Saint
Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh
New Calendar September 25 Old Calendar October 8
Why they are a saint
Sergius of Radonezh was a Russian Orthodox spiritual leader and monastic reformer. Sergius near Moscow, what is now the most venerated monastic house in Russia. He exerted the greatest influence of any personage on the Russian Orthodox Church. Venerated as righteous, one who pleased God by a holy life in the world.
Life
Saint Sergius was born on May 3, 1314, in the village of Varnitsa near Rostov, to the pious nobles Cyril and Maria, and was named Bartholomew. As a boy he could not learn to read despite his efforts, until he met an angel in the form of an elder who blessed him.
After burying his parents, he and his brother Stephen withdrew into the forest near Radonezh, where they built cells and a small church dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. Stephen soon left, unable to bear the hardships. On October 7, 1337, Bartholomew was tonsured with the name Sergius. Enduring temptations, he grew in strength, and monks gathered around him seeking his guidance.
During the battle of Kulikovo on September 8, 1380, he and the brethren stood in prayer for the victory of the Russian soldiers. His life tells that the Mother of God appeared to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He fell asleep in the Lord in tranquil solitude on September 25, 1392, having summoned the brethren the night before to give them his final instruction: 'Brethren, be attentive to yourselves.'
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 Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh as a patron when they bear the name Our at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on September 25. Russian, Slavic Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
Prayer
O holy Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh, 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.