Our Venerable Father Sergius of Radonezh: Life, Canon, and Akathist Hymn

Excerpt from the Saint's Life:

When he was seven years old, Bartholomew began to learn to read, but he did not learn quickly, for his memory was poor. His teacher instructed him with great diligence but achieved little success. This was according to God’s providence, that the child might receive the gift of learning not from men but from God. One day, as he was walking through a forest of oak trees (for from his youth he loved silence, and he often wandered through secluded places), he encountered a monk, or rather, an angel sent by God who had appeared in the form of a monk, standing in the forest praying. Bartholomew drew near him, stopping not far from him, and when the monk finished praying, the boy bowed down before Him.

The monk asked him, “What do you seek, child?”

Answered the boy, “That I might be able to read books, Father, and understand what my teacher tells me concerning them. I am greatly vexed because I cannot read and do not know what to do concerning this. I entreat your holiness to pray to God for me that He enlighten me by your holy prayers.”

The monk then prayed and blessed him, saying, “May God grant you your desire, that you may benefit others.” From the time that the blessed child received the holy monk’s blessing, or rather, that of the angel, he was able to grasp every sort of book learning without difficulty, even as the earth, when it has been watered abundantly with rain, brings forth fruit, for God opened his understanding of the Scriptures.

Excerpt from the Akathist Hymn:

O venerable father Sergius, all-wondrous worker of miracles and military commander chosen by the Lord Jesus, the King of hosts, and given to Russia! Glorifying thee whom the Lord of glory hath glorified, we chant unto thee hymnody of thanksgiving; for by thy supplications thou dost ever deliver us from the invasion of aliens and from grievous circumstances. As thou hast boldness before the Lord, free us from all misfortunes, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O Sergius, speedy helper and all-glorious wonder-worker!

Through the independent volition of thy pure heart, which by thrice crying aloud showed itself to be wholly zealous for the fulfilling of His will even in thy mother’s womb, the Creator of the angels, Who hath foreknowledge of all things, manifested thee to the world as a true servant of the Holy Trinity, and hath taught all to cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, thou of whom it was foreknown, even before time began, that thou wouldst be a faithful servant of Christ;
rejoice, thou who at that time wast ordained to be a blessed and heavenly habitation! 

Rejoice, thou who wast called from thy mother’s womb to the service of the heavenly King, as a warrior who would be loyal to Him;
rejoice, for thou wast justified by the grace of God!

Rejoice, thou who hast been glorified not only by Russia, but by the whole world;
rejoice, thou who by thy thrice repeated cry within the womb didst amaze thy parents and all those who heard it!

Rejoice, thou who after thy birth didst show forth a monastic life of fasting;
rejoice, thou who didst display wondrous abstinence from thy mother’s breast!

Rejoice, for thou wouldst in nowise taste of milk on Wednesdays and Fridays;
rejoice, good and chosen fruit of goodly parents!

Rejoice, giver of joy to the sorrowful and of mercy to those who entreat thee with faith;
rejoice, dispeller of evil woes in all circumstances!

Rejoice, O Sergius, speedy helper and all-glorious wonder-worker!

Paperbound, 36 pages, 5" x 8"