September 25: Sergius of Radonezh, Monastic, 1392

The Collect of the Day

Sergius of Radonezh

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius, may serve you with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sergius of Radonezh

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Sergius, may serve thee with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ecclesiasticus 29:1–9
Psalm 34:1–8
Mark 2:23–28

To the people of Russia, Sergius is a national hero and their patron saint. He was born in Rostov around 1314.

Civil war in Russia forced Sergius’ family to leave the city and to live by farming at Radonezh near Moscow. At the age of twenty, he and his brother began a life of seclusion in a nearby forest, from which developed the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, a center of revival of Russian Christianity. There Sergius remained for the rest of his life, refusing higher advancement, including the see of Moscow in 1378.

Sergius’ firm support of Prince Dimitri Donskoi helped to rally the Russians against their Tartar overlords. Dimitri won a decisive victory against them at the Kulikovo Plains in 1380 and laid the foundation of his people’s independent national life.

Sergius was simple and gentle in nature, mystical in temperament, and eager to ensure that his monks should serve the needs of their neighbors. He was able to inspire intense devotion to the Orthodox faith. He died in 1392, and pilgrims still visit his shrine at the monastery of Sergiyev Posad, which he founded in 1340. The city, located some forty-three miles northwest of Moscow, contains several splendid cathedrals and is the residence of the Patriarch of Moscow.

The Russian Church observes Sergius’ memory on September 25th. His name is familiar to Anglicans from the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius, a society established to promote closer relations between the Anglican and Orthodox Churches.

Lessons and Psalm

First Lesson

Psalm

¹I will bless the Lord at all times; *his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

²I will glory in the Lord; *let the humble hear and rejoice.

³Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; *let us exalt his Name together.

⁴I sought the Lord, and he answered me *and delivered me out of all my terror.

⁵Look upon him and be radiant, *and let not your faces be ashamed.

⁶I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *and saved me from all my troubles.

⁷The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *and he will deliver them.

⁸Taste and see that the Lord is good; *happy are they who trust in him!

Gospel

¹The merciful lend to their neighbours; by holding out a helping hand they keep the commandments. ² Lend to your neighbour in his time of need; repay your neighbour when a loan falls due. ³ Keep your promise and be honest with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need. ⁴ Many regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those who help them. ⁵ One kisses another’s hands until he gets a loan, and is deferential in speaking of his neighbour’s money; but at the time for repayment he delays, and pays back with empty promises, and finds fault with the time. ⁶ If he can pay, his creditor will hardly get back half, and will regard that as a windfall. If he cannot pay, the borrower has robbed the other of his money, and he has needlessly made him an enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches, and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour. ⁷ Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness, but from fear of being defrauded needlessly. ⁸ Nevertheless, be patient with someone in humble circumstances, and do not keep him waiting for your alms. ⁹ Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and in their need do not send them away empty-handed.