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[[Image:Vasnetsov_sergij_radonezh.jpg|thumb|right|[[Icon]] of St. Sergii Radonezhsky written for Abramtsevo [[church]] by Viktor Vasnetsov, 1882.]]Our father among the saints, the Venerable '''Sergius of Radonezh''' was a leading Russian [[monk]] in the fourteenth century who founded the [[Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra|Holy Trinity]] [[monastery]] north of Moscow. He is much revered and has a special place in Russian monasticism and the nation of Russia. An [[ascetic]], he was deeply humble and had a firm faith in God’s help. After his glorification the monastery he founded became known as the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.
==Life==
Sergius Radonezhsky (Russian: ''Сергий Радонежский'') was born into a boyar family near Rostov. His parents were named Kyril and MariaThe date of his birth is unknown, and he was given the name Bartholomew at three different years are presumed as his birthyear (1314, 1319, or 1322). His birthdate is traditionally held to be on [[May 3]], 1314, although this date and he is uncertainrecognized with the name Bartholomew. To his parents, as other years recorded are 1319 Kyril and 1322. He Maria, he was the second of three brothers, Stephen being the eldest and Peter the youngest. Because the family became impoverished when Kyril was dispossessed of his properties under Grand Duke Ivan Danilovich of Moscow, they moved to the village of Radonezh around 1328. As Bartholomew grew up, his ability to learn did not match that of his brothers. Then one day he met an old monk who, after Bartholomew explained his difficulties, gave Bartholomew a small piece of communion bread with the blessing, ''"Take and eat it, this is given to you as a sign of God’s grace and for understanding of the Scriptures"''. From that meeting on Bartholomew found his lessons easier.
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In 1334, after the death of his parents, Bartholomew moved to to Khotkovo near Moscow, joining his widowed older brother Stephen. In 1337, he was [[tonsure]]d a monk with the name Sergius and was [[ordination|ordain]]ed to the [[priest]]hood. In seeking a more secluded place, he and his brother found such a place in the deep forest near the Marovets hill and built a small cell and a simple [[chapel]] dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This was 1340. The brothers lived a secluded life in the forest, and in time Stephen found the life of seclusion difficult and left Sergius to live in Epiphany monastery in Moscow. With the departure of his brother Sergius lived alone for a number of years. The wild animals seemed to recognize him as packs of wolves and bears would come to his hut but would not harm him. One bear came to his hut to share Sergius’ last piece of bread with him. Gradually people learned of Sergius and approach him for spiritual guidance. Soon, the cell grew to a small hermitage of twelve monks. The hermitage of the Holy Trinity soon became the spiritual center that eventually became the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra (Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra).
