Venerable Nestor the Chronicler was born in the 50s of the 11th century in Kyiv. As a young man he came to the Monk Theodosius (+ 1074, Comm. 3 May) and became a novice. The Monk Nestor was tonsured by the successor of the Monk Theodosius, hegumen Stefan. Under him, he was ordained a hierodeacon. His high spiritual life is evidenced by the fact that he, among other venerable fathers, participated in the exorcism of Nikita the hermit (later Saint of Novgorod, commemorated January 31), deceived into Jewish sophistication. The Monk Nestor deeply appreciated true knowledge, combined with humility and repentance. “There is great benefit from the teaching of the book,” he said, “books punish and teach us the way to repentance, because from the words of the book we gain wisdom and temperance. These are the rivers that water the universe, from which comes wisdom. There is incalculable depth in books, they console us in sorrow, they are the bridle of abstinence. If you diligently seek wisdom in books, you will gain great benefit for your soul. For he who reads books converses with God or holy men." In the monastery, the Monk Nestor carried out the obedience of a chronicler. In the 80s, he wrote "Reading about the life and destruction of the blessed martyrs Boris and Gleb" in connection with the transfer of their holy relics to Vyshgorod in 1072 (Comm. 2 May). In the 80s, the Monk Nestor compiled the life of the Monk Theodosius of the Caves, and in 1091, on the eve of the patronal feast of the Caves monastery, hegumen John instructed him to dig from the ground for transferring to the church the holy relics of the Monk Theodosius (commemorated the acquisition of August 14).
The main feat of the life of the Monk Nestor was the compilation of the Tale of Bygone Years by the years 1112-1113. “Behold the tales of bygone years, where did the Russian land come from, who in Kyiv began first to reign, and where did the Russian land come from” - this is how the Monk Nestor defined the goal of his work from the first lines. An unusually wide range of sources (preceding Russian chronicles and legends, monastic records, Byzantine chronicles of John Malala and Georgy Amartol, various historical collections, stories of the elder boyar Jan Vyshatich, merchants, warriors, travelers), meaningful from a single, strictly ecclesiastical point of view, allowed St. Nestor to write the history of Russia as an integral part of world history, the history of the salvation of the human race.
The monk-patriot sets out the history of the Russian Church in the main moments of its historical formation. He speaks of the first mention of the Russian people in church sources - in 866, under the holy Patriarch Photius of Constantinople; tells about the creation of the Slavic charter by the saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, about the Baptism of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga in Constantinople. The chronicle of St. Nestor has preserved for us the story of the first Orthodox church in Kyiv (under the year 945), about the confessional feat of the holy Varangian martyrs (under the year 983), about the "test of faith" by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir (986) and the Baptism of Russia (988) . We are indebted to the first Russian church historian for information about the first metropolitans of the Russian Church, about the emergence of the Pechersk monastery, about its founders and ascetics. The time of the Monk Nestor was not easy for the Russian land and the Russian Church. Russia was tormented by princely civil strife, the steppe nomadic Polovtsy ravaged cities and villages with predatory raids, drove Russian people into slavery, burned churches and monasteries. The Monk Nestor was an eyewitness to the destruction of the Caves monastery in 1096. The chronicle provides a theological understanding of Russian history. The spiritual depth, historical fidelity and patriotism of The Tale of Bygone Years place it among the highest creations of world literature.
The Monk Nestor died about the year 1114, having bequeathed to the chronicler monks of the Caves the continuation of his great work. Hegumen Sylvester, who gave the Tale of Bygone Years a modern look, hegumen Moses Vydubitsky, who extended it until 1200, and finally, Abbot Lavrenty, who wrote in 1377 the oldest of the lists that have come down to us that have preserved the Tale of St. Nestor ( "Laurentian Chronicle"). The heir to the hagiographic tradition of the Caves ascetic was St. Simon, Bishop of Vladimir († 1226, Comm. 10 May), rescuer of the Kiev-Pechersk Paterik. Talking about the events connected with the life of the saints of God, St. Simon often refers, among other sources, to the Chronicles of St. Nestor.
Saint Nestor was buried in the Near Caves of Saint Anthony of the Caves. The Church also honors his memory together with the Cathedral of the Fathers Resting in the Near Caves on September 28 and on the 2nd Week of Great Lent, when the Council of all the Kiev-Pechersk Fathers is celebrated.
His work has been published many times. Recent scientific publications: "The Tale of Bygone Years", M.-L., 1950: "The Life of Theodosius of the Caves" - in the "Izbornik" (M., 1969; in parallel, the Old Russian text and a modern translation).
The title of historian is great and responsible. We know Herodotus, and Plutarch, and Tacitus, and N.M. Karamzin. But for Russian history there is no higher authority, no higher name than the monk (c. 1056-114) - a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, father of Russian history.
November 9 Memorial Day of the chronicler Nestor is celebrated. The years of his life fell on the XI century. For him, literally recently, in 988, the waters of the Dnieper received the baptized people of Kiev, witnesses of this miracle were still alive. But civil strife, attacks by external enemies have already overtaken Russia. The descendants of Prince Vladimir could not or did not want to be united, with each decade internecine strife among the princes increased.
Scientist Monk Nestor
Who was the Monk Nestor? Tradition says that, being a seventeen-year-old boy, he came to the monastery to the holy elder Theodosius of the Caves(c. 1008-May 3, 1074), where he accepted the monastic dignity. There is no doubt that Nestor came to the monastery already quite literate and even, according to the level of that time, an educated young man. By that time, there were many teachers in Kyiv, from whom Nestor could study.
At that time, according to the Monk Nestor
blacks, like luminaries, shone in Russia. Some were strong mentors, others were firm in vigil or in kneeling prayer; others fasted every other day and two days later, others ate only bread and water; others boiled potion, others only raw.
Everyone was in love: the younger ones obeyed the elders, not daring to speak before them, and showed humility and obedience; and the elders showed love to the younger ones, instructed and consoled them, like fathers of small children. If any brother fell into any sin, they consoled him and, out of great love, divided the penance into two and three. Such was mutual love, with strict abstinence.
And the days of the monk Nestor were indistinguishable from the days of other Chernorizians. Only his obedience was different: with the blessing of the rector Theodosius of the Caves wrote the history of Russia. In his literary works, the chronicler calls himself " sinful», « cursed», « unworthy servant of God". In these assessments of oneself, humility and God-fearing are manifested: a person who has reached such heights of humility sees the smallest sins in his soul. To imagine the spiritual level of the saints, it is enough to delve into the following saying: The saints mistook for sin the shadow of the thought of sin”, even the slightest thought, and often even mourned their virtues as sins.
The first literary works of Nestor the Chronicler
The first in time was the work of Nestor " The life of the holy princes Boris and Gleb, in holy baptism named Roman and Davyd". It contains high prayerfulness, accuracy of description, moralizing. Nestor speaks of the creation of man, his fall and his rise by the grace of God. In the words of the chronicler one can see a heavy sadness that the Christian faith is slowly spreading in Russia. Nestor writes:
While Christians multiplied everywhere and idol altars were abolished, the Russian country remained in its former idol charm, because it did not hear a word from anyone about our Lord Jesus Christ; no apostles came to us and no one preached the word of God.
The second, and no less interesting and significant work of the chronicler is “ Life of St. Theodosius of the Caves". Nestor, as a very young novice, saw Saint Theodosius, then, many years later, he participated in the uncovering of the relics of the monk, and now he compiled his biography. It is written simply and inspirationally.
My goal,” writes Nestor, “is that the future Chernorizians, reading the life of the saint and seeing his valor, glorify God, glorify the saint of God and be strengthened for the feat, especially by the fact that such a man and saint of God appeared in the Russian country.
Nestor's Chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years"
The main feat of the life of the Monk Nestor was the compilation by the years 1112-1113 "The Tale of Bygone Years". An unusually wide range of sources, comprehended from a single, ecclesiastical point of view, allowed the Monk Nestor to write the history of Russia as an integral part of world history, the history of the salvation of the human race. " Tale of Bygone Years”came down to us as part of later codes:
- Laurentian Chronicle(1377)
- First Novgorod Chronicle(XIV century) and
- Ipatiev Chronicle(XV century).
It is assumed that Nestor used the material ancient vault(IX century), Code of Nikon(70s of the XI century) and Initial Code(1093-1095). The text clearly echoes the Byzantine chronicle. George Amartola. The authenticity and completeness of the writings of St. Nestor is such that historians resort to them to this day as the most important and reliable source of information about Ancient Russia.
« Tale of Bygone Years"- the great creation of the father of Russian history.
Not temporary, but temporary years, covering not some small period, but huge years of Russian life, an entire era. It is called in its entirety as follows: “Behold the tales of the time years, where did the Russian land come from, who in Kyiv began first to reign, and from where did the Russian land begin to eat».
History is comprehended by Nestor strictly from the Orthodox point of view. He talks about the saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, shows the great happiness of the Baptism of Russia, the fruits of its enlightenment. Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir — main character"The Tale of Bygone Years" by Nestor. The chronicler compares it with John the Baptist. The exploits and life of the prince are depicted in detail and with love. The spiritual depth, historical fidelity and patriotism of The Tale of Bygone Years place it among the highest creations of world literature.
Chronicle of Nestor Tale of Bygone Years” cannot be called pure history, church or civil chronicle. It is also the history of the Russian people, the Russian nation, a reflection on the origins of the Russian consciousness, the Russian perception of the world, the fate and attitude of a person of that time. It was not a simple enumeration of bright events or a familiar European biography, but a deep reflection on the place in the world of a new young people - the Russians. Where are we from? What are beautiful? How are we different from other nations?- these are the questions that confronted Nestor.
"The Tale of Bygone Years". Research
The first researcher of The Tale of Bygone Years was a Russian historian and geographer V. N. Tatishchev. The archaeographer managed to find out a lot of interesting things about the chronicle P. M. Stroev. He expressed A New Look on The Tale of Bygone Years, as on a collection of several earlier chronicles, and such collections began to be considered all the chronicles that have come down to us.
Famous Russian philologist and historian of the late XIX-XX centuries. A. A. Shakhmatov put forward the version that each of the chronicles is a historical work with its own political position, dictated by the place and time of creation. He connected the history of the chronicle with the history of the whole country. The results of his research are presented in the works " Research on the most ancient Russian chronicle vaults"(1908) and" Tale of Bygone Years"(1916). According to Shakhmatov, Nestor wrote the first edition of The Tale of Bygone Years in the Kiev Caves Monastery in 1110-1112. The second edition was written by abbot Sylvester in the Kiev Vydubitsky Mikhailovsky Monastery in 1116. In 1118, the third edition of The Tale of Bygone Years was compiled on behalf, or even political order, of the Novgorod prince Mstislav I Vladimirovich.
Soviet researcher D. S. Likhachev assumed that in the 30-40s of the XI century, by order Yaroslav the Wise Oral folk historical traditions about the spread of Christianity were recorded. This cycle served as the future basis of the chronicle.
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, creating your own chronicler Pimena in the drama Boris Godunov"(1824-1825, published in 1831), based on the character traits of the chronicler Nestor, striving for the truth, even if someone does not like it, not at all" does not decorate the writer».
The Monk Nestor survived the fire and destruction of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in 1196. His last works are permeated with the thought of the unity of Russia, of uniting it with the Christian faith. The chronicler bequeathed to the Pechersk monks to continue the work of their whole lives. His successors in chronicle writing: Rev. Sylvester, hegumen Vydubitsky Kyiv Monastery; hegumen Moses, who extended the chronicle until 1200; hegumen Lawrence- the author of the famous Lavrentiev Chronicle of 1377. All of them refer to the Monk Nestor: for them he is the highest teacher - both as a writer and as a prayer book.
As modern scholars have established, the Monk Nestor died at the age of 65. Now the relics of the Monk Nestor are incorruptible in Near caves(Antoniev) Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. At the beginning of the 21st century Society of History Lovers at Kiev University» bound with silver to the shrine of the reverend.
To the attention of all lovers of Russian history
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Russian chronicle history is a monumental monument of ancient Russian book art, in terms of the scale and breadth of coverage of historical events, as well as in the form of presentation of the material. unparalleled in the world. The collection contains weather (by years) chronicles, stories, legends, lives of Russian chronicle history for four and a half centuries (XII-XVI centuries).
Pre-excellent Nestor Le-to-pi-sets was born in the 50s of the XI century in Ki-e-ve, 17 years old he-drank in Ki- e-in-Pe-cher-sky monastery. He was in a listen-to-no-one-pre-do-but-go Fe-o-do-siya. In-sheared took from the yoke-me-on Ste-fa-na, pre-em-no-ka Fe-o-do-siya. With a hundred lives, mo-lit-howling and listening, the young mover soon transcended even from the well-known pe-blacks sky elders. He was consecrated in hiero-di-a-ko-na. About his spiritual life, he doesn’t say that he, among other good-fathers, participated in from-gna -ni be-sa from Ni-ki-you For-creative-ni-ka, in the wake of the New-born-ho-ho-ty-te-la (pa-meat 31 Jan-va-rya ), de-flattered-but-go into Jewish wisdom-stvo-va-nie. The pre-excellent Nestor is-la-is-with-a-hundred-vi-te-lem first-in-the-initial history of the-she-of-the-Father-of-stva, or le-to-pee-si, where he from-la-ga-et by year tells about the na-cha-le of the Russian land and the following co- be-ti-yah its is-to-ri until 1100. In addition to that, they na-pi-sa-but the life of the holy princes Bo-ri-sa and Gle-ba, “The Tale of the first Pe-cher-sky - move-no-kah "and so on.
Nestor reached deep old age and peace, but he died around 1114.
John Troparion to the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, Caves, in the Near Caves
Times and years of memorable deeds, / deeds and labors of the God-bearing fathers, / Nestor the Wise, writing, / Thou flared with love to follow the footsteps of the original, / with him do not stop praying to Christ God, / / to be saved our souls.
Translation: The times and years of deeds worthy of memory, the exploits and labors of the fathers, Nestor the wise, describing, you burned with love to follow in the footsteps of these saints, with them do not stop praying to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion to the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, Caves, in the Near Caves
Like this disciple of God-bearing Theodosius / and the true life of that imitator, / the first honest witness of his relics was able to be thou, / even with others holyly carried, / thou didst inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with us, praying and honoring us
Translation: As a disciple of the God-bearing and a true imitator of his life, you were honored to be the first eyewitness of his revered ones, who, together with others, worthy of their holiness endured, you inherited the Kingdom of Heaven with them, which we, who honor you, pray to the Lord to receive.
Prayer to the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, Caves, in the Near Caves
Oh, reverend father, wise mentor and God-loving ascetic Nestor the Chronicler! Come with boldness to the throne of Eternal Glory, do not forget us sinners and unworthy, aggravated by storms of passions, and with your unceasing intercession protect our country, yours, and your relatives from all evils and sorrows. Establish our hearts in the Orthodox faith, teach your fatherland to love and remain strong in brotherly love. Lead us on the paths of salvation, and with your prayers, our intercessor, let us enter the eternal Kingdom of glory, praising the Lord and glorifying your intercession forever and ever. Amen.
Canons and Akathists
Akathist to the Monk Nestor the Chronicler of the Caves
Kondak 1
Chosen of God's cohabitant, otherwise honest and glorious chronicler, Father Reverend Nestor, accept our humble praises brought with love. But you, as if having great boldness in heaven, pray warmly for our country and its people, in order to deliver us from all evil, let us call you:
Ikos 1
Jealous of the angelic monastic life and despising the vanity of the perishable world, in your early youth you flowed, reverend father, to the monastery of the Pechersk city of Kyiv, at the feet of its founders Anthony and Theodosius peacefully falling down and fervently praying for fellowship with the brethren. For this we cry out to you:
Rejoice, from your youth serve God lustily.
Rejoice, the good part of the morning of your life chosen.
Rejoice, forsaking the world and all its delights.
Rejoice, you who love the Lord with all your heart.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 2
Seeing the good will of your heart and foreseeing in you a vessel of grace of Christian virtues, the Monk Theodosius, with great joy, counted you among the brethren of his monastery and worthy of the monastic rank, tenderly singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
With a God-enlightened mind, thou didst love, O God-wise Nestor, learning from the book and devoting itself to this, like a hard-working bee, collecting the sweetest honey of wisdom and multiplying in your soul for salvation the treasure of unexpected knowledge. For this sake, thou hast appeared worthy of the praises of the Sith:
Rejoice, thou who acquired the wisdom of bookish enlightenment in youth.
Rejoice, you who are very diligent in collecting precious beads.
Rejoice, having delighted in the honey of the knowledge of truth from youth.
Rejoice, you enriched yourself with an indestructible treasure wisely.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 3
Having received spiritual strength from your Lord, reverend, you undividedly devoted your life to Him, singing the good to the Giver of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having a spiritual gift from your Lord, you didn’t hide the talent given to you, like a negligent servant, but helping the Lord many times, you multiplied the virtues in your life, good and faithful servant, may the Creator of all kinds be glorified in you, the same we call you:
Rejoice, you did not hide the treasure of wisdom entrusted to you in the earth.
Rejoice, rich spiritually growing garden of virtues.
Rejoice, good gatherer of incorruptible wealth.
Rejoice, having found the bliss of the desired Paradise.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 4
Thou hast evaded the tempests of the passions of life, O servant of Christ, to the comforting haven of the holy monastery of Pechersk, having reached, even with the honest inhabitants of the sowing, Thou didst not cease to sing to thy Savior: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the soul-saving instruction from the God-bearing Theodosius and other honest fathers, given to you indiscriminately, you carefully followed this in your cave seclusion, by prayer, fasting and negligence for the flesh strengthened in the laborious ascetic life of a monastic. For this sake, now you hear the praises of the Sitz:
Rejoice, from youth into the darkness of the cave, for the sake of salvation, dwell.
Rejoice, you who by unceasing prayer protect yourself from the turmoil of life.
Rejoice, for in your ascetic labor you had the God-wise Theodosius as a mentor.
Rejoice, thou obediently heeded this instruction.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 5
Thou didst flow on the path of God, O glorious Father, desiring nothing more vain, but seeking the city of heaven, eternally seeking, unceasingly singing to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing your tireless labors, directed to the salvation of the soul, and rejoicing fraternally about your success in the ascetic life of the monastic life, all the monks of the Pechersk monastery praise thee:
Rejoice, tireless worker, as if you were worthy of a good reward.
Rejoice, ascetic of good piety, as if you were not exhausted in your labors.
Rejoice, displaying an honest image of the monastic life of the brethren.
Rejoice, in humility and meekness of the soul, instruct everyone all the time.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 6
You have found the forerunner of the glory of the father, O worthy Nestor, the Russian country, having led away her past fate, you betrayed all the writings for the teaching, instruction and edification of the future generation, and having led God’s providence to the Slovene language, they will sing to their Good Provider: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou hast exalted, like the luminous sun, in the Russ of the earth, God-blessed Father, the deepest darkness of ignorance, covering me from time immemorial, with your writings first illuminated thou, calling to the light of knowledge and knowledge of God, invoking thy companions, from them worthily received the chinese praise:
Rejoice, thou who dispelled the darkness of barbarian ignorance among our people with a radiance of wisdom.
Rejoice, having served as your chronicle for the enlightenment of the fatherland.
Rejoice, work diligently over this until the end of your belly.
Rejoice, prepare yourself for the work of writing with warm prayer.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 7
Although as a witness of a wondrous miracle to you, Father, reveal the Lord Almighty, inspire secretly to hegumen John of the Caves, may it be entrusted to you, together with others from the brethren, to dig up the body of your mentor, the Monk Theodosius, buried in the earth, ten years from this death, as an assurance of the grace of God , more evident on it. The same, having seen that in the tomb, the imperishable being and exuding great miracles, rejoicing, sang with the monks of the Pechersk miracles to the Creator of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou didst raise new labor for the benefit and teaching of Christians, Reverend Nestor, in order to write off the life of the great saint, the Monk Theodosius, who was also with God-bearing Anthony, the initiator of the charitable monastic life in the lands of Ruste and the builder of the monastery of Pechersk, having already become tired of the glorious kennel of the Studian, keep the commandment in her forever. The same and we, thankful being for such your unworthy care for us, unanimously glorify you, father, taco:
Rejoice, reverent speaker of the life of the Monk Theodosius.
Rejoice, zealous imitator of this in your labors.
Rejoice, comforting the faithful with your tale.
Rejoice, thou who didst lead many to the monastic feat.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 8
You were a wanderer and a stranger, Nestor, on earth, you don’t cling to temporary and corruptible existence, but directing your mind and heart to the bliss of the endless Fatherland of Heaven, where now from the Angels in joy you call: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All your life, God-loving Father, is dedicated to your Savior and your neighbors. With a pure heart, we accept the commandment of Christ, with love you have fulfilled the law of grace, to the best of your ability, working for the benefit of your brethren and glorifying the Lord you have Beloved. The same from Him, having improved the glorification in heaven, hear on earth those who bless you with these praises:
Rejoice, bright image of brotherly love and humility.
Rejoice, good mentor of diligence and patience.
Rejoice, jealous of the salvation of your neighbors.
Rejoice, praise from these is worthy of acceptance.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 9
You hated every carnal pleasure, Reverend Father Nestor, and you loved the monastic life, so also the Lord love you, glorify and grant us, like a fervent prayer book, singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Vitiy, with your more verbose, more brief words, glorified the land of our Fatherland, thou wiser mentor, from the Tale of Bygone Years: we took away from where the Russian land went, and with great filial love you loved. For this sake, the sons of Slovenian Russia in all generations and to this day praise thee, saying:
Rejoice, glorious rhetoricians in the simplicity of your word surpass.
Rejoice, enlightening us with the wisdom of your teaching with love.
Rejoice, faithful lover of the earthly Fatherland.
Rejoice, zealous zealot about the good of your land.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 10
Thou, O God-bearing One, chose the narrow and difficult path of salvation by will, and turned thy face in no way backwards, turn thy eyes to the luminous Sun of truth, Christ God, and glorify Him with a song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
With a wall of hope undoubted thou hast protected thy soul from every temptation and temptation, with strong faith knowing the fullness of the grace and mercy of thy Creator. For this reason, hear from us, unworthy and wavering in despair, this:
Rejoice, fragrant flower of virtue growing in the soul.
Rejoice, by the faith of the invisible, like the visible, desired and expected, as if they were, a true witness.
Rejoice, unslazy champion of Christian piety.
Rejoice, good strengthener and helper of those who are exhausted in painful doubt.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 11
Singing laudatory from the sons of the Russians according to the heritage of accepting, dear father, with your love do not stop interceding from all troubles and sorrows of our fatherly land, in it you will take out, the name of the Lord is glorified by the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the light-beaming radiance of Divine love, wounded, most glorious chronicler, the images of sowing were revealed by the life of the passion-bearer of the holy noble brothers Boris the magnanimous and Gleb the meek, and to them subsequently, the virtues of brotherly love, love of the fatherland, humility and obedience gaining, but to you, the deeds of these writers of God-wise, we praise the sit:
Rejoice, for the grace of God rests upon you in abundance.
Rejoice, for we are wiser, the saints of God glorified you with love.
Rejoice, for the good of your land, your tireless prayer book.
Rejoice, lover of the fatherland and the seeker of wisdom of knowledge, everlasting helper.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 12
The blessed source of instructions of the God-pleasing ones was found in you, Father Nestor, by your life and writing off your whole affirm to march steadily in the footsteps of the One Lover of mankind and our Savior God, calling Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your God-pleasing life, most glorious Nestor, with tenderness we glorify your labors and deeds, in the image of Christ the Savior you have greatly pleased, and we praise the wondrous gaze of God on you, in the incorruptibility of your relics until now. Honoring your peaceful and shameless death, we worship the unsearchable Providence of the Most High, who made you a partaker of His inexpressible glory in the villages of the righteous, from there, incline your ear to our voice, crying out to you:
Rejoice, intrigues, deceit and wickedness of the demonic torn apart.
Rejoice, thou who has risen unhindered in the heavenly abode with thy spirit.
Rejoice, in the darkness of your cave body rest imperishably until this day.
Rejoice, from your relics, generously give much help to those who honor you.
Rejoice, Nestor, the first chronicler of the Russian land.
Kondak 13
Oh, glorious servant of God, God-wise Father Nestor! Look with your love from the height of heaven to the sorrow and tears of your earthly brethren and beg the All-Merciful Lord to deliver the Russian land and its children from troubles and misfortunes, let us praise His philanthropy and His generosity, singing out: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer
Oh, reverend father, wise mentor and God-loving ascetic Nestor the Chronicler! Come with boldness to the throne of Eternal Glory, do not forget us sinful and unworthy, aggravated by storms of passions, and with your unceasing intercession protect our country, your homeland, and your companions from all evils and sorrows. Establish our hearts in the Orthodox faith, teach your fatherland to love and stay strong in brotherly love. Lead us on the paths of salvation, and with your prayers, our intercessor, we will enter the eternal Kingdom of glory, praising the Lord and glorifying your intercession forever and ever. Amen.
Canon to the Monk Nestor the Chronicler of the Caves
Canto 1
Irmos: The faces of Israelites, with their wet feet the Pont Black and the wet depths drove away, the riders of the tristat enemies, seeing they are immersed in it, with joy I sing: we sing to our God, as if we were glorified.
Faces of monasticism, in the summer memory of the God-bearing father, flock diligently to the holy cave and, bowing with love to the relics of Nestor the all-wise, sing to God, as if gloriously glorified in His saints.
I am combined with the face of a monastic and on this day sing your memory daringly, help me, more than all the roughest, with your prayers, holy Nestor, God marvelously glorified in you.
Glory: The face of an angel was counted to be at least, the face of an angelic face in the flesh venerated thou, father, having learned from them the angelic life, thou ascended to a clever desire: we honor thee the same, as God marvelously glorified in you.
And now: The faces of the saints and the reverend father with the faces of the Angels are coming, glorify the Most Holy Word that gave birth to all the saints; glorify the Mother of God today and help us earthly, that from all wondrously glorified.
Canto 3
Irmos: The bow of the strong is weary, and the weak are girded with strength, for this sake my heart be established in the Lord.
The proposal of your mind be, like a bow is tense, father, living more in this deplorable vale, you had an ascent in your heart to God; and it hurts me, I lead my life in sorrow, Nestor, help me, praying for me, may my heart rejoice in the Lord.
Seventeen years old, in your mind you accepted your husband’s perfect age: you shone, like in senile gray hair, good deeds, and fix this in me, blessed, and my heart will rejoice in the Lord.
Glory: Purity and humility are deeply accepted to poverty, you flew up, holy, like krill, to the mountain of monastic virtues; from nowhere, seeing in the twinkling of an eye the transient image of this world, and moreover, put your heart into the love of God.
And now: The garden of purity, having given birth, with the fruit of this, to those who believe in Thee, be the Mother of God, nourished thou abundantly; and to me, who by faith bows to You, God-breasted Virgin, let me not taste a little from this fruit, but my sad heart will rejoice.
Sedalen, voice 4
From the great father, he was guided into good morals and in his youth, all of God joined in, carnal lusts killed you with strong fasting, the spirit revived you with the hope of eternal blessings; Having lived like an angel on earth, now you are settling with Angels, we honor you, blessed Nestor.
Glory, and now:
I see terrible miracles, an unspeakable image in You, Most Pure Virgin, as if You conceived God and embraced the Unusual in Your womb, but what a mystery it is, I have not experienced it, moreover, I believe and with fear appease Thee, sing: Rejoice, God Incomprehensible spacious village.
Canto 4
Irmos: Hear thy glorious gaze, O Christ God, as if thou weret born of a Virgin, but deliver from flattery those who call: glory to thy power, Lord.
Hearing the glorious and marvelous on Mount Pechersk, Thou came there, reverend, and, seeing with fire and dew the descending grace of God at the beginning of the foundation of the church, still young, from the elders, Thou sang: glory to Thy power, Lord.
Creating the largest and most perfect tabernacle in your soul to the Holy Spirit, with a kind perception of the commandment from the God-bearing, the father gave to him, holy Nestor: those, as in the red chamber, come and make an abode in you, the Father with the Son and the Spirit.
Glory: Like a sweet milk, the teaching of the father of the God-bearing reception, you fulfilled the word in deed, blessed, and you were filled with the Most High Wisdom, even we are honored from your writings, we delight our souls with knowledge on these mountains of God's former grace.
And now: The sweet milk of repentance and the heavenly nectar of tenderness of the song to the love of those who bring you, give me, Pure Maiden, even though I am, obsessed with fear, driven by love, I bring Thee, Mistress, and I pray: sweeten my heart, Sweet Jesus Christ, my birth.
Canto 5
Irmos: From the light, the primordial light has been cut off, as if in the light of the deed they sing Thee, Christ, the Creator, guide our path in the Light of Yours.
Having moved away from the light of flattering love, you lusted with desire, Nestor, follow the great father in the footsteps, morals and teachings: give them to us too, and in the light of these deeds with your prayers direct our paths.
He is protected by deep humility, reverend, with the height of the vanity of the walking one, he overthrew the enemies, trampled thou with his feet; By your intercession to God, Father, give us humility and direct our steps in it.
Glory: Angelically your life ruled all of you, like an Angel of God, having a husband; by this, and to the diaconal degree, you were vouchsafed to govern your good procession in it, and our way to the shrine, Nestor, govern.
And now: The Path of the Birth of Life, the All-Holy Virgin, by the paths of the temptation of those who walk like the Merciful, you instruct on the paths of truth; and do not despise me, the Mistress, who is astray, but as if she gave birth to a Mentor to the astray, direct my path in the Light of His path.
Canto 6
Irmos: Whenever we grieve, cry to the Lord, and the God of my salvation hearkened to me.
In reverence and truth, ruling your rank, you have created the whole temple of the Holy Spirit, and, having entered the temple not made by hands, stand before the Throne of the Most High; and to me, who wants to be there, with your prayers, Father, help me, I pray, the prayer book of my salvation.
The red garden of the Heavenly Maker was red when you were green, you were decorated with red deeds, good fruits, whose fragrance we now smell, you increased; I pray thee, blessed, give this gift to me from God my Savior.
Glory: From the labor of your deeds, Reverend Nestor, having poured out many sweats, you have watered the cornfield of your soul and, having grown the virtues of the class, now reap the handles, alive forever in heavenly blood; in them also be me, pray to Christ my Savior.
And now: Sacred by the Spirit of the Father on the earth, holy, rejoice, for thou hast vegetated for us the blessed-leaved Tree; in the heat of my passions, scorched under the shade of onago, bring, Mistress, I pray to Thee as the Intercessor of my salvation.
Kontakion, voice 2
As a disciple of the God-bearing Theodosius, a disciple and a true imitator of his life, the first honest witness of his relics, you were honored to be, even with others holily carried, inherited the Kingdom of Heaven with the same, and we, who honor you, pray to the Lord.
Canto 7
Irmos: Abraham sometimes in Babylon, the youths trampled the furnace flame, crying out with songs: our fathers, God, blessed be Thou.
Following Abraham's footsteps, holy, by the fulfillment of the commandments you brought, as if he were Isaac, the mind of the Mistress is pure, for this sake, from this life, you passed into the earth, sharpening endless sweetness, where you pray to me, Nestor, the interlocutor of our God-bearing fathers.
Pass away from this passionate world, you have passed into a passionless world, where you live in peace with the sons of the world, and do not retreat from us, in this world, praying to your Creator, let us be partakers of you, singing: God, blessed be Thou.
Glory: Thou didst not divert thy heart into the words of slyness in this life of many turmoil, reverend, so that the air spirits of slyness passed serenely, to the Heavenly gates thou didst ripen: even to open us with your prayers, and we sing with you: God, blessed be Thou .
And now: I deviated from the path of truth and do not walk my feet on the right path, but on the rapids of passions it is deceitful, I hurt my mold with the thorns of sin, both and temple, I flow to Your goodness and pray: Mistress, heal me, Thou art the healing of my soul .
Canto 8
Irmos: In Babylon, the youths of God are inflamed with jealousy, a tormentor and a flame, manly trampling on the punishment and, in the middle of the fire, cast down, irrigate, sing: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Fortified by spiritual strength, thou hast flown, O God-wise, with the wings of thy virtues to the Heavenly Ones, and according to these years you live now, even if the summers are not impoverished, pray to them and us, singing: bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Thou hast passed from the house of the Mother of God, Nestor, to the House of God, the all-luminous Jerusalem, and, cohabiting as an Angel among the citizens of Heaven, intercede for us to be the same in your memory, singing the songs of the Lord.
Glory: The Trinity is One Essence: Father, and Son, and Holy Soul, One Kingdom, having strength and power, deliver us from the power of the prince of darkness, with the prayers of the God-bearing fathers of our Caves, with them and Nestor we bring Thee to prayer today, blessing Thee forever , Lord.
And now: the Throne of the Trinity, Mati Virgo, and the glory of the Trinitarian Deity will be taken out, praying for us sinners, and we will not lose Heavenly Glory, with the songs of Thee glorifying and from Thee the Born Lord.
Canto 9
Irmos: Thy Nativity appeared imperishably: God passed from Thy side, like a Carnivore, appearing on earth and living with people. Thee, Mother of God, we magnify everything.
Thou hast departed to the villages of the righteous, and in spirit stand before the Everlasting Light; look down on us, who live in the villages of the many-rebellious world, and help those who are in war, blessed Nestor, as we now magnify you with songs.
With them, you acquired love in a living body, with them, and departed in spirit, cohabiting, you are not excommunicated, as if your relics will show, Reverend, lying with the saints in the cave, with them appear for us praying to God, magnifying your memory.
Glory: The Lord loves mercy and truth, and you, more blessed, like Him, be a merciful intercessor for our salvation, but for your sake, we, having found grace, will not fall away from eternal glory, as we magnify your holy Assumption with songs.
And now: The Lord loves all your intercession, Most Pure Virgin, and accepts your prayers for the human race; pray also for us, Thy servants, the All-Tsaritsa, that we may obtain mercy on the Day of Judgment, I will take out to You as an Intercessor, bowing, magnifying.
When you look at the image of the Monk Nestor - the chronicler, you are amazed at the incredible meekness of his gaze, the wisdom that comes from the eyes of the saint. The legendary chronicler was born in the 50s of the 11th century. The monk took tonsure at the Kiev-Pechersk monastery and rose to the rank of deacon. The ministry to which the Monk Nestor dedicated himself is the ministry of the chronicler. The goal of the venerable saint was to pass on the history of the Russian land to the descendants. In the annals, Nestor describes the formation of the Russian state, the lives of the saints, the history of Russian princes, as well as the beginning of the spread of the Christian faith in Russia.
Nestor can be called the first church historian who gave a theological justification for Russian history. One of the most famous chronicles, preserved, thanks to the reverend, and which has come down to our days, is the Tale of Bygone Years. It is thanks to this chronicle that our contemporaries learned about the creation of a Slavic charter, the first Christian church built in Russia, about Princess Olga, the first Russian saint, and also about the baptism of Russia. On the first pages of his famous work, Nestor wrote: "Behold the tales of bygone years, where did the Russian Land come from, who in Kyiv began the first princedom and where did the Russian Land come from." The main purpose of creating the chronicle, for Nestor, was a description of the formation of the Russian state. According to our contemporaries, the monk achieved his goal. Until his death (October 27, 1114), Nestor painstakingly and tirelessly gave all his strength to the service he had chosen.
Nestor witnessed that difficult era for Russia, which left our contemporaries with a unique historical and literary document that captured the main historical events of our country. The invaluable historical information contained in the annals of St. Nestor has more than once helped modern scholars to unravel some of the mysteries of our history. It was for Nestor's contribution to the preservation of important historical moments, as well as for his patriotism and devoted service to the Lord, through the writing of chronicles, that the Russian Orthodox Church established a holiday in honor of the great chronicler, for his deeds are recognized as pleasing to God.
They buried the Monk Nestor, the chronicler, in the cave of the Caves Monastery. And to this day, the relics of the monk remain incorrupt. Until now, miracles of healing have been taking place on his grave. For the majority of our contemporaries, Saint Nestor remains the creator of The Tale of Bygone Years, a legendary chronicler whose name and deeds are known to us to this day. It is probably not easy for oneself to appoint the ministry of a chronicler, when your every word will be decisive for posterity. It was not easy for Nestor to realize his great responsibility to history. To be, just with your eyes, to tell the truth, not to confuse the facts, not to express your opinion, but only to tell the events as they really happened. This was the manifestation of the feat that Nestor accomplished for the glory of God, as well as for the glory of subsequent generations.
The Monk Nestor the Chronicler was born in the 50s of the 11th century in Kyiv. As a young man he came to the Monk Theodosius (+ 1074, Comm. 3 May) and became a novice. The Monk Nestor was tonsured by the successor of the Monk Theodosius, hegumen Stefan. Under him, he was ordained a hierodeacon. His high spiritual life is evidenced by the fact that he, among other venerable fathers, participated in the exorcism of Nikita the hermit (later Saint of Novgorod, commemorated January 31), deceived into Jewish sophistication. The Monk Nestor deeply appreciated true knowledge, combined with humility and repentance. “There is great benefit from the teaching of the book,” he said, “books punish and teach us the path to repentance, because from bookish words we gain wisdom and abstinence. These are rivers that water the universe, from which wisdom comes. sorrows, they are the bridle of abstinence. If you diligently seek wisdom in books, you will gain great benefit for your soul. For he who reads books converses with God or with holy men." In the monastery, the Monk Nestor carried out the obedience of a chronicler. In the 1980s he wrote "Reading on the Life and Destruction of the Blessed Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb" in connection with the transfer of their holy relics to Vyshgorod in 1072 (Comm. 2 May). In the 80s, the Monk Nestor compiled the life of the Monk Theodosius of the Caves, and in 1091, on the eve of the patronal feast of the Caves monastery, hegumen John instructed him to dig from the ground for transferring to the church the holy relics of the Monk Theodosius (commemorated the acquisition of August 14).
The main feat of the life of the Monk Nestor was the compilation of the "Tale of Bygone Years" by 1112-1113. "Behold the tales of bygone years, where did the Russian land come from, who in Kyiv began first to reign, and where did the Russian land come from" - this is how the Monk Nestor defined the goal of his work from the first lines. An unusually wide range of sources (preceding Russian chronicles and legends, monastic records, Byzantine chronicles of John Malala and Georgy Amartol, various historical collections, stories of the elder boyar Jan Vyshatich, merchants, warriors, travelers), meaningful from a single, strictly ecclesiastical point of view, allowed St. Nestor to write the history of Russia as an integral part of world history, the history of the salvation of the human race.
The monk-patriot sets out the history of the Russian Church in the main moments of its historical formation. He speaks of the first mention of the Russian people in church sources - in 866, under the holy Patriarch Photius of Constantinople; narrates about the creation of the Slavonic charter by the saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, about the Baptism of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga in Constantinople. The chronicle of St. Nestor has preserved for us the story of the first Orthodox church in Kyiv (under the year 945), about the confessional feat of the holy Varangian martyrs (under the year 983), about the "testing of the faith" by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir (986) and the Baptism of Russia (988). We are indebted to the first Russian church historian for information about the first metropolitans of the Russian Church, about the emergence of the Pechersk monastery, about its founders and ascetics. The time of the Monk Nestor was not easy for the Russian land and the Russian Church. Russia was tormented by princely civil strife, the steppe nomadic Polovtsy ravaged cities and villages with predatory raids, drove Russian people into slavery, burned churches and monasteries. The Monk Nestor was an eyewitness to the destruction of the Caves monastery in 1096. The chronicle provides a theological understanding of Russian history. The spiritual depth, historical fidelity and patriotism of The Tale of Bygone Years place it among the highest creations of world literature.
The Monk Nestor died about the year 1114, having bequeathed to the chronicler monks of the Caves the continuation of his great work. Hegumen Sylvester, who gave the Tale of Bygone Years a modern look, hegumen Moses Vydubitsky, who extended it until 1200, and finally, Abbot Lavrenty, who wrote in 1377 the oldest of the lists that have come down to us that have preserved the "Tale" of St. Nestor ( "Laurentian Chronicle"). The heir to the hagiographic tradition of the Caves ascetic was St. Simon, Bishop of Vladimir († 1226, Comm. 10 May), rescuer of the Kiev-Pechersk Paterikon. Talking about the events connected with the life of the saints of God, St. Simon often refers, among other sources, to the Chronicles of St. Nestor.
Saint Nestor was buried in the Near Caves of Saint Anthony of the Caves. The Church also honors his memory together with the Cathedral of the Fathers Resting in the Near Caves on September 28 and on the 2nd Week of Great Lent, when the Council of all the Kiev-Pechersk Fathers is celebrated.
His work has been published many times. Recent scientific publications: "The Tale of Bygone Years", M.-L., 1950: "The Life of Theodosius of the Caves" - in the "Izbornik" (M., 1969; in parallel, the Old Russian text and a modern translation).