ICON Smolensk Mother of God as an element of morale FORMATION RUSSIAN ARMY IN THE PATRIOTIC WAR 1812 Г.

UDC 94(47+57)

Vo has aloft defend pobezhdal Toth, who was stronger in spirit. Thinking today about the origins of the high morale of soldiers of the Russian Army, selfless service to the Fatherland, clearly emerged from the Second World War 1812 года, come to the conclusion that, that they lie in an indissoluble spiritual unity of the Russian Army and the Orthodox faith.

Historical experience shows Russian army: a large role in educating the soldiers of faith in God, pride Otchiznu, in shaping their patriotic consciousness, loyalty oath and military duty, readiness for self-sacrifice in the name of victory over the enemy and faith in the possibility of becoming immortal in the case of noble death for their country in centuries, the Russian state owned Orthodox Christian religion. Russian army soldiers were deeply and sincerely believing Orthodox people.

The Church and the Russian army has always united sacrifice their service to the Fatherland and the people. Homeland defense Orthodox Orthodox Christian religion considers sacred duty and sanctifies it as a feat for Christ. At all times, the Russian soldiers were defending not only their loved ones, but their faith, they inherited from their fathers and grandfathers. And the whole history of the Russian Orthodox Church is inextricably linked with the history of defending the homeland. Images of the saints and the Orthodox Church overshadowed battle flags Russian army in all the battles, starting from the thirteenth century. God's Word Scramble Russian soldiers on such achievements, before which respectfully bowed his head many foreign generals.

Holy icon, especially the icon of the Theotokos, has always been loved by the Russian people, who believed deeply, that has images of different images of the same single Mother of God. And how we behave as a nation remember, the world has always been the image of the Blessed and Blessed. Sergius of Radonezh, blagoslovivshiy Dmitry Donskogo of bitvu with Mongol tatarami of Kulikovom field, gave him the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Don. In the form of banners during a battle in September 1380 года, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, She was in the thick of battle. Grand Prince Dmitry Ivanovich on the eve of battle Russian soldiers called to fight: "... For the Lord, for the holy Church and the Christian faith; but this death is not death, but eternal life; not think of anything earthly, do not wish, brothers, earthly life ". Don Mother of God inspired by Russian soldiers and the greatest feat of self-sacrifice in the name of the Fatherland. And hard fought Russian soldiers not only arms, but agreed with the enemy in melee, fighting "for the Orthodox faith and the Russian land". And many hours of bloody battles, won the grand victory over the enemy.

In the soul of the Russian soldier always kept faith, that the very Mother of God through its icon helps them win. In many campaigns and battles XIII-XIX centuries was the image of "The Omen" Blessed Virgin Mary (Kursk-Root). In Grozny 1812 the icon "The Omen" was sent to the residents of the city of Kursk Russian Army Commander MI. Kutuzov, where he was in the Guard units, garnish later Transfiguration Cathedral Guard in St. Petersburg.

In 1812 , together with the Russian army has been battling in the battle of Borodino and the holy icon of Our Lady of Smolensk, Army brought with him from Smolensk. This icon was one of the oldest shrines of the Russian Land. She was called Hodegetria, which in Greek means "a guide to". Written by Luke the Evangelist, She was accompanied by Greek forces in the campaigns, and came to Russia in the mid XI century Byzantine princess Maria, issued for Perejaslavskogo Prince Vsevolod Jaroslavich. Them syn Vladimir Monomakh, received possession of Smolensk principality, put an icon in the city's cathedral, and since then it has received the name of Smolensk. In the middle of XIII century showed the miracle Icon: the intercession of the Mother of God of Smolensk repelled the onslaught of Mongol hordes.

Adjutant Field Marshal MI. Kutuzov a.i. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky so telling about the last hours of the holy icon of stay in the burning town 1812 года: "Three days ..., during the raging battle of Smolensk Church ... shall not be shut, ministers of the altar of God made incessant prayer, of smoke, flame, if not silence the roaring thunder vent, methane destruction and death,Ablaze ... and the church bell tower, but all-night vigil on the eve of the Transfiguration of the Lord continued ". "... In the twilight army officers carried out of the church of the holy icon of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Smolensk, and then from, under the dull sound of bells, merging with a bang decaying buildings and thunder battles ", – party says the battle of Smolensk F. Н. Glinka. Departing from Smolensk, holy Icon was carrying in his mouth caisson batareynaya Colonel Glukhova, and since that time Theotokos accompanied Russian army in all subsequent battles to return it back to its shrine.

11 августа 1812 year in the Kazan Cathedral on the head chief of the Russian Army, General of Infantry MI. Kutuzov, the decreasing of the army in Petersburg, was assigned the holy icon of the Kazan Mother of God. 1 сентября 1812 , during the solemn consecration of the flag Petersburg militia event occurred, adopted Warriors, lined up on the square near St. Isaac's Cathedral, kindness omen, instill in their hearts faith in the future victory over the enemy. "At the end of a litany, – recalled one of its members, – as soon as the bishop became Metropolitan sprinkle holy water militia ranks, suddenly appeared in the sky a delicate white cloud; minute rain tiny spray watered host, and the cloud disappeared ".

On the eve and the day of the battle of Borodino, the holy icon of the Smolensk Mother of God was with the army. "24th in the morning all the shelves were prayers. Pyramid, composed of drums, were supplied image. One hundred thousand people troops, when unfolded banners, with kolenoprekloneniem, prayed fervently for help to destroy the enemies of the Fatherland. The feeling of love for one's homeland was at the time developed in all ranks ", – H notes. Н. Ants. In the morning 25 августа 1812 года, on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, According to participants in the battle, "... The Russians began to prepare for the fall for the Fatherland prayer in the church tent, set in the heart of the Army, in the service of the liturgy and in the translation of his in chudovny image of Our Lady of Smolensk ".

"... Around noon, – recalls an officer of the 1st Chasseurs Major MM. Петров, – our army stood under the gun for common prayer before the icon of Our Lady of Smolensk ... The whole army knelt, and together they offered their prayers to the, which inclines to win one way or another, and individually to settle their accounts with the sky, meekly bowing to the death or life of the coming of the day ". "... Not a small number of clergy regiments, joined us from Smolensk and other locations, – participant recalls the Battle of Borodino artillery officer of the 11th Artillery Brigade, 4th Infantry Corps General of Infantry AI. Osterman-Tolstoy Lieutenant G.P. Mišetic, awarded a golden sword with the inscription "For Bravery", shown by him in the famous battery Rajewski, – have borne the image of the Virgin of Smolensk Prisno-, Mother of our Saviour in all lines of troops, Cooking with heart fervent prayer before her God saves the life of the Fatherland ".

This was a deeply moving and heartfelt event vividly tells artillery officer Ensign Abraham S. Norov: "Deep – touching sight happened on this day, when the image of Our Lady of Smolensk at the church procession and prayerful singing was portages along the rows army, accompanied by several platoons of infantry shakos in the hands and guns to prayer. Warm religious feeling in motion the whole army; crowds of soldiers and warriors plunged to the ground and continually blocked the solemn procession, everyone wanted to at least touch the icon; eagerly listened to the singing Molebny, which for many of them done dirge, – they knew it, and many a warrior, which shone crosses on their caps, wore white shirts. Kutuzov prayed before the icon, and traveled all over the army, loudly acclaimed it ".

In 1911 году, the eve of the widely celebrated in Russia the 100th anniversary of the Patriotic War, known at the time the artist Boris Zworykin wrote watercolor, depicting a great episode in the history of the Battle of Borodino - prayer on the positions of the Russian troops on the eve of battle.

"... All the afternoons Russian soldiers cleaned, tidied their weapons, and almost till evening to worship the icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk was all the host ", – Participants recalled the Battle of Borodino.

In the name of the Christian Orthodox faith of their ancestors, in the name of the Fatherland in the Borodino battle Russian soldiers showed the greatest resistance and sacrifice. "Russian, – French narrator notes, – wanted to fulfill a vow heart, this eve before the holy icon of the Virgin, great vow: "Put your head for Faith and Fatherland". "Every last soldier considered themselves intended by the Lord to protect the skies (sky) and the sacred land for them, – noted in his memoirs Philippe de Segur about what they saw before the battle on the positions of the Russian Army. – The French had no celebrations, no religious, neither military, the show there was no, nothing, that would help raise the spirit ".

After the Battle of Borodino icon cannon carriage drove on ahead of the troops and after every victory served thanksgiving services. In early November 1812 goda with razgromom 3 it armeyskogo housing Marshal M. Ney near the town red and the liberation of Smolensk icon was returned to the city, where he kept several centuries. Exactly three months was an icon in the army: 6 August, she was taken from the burning of Smolensk and troops 7 November left them. In an accompanying paper, drawn to the senior cleric in, Lieutenant General P.P.Konovnitsyn wrote the following words: "The troops with awe matured themselves in the midst of this image and thought it favorably pledge mercy of the Most High ... But now, When the Almighty God has blessed Russian weapons, and with the defeat of the enemy Smolensk cleared, I ... I attach the holy icon of Our Lady of Smolensk back, yes it shall remain in the same place and it is celebrated in the Russian God, punishing wonderfully haughty enemy, disturb the peace of nations ".

The icon was greeted with delight residents of the city. Archimandrite Damian describes this exciting and joyful event: "Tenth Sunday in November of the Assumption Cathedral, remaining undefeated French, citizens, the clergy and the army headed a solemn procession to meet the miraculous image. При встрече его за Молоховскими воротами начато было духовенством пение молебного пения Богоматери. При вступлении в город святого образа было сделано несколько пушечных выстрелов, and in all the churches rang the solemn ringing. When the holy icon was presented to the Uspensky Cathedral, then officers, was in Smolensk troops, was brought to the cathedral's, where he was sent moleben ". After solemn prayer citizens expressed their desire, to all the circumstances of the icons stay in the army and return it to Smolensk was marked on the icon itself. In 1912 by Supreme Decree seven regiments of Russian army, most affected in the Great Patriotic War, among which was the image of Our Lady of Smolensk, now had to have a copy of this image as the greatest regimental shrine.

Narrative would not be complete, if we paid attention to the clergy unfairly Russian army, anyone with a cross in his hand lifted the spirit of the soldiers, transforms shelves and contributed to the victory, who, performing his duty, communion to the dying

of wounds, supported wounded, set an example of courage fighting soldiers.

Along with the award participants battles of World War II and overseas trips 1813-1814 гг. silver medals in memory 1812 , on behalf of the imperial decree of 30 августа 1814 year for priests, sending church services throughout the war, was established bronze pectoral cross on Vladimir tape. It is awarded to all the clergy, Served in 1812 Total year was awarded 244 priest military spiritual department. The right to wear this award was granted and their descendants 1912 году.

In the history of our Motherland preserved the names and descriptions

feats of military chaplains, who for the sake of victory over the enemy sacrificed their lives. Unarmed, holding only the cross, They walked in front of the soldiers in the thick of the fray. The list of 12 priests different regiments, awarded the medal "In memory 1812 Year " 15 ноября 1817 года, established nominal imperial decree 22 декабря 1812 года, appear clergymen from Siberian infantry and Chasseurs, took part in the Battle of Borodino.

List regimental priests, awarded the Medal

"In memory of 1812 г.»

infantry regiments:

Butyrskiy – Basil Halchenko

Minsk – Ioakim Šatikovič

Selenginskogo – John Elanskiй

Tobolsk – Fedor Speranskii

Tomsk – Nicephorus Dmitrov

Chasseurs:

18-th Chasseurs – Ulia Overseas

First knight of the Order of St. George 4th class of priests, awarded in March 1813 years, on the General Field Marshal MI. Kutuzov, considered to be a priest of the 19th Chasseurs (Siberian) Vasily Regiment Vasilkovskiy. He first distinguished himself in the battle of Vitebsk. When the huntsmen went into battle, then Vasilkovskiy, at the behest of the heart, was in battle formations and blessed cross Regiment. In the midst of battle, he was among the soldiers in the hottest fire, encouraging and inspiring fighting, naputstvuya wounded. Despite receiving a serious wound, he remained on the battlefield. Suddenly the enemy bullet hit the cross, vysevshyy on chest Vasilkovsky. Cross bent, but saved the life of his father Basil. In a fierce battle Maloyaroslavets, in which the city seven times passed from hand to hand, priest Vasily Vasilkovskiy is an example of courage and fearlessness: "... While in battle, He walked in front of the regiment ... and the example of his courage encouraged the soldiers to the rapid defeat of the enemy ". After the battle, the commander of the 6th Infantry Corps General of Infantry DS. Dokhturov reported to Field Marshal MI. Kutuzov, that "the priest Vasilkovskiy in this battle was with a cross in his hands in front of the regiment and their teachings and example of courage encouraged the soldiers to stand firmly for the Fatherland". In the combat formations of the regiment he was wounded in the head and leg. Wounds and contusions made themselves felt. After 1813 Basil died years Vasilkovskiy. The whole regiment mourned courageous warrior shepherd.

Tradition of spiritual and moral education of soldiers by example of faithful service to the Fatherland, continued willingness to sacrifice the priests of Siberia and in the subsequent military history of the Fatherland. In the Russian-Turkish war 1877 – 1878 гг. for distinguished service and bravery in the battles of Plevna was marked by military order priest 9th Grenadier Regiment Siberian Eustace Semenov. Order of St. Anne 3rd degree with ribbons and gold pectoral cross on St George's ribbon was awarded Father Nicholas Sloboda, priest of the 12th Infantry Regiment of Barnaul Siberian for, that during the battle of the Russian-Japanese War 1904-1905 гг. a hail of bullets and shells was in the ranks of soldiers and, selflessly performing their duty, admonished the wounded and burying the dead. Student 1-year student of the law faculty at Tomsk University Church of the Ascension of the village priest Gonbinskogo Altai district Eleutherius Makarenko organized a subscription to the construction of the temple marching, first sacrifice 100 rubles for its equipment. He was appointed to his regimental priest and voluntarily went to the front. Bravery on the battlefield in World War I showed the priest 9th Grenadier Regiment Siberian Konstantin Epiphany, award for bravery in the battles Brusilov breakthrough Military Order.

Thumbing through the pages of numerous battles, that involved Russian army, pay tribute to, be fair and appreciative. Together with the commanders and officers of the Russian army and the Russian Orthodox Church of the military clergy have made a significant contribution to the spiritual and moral education of soldiers, in the formation of high and steadfast morale of the Russian army.

Let us always remember the covenant of the outstanding Russian commander Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov: "If Russia will always fight for the faith of their forefathers and honor folk, glory is their eternal companion will ".

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Received 17.06.12