metropolitan of the Russian land, he rejoiced greatly and created a council with the consecrated cathedral, choosing you, holy one, to fulfill this great obedience. The Russian people met you and saw the reverent look of your face, and heard your gray-haired sweetness, saying: Rejoice, our good mentor; Rejoice, successor to apostolic power and honor. Rejoice, glorious one among the bishops; Rejoice, great in faith. Rejoice, thou wise in their commandments; Rejoice, most sweet in their teaching. Rejoice, meek in disposition; Rejoice, high in life according to God. Rejoice, diligent steward of truth; Rejoice, terrible accuser of falsehood. Rejoice, for through your prayers we hope to escape eternal death; Rejoice, for through your teachings we believe to acquire eternal life. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
The preacher of the faith of Christ appeared in Novegrad, the sacred Michael, and came there, crushing idols, destroying temples, you baptized people, you built churches and appointed elders throughout the city and villages, teaching and admonishing people about brotherly love and Christian living, and all united lips and one heart with you will learn to sing to Christ God: Alleluia.
You have shone, O Saint of Christ, like a bright star in our Fatherland, and you have completely suppressed the darkness of idolatry with the light of your Divine teachings. For this reason, for your sake, as an angel of God, the Russian people reverently call: Rejoice, the beginning of our faith in Christ; Rejoice, foundation of the Church of God in Rus'. Rejoice, hierarch in preaching the word of the Gospel in the image: Rejoice, monk, flowing on the path of a godly life, rule. Rejoice, culprit of the righteous life of the laity; Rejoice, crown minister of all who live virtuously. Rejoice, thou who adorned thy soul with purity; Rejoice, thou who leadest the path of temporary life in humility of spirit. Rejoice, thou who shone brightly with good deeds; Rejoice, you who have surprised people with many miracles. Rejoice, for you gave a good word about your flock to the Chief Shepherd Christ; Rejoice, for you have received righteous reward from His hand. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Church of Russia.
Although the good God chose new people for Himself, He first brought the great king Vladimir into the knowledge of the Divine, who was illuminated by the intelligent radiance of grace in the holy font, He received thee as a shepherd by revelation from above, He brought to Rus' His sheep, who had gone astray in unbelief. By the same teaching and Baptism in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, having washed in this water, you brought you into the courtyard of Christ. Standing with them now before His throne, pray that He may grant us with you in heaven to bring a song to Him: Alleluia.
We see your new apostle, Blessed Bishop Michael, flowing around the Russian land: for you have reached the city of Rostov, where you baptized a great multitude of people and taught them to believe in the Trinity, taught you piety and prudence, and erected many churches, presbyters and deacons to them You have established, and you have taught pious statutes to those who say to you: Rejoice, you who crowned the head of Rus' with the grace of Baptism, as if crowned with a diadem; Rejoice, through Orthodoxy, like a ring, you have betrothed our land to Christ. Rejoice, thou who hast clothed this in piety, as in royal purple; Rejoice, Gospel of Christ, like the one who placed a golden hryvnia on her neck. Rejoice, the Cross of the Lord has given her an invincible power; Rejoice, all her Orthodox children adopted by Christ the Lord and His Most Pure Mother. Rejoice, most luminous bridegroom of the Church; Rejoice, glorious son of the Heavenly Father. Rejoice, father of fathers, magnificent beauty; Rejoice, shepherd of shepherds, all-praised kindness. Rejoice, and prayer book of all generations of Russians; Rejoice, companion of heavenly angels. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Wandering and wandering in the desert of idolatry, the son of the Russians, you were the guide to the promised land of the Reverend Father Michael, even if not for fourty years like Moses, but for four years you were the children of the people of the Kiev country, not with perishable manna, but with the true bread that came down from heaven, this food, like is Christ the Lord. Therefore we sing a song about you: Alleluia.
Having been all in God, you ever taught the archpastor to please your flock, your spiritual children, and begged you to prefer the love of Christ over nothing, but we are your spiritual children, we say to you: Rejoice in Christ the Lord with all your soul and heart; Rejoice, believe Him and love Him and teach us. Rejoice, for you have pleased God greatly; Rejoice, for you taught us the Divine law. Rejoice, good and faithful servant of the Heavenly Lord; Rejoice, the talent given to you is not hidden, but laboriously multiplied. Rejoice, you who have done much to buy them, Rejoice, you who have received great praise from your Lord. Rejoice, you who bowed your neck in humility under the good yoke of Christ; Rejoice, you who bore the burden of the day and the wine in His grapes with zeal. Rejoice, having received a denarius from Christ instead of the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, sweet one resting in the heavenly abodes after your labors. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
All the Russian people, who first wandered through pagan polytheism, now through you, Saint Michael of God, have come to good instruction in the knowledge of God and in the holy font, having been delivered from the blindness of reason, glorify their only Creator, chanting to Him: Alleluia.
Human flamboyance is not sufficient to glorify your labors and exploits, Spirit-bearing Father, even though you have received it: so by faith you were jealous, just as you were jealous of the godless Hagarians, the Bulgarians and the Saracens, the husband of a certain Mark the philosopher, who sent a certain Mark the philosopher to preach and called people to Christ. Now we say to you: Rejoice, like Elijah you were jealous of the Lord God; Rejoice, having given much joy to the spread of His holy faith. Rejoice, you have labored for the glory of Christ; Rejoice, you who brought His venerable name before the tongues. Rejoice, having become like an apostle through your zeal for the teaching of Christ; Rejoice, thou who imitate Christ himself in the salvation of human souls. Rejoice, filled with Divine love; Rejoice, filled with compassion for your neighbor. Rejoice, destroy the pagan temple with thunder; Rejoice, loud-voiced tympanum proclaiming the glory of the Divinity of Christ. Rejoice, for now you have great boldness towards Christ; Rejoice, for you stand before Her throne with inexpressible joy. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
Desiring the salvation of the people and the good establishment of the Church, our most good shepherd, this one took great care to arrange everything for the Russian tribe of the newly chosen: you placed shepherds and teachers throughout the city and thus wrought a flock of verbal sheep, you yourself went to the Chief Shepherd Christ to reign in the great weeping and mourning of your flock and having moved Prince Vladimir, those who fall to your relics, calling out to God more pitifully: Alleluia.
You were a faithful servant and servant of the King of Heavenly Christ God, Our Father Michael, and even if you rested in the sleep of death in the Lord, your holy body would not be involved in corruption, but it would appear as a cure for human ailments. In the same race of your upcoming relics, we prayerfully praise you: Rejoice, for through the incorruption of your body you are a light on earth; Rejoice, for with the holiness of your soul you shine in heaven. Rejoice, blessed illumination of the Russian country; Rejoice, wonderful decoration of this great temple. Rejoice, great intercessor of your city Kyiv; Rejoice, zealous prayer book of the Pechersk monastery. Rejoice, warm intercessor before God for all the children of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, you are a speedy representative to all who call upon you for help. Rejoice, for through your godly life you enlighten us all like the bright sun; Rejoice, for you are surprising the whole world with your apostolic works. Rejoice, whose most honorable body, like fragrant cypress, smells fragrant in the Church of God; Rejoice, his holy soul, like a cedar in the paradise of Christ, flourishes in joy. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
With singing of praise we magnify you, Saint Michael of God, and the intercessor at the Throne of the Heavenly Master, your name is tea. Do not disgrace our faith, O good shepherd, but accept our prayers like a fragrant censer, and beg Christ to grant us a virtuous end of life and to dwell with you in Christ, so that we may hear your voice to Him for us: behold, I am the children, what you have given to me, O Lord, and to Him you and I will sing together: Alleluia.
You were a luminous ray, God-wise Father Michael, who sits in the darkness of polytheism, guiding you to the Sun of Truth, Christ God, to whom we pray, in the light of His commandments we will always abide, bringing joyful singing to you: Rejoice, lamp of the Trisian Light; Rejoice, dawn of the Unsetting Sun. Rejoice, scorching idolatrous wickedness with fire; Rejoice, ignite the flames of heretical teachings. Rejoice, Saint, teach everyone that there is no other God except the Heavenly One; Rejoice, thou who teachest men, saying that there is no salvation outside the catholic apostolic Church. Rejoice, instruct in a godly life; Rejoice, show the way to the Heavenly Kingdom. Rejoice, guiding star to Christ; Rejoice in the path by which you have come to the true God. Rejoice, the gate of heaven is opened to the sons of the Russians. Rejoice, intercessor, who has established countless multitudes there. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
The grace of God, after the passing of many, your holy incorruptible body was kept in the earth, in the Church of the Tithes, and as a valuable treasure to your flock, this is safe and sound, show this, as below your sacred clothes touch corruption: from here, by faith, understanding, as you stand before Christ and pray for those who worship you and those who sing to Him for your sake: Alleluia.
Singing your holy and glorious life, Michael Equal to the Apostles, we honor your sacred memory, we praise your zeal for God, we extol your love for Christ and your neighbor. But you, O most blessed Father, do not disdain this humble singing: Rejoice, for you stand before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity; Rejoice, for you pray to the Almighty for the whole world. Rejoice, for the archangels and angels sang the Trisagion in Heaven; Rejoice, for you are with the apostles in the heavenly abodes. Rejoice, for from the faces of the saints you interceded for our souls before God; Rejoice, for from the regiment of the saints you are promoting our salvation. Rejoice, for with the Most Pure Virgin Mother of God, you raise your most honorable hands to Christ for the peace of our Fatherland; Rejoice, for you continually beseech Him for the unification of people. Rejoice, heirs with the prophets and martyrs of the Highest Kingdom; Rejoice, one of God's paradise with all the saints. Rejoice, viewer of heavenly greatness and beauty; Rejoice, endless sweets and bliss of heaven to the owner. Rejoice, Michael, great hierarch, most glorious first throne of the Russian Church.
O all-praised and wonderful wonderworker, our Father Michael, the first saint of the Russian country and the representative of all Orthodox Christians, accept this little prayer of ours, offered to you in praise, and with your prayers ask God for us in this time of life to live a quiet and virtuous life, and in in the future life we will be worthy to sing together with you in the Trinity to the One God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Great and glorious holy archpastor and our father Michael, the first throne of the Russian country and enlightener, trustworthy intercessor of all Christian tribes before God, we pray to you: help us to be an imitator of your love for God, with which you were filled in your earthly belly. Enlighten our minds and hearts with the light of Divine teaching. Teach us to follow you faithfully and to diligently do the commandments of the Lord, so that we may be known as your children not only by name, but also by all our lives. Pray, Equal-to-the-Apostles, hierarch, for the Russian Church, for your city and monastery, in which your saints rest incorruptibly, and for our entire Fatherland, look mercifully on all your faithful admirers who seek your help: be a healer to everyone in sickness, in sorrow and a comforter to the sorrowful, a helper in troubles and needs, and in the hour of death an intercessor and patron, so that with your help we, too, sinners, may be worthy to receive salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Christ. To her, the saint of Christ, if you are willing to help us, and trust in your help, let us glorify the wondrous God in His saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
