A brave husband from Alexander's regiment. Appendix III

Read an excerpt from hagiographic literature.

“... This prince Alexander was born from a merciful and philanthropic father, and most of all, meek, the great prince Yaroslav and from mother Theodosia ... And he was handsome like no other, and his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like the face of Joseph , whom the Egyptian king appointed the second king in Egypt, his strength was part of the strength of Samson, and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, his courage was like that of the Roman king Vespasian, who conquered the whole land of Judea ... Hearing about such valor of Prince Alexander, the king Roman country from northern land thought to himself: "I will go and conquer the land of Alexandrov." And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, moved with a huge army, puffing with the spirit of war. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, puffed up, to Novgorod to Prince Alexander, saying: "If you can, defend yourself, for I am already here and ruining your land." Alexander, hearing such words, flared up in his heart, and entered the church of St. Sophia, and, falling on his knees before the altar, began to pray with tears: “Glorious God, righteous, great God, strong, righteous God, who created heaven and earth and established limits to the peoples, you commanded to live without transgressing the borders of others. And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: "Judge, Lord, those who offend me and protect them from those who fight with me, take up arms and a shield and stand to help me." And, having finished his prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spiridon, he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, dried up his tears and began to encourage his squad, saying: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songwriter, who said: "Some with weapons, and others on horses, we will call on the name of the Lord our God; they, defeated, fell, but we stood firm and stand straight." Having said this, he went to the enemies with a small squad, not waiting for his large army, but trusting in the holy trinity. ... After that, Alexander hurried to attack the enemies at the sixth hour of the day, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed countless of them, and on the face of the king himself left a trace of his sharp spear. Six brave men, like him, from Alexander's regiment showed themselves here. The first is by the name of Gavrilo Oleksich. He attacked the auger and, seeing the prince dragged by the arms, rode up to the ship along the gangway, along which they ran with the prince; those pursued by him seized Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangway along with his horse. But by the grace of God, he emerged from the water unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought with the commander himself in the midst of their army. The second, named Sbyslav Yakunovich, is a Novgorodian. This one attacked their army many times and fought with one ax, having no fear in his soul; and many fell by his hand, and marveled at his strength and courage. The third - Yakov, a native of Polotsk, was a hunter with the prince. This one attacked the regiment with a sword, and the prince praised him. The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This footman with his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships. The fifth is from the younger squad, named Sava. This one burst into a large golden-domed royal tent and cut down a tent post. The regiments of Alexandrov, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced ... In the second year after the return of Prince Alexander with a victory, they again came from the Western country and built a city on the land of Alexandrov. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged some of them themselves, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, let them go, for he was immensely merciful. After the victory of Alexandrova, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter time he went with great power to the German land, so that they would not boast, saying: "Let us subdue the Slavic people." And the city of Pskov was already taken by them and the German governors were imprisoned. He soon expelled them from Pskov and killed the Germans, but he tied up others and freed the city from the godless Germans, and fought and burned their land and took countless prisoners, and killed others. The Germans, daring, united and said: "Let's go, And we will defeat Alexander, and we will capture him." When the Germans approached, the guards found out about them. Prince Alexander prepared for battle, and they went against each other, and Lake Peipsi was covered with a multitude of both warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. Yes, and Prince Alexander had many brave warriors, as in ancient times with King David, strong and steadfast. So the men of Alexander were filled with the spirit of war, because their hearts were like the hearts of lions, and exclaimed: "O our glorious prince! Now the time has come for us to lay down our heads for you." Prince Alexander raised his hands to heaven and said: "Judge me, God, judge my feud with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses defeat Amalek and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk." It was then Saturday, and when the sun rose, the opponents came together. And there was a fierce slaughter, and there was a crash from breaking spears and a ringing from the blows of swords, and it seemed that the frozen lake moved, and no ice was visible, for it was covered with blood .... "

Using the text, select three correct judgments from the list provided. Write down in response the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) the events described in the text of the life took place in the XII century.

2) the city that the German knights built on the captured "land of Alexandrova" was called Koporye

3) for services to Novgorod, the boyars proclaimed Prince Alexander Yaroslavich the Prince of Novgorod "for all time"

4) in the battle on the Neva River, the army of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich fought with the army of the Danes

5) one of the military deeds of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich described in the life was the victory over the Germans on the ice of Lake Peipsi

6) a squad from the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality took part in the battle against the German knights

Explanation.

1) the events described in the text of the life took place in the XII century. - NO, not true, the events date back to the 13th century.

2) the city that the German knights built on the captured "land of Alexander" was called Koporye - YES, that's right, the German knights built the Koporye fortress.

3) for services to Novgorod, the boyars proclaimed Prince Alexander Yaroslavich the Novgorod prince "for all time" - NO, incorrectly, after the victory over the Swedes, Prince Alexander Nevsky left Novgorod after quarreling with the Novgorodians.

4) in the battle on the Neva River, the army of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich fought the army of the Danes - NO, incorrectly, on the Neva River in 1240, Prince Alexander Yaroslavich defeated the Swedes.

5) one of the military deeds of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich described in the life was the victory over the Germans on the ice of Lake Peipsi - YES, right, in 1242, Russian troops led by Alexander Nevsky defeated the German knights on the ice of Lake Peipus.

6) a squad from the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality took part in the battle against the German knights - YES, right.

[Ruler of Sweden Birger]; having heard about the courage of Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich, he decided to defeat him or take him prisoner and Velikiy Novgorod grab and. its suburbs and Slavic people turn into slavery. And he said: "I will go and conquer all the land of Alexandrov."

The king gathered a great force, his chiefs and bishops, and Swedes, and Norwegians, and sum, eat, and filled the ships with many of their regiments and moved with great force, overwhelmed by a warlike spirit, and came to the Neva River and stood at the mouth of Izhora, wishing in in his madness to seize Ladoga and even Novgorod and the entire region of Novgorod. Then the news came that the Swedes were going to Ladoga, and at the same time the king proudly sent ambassadors to the Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich in Novgorod with the words: “If you can resist me, then I am already here and will conquer your land” ...

And Alexander went to the Swedes with his courageous warriors, not with many squads, because there was no time to gather a large army. His father, Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, did not know about the attack on his son Alexander, there was no time to send a message to his father, because the enemies were already approaching. And many Novgorodians did not have time to gather in the army, because the Grand Duke Alexander hastened to go against the enemies.

And he came against them on Sunday July 15 (1240), and there was a great slaughter with the Swedes. Many Swedes were beaten, and Alexander himself inflicted a wound on the face of the king with his sharp sword.

About six brave men

There were 6 brave men in the regiment of Grand Duke Alexander, who bravely fought with him. The first, Gavrilo Alekseevich, ran into the ship and saw the prince and rode along the gangway to the ship itself, and everyone ran in front of him, and returning back, threw him, along with his horse, from the gangway into the sea. By God's intercession, he came out unharmed and, attacking again, fiercely fought with the voivode himself in the middle of the regiment of the Swedes, and then the voivode of the Swedes Spiridon and their bishop were killed. The second Novgorodian, named Sbyslav Yakunovich, attacked many times, fought with one ax, having no fear in his heart, and several people fell from his hand, and everyone marveled at his strength and courage.

The third, Yakov Polochanin, who was the hunter of the prince [Alexander], attacked the regiment with a sword, fought fiercely, and the Grand Duke praised him. The fourth Novgorodian, named Misha, attacked on foot with his retinue and destroyed 3 ships of the Swedes. The fifth “of the young people, someone named Sava, having attacked the great golden-domed tent, cut down its pillar, the tent fell, and the regiments of Alexander, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced. The sixth, one of Alexander’s servants, named Ratmir, fought on foot, was surrounded by many Swedes, fell from many wounds and died.

All this I heard from my lord, Grand Duke Alexander, and from others who at that time took part in the battle.

The surviving Swedes fled shamed, and filled 3 ships with the corpses of their killed governors, and dug pits for the rest of the dead and threw countless corpses into them. Many other Swedes were wounded and fled that night. Novgorodians also fell: Konstantin Lugotinich, Yurata Pinyashchin, Namest, Drochilo Nezdilov, the son of Kozhevnik, and in total 20 men fell along with the Ladoga residents. Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich returned from great victory to Novgorod.

About Germans and Pskovians

In the same year, the Germans, Medvezhans, Yuryevtsy, Velyadtsy, together with Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, took the city of Izborsk. And the news came to Pskov that the Germans had taken Izborsk, and the whole city of Pskov went out against the Germans, and the Pskovians entered into a fight with them and fought fiercely, and there was a great slaughter between them. and many of them were killed during the flight, and others were taken prisoner.The Germans, having approached the city, set fire to the entire settlement and caused much harm: many churches and holy icons in them and all church property were burned.

The Germans devastated the villages near Pskov and stood under the city for a week, but they did not take the city and, having captured many prisoners, left. And there were Pskovites without peace. Some of the Pskovians betrayed and communicated with the Germans, whom Tverdilo Ivankovich brought with others, and began to own Pskov with the Germans, ruining the villages of Novgorod, while other Pskovians fled to Novgorod with their wives and children. In the same winter, the Germans and Chud again came from the west to the water and fought and imposed tribute on it and built a wooden fortress in Koporye, in the land of Grand Duke Alexander.

But the evil was not limited to this, the Germans took Tesovo and made a raid, killing merchants, and not having reached 30 versts to Novgorod, and in the other direction to the Duga and to the Saber, and Grand Duke Alexander then drove off to the Suzdal land, to the city of Pereyaslavl, with mother and with the princess and with her court, having quarreled with the Novgorodians.

The Novgorodians, with a petition, sent to the Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, asking him for his son to become a prince, and he gave them his son Andrei. The Novgorodians, having consulted, sent Vladyka Spiridon with the boyars to the Grand Duke with a petition, asking for his son, Grand Duke Alexander, as prince. And at that time, the Lithuanians, the Germans and the Chud attacked the land of Novgorod, took away all the horses and cattle along the Luga, there was nothing to plow in the villages. The great prince Yaroslav accepted the petition of the lord and the petition of the Novgorodians and gave them again his son Alexander.

In 1242, Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich came to Novgorod and immediately went with Novgorodians, Ladoga, Korela and Izherians to the city of Koporye, and destroyed the fortress to the ground, and killed the Germans themselves, and brought others with them to Novgorod, and Alexander pardoned the rest and let him go, because he was extremely merciful, and hanged the traitors of the vozhan and miracles and went to Pereyaslavl. The Germans, on the other hand, gathered from the other side and came to Pskov and defeated the Pskov regiments and planted their governors in Pskov. Hearing about this, Prince Alexander regretted the Christian blood and, without any hesitation, took his brother Andrei and the whole army with him and came to Novgorod.

Battle on the Ice

And he went with his brother Andrei and with the Novgorodians and Suzdalians to the German land with great strength, so that the Germans would not boast, saying "we will humiliate the Slovenian language."

Already the city of Pskov was taken and the German tiuns were planted in the city. The Grand Duke Alexander occupied all the paths to Pskov and suddenly took the city, and, capturing the Germans and the Chud and the German governors, imprisoned him in chains in Novgorod, and freed the city of Pskov from captivity, and fought and burned the German land and took many prisoners, and others interrupted. They gathered, saying with pride: "Let's go to Alexander and, having won, we will take him prisoner." When the Germans approached, the guards of Grand Duke Alexander were surprised at the strength of the Germans and were horrified. Prince great Alexander, having prayed in the church of the Holy Trinity, he went to the German land, wanting to avenge Christian blood ... Hearing about this, the master went against them (Alexander's regiments. - Ed.) with all their bishops and with all the multitude of their people and their strength, whatever was in their area, together with royal help; and converged on the lake, called Chudskoe. Grand Duke Alexander returned back.

The Germans also went after him. The great prince set up an army on Lake Peipus on Uzmen, near the Voronya stone, and, having prepared for battle, went against them. The troops converged on Lake Peipus; there were plenty of those and others. And his brother Andrey was also here with Alexander, with many soldiers of his father, Alexander had many brave, strong and strong, all were filled with a warlike spirit, and their hearts were like lions. And they said: "Prince, now the time has come to lay down our heads for you." It was then the Sabbath day, and at sunrise the two armies came together.

And there was an evil and great slaughter for the Germans and the Chud, and the crack of breaking spears and the sound of the blows of swords were heard, so that the ice on the frozen lake broke, and the ice was not visible, because it was covered with blood. And I myself heard about it from an eyewitness who was there.

And the Germans turned to flight, and the Russians drove them with a fight as if through air, and there was nowhere for them to escape, they beat them 7 miles across the ice to the Subolitsky coast, and 500 Germans fell, and countless monsters, and 50 of the best German commanders were taken prisoner and brought them to Novgorod, while other Germans drowned in the lake, because it was spring. Others fled badly wounded. This battle took place on April 5 (1242).

The compilation of the Life of Alexander Nevsky dates back to the 80s. 13th century and are associated with the names of Dmitry Alexandrovich, the son of Alexander Nevsky, and Metropolitan Kirill, with the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin in Vladimir, where the body of the prince was buried. here in the thirteenth century. the veneration of the prince as a saint begins and the first edition of his life appears.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I, thin and sinful, narrow-minded, dare to describe the life of the holy prince Alexander, son of Yaroslav, grandson of Vsevolodov. For I have heard from my fathers, and have myself been a witness middle age him, I was glad to tell about his holy, and honest, and glorious life. But as the tributary said: “Wisdom will not enter into an evil soul: for it abides in elevated places, stands in the middle of roads, and stops at the gates of noble people.” Although I am simple in mind, I will nevertheless begin with the prayer of the Holy Mother of God and the help of the Holy Prince Alexander.

This prince Alexander was born from a merciful and philanthropic father, and most of all - meek, the great prince Yaroslav and from mother Theodosia. As Isaiah the prophet said: “Thus says the Lord: “I set princes, sacred for they are, and I lead them.” And truly - not without God's command was his reign.

And he was handsome like no other, and his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like the face of Joseph, whom the Egyptian king appointed the second king in Egypt, his strength was part of the strength of Samson, and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, his courage is like that of the Roman king Vespasian, who conquered the whole land of Judea. One day he prepared to besiege the city of Joatapata, and the townspeople came out and defeated his army. And Vespasian alone remained, and turned those who opposed him to the city, to the city gates, and laughed at his retinue, and reproached her, saying: "They left me alone." So did Prince Alexander - he won, but was invincible.

That is why one of the eminent men of the Western country, from those who call themselves servants of God, came, wanting to see the maturity of his strength, as in ancient times the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon, wanting to listen to his wise speeches. So this one, by the name of Andreash, having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: “I passed through countries, peoples and did not see such a king among kings, nor a prince among princes.”

Hearing about such a prowess of Prince Alexander, the king of the country of Rome from the Midnight Land thought to himself: "I will go and conquer the land of Alexandrov." And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, moved with great force, puffing with the spirit of war. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, puffed up, to Novgorod to Prince Alexander, saying: "If you can, defend yourself, for I am already here and ruining your land."

Alexander, having heard such words, flared up in his heart and entered the church of Hagia Sophia, and, falling on his knees before the altar, began to pray with tears: “Glorious God, righteous, great God, strong, eternal God, who created heaven and earth and established nations, You commanded to live without transgressing the borders of others. And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: “Judge, Lord, those who offend me and protect from those who fight with me, take up arms and a shield and stand to help me.”

And, having finished his prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spiridon, he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, wiped away his tears and said, in order to encourage his squad: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songwriter, who said: “Some with weapons, and others on horses, but we call on the name of the Lord our God; they were defeated and fell, but we stood and stand upright. Having said this, he went to the enemies with a small squad, not waiting for his large army, but trusting in the Holy Trinity.

It was sad to hear that his father, the great prince Yaroslav, did not know about the invasion of his son, dear Alexander, and he had no time to send a message to his father, for the enemies were already approaching. Therefore, many Novgorodians did not have time to join, as the prince hurried to speak. And he set out against the enemy on Sunday, the fifteenth of July, having great faith in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb.

And there was one man, the elder of the land of Izhora, named Pelugiy, he was entrusted with night watch on the sea. He was baptized and lived among his people, who were pagans, but his name was named Philip in holy baptism, and he lived pleasingly, observing fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and therefore God honored him with seeing a wonderful vision on that day. Let's talk briefly.

Learning about the strength of the enemy, he went out to meet Prince Alexander to tell him about their camps. He stood by the sea, watching both ways, and spent the whole night without sleep. When the sun began to rise, he heard a strong noise on the sea and saw one pier floating on the sea, and the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb in red robes standing in the middle of the pier, holding their hands on each other's shoulders. The rowers sat as if clothed in darkness. Boris said: “Brother Gleb, they led us to row, let us help our relative, Prince Alexander.” Seeing such a vision and hearing these words of the martyrs, Pelugius stood terrified until the nasad disappeared from his eyes.

Shortly after this, Alexander came, and Pelugius, joyfully meeting Prince Alexander, told him alone about the vision. The prince said to him: "Don't tell this to anyone."

After that, Alexander hastened to attack the enemies at the sixth hour of the day, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed an innumerable multitude, and on the face of the king himself he left the seal of his sharp spear.

Six brave men, like him, from Alexander's regiment showed themselves here.

The first is by the name of Gavrilo Oleksich. He attacked the auger and, seeing the prince dragged by the arms, rode up to the ship along the gangway, along which they ran with the prince; those pursued by him seized Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangway along with his horse. But on God's grace he came out of the water unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought with the commander himself in the midst of their army.

The second is named Sbyslav Yakunovich, a Novgorodian. This one attacked their army many times and fought with one ax, having no fear in his soul; and many fell by his hand, and marveled at his strength and courage.

The third - Yakov, a native of Polotsk, was a hunter with the prince. This one attacked the regiment with a sword, and the prince praised him.

The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This footman with his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships.

The fifth is from the younger squad, named Sava. This one burst into a large golden-domed royal tent and cut down a tent post. The regiments of Alexandrov, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced.

The sixth is from the servants of Alexander, named Ratmir. This one fought on foot, and many enemies surrounded him. He fell from many wounds and died like that.

I heard all this from my master, Grand Duke Alexander, and from those who participated at that time in this battle.

And at that time there was a marvelous miracle, as in the days of old under Hezekiah the king. When Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, came to Jerusalem, wanting to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army, and when morning came, only dead corpses were found. So it was after the victory of Alexandrov: when he defeated the king, on the opposite side of the Izhora River, where Alexandrov's regiments could not pass, a myriad of those killed by the angel of the Lord were found here. Those who remained turned to flight, and the corpses of their dead soldiers were thrown into the ships and sunk them in the sea. Prince Alexander returned with victory, praising and glorifying the name of his Creator.

In the second year after the return of Prince Alexander with a victory, they again came from the Western country and built a city on the land of Alexandrov. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged some of them themselves, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, let them go, for he was immensely merciful.

After the victory of Alexandrov, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter, he went with great strength to the German land, so that they would not boast, saying: "We will conquer the Slovenian people."

And the city of Pskov was already taken by them and the German governors were imprisoned. He soon expelled them from Pskov and killed the Germans, but he tied up others and freed the city from the godless Germans, and ravaged and burned their land and took countless prisoners, and killed others. The Germans, proud, gathered and said: "Let's go and defeat Alexander, and capture him."

When the Germans approached, the guards checked on them. Prince Alexander prepared for battle, and they went against each other, and Lake Peipsi was covered with a multitude of both warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. And Prince Alexander also had many brave warriors, as in ancient times, King David, strong and strong. So the men of Alexander were filled with the spirit of war, because their hearts were like the hearts of lions, and exclaimed: “O our glorious prince! Now the time has come for us to lay down our heads for you.” Prince Alexander raised his hands to heaven and said: “Judge me, God, judge my feud with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses defeat Amalek and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk.”

It was then Saturday, and when the sun rose, the opponents came together. And there was a fierce slaughter, and there was a crash from breaking spears and a ringing from the blows of swords, and it seemed that a frozen lake moved, and no ice was visible, for it was covered with blood.

And I heard this from an eyewitness who told me that he saw the army of God in the air, which came to the aid of Alexander. And so he defeated the enemies with the help of God, and they fled, while Alexander cut them down, driving them as if through the air, and there was nowhere for them to hide. Here God glorified Alexander before all the regiments, like Joshua at Jericho. And the one who said: “Let's capture Alexander,” God gave into the hands of Alexander. And there has never been an opponent worthy of him in battle. And Prince Alexander returned with a glorious victory, and there were many prisoners in his army, and those who call themselves "God's knights" were led barefoot near the horses.

And when the prince approached the city of Pskov, the abbots, and the priests, and all the people met him in front of the city with crosses, giving praise to God and glorifying the lord prince Alexander, singing the song: “You, Lord, helped meek David defeat foreigners and our faithful prince liberate the city of Pskov from foreign pagans with the arms of the cross by the hand of Alexander.

And Alexander said: “O ignorant people of Pskov! If you forget this before the great-grandchildren of Alexander, then you will be like the Jews, whom the Lord fed in the wilderness with manna from heaven and baked quails, but they forgot all this and their God, who delivered them from Egyptian captivity.

And his name became famous in all countries, from the sea of ​​Khonuzh and to the mountains of Ararat, and on the other side of the Varangian sea and to the great Rome.

At the same time, the Lithuanian people gained strength and began to plunder the possessions of Alexandrov. He went out and beat them. Once he happened to go out to the enemy, and he defeated seven regiments in one trip and killed many of the princes, and took others prisoner, while his servants, mocking, tied them to the tails of their horses. And from that time they began to fear his name.

At the same time, there was a strong king in the Eastern country, to whom God subdued many peoples, from the east to the west. That king, having heard about such glory and courage of Alexander, sent messengers to him and said: “Alexander, do you know that God has subdued many nations to me? What - you alone do not want to submit to me? But if you want to save your land, then come quickly to me and you will see the glory of my kingdom.

After the death of his father, Prince Alexander came to Vladimir in great power. And his arrival was terrible, and the news of him rushed to the mouth of the Volga. And the wives of Moab began to frighten their children, saying, "Alexander is coming!"

Prince Alexander decided to go to the tsar in the Horde, and Bishop Kirill blessed him. And King Batu saw him, and was amazed, and said to his nobles: “They told me the truth that there is no prince like him.” Honoring him with dignity, he released Alexander.

After that, Tsar Batu was angry with little brother his Andrey and sent his governor Nevryuy to ruin the land of Suzdal. After the destruction of Nevruem land Suzdal prince the great Alexander erected churches, rebuilt the cities, gathered the dispersed people into their houses. Isaiah the prophet said about such people: “The prince is good in the countries - quiet, affable, meek, humble - and in that he is like God.” Not seduced by wealth, not forgetting the blood of the righteous, orphans and widows, he judges in truth, is merciful, kind to his household and hospitable to those who come from foreign countries. God also helps such people, for God does not love angels, but He generously bestows people in His generosity and shows His mercy in the world.

God filled the land of Alexander with wealth and glory, and God extended his years.

Once, ambassadors from the pope from great Rome came to him with the following words: “Our Pope says this: “We heard that you are a worthy and glorious prince and your land is great. That is why they sent two of the smartest of the twelve cardinals to you - Agaldad and Repair, so that you would listen to their speeches about the law of God.

Prince Alexander, having thought with his wise men, wrote him the following answer: “From Adam to the flood, from the flood to the division of peoples, from the mixing of peoples to the beginning of Abraham, from Abraham to the passage of the Israelites through the sea, from the exodus of the sons of Israel to the death of King David , from the beginning of the reign of Solomon to Augustus and to Christmas, from the Nativity of Christ to His crucifixion and Resurrection, from His Resurrection and Ascension to heaven and to the reign of Konstantinov, from the beginning of the reign of Konstantinov to the first Council and the seventh - we know all this well, but we will not accept teachings from you. They also returned home.

And the days of his life multiplied in great glory, for he loved priests, and monks, and the poor, and he honored metropolitans and bishops and listened to them, as to Christ himself.

In those days there was great violence from the infidels, they persecuted Christians, forcing them to fight on their side. The great prince Alexander went to the king to pray for his people from this misfortune.

And he sent his son Dmitry to Western countries, and sent all his regiments with him, and his relatives of the household, saying to them: "Serve my son, as myself, with all your life." And Prince Dmitry went in great strength, and conquered the German land, and took the city of Yuryev, and returned to Novgorod with many prisoners and with big booty.

His father, Grand Duke Alexander, returned from the Horde from the tsar, and reached Nizhny Novgorod, and there he fell ill, and, having arrived in Gorodets, fell ill. Woe to you, poor man! How can you describe the death of your master! How will your apples not fall out along with tears! How will your heart not be torn out by the roots! For a man can leave a father, but a good master cannot be left; if it were possible, then I would go down with him into the coffin!

Having worked hard for God, he left the earthly kingdom and became a monk, for he had an immeasurable desire to take on an angelic image. God vouchsafed him and b about The next rank to accept is the schema. And so, in peace with God, he gave up his spirit on the fourteenth day of the month of November, in memory of the holy Apostle Philip.

Metropolitan Kirill said: “My children, know that the sun of the land of Suzdal has already set!” Priests and deacons, Chernorizians, poor and rich, and all the people exclaimed: “We are already perishing!”

The holy body of Alexander was carried to the city of Vladimir. The Metropolitan, princes and boyars, and all the people, small and large, met him in Bogolyubovo with candles and censers. People crowded, trying to touch his holy body on an honest bed. There was a cry, and a groan, and a cry, which had never been, even the earth trembled. His body was laid in the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, in the great archimandrite, on the 24th day of November, in memory of the holy father Amphilochius.

It was then a marvelous miracle and worthy of memory. When his holy body was laid in the tomb, then Sebastian the Economist and Cyril the Metropolitan wanted to open his hand in order to put in a spiritual letter. He, as if alive, stretched out his hand and took the letter from the Metropolitan's hand. And confusion seized them, and they slightly retreated from his tomb. This was announced to everyone by Metropolitan and Economist Sevastyan. Who will not be surprised at this miracle, because his soul left his body and they carried him from distant lands in the winter!

And so God glorified His saint.

THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY

The Tale of the Life and Courage of the Blessed and Grand Duke Alexander

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I, pitiful and sinful, narrow-minded, dare to describe the life of the holy prince Alexander, son of Yaroslav, grandson of Vsevolodov. Since I heard from my fathers and myself was a witness to his mature age, I was glad to tell about his holy, and honest, and glorious life. But as the tributary [*] said: “Wisdom will not enter an evil soul: for it abides in lofty places, stands in the middle of roads, and stops at the gates of noble people.” Although I am simple in mind, I will nevertheless begin by praying to the Holy Mother of God and trusting in the help of the Holy Prince Alexander.

This prince Alexander was born from a merciful and philanthropic father, and most of all, meek, the great prince Yaroslav, and from mother Theodosia [*]. As Isaiah the prophet said: “Thus says the Lord: “I set princes, they are sacred, and I lead them.” And truly - not without God's command was his reign.

And he was handsome like no other, and his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like the face of Joseph, whom the Egyptian king appointed the second king in Egypt, his strength was part of the strength of Samson, and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, his courage is like that of the Roman king Vespasian, who conquered the whole land of Judea. One day he prepared to besiege the city of Joatapata, and the townspeople came out and defeated his army. And Vespasian alone remained, and turned those who opposed him to the city, to the city gates, and laughed at his retinue, and reproached her, saying: “They left me alone” [*]. So did Prince Alexander - he won, but was invincible.

Once one of the eminent men of the Western country [*], from those who call themselves the servants of God [*], came, wanting to see the maturity of his strength, as in ancient times the Queen of Sheba [*] came to Solomon, wanting to listen to his wise speeches . So this one, by the name of Andreash [*], having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: “I passed through countries, peoples and did not see such a king among kings, nor a prince among princes.”

Hearing about such valor of Prince Alexander, the king of the country of Rome from the northern land [*] thought to himself: "I will go and conquer the land of Alexandrov." And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, moved with a huge army, flaming with the spirit of war. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, puffed up, to Novgorod to Prince Alexander, saying: "If you can, defend yourself, for I am already here and ruining your land."

Alexander, having heard such words, flared up in his heart and entered the church of St. Sophia, and, falling on his knees before the altar, began to pray with tears: “Glorious God, righteous, great God, strong, eternal God, who created heaven and earth and established nations, You commanded to live without transgressing the borders of others. And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: "Judge, Lord, those who offended me and protect them from those who fight with me, take up arms and a shield and stand to help me."

And, having finished his prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spyridon [*], he blessed him and let him go. The prince, leaving the church, dried up his tears and began to encourage his squad, saying: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songwriter, who said: “Some with weapons, and others on horses, we will call on the name of the Lord our God; they, defeated, fell, but we stood firm and stand straight” ”[*]. Having said this, he went to the enemies with a small squad, not waiting for his large army, but trusting in the Holy Trinity.

It was sad to hear that his father, the great prince Yaroslav, did not know about the invasion of his son, dear Alexander, and he had no time to send a message to his father, for the enemies were already approaching. Therefore, many Novgorodians did not have time to join, as the prince hurried to speak. And he came out against them on Sunday, the fifteenth of July, having great faith in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb.

And there was one man, the elder of the land of Izhora [*], named Pelugiy, he was entrusted with night guards at sea. He was baptized and lived among his kind, the pagans, but his name was named Philip in holy baptism, and he lived pleasingly, observing fasting on Wednesday and Friday, therefore God honored him with seeing a wonderful vision on that day. Let's talk briefly.

Having learned about the strength of the enemy, he went out to meet Prince Alexander to tell him about the camps of the enemies. He stood by the sea, watching both ways, and spent the whole night without sleep. When the sun began to rise, he heard a strong noise on the sea and saw one platform [*] floating on the sea, and the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb in red robes standing in the middle of the platform, holding their hands on each other's shoulders. The rowers sat as if clothed in darkness. Boris said:

“Brother Gleb, let us row, let us help our relative, Prince Alexander.” Seeing such a vision and hearing these words of the martyrs, Pelugius stood trembling until the nasad disappeared from his eyes.

Shortly after this, Alexander came, and Pelugius, joyfully meeting Prince Alexander, told him alone about the vision. The prince said to him: "Don't tell this to anyone."

After that, Alexander hurried to attack the enemies at the sixth hour of the day, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed them innumerable, and left the mark of his sharp spear on the face of the king himself.

Six brave men, like him, from Alexander's regiment showed themselves here.

The first is by the name of Gavrilo Oleksich. He attacked the auger [*] and, seeing the prince dragged by the arms, rode up to the ship along the gangway along which they ran with the prince, pursued by him. Then they seized Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangway along with his horse. But by the grace of God, he emerged from the water unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought with the governor himself in the midst of their army.

The second, named Sbyslav Yakunovich, is a Novgorodian. This one attacked their army many times and fought with one ax, having no fear in his soul; and many fell by his hand, and marveled at his strength and courage.

The third - Yakov, a native of Polotsk, was a hunter with the prince. This one attacked the regiment with a sword, and the prince praised him.

The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This footman with his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships.

The fifth is from the younger squad, named Sava. This one burst into a large golden-domed royal tent and cut down a tent post. The regiments of Alexandrov, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced.

The sixth of Alexander's servants, named Ratmir. This one fought on foot, and many enemies surrounded him. He fell from many wounds and died like that.

I heard all this from my master, Grand Duke Alexander, and from others who participated in this battle at that time.

And at that time there was a marvelous miracle, as in the days of old under Hezekiah the king. When Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, came to Jerusalem, wanting to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army, and, rising in the morning, they found only dead corpses [*]. So it was after the victory of Alexandrov: when he defeated the king, on the opposite side of the Izhora River, where Alexandrov's regiments could not pass, a myriad of those killed by the angel of the Lord were found here. Those who remained turned to flight, and the corpses of their dead soldiers were thrown into the ships and sunk them in the sea. Prince Alexander returned with victory, praising and glorifying the name of his creator.

In the second year after the return with the victory of Prince Alexander, they again came from the Western country and built a city on the land of Alexandrov [*]. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged some of them themselves, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, let them go, for he was immensely merciful.

After the victory of Alexandrova, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter, he went with great force to the land of Pskov, for the city of Pskov had already been taken by the Germans. And the Germans came to Lake Peipus, and Alexander met them, and prepared for battle, and they went against each other, and Lake Peipsi was covered with a multitude of both warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. Yes, and Prince Alexander had many brave warriors, as in ancient times with King David, strong and steadfast. So the men of Alexander were filled with the spirit of war, because their hearts were like the hearts of lions, and they exclaimed: “O our glorious prince! Now the time has come for us to lay down our heads for you.” Prince Alexander raised his hands to heaven and said: “Judge me, God, judge my feud with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses defeat Amalek [*], and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk” [*].

Life of Alexander Nevsky

Translation into modern Russian

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I, pitiful and sinful, narrow-minded, dare to describe the life of the holy prince Alexander, son of Yaroslav, grandson of Vsevolodov. Since I heard from my fathers and myself was a witness to his mature age, I was glad to tell about his holy, and honest, and glorious life. But as the tributary said: "Wisdom will not enter into an evil soul: for it abides in lofty places, it stands in the middle of roads, it stops at the gates of noble people." Although I am simple in mind, I will nevertheless begin by praying to the Holy Mother of God and trusting in the help of the Holy Prince Alexander.

Icon. Saint led. Prince Alexander Nevsky. Source

This prince Alexander was born from a merciful and philanthropic father, and most of all - meek, the great prince Yaroslav and from mother Theodosia. As Isaiah the prophet said: Thus says the Lord: "Princes I set, sacred for they are, and I lead them." And verily, his reign was not without God's command. And he was handsome like no other, and his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like the face of Joseph, whom the Egyptian king appointed the second king in Egypt, his strength was part of the strength of Samson, and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, his courage is like that of the Roman king Vespasian, who conquered the whole land of Judea. One day he prepared to besiege the city of Joatapata, and the townspeople came out and defeated his army. And Vespasian alone remained, and turned those who opposed him to the city, to the city gates, and laughed at his retinue, and reproached her, saying: "They left me alone." So did Prince Alexander - he won, but was invincible. That is why one of the eminent men of the Western country, from those who call themselves servants of God, came, wanting to see the maturity of his strength, as in ancient times the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon, wanting to listen to his wise speeches. So this one, by the name of Andreash, having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: "I passed through countries, peoples and did not see such a king among kings, nor a prince among princes." Hearing about such valor of Prince Alexander, the king of the country of Rome from the northern land thought to himself: "I will go and conquer the land of Alexandrov." And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, moved with a huge army, puffing with the spirit of war. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, puffed up, to Novgorod to Prince Alexander, saying: "If you can, defend yourself, for I am already here and ruining your land." Alexander, hearing such words, flared up in his heart, and entered the church of St. Sophia, and, falling on his knees before the altar, began to pray with tears: “Glorious God, righteous, great God, strong, eternal God, who created heaven and earth and established limits to the peoples, you commanded to live without transgressing the borders of others. And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: "Judge, Lord, those who offend me and protect them from those who fight with me, take up arms and a shield and stand to help me." And, having finished his prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spiridon, he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, dried up his tears and began to encourage his squad, saying: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songwriter, who said: "Some with weapons, and others on horses, we will call on the name of the Lord our God; they, defeated, fell, but we stood firm and stand straight." Having said this, he went to the enemies with a small squad, not waiting for his large army, but trusting in the holy trinity. It was sad to hear that his father, the great prince Yaroslav, did not know about the invasion of his son, dear Alexander, and he had no time to send a message to his father, for the enemies were already approaching. Therefore, many Novgorodians did not have time to join, as the prince hurried to speak. And he came out against them on Sunday, the fifteenth of July, having great faith in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb. And there was one man, the elder of the land of Izhora, named Pelugiy, he was entrusted with night guards at sea. He was baptized and lived among his kind, the pagans, but his name was named Philip in holy baptism, and he lived pleasingly, observing fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and therefore God honored him with seeing a wonderful vision that day. Let's talk briefly. Having learned about the strength of the enemy, he went out to meet Prince Alexander to tell him about the camps of the enemies. He stood by the sea, watching both ways, and spent the whole night without sleep. When the sun began to rise, he heard a strong noise on the sea and saw one pier floating on the sea, and the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb in red robes standing in the middle of the pier, holding their hands on each other's shoulders. The rowers sat as if clothed in darkness. Boris said: "Brother Gleb, let them row, let us help our relative, Prince Alexander." Seeing such a vision and hearing these words of the martyrs, Pelugius stood trembling until the nasad disappeared from his eyes. Shortly after this, Alexander came, and Pelugius, joyfully meeting Prince Alexander, told him alone about the vision. The prince said to him: "Don't tell this to anyone." After that, Alexander hurried to attack the enemies at the sixth hour of the day, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed them innumerable, and left the mark of his sharp spear on the face of the king himself. Six brave men, like him, from Alexander's regiment showed themselves here. The first is by the name of Gavrilo Oleksich. He attacked the auger and, seeing the prince dragged by the arms, rode up to the ship along the gangway, along which they ran with the prince; those pursued by him seized Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangway along with his horse. But by the grace of God, he emerged from the water unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought with the commander himself in the midst of their army. The second, named Sbyslav Yakunovich, is a Novgorodian. This one attacked their army many times and fought with one ax, having no fear in his soul; and many fell by his hand, and marveled at his strength and courage. The third - Yakov, a native of Polotsk, was a hunter with the prince. This one attacked the regiment with a sword, and the prince praised him. The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This footman with his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships. The fifth is from the younger squad, named Sava. This one burst into a large golden-domed royal tent and cut down a tent post. The regiments of Alexandrov, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced. The sixth is from the servants of Alexander, named Ratmir. This one fought on foot, and many enemies surrounded him. He fell from many wounds and died like that. I heard all this from my master, Grand Duke Alexander, and from others who participated in this battle at that time. And at that time there was a marvelous miracle, as in the days of old under Hezekiah the king. When Senacherib, the king of Assyria, came to Jerusalem, wanting to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army, and, rising in the morning, they found only dead corpses. So it was after the victory of Alexandrov: when he defeated the king, on the opposite side of the Izhora River, where Alexandrov's regiments could not pass, a myriad of those killed by the angel of the Lord were found here. Those who remained turned to flight, and the corpses of their dead soldiers were thrown into the ships and sunk them in the sea. Prince Alexander returned with victory, praising and glorifying the name of his creator. In the second year after the return of Prince Alexander with a victory, they again came from the Western country and built a city on the land of Alexandrov. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged some of them themselves, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, let him go, for he was immensely merciful. After the victory of Alexandrov, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter, he went with great strength to the German land, so that they would not boast, saying: "We will conquer the Slavic people." And the city of Pskov was already taken by them and the German governors were imprisoned. He soon expelled them from Pskov and killed the Germans, but he tied up others and freed the city from the godless Germans, and fought and burned their land and took countless prisoners, and killed others. The Germans, daring, united and said: "Let's go, And we will defeat Alexander, and we will capture him." When the Germans approached, the guards checked on them. Prince Alexander prepared for battle, and they went against each other, and Lake Peipsi was covered with a multitude of both warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. Yes, and Prince Alexander had many brave warriors, as in ancient times with King David, strong and steadfast. So the men of Alexander were filled with the spirit of war, because their hearts were like the hearts of lions, and exclaimed: "O our glorious prince! Now the time has come for us to lay down our heads for you." Prince Alexander raised his hands to heaven and said: "Judge me, God, judge my feud with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses defeat Amalek and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk." It was then Saturday, and when the sun rose, the opponents came together. And there was a fierce slaughter, and there was a crash from breaking spears and a ringing from the blows of swords, and it seemed that a frozen lake moved, and no ice was visible, for it was covered with blood. And I heard this from an eyewitness who told me that he saw the army of God in the air, which came to the aid of Alexander. And so he defeated the enemies with the help of God, and they turned to flight, while Alexander cut them down, driving them as if through the air, and there was nowhere for them to hide. Here God glorified Alexander before all the regiments, like Joshua at Jericho. And the one who said: "We will capture Alexander," God gave into the hands of Alexander. And there has never been an opponent worthy of him in battle. And Prince Alexander returned with a glorious victory, and there were many prisoners in his army, and those who call themselves "God's knights" were led barefoot near the horses. And when the prince approached the city of Pskov, the abbots, and the priests, and all the people met him in front of the city with crosses, praising God and glorifying the lord prince Alexander, singing a song to him: “You, Lord, helped meek David to defeat the foreigners and the faithful prince with our weapons of faith, free the city of Pskov from foreign pagans by the hand of Alexander." And Alexander said: "O ignorant people of Pskov! If you forget this before the great-grandchildren of Alexander, then you will become like the Jews, whom the Lord fed in the desert with manna from heaven and baked quails, but they forgot all this and their god, who delivered them from Egyptian captivity." And his name became famous in all countries, from the sea of ​​Khonuzh and to the mountains of Ararat, and on the other side of the Varangian sea and to the great Rome. At the same time, the Lithuanian people gained strength and began to plunder the possessions of Alexandrov. He went out and beat them. Once he happened to go out to the enemy, and he defeated seven regiments in one trip and killed many of the princes, and took others prisoner, while his servants, mocking, tied them to the tails of their horses. And from that time they began to fear his name. At the same time was in eastern country a strong king, to whom God subdued many peoples from the east to the west. That king, having heard about such glory and courage of Alexander, sent messengers to him and said: “Alexander, you know that God has subdued many nations to me. rather come to me and see the glory of my kingdom." After the death of his father, Prince Alexander came to Vladimir in great power. And his arrival was terrible, and the news of him rushed to the mouth of the Volga. And the wives of Moab began to frighten their children, saying, "Here comes Alexander!" Prince Alexander decided to go to the tsar in the Horde, and Bishop Kirill blessed him. And King Batu saw him, and was amazed, and said to his nobles: "They told me the truth that there is no prince like him." Honoring him with dignity, he released Alexander. After that, Tsar Batu was angry with his younger brother Andrei and sent his governor Nevryuy to ruin the land of Suzdal. After the devastation of Nevryuy land of Suzdal, the great prince Alexander erected churches, rebuilt cities, gathered the dispersed people into their houses. Isaiah the prophet said about such people: "The prince is good in the countries - quiet, affable, meek, humble - and in that he is like a god." Not seduced by wealth, not forgetting the blood of the righteous, orphans and widows, he judges in truth, is merciful, kind to his household and hospitable to those who come from foreign countries. God also helps such people, for God does not love angels, but people, in his generosity he generously bestows and shows his mercy in the world. God filled the land of Alexander with wealth and glory, and God prolonged his days. Once, ambassadors from the pope from great Rome came to him with the following words: “Our dad says this: “We heard that you are a worthy and glorious prince and your land is great. so that you hear what they say about the law of God." Prince Alexander, having thought with his wise men, wrote him the following answer: “From Adam to the flood, from the flood to the division of peoples, from the mixing of peoples to the beginning of Abraham, from Abraham to the passage of the Israelites through the sea, from the exodus of the sons of Israel to the death of King David , from the beginning of the reign of Solomon to Augustus and until the birth of Christ, from the birth of Christ and to his crucifixion and resurrection, from his resurrection and ascension to heaven and to the reign of Constantine, from the beginning of the reign of Constantine to the first council and the seventh - we know all this well but we will not accept teachings from you." They also returned home. And the days of his life multiplied in great glory, for he loved priests, and monks, and the poor, and he honored metropolitans and bishops and listened to them, as to Christ himself. In those days there was great violence from the infidels, they persecuted Christians, forcing them to fight on their side. The great prince Alexander went to the king to pray for his people from this misfortune. And he sent his son Dmitry to the Western countries, and sent all his regiments with him, and his relatives of the household, saying to them; "Serve my son as you serve me with all your life." And Prince Dmitry went in great strength, and conquered the German land, and took the city of Yuryev, and returned to Novgorod with many prisoners and with great booty. His father, Grand Duke Alexander, returned from the Horde from the tsar, and reached Nizhny Novgorod, and there he fell ill, and, having arrived in Gorodets, fell ill. Woe to you, poor man! How can you describe the death of your master! How will your apples not fall out along with tears! How will your heart not be torn out by the roots! For a man can leave a father, but a good master cannot be left; if it were possible, then I would go down into the coffin with him. Having worked hard for God, he left the earthly kingdom and became a monk, for he had an immeasurable desire to take on the angelic form. God also vouchsafed him to accept a greater rank - a schema. And so, in peace to God, his spirit betrayed the month of November on the fourteenth day, in memory of the holy Apostle Philip. Metropolitan Kirill said: "My children, know that the sun of the land of Suzdal has already set!" Priests and deacons, Chernorizians, poor and rich, and all the people exclaimed: "We are already perishing!" The holy body of Alexander was carried to the city of Vladimir. The Metropolitan, princes and boyars, and all the people, small and large, met him in Bogolyubovo with candles and censers. People crowded, trying to touch his holy body on an honest bed. There was a cry, and a groan, and a cry, which had never been, even the earth trembled. His body was laid in the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, in the great archimandrite, on the 24th day of November, in memory of the holy father Amphilochius. It was then a marvelous miracle and worthy of memory. When his holy body was laid in the tomb, then Sebastian the Economist and Cyril the Metropolitan wanted to open his hand in order to put in a spiritual letter. He, as if alive, stretched out his hand and accepted the letter from the Metropolitan's hand. And confusion seized them, and they scarcely departed from his tomb. This was announced to everyone by Metropolitan and Economist Sevastyan. Who would not be surprised at this miracle, because his body was dead and they carried him from distant lands in the winter. And so God glorified his saint.

Notes: "The Life of Alexander Nevsky", written shortly after the death of the prince (died in 1263), creates an ideal image of the ruler, the defender of his fatherland from the military and ideological encroachments of external enemies. It does not fit into the canons of hagiographic literature, and this was understood by the ancient Russian scribes, who included it primarily in the chronicles (the first edition of the life was included in the Laurentian and Second Pskov chronicles), and only in the 16th century. it entered the "Great Menaion" of Macarius and the "Prologue". The very title of the work gives a definition of its specificity: “The Tale of the Life and Courage of the Blessed and Grand Duke Alexander” is a story about life, the main content of which was the exploits of “courage”. The life of Alexander Nevsky is based on two military stories about the battle on the Neva and on Lake Peipus. The enemy of the Russian land in the life is "the king of the part of Rome from the midnight country"; Thus, the author emphasizes that the Russian Orthodox prince will have to enter into a struggle with the Roman Catholic Western world, which aims to seize the "land of Alexandrov". The enemy is full of self-confidence: “heavy in strength”, “puffing with the spirit of war”, “staggering with madness”, “proudly” he sends ambassadors to Alexander with the words: “If you can resist me, then I am already here, capturing your land ". Typologically, this episode is close to the epic, "Devgeniev's deed", "Alexandria". “Fire in heart,” Alexander strengthens his spirit with prayer, acting as befits a pious prince. He accuses the enemy of violating the commandment of God, commanding "to live without transgressing into another's part." Confident in the rightness of his struggle, Alexander inspires the troops and with a "small squad" rushes to the enemies. He goes into battle with faith "to the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb." This is how the vision of the elder of the land of Izhora, Pelguy, is motivated in his life: in the morning dawn, he sees Boris and Gleb sailing in the nasad, hurrying to help "his kinsman Prince Alexander." The course of the battle on July 15, 1240 is described in detail in the life, much attention is paid to the exploits of Alexander and his brave "six men" - heroic warriors. Alexander himself shows extraordinary courage and fearlessness in battle, he "put a seal on the faces of the Swedish king with his sharp spear." Alexandrov’s “husbands” were distinguished by courage and bravery: Gavrilo Aleksich rode a horse onto an enemy ship on a single board and beat countless enemies, he was pushed into the water, but he swam out [it was the famous ancestor of A. S. Pushkin Radcha (Radsha)]; the young Novgorodian Savva cut down the pillar of the golden-domed tent of the Swedish king, and the fall of the tent caused rejoicing in the Russian camp; Ratmir on foot fought courageously with enemies and died of wounds on the battlefield; Sbyslav Yakunovitch fought with enemies "as a single axe, having no fear in his heart." The prince's hunter Yakov Polochanin ran into the regiment with a sword. Misha in foot combat with the squad "destroy three ships of the Romans." At the same time, it is reported that the author heard about the exploits of these glorious "husbands" from "his master" Alexander Yaroslavich. The battle on Lake Peipus with the German knights on April 5, 1242 is depicted in the traditional stylistic manner of military stories: “Then let the rising sun come Saturday, and the wallpaper will subside. And it was a slash of evil and a coward from spears of breaking and a sound from a cut of a sword, as if the lake was frozen to move; and I can’t see the ice: I’m covered with blood.” Referring to the "eye-witness", the author of the life speaks of the help of the heavenly regiment to Alexander. In fact, Alexander in this battle showed an outstanding military talent, having unraveled the tactical plan of the enemies. The prince returns to Pskov, leading captives beside his horses, "they call themselves God's rhetoricians." Victory brings Alexander, emphasizes his life, worldwide fame: “And began to hear his name in all countries and to the sea of ​​​​Egypt and to the mountains of Ararat, and I will conquer the country of the Varangian sea and to great Rome.” The life reports briefly about other military exploits of Alexander: “with a single exit” he defeats 7 armies of the “Lithuanian language”. A lot of space is given in the life of the relationship between Alexander and the Horde. “The Tsar is strong in the East Country” sends his ambassadors to the Russian prince, and their speech serves as a kind of justification for Alexander’s trip to the Horde. “In the power of greatness” he comes to Vladimir: And his arrival was terrible, and his message rushed to the mouth of the Volga. And the head of the Moabite (Tatar) wives polshat (to frighten) their children, roaring: “Alexander is coming!” Having considered and received the blessing of the bishop, Alexander goes to the Horde. How the prince behaves there, life is silent, noting only Batu’s surprise: “I tell the truth, as there is no prince like this.” If Baty pays honor to Alexander, then he shows anger towards his younger brother. The author does not indicate the reasons for anger and only notes that its manifestation was the captivity of the Suzdal land by the Horde governor Nevryuy. This gives the author of the life a reason to glorify Alexander - the ideal ruler, who "I will raise the churches, the cities of execution, the people of the dissolute gathering in their homes." The glorification of Alexander, the defender of Orthodoxy, is dedicated in his life to the story of the arrival of papal ambassadors to Russia. Alexander rejects their proposal to accept Catholicism, and in this the author of the life sees the triumph of the national policy of the Russian prince. Laconically informs the life about the violence of the enemy and the second trip of the prince to the Horde, in order to “pray for the people from that misfortune”, i.e. e. from the participation of Russian soldiers in the campaigns of the Tatar troops. The life ends with a legend about the death of Alexander (he was poisoned in the Horde) in Gorodets and his burial in Vladimir. The people are mourning their beloved prince, "like the earth is shaking." Addressing the people, Metropolitan Kirill says: “My child, understand that the sun of the land of Suzhdal has already set!” - "We're already dying!" the crowd replied. The hagiographic tradition describes the posthumous miracle of Alexander: like Alexei (under the name of Alexei, Alexander was tonsured a schema before his death), a man of God, he stretches out his hand from the coffin and takes the “farewell letter” from the metropolitan. A characteristic feature of life is the constant presence of the author-narrator. He hastens to declare his humility in the introduction to life. He himself is "a seer ... of his age", "a household member", he also heard about Alexander "from his fathers". His presence is constantly felt in the selection and interpretation of the material. Alexander in the image of the author is the focus best qualities famous heroes Old Testament history: the beauty of his face is like the beauty of Joseph, strength is part of the strength of Samson, wisdom is Solomon, and courage is the Roman king Vespassian. Thus, with the help of a retrospective historical analogy, life glorifies the beauty, strength, wisdom and courage of Alexander. It is interesting that among these qualities there was no place for Christian virtues - meekness and humility. The author admires the hero, is proud of him, sympathizes with him. Emotional stress reaches its highest point at the end of life: “Oh, woe to you, poor man! How can you write the death of your master! How will that zenith not fall, coupled with tears! How will your heart not break away from rooting! He exaggerates the feeling of grief and grief: “A man can leave his father, but he can’t leave the good of the master: if he were lying, he would climb into the coffin with him!” Thus, The Life of Alexander Nevsky reveals a close connection with both hagiographic literature and military stories. Its author was a resident of Galicia-Volyn Rus, who moved with Metropolitan Cyril III to Vladimir1. Researchers have established a connection between the style of life and the Galician chronicle, the "Deed of Devgen", "The History of the Jewish War" by Josephus Flavius, "The Tale of Boris and Gleb" and paroemia reading. "The Life of Alexander Nevsky" becomes a model for later princely biographies, in particular the life of Dmitry Donskoy. The name of Alexander Nevsky is popular in the Muscovite state. He assists (already as a holy patron of the Russian land) Dmitry Donskoy in the victory over the Mongol-Tatar conquerors, Ivan the Terrible during the siege of Kazan, and Peter I makes Alexander Nevsky the patron of St. Petersburg.