Hierarch
Demetrius (Dimitri) of Rostov
Saint Demetrius (Dimitri), Metropolitan of Rostov
New Calendar October 28 Old Calendar November 10
Why they are a saint
The calendar names Demetrius (Dimitri) of Rostov as Metropolitan of Rostov. Holy hierarchs are venerated because they guarded the faith and shepherded a local church. The faithful ask his prayers as they do of the bishops who shepherded the Church.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Life
Saint Demetrius of Rostov, in the world Daniel Tuptalo, was born in December 1651 near Kiev and studied at the Kiev-Mohyla college, learning Greek and Latin. He was tonsured on July 9, 1668, with the name Demetrius and ordained hieromonk in 1675, and for years preached in monasteries and churches of Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus.
In 1684 Archimandrite Barlaam of the Kiev Caves Lavra entrusted him with compiling the Lives of the Saints for the whole year (the Menaion), a work to which he devoted the rest of his life. He was made Metropolitan of Tobolsk and then, on March 1, 1702, of Rostov. He died on October 28, 1709, owning little but books and manuscripts, and was glorified in 1757.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Demetrius (Dimitri) of Rostov as a patron when they bear the name Demetrius at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 28. As a bishop, he is also remembered by clergy and those who serve the Church.
Prayer
O holy Demetrius (Dimitri) of Rostov, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.