Euphrosyne of Polotsk: life, enlightenment activity

Euphrosyne of Polotsk is the first Belarusian, and according to some historical information, an Eastern Slavic enlightener. In addition, we know her and as the first woman in Russia, ranked among the saints. Despite the fact that the life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk fell at a time when Christianity has already split, it is equally venerated by both the Orthodox and the Catholic Church.

The main merit of the saint is the translation and rewriting of books, as well as the construction of his own monasteries and churches, which were the real educational centers of the Polotsk principality.

The famous princess

Euphrosyne of Polotsk ... This name is written in gold letters, not only in the pages of spiritual life that existed on the East Slavic lands, but throughout the history of Belarusian culture.

Euphrosyne of Polotsk is a princess and a nun. But, first of all, this is a famous enlightener, who left an unforgettable memory in the souls of people. Between the present time and the period when the famous princess lived, she lies more than eight centuries. And so there is nothing surprising in the fact that not so much information about it is preserved in the history of the East Slavic people. However, they are also able to assess the great Polochanka as a talented woman enlightener, pointing out its pan-European significance. All the activities of Euphrosinia, as well as its famous compatriots K. Smolyatich and K. Turovsky, without any doubt, speaks of the high cultural upsurge that was observed in those years on the Belarusian land.

Life of the holy princess

The future Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk was born in 1110. Initially, she was given the name of Predslava. She was the daughter of Polotsk prince Svyatoslav (son of Vseslav the Sorceress) and was a great-granddaughter of Princess Rogneda and Prince Vladimir. Predslava's father did not receive an inheritance from his parents, and so, together with his family, lived at the court of his elder brother - Boris Vseslavich.

At the end of the 12th century the book "The Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk" was written. Its author is unknown to us. Most likely, they were hegumen or a monk, who lived in one of the monasteries founded by the princess. There is a great chance that the author of the book is a pupil of Euphrosyne herself. But anyway, this narrative tells the readers in detail about the life of a holy woman.

Unfortunately, "Life ..." in its first edition has not reached our days. The fault is wars and fires. However, we can get acquainted with the book in six editions and in almost 150 lists. This is a confirmation of the great popularity of the work. One of the most complete lists is Pogodinsky. It dates back to the 16th century.

"The Life of the Monk Euphrosyne of Polotsk" is a true monument of hagiographical Eastern Slavic literature of the 12th century. The text of the book is built according to the canons that distinguished the hagiographic literature. It is assumed that this work has its own prototype. They could well serve the work "Life of Euphrosyne of Alexandria". However, the author of the East Slavic monument of literature introduced individual features into his work. Thus, the researchers note the brightness of dialogues and monologues of Euphrosinia herself. It is likely that they were taken from books written by the holy princess.

Structure of the Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk

The famous work is preceded by a rhetorical introduction, traditional for hagiography. Then follows the main part. It tells about the life path of the Holy Polochanka, which confirms its spiritual ascent. The final part of the work is Praise. Here, despite the hagiographic traditions, there are no stories about the post-mortem miracles that took place. For those who have not read the "Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk", the summary of the book will be given below.

Thirst for knowledge

The work "The Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk" tells us that since childhood she showed a great love for heartfelt prayer and for books. Predslava, according to some sources, received her education in the St. Sophia Cathedral, and on the other - at home, directly at the prince's court (this version is considered more likely).

Teachers of the girl were only spiritual persons. They gave her education, using the liturgy and Holy Scripture instead of textbooks. From the words of the teachers and from the life of the saints, the girl received an idea of the charters and customs that existed in the monastery. Science was given to her easily. She largely overtook her peers. In "Life ..." her unusual love of teaching, great abilities and diligence are noted. Predslava had wide access to books. In her house there was an extensive library where, in addition to religious literature, the girl read a novel about the exploits of A. Macedon, collections with aphorisms and sayings, etc. Somewhat later, she began to be interested in essays describing theological interpretations about the nature of nature, as well as books with ancient history .

In "Life ..." it is also indicated that the girl from the earliest years combined love for education with concentrated prayer. Her wisdom was "not only" seen by her parents. The glory of Predslovo has gone to many cities.

Choice of life path

The Polotsk Princess was notable for her wisdom, but her beauty. However, she submitted numerous proposals for marriage, she rejected without any hesitation. Predslava deliberately decided to abandon the worldly life at the age of 12. This was the period when parents first began to think about the marriage of their daughter. The girl was guided by ideas about selfless work to high moral ideals and the importance of spiritual perfection. Princess decided to go for her "Bridegroom" - for Christ.

Predslava turned to a relative who lived in Polotsk, the widow of her uncle Roman Vseslavich. She was a mother Superior and could help a girl become a nun. However, the extraordinary beauty of Predslava and its early age seemed to the old princess incompatible with tonsure. The deep understanding and high religious conviction of the girl helped to convince the old princess. The abbess called upon the priest, who made the monastic vows, giving Predslav the name of Euphrosyne.

Monastic years

For some time Evfrosinia Polotskaya passed the school of obedience to the Lord. At the same time she lived in the same monastery in which she took the monastic vows. However, a little later she received the blessing of Bishop Elijah of Polotsk and went to live in St. Sophia Cathedral. Her room was a cell - a "stone golbets". In this cathedral, Evfrosinia was particularly attracted by the library. From the books that were in her, the nun "was saturated with wisdom", and the amazing concentration of the princess helped her deeply comprehend it.

All these years the Reverend did not give up the love of teaching. And while she believed that spiritual enlightenment is an integral part of charity and love for people. Euphrosinia began to rewrite books, revealing wisdom to all by her diligence. In those years, this hard work was done only by men. And the only thing that a young woman undertook for such work was in itself a feat.

Part of the books, rewritten Euphrosinia, went on sale. The money, which was obtained from this, was distributed to the poor at the request of a nun. At the same time the famous princess began to write her own books. In them, she captured the teachings and prayers, and also made translations from Latin and Greek. In addition, Euphrosinia was in correspondence with her brothers in spirit and with her compatriots. One of them was Kirill Turovsky. At the same time the Reverend did not go into the struggle with the existing old traditions. She achieved "illumination with light," in which the highest wisdom of the woman manifested itself .

Opening your own monastery

According to the "Life ...", Elijah - the bishop of Polotsk - received from God's angel the confirmation of the height of asceticism and the ministry of Euphrosyne. Simultaneously, the higher powers indicated to him that he should put the nun at the head of the monastery. Three times with such a message the angel appeared to the Monk Euphrosyne, who gladly accepted the choice of Christ. For the location of the monastery was determined located near Polotsk Seltso. Here was the church of the Savior and the burial place of the bishops.

Solemn transfer of Selts Euphrosyne took place in St. Sophia Cathedral. Bishop Ilya himself blessed the Reverend for the creation of a convent in this place.

The heyday of the monastery

The Monk Euphrosyne of Polotsk became the founder of the Savior-Transfiguration Women's Monastery. This monastery was widely known throughout the Polotsk land. Here, the nuns and sisters of Euphrosyne were tonsured.

A female school was established at the monastery. It carried out the educational activities of Euphrosyne of Polotsk. Princess, who gathered young girls, taught them singing and writing books, needlework and many other useful crafts. The nun took care of the fact that the girls knew the law of God and were hardworking. It is worth noting that the school, founded under the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, largely contributed to the rapid growth of the monastery.

The construction of the temple

In the middle of the 12th century on the site of the wooden church Euphrosyne of Polotsk conceived to erect a stone church. To fulfill her dream, she came for advice to John. This monk already had experience in building temples. According to "Life ..." all the work went quite quickly. Already after 30 weeks the temple of Euphrosyne of Polotsk was erected. Its opening took place in 1161. "Life ..." tells of the diva that happened at the very end of the erection. It consisted in the fact that in the process of construction the brick was finished, and the masons did not know how to finish their work. But the next day, after the holy prayer, the masters found the necessary material in the oven.

The temple of Euphrosyne of Polotsk never ceases to amaze the researchers. It differs from many constructions of that time with its proportions, gable overlapping, and also unusual stretching of the drum. The interior of the church itself seems mysterious to visitors: despite massive walls, it is loaded with thick pillars.

Equipment of the church

After the construction of the new church, Euphrosinia actively worked to ensure that in this house of God there was everything necessary to carry out the services. The nun invited artists who painted the walls with biblical stories, on which were depicted the faces of saints. Surprising in their beauty, drawings were painted on the choir, as well as in the cell intended for the Reverend.

For her own abode in the church, Euphrosinia acquired the icon of the Mother of God (the miraculous Odigitrius of Ephesus). According to tradition, it was written by the Evangelist Luke himself.

The Holy Cross

A special place in the new church was given to things made by the best jeweler of Kievan Rus Lazar Bogsh. This is the cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The nun ordered it specially for the church she had built. The exact date of manufacture (1161) and the name of the master were seen on the cross.

The cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk has a six-pointed form. According to theologians, such a decision is a symbol of primitive light. The six ends of the cross signify the six days during which the Lord created the world. Decorated with a masterpiece of ancient jewelry art illustrations relating to the entire history of the New Testament, as well as the ancient church. Cross (see photo) Euphrosyne of Polotsk had images of Christ and the Virgin, Archangel Gabriel and Michael, the apostles Paul and Peter, the most holy Euphrosyne, and John the Baptist. They decorated this historically significant thing with precious metals and stones.

But the special value of the relic was given to the particles of holy relics. So, in the upper crosshairs on the front side of the Cross was placed the Blood of Christ. A little lower - "The Life-giving Tree". In the upper crosshair on the reverse side there was a stone taken from the Holy Sepulcher, and below was a fragment of the Holy Sepulcher.

Unfortunately, during the war with fascist Germany, the shrine disappeared without a trace. This Cross, like the notorious Amber Room, is considered one of the most valuable works of art, the search of which continues to this day. To date, in St. Euphrosyne's Polotsk Monastery there is an exact copy of the relic, which was executed in 1997 by the Brest jeweler-enameler NP Kuzmich.

Monastery

Euphrosyne of Polotsk is considered the founder of not only the women's monastery. By her order, a monastery was built, and with it - the church of St. The Virgin.

Subsequently, both monasteries became the real centers of education for the principality of Polotsk. In their open schools, young people learned to write and read and write. There were libraries and workshops for writing books, as well as icon-painting and jewelry works. The Reverend Euphrosyne of Polotsk herself created, and then recorded prayers and sermons. But in addition to her educational activities, the nun was known to contemporaries as an adviser, a peacemaker and a just judge.

last years of life

Being in old age, Euphrosinia decided to go on pilgrimage to holy Jerusalem. There she, exhausted after a long journey, fell ill and soon died. They buried the Princess of Polotsk near Jerusalem, in the monastery of St. Theodosius. In 1187 the re-burial of the saint took place. Her remains were transported to the Feodosye cave of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Only in 1910 the relics of the saint were taken to Polotsk.