Macarius Zheltovodsky: biography. Venerable Macarius of Zheltovodsk and Unzha

LIFE. Rev. Macarius Zheltovodsky, Unzhensky. (Comm. 25 July/7 August and 12/25 October) was born in 1349 in Nizhny Novgorod into a family of pious parents. At the age of twelve, he secretly left his parents and took monastic vows at the Nizhny Novgorod Caves Monastery from St. Dionysius (later Archbishop of Suzdal; † 1385; Comm. 26 June). With all the fervor of a youthful soul, he devoted himself to the cause of salvation: the strictest fasting and the exact fulfillment of monastic rules distinguished him from all the brethren.

Only three years later did the parents of the Monk Macarius find out where he had hidden himself. The father came to him and tearfully begged his son only that he would come out to see him. Saint Macarius spoke to his father through the wall and said that he would see him in the next life. “Give me at least your hand,” my father pleaded. The son fulfilled this small request, and the father, kissing the outstretched hand of his son, returned home. Weary of glory, the humble Macarius withdrew to the banks of the Volga River and asceticised here in a cave near Lake Zhovtiye Vody. Here, with firm abstinence and patience, he overcame the battle of the enemy of salvation. Lovers of silence gathered at Saint Macarius, and in 1435 he arranged for them a monastery in the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Here he began to preach Christianity to the surrounding Cheremis and Chuvash, and baptized Mohammedans and pagans in the lake, which received the name of the saint. When the Kazan Tatars ravaged the monastery in 1439, the Monk Macarius was taken prisoner. Out of respect for his piety and charitable love, the khan released the saint from captivity and together with him freed up to 400 Christians. But they took the word from the Monk Macarius not to settle near the Yellow Lake. The Monk Macarius honorably buried the beaten in his monastery, and set out with the brethren for 240 miles to the Galich region.

Rev. Macarius of Unzhensky with the miracle of saving the city of Soligalich (mid-18th century Soligalich)

During this migration, the travelers, through the prayers of the monk, ate miraculously. The difficult journey became even more difficult from the lack of food supplies, and the travelers mourned because of the onset of famine. But the merciful God did not leave them completely exhausted. Through the prayers of the monk, in order to glorify his name, they met an elk on the way. It was the time of Peter's fast, and Macarius, a strict guardian of church rules, forbade them to slaughter the animal. He ordered the captured beast to be released, cutting off its right ear. And as a consolation, he told them that in three days, on the feast of the apostles, the released beast himself would appear before them, and then it would be possible to slaughter him for food. “Do not grieve,” Macarius consoled them, “but pray to the Lord. He, who nourished Israel with manna for 40 years in the wilderness, can nourish you invisibly in these days. Have a living faith in Him who nourished five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, besides wives and children.”

At the onset of the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, Macarius, moving away from his companions, with outstretched hands to heaven, prayed to the Lord, who saves from all sorrows and illnesses. After such prayerful consolation, the wild beast, released three days ago, miraculously appeared among the travelers no longer wild, but meek. Taking him without any effort in their hands, they saw that his right ear had been cut off. Thus, the prediction of Macarius came true before all the brethren. With joy they led the elk that appeared to their praying guide. The monk rejoiced together with his companions and blessed them to use it for food.

Rev. Macarius Unzhensky. Icon.

Having reached the city of Unzha, the Monk Macarius set up a cross 15 versts from the city on the shore of Lake Unzha and built a cell. Here he founded a new monastery. In 1444, in the fifth year of his life in Unzha, Saint Macarius fell ill and reposed at the age of 95. The monk was buried within the walls of his monastery, which later became known as the Holy Trinity Makariyevo-Unzhensky Monastery.

Rev. Macarius Unzhensky. Icon

Even during his lifetime, the Monk Macarius was endowed with a gift of grace: he healed a blind and demon-possessed girl. After the death of the monk, many received healing from his relics. The monks erected a temple over his coffin and established a hostel in the monastery. In 1522, the Tatars attacked Unzha and wanted to rip off the silver reliquary in the Makariy desert, but they became blind and, distraught, rushed to run. Many of them drowned in Unzha. In 1532, through the prayers of St. Macarius, the city of Soligalich was saved from the Tatars, and the grateful inhabitants built a chapel in honor of the saint in the cathedral church. Through the prayers of St. Macarius, more than 50 people received healing from serious illnesses, as established by a commission sent by Patriarch Philaret on June 24, 1619.

Macarius Unzhensky. Carved figure. (Last third of the 18th century. Galich)

The Holy Trinity Makariyevo-Unzhensky Monastery, one of the most revered in the Kostroma land, was founded by the Reverend in 1439, 15 versts from the city of Makaryev on the right bank of the Unzha River (now the village of Unzha, Makaryevsky District, Kostroma Region). In 1778, the settlement that had existed near the monastery since the 15th century was transformed into the city of Makaryev.

At the end of 1929, the monastery of St. Macarius was closed and has been in desolation since that time. The holy relics of the saint of God, seized from the monastery, were in the museum of the city of Yuryevets; their return to the Church took place only in 1990. Since 1993, the monastery of St. Macarius has been renewed as a nunnery.

Macarius Unzhensky. Carved figure. Fragment. (Last third of the 18th century. Galich)

A significant event in the life of the Kostroma diocese was the solemn celebration of the 555th anniversary of the death of the Monk Macarius of Unzhensky, which took place in 1999 within the walls of the revived monastery.

Saint Macarius is especially revered in Soligalich. Through the prayers of the inhabitants to the monk, the city was miraculously delivered from the Agarians (16th century). An icon was painted to commemorate this event.

Makariev-Unzhensky convent today.

Sources: www.kostroma-eparhia.ru.

Venerable Macarius of Zheltovodsky and Unzhensky miracle worker (1444), founder of the Trinity Monastery on Yellow Lake

The Monk Macarius, the great desert-dweller and miracle worker, “the praise and affirmation of the whole Russian land,” was born in Nizhny Novgorod into a family of townspeople in 1349, during the reign of Konstantin Vasilyevich, who became famous for his piety and strength against enemies.

The parents of the monk, John and Mary, were distinguished by piety, among fellow citizens they were an example in family and social life. Feeding mutual love for each other, they kept firm faith in their hearts, took care of the purity of their souls and bodies, in all needs they turned with prayer to the only Giver of all blessings - God (such qualities are attributed to the parents of St. Macarius in all manuscript lives). They lived in the parish of the Nizhny Novgorod Church of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women. Their house was next to the temple, which they visited with reverence. Until now, many Nizhny Novgorod residents can point to the place where, according to legend, the parents of the saint lived and where he was born.

The pious and God-fearing parents of the monk had no children for a long time. In their fervent prayers, along with other needs, they asked God to grant them good children. The merciful God heard their prayer and gave them a son. What name Macarius was given at baptism is unknown. It is only known that the son, requested by the prayers of his parents, was baptized in the parish church of Myrrh-bearing Church.

Having received saving grace through holy baptism, Macarius, even in infancy, showed himself a special sign of God. His heart was attracted to the holy temple even when his lips could not pronounce praise before the Lord.

The child, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, brought comfort to his parents. His calmness was interrupted only when the ringing of a bell was heard, calling the Orthodox to worship. When the time came for Matins, Liturgy, or Vespers, he suddenly changed his quiet smile into tears, even if he was in the arms of a tender mother. Even sleep, pleasant for everyone, especially for babies, could not calm the reverend. In the midst of a deep sleep, wrapped in swaddling clothes, he woke up at the very minute that they began to strike the bell. And, having woken up, instead of words, in a deplorable voice, he showed his zeal for the Church of God. Tears flowed from the eyes, and with them sobs escaped from the infant's chest. Compassionate parents sought various means to calm their beloved son. But all was in vain. No caresses could console the inconsolable baby. Chosen from his mother's womb to serve God, he could not find consolation in any amusements of this world. This greatly disturbed the caring parents, who did not find the reason for such crying. They were afraid to wear it to church, fearing even greater sobs and cries of the baby, indecent for worship. But when they noticed that crying was repeated with their son at the same time, they began to look at him in bewilderment and wonder. First among themselves, and then with relatives and friends, they began to talk about the baby. “Why,” they said, “during the whole time he is calm and enjoys a quiet sleep, but during the service he knows neither sleep nor rest?” Having reasoned thus, the parents of the monk, when they were about to go to church, decided to take the weeping baby with them. “Oh, if,” they thought, “our son would stop crying in the holy church, we would carry him there all the time.” As soon as they entered the church, the baby suddenly received such consolation, which until now the parents had not seen in him. During church reading and singing, he turned to his mother holding him with tenderness, a smile and caresses. On his face was depicted an extraordinary joy, with which the angels rejoice in heaven, and with which St. John the Baptist in the womb of the blessed Elizabeth. And without words, he clearly expressed his desire to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. Such joy of the baby comforted his lamentable parents. Since that time, they have learned about the cause of infant tears. At the first strike of the bell, the parents who lived near the Mironositskaya Church began to carry their son to the temple or let him be taken to his relatives. Whenever only the monk was brought to church, he rejoiced in spirit and body. But if he remained in the house of his parents when the divine service was being served, then the former crying again appeared on his eyes and lips.

Title page of the Synodikon of the Makariev Monastery of the 17th century.
and a fragment with a record of the commemoration of St. Rev. Macarius
and his parents

This made it necessary to carry the baby to church all the time, without missing a single service. From visiting the house of God, tears ceased to irrigate his face. A constantly rejoicing baby was a comfort to parents. They saw in their son the blessing of God and the reposed power of the Spirit, preparing him for holy service.

Thus, the Monk Macarius, while still an infant, attracted the special attention of his parents. They marveled at his extraordinary understanding and took great care of his upbringing. Following the example of other compassionate parents, they applied all means to his education. As soon as the monk reached the age of adolescence, they immediately sent him to learn to read and write. Enlightened by Divine grace, he soon learned to read and understand Holy Scripture. None of his peers could compare with him in this understanding. The blessed youth found in the Divine Scripture what his pure heart was looking for. The Word of God was food and drink for him. The beginning of his wisdom was not barren knowledge, but the many-fruited fear of the Lord. Examples of ascetics of piety, about whom the monk happened to read, inflamed his spirit and carried him away. Along with zeal for hearing and reading the word of God, he combined meekness, humility, obedience and other virtues. For love of silence, he moved away, if possible, from the games that his peers amused themselves with, and in conversations with them he did not utter a single empty word.

Temple in the name of St. myrrh-bearing women in Nizhny Novgorod.

The young life of the lad was instructive for everyone. Not only parents and relatives, but all the inhabitants of Nizhny Novgorod were amazed at the piety of such a young lad as Macarius. Constantly visiting God's temple and moving away from worldly fuss, he aroused reverence in others. The good deeds of the young lad involuntarily attracted others to him, his name became known throughout the city. There was a legend in Nizhny Novgorod about how he covered a pond with boards, from which water was allegedly carried out under the church of St. Myrrhbearing women, as he allowed only worthy people to draw water from this pond. We do not vouch for the authenticity of this legend, which could have changed over the course of more than 600 years. At the very least, it hides the idea that the Monk Macarius, even before being tonsured a monk, earned the love and respect for himself of many fellow citizens, who saw in him the effect of the grace of God. But he was not born for the world and not for earthly honors.

Dedicating himself to the service of God, Macarius hated the vanity of the world and loved the life of a hermit. He saw many obstacles in the world for salvation. The gospel words about selflessness and the exploits of the hermits convinced him to leave the world and settle in the desert. He liked the monastic way of life very much. Out of love for desert living, Macarius, in addition to his parish church, visited the Caves Monastery, founded around 1330. The monastery at that time was located two versts from Nizhny Novgorod down the Volga. The founder of the monastery, Kiev-Pechersk tonsured St. Dionysius, who came here with the Caves Icon of the Mother of God, first dug out a secluded cave for himself on the banks of the Volga River, and then arranged for the workers who came to him for obedience a monastery in the name of the Ascension of the Lord. With his strict life, he attracted many students to himself and was above them, first hegumen, and then archimandrite. Among the twelve chosen disciples of the founder of the Caves monastery, the most famous is St. Euthymius, a close associate of St. Macarius.

Archimandrite Dionysius
performs the tonsure of the youth Macarius

In 1352, Grand Duke Boris Konstantinovich summoned him from the Nizhny Novgorod monastery and appointed him archimandrite of the Spaso-Evfimievsky monastery founded by him in Suzdal. Among the students of St. Dionysius was no less famous for Paul the Tall, “the old man of the book and wonderful,” who died on January 1, 1383 and was mourned by Dionysius himself for his great deeds. Looking at the exploits of the rector of the Caves with his chosen students, Macarius wanted to imitate them and often went from his parental home to the monastery. Here he loved to listen to the lives of the saints and stories about the exploits of the great hermits. In prayers and soul-saving conversations with the elders, he spent time in the monastery. When Macarius heard about the miraculous deeds of Anthony, Theodosius and other hermits, he was inflamed with intense zeal for the monastic life. He saw in it a direct path to salvation, protected from worldly fuss, and clung to it with all his heart. The Lord, desiring salvation for all, prepared it for Himself in a chosen, honest vessel. The young boy wanted to fulfill his holy desire, but love for his parents did not allow him to leave them. He argued for a long time about whether it was impossible to reconcile ordinary love for parents with an all-round love for God. But he saw some obstacle: in order to save his soul, he had to leave the house, parents and relatives, according to the word of the Gospel (Luke 14:26). To do this, he made a relentless decision to take the veil as a monk, waiting only for an opportunity. Once, secretly from his parents, he went to the Caves Monastery. The light-coloured clothes, in which the monk was, seemed to him indecent to appear in it at the monastery for entry into the ranks of the monks. On the way, he met a beggar in thin, tattered clothes. The humble lad wanted to exchange clothes with him. The poor man gladly agreed to his proposal, surprised at such unexpected alms. Macarius took off his light robe, giving it to the beggar, and put on his old robe himself. In beggarly clothes, with a spirit of deep humility and humiliation, he appeared in the Caves monastery. Here, in such a changed form, no one recognized him, even from those who had previously seen him at home and talked with him. Arriving at the Caves Monastery, the 12-year-old boy appeared to Archimandrite Dionysius. With bows and spiritual humility, he asked the rector to accept him among the brethren. “Father and lord! Macarius called out to him. “Be merciful to me, count me poor to the holy herd chosen by you.” Strict in the rules, the abbot saw the young lad by his years not yet capable of a monastic life. However, I asked him: “What place are you from and who are your parents? » Calling himself a rootless orphan from another city, Macarius continued to ask for the abbot. Noticing the intensified desire of the lad, St. Dionysius pointed out to him a young age at which it is inconvenient to endure monastic deeds.

“Believe me, child,” he said with love to the youth, “it is difficult and regrettable to bear the yoke of monastic life. You are still quite young. In my opinion, it is impossible for you to endure fasting labors and endure adversity from demonic wiles. Caring for you, I am afraid that instead of saving your soul, you would not love something worldly, which you are now leaving, and would not consider the right path of salvation difficult and obstinate. Then your good undertaking will not help you, but will turn into destruction, as it is written: put your hand on the rake, and it is in vain to turn back;

From such persuasive words, the humble lad shed tears and with tears asked the rector for the fulfillment of his vow. “Holy Father! - Macarius answered with firm hope, - didn't the Lord himself say about me in the Gospel: I will not put out the one who comes to me (John 6:37). And now I have come to the merciful God, who wants to save me through you. No sorrow can separate me from Him. What you need for cooking, I have already tested. Do not be afraid to do a charitable deed to me and fulfill my petition. After such words, uttered with faith and hope, Dionysius turned special attention to the youth. Surprised by his understanding, the rector began to see in him not a 12-year-old boy, but a perfect man, overshadowed by grace and able to reach the measure of the age of Christ. Noticing the grace of God resting on him, the rector considered his convictions already superfluous, and directly said to him: “Child! May your good election be in accordance with your will.”

Nizhny Novgorod Ascension Caves Monastery.
Engraving by D. Bystritsky con. 19th century

Agreeing to the request of a 12-year-old boy, St. Dionysius told him to prepare to take on the angelic form. And in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, he tonsured him into monasticism, according to the order of the Orthodox Church. This significant event took place in 1631. During the tonsure, the worldly name, unknown to us, was changed. The youth in the new rank was named Macarius. Having performed the rite of monastic vows on him, the abbot ordered him to live in the same cell with him. St. Dionysius was for him an elder and mentor in monastic exploits. The youth, among the twelve disciples chosen by Dionysius, obeyed the abbot in everything. Not a single order, not a single word of his remained unfulfilled. Macarius remembered in all his affairs the vow given during the tonsure and was always faithful to him. He showed his obedience and humility not only to the rector, but also to the entire brethren of the Caves Monastery. From the first days of entering the monastic order, he began to lead the most strict life, which could be an example for everyone. Humility, chastity, silence constantly adorned his lofty soul. The prayer he performed day and night was the most reverent. The time remaining from the divine service, he devoted to reading the Holy Scriptures and talking about the desert exploits of the monks. Not a single empty word came from the lips of the monk, accustomed from childhood to remain silent. His vigil was combined with amazing abstinence. At a common meal with the brethren, the young hermit was constantly, so as not to show himself to others who were fasting. But even at the meal, he cared not about satiation, but about reverent service to God, sending Him a prayer of thanksgiving. He ate so little food that for a whole week he ate bread “no more than one prosphora” with a small amount of water. Pleasing God, he also pleased all the brethren who loved him. In the first three years of his asceticism, Macarius managed to surpass all other monks with his strict life.

Construction of the monastery
on the yellow waters

From the time Macarius secretly left his parents, they searched everywhere for him and could not find him. Many tears were shed over the loss of their only and beloved son, but all was in vain. Finding no consolation in their grief, they asked themselves in bewilderment: “Where has our son hid? Who stole it from us? Did a fierce beast eat him, or was he killed by some evil people, or was he taken away by enemies to another land? - they asked about him not only in their city, but also in the vicinity. They promised a great gift to anyone who finds a son, or at least announces him. But no one could comfort them. Three whole years passed in such futile anxiety. Sorrowful parents could not forget about such a son, in whom they placed all their hope. The merciful God wanted to comfort them in their sorrow. At one time, the abbot of the Pechersk Monastery sent an elder to the city for monastic needs. The elder was known to the father of the Monk Macarius. Having met on the road, they began to talk among themselves. Occupied with the loss of his son, John communicated his grief to the elder. Hearing about this, the monk began to ask him about his son: how old he was and how he looked. Having learned about the age and appearance of the mourned youth, the elder immediately imagined young Macarius who had been living with them in the monastery for 3 years and began to think, was it really him? To be more confident in his guesses, he asked John about the time at which he lost his son. The sad parent told him about everything in detail: what his son was like in terms of spiritual qualities and when he hid from them. Remembering his good deeds, the parent continued to tell that his son constantly abstained from empty games and conversations, spent time in fasting and prayers, attending God's church every day. By external and internal signs, the elder clearly saw in such a youth an associate of his young Macarius. He began to tell John about the boy who was being saved by them. “Three years ago, at the very time you point to, a specious youth of about twelve years old, but a perfect man in mind, came to our rector, said to him a rootless orphan and a stranger from another place. He begged the archimandrite to tonsure himself as a monk, led the most strict life all the time, and now he struggles in our monastery more than all of us, having won love and respect from the rector and the brethren. The name at the tonsure was given to him Macarius. In the young hermit, about whom the elder spoke, John recognized his son.

Saying goodbye to the elder, the delighted parent told his wife about the good news, and immediately went to the Caves Monastery. Arriving at the monastery, he turned to the rector, told him about himself and humbly asked him to show him his son, who was ordained as a monastic three years ago. Archimandrite Dionysius, seeing the sincere love of a parent for his son, said to Macarius, who lived with him: “Go to your father, whom you did not tell me about. He has come to you and wants to see you in a monastic form.” The young hermit answered with a sense of self-denial: “You know, Holy Father, that having taken a new rank, I left my father and mother with all my relatives. Now my father is the One who created heaven and earth and delivered me from the vanity of the world. And after Him you are my father, mentor and leader to salvation. For this reason, having loved the Heavenly Father, I did not tell you about my earthly father.” These words were also heard by the father of the monk, who stood at the window of his son's cell.

“My beloved child! cried the compassionate father. - Comfort me with your mother. Show yourself to me and talk a little with me. If I saw you, I would rejoice in your salvation.” Firm in these vows, the monk remained adamant. Without leaving the cell and without showing himself to his father, he answered: “You cannot see each other here and talk to me. I vowed to have one Heavenly Father and only expect blessings from Him on my way. It is said in the Gospel: whoever loves his father or mother more than Me, is not worthy to bear Me and cannot be My disciple (Matt. 10:37). If you want to see me here, don't you want to see me in the next life? Wouldn't it be better to see each other there than here? Do not weep and do not be sorry for me, but go in peace to your house. However, forgive me for my sins and bless me on the path I have chosen. I hope to see you in the next century." Having received such an unpleasant answer for himself, John burst into tears. Meanwhile, he continued to say to his son: “My beloved child! If you do not show me your face, I will not leave the cell. We have mourned much for you. Do you still want to let me go with sadness? Or do you think that I do not rejoice in your salvation, and want to hinder your chosen path? Not! I only want to see your face and have a few conversations with you.” The tearful petitions of the parent could not touch the young Macarius. Completely devoted to the Lord, he remained steadfast in his intention. Noticing such firmness in his fifteen-year-old son, the father said to him with tender love: “If you no longer want to show me your face, then at least stretch out your right hand to me through the open window.” Out of pity for the inconsolable parent, the monk agreed and held out his hand through the window. The comforted father took his son by the hand and, kissing it, said: “My beloved child! Continue to save your soul and pray for us to God, so that we can be saved by your prayers. After that, Father Macarius returned home with joy, announced to his wife that their son was alive and was seeking salvation in the Caves monastery, having taken the monastic vows. Because of such joy, they spent the rest of their lives in spiritual joy, sending up praises and thanksgiving to God that He, the Merciful, had given them such a great son.

Having said goodbye to his parent, Macarius did not stay long in the Caves Monastery. Archimandrite Dionysius, after predicting the ruin of Nizhny Novgorod by the Mongols, in 1374, on the first week of Great Lent, was summoned by St. Alexy to Moscow and appointed Bishop of Suzdal and Nizhny Novgorod. After leaving the monastery of his mentor and leader Macarius continued to ascetic with the same zeal. He fulfilled his vows of monasticism more than others. His fasting and prayer deeds were extraordinary. He only took food so that he would not die of hunger. He went, as before, with the brethren to a meal, so as not to appear fasting in the eyes of others. Despite the deep humility in which he spent all his time, he could not hide his exploits from people. Everyone paid special attention to him and extolled him with praises. But the monk was far from earthly glory. Imbued entirely with a sense of humility, he did not want to see the praise and honors that were paid to him. Avoiding worldly glory, the humble monk asked God in his prayers to deliver him by His power from the surrounding turmoil and settle him in a deserted place, to which his soul aspired. With hope in God who saves, he wanted to hide from the Pechersk monastery, as he had disappeared from his parents' house before. A convenient time for the fulfillment of such a desire opened up, and he took advantage of it with all joy. Leaving the monastery, he went up the Volga River and, having reached the Lukh River, stopped. It was here, according to legend, that Macarius met the Monk Tikhon, the Wonderworker of Lukhovsky. They both avoided worldly glory and wanted, as the legend says, to labor together. For their exploits, they chose a secluded place, at the confluence of two rivers - Lukha and Dobrica. (The Dobrica river flows into the Lukh, and the Lukh into the Klyazma, which flows into the Oka). But it was as if they were driven from their chosen place by the surrounding residents who did not understand them. Tikhon went up the river Lukh, and 8 versts from his former place (5 versts from the city of Lukha, Kostroma province) stopped in the Lukhov region, on Kopytov, near the rivers Lukha and Vozopol. Here he gathered the brethren and died on July 16, 1492 as a simple monk. The Monk Tikhon, in the world Timothy, was born in Little Russia, was in military service, and was tonsured a monk in Moscow. From here he moved to the Lukhov region, where there was the estate of Prince Feodor Ivanovich Velsky, with whom he moved from Little Russia. The monastery built by Tikhon is known under the name of the Lukhovskaya Nikolaev Hermitage, where the relics of the monk rest under a bushel.

St. Rev. Macarius in captivity
Khan Ulu Mahmet

And the Monk Macarius, having parted from Tikhon, went along the river Dobrina. After walking about 60 versts, he stopped on the banks of the Volga, near the settlement of Reshma, Yuryevets district. At this place Macarius first built a small cell. Here, far from worldly fuss, for a considerable time he labored in desert exploits. Vigil, fasting and prayer were constant companions of his life. With his great deeds, the hermit gradually became famous in the surroundings. Humility lifted him up before everyone, earning him fame and respect. Many came to him for good advice and for the salvation of their souls.

Carried away by his lofty example, many abandoned their worldly pursuits and vowed to lead a wilderness life with him. For the assembled brethren, Macarius founded a monastery in the name of the Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is now located in the Yuryevets district of the Kostroma province near the settlement of Reshma and is known as the Makarievskaya hermitage, ruled first by abbots, and then by builders.

Having arranged deserts near the settlement of Reshma and having chosen an igumen for the brethren, the Monk Macarius did not want to stay with them forever. Worldly glory, which captivated others, could not captivate the true wilderness dweller, who sought praise from the one God. On the contrary, he did his best to avoid people's rumors about his exploits. For love of silent solitude, he wanted to hide from people in the desert. Secretly left, as before, from the monastery arranged by him down the Volga River. Probably, at this very time, the Monk Macarius, according to legend, stopped at this place, where now, at the confluence of the Studenets River into the Volga, the village of Ustye of the Yuryevets district is built with a church in the name of the Unzhensky miracle worker who sanctified his stay. However, in other villages of the Nizhny Novgorod and Kostroma provinces, not only churches were built in the name of St. Macarius, but the villages themselves, like two cities, are called by his name. On the way, after 200 versts, he liked the place at Zhovti Vody, on the left side of the Volga River. Settling near Zheltovodskoye Lake, Macarius dug out a wretched cave with his own hands and labored here day and night, like other great hermits. However, his solitary life did not last long. With all his efforts, he could not hide from others, like a hailstone standing at the top of a mountain. Divine Providence has long determined that the great lamp of piety should not remain under a bushel, but be placed on a candlestick and shine for everyone. The wilderness life of Macarius opened up to other seekers of silent service to the Lord. The glory of his great deeds spread everywhere, from the royal halls to the huts of the Gentiles. Some sought his blessings, while others wanted to imitate him. For the assembled monks, the monk decided, around 1434, to found a monastery in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity. At this time, Grand Duke Vasily the Dark was hiding in Nizhny Novgorod from the persecution of his cousin, Prince Dmitry Shemyaka, who wanted to deprive him of the throne. The persecuted prince visited the Monk Macarius and gave him significant assistance in the construction of the monastery, which, like the builder, was later named Zheltovodsk for the lake adjacent to it. In 1435, a wooden monastery with a church was built in the name of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity. In the newly built Zheltovodsk monastery, Macarius was a mentor and at the same time a servant for all his brethren. He prepared food and drink for everyone. In word and deed, he was a guide for the monks in desert exploits.

Among the disciples of Macarius, the Monk Gregory of Pel'shemsky, a native of the Galich boyars Lopotovs, is well-known. Leaving his parents, Gregory came from the city of Galich to the famous Zheltovod hermit. In his monastery, he was tonsured a monk and awarded the priesthood for his great monastic deeds. Therefore, perhaps, a stone church was built in the Zheltovodsk monastery in the name of Grigory Pel'shemsky in 1686 at the expense of Peter Ivanovich Prokudin. Gregory Pel'shemsky, having left the Zheltovodsky Monastery, was hegumen of the Nativity Galich Monastery. From here he retired to the Monk Dionysius in the Glushitsky monastery. And, moving away from this monastery for 28 fields, he founded a monastery in the name of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos 7 versts from Kadnitsa. Here he died in 1479, and his relics rest under a bushel here. His memory is celebrated on September 30. And after that, the worthy disciple of the Monk Macarius, who enlightened and pacified the Grand Dukes Yuri and Vasily, labored with glory in the Galich, Rostov and Vologda regions. The Monk Gregory died in the Bogoroditsky monastery built by him not far from Vologda (1479), named after the name of the founder Lopotova. The activities of Macarius on the Yellow Waters were not limited to the assembly and instructions of disciples like the Pelshem wonderworker. The strict life of the great mentor, combined with complete love for neighbors, involuntarily attracted to him not only Christians, but also unfaithful foreigners. They came to him with reverence, marveled at his great piety, and brought him gifts of wheat and honey. The monk with love and respect received them with gifts for his brethren. Treating kindly and talking with the coming Gentiles, the Zheltovodsk ascetic wanted to enlighten them with the Christian faith. Convinced by his wise advice and especially by life, many of them agreed to accept the true faith professed by Macarius. Converting to Christianity, he baptized non-Christians from Mordovians, Tatars, Cheremis and Chuvash, who lived around the monastery he built. They were baptized by the blessed desert-dweller in Zheltovodskoye Lake, which was called holy for this reason. It was located opposite the holy gates of the monastery until the beginning of the 19th century, until it was closed by the waters of the Volga.

View of the Makaryevo-Unzhensky Monastery.
Engraving early. 20th century

The Zheltovodsk monastery, arranged by the Monk Macarius and attracting many ascetics of piety, soon became famous and became crowded. But in a flowering state, it was not for long, no more than four years. Makhmet, expelled from the Golden Horde and not accepted by the Grand Duke of Moscow, Ulu, established the Kazan Khanate, which was devastated by the Russians at the end of the 14th century. Having subjugated all the inhabitants of Bulgaria under his rule, the Horde Khan began to spread the boundaries of the state he founded with his sons Ma Mutyak and Yagub. In 1439, while devastating the surrounding countries, they accidentally attacked the monastery of St. Macarius, which had been built. Five years after the construction, the monastery was ravaged by the formidable Tatars to the ground. The brethren who escaped in it perished under the sword of the barbarians. The founder of the devastated monastery, the Monk Macarius, already known from the good side, was taken captive by the Tatars with other survivors. When emaciated in monastic deeds, but handsome 90-year-old elder was introduced to Ulu Makhmet, he attracted the special attention of the Kazan Khan. Those who brought the captive Macarius spoke about his valor. “This man is meek; by word or deed he did not harm anyone, not only his own, but even our fellow tribesmen. Having heard such a review of the captive old man, touched by his majestic appearance, adorned with gray hair, and his deep humility, the formidable khan softened and became meek. Taking pity on him, he angrily shouted at the commanders: “Why did you offend such a good and holy man who did not argue with you, and ruined his residence? Or do you not know that for such meek people God himself, who is one over all, can be angry? With these words, Ulu Mahmet ordered the innocent and pious old man to be released. Having received his freedom, Macarius began to intercede for the release of captive Christians. Khan agreed to the request of Macarius, respected by him. Together with him, 40 captive husbands and several wives and children with all their property were released. Having granted freedom to the captives, the Kazan khan ordered Macarius to no longer remain in the same place, but to choose another, according to his own will. The monk promised to fulfill the order of the merciful khan. He only asked him that he, having freed the living, would give freedom to the dead, and he would be allowed to bury the dead monks in the same place. The incredulous khan doubted this demand and said to Macarius: “Why are you tempting me, venerable elder? Who demands freedom for the dead? Or do you think they will rise up and live?”

To such a strange question, Macarius answered with a sense of faith and reverence: “I assure you that they will live and rise. Only this will not be now, but on the day of the general resurrection. Now I ask you only that I, with my own hands, bury and bury their slain bodies, according to our Christian custom. The Khan was surprised at the wise, loving words of the monk and exclaimed about him aloud in front of all those standing: “Truly, this man of God, because he cares not only for the living, but also for the dead.” And turning to Macarius, he allowed his request to be fulfilled: "Go in peace," he said to him, "and do with the living and the dead as you wish: no one will hinder you." Finally, the khan ordered Macarius to be escorted to the place of his devastated monastery and told the reverend elder as a consolation that he would be ready to renew his former monastery in one day, if its place did not already belong to the Kazan kingdom.

Having repeatedly rid himself of invisible enemies, the blessed desert-dweller also got rid of visible enemies, involuntarily endearing them to himself. On the way back from Kazan with the released captives Makary, according to legend, stopped near the place where the city of Sviyazhsk is now. Here, on the right bank of the Sviyaga River, on a high mountain stretching around the square in a semicircle, he laid the foundation of the desert, known as the Makarievskaya Sviyazhskaya suburban. In this desert there is a church in the name of the founder of the Monk Macarius Zheltovodsky. Instead of a fence, there is a mountain rampart that surrounds the monastery on three sides, and on the fourth - the mouth of the Sviyaga River.

Arriving at the place of his former monastery, Macarius buried the remaining corpses of the beaten monks with all due honor. Their grave is now near the altar of the Cathedral Trinity Church. By order of the khan, the monk could not stay long at the site of the devastated Zheltovodsk monastery. After weeping for his brothers who had been betrayed to the earth, he had to leave this place and retire with the returned captives to another country. Thus, after a five-year existence, the Zheltovodsk monastery remained in complete desolation for 190 years, until 1624, when it was again built by the pious elder Abraham, at the command of the Monk Macarius, who appeared to him three times.

Until February 11, 1666, the Zheltovodsky Monastery was ruled by abbots, and since that time it has been ruled by archimandrites. According to the charter of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and the three Patriarchs - Macarius, Paisius and Iosaph - the abbots of this monastery since 1669 have been allowed to serve on a carpet with ripids. In the Zheltovodsky Monastery, apart from other buildings, there were 6 stone churches: a cathedral church in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, built instead of the former wooden one in 1658; in the name of St. Macarius, Zheltovodsky miracle worker (1808); warm in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a bell tower (1651); in the name of Archangel Michael over St. gates (1670); in the name of Gregory, the miracle worker of Pel'shem (1686); in the name of Anthony the Great at the rector's cells (end of the 18th century). Prior to the establishment of the Spiritual States in 1764, the monastery had 3177 souls of peasants with many lands. Prior to the transfer of the Makariev Fair to Nizhny Novgorod (1818), the Zheltovodsky Monastery enjoyed large incomes and contributions, and after that it began to deteriorate and fall into decay.

Cancer with the relics of St. Rev. Macarius in the Unzhensky Monastery.
Photo of the beginning 20th century

Leaving the Zheltovodsk monastery, Macarius decided to go further from the borders of the Kazan kingdom, up the Volga River. He intended to settle in the Galich region, which was located about 240 miles from the devastated monastery. Many ascetics wished to accompany Macarius. Before setting off on a long, difficult journey, he prayed and, in a spirit of meekness, exhorted his companions not to grieve about food, drink, and other needs that were lacking. “Do not grieve, children,” he asked the accompanying brethren, “do not grieve over the disaster that befell us from the Scythian barbarians (Tatars) for our sins. By this misfortune God turns us to salvation. May He, according to His good will, arrange everything for our good. And we only need to repent of our sins before the justice of God. If with thanksgiving we accept the earthly punishments sent by God, then we will be rewarded from it with future blessings.” Faithful companions gladly accepted such instructions from their leader. Seeing their location, the monk began to consult with them about choosing the path along which they had to go. However, avoiding the former glory, he expressed a desire to stop not in the same place near the Lukha River, but in another one - next to the Unzha River. Companions of the monk agreed with his choice. A direct and convenient way to the chosen place lay upstream of the Volga River. But on this path there was danger from the enemies who ruined the Zheltovodsk monastery and wandered along the banks of the Volga. Then Macarius decided with his brethren to follow a new path, through impenetrable forests and marshes, without losing sight of the flow of the Volga.

The difficult path was made even harder by the lack of food supplies. The trip took place in June. Soon the travelers were faced with hunger and thirst. But the merciful God did not leave them completely exhausted. A few days later, the food supply was exhausted, and the travelers mourned because of the onset of famine. Through the prayers of the monk, in order to glorify his name, they met an elk on the way. The wanderers wanted to slaughter the captured animal for their own food, but the continuing time of Peter's fast stopped their intention. They turned to the Monk Macarius and began to ask him for blessings to fulfill their intention and resolve themselves in fasting. A strict guardian of church rules forbade them to slaughter an animal and violate the holy fasting. He ordered the captured beast to be released, cutting off its right ear. And as a consolation, he told them that in three days, on the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, the released beast himself would appear before them, and then it would be possible to slaughter him for food. For greater consolation, Macarius, who was taking care of his companions, sent warm prayers to God to strengthen them in patience. Along with the prayer, he gave them instructions: “Do not grieve,” he consoled them, “but pray to the Lord. He, who nourished Israel with manna for 40 years in the wilderness, can nourish you invisibly in these days. Have a living faith in Him who nourished five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, besides wives and children.” The prayer and exhortations of the saint did not remain without effect. In the course of three days of fasting, the wanderers continued their difficult journey without fatigue. At this time, not only did no one die of starvation, but they did not even feel hunger and did not mourn for gaining food.

At the onset of the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, Macarius turned aside from his companions. Moving away from them, he prayed to the merciful Lord, with outstretched hands to heaven, who saves from all sorrows and illnesses. “I praise Thee,” he cried, “Lord Jesus Christ, blessed God, who keeps us alive until now! Verily, every breath and every creature will bless Thee: for by Thee everything lives and moves. Look mercifully from the height of Thy saint, and hear the prayer of Thy unworthy servant. As if in ancient times the rainy manna was fed to the Jewish people in the wilderness, and in the time of the Apostle the Apostle fed five thousand people with five loaves. So even now in this desert feed the people with Thy merciful and philanthropic Contemplation. May they be sated and praise Your most holy and magnificent Name forever and ever. Amen".

After praying, Macarius came to the brethren and exhorted them not to grieve and grumble. Pointing to the harm that comes from sorrow and murmuring, he aroused in them hope in the Lord Savior, who had already delivered them from vain death and from barbaric captivity. “For this sake,” he continued, “let us not grieve and grumble, let us not anger our Lord and Benefactor, but let us believe and hope for His mercy; He is able to nourish and save all His faithful servants.” After such prayerful consolation, the wild beast released three days ago miraculously appeared among the travelers no longer wild, but meek. Taking him without any effort in their hands, they saw that his right ear had been cut off. Through this, they were convinced that this is the same beast that, at the command of the mentor, was released. Thus, the prediction of Macarius came true before all the brethren. With joy they brought the appeared elk to their praying guide as the author of the gifts of God. The monk rejoiced together with his companions and blessed them to use it for food. Having slaughtered and cooked a wild animal on the fire, the travelers were satisfied and gave praise to God for His great mercy. In this wondrous event, Macarius, as the Holy Church sings, appeared as the second Moses, "performing a great miracle with prayers and feeding smooth people to abundance." After everyone was satisfied, the prayer book, zealous for God, convinced the companions that they would no longer grieve for food, but completely trust in God, who would give them everything they needed. And the word of the monk did not remain fruitless. Continuing their journey with hope in God, in the middle of the desert they found food for themselves miraculously sent. Sometimes an elk appeared before them with meekness, sometimes a deer or other animal. Travelers took them without any difficulty in their hands and stabbed them into food, with a feeling of gratitude to the Giver of all blessings. It is not known whether everyone who walked with St. Macarius from Kazan and the Zheltovodsk monastery survived. It is only known that God constantly kept them from the surrounding death: from hunger, thirst and wild animals. And the travelers themselves would hardly have been able to survive without such a meek, loving wonderworker, as St. Macarius showed himself throughout the entire journey. During the journey, the monk went to Varnavina Hermitage, where he talked for some time with an associate close to him, the Monk Barnabas. However, nothing is said about this in the tradition, which has preserved information about numerous other stops made by the Monk Macarius during his wandering with his companions through the forest.

Some time later, after leaving the devastated monastery, through the prayers of their verbal shepherd, the wanderers freed from captivity reached the limits of the Galich land and approached Unzha. The city of Unzha at that time was small. There were not many residents in the surrounding area. However, the coming of St. Macarius did not hide from the faithful Christians. Having learned in the city about the approach of the great ascetic, the pious inhabitants came out to meet him, wishing to enjoy his contemplation. He was received with joy throughout the city, especially when they heard from his companions that the monk had earned respect even before the Tatars and was released along with other captives, that by his prayers they were delivered from hunger and death. Having heard about the great deeds of the monk, the inhabitants of Unzha glorified God and considered His saint a worthy honor. But Macarius, avoiding worldly glory from an early age, did not want to stay in the city. He began to seek silent solitude, inquiring about such a place among the city dwellers. He was pointed to an elevated, deserted place, located 15 miles from the city, downstream of the Unzha River, on the right bank. Some of the newcomers settled in the city, others - in the surrounding villages, and the guide Macarius himself examined the indicated place. The desert dweller liked it very much. Having chosen it for residence, he erected an honest cross here, arranged for himself a small cell from the surrounding forest and settled in it. Ascetic in pious labors, in prayer, vigil and fasting, the hermit soon attracted to himself those seeking spiritual salvation. For the assembled monks, by the labors of Macarius in 1439, a wooden monastery was founded, formerly known under the name of the Makariev New Desert, and now the Makariev Unzhensky Monastery. Here, in the semi-mountain, on the southwestern side of the monastery buildings, he dug with his own hands a miraculously made well, which is revered by all who come to the monastery and receive healing from their ailments. In the newly built monastery, the Monk Macarius labored day and night, sending up prayers and thanksgiving to God. For his holy life in this place, he was honored with the special grace of God - the gift of miracles.

Of the many known miracles, one is especially noteworthy.

Not far from the monastery built by the reverend hermit, one maiden was blind, and, moreover, suffered from the attacks of the devil. Her father, Theodore, who was in Moscow on business, was looking for medicine to heal his daughter. But I thought about the futility of human help without the protection of God and remembered the Unzha ascetic. Returning from the capital, he decided to bring his only daughter to the feet of Macarius and ask his prayers for her healing. At the same time with the father, a similar pious intention appeared for the sick daughter and for the mother. Arriving home, Theodore told his wife about his vow given to God in Moscow, and she also remembered her intention. From the conversation it turned out that their desires for their daughter coincided. Therefore, without delay, they set about fulfilling their common vow: together with their sick daughter, they went to the desert to visit the pious ascetic. Arriving at his monastery, they asked his blessing and told him about his daughter, suffering from blindness and demonic obsession. Following this, Macarius was earnestly asked to pray for their daughter for her healing. The humble hermit refused, considering himself an unworthy sinner. The compassionate parents continued to beg Macarius with great effort. Seeing in them hope in God and zeal, he finally said to them as a consolation: “Know that God can save if your faith is manifested before Him. According to your faith, He will free the daughter from the attack of the devil and eye disease. Meanwhile, he took an honest cross in his hands and marked the sick maiden with it. Following this, her eyes began to see, and along with the insight, she also freed herself from the attack of the devil. The healed daughter rejoiced with her parents with unspeakable joy. Upon leaving the Unzha monastery, they all gave thanks to the merciful God and His fervent prayer book.

The Monk Macarius spent the last days of his laborious life in the same exploits to which he was accustomed from an early age. Rarely did he leave the Unzha hermitage, and then only out of spiritual need. Having reached the age of 95, the great ascetic of piety visited the city of Unzhu for the saving instruction of its inhabitants. Here the venerable old man became unwell. He knew the end. Departing to the Lord, he communed the Holy Mysteries and commanded that his body be taken to the Unzhensky monastery arranged and beloved by him. Having prayed for the last time to the Lord, from the bed of deathly illness he said goodbye to everyone, bequeathing joy, peace and blessing. On July 25, 1444, the Monk Macarius ended his earthly life, named after his two famous monasteries Zheltovodsky and Unzhensky miracle worker. In total, he lived 95 years, of which 83 years he was a monk. When the monk died, the great Moscow principality was ruled by the same Vasily Vasilyevich the Dark, who helped him arrange the Zheltovodsk monastery. After the repose of the saint of God, a wonderful fragrance spread everywhere, not only in the city, but also in all the surroundings. They immediately learned that the Monk Macarius had departed to the Lord, before Whom even the very death of the saints is honorable.

From all surrounding sides, a multitude of people flocked to the reposed monk. Everyone wept inconsolably at the loss of such an ascetic, a common benefactor and fervent prayer book to God. According to the reverend's own testament, his honest body was solemnly carried from the city to the desert with candles and spiritual singing. In addition to the clergy, the people with a feeling of regret saw off the saint of God, following him 15 miles of the way. On the way, they stopped four times with a coffin, and chapels were soon erected in these places, in memory of the touch of holy relics on them. In the Unzha monastery the body of the holy ascetic was buried with all due honor. Both during the transfer and during the burial, many different healings were performed on those who came to him with faith.

Soon after the repose of the Monk Macarius, a considerable number of hermits gathered to his healing relics. A wooden church was erected over the honest remains of the monk, and the monastery itself was given a name: Makariev's New Hermitage - the Unzhensky Monastery. Continuing its existence with the prayers of the saint of God who died in the monastery, the monastery became more famous from 1596, when Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, having heard about the miracles of St. Macarius, sent a builder from the nobility, the pious monk David Khvostov, to the still unfinished monastery. At the request of this builder, who founded the cathedral Trinity wooden church (1601), Tsar Vasily Ioannovich granted several villages with different lands for the construction and maintenance of the monastery. And in 1620, Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, who came to the monastery to worship the Monk Macarius, first with his mother Marfa Ioannovna, and later with the whole Synclit, enriched him with generous gifts. Despite various renovations, the building in the monastery was still made of wood. But since 1663, under Abbot Nathanael, on the occasion of frequent fires, stone construction was begun. First, the stone Trinity Church was built. And in 1670, under Abbot Nikita, another stone church was laid in the name of St. Macarius over his relics.

Now the Unzha Monastery is managed by archimandrites, and before that it was managed by builders and abbots. Before the establishment of the spiritual states in 1764, the Unzhensky Monastery had 3858 souls of peasants with different lands. Now there are 7 stone churches in it, namely: the Trinity Cathedral, built in 1670; Makaryevskaya - in 1671, with two warm aisles - in 1824; Annunciation with a hipped bell tower - in 1680, at this church there is a refectory on the left side in the name of St. Mitrofan, who arranged it; Nikolaevskaya over St. gates - in 1685 and warm Uspenskaya - in 1735.

When they began to dig the earth for the pillar on the right side, then at the foot of the monk's shrine they found the relics of a certain monk incorruptible, so that the hood and mantle remained intact on him, although the coffin had already decayed. According to inquiries, it turned out that this was one of the two disciples of the Monk Macarius, who died after him.

The abbot ordered the newly acquired relics to be placed in a new coffin and placed in the corner of the church. The coffin with the relics stood in the church until 1671. But in the same year it was decided to bury them inside the church. They began to dig the ground one sazhen from the tomb of St. Macarius. At this time, the Providence of God was pleased to reveal the incorruptible relics of His saint, which remained in obscurity for 227 years from the time of his repose. Only the tomb built over the tomb of the saint was known, although the saint himself was revered and depicted on icons, like other saints.

On the left side of the shrine, the earth accidentally collapsed, at this place a slab 4 spans long and one wide was found. By order of the abbot, the slab was dug. Beneath it were found the relics of St. Macarius. This happened on October 12, 1671. After examining the holy remains, they found the entire bodily composition intact, with gray hair. He seemed similar to the one depicted and portrayed by the Monk Macarius on the icons. The schema, mantle and swaddling with covers remained imperishable. The lower coffin board was also not damaged at all, and the upper board with the side ones decayed. Having found the relics of the monk, hegumen Nikita and the brethren rejoiced with great joy. The relics found without the order of the authorities were taken out of the ground and placed in another, new coffin, in the same imperishable vestments. An ancient miraculous icon was placed over the tomb of the monk, which remained intact after many fires. This icon is in a gilded riza, which was arranged in Moscow from the generosity of the tsar and Grand Duke Feodor Alekseevich, who demanded it for worship and decoration.

Thus, from October 12, 1671, the Unzha monastery began to celebrate the uncovering of the holy relics of St. Macarius. But out of simplicity and foolishness, neither the tsar nor the Patriarch was allowed to know about it. The veneration of the open relics continued for about four years. After this time, one of the monks, named Joseph, a Sviyazhan, offended by the punishment inflicted on him by hegumen Nikita, was looking for an opportunity to take revenge on him. A report on the abbot seemed to him a sure means of revenge. Annoyed, Joseph in 1675 secretly left the Unzha Monastery for the reigning city of Moscow. He reported to the hegumen that “without the order of the king and without the blessing of the patriarch, he took out the relics of one of the monks from the earth, keeps them at the top of the earth and calls them the relics of St. Macarius. This is not enough: he even took a part of these relics and lays it down during the consecration of water. And when he happens to a shrine in Moscow, he gives this water to the Tsar and the Patriarch.” Having learned about such an unauthorized act of Abbot Nikita, Patriarch Joachim became angry with him and reported this to the king. On this matter, in February 1675, the Siberian Archbishop Simeon, who lived there in retirement, Archimandrite Tikhon, and Abbot Varlaam, who lived in the same monastery, were sent to Unzha from the Makaryevo-Zheltovodsky Monastery. In the name of Simeon, Archbishop of Siberia, who lived in retirement in the Zheltovodsk monastery, in 1675 a letter was addressed from Patriarch Joachim, who instructed the Right Reverend to go to the Makaryevo-Unzhensky Monastery "for the sake of detecting and witnessing the relics of the miracle worker Macarius and for the sake of receiving that genuine detective." They were ordered to go to the Unzhensky Monastery, undertake an investigation there about the relics, inspect them and find out about the place where they were found, and deprive the abbot Nikita of his arbitrariness for arbitrariness and send him to the Zheltovodsky Monastery "under the command of the novices." By February 28, Archbishop Simeon, with two companions, arrived at the Unzhensky Monastery and, having examined the open relics, considered them to be the bones of a simple monk, and not of St. Macarius. He did not even want to touch them with his hands, but only lifted their clothes with a staff. Not paying honor to the relics, he apparently did not believe the stories of the monks about them either, ordered the tomb to be removed and the coffin to be placed in the corner of the church. The condemned abbot Nikita, Tikhon and Varlaam were escorted to the Zheltovodsky monastery. Simeon wrote in his own way about the discovery of the relics, notifying the Patriarch that the hegumen had found not the relics of St. Macarius, but the bones of a simple monk, and that there were no miracles from them. Simeon's goal was to elevate the Zheltovodskaya monastery through the humiliation of the Unzhensky monastery and to make it known everywhere that the relics of St. Macarius rest not in the Unzhensky, but in the Zheltovodsky monastery.

The notified Patriarch ordered to bury the found relics in the same place. By the will of the Patriarch, Simeon ordered to dig out a man-sized place where the tomb stood, and hide the relics of St. Macarius there as the remains of a simple person, without any honor. Only at the time of burial did he secretly take a part from the relics of St. Macarius and hide it with him. But the audacity of the archbishop was soon put to shame. By the banning of St. Macarius, the ship, on which Simeon went to the Zheltovodsky Monastery, did not move from the lake to the Unzha River. This was prevented by the storm, and the wind, and the waves that rose against the ship.

Repenting of his crime, Simeon cried out to Saint Macarius: “Holy Saint Macarius! Have mercy on me and intercede to Christ with your prayers. Having sailed with great difficulty to the Volga River, instead of the city of Moscow, Simeon sailed to the Zheltovodsky Monastery in order to give Archimandrite Tikhon the seized part of the relics of St. Macarius. Having secretly transferred the relics to him for preservation, he went to Moscow. Meanwhile, Patriarch Joachim, instead of the dismissed Nikita, sent Mitrofan, “a reverent and virtuous man,” as hegumen to the Unzhensky Monastery. Saint Mitrofan in 1675 was transferred from the Kosmin (Yakhroma) monastery to the abbot of the Unzha monastery; he greatly contributed to the renewal and decoration of this monastery. And on April 2, 1682, for exemplary piety, he was consecrated in Moscow by Patriarch Joachim as Bishop of Voronezh. His relics openly rest in the city of Voronezh.

But Archbishop Simeon and Archimandrite Tikhon were soon punished by God for their bold act: both of them, having gone crazy in their minds, began to feel incessant fear and trembling. Tikhon, having taken part in the criminal actions of Simeon, out of fear was even forced to retire to the Pomeranian countries and wandered around the monasteries in them, hearing a secret voice everywhere: “Don’t give rest to the imam, until you give me mine.” Also, Simeon, while living in Moscow, constantly heard a terrible voice for himself: “Why did you take away part of my relics?” From incessant fear and horror, the archbishop finally fell into an illness and lay in it for 40 days. Meanwhile, one night the Monk Macarius appears to him with a formidable denunciation: “Why did you, elder, offend me?” Simeon replies: “Who are you, saint of God, and what offense have I caused you?” The monk said: “Why did you take away a part of my relics? I will not give you rest until you apply it again to my body. My name is Macarius Zheltovodsky and Unzhensky.

Shroud - St. Rev. Macarius, Zheltovodsky
and Unzhensky miracle worker. 17th century

After these words, the monk became invisible. And Simeon, enlightened by a miraculous vision, repented of his crime, began to pray to God and decided to announce this to the Patriarch. Having received relief, he appeared to the Patriarch, told him about the relics of St. Macarius and how a part was taken away from them and given to Archimandrite Tikhon, how after that the reverend appeared to him, instilled fear in him and threatened him with punishment. At the same time, he asked the Patriarch that a part of the holy relics be taken from Archimandrite Tikhon, sent to the Unzhensky Monastery and placed in the tomb of the saint of God. The patriarch was surprised by the stories of the archbishop. But since he knew about the departure of Tikhon from the Zheltovodsk monastery, he said to Simeon: “What should I do when Tikhon is not in the monastery, and where he is now, I don’t know anything about it.” And when Simeon began to beg the Patriarch, he sent written instructions to various monasteries about finding Tikhon. Simeon's wish came true: Tikhon was found in one of the Novgorod deserts and brought to Moscow to the Patriarch. Upon arrival, he was sent to the Zheltovodsky Monastery for the hidden part of the holy relics. Soon the shrine was brought, and the Patriarch reverently presented it to Tsar Feodor Alekseevich, who had just ascended the throne. The king kissed the holy relics and said: “Reverend Father Makarios! Remember me before the throne of the King of Heaven."

Ordering to act with the shrine at the behest of the newly appeared, the tsar released the Patriarch and said to him: “In the holy monastery on Unzha, my grandfather of blessed memory, Mikhail Feodorovich, was also honored to be.” Then the Patriarch summoned Archimandrite Tikhon to him and gave him part of the holy relics with a written order to go to Unzha and there, reverently with the abbot, open the closed relics of St. Macarius. And then, having opened the upper plank of the coffin, he placed the seized part of the relics in the coffin, closed them and buried them, as before, in the ground.

Having received a blessing from the Patriarch, Tikhon took some monks with him and went with them to the Unzha monastery. He arrived here on March 17, 1677, when hegumen Mitrofan, at the command of the Patriarch, inspected some churches in the Vetluzh region. On the fourth week of Great Lent, on the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, hegumen Mitrofan also arrived at the monastery. With him, Archimandrite Tikhon placed part of his relics in the coffin of the Monk Macarius, as ordered by the Patriarch, and placed a tomb over the relics as before. From Unzha, Tikhon returned to Moscow and denounced himself for unbelief, for which, as he himself confessed, he did not deserve to have part of the holy relics with him. And when hegumen Mitrofan arrived in Moscow, Simeon called him to him and said: “Forgive me, brother in Christ! I sinned a lot against the saint of God Macarius and brought his wrath upon me by hiding his relics in the ground. And for the parts taken away from the relics, I suffered a lot, and only through his prayers did I get rid of death. Pray for me before God and his saint Macarius, may I accept forgiveness in my sins.

Why didn’t Patriarch Joachim, in the presence of the obvious miracles of St. Macarius, order the relics to be taken out and placed on top of the ground? The manuscript of the Unzhensky Monastery indicates that this depended on the definition of the Bishops' Council. “Even the bodies of the imperishable,” it is said there, “which are found in modern times, do not command to dare soon, except for a reliable testimony and a conciliar command, in holy honor. And where such holy bodies appear, and about such, you commanded to test in every possible way and testify with reliable testimonies before the great and perfect council of bishops. But since it was impossible or very difficult for the Bishops’ Cathedral to gather in the Unzhensky deserted place, the Patriarch, confident in the incorruption of the miraculous relics of St. Macarius, ordered only to build a tomb above them and render them proper veneration. And hegumen Nikita, for his unauthorized order, remained until his death in the Zheltovodsky monastery.

The Russian land has always been rich in great ascetics who left their mark on our history: these are the venerable Macarius Kalyazinsky, Anthony Krasnokholmsky, Efrem Novotorzhsky, Evfimy Suzdalsky, and many others.

August 7 is celebrated by the Church Dormition of our venerable father Macarius, Zheltovodsk and Unzhensk, the new miracle worker, who during his earthly life founded four monasteries and the famous one, which became the Old Believer after the split of the 17th century. Also, the well-known throughout Russia Makarievsky fair was named after Macarius.

Childhood Macarius

The Monk Macarius was born in 1349 in Nizhny Novgorod into the family of pious parents John and Marya. During this period, Konstantin Vasilievich reigned in Nizhny Novgorod, who was famous for his piety and strength. According to legend, the house of Macarius's parents was 7 sazhens from the Church of the Myrrh-bearing Women; and on the opposite side, 7 sazhens away, was the house where St. Euthymius of Suzdal was born.

“Even in infancy, Macarius was worthy of surprise: when there was a church gospel for matins, he woke up and wept, expressing his desire to be in church with tears; he wept during the ringing for every church service, and when there was no service, he slept soundly. At first, the parents did not understand this, but once on a holiday they took the baby to church, and when they entered the temple of God with him, the crying immediately stopped, the baby smiled and caressed his mother during the entire church service. And since then they began to wear it to the parish church of the Myrrh-bearing Women for every service.

When Macarius was seven years old, his parents gave him to learn to read and write, in teaching he showed extraordinary success, which his teachers marveled at. He surpassed his peers in the understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in obedience, meekness. Macarius did not participate in games with children, but sought to spend his free time in church and reading books. He often visited the Pechersk monastery - his heart was drawn there especially strongly.

Twelve-year-old monk

At the age of twelve, Macarius secretly left his parents and took monastic vows in the Pechersky Ascension Monastery from Dionysius, the future Archbishop of Suzdal. The parents looked for their son everywhere, and only three years later the father accidentally learned from one of the monks that Macarius was in the Pechersk monastery. “John came to him and tearfully begged his son only that he would come out to see him. Macarius spoke to his father through the wall and said that he would see him in a future life. “Give me at least your hand,” my father pleaded. The son fulfilled this request, and the father, kissing the outstretched hand of his son, and blessing him, returned home. In the monastery Macarius was strict and ascetic. He took food only to maintain his vitality, but at the same time he always went to a meal with the brethren, so as not to seem like a strict faster in the eyes of others. During his ascetic life Macarius gained honor and respect among the monks. Burdened by this, he decided to leave the monastery and settle in a deserted place.

The biography of Macarius and the creation of monasteries by him

Wandering for several years, Macarius at the beginning of his ascetic feat labored on the Lukh River and then built a small cell on the banks of the Volga, near the settlement of Reshma, Yuryevets district, where after a while he founded a monastery in the name of the Epiphany of the Lord, which later became the Holy Epiphany Makariev Reshemsky Monastery.

In 1434, Macarius founded the Zheltovodsky Monastery in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity at the mouth of the Kerzhenets River. During the four years of the existence of the monastery, many monks joined Macarius, the monastery was very famous, Grand Duke Vasily the Dark made donations for its arrangement.

According to his life, Macarius, "treating kindly and talking with the coming Gentiles," converted many Chuvash, Mari, Mordovians, and Tatars to Orthodoxy. The heyday of the monastery lasted five years. In 1439 the monastery was destroyed by Khan Ulu-Mahmet. Most of the monks were killed, and Macarius himself was taken prisoner to Kazan. Some time later, Ulu-Mahmet let him go, with a ban on restoring the monastery and resuming monastic life in the same place.

Upon his return, Macarius interred the murdered monks and soon went with those who remained alive to the Galich land, with the intention of founding a new monastery there. Then Macarius was already 90 years old. The path was hard. Here is how the life tells about this: “On the road they had no bread, hunger began to torment those who were unaccustomed to fasting. Saint Macarius began to pray, and behold, they found an elk stuck in a narrow place. This was during the Apostolic Fast, three days before the feast. The travelers asked St. Macarius for permission to satisfy their hunger with an elk. He did not bless them to break the fast and urged them to endure until the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. “Believe me, brethren,” the elder added, “the elk will be in your hands when the time comes to resolve the fast. Be patient for three more days - the Lord will keep your life.

The travelers obeyed the monk and, having cut the ear of the elk, let him go, and the monk prayed to the Lord that He would strengthen his weak comrades. By the grace of the Almighty, even small children remained alive, having been without food until the feast of the apostles. On the feast, the Monk Macarius, stepping aside from the others, knelt down and, giving thanks to the Creator, begged Him to feed his hungry companions. And suddenly the same elk appeared, which was set free three days before. They caught him, and the holy elder gladly blessed him for a meal. “Hope, my friends, in the Lord,” he said, “He will not leave us in the future.” According to legend, Macarius and the monks accompanying him founded the Olenevsky Skete at this place, which, after the church schism of the 17th century, remained faithful to the ancient Russian traditions and precepts of the monk, and therefore began to be considered Old Believer.

At 15 versts from Unzha, Macarius founded the wooden "Makarieva new hermitage" (later Makarievsky Unzhensky Monastery). It is known that on the way from Kazan to Unzha, Macarius stopped in the Varnavinskaya hermitage, where he talked with Varnava Vetluzhsky.

Repose of the great ascetic. Saving Unzha with the prayers of Macarius

Macarius spent the last days of his ascetic life in the same labors to which he was accustomed from an early age. He often visited the city of Unzhu, so as not to deprive the inhabitants of his saving word. As his life reports: “Departing to the Lord, he communed the Holy Mysteries and commanded that his body be taken to the Unzhensky monastery arranged by him. At the very hour of his blessed death, the whole city of Unzha and the surrounding villages were suddenly filled with fragrance, so that everyone understood that a pure soul was going to the Lord. Macarius reposed in 1444 at the age of 95 in the Unzha Monastery.

The veneration of Macarius as a great ascetic began shortly after his blessed death, first in those areas where he visited, and then spread to the whole Russian land. “Shortly after the death of Macarius, lovers of desert life settled in his desert, erected a temple over his coffin and started a monastic hostel. In 1522, huge crowds of Tatars surrounded Unzha and besieged the weak city for three days, but they could not take it, frightened by the vision of the formidable Chernoriz. On the fourth day they threw fire into the city and the city caught fire. The people repeated in horror: “Saint Macarius, help us!” And suddenly it began to rain, the fire was flooded, and the Tatars rushed to flee the city in horror. The worthy saw at that time the reverend in the clouds, flooding the fire. The captured Tatars said that they saw an old man on a horse, in monastic clothes, invading their regiments and throwing arrows at them. At the same time, a separate detachment of Tatars of three hundred people was hosting in the Makarieva desert: the enemies wanted to rob the shrine, upholstered in silver, but suddenly became blind. This terrified everyone, everyone rushed to run and many drowned in Lake Unzhe.

In 1532, through the prayers of St. Macarius, the city of Soligalich was saved from the Tatars, and the grateful inhabitants built a chapel in honor of the saint in the cathedral church. Through the prayers of St. Macarius, more than 50 people received healing from serious illnesses. For 190 years, the Zheltovodsky Monastery was in ruins, and in 1620 it was rebuilt again by the pious elder Avraamy at the command of the Monk Macarius, who appeared to him three times.

The day of remembrance of St. Macarius is August 7 (NS), on the same day in 1641 the famous Makarievskaya fair was timed, which, by the way, in the 19th century became a place of active activity of Old Believer merchants. It was believed that the monk patronized the Volga merchants. Also at this fair, well-known Old Believers spoke and religious disputes were held with the missionaries of the synodal church. The uncovering of the relics of St. Macarius took place in 1671.

The relics of St. Macarius rest in the Makariev Unzhensky Monastery. Since 2005, its honest head has been in the Caves Holy Ascension Monastery.

Venerable Macarius Zheltovodsky, Unzhensky was born in 1349 in Nizhny Novgorod into a family of pious parents. At the age of twelve, he secretly left his parents and took monastic vows in the Nizhny Novgorod Caves monastery from (later the Archbishop of Suzdal; † 1385; Comm. 26 June). With all the fervor of a youthful soul, he devoted himself to the cause of salvation: the strictest fasting and the exact fulfillment of monastic rules distinguished him from all the brethren.

Only three years later did the parents of the Monk Macarius find out where he had hidden himself. The father came to him and tearfully begged his son only that he would come out to see him. Saint Macarius spoke to his father through the wall and said that he would see him in the next life. “Give me at least your hand,” my father pleaded. The son fulfilled this small request, and the father, kissing the outstretched hand of his son, returned home. Weary of glory, the humble Macarius withdrew to the banks of the Volga River and asceticised here in a cave near Lake Zhovtiye Vody. Here, with firm abstinence and patience, he overcame the battle of the enemy of salvation. Lovers of silence gathered at Saint Macarius, and in 1435 he arranged for them a monastery in the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Here he began to preach Christianity to the surrounding Cheremis and Chuvash, and baptized Mohammedans and pagans in the lake, which received the name of the saint. When the Kazan Tatars ravaged the monastery in 1439, the Monk Macarius was taken prisoner. Out of respect for his piety and charitable love, the khan released the saint from captivity and together with him freed up to 400 Christians. But they took the word from the Monk Macarius not to settle near the Yellow Lake. The Monk Macarius honorably buried the beaten in his monastery and traveled 240 miles to the Galich region. During this migration, all travelers, through the prayers of the monk, ate miraculously. Having reached the city of Unzha, the Monk Macarius set up a cross 15 versts from the city on the shore of Lake Unzha and built a cell. Here he founded a new monastery. In the fifth year of his life in Unzha, Saint Macarius fell ill and reposed at the age of 95.

Even during his lifetime, the Monk Macarius was endowed with a gift of grace: he healed a blind and demon-possessed girl. After the death of the monk, many received healing from his relics. The monks erected a temple over his coffin and established a hostel in the monastery. In 1522, the Tatars attacked Unzha and wanted to rip off the silver reliquary in the Makariy desert, but they became blind and, distraught, rushed to run. Many of them drowned in Unzha. In 1532, through the prayers of St. Macarius, the city of Soligalich was saved from the Tatars, and the grateful inhabitants built a chapel in honor of the saint in the cathedral church. Through the prayers of St. Macarius, more than 50 people received healing from serious illnesses, as established by a commission sent by Patriarch Philaret on June 24, 1619.

Macarius Zheltovodsky (Macarius Unzhensky; 1349, Nizhny Novgorod - 1444, Unzha) - Orthodox monk, founder of a number of monasteries. Canonized by the Russian Church as a saint, the memory is celebrated on July 25 (according to the Julian calendar).

Biography

The Monk Macarius was born in 1349 in Nizhny Novgorod into the family of pious parents Ivan and Marya. According to legend, the house of the parents of the Monk Macarius was 7 sazhens from the Myrrh-Bearing Church; and on the opposite side, 7 sazhens away, stood the house where St. Euthymius of Suzdal, a contemporary of Macarius, was born.

At the age of twelve, Macarius secretly left his parents and took monastic vows at the Pechersky Ascension Monastery from Dionysius, the future Archbishop of Suzdal.

In the monastery Macarius proved himself to be a strict ascetic. He took food only so as not to die of hunger, but at the same time he went, as before, with the monastic brethren to a meal, so as not to appear fasting in the eyes of others. During his ascetic life Macarius gained honor and respect among the monks. Burdened by this, he decided to leave the monastery and settle in a deserted place.

Wandering for several years, Macarius at the beginning of his ascetic feat labored on the Lukh River, and then built a small cell on the banks of the Volga, near the settlement of Reshma, Yuryevets district, where after some time he founded a monastery in the name of the Epiphany of the Lord (Makarievskaya Hermitage). Life reports that Macarius also visited the Russian north, possibly in the Kargopol land.

In 1434, Macarius founded the Zheltovodsky Makariev Monastery in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity at the mouth of the Kerzhenets River. For 4 years of the existence of the monastery, many monks joined Macarius, the monastery became very famous, Grand Duke Vasily the Dark gave donations for its arrangement. According to the life, the Monk Macarius, " treating kindly and conversing with incoming Gentiles”, converted a lot of Mordovians, Tatars, Maris and Chuvashs to Orthodoxy.

The heyday of the new monastery lasted only 5 years; in 1439 the desert was destroyed by Khan Ulu-Mahmet. Most of the monks were killed, and Macarius himself was taken prisoner to Kazan. Soon the khan let him go, however, forbidding him to renew the monastery in its original place.

The Monk Macarius, having interred the murdered monks, went with those who remained alive to the Galich land, with the intention of founding a new monastery there. After a long journey, Macarius, who was already 90 years old, together with his companions reached the Unzhi River, where he founded 15 versts from the village. Unzha wooden "Makariev new hermitage" (later known as Makaryevsky Unzhensky Monastery). On the way from Kazan to Unzha, the Monk stopped at the Varnavinskaya Hermitage, where he conversed with Varnava of Vetluzhsky. According to his life, during this migration all his companions were miraculously nourished by the prayers of the monk (the miracle of St. Macarius about the moose).

In 1444, at the age of 95, Macarius died peacefully in the Makarievsky Unzhensky Monastery. The acquisition of his relics took place in 1671.

Miracles and shrines

The Life tells about the numerous miracles of St. Macarius (some of them belong to the period of his life, some are posthumous). According to the results of research by a commission sent on June 24, 1619 by Patriarch Philaret to study the circumstances of Macarius' life, more than 50 people received healing from diseases through the prayers of Saint Macarius.

Tradition reports that the patronage of Macarius saved the life of Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov. Subsequently, the young tsar made a pilgrimage to the Makarievsky Unzhensky Monastery

a special vow - for the grateful worship of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God and the holy saint and miracle worker Macarius Zheltovodsky and Unzhensky for the salvation and appeasement of the Fatherland and the Church, for his election and release of Patriarch Filaret from Polish captivity.

The relics of St. Macarius rest in the Makariev Unzhensky Monastery. Since 2005, its head has been in the Pechersky Ascension Monastery. In the Makaryevsky Unzhensky Monastery, the revered miraculous Makaryevskaya Icon of the Mother of God is kept - a list from the image of the Virgin Mary, who appeared to Macarius according to his life in 1442.

Founded monasteries

• Presumably 1390s: Makariev-Reshemsky Monastery

It was founded as the Epiphany Makarievskaya Convent. In the 1901-1920s - the Makariev-Reshemsky Convent, since 1994 the Makariev-Reshemsky Convent, now again the Makariev-Reshemsky Convent.

• 1435 - Holy Trinity Makariev Zheltovodsky Monastery.

Burnt in 1439, renewed in 1620 by the monk of the Tetyushensky monastery Abraham. Closed in 1927, reopened in 1992. Since 1882 - became a convent. Makarievskaya Fair was held near its walls).

• 1439 - Holy Ascension Makaryevsky Monastery

The “Makarievskaya Sviyazhskaya Suburban” monastery was founded by the monk Isaiah of the Makaryevskaya Unzha Hermitage according to the will of the Monk Macarius Zheltovodsky, who chose this place for the future monastery back in 1439.

• 1439 - Makariev-Unzhensky Holy Trinity Monastery

Abolished in 1929. It was restored in 1993 as a nunnery.

All of the listed monasteries are currently active. Holy Trinity Makariev Zheltovodsky Monastery is a major spiritual (as well as cultural and tourist) center. However, due to a possible increase in the water level, the Cheboksary HPP is under threat of destruction.

Links

• Lives and icons on Pravoslavie.Ru