The holy relics of Fedor Ushakov (admiral): interesting facts

Russia is famous for its heroic deeds and numerous talented generals, many of whom have glorified the strength of domestic weapons in various wars and battles. One of these is Admiral Fyodor Ushakov.

He forever entered the Russian history as a talented naval commander, who did not know a single defeat and won many great victories, which allowed Russia to become one of the strongest European powers of the time.

Canonization

At a meeting of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, held in 2004, it was decided to rank the famous Russian admiral, who covered himself with unfading glory, to the rank of saints. The transfer of the relics of Fedor Ushakov was a significant event for the entire Russian fleet.

He was canonized even earlier, in 2001. He was numbered in the image of the saints in the Saransk diocese, in which were the relics of the holy righteous Fedor Ushakov. Her leadership did not know how the leadership of the Navy would react to this. But the reaction was, as might be expected, positive, and the meeting of the relics of Fedor Ushakov was solemn. A large delegation of the command of the Navy of Russia and Ukraine, numerous top state officials of the two countries, representatives of Greece and approximately six thousand pilgrims arrived to events related to his canonization.

Procession

In honor of this event, the procession was held. It was quite unusual, as many servicemen participated in it, including the top command staff. Cancer with the relics of the famous admiral was met by the Navy Orchestra, performing military marches. At the head of the column were officers carrying Andreevsky flags in their hands. The cancer, in which were the relics of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, were carried by admirals. Cadets and sailors were on duty in the guard of honor. This event was not without a salute from carbines. All this turned the church ritual into a real holiday of the Navy.

Honors in the Navy

In the same year, the leadership of the Russian Navy and the church decided to carry out a series of measures to glorify the hero. Over time, a special service was developed, icons were painted. Fedor Ushakov's relics were transported through the cities, especially those that were somehow connected with the fleet. In Saransk, the construction of the cathedral in honor of the saint admiral was started. In addition, in many cities associated with the fleet, began to build churches and chapels named after Fedor Ushakov.

The Russian Navy celebrated with special celebration the appearance of its new patron saint. On all fleets the procession took place. Particularly solemn and numerous was held on the Black Sea. In the procession went two large amphibious ships - "Yamal", part of the Russian Navy, and "Constantine Olshansky" from the Ukrainian Navy. On one of them were the relics of Fedor Ushakov.

Since the recognition of this illustrious admiral, the holy icon with its image can be seen on all ships and places of deployment of the navy, and not only in crew cabins and barracks, but also in cabins and offices of senior and high command personnel. This is considered useful and strengthens morale, improves the atmosphere in the team. The bringing of the relics of Fedor Ushakov is always a significant event for any temple.

This saint is revered not only in Russia, but also in many other countries. First of all, in those in whose history Ushakov played a significant role. In particular, this is Greece, because it owes him very much. In addition, he is revered in Georgia, Czech Republic, Slovakia. The relics of Fedor Ushakov are carried on many churches and temples.

Carier start

Many things are known about the numerous merits and service in the fleet of Fedor Ushakov. After all, there are a lot of written evidence of his deeds. About him was written many books and made numerous films. There was even some of his mythologization, which quite often happens to such great people. But if his service is known in sufficient detail, then his last years of life are poorly lit. But it was they who largely became the reason for his canonization.

The illustrious admiral was born in a poor noble family. He dreamed of serving in the Navy since childhood, and at the end of the naval cadet corps was sent first to the Baltic Fleet, and in a few years - to the Azov Flotilla, which actively participated in the war with Turkey.

Ushakov immediately showed himself to be an excellent commander and quickly began to climb the career ladder. He was respected not only by ordinary sailors, but also by higher leadership. Over time, he rose to the rank of admiral, leading a brigade of ships of the Black Sea fleet.

The fight against the Turks and the French

He took an active part in its creation, stood at the source of the construction of Sevastopol, did everything in order to increase Russia's influence on the Black Sea. In several sea battles with Turkish squadrons, he defeated them, even though their forces were more numerous.

Thanks to his talent as a naval commander, he led a Russian squadron in the Mediterranean, which, acting in concert with his allies, dealt a series of serious defeats to the French naval forces and liberated a number of countries he Napoleonic invaders.

Resignation

Fedor Ushakov devoted his whole life to serving in the navy. He was never married, and he had no children. All this is one of the basic rules of the life of monks. After retiring, he could settle in any major city, but did not want to do it, although he was a fairly well-off person. Instead, the illustrious retired admiral settled in a small quiet village Alekseyevka, which was in Mordovia.

As evidenced in his writings by the priest of the Sanaksar monastery, Hieromonk Nathaniel, Fyodor Ushakov lived near the monastery and regularly helped her. During Lent, he lived with the monks every year for about a week in an ordinary cell. Standing along with the rest of the long service. He did not forget about the poor and suffering, who regularly helped.

Assistance during and after the Patriotic War

With the outbreak of the Patriotic War of 1812, the retired admiral was elected a local nobility as commander of the militia of the Tambov province. But Fedor Ushakov could not take command, because he was already in his advanced years, and his health was greatly shaken. Because of this, he was forced to abandon this post.

But still Fyodor Ushakov did not stay away from the defense of the Fatherland from the invading enemy. He helped to form a hospital to help the wounded soldiers, gave a significant amount for the newly formed Tambov Infantry Regiment. As noted in the written sources of those years, he donated almost all of his money to protect Russia from the Napoleonic army.

He helped all those in need and in peacetime. He was often visited by peasants who lived in villages nearby, as well as urban residents. No admiral refused to retire anyone, he shared with everyone what he had. He did not forget to cheer up the desperate people, saying that all the troubles sooner or later end, and everything will gradually improve.

Death and funeral

Fyodor Ushakov died on October 2, 1817. In recent days, as Hieromonk Nathaniel testifies, he kept fasting and incessantly prayed. As a retired admiral he wished, he was buried in the cemetery at the monastery.

Fedor Ushakov was buried in the church of the city of Temnikov, which was nearby. At the funeral of the admiral was a huge number of people, and not just commoners, but nobles and officers. When the coffin with his body was taken out of the city, it was originally intended to be put on a cart, but people carried it in their arms to the grave itself, which was located in the Sanaxar monastery. The monks carefully looked after her.

In the USSR

After the February revolution of 1917 and the coming to power of Bolsheviks in Russia, the Sanaksar monastery, like all other spiritual institutions in the country, was closed. The built chapel, under which were the relics of Fedor Ushakov, was destroyed. The place of his burial for several decades came to desolation.

But during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, Joseph Stalin established the Order of Fedor Ushakov and raised the question of the burial place of the famous admiral. The country's leadership decided to create a special commission that revealed its grave located on the territory of an abandoned monastery.

As it turned out, Feodor Ushakov's relics were imperishable, which was immediately fixed in the commission's documents. As the Holy Synod decided later , this serves as proof that the admiral was a saint.

Modernity

The grave in which the relics of Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov rested, as well as the whole monastery, was restored and taken under the protection of the state. It turned out that even after his death, this talented naval commander could do a good job, because the monastery was preserved, and in 1991 it was returned to the Russian church.

The illustrious admiral became the first Russian commander, who was ranked among the saints. This event created a kind of precedent. Increasingly, they began to express the desire to canonize another great commander, Alexander Suvorov.

Admiral Fedor Ushakov glorified himself in many naval battles and did everything to strengthen the Russian fleet and raise his country. He also, despite his fame and numerous honors, was a wonderful person and a real Christian who was always ready to help those who needed it. The holy relics of Fedor Ushakov are revered by many parishioners.