Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky in iconographic monuments. Appearance of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb. How to make your own prayer rule at home

Hello, princes and squad,
fighting for Christians
against the invasions of the filthy!

Glory to the princes and squad!
Amen.

About our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I, insignificant, sinful and unreasonable, begin to describe the life of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, grandson of Vsevolod. I heard about him from my fathers and I myself witnessed his deeds, and therefore I was glad to tell about his righteous and glorious life, but, as the Tributary said: “Wisdom does not enter the wicked soul,” for “it stands in high places, stands in the middle of the roads, sits at the gates of mighty men.” Although I am simple in mind, I will begin this way with the prayer of the Holy Lady Theotokos and the help of Holy Prince Alexander.

Prince Alexander was born by God's will from his father, the pious, meek and merciful Grand Duke Yaroslav, from his mother, the pious Theodosia, as the prophet Isaiah said: “The Lord says: “And I place princes, I place them on the throne.” And truly so: he would not have reigned without the command of God. His height was taller than other people, his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like that of Joseph, whom the Egyptian king installed as the second king in Egypt, and his strength was part of the strength of Samson. And God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, and the courage of the Roman king Vespasian, who captured the entire land of Judea; Once, during the Siege of the city of Atapata, the inhabitants who came out of the city defeated his regiment, and Vespasian was left alone, and drove their army to the city gates, and mocked his squad and reproached them, saying: “You left me alone.” So did Prince Alexander: winning everywhere, he was invincible. And then someone noble came from the western country, from those who call themselves “servants of God,” wanting to see his wondrous power, just as in ancient times the Queen of South came to Solomon, wanting to hear his wisdom. So, this one, named Andreyash, having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: “I have passed through many countries and cities, but I have never seen anything like this anywhere, neither in the kings of the king, nor in the princes of the prince.”

And the king heard this from the land of midnight, about such courage of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, and thought: “I will go and conquer Alexander’s land.” And he gathered a large army, filled many ships with his regiments and went in great strength, angry with the military spirit. And when he reached the Neva River, reeling from madness, he sent ambassadors to Prince Alexander in Novgorod the Great and said, proudly: “I’m already here, I want to capture your land - if you can, defend yourself.”

Prince Alexander, when he heard these words, became inflamed at heart, entered the Church of St. Sophia, fell on his knee before the altar and began to pray with tears to God: “O God, most praiseworthy and righteous, God strong and great, God eternal, who created heaven and earth, who left borders of the nations and ordered them to live without crossing foreign land!” And he remembered the psalm song and said: “Judge, O Lord, and judge my quarrel with those who offend me, overcome those who fight with me; take your weapon and shield and rise up to help me.” And, having finished the prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop, but Archbishop Spyridon blessed him and released him. He left the church, wiping away his tears. And he began to strengthen his squad and said: “God is not in power, but in righteousness. Let us remember the hymnist David: “These are weapons, others are horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God; defeated, they fell, but we rose up and stand upright.” And having said this, he went against the enemies with a small squad, without waiting for all his strength to be gathered, trusting in the Holy Trinity.

It is a pity to hear that Alexander’s father, the great Yaroslav, did not know about the misfortune that had befallen his dear son, that Alexander did not have time to send the news to his father in time: the enemies were already approaching, and even many of the Novgorodians did not have time to gather, because the prince was in a hurry to go on a campaign.

And he met with the enemies on Sunday, in memory of the Holy Fathers of the Council of Chalcedon and in memory of Saints Cyricus and Julitta and Saint Prince Vladimir - the baptizer of the Russian land. And he firmly believed in the help of the Holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb. There was a certain man there, an elder of the Izhora land, named Pelgui: he was entrusted with the morning sea patrol. He was baptized and lived among his family, which remained in paganism; At baptism he was given the name Philip. And he lived godly, fasting on Wednesday and Friday. And under the abundance of God he saw an extraordinary vision. Let's briefly tell you which one.

He saw the enemy army marching against Prince Alexander, and decided to tell the prince about their camps and fortifications. He did not sleep all night, stood on the seashore and watched the paths. When it began to get light, he heard a terrible noise on the sea and saw a ship sailing on the sea, and in the middle of the ship - Boris and Gleb in scarlet robes, holding their hands on each other's shoulders. And the rowers sat as if dressed in darkness. And Boris said: “Brother Gleb, tell us to row, so we can help our relative, Prince Alexander.” Seeing this vision and hearing this conversation of the holy martyrs, Pelguy stood in awe until the ship disappeared from his eyes.

When Prince Alexander soon arrived, Pelguy greeted him with joy and told him alone about the vision. The prince told him: “Don’t tell anyone about this.” And he decided to attack the enemies at six o’clock in the afternoon. And there was a strong battle with the Romans; He beat countless enemies and wounded the king himself in the face with his sharp spear.

Here, six brave and strong men appeared in Alexander’s regiment, who fought hard with him. One is Tavrilo, nicknamed Aleksich; seeing the king, who was being dragged by the arms, he attacked the ship, rode along the board all the way to the ship, and everyone ran away from him, then they turned around and from the board on which they boarded the ship, they threw him and his horse into the sea; With the help of God, he got out of the sea unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought hard with the commander himself among their regiments. The other is a Novgorodian named Zbyslav Yakunovich; This one attacked enemies more than once, having no fear in his heart and fighting with one axe, and many fell from his axe; Prince Alexander Yaroslavich marveled at his strength and courage. The third is Yakov, a native of Polotsk, he was a hunter for the prince; This one attacked the enemy regiment with a sword and fought bravely, and the prince praised him for this. The fourth is a Novgorodian named Misha; He was on foot and with his squad sank three Roman ships. The fifth is from the prince’s junior squad, named Savva; this one ran into the large golden-domed royal tent and cut down the tent pillar; The Alexandrov regiments were very happy when they saw how this tent fell apart. The sixth of the prince's servants is named Ratmir; On foot he was surrounded by enemies, and from many wounds he fell and died. I heard about all this from my master, Prince Alexander, and from others who took part in that battle. There was a wonderful miracle at that time, similar to that, which happened in ancient times under Hezekiah the king, when Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, attacked Jerusalem, wanting to take the holy city of Jerusalem captive: suddenly an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and beat 185 thousand Assyrian troops; When we got up in the morning, we found many corpses. The same thing happened after the victory of Prince Alexander, when he defeated the king; on both sides of the Izhora River, where Alexander’s regiments could not pass, they found many beaten by the Archangel of God; those who remained fled, and threw the corpses of their dead onto ships and sank them into the sea. Prince Alexander returned in victory, praising the Creator. In the second year after this victory of Prince Alexander, the same people from the western country again came and built a city in the land of Alexandrova. Grand Duke Alexander immediately went against them, razed the city to the ground, beat some, brought others with him, and pardoned others and released them, for he was merciful beyond measure.

After the victory of Alexander, when he defeated the king, in the third year in the winter he went to the German land with a large army - let them not boast: “Let us put the Slavic people to shame.” After all, they had already taken the city of Pskov and planted their tiuns there. Prince Alexander Tiunov captured them, freed the city of Pskov from captivity, and fought and burned their land, took countless prisoners, and chopped up others. Then the Germans gathered and, boasting, said: “Let's go defeat Prince Alexander, let's catch him with our hands.”

When they began to approach, the guards of Prince Alexander checked this. Prince Alexander gathered an army and went to meet the enemies. And they met on Lake Peipus - many, many. His father Yaroslav sent him his younger brother, Prince Andrei, with a large retinue to help him. Prince Alexander had a lot brave men, as in ancient times with King David; Strong and strong, like King David, the men of Alexandrov were filled with the military spirit: their hearts were like the hearts of lions, and they said: “O our glorious prince, dear, the time has come for us to lay down our heads for you.” Prince Alexander, raising his hands to the sky, said: “Judge, Lord, and judge my strife, deliver me from the eloquent people, help me, Lord, as You helped Moses in the old years on Amalek and my great-grandfather Yaroslav against the accursed Svyatopolk.” It was Saturday then. When the sun rose, the shelves came together. And the spears cracked, and the ringing of swords was heard, and the slaughter was so fierce that the ice on the lake began to move: there was no ice to be seen, it was all covered in blood. And I heard this from an eyewitness: “We saw in heaven the regiment of God, which came to the aid of Prince Alexander.” And Alexander defeated his enemies with the help of God, and they fled. So Alexander’s regiments drove and cut down the enemies, as if they were rushing through the air: and there was nowhere for them to run. God glorified Grand Duke Alexander here in front of all the regiments, like Joshua in Jericho. And the one who boasted: “We will catch the Grand Duke Alexander with our hands,” God delivered into his hands. And there was no one who could resist him.

And Prince Alexander returned after the victory with great glory. Many captives were with them; Beside the horses they led those whom they call knights.” When Prince Alexander approached Pskov, he was met near the city by abbots with crosses and priests in robes, and many city residents, praising God and glorifying the Lord Grand Duke Alexander: “You, Lord, helped meek David to defeat foreigners and our faithful prince Alexander with the weapon of the cross and with his hand free the city of Pskov from foreigners!”

O foolish Pskovites! If you forget about this before the great-grandchildren of the Alexanders, you will be like those Jews who in the desert ate manna and baked quails and who forgot about this, just as they forgot God, who freed them from Egyptian captivity.

And the name of Alexander was glorified in all countries - to the Pontic Sea and to the Ararat Mountains, on both sides of the Varangian Sea and to Rome.

There is a city in the Russian land called Mur. They told me that it was once ruled by a good prince named Pavel. Hating every good thing in the human race, the devil sent a flying serpent into Princess Pavlova’s palace to seduce her into fornication. When this obsession came over her, she saw him as he was, and everyone who came to the princess at that time imagined that it was the prince sitting with his wife. A lot of time passed, and Prince Pavel’s wife did not hide it, she told her husband everything that happened to her, because the serpent had already raped her.

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 his mother Theodosia... And he was handsome like no one else, and his voice was like a trumpet among the people, his face was like the face of Joseph , whom the Egyptian king installed as the second king in Egypt, his strength was part of the strength of Samson, and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon, and his courage was like that of the Roman king Vespasian, who conquered the entire land of Judea... Hearing about such valor of Prince Alexander, the king the country of Rome from the northern land thought to himself: “I will go and conquer the land of Alexander.” And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, and moved with a huge army, puffing up the military spirit. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, proud, 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, burned 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 borders for the 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 them from those who fight me, take a weapon and a shield and stand up to help me.” And, having finished the prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spyridon, he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, dried his tears and began to encourage his squad, saying: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songmaker, 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 resisted and stand upright.” Having said this, he went against the enemies with a small squad, not waiting for his large army, but trusting in the Holy Trinity. ... After that, Alexander hastened to attack the enemies at six o'clock in the afternoon, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed countless numbers of them, and on the face of the king himself he left the mark of his sharp spear. Six brave men, like him, from Alexander’s regiment showed themselves here. The first one is named Gavrilo Oleksic. He attacked the auger and, seeing the prince being dragged by the arms, rode all the way to the ship along the gangplank along which he and the prince were running; those pursued by him grabbed Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangplank along with his horse. But by God's mercy 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 from Novgorod. 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 they marveled at his strength and courage. The third - Yakov, a native of Polotsk, was a hunter for the prince. This one attacked the regiment with a sword, and the prince praised him. The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This man on foot and his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships. The fifth is from the younger squad, named Sava. This one burst into the large royal golden-domed tent and cut down the tent pole. The Alexandrov regiments, seeing the fall of the tent, rejoiced... In the second year after Prince Alexander returned with victory, they again came from Western country and they built a city on the land of Alexandra. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged them, some, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, released them, for he was immeasurably merciful. After Alexandrova’s victory, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter, he went with great strength to German land, so that they would not boast, saying: “Let us subdue the Slavic people.” And they had already taken the city of Pskov and imprisoned the German governors. He soon expelled them from Pskov and killed the Germans, and tied up others and liberated the city from the godless Germans, and fought and burned their land and took countless prisoners, and killed others. The Germans, being daring, united and said: “Let’s go and defeat Alexander and 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 Peipus was covered with many of these and other warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. And Prince Alexander had many brave warriors, like King David in ancient times, strong and steadfast. So Alexander’s men 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 the sky and said: “Judge me, God, judge my quarrel 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 met. And there was a cruel slaughter, and there was a crash from breaking spears and a ringing from the blows of swords, and it seemed that a frozen lake was moving, and no ice was visible, for it was covered with blood...”

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

1) the events described in the text of the life took place in the 12th century.

2) the city that the German knights built on the captured “Alexandrova land” was called Koporye

3) for services to Novgorod, the boyars proclaimed Prince Alexander Yaroslavich 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 Peipus

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 12th century. - NO, incorrect, the events date back to the 13th century.

2) the city that the German knights built on the captured “Alexandrova land” 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 Prince of Novgorod “for all time” - NO, incorrect, 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 with the army of the Danes - NO, incorrect, 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, that’s right, in 1242 Russian troops under the leadership of Alexander Nevsky defeated the German knights on the ice of Lake Peipsi.

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

The composition of “The Life of Alexander Nevsky” dates back to the 80s. XIII century and are associated with the names of Dmitry Alexandrovich, son of Alexander Nevsky, and Metropolitan Kirill, with the Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Vladimir, where the prince’s body was buried. Here in the 13th 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. Because I heard from my fathers and was a witness myself mature age him, then I was glad to tell about his holy, honest, and glorious life. But as the Tributary said: “Wisdom will not enter an evil soul: for it dwells 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 still begin, with the prayer of the Holy Mother of God and the help of Holy Prince Alexander.

This prince Alexander was born from a merciful and philanthropic father, and most of all, a meek one, the great prince Yaroslav and from his mother Theodosia. As Isaiah the prophet said: “Thus says the Lord: “I appoint princes; for they are sacred, and I lead them.” And truly, 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 made the second king in Egypt, and 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 entire land of Judea. One day he prepared to besiege the city of Joatapata, and the townspeople came out and defeated his army. And only Vespasian remained, and turned those who opposed him to the city, to the city gates, and laughed at his squad, and reproached them, saying: “They left me alone.” Likewise, Prince Alexander 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, just as in ancient times the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon, wanting to listen to his wise speeches. So this one, named Andreas, having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: “I went through countries and 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 Roman country from the Midnight Land thought to himself: “I will go and conquer the land of Alexander.” And he gathered together a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, and set out with enormous power, puffing with the military spirit. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, proud, 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, burned 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, mighty, eternal God, who created heaven and earth and set the boundaries You commanded the peoples to live without transgressing other people’s borders.” And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: “Judge, Lord, those who offend me and protect them from those who fight me, take a weapon and a shield and stand up to help me.”

And, having finished the prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spyridon, he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, wiped away his tears and said to encourage his squad: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songmaker, 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 survived and are standing upright.” Having said this, he went against 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 news 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 the enemy on Sunday, July fifteenth, having great faith in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb.

And there was one man, the elder of the Izhora land, named Pelugiy, who was entrusted with night watch at sea. He was baptized and lived among his people, who were pagans, and his name was given in holy baptism Philip, and he lived pleasing to God, observing fasting on Wednesday and Friday, which is why God deigned him to see a wonderful vision on that day. Let's tell you briefly.

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

Soon after this, Alexander came, and Pelugius, joyfully meeting Prince Alexander, told him alone about the vision. The prince told him: “Don’t tell this to anyone.”

After that, Alexander hastened to attack the enemies at six o'clock in the afternoon, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed countless numbers of them, and on the face of the king himself he left the mark of his sharp spear.

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

The first one is named Gavrilo Oleksic. He attacked the auger and, seeing the prince being dragged by the arms, rode all the way to the ship along the gangplank along which he and the prince were running; those pursued by him grabbed Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangplank along with his horse. But by God's mercy he emerged from the water unharmed, and again attacked them, and fought with the commander himself in the midst of their army.

The second one 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 they marveled at his strength and courage.

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

The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This man on foot and his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships.

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

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

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

There was a wondrous miracle at that time, 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, they found only dead corpses. This was the case after Alexandrov’s victory: when he defeated the king, on the opposite side of the Izhora River, where Alexandrov’s regiments could not pass, a countless number of those killed by the angel of the Lord were found here. Those who remained fled, and the corpses of their dead soldiers were thrown into ships and sank them into the sea. Prince Alexander returned in victory, praising and glorifying the name of his Creator.

In the second year after Prince Alexander returned with victory, they again came from the Western Country and built a city on the land of Alexandrova. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged them, some, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, released them, for he was immeasurably merciful.

After Alexandrova’s victory, when he defeated the king, in the third year, in winter, he went with great strength to German land, so that they would not boast, saying: “Let us subdue the Slovenian people.”

And they had already taken the city of Pskov and imprisoned the German governors. He soon expelled them from Pskov and killed the Germans, and tied up others and liberated the city from the godless Germans, and ravaged and burned their land and took countless prisoners, and killed others. The proud Germans gathered and said: “Let's go and defeat Alexander and 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 Peipus was covered with many of these and other warriors. Alexander's father Yaroslav sent his younger brother Andrei with a large retinue to help him. And Prince Alexander also had many brave warriors, like King David in ancient times, strong and strong. So Alexander’s men 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 the sky and said: “Judge me, God, judge my quarrel with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses overcome Amalek and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk.”

It was then Saturday, and when the sun rose, the opponents met. And there was a cruel slaughter, and there was a crash from breaking spears and a ringing from the blows of swords, and it seemed that a frozen lake was moving, 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, coming to the aid of Alexander. And so he defeated the enemies with the help of God, and they fled, but Alexander cut them down, driving them as if through the air, and they had nowhere 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 Alexander’s hands. And there has never been an opponent worthy of him in battle. And Prince Alexander returned with a glorious victory, and there were many captives in his army, and they led barefoot next to the horses of those who call themselves “God’s knights.”

And when the prince approached the city of Pskov, the abbots, and 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 the meek David to defeat the foreigners and our faithful prince with the arms of the godfather, liberate the city of Pskov from foreigners by the hand of Alexandra.”

And Alexander said: “O ignorant Pskovites! If you forget this before the great-grandsons 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 captivity in Egypt.”

And his name became famous in all countries, from the Khonuzh Sea and to the Ararat Mountains, 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 Alexandrov possessions. He went out and beat them. One day he happened to ride out against his enemies, and he defeated seven regiments in one ride and killed many of their princes, and took others prisoner, while his servants, mocking, tied them to the tails of their horses. And from that time on they began to fear his name.

At the same time, there was a strong king in the Eastern country, to whom God subjugated many nations, from the east to the west. That king, having heard about such glory and courage of Alexander, sent envoys to him and said: “Alexander, do you know that God has conquered many nations to me? So, are you the only one who doesn’t want to submit to me? But if you want to save your land, then come to me quickly and you will see the glory of my kingdom.”

After the death of his father, Prince Alexander came to Vladimir in great strength. And his arrival was menacing, and news of him rushed to the mouth of the Volga. And the Moabite wives 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.” Having honored him with dignity, he released Alexander.

After this, King Batu became angry with little brother his Andrei and sent his governor Nevryuy to destroy the land of Suzdal. After the devastation of the Suzdal land by Nevruy, the great Prince Alexander erected churches, rebuilt cities, and gathered dispersed people into their homes. Isaiah the prophet said about such people: “A good prince in countries is quiet, friendly, meek, humble - and in this way he is like God.” Without being seduced by wealth, without forgetting the blood of the righteous, he judges orphans and widows with justice, is merciful, kind to his household and hospitable to those who come from foreign countries. God helps such people, for God does not love angels, but in His generosity He generously gifts people and shows His mercy in the world.

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

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

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

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

In those days there was great violence from non-believers; 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 close household members, 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 king, and reached Nizhny Novgorod, and fell ill there, and, arriving in Gorodets, fell ill. Oh woe to you, poor man! How can you describe the death of your master! How will your eyes not fall out along with your tears! How can your heart not be torn out by the roots! For a man can leave his father, but he cannot leave a good master; If it were possible, I would go to the grave 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 image. God vouchsafed him and O The highest rank to accept is schema. And so in peace he gave up his spirit to God in 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, monks, 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, the 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 his honest bed. There was a cry, a groan, and a cry like never before, even the earth shook. 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.

There was a miracle then, wonderful and worthy of memory. When his holy body was laid in the tomb, then Sebastian the Economist and Cyril the Metropolitan wanted to unclench his hand in order to insert a spiritual letter. He, as if alive, stretched out his hand and took the letter from the hand of the metropolitan. And confusion seized them, and they retreated slightly from his tomb. Metropolitan and Housekeeper Sevastian announced this to everyone. Who wouldn’t be surprised by that miracle, because his soul left his body and he was brought from distant lands in winter!

And so God glorified His saint.

Chapter IX

In 1240, in the middle of nowhere summer time- in the midst of field work, news came to Novgorod about an attack from the north. The son-in-law of the Swedish king, Folkung Birger, entered the Neva on boats and landed with a large army at the mouth of the Izhora, threatening Ladoga.

The unequal struggle has begun. The enemy was already within the Novgorod borders. St. Alexander Nevsky had neither time to send to his father for reinforcements, nor to gather people from the far-scattered Novgorod lands. According to the chronicle, he “warmed up his heart” and opposed the Swedish army only with his squad, the lord’s regiment and a small Novgorod militia.

Before the performance, he came to the St. Sophia Church, fell on his knees before the altar and with tears began to pray to St. Sophia, saying: “Praised God, righteous God, great and mighty God, eternal God, who created heaven and earth, and set limits with your tongue and tongue.” commanded not to attack someone else,” and having heard the psalm sung at that time, he said: “Judge, O Lord, those who offend me and rebuke those who fight with me, take up arms and shields, arise to help me” (1).

Having finished the prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop blessed him and released him in peace.

St. Alexander, leaving the temple, turned to his militia, strengthening it and saying: “God is not able, but in righteousness; let us remember the hymnist David, who says: these are in arms, and these are on horses; but in the name of the Lord God we will call , you slept and fell" (2).

Then he mounted his horse and led his army from Novgorod to the north: “and go at them in the rage of your courage, in your smallest ways, not to rain your many howls, with great strength, but to catch the Holy Trinity” (3).

Walking upstream of the Volkhov, St. Alexander led his army under the walls of Ladoga, which lay on the rapids of the Volkhov, among pine forests, off the shores of the gloomy Lake Ladoga. This was the settlement of Novgorod, its stronghold in the north - a monument to the harsh and simple Novgorod architecture in the northern regions, with the Church of St. Clement and the rows of living rooms, protected by low walls of round cobblestones and flagstones, with round corner towers and oblong slits in the walls for throwing arrows .

Having reached Ladoga, St. Alexander joined the Ladoga militia to his army and went through the forests to the Neva towards the Swedes, who were encamped at their boats at the mouth of the Izhora.

This battle, the night before it, was preceded by a miracle. Among the Izhora elders there was a certain Pelgusius, a Christian, who was named Philip in baptism. Among his pagan tribe, he led a pious life, strictly observing fasts. Having tracked down the Swedish camps, he went with his regiment to meet St. Alexander to tell him about the strength and location of the enemy. The night before the slaughter, he stopped at the very shore and spent it in vigil, watching the sea.

At sunrise, he heard a noise and saw a fish walking on the sea. In it stood in scarlet robes, with their hands on each other’s shoulders, St. passion-bearers Boris and Gleb; the rowers in the nasad sat as if clothed in darkness. St. Boris said: “Brother Gleb! tell us to row, so we can help our relative Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavlich” (4).

Pelgusius, seeing the vision and hearing the voice of the saints, stood overwhelmed with fear until the attack disappeared. Then he galloped towards St. Alexander and, seeing him, told him with “joyful eyes” about the vision. St. Alexander answered him: “Don’t say this to anyone, oh friend!”

By 11 o'clock in the afternoon the sun had dissipated the fog that lay on the forests. At this time, St. Alexander attacked the Swedes.

The attack was unexpected. It caught the Swedes in their camp. Nevertheless, the Swedes stubbornly defended themselves: “the battle was very strong, terrible and terrible.” They fought alone, among the camp and rooks. St. Alexander himself, having made his way to Birger, wounded him in the face with a spear.

The chronicle mentions the names of six Novgorodians who distinguished themselves in the battle and describes their exploits. Gabriel Oleksich, seeing the Swedish prince, whom his entourage was dragging from the battle to the boats, chased after him and jumped onto the planks of the gangplank. Swedish warriors ran up and pushed him and his horse into the water. Having escaped unharmed to the shore, Oleksich again grappled with the Swedes and, in the middle of their regiment, killed the Swedish governor and bishop.

Another Novgorodian, Sbyslov Yakunovich, cut himself with one heavy ax and surprised many with his courage.

Yakov Polovchanin, the prince's hunter, cut himself with a sword and “had great courage, and the prince praised him.” The Novgorod governor Misha attacked the Swedes with a foot squad and chopped up three boats.

The princely youth Sava cut his way on horseback through the Swedes to Birger’s golden-topped tent, which stood in the middle of the camp, and cut down the pillar. The tent collapsed to the great confusion of the Swedes.

Another princely youth, Ratmir, was surrounded on foot by a whole crowd of enemies and defended himself against them for a long time until he fell from many wounds (5).

The Life reports that angels came to the aid of the Novgorodians, as in ancient times during the invasion of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, on Jerusalem. Beyond Izhora, where the Novgorod army did not pass, the bodies of murdered Swedes who fell from angelic swords were found.

The fight ended in the evening. The remnants of the Swedish army boarded boats and went out to sea at night. According to the chronicler, the bodies of the killed Swedes filled three boats and several large pits, and the Novgorodians lost only twenty people killed. One might think that the chronicler incorrectly conveys the ratio of those killed in the slaughter, but, in any case, his story expresses the awareness of the great significance of this slaughter for Novgorod and all of Rus'. The Swedish onslaught was repulsed.

Rumors of victory spread throughout the country. Novgorod, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety about the outcome of the unequal struggle, rejoiced. At the ringing of the bells, St. Alexander returned to Novgorod.

Archbishop of Novgorod Spiridon with the clergy and crowds of Novgorodians came out to meet him. Having entered the city, St. Alexander drove straight to St. Sophia, “praising and glorifying the Holy Trinity” for the victory.

(1) Stories about the life and courage of the blessed and Grand Duke Alexander (Historical-Literary Reader by V. Sokolov and P. Borzakovsky. Odessa, 1887, p. 181). Poly. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 147. Volume XV, page 377.

(2) Ibid, p. 182; p. 147; page 377.

(3) Poly. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 147.

(4) Ibid, p. 148.

(5) Ibid, p. 148. Volume XV, pp. 378 and 379.

Chapter X

In the summer of 1240, St. Alexander, with the ringing of bells and the rejoicing of the people, entered Novgorod.

In the winter of the same 1240, he, his mother, wife and the entire princely court left for Suzdal, having quarreled with the Novgorodians.

This discord, against the backdrop of the general misfortune of Rus' and the constant threat of enemies, seems incomprehensible. But the former struggle of Novgorod with the prince, hidden by external events, continued since the time of Yaroslav. While the threat was only a threat, Novgorod lived its usual free life. Only when the enemy approached the borders did the noise of the veche cease, the churches were filled and Novgorod sought protection from the prince. Only during the days of campaigns did the will of the prince and the will of Novgorod merge into one. When peace came, after a short period of triumph, they became hostile again.

St. Alexander, apparently, was not blinded by the Neva victory. This victory was only the beginning of a long war. Its signs were evident in everything. During the campaign of the Novgorodians to the Neva, the Swordsmen raided Pskov. Therefore, St. Alexander prepared for further struggle.

For him, Novgorod continued to remain under martial law, as it had been during the campaign.

But, apparently, the Novgorodians did not understand that the war did not end with the Neva victory and that the Swedish offensive was only the first attack of the West, which would be followed by others. In St. Alexander's attempts to strengthen his power as the prince-leader of the army, they saw the former princely Suzdal will hostile to them. The very glory of St. Alexander and the love of the people for him made him in the eyes of the Novgorod boyars even more dangerous for Novgorod freedom. This misunderstanding of the terrible hour of Rus' caused St. Alexander irritation and annoyance. On this basis, a dispute arose that led to a rebellion. Then St. Alexander bowed to St. Sophia and left for Pereyaslavl.

In this dispute, St. Alexander turned out to be right. Back in the summer of 1240, while St. Alexander with the Novgorod militia repelled the Swedes on the Neva, the swordsmen, together with the Bears, Yurievites, Veliadians and Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, took Izborsk - the shoulder of Pskov in the west, lying on the crest of a high hill, above two lakes , against Lithuanian and Livonian forests. Having learned about the capture of their suburb, the Pskovites marched as a whole city to Izborsk. An evil battle took place. Pskov governor Gavrila Borislavlich was killed. The Swordsmen drove the Pskovians; many were killed and many were captured. Chasing the Pskovites all the way to the city, they set fire to the settlement. Many churches burned down. The Sword Bearers plundered icons and all church utensils and devastated the villages around Pskov. They stood near Pskov for a week, did not take the city and, having captured many Pskov residents, left. But there was no peace. In Pskov itself a defector was found, Tverdilo Ivankovich. He seized power in the city and, with the support of the Swordsmen, began to fight the Novgorod villages. Many of the Pskov boyars who opposed the Germans fled with their families from the rule of Tverdil to Novgorod.

That same winter, after the departure of St. Alexander, the swordsmen again came to the Novgorod possessions of Chud and Vod, devastated them, imposed tribute and erected the city of Koporye on Novgorod land itself. From there they took Tesovo and approached 30 versts to Novgorod, beating Novgorod guests along the roads. In the north they reached Luga. At this time, Lithuania attacked the Novgorod borders. The Sword Bearers, Chud and Lithuanians scoured the Novgorod volosts, robbing residents and taking away horses and cattle; In the coming spring the stinkers had nothing to plow with.

In this trouble, the Novgorodians sent ambassadors to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich asking for a prince. But the Novgorodians did not believe that the young prince would lead them out of unprecedented troubles. They again sent Archbishop Spiridon with the boyars to Yaroslav, begging him to release St. Alexander to the principality.

Yaroslav agreed. In the winter of 1241, St. Alexander, after a year of absence, again entered Novgorod, and “the Novgorodians were glad.” Common troubles and adversities firmly connected St. Alexander with Novgorod. Throughout the life of St. Alexander, love for the violent, often rebellious Novgorod runs through, despite quarrels and disagreements, and, sometimes, open struggle. For Novgorod, St. Alexander was one of those few princes whom he loved and honored as his prince. And this love, sometimes hidden behind the discontent and murmur of the evening, like a candle burning under soot, sometimes suddenly flared up and burned with a bright light. That's how it was in the days serious illness St. Alexander, so it was in the days of the impending all-Russian disaster.

St. Alexander, arriving in Novgorod, found him gloomy and silent. The veche bell fell silent and the fighting temporarily subsided. Fortifications were hastily built, militias were gathered and churches were filled with worshipers.

Upon arrival, St. Alexander gathered a militia from Novgorodians, Ladoga residents, Korelians and Izhorians, attacked the erected Novgorod land Koporye, destroyed the city to the ground, killed many swordsmen, took many into captivity, released others - “more merciful than measure” - and ordered the defectors of the leaders and Chud to be executed (1).

In response to this attack, the order brothers, despite the winter time, attacked Pskov and, having defeated the Pskovites, placed their governors in the city.

Hearing about this, St. Alexander “was offended for the blood of the Christians and, without hesitating in the least, became inflamed in spirit and with his zeal for the Holy Trinity and for St. Sophia, and took with him his brother and all his own, and came to Novutorod and bowed down to Saint Sophia with prayer and weeping" (2).

At the head of the Novgorod and grassroots troops, St. Alexander and his brother Andrei went to the order. On the way, he took Pskov by storm and sent the order’s governors in chains to Novgorod. From near Pskov he moved on and entered the domain of the order.

Having entered the order's lands, St. Alexander allowed the regiments to prosper. The Swordsmen attacked the advanced regiment of the Novgorodians and cut it down. Domash Tverdislavovich, brother of the Novgorod mayor, “a good husband,” was killed. Of the entire regiment, only a few managed to escape to their prince.

At the news of the Russian invasion, the master gathered the entire order and the tribes subordinate to it and set out to the borders. Having learned that a large army was coming against him, St. Alexander retreated from the order’s possessions, crossed Lake Peipsi and placed his regiments on its Russian shore, on Uzmen near the Raven Stone. It was already April, but there was still snow and the lake was covered with strong ice. A decisive battle was being prepared. The entire order marched against the Novgorodians. The Germans walked “boasting”, confident in their victory. From the story of the chronicle it is clear that the entire Novgorod army was aware of the deep seriousness of the battle. In this story - in the tense anticipation of the battle - there is a feeling of the Russian land lying behind us, the fate of which depended on the outcome of the battle. Filled with the military spirit, the Novgorodians said to St. Alexander: “Oh, our honest and dear prince; now is the time to lay down his head for you” (3). But the pinnacle of this consciousness of the decisiveness of the battle lies in the prayers of St. Alexander, which the chronicle cites: St. Alexander entered the Church of the Holy Trinity and, raising his hands and praying, said: “Judge, O God, and judge my speech from the eloquent tongue: help, Lord, how ancient was Moses against Amalek and my great-grandfather, Prince Yaroslav, against the accursed Svyatopolk" (4).

On Saturday (April 5th) at sunrise, a army of swordsmen in white cloaks thrown over their armor, with a red cross and a sword sewn on them, moved across the ice of the lake towards the Novgorodians.

Having formed a wedge - a “pig” - and closing their shields, they crashed into the Russian army and made their way through it. Confusion began among the Novgorodians. Then St. Alexander with a spare regiment struck behind enemy lines. The slaughter began, “evil and great”... and the coward, a hundred spears, broke laziness and the sound of a sword cut... and you couldn’t see the lake, for everything was covered in blood.” Chud, who walked along with the order, could not resist and ran , overturning the swordsmen too. The Novgorodians drove them across the lake seven miles, to the other shore of the lake, called Suplichsky. On the wide ice expanse, the fleeing had nowhere to hide. In the battle, 500 swordsmen and many Chuds fell.

Fifty knights were captured and brought to Novgorod. Many drowned in the lake, falling into ice holes, and many wounded disappeared into the forests.

As during the Battle of the Neva, contemporaries saw God's regiment in the air, helping the Novgorodians.

St. Alexander entered Pskov with glory. Captured knights followed his horse. Abbots and priests and a multitude of people, with images and banners, came out to meet him.

St. Alexander drove straight to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, where a prayer service was served.

The chronicler, finishing the description of this battle, exclaims: “Oh, innocent Pskovites, if you forget the Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich, or retreat from him, or from his children, or from his entire family, you will become like the Jew, the Lord fed them in the desert with baked dyes, and having forgotten all the blessings of their God, who brought forth Moses from the work of Egypt; behold, I say to you: if anyone comes at the end of the line of his great princes, or in sorrow comes to you to live in Pskov, and you do not accept him or do not honor him, he will be called the second Jew " (5).

The defeat on Lake Peipus hit the order hard. The Swordsmen put all their strength against the Russians, and all this force was defeated. That same summer, the master sent envoys to Novgorod with a peace offer. The Order renounced its conquests in the Novgorod possessions and offered to exchange captured Swordsmen for the Novgorodians and Pskovians captured by it.

The struggle with the West did not end with the Neva and Peipus battles. It, renewed during the life of St. Alexander, continued for several centuries. But the Battle of the Ice broke the enemy wave at a time when it was especially strong and when, thanks to the weakening of Rus', the success of the order would have been decisive and final. On Lake Peipsi and on the Neva, St. Alexander defended the identity of Rus' from the West during the most difficult time of the Tatar invasion. Both of these battles were battles that did not bring either peace or complete liberation, but which marked a deep turning point and directed the historical life of the people in a different direction.

The memory of these battles lived for a long time in both Novgorod and Pskov. For more than three hundred years, all litanies commemorated those who fell in the battles on the Neva and Lake Peipus.

(1) Stories about life, etc., p. 183. Complete. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 149.

(2) Full collection Letop. Volume VII, page 150.

(3) Ibid, p. 150.

(4) Ibid, p. 150.

(5) Ibid, p. 151.

Chapter XI

The two main opponents of Novgorod - the Swedes and the Swordsmen - were repelled and temporarily retreated from the attacks. There remained a third enemy - warlike and semi-savage Lithuania. And the Swedes and the order fielded an army assembled together. The defeat of this army meant the defeat of the enemy, the offensive - if not of peace, then of a long-term truce.

It was different with Lithuania. Divided into many small principalities, it raided Rus' in relatively small detachments. These detachments appeared from Lithuanian forests in front of one or another Russian city, sometimes captured it and plundered the surrounding area. Then they disappeared into the forests again. If the Russian princes overtook such a detachment and destroyed it, then this did not stop the raids. One Lithuanian prince or several Lithuanian princes, uniting together, again came to Rus'.

The constant struggle with Lithuania was different from the struggle with the order and the Swedes. There was no threat of another world and another culture. There was no tragic expectation of battle in it, as on the Neva or at the Raven Stone. The struggle was a constantly drawn-out guerrilla war. She gradually bled the earth dry. Both in the Kiev region, the raids of the steppe nomads and the raids of Lithuania made the life of the population restless and unstable. In times of danger for Novgorod, this enemy hidden in the forests became a serious threat, weakening Novgorod and strengthening other, stronger enemies.

All Novgorod princes waged a constant war with Lithuania. This became part of the Novgorod princely tradition, as did the war with the Swordsmen.

Monuments of this constant war remain to this day: graves in monastery crypts and crosses in village churchyards in the Pechersk region, erected over “those killed by Lithuania” in the 13-15 centuries.

St. Alexander Nevsky had to defend Russian land from this enemy. The constant raids of the Lithuanians especially intensified in 1242, the summer following the Battle of the Ice.

“That same summer,” says the chronicle, “the language of Lithuania multiplied and mischief began in the region of Grand Duke Alexander” (1).

St. Alexander went to Lithuania. With the Novgorod army, he defeated, one after another, seven Lithuanian detachments that penetrated the Novgorod land. The Novgorodians caught the Lithuanians who survived the defeat and, embittered with them, took them captive, tying them to the tails of their horses. This quick defeat stopped the Lithuanian raids. “From there we began to cherish and tremble his name” (2).

Several years after the Battle of the Ice and the defeat of Lithuania passed quietly. The constant enemies of Novgorod - the Swedes, the Order and the Lithuanians - fell silent. There was peace in Novgorod too. During this time, no riots, uprisings, or quarrels with the prince were heard. This rare incident in Novgorod history testifies to the strong connection between St. Alexander and Novgorod and the peculiarity of its historical path. As the Novgorod prince, St. Alexander took part in the governance of Novgorod. In the difficult days of constant war with many enemies, its external strength and its ability to defend depended on the internal state of the principality. The past centuries distinguish St. Alexander from all those who lived at that time. The names of his political opponents - the Novgorodians - are forgotten. Above the tangle of Novgorod parties we see only his clear and direct gaze, leading Russia along the correct historical path. Along the way, he was constantly faced with misunderstanding, blindness by his local interests and personal stubbornness. When you realize the correctness of the path, it is especially difficult to give in to those who are in error. There are historical figures who always went ahead. St. Alexander was not one of them. It has a special combination of a clear and direct path, inexorably moving towards its goal and at the same time great flexibility and the ability to yield. We will see further that there were clashes between St. Alexander and Novgorod, when he became adamant and became an enemy of Novgorod to the point of threatening the army. But the years of long peace after the Swedish and Order wars testify to the flexibility of St. Alexander, his ability to make concessions, if these concessions could be made.

These years of internal peace are marked only by brief information about the life of the princely family and about the Lithuanian raids.

In 1244, on May 5th, the mother of St. Alexander, Princess Theodosia Yaroslavna, who lived in Novgorod, died. Before her death, she was tonsured a monk at the monastery of St. George with the name Euphrosyne and buried in the same monastery, next to her son Prince Theodore.

In 1245, Lithuania again raided the Novgorod possessions. Several Lithuanian princes united together and marched to Bezhetsk and Torzhok. Residents of Torzhok with their prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich opposed them and were defeated. The Lithuanians captured a large ship and turned back to Lithuania. This raid raised all of northern Rus'. The Tverichs, Dmitrovtsy and Novotorzhtsy chased after Lithuania, which was leaving with its full force, and defeated it near Toropets. The Lithuanian princes and their army disappeared behind the city walls. The Russians besieged the city. The morning after this battle, St. Alexander approached Toropets with the Novgorodians. Having taken the city by storm, he took away the entire city from the Lithuanians. Eight Lithuanian princes fell in this battle.

Here, under the walls of Toropets, St. Alexander had a disagreement with the Novgorodians. The Novgorodians believed that the campaign was over. But St. Alexander knew that the defeat of one Lithuanian detachment would not save Novgorod from further raids. After lengthy disputes between the prince and the mayor and the governors, the Novgorod army was divided. The Novgorod militia and the lord's regiment with the mayor and the thousand returned to Novgorod, and St. Alexander with his princely squad went to the Lithuanian borders.

Entering the Smolensk land, he met Lithuania near Zhizhich and defeated it. On the way back he met another army near Usvyat. “Go to Novugorod in a small squad,” says the chronicle, “and fight another army, and fight with them, and God help him, beat them, and you yourself will come back healthy and all his warriors” (3).

The defeat of the Lithuanians not on Novgorod soil, but in the Lithuanian forests stopped the raids for a long time. This war, like all the wars of St. Alexander, was defensive in essence, but offensive in action. St. Alexander's military actions are distinguished by speed and swiftness. He did not wait for the enemy, but he himself went against him, and, having entered the war, he brought it to the end, until the final defeat of the enemy, which for a long time could ensure peace by stopping the possibility of attacks.

(1) Poly. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 151.

(2) Ibid. Volume XV, page 386.

(3)Ibid. Volume VII, page 152.

Chapter XII

The campaign against Lithuania in 1246 ends the first period of St. Alexander’s life. Until then, he had been facing the West. In front of him is a small expanse of Russian land with its border towns, Lithuanian, Livonian and Swedish forests. He walked through this space with his squad, rushing from north to south, from the Neva to Toropets. In this period of his life there is constraint, a strong and stubborn defense of every inch of his land. Until this time, nothing is known about St. Alexander’s attitude towards the Tatars. Novgorod was protected from them by the Suzdal land. While his father was alive, St. Alexander was freed from the need to conduct an all-Russian policy towards the Tatars. But with the death of Yaroslav this situation changed. Fate confronted him with the question of one way or another attitude towards the khans, just as it had previously presented him with the task of protecting the Novgorod regions.

After the Lithuanian campaign, from 1246 he turned to face east towards the Asian expanses.

And this turning from West to East, from Europe to Asia, changes his whole life, opens up a different enemy, different paths and different horizons.

According to the division of the khan's possessions, conquered Rus' entered the ulus of Batu, who roamed with his horde in the Azov and Volga steppes.

With great independence, individual uluses of the Tatar kingdom were subject to the supreme authority of the Great Khan, who lived in Karakorum. The spirit of Genghis Khan continued to live in his descendants, manifesting itself in the cohesion and concentration of power despite the enormous scattering and diversity of the uluses. Handing out labels for reigning to the Russian princes, Batu sent some of them to bow to the Khagan, as if thereby indicating their dependence on the highest power.

Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, father of St. Alexander, having arrived to Batu, suffered this fate. With a small detachment, he made a long journey into the depths of Asia. Many of his companions died along the way in the steppes from thirst and exhaustion.

The arrival of Yaroslav in the Horde and the subsequent change in the life of St. Alexander coincided with changes in the Tatar kingdom itself.

When Yaroslav arrived in the Horde, Khan Ogodai had already died, and before the election of a new khan, the beloved wife of the deceased, Turakinya, ruled the kingdom for five years. Under Yaroslav, a new khan was elected. Plano Carpini, who was in the Horde at the same time as Yaroslav, mentions his name among other khans and princes, left a description of the Great Kurultai, which the Russian prince had to witness.

By this time, the khans and princes of the Mongol hordes and uluses had gathered in the Horde, who were to elect a Khagan from among the descendants of Genghis Khan.

“We found a light purple tent there,” writes Plano Carpini, “so large that, in our opinion, more than two thousand people could fit in it. While there with the Tatars accompanying us, we saw a large meeting of khans and princes who met here from all sides with their tribes and stood on horseback in a circle on the neighboring hills. On the first day they were dressed in light purple, on the second day in red - Gayuk then came to the tent. On the third day they were in purple, on the fourth in crimson. .. All the khans and princes were under the tent, where they talked and discussed the election of the Great Khan. The rest of the people were behind the fence, waiting for what would be decided" (1).

There were long debates about the choice of khan. The separate branches of the Genghisids could not come to an agreement, each nominating its own contender. Finally, under pressure from Turakini, the choice fell on the son of the deceased khan - Gayuk.

On August 25, 1246, huge crowds converged on the Khan’s tent. When reading prayers, they bowed in the direction of the grave of Genghis Khan. The princes and khans, entering the tent, sat Gayuk on a golden table, put a sword in front of him and fell to their knees, saying: “We want, we ask, we demand that you take power over all of us.” The crowds standing around the tent and far beyond the tent on the plain also fell to their knees.

If you want me to own you,” said Gayuk, “then is each of you ready to do what I order him, to come when I call, to go where I send, to kill whomever I command?

Those on their knees agreed.

If so,” said Gayuk, “then henceforth let the word of my mouth be my sword (2).

Then those present put Gayuk and his wife on felt and, lifting him up, loudly shouted and declared him the Great Khan. Then they brought the rich treasury of the deceased khan and handed it to Gayuk. The new khan presented it to those present.

After a feast that lasted the whole day, Gayuk, sitting on a golden table, began to accept gifts from the conquered peoples. The ambassadors entered the tent in a line, knelt down four times, prostrated themselves on the ground in front of the khan and laid their gifts in front of him. At the foot of the golden Khan's table, a pile of gifts gradually grew: there were velvet, purple, gold-woven bedspreads of Khovzarem, silks, lacquerware from China, Russian furs, chiseled ivory. In this variety and multi-colored gifts it was like a symbol of the Tatar kingdom - the joining together at the feet of the khan of many peoples, kingdoms, dialects, cultures and beliefs. After Gayuk’s enthronement, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich was sent home. But he was not destined to see Rus'. He died in the steppes on September 30, 1246. Both Plano Carpini and the chronicle claim that he left the Horde already sick, as he was poisoned by order of Tura-kini.

This lonely death in alien steppes, far from Rus', deeply struck his contemporaries. She put the seal of martyrdom on Yaroslav. “The Scripture speaks of such people,” says the chronicler, describing the “necessary” death of Yaroslav, “nothing else is like this before God, but if anyone lays down his life for his friends; this great prince lay down his life for his friends and for the land Russian, and the Lord counted him among his chosen flock; for he was merciful to everyone, and without restraint he gave to those who demanded what he demanded" (3).

(1) "Voyages tres curieux etc.", pp. 10-11.

(2) Ibid, p. 14; D. Ilovaisky, “History of Russia”, part II, p. 397.

(3) Poly. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 156.

Chapter XIII

The death of Yaroslav vacated the grand-ducal throne in Rus'. Yaroslav's brother, Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, temporarily became Grand Duke. Changes in the great reign caused movements on other tables. The displacement also affected St. Alexander as the eldest son of the deceased Grand Duke. The occupation of the new table depended on the Tatars. To receive the principalities, St. Alexander and his brother Andrei had to go to the Horde for a label. “That same summer, Prince Andrei Yaroslavovich went to the Horde to visit the Batyevs. Tsar Batu’s envoys came to Alexander Yaroslavich, saying: “God has conquered many languages ​​for me, Are you the only one who doesn’t want to submit to my corruption? but if you want to preserve your land now, then come to me,” - this is how the life and chronicle tell about it (1).

The Kipchak khans kept an eye on Russia from their headquarters. The name of St. Alexander was already glorified throughout Rus'. His victories over the Swedes, the Swordsmen and Lithuania made him a national hero, a defender of Rus' from foreigners. He was a prince in Novgorod - the only region of Rus' where the Tatars did not reach. And, probably, many Russians at that time had the hope that it was not this prince, who defeated foreign armies with a small militia, who would liberate Rus' from the Tatars. This suspicion should have arisen at the Khan's headquarters as well. Therefore, Batu’s order to appear in the Horde is quite understandable (2).

The hesitation of St. Alexander is also understandable - his reluctance to go to the Horde. In Novgorod he was free. He fought openly against his enemies. Did he have any thoughts of opposing the Tatars? We can only assume this, but many data make this assumption quite reasonable.

The idea of ​​overthrowing the yoke was put into action by many princes who had much less reason to hope for success than St. Alexander. Defender of Rus' from enemies, could he not think about getting rid of the most powerful enemy?

Batu's order confronted him with the need to respond. Agreeing or refusing to come meant peace or war.

This was the most decisive and tragic moment in the life of St. Alexander. Two paths lay before him. You had to stand on one of them. The decision predetermined his future life.

This step was full of heavy hesitation. A trip to the Horde was a threat of inglorious death - the princes went there, almost as if to death, leaving they left testaments - surrender to the mercy of the enemy in the distant steppes and, after the glory of the Nevsky and Chudskoye massacres, humiliation before idolaters, "the filthy ones who left the true God, creatures worship."

It would seem that glory, honor, and the good of Rus' required refusal - war. It can be firmly said that Rus' and, especially, Novgorod, were waiting for disobedience to the will of the khan. Countless uprisings testify to this. Before St. Alexander was the path of direct heroic struggle, the hope of victory or heroic death. But St. Alexander rejected this path. He went to the khan.

This is where his realism came into play. If he had strength, he would have gone against the Khan, just as he went against the Swedes. But with a firm and free look, he saw and knew that there was no strength and no opportunity to win. And he resigned himself.

For a medieval knight this would be the end of glory. A troubadour would not compose songs in honor of a knight who took a humiliating step. But St. Alexander was not a knight. He was an Orthodox prince. And in this humiliation of oneself, bowing before the power of life - by God's will- was a greater feat than a glorious death. The people, with a special instinct, perhaps not immediately and not suddenly, understood St. Alexander. He glorified him long before his canonization, and it is difficult to say what attracted the people’s love to him more, his victories on the Neva, or this trip to humiliation.

From now on, the stamp of martyrdom falls on St. Alexander. And it was precisely this martyrdom, suffering for the land, that the people felt and appreciated in him, through all the murmur and indignation with which the path of St. Alexander was rich after his submission to the evil Tatar captivity.

Batu's order found St. Alexander in Vladimir, where he arrived from Novgorod after the death of his father.

All those traveling to the Horde were especially embarrassed by the Tatars’ demand to bow to idols and go through fire. St. Alexander also had this anxiety, and with it he went to Metropolitan Kirill of Kyiv, who lived at that time in Vladimir.

“The saint (Alexander), having heard this from those sent, was sad, greatly pained in soul and perplexed as to what to do about this. And the saint went and told the bishop his thought.”

Metropolitan Kirill told him: “Do not let meat and drink enter your mouth, and do not forsake God who created you, as he did another, but watch for Christ, as a good warrior of Christ.”

St. Alexander promised to fulfill this instruction. Metropolitan Kirill gave him spare Holy Gifts “to be his companions” and sent him away with the words: “May the Lord strengthen you” (3).

From Vladimir, St. Alexander with a small retinue headed to the Azov steppes. On the banks of the Don there was a Russian village founded by Batu to transport ambassadors traveling from the Horde to Rus' across the river. The remote Trans-Don steppes were completely deserted after the Tatar invasion. Only gangs of robbers roamed around them. Those traveling to the Horde did not encounter a single dwelling until the Volga, where there was again a village of captured Russian carriers.

Descriptions of Plano Carpini, sent to the Tatars by Pope Innocent IV, and the monk Rubriquis, sent by King Louis IX, speak of the remote steppe path that St. Alexander made through the Don and Volga to the Volga steppes to his headquarters. Plano Carpini also describes the bet itself.

“Batu lives magnificently... He has gatekeepers and all sorts of officials, like an emperor, and he sits in a high place, as if on a throne, with one of his wives. All the others, like his brothers and sons, and others the nobles sit lower in the middle, on a bench, and the rest of the people behind them on the floor, men on the right and women on the left. A table is placed at the door of the tent, and drink is placed on it in gold and silver bowls. Batu and all the Tatar princes, and especially in a meeting, they do not drink except at the sound of songs or stringed instruments. When he rides out, he always wears a sun shield or a tent on a horse over his head. This is what all Tatar noble princes and their wives do.

Batu himself is very affectionate towards his people; but still they are extremely afraid of him. In battles he is very fierce, and in war he is cunning and cunning, because he fought a lot" (4).

Like other princes, St. Alexander, upon his arrival in the Horde, was led to two fires, between which he had to pass in order to undergo purification and then worship idols. St. Alexander refused to perform the ritual, saying: “It is not proper for me, a Christian, to bow down to a creature other than God; but bow down to Holy Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, who created heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them" (5).

Tatar officials sent to tell Batu about the prince's disobedience.

St. Alexander stood by the fires, waiting for the khan's decision, like St. Michael of Chernigov (b) the year before.

Batu's ambassador brought an order to bring St. Alexander to him, without forcing him to pass between the fires.

Khan's officials brought him to the tent and searched him, looking for weapons hidden in his clothes.

Khan's secretary announced his name and ordered him to enter, without stepping on the threshold, through the eastern doors of the tent, because only the Khan himself entered through the western ones.

Entering the tent, St. Alexander approached Batu, who was sitting on an ivory table decorated with gold leaves, and bowed to him according to Tatar custom, i.e. fell to his knees four times, then prostrated himself on the ground, and said:

“Tsar, I worship you, since God has honored you with the kingdom, but I do not worship creatures: for they were created for man’s sake, but I worship one God, and I serve and honor Him” (7).

Batu listened to these words and pardoned St. Alexander.

It is difficult to ascertain the exact reason for this favor. The life of an individual meant little to the Tatar khans. In their spontaneous movement, which destroyed many kingdoms and razed cities to the ground, death was an ordinary natural phenomenon, a law that surprised no one and did not interest anyone. Asian cruelty emanates from the words of Genghis Khan, recorded by the Arab Rashid-ud-Eddin: “The pleasure and bliss of man consists in suppressing the rebel, defeating the enemy, tearing him out of his roots, making his servants scream, making tears flow down his face and nose "... (8). The cruelty of these words already reveals something impassive, deeply indifferent to the suffering and death of an individual. But along with cruelty, the Tatar khans coexisted with respect for the courage of the enemy. Sometimes the consequence of this was pardoning the enemy, which sometimes came as a whim, under the influence of immediate sensation. Thus, Batu, who executed St. Michael of Chernigov, unexpectedly pardoned the Kyiv mayor Demetrius, captured wounded after the destruction of Kyiv, “for his courage.”

He also pardoned St. Alexander, perhaps for his courage, perhaps under the influence of his external appearance and inner strength: the “Manuscript Legend” narrates that, releasing St. Alexander from himself, he said: “the truth to me I say that there is nothing like this prince.”

(1) Poly. collection Letop. Volume VII, page 156.

(2) The fact of St. Alexander’s trip to the Horde not on his own initiative, but on the orders of Batu, confirmed by life, is disputed by many historians. If a contradiction arises between the story of life and historical research, then it is ultimately resolved by faith or unbelief, accepting or rejecting the greater reliability of life than the research of the human mind. However, approaching this disagreement purely rationalistically, one must weigh whether there are sufficient grounds for rejecting, in this or that matter, the life as a historical document. In this matter of the voluntary or forced trip of St. Alexander to the Horde - which, however, has no special significance either for his internal appearance or for his historical path - it must be said that, considering the story of his life, even in the order of an ordinary historical document, there are no sufficient grounds deny its truth.

The opposite assumption does not have much basis, for the entire situation of that time makes the version that St. Alexander first went to the Horde precisely on the orders of Batu quite reasonable and worthy of trust.

As for the words of the chronicle “go another to Batyevi,” it should be noted that trips to the Horde are conveyed in the chronicle inaccurately and with errors for several years, of which several examples can be given. Comparing the chronological dates of Batu’s campaigns and his participation in Asian affairs with the constant mention of the name of St. Alexander as a participant in Novgorod affairs, precisely during the period when he could go to the khan, it is very difficult to assume that St. Alexander was in the Horde before 1247.

(3) Prologue. Book I. November 13th day. St. Petersburg. 1895. Sheet 101.

(4) D. Ilovaisky. "History of Russia", part II, p. 395.

(5) Prologue. Sheet 101.

(6) The description of the martyrdom of St. Michael of Chernigov and his boyar Theodore, in addition to its deep church-life significance, also gives some details of the reception in the Horde and those rituals that St. Alexander refused to perform. Therefore, we present this description below, as to a certain extent complementing the life of St. Alexander.

The martyrdom of St. Michael, the rival of Yaroslav and St. Alexander in the reign of Novgorod, is all the more remarkable since his previous life was not heroic. As Batu approached Kyiv, St. Michael fled to Ugria, leaving his principality to defend itself with its own forces. Not the prince, but the Kiev mayor Dimitri courageously defended the city. Kyiv was taken and plundered. St. Michael, after many years of wandering abroad, returned to Rus' and settled in Chernigov. From there Batu summoned him to the Horde. Spiritual father Prince John admonished St. Michael and his companion, boyar Theodore, not to worship idols and not to perform Tatar cleansing rites. When St. Michael and Theodore made this promise, he blessed them for the trip and gave them spare Holy Gifts for the journey.

Upon St. Michael’s arrival in the Horde, the Tatars, according to established custom, began to force him to pass between the fires in order to undergo purification before appearing before Batu. Having reached the fires, Prince Mikhail and Theodore refused to perform the ritual. Leaving them at this place, the Tatars sent to Batu to tell him about the disobedience of the Russian prince. Batu “you were enraged” and sent his steward Eldega to tell the prince: “from now on, choose life or death: if you do my command, you will live and receive your great reign, unless you go through the fire and bow to the bush and the sun and idol, you will die an evil death." After hearing these words, Prince Mikhail again refused to perform the ritual. Then Edtsega said to him threateningly: “Mikhail, you will know that you are dead.” St. Michael answered: “I want to suffer for Christ.”

A crowd gathered around St. Michael and Edtsegi. Among her was the grandson of St. Michael, the young Rostov prince Boris Vasilkovich, the son of Vasilko, who was martyred by the Tatars, and his boyars, who by this time had come to the Horde for a label. Boris, hearing Edtsegi’s words, began to cry and convince his grandfather to carry out the khan’s order.

The Rostov boyars, supporting their prince, promised to accept penance for breaking the vow on themselves and their entire volost.

Then the boyar Theodore, seeing the tears of Boris and hearing the convictions of the Rostov boyars, was afraid that his prince would weaken in spirit, remembering his land, wife and children, and would give in to their requests. He began to convince Michael, saying: “Do you remember, Michael, the word of your spiritual father, who taught us from the Holy Gospel? For the Lord said: whoever wants to save his soul will destroy it; and whoever destroys his soul for my sake will save him; ...who will be ashamed of Me and My words in this generation, and the Son of Man will be ashamed of him,” Boris and the Rostovites did not cease to beg St. Michael to submit to the khan. Then St. Michael took off his princely cloak, threw it to the Rostovites and said: “Accept the glory of this world if you want it.”

Eldega, hearing that the exhortations had no effect on the prince, galloped off again to Batu. St. Michael and Theodore began to sing church songs and, taking the Holy Gifts, received communion. At this time, the Rostovites shouted: “Mikhail, murderers are coming from the Tsar to kill you; bow down and you will live.” But Mikhail and Theodore answered: “We do not bow down, nor listen to you, for the glory of this world,” and continued to sing. The murderers jumped off their horses, grabbed St. Michael, threw him to the ground and, holding him by the arms and legs, began to trample him and beat him on the heart. One apostate Christian, named Damasus, cut off the prince's head with a sword. Then they killed Theodore and threw the bodies of both martyrs into the steppe.

(7) Saying 29 (V. Ivanov, “We”, p. 92).

Chapter XIV

Having kept St. Alexander in the Horde, Batu did not resolve the issue of dividing the Russian principalities. He sent St. Alexander and Andrew, as he had sent their father before, to Karakorum to bow to the Great Khan.

Before the Russian princes lay a long path already traversed by Yaroslav. This path led through the Urals, through the Kyrgyz steppes, the lands of the Besermen (Khiva), through mountain passes to Karakitai and through the plateaus of Mongolia to the threshold of China in the Karakorum. The princes rode with the Tatar convoy along roads paved by the Tatars, changing horses at pit stations. The chronicle does not report anything about this journey. She only mentions: "go to St. Alexander in Kanovich." For the chronicler who remained in Rus', both the distant Asian route and the Khan’s headquarters with her entire life remained distant and unknown. We do not know the details of St. Alexander’s journey and stay in Karakorum. But, according to the descriptions of witnesses who visited the Horde in those days, it is possible to reconstruct its life and the environment that St. Alexander saw and in which he somehow acted, seeking a label to reign.

On the plains of Europe, every century profoundly changes the entire appearance of the area. But in those places through which St. Alexander passed, the face of the earth has not changed for seven centuries. The path of St. Alexander to Karakorum was exactly the same as the path of a modern explorer penetrating the threshold of Tibet.

This long path through rugged mountain ridges, plateaus and passes, in the conditions of ordinary travel through Central Asia, that is, on horseback, with overnight stays by the fire on spread felt, with rare meetings along the way, lasted many months, until St. Alexander and Andrew with their convoy and companions reached the khan’s headquarters.

Karakorum during his visit by St. Alexander was changing, like the Tatar kingdom itself. An empire emerged from a nomadic tribe. Therefore, at the headquarters, among the primitive nomads, with herds of grazing horses and with a crowd of nomads in dirty clothes and felt hats, a city was already growing. The Tatar kingdom touched China in the east, the ancient Arab culture in the west, India in the south, and all these cultures began to change the face of the Mongol nomads.

Between the yurts a real city was erected, surrounded by earthen ramparts. From their campaigns the khans brought comedians, artists, craftsmen and craftsmen. These craftsmen and artists worked on the decoration of Karakorum.

Among them were Russians. Plano Carpini met a young Russian captive in the Horde, Kozma the “cunning”, who knew how to forge gold. He saw the Khan's throne and the Khan's seal that he had made. Rubriquis met another captive in the Horde - an architect.

Ambassadors and foreign merchants interspersed with the Tatar crowd. Their shops gradually penetrated into the Karakorum, which was being built out of the nomads.

“There are two large streets,” writes Rubriquis, “one of which is called Saracen; on that street there is a trade and a fair. Many foreign traders travel along it, because there is a palace on it, as well as a large number of different embassies arriving from different countries. Another street is called Chinese, and artisans live on it. In addition to these two streets, there are chambers where the khan’s secretaries live; (the city) is surrounded by earthen ramparts with four gates.

At the eastern gate they sell millet and other varieties of grain, of which there is very little. Westerners trade in sheep and goats; among the southern ones - oxen and carts, and among the northern ones - horses" (1).

In Karakorum there were twelve temples of idolaters of different sects and nations, two Muslim mosques and a Christian church.

In the very center of the city was the Hagan's home. The Khan's Palace was built a few years after the arrival of St. Alexander. With him, it was a light purple tent on pillars decorated with gold leaves, behind a painted wooden fence. “We found a light purple tent there,” says Plano Carpini, “so large that more than two thousand people could fit in it. Around there was a balustrade filled with various paintings and statues” (2).

The influence of China, India and the Khovzarem cities most affected the Hagan himself and his entourage. These were no longer simple nomadic princes, who one generation ago lived in yurts, like their subjects. The luxury of Asian rulers entered their lives.

The Khagan lived in this tent, separated from the people by a whole staircase of courtiers, secretaries and officials.

“In the palisade near the tent there were two gates, through one of which the emperor himself entered, even without bodyguards, so these gates remained closed all the time, and no one dared to enter them, but they entered others, where bodyguards stood with swords and bows , arrows.

If any of the common people approached the gate, they beat him or even shot him" (Plano Carpini).

"In the fence near the tent there were two big gate, through one of which Hagan himself entered. There were no guards stationed there, although these gates remained open all the time, for none of those entering or leaving dared to pass through them, but entered others, where bodyguards stood with bows and arrows. If anyone approached the tent closer than the prescribed limits, they beat him or even threw arrows at him" (Plano Carpini) (3).

This was, according to eyewitness descriptions, appearance Karakorum at the time of St. Alexander's arrival there.

In inner life At the khan's headquarters, unrest and preparations for the election of a new khan took place under him.

Gayuk died in 1247, having served as Great Khan for only one year. Under him, conquests were resumed. In one year, raids were carried out on Mossul, Diabekir and Georgia.

A new great campaign to the west was being prepared to conquer Europe.

It is not known whether St. Alexander found Gayuk alive and saw him. But, in any case, he witnessed long-term unrest and preparations for the new Great Kurultai.

The Horde was temporarily ruled by the widow Gayuk. This reign lasted for several years. The enormous distances separating the individual khans prevented them from quickly gathering in Karakorum.

In addition, due to the absence of a specific law establishing the rights to occupy the throne, strife began between several lines of the Chingizids.

The dispute was between the older line of the Ogodaevichs, from which the deceased Gayuk came, and the younger line, the Tuluevichs. The sons of Tuluy were more talented and energetic than their fighters. The eldest of them, who was nominated as a contender for the throne, was Meshu. More than all other khans, he showed the traits of his grandfather, Genghis Khan. He was gloomy and taciturn, did not like feasts and luxury, preferred war, hunting and the former primitive simplicity of life. Mengu had strong supporters, among them Batu, with whose horde Mengu came to Rus' in 1238, and the governor Mangusar, the chief adviser to the deceased Gayuk and the great Judge of the Tatar Kingdom. The fight became fierce.

One of the Ogodaevich supporters, Prince Shira-non, plotted against Mengu. This conspiracy was discovered and about seventy conspirators were executed in Karakorum Square.

The unrest lasted almost 5 years, until 1251, when the Great Kurultai proclaimed Mengu the Great Khan.

St. Alexander left the Horde before this Kurultai. But all the unrest in the Horde took place under him. This interregnum detained him and Andrei in Karakorum for a long time, at least for a year. With the entire system of Tatar governance, in order to obtain a label one had to go through many steps, everywhere richly rewarding officials and scribes. Troubles in the horde absorbed all the attention of the Tatar khans and governors and made the division of principalities on the distant outskirts unimportant for them.

Finally, the Russian princes achieved a solution. St. Alexander received a label for the Grand Duchy of Kiev, and Andrei for the Grand Duchy of Vladimir. After this they were released to Rus'.

In the Horde, St. Alexander saw with his own eyes the power of the Tatars, whose united kingdom, despite internal strife, stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Europe. From Karakorum, campaigns were planned and carried out that encircled half the world. In the Tatar kingdom, the health and strength of the nomadic people, who had just awakened to life, still lived. This was evidenced by the rapidity of conquests, the speed of borrowing, and the undoubted cultural growth that changed the entire appearance of the Tatars.

St. Alexander chose the path of submission to the Tatars even before his trip to Karakorum. But there is no doubt that the living contemplation of the Tatar power confirmed him on this path. Therefore, his stay at headquarters largely predetermined his entire further activities in relation to the Tatars.

(1) Voyage remarquable de Guiiaume de Rubriquis, envoye en Ambassade par le roi Louis IX, en differentes parties de L"Orient: principalement en Tartane et en Chine. La Haye, 1735, p. 106.

(2) Plano Carpini, "Voyages tres curieux...", pp. 10,11.

THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY

The story 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 witnessed his mature age, I was glad to tell about his holy, honest, and glorious life. But as the Tributary said [*]: “Wisdom will not enter an evil soul: for it dwells in elevated places, stands in the middle of the roads, and stops at the gates of noble people.” Although I am simple in mind, I will still begin by praying to the Holy Mother of God and trusting in the help of Holy Prince Alexander.

This Prince Alexander was born from a merciful, philanthropic, and most of all meek father, the Great Prince Yaroslav, and from his mother Theodosia [*]. As Isaiah the prophet said: “Thus says the Lord: “I appoint princes; they are sacred, and I lead them.” And truly, 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 made the second king in Egypt, and 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 entire land of Judea. One day he prepared to besiege the city of Joatapata, and the townspeople came out and defeated his army. And only Vespasian remained, and turned those who opposed him to the city, to the city gates, and laughed at his squad, and reproached them, saying: “They left me alone” [*]. Likewise, Prince Alexander won, but was invincible.

Once 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, named Andreas [*], having seen Prince Alexander, returned to his people and said: “I went through countries and 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 Roman country from the northern land [*] thought to himself: “I will go and conquer the land of Alexander.” And he gathered a great force, and filled many ships with his regiments, and moved with a huge army, blazing with the military spirit. And he came to the Neva, intoxicated with madness, and sent his ambassadors, proud, 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, burned 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, strong God, eternal God, who created heaven and earth and set the boundaries You commanded the peoples to live without transgressing other people’s borders.” And, remembering the words of the prophet, he said: “Judge, Lord, those who have offended me and protect them from those who fight me, take a weapon and a shield and stand up to help me.”

And, having finished the prayer, he stood up and bowed to the archbishop. The archbishop was then Spyridon [*], he blessed him and released him. The prince, leaving the church, dried his tears and began to encourage his squad, saying: “God is not in power, but in truth. Let us remember the Songmaker, 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 resisted and stand upright” [*]. Having said this, he went against 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 news 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, July fifteenth, 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 the night watch at sea. He was baptized and lived among his family, the pagans, and his name was given in holy baptism Philip, and he lived godly, observing fasting on Wednesday and Friday, which is why God deigned him to see a wonderful vision on that day. Let's tell you briefly.

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

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

Soon after this, Alexander came, and Pelugius, joyfully meeting Prince Alexander, told him alone about the vision. The prince told him: “Don’t tell this to anyone.”

After that, Alexander hastened to attack the enemies at six o'clock in the afternoon, and there was a great slaughter with the Romans, and the prince killed countless numbers of them, and on the face of the king himself he left the mark of his sharp spear.

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

The first one is named Gavrilo Oleksic. He attacked the auger [*] and, seeing the prince being dragged by the arms, rode all the way to the ship along the gangplank along which they were running with the prince, pursued by him. Then they grabbed Gavrila Oleksich and threw him off the gangplank along with his horse. But by God's mercy 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 from Novgorod. 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 they marveled at his strength and courage.

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

The fourth is a Novgorodian named Mesha. This man on foot and his retinue attacked the ships and sank three ships.

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

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

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

There was a wondrous miracle at that time, 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 they got up in the morning, they found only dead corpses [*]. This was the case after Alexandrov’s victory: when he defeated the king, on the opposite side of the Izhora River, where Alexandrov’s regiments could not pass, a countless number of those killed by the angel of the Lord were found here. Those who remained fled, and the corpses of their dead soldiers were thrown into ships and sank them into the sea. Prince Alexander returned in victory, praising and glorifying the name of his creator.

In the second year after Prince Alexander returned with victory, they again came from the Western Country and built a city on the land of Alexandrova [*]. Prince Alexander soon went and destroyed their city to the ground, and hanged them, some, took others with him, and, having pardoned others, released them, for he was immeasurably merciful.

After Alexandrova’s victory, 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 Peipus was covered with many of these and other warriors. Alexander's father, Yaroslav, sent his younger brother Andrei with a large squad to help him. And Prince Alexander had many brave warriors, like King David in ancient times, strong and steadfast. So Alexander’s men 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 the sky and said: “Judge me, God, judge my quarrel with the unrighteous people and help me, Lord, as in ancient times he helped Moses overcome Amalek [*], and our great-grandfather Yaroslav the accursed Svyatopolk” [*].