Prayers to the holy martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. Prayers to Abraham the Bulgarian

Life of the Holy Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria (Vladimir)

Holy Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria (icon of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Gold embroidery. The work of the nuns of the monastery. According to legend, it belonged to Abbess Olympias)

The Holy Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria is one of the 13 pre-Mongol saints of the Russian Church, canonized long before the Council of 1547, which indicates how important his feat was for our Church.

There is very little information about his life. A few meager words from the chronicler - that’s all we have.

This rich and noble merchant lived in Kama Bulgaria at the end. XII – beginning XIII centuries The chronicler says about him that Abraham of Bulgaria was “of a different language, not Russian” (his name is unknown before baptism). He probably came from the Bulgars (“Volga Bulgars”, “Kama Bulgars”), was brought up in a Muslim environment and initially professed Islam.

The life of this man was very different from the life of many of his fellow countrymen and tribesmen. He was an unusually compassionate person, merciful to the needy, and spent his wealth on the needs of the suffering. Visiting Russian cities and communicating with Russian merchants, he became deeply interested in the Christian faith. According to God's vision, grace touched his heart and, having learned the truth of the holy faith of Christ, he accepted Holy Baptism. So this merchant becomes a Christian and receives a new name, with which he is written on the pages of the book of life - Abraham (nowhere in the chronicles is the name of the saint mentioned before Baptism).

After Baptism, the saint, with the word of the Gospel, and - most importantly - with the Christian way of life, carries the apostolic sermon among his people. And just as before the adoption of Christianity Abraham had compassion for the misfortunes and deprivations of his neighbors, so after accepting the saving faith of Christ, he began to be sick in spirit and grieve over the spiritual misfortunes of his fellow citizens, about their ignorance of the true God of heaven and earth, revealed to us through His Only Begotten Son in the Holy Spirit, and about the disorder and disorder of morals that results from this ignorance (John 17:3; Rom. 25:31).

Inspired by holy zeal for the holy faith and brotherly love for his wicked fellow tribesmen, Abraham, being on trade business in the capital of Volga Bulgaria - the Great Bulgars, during the fair (aga-bazaar), instead of engaging in trade and acquiring temporary, earthly goods, begins to preach to his fellow tribesmen about eternal, incorruptible blessings, and offers them a sermon about Christ the God-man, “who was crucified for us with his will, who rose from the dead and ascended with glory in the flesh into heaven,” about His beginningless Father and about the co-eternal Father and Son, the All-Holy Spirit.

Muslims persistently persuaded him to renounce Christ. But Abraham of Bulgaria was unshakable in his faith. Having learned that he was not Russian and was not under the protection of the Vladimir-Suzdal prince, Abraham of Bulgaria was arrested and admonished for a long time. As stated in the chronicle, the holy martyr “cursed Mohammed and the Bulgarian faith.”
They tried to silence him, to renounce Christ, but it was in vain. Then the Bulgarians, furious as animals, tormented the confessor for many days in prison, forcing him with many torments to renounce the Christian faith. The valiant sufferer for the true faith did not faint in torment, but strengthened by the grace of God, he was even more confirmed in holy love for the Redeemer of the world. Then, seeing his inflexibility in faith, the evil fanatics took him out of the city and at a well, not far from the bank of the Volga, they first cut off his hands, then his legs and head.

So on April 1, 1229, with a confession of true faith on his lips, this merciful and sincere man of God went to his Heavenly Father. The Murom merchants, who witnessed this, buried the martyr in a special cemetery in Bulgar, “where all Christians were buried.” The Lord soon punished the inhabitants of the Great Bulgars for the blood of His saint with a terrible fire “... soon this Great city burned out with many and countless wealth!” At the place of execution, a source of clean water began flowing to Abraham of Bulgaria, from which healing began to flow. Local legend says that the first person to receive healing from this source was a man of the Mohammedan faith.

Signs very soon began to appear at the tomb, giving rise to the veneration of the saint, rumors of which spread throughout Orthodox Rus'.

First transfer of relics, canonization

The Vladimir merchants told the Grand Duke of Vladimir Georgy Vsevolodovich a lot about the holy wonderworker. After concluding peace with the Bulgars, the prince made it a condition for the surrender of the body of the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria.
As the chronicle reports, the pious Prince George, Bishop Mitrofan of Vladimir with the abbots, princesses and all the people far outside the city with great honor greeted the holy relics brought to the Vladimir Dormition Princess Monastery founded by his mother Grand Duchess Maria Shvarnovna and placed in the chapel of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where Numerous miracles began to be performed from them.
The Laurentian Chronicle reports that the transfer of the relics took place on March 9, 1230. The same day is indicated in the calendar of Simon (Azaryin) of the 1650s. (RGB. MDA. No. 201. L.l. 312 vol.-313). Later sources indicate March 9, 1231 (Life of Abraham of Bulgaria 1798, published by L. Kavelin) or 1229 (calculation calendar from the Russian National Library. Weather. No. 637. Sheet 326 vol., 3rd quarter of the 17th century. ).
The time of the local canonization of Saint Abraham of Bulgaria is unknown. It is likely that the local celebration of the memory of the martyr began immediately after the bringing of his relics to Vladimir, while the main information about the saint is contained in chronicles and literary monuments of the 17th century. By that time, he was especially revered in Vladimir, called the Great Martyr, his chains were placed on the mentally ill, and many were healed, and was considered the patron saint of weak babies.
During the Tatar-Mongol raids, the relics were hidden in the Annunciation chapel of the Vladimir Dormition Princess Monastery, where they remained until the beginning of the 18th century.
All R. XVII century in Vladimir, among other writings dedicated to locally revered saints, the “Torment and Praise of the Martyr Abraham, the Bulgarian and Vladimir Wonderworker” was compiled. In addition, miracles that occurred from the relics of the saint began to be recorded: for example, in a manuscript of the 17th - 18th centuries. there is an indication of six miracles, mainly related to the healing of eye diseases.

Everything about religion and faith - “prayer to Abraham the Bulgarian wonderworker” with a detailed description and photographs.

Commemoration: April 1/14 and the fourth week of Easter

Abraham lived in the 13th century, came from the Kama Muslim Bulgarians and was a wealthy merchant. He was very kind and merciful to the poor. After the adoption of Christianity in the city of Bolgars, Abraham began to preach to his Muslim compatriots about Christ the Savior. He was captured and executed after torture. Heavenly patron of pious merchants, philanthropists and missionaries. They pray to him for the granting of faith, the conversion of Muslims, other people of other faiths and sectarians to Orthodoxy.

Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. Fresco, 17th century. Assumption Cathedral of the Vladimir Assumption Princess Monastery

Troparion to the Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, tone 4

Today, people of good faith, having come together, let us praise this noble martyr and sufferer Abramius, for this, we are strengthened by the power of God, lay down your soul for Christ, having suffered much from the evil Bulgarians. For this reason, the crown has been accepted from the Lord and now stands before Him and He prays for this city and for all of us who honor its memory.

Kontakion to Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, tone 3

Strengthened, gloriously, by the love of the Lord and His honorable Cross upon the frame, the yoke of the Lord, you put to shame the devil’s deceit and you suffered even to death, and for this reason, most wonderfully, the great sufferer, Abraham, appeared, and the armorer of the brave secret and the participant of God’s grace.

Second kontakion to the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, tone 8

Like a valuable treasure, your most honorable body, martyr Abraham, was quickly brought from the Bulgarian country to the city of Vladimir, with which you bestow upon all those who honor your glorious memory an abundance of healing, standing in Heaven to Christ God and praying to Him for the salvation of our souls.

We magnify you, passion-bearing saint Abraham, and honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.

Prayer to the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria

Holy Martyr Abraham, valiant warrior of Christ, the King of Heaven, our glorious helper and protector in sorrow and misfortune! Nothing can separate you from your love for the Lord Jesus: neither flattering promises of temporary blessings, nor rebuke, nor torment from the evil enemies of Christ’s most holy faith; You, like a lion, went out to battle against the mental wolves, the spirits of malice, who incited against you, for the sake of your good confession, the Bulgarian people of your kindred, and, like a fiery arrow, you struck them down with the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit and strong, like death, love yours to God. Even though you shed your blood for Christ our God, having destroyed your temporary life, you also soared with an immortal soul, like an eagle, into the heavenly abode of our Father, inheriting there eternal life, glory and unspeakable bliss and leaving us your incorruptible remains, like a valuable and valuable treasure. fragrant. We believe, O passion-bearing saint, that, standing with the Angels and all the saints at the Throne of Glory of the Trinitarian God, you offer fervent and God-pleasing prayers not only for us and for our city, but also for all the saints of Christ’s Church and the Orthodox Fatherland of Russia. We believe, glorious miracle worker, like you, by the power of the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, through your holy relics, you exude abundant gifts of grace-filled help for the salvation of everyone who flows to you with faith, most of all, you ask for the death of those who honor you with repentance and you mercifully help a weak baby, and all from small to large, we unanimously glorify the inscrutable greatness of God’s goodness. With the same faith and love for the saints, we bow down and reverently kiss them, we beg you, our kind prayer book and intercessor in Heaven: help us, sinners and humble, with your prayers in all our sorrows, needs and circumstances, save us and this city from all evil and all sorts of misfortunes, but most of all, promote the eternal salvation of us and everyone who asks you for help and intercession. To her, we humbly pray to you, servant of God: pray to Christ our God, may He give peace and silence to all Orthodox Christians and may he turn away from us all anger directed at us, may he deliver us from the snares of the enemy, languor in the bonds of sin and the torments of hell and may He vouchsafe us, the unworthy, to sit at His right hand at His righteous Judgment and bring us into the eternal rest of His saints, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and ineffable sweetness of those who behold the kindness of His face; and thus we will be able with you and all the saints to endlessly glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible. Amen.

Prayer to the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria:

Prayer to the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. Abraham lived in the 13th century, came from the Kama Muslim Bulgarians and was a wealthy merchant. He was very kind and merciful to the poor. After the adoption of Christianity in the city of Bolgars, Abraham began to preach to his Muslim compatriots about Christ the Savior. He was captured and executed after torture. Heavenly patron of pious merchants, philanthropists and missionaries. They pray to him for the granting of faith, the conversion of Muslims, other people of other faiths and sectarians to Orthodoxy.

Akathist to the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria:

Canon to the Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria:

Hagiographic and scientific-historical literature about the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria:

Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria– Yuri Maksimov
Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria(the most complete life) – Wikipedia

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St. martyr Abraham, Bulgarian Wonderworker

What are they praying for?

about patronage and success in trade,

personal entrepreneurship

about especially sick babies

What is known about him?

This rich and noble merchant lived in Volga Bulgaria at the end of the 12th – beginning of the 13th centuries. The life of this man was very different from the life of many of his fellow countrymen and tribesmen. He was an unusually compassionate person, merciful to the needy, and spent his wealth on the needs of the suffering. Visiting Russian cities and communicating with Russian merchants, he became deeply interested in the Christian faith. According to God's vision, grace touched his heart and, having learned the truth of the holy faith of Christ, he accepted Holy Baptism. So this merchant becomes a Christian and receives a new name, with which he is written on the pages of the Book of Life - Abraham (nowhere in the chronicles is the name of the saint mentioned before Baptism).

After Baptism, the saint, with the word of the Gospel, and most importantly, with the Christian way of life, carries the apostolic sermon among his people. And just as before the adoption of Christianity Abraham had compassion for the misfortunes and deprivations of his neighbors, so after accepting the saving faith of Christ he began to be sick in spirit and grieve over the spiritual misfortunes of his fellow citizens, about their ignorance of the true God of heaven and earth, who was revealed to us through His Only Begotten Son in the Holy Spirit, and about the disorder and disorder of morals that comes from this ignorance (John 17:3; Rom.25:31). Inspired by holy zeal for the holy faith and brotherly love for his wicked fellow tribesmen, Abraham, being on trade business in the capital of Volga Bulgaria - the Great Bulgars, during the fair (aga-bazaar), instead of engaging in trade and acquiring temporary, earthly goods, begins to preach to his fellow tribesmen about eternal, incorruptible blessings, and offers them a sermon about Christ the God-man, “who was crucified for us with his will, who rose from the dead and ascended with glory in the flesh into heaven,” about His beginningless Father and about the co-eternal Father and Son, the All-Holy Spirit.

The Bulgarians were amazed when they heard a Christian sermon from their fellow tribesman and former co-religionist. His compatriots not only did not express sympathy for the preaching of the holy man, but even became irritated with the preacher, especially when they saw his inflexibility after repeated admonitions and advice to leave the Christian faith. They initially began to persuade Abraham, as someone beloved by everyone, to leave the faith of Christ. When gentle persuasion did not have an effect on the confessor of Christ's name, they began to threaten him with taking away his property. To these threats the blessed one replied that for Christ the Savior he was ready to lose not only his property, but would not spare his very life. After that the beatings began. They beat Abraham “with the whole world,” they beat him so cruelly that not a single undamaged place was left on the martyr’s body: “as if there was no place on him, she was intact and unhurt” (from the akathist to the martyr). They tried to silence him, to renounce Christ, but it was in vain. Then the Bulgarians, furious as animals with the confessor, tormented him in prison for many days, forcing him with many torments to renounce the Christian faith. The valiant sufferer for the true faith did not faint in torment, but, strengthened by the grace of God, he was even more confirmed in holy love for the Redeemer of the world. Then, seeing his inflexibility in faith, the evil fanatics took him out of the city and at a well not far from the bank of the Volga, they first cut off his hands, then his legs and head. So on April 1, 1229, with a confession of true faith on his lips, this merciful and sincere man of God went to his Heavenly Father. The Murom merchants, who witnessed this, buried the martyr in a special cemetery, “where all Christians were buried.” The Lord soon punished the inhabitants of the Great Bulgars for the blood of His saint with a terrible fire: “. Soon this great city with many and innumerable riches burned out!

Signs very soon began to appear at the tomb, giving rise to the veneration of the saint, rumors of which spread throughout Orthodox Russia. In 1230, ambassadors from the Volga Bulgars came to the noble Prince of Vladimir Georgy Vsevolodovich to ask for peace (after a six-year war with Russia).

Prince George agreed to their desire and, as soon as peace was concluded, he sent an embassy to the Bulgars to transfer the relics of the martyr of Christ. On March 9, 1230, his relics were transferred to Vladimir, to the Princess Monastery (where the surviving particle is still kept).

Shortly before the revolution in the village. The Bulgarians were given an ancient image of the saint with a piece of his relics and an old wooden shrine. These shrines were lost during the godless hard times. Only the phalanx of the finger of the right hand has been preserved, which in godless times was preserved with reverence by the inhabitants of the city in their homes, and is now located in the St. Abraham's Church in the city of Bolgar. The Lord glorified His saint with many miracles that occurred through his prayers at the holy relics. It was noted that the martyr had a special grace-filled power to intercede before God for sick children; records of the healing of the sick have been preserved. Abraham of Bulgaria is prayed for patronage and success in trade and personal entrepreneurship.

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Prayer to Abraham the Bulgarian Wonderworker

Congratulations to the holy martyr Abraham, valiant warrior of Christ, the Heavenly King, our glorious helper and protector in sorrow and adversity! Nothing can separate you from your love for the Lord Jesus: neither flattering promises of temporary blessings, nor rebuke, nor torment from the evil enemies of Christ’s most holy faith; You, like a lion, went out to battle against the mental wolves, the spirits of malice, who incited against you, for the sake of your good confession, the Bulgarian people of your kindred, and, like a fiery arrow, you struck them down with the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit and strong, like death, love yours to God.

Even though you shed your blood for Christ our God, having destroyed your temporary life, you also soared with an immortal soul, like an eagle, into the heavenly abode of our Father, inheriting there eternal life, glory and unspeakable bliss and leaving us your incorruptible remains, like a valuable and valuable treasure. fragrant. We believe, O passion-bearing saint, that, standing with the Angels and all the saints at the Throne of Glory of the Trinitarian God, you offer fervent and God-pleasing prayers not only for us and for our city, but also for all the saints of Christ’s Church and the Orthodox Fatherland of Russia. We believe, glorious miracle worker, like you, by the power of the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, through your holy relics, you exude abundant gifts of grace-filled help for the salvation of everyone who flows to you with faith, most of all, you ask for the death of those who honor you with repentance and you mercifully help a weak baby, and all from small to large, we unanimously glorify the inscrutable greatness of God’s goodness.

With the same faith and love for the saints, we bow down and reverently kiss them, we beg you, our kind prayer book and intercessor in Heaven: help us, sinners and humble, with your prayers in all our sorrows, needs and circumstances, save us and this city from all evil and all sorts of misfortunes, but most of all, promote the eternal salvation of us and everyone who asks you for help and intercession. To her, we humbly pray to you, servant of God: pray to Christ our God, may He give peace and silence to all Orthodox Christians and may he turn away from us all anger directed at us, may he deliver us from the snares of the enemy, languor in the bonds of sin and the torments of hell and may He vouchsafe us, the unworthy, to sit at His right hand at His righteous Judgment and bring us into the eternal rest of His saints, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and ineffable sweetness of those who behold the kindness of His face; and thus we will be able with you and all the saints to endlessly glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible. Amen.

Now, faithful people, having come together, let us praise this noble martyr and sufferer Abramius, for this, strengthened by the power of God, lay down your soul for Christ, having suffered much from the evil Bulgarians. For this reason, the crown has been accepted from the Lord and now stands before Him and He prays for this city and for all of us who honor its memory.

Strengthened, gloriously, by the love of the Lord and His honorable Cross on the frame, the yoke of the Lord, you put to shame the devil’s deceit and you suffered even to death, and for this reason, most wonderfully, the great sufferer appeared, Abraham, and the armorer of the brave secret and the participant of God’s grace.

I am a valuable treasure, brought quickly from the Bulgarian country to the city of Vladimir, your most honorable body, martyr Abraham, with whom you bestow upon all those who honor your glorious memory an abundance of healing, standing in Heaven to Christ God and praying to Him for the salvation of our souls.

We honor you, the passion-bearing saint Abraham, and we honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.

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Orthodox prayers ☦

2 strong prayers to Abraham of Bulgaria

Prayer to Abraham of Bulgaria for the health of children

“Holy Martyr Abraham! We pray to you: help us, sinful servants of God ( names), your prayers in all our sorrows, needs and circumstances,

save us, holy temple ( house) this and this coming from all evil and all misfortune, but most of all, promote our eternal salvation. Hey, humbly

We pray to you, servant of God: pray to Christ our God, may he turn away from us all anger that is driven towards us, may he deliver us from the snares of the enemy, languor in the bonds of sin and the torments of hell, and may he vouchsafe us, unworthy, to stand at His right hand at His righteous Judgment and bring His saints into eternal rest; where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and the inexpressible sweetness of those who behold the kindness of His face: and thus we will be able with you and all the saints to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, forever and ever.”

Prayer to Abraham of Bulgaria for success in business and trade

“Congratulations to the holy martyr Abraham, valiant warrior of Christ, the Heavenly King, our glorious helper and protector in sorrows and misfortunes! Nothing can separate you from your love for the Lord Jesus: neither flattering promises of temporary blessings, nor rebuke, nor torment from the evil enemies of Christ’s most holy faith; You, like a lion, went out to battle against the mental wolves, the spirits of malice, who incited against you, for the sake of your good confession, the Bulgarian people of your kindred, and, like a fiery arrow, you struck them down with the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit and strong, like death, love yours to God. Even though you shed your blood for Christ our God, having destroyed your temporary life, you also soared with an immortal soul, like an eagle, into the heavenly abode of our Father, inheriting there eternal life, glory and unspeakable bliss and leaving us your incorruptible remains, like a valuable and valuable treasure. fragrant. We believe, O passion-bearing saint, that, standing with the Angels and all the saints at the Throne of Glory of the Trinitarian God, you offer fervent and God-pleasing prayers not only for us and for our city, but also for all the saints of Christ’s Church and the Orthodox Fatherland of Russia. We believe, glorious miracle worker, like you, by the power of the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, through your holy relics, you exude abundant gifts of grace-filled help for the salvation of everyone who flows to you with faith, most of all, you ask for the death of those who honor you with repentance and you mercifully help a weak baby, and all from small to large, we unanimously glorify the inscrutable greatness of God’s goodness. With the same faith and love for the saints, we bow down and reverently kiss them, we beg you, our kind prayer book and intercessor in Heaven: help us, sinners and humble, with your prayers in all our sorrows, needs and circumstances, save us and this city from all evil and all sorts of misfortunes, but most of all, promote the eternal salvation of us and everyone who asks you for help and intercession. To her, we humbly pray to you, servant of God: pray to Christ our God, may He give peace and silence to all Orthodox Christians and may he turn away from us all anger directed at us, may he deliver us from the snares of the enemy, languor in the bonds of sin and the torments of hell and may He vouchsafe us, the unworthy, to sit at His right hand at His righteous Judgment and bring us into the eternal rest of His saints, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and ineffable sweetness of those who behold the kindness of His face; and thus we will be able with you and all the saints to endlessly glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible. Amen."

Holy Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, Wonderworker of Vladimir, lived in the 13th century, came from the Kama Bulgarians and was brought up in Mohammedanism. He was kind and merciful to the poor and, when the Lord enlightened him with the Light of reason, he accepted Christianity. In the city of Bolgars, in the lower reaches of the Volga, Saint Abraham began to preach to his compatriots about the True God. He was captured and forced to renounce Christ, but the saint remained firm in his confession. The martyr was cruelly tortured for a long time, but he endured everything with indestructible patience. On April 1, 1229, the holy martyr Abraham was quartered, and then his honorable head was beheaded. Russian Christians living in the city buried the remains of the saint in a Christian cemetery. On March 6, 1230, the relics of Saint Abraham were transferred by the Grand Duke of Vladimir, Saint George Vsevolodovich (February 4), to the Assumption Cathedral of the Princess Monastery. From that time on, the celebration of his memory began.

...Soon the Lord glorified his saint with many miracles that took place through his prayers at the holy relics. It was noticed that the martyr had a special grace-filled power to intercede before God for sick children; records of the healing of the blind have been preserved. The text of the akathist to the martyr tells us that a fragrance emanated from his holy relics, and from his chains, which, like his relics, were located in the Princess Monastery, healings of the mentally ill took place.
At the place of his execution, a source of clean water began to flow, from which healing also began to emanate. It can be seen that even after death, the martyr prayerfully intercedes for his fellow tribesmen, both those who turned to Christ and those who were lost - local tradition says that the first person to receive healing from this source was a Muslim woman.

St. Abraham is one of the 13 pre-Mongol saints of the Russian Church, canonized long before the Council of 1547, which indicates how important his feat was for our Church... Since the 16th century, St. Abraham of Bulgaria is revered as the patron of the Kazan flock - after the conquest of the Kazan kingdom by Ivan the Terrible, not far from the place of suffering of the martyr Abraham, a temple was erected, where part of his holy relics (right hand) rested. At the very site of the martyrdom of Saint Abraham, above the healing spring, a well was built, and next to it - a monument-chapel in the form of a tetrahedral pillar, on the four sides of which icons were placed.
In 1919, the relics of the holy martyr were examined. In 1923, the Assumption Monastery was closed, and the relics were transferred to the museum. In the 1950s, they were decommissioned from museum storage and have not been recovered to this day. Nowadays, in the restored Assumption Monastery, a surviving particle of the martyr’s honorable relics is kept. After the liturgy, it is taken out of the altar, giving the pilgrims the opportunity to venerate it.

The atheistic authorities did not spare the memory of the saint in Bolgari (formerly Bolgar the Great) - the chapel at the well at the site of the martyr’s death was destroyed, and the well itself was desecrated. By the grace of God, in the fall of 1993, this chapel was rebuilt and consecrated; along with it, the well was also consecrated, previously cleared of impurities and debris, and at the bottom of it two springs of clean water were discovered. It is noteworthy that in the city of Bolgari itself, located one and a half kilometers from the source, there is no water even at a depth of forty meters.

The memory of the martyr Abraham is sacredly revered to this day not only by the Orthodox, but also by followers of Islam. An amazing fact: to this day, Muslim pilgrims visiting the city of Bolgars, coming from everywhere, and even from distant Turkey, consider it their duty to visit the source of the martyr Abraham, who suffered for the Orthodox faith at the hands of the Mohammedans.

…Here are testimonies about some cases of God’s help through the prayers of St. Martyr Abraham, collected by the Church of St. Abraham in the city of Bolgari:

Blessed Place

This summer I came to visit the city of Bolgar and visited the Church of the Holy Martyr Abraham. Much here attracted attention: the singing was somehow special, drawn-out. It is no secret that in city churches there is often a bustle during services: someone passes candles, someone walks around the church, but here nothing distracted from prayer, and during the sermon it was so quiet that the priest spoke in a low voice, and everything was can be heard well. Physically, at first I felt bad, but after taking communion, I felt a surge of strength and peace of mind. I was surprised that I was able to stand through the entire service, because it lasted quite a long time. Then I had lunch in the refectory. The atmosphere was very warm, oh. Vladimir told a lot of interesting things, answered questions, and joked.
I also visited the holy well, the place of suffering of the martyr Abraham. After the bustle of the city, I enjoyed the silence and beauty of the place. We read a prayer service and showered ourselves. Arriving home, after a while I felt as if I had wings behind me, and an extraordinary lightness appeared throughout my body. Everyone who visited the well with me had this feeling. This state lasted for some time, the sores that had previously tormented me subsided. I think that this happened through the prayers of the holy martyr. This was the first time I took a bath from a holy spring, and now I have a desire to visit some other holy place.

“Wonderful is God in His saints...”

In my less than thirty years, I have seen a lot in my life. He was a spoiled mama's boy and was fond of music and its “heavy metal.” A sated, carefree life led to drugs, which even prison did not stop him from becoming addicted to.
On the outside I was a blossoming young man, but on the inside I had lost all interest in life.
By the will of fate I ended up in the city of Bolgar. The relatives I came to see were believers, and I, far from anything spiritual, had, most likely out of boredom, to visit the local church of the Holy Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria.
After the church service and after I venerated the relics of Abraham, a new feeling was born in me, which I could not explain. I was embarrassed to ask anyone. For a whole week I lived as if fighting with myself. My whole previous life seemed disgustingly empty and meaningless to me.
I began asking relatives about the church, about religion, and learned that the icons in the church were being renewed. I was surprised that there were no doubts within me about the truth of the Orthodox faith; I had a strong desire to go to church again.
My experiences did not go unnoticed; a relative half-jokingly remarked: “The name of our district is Spassky! Didn’t the Lord bring you here for salvation?”
I realized that I needed to confess.
On Sunday I went to church again, where I venerated the holy relics. I didn’t have the courage to confess during the service. And when the church was empty, he approached the rector. I started talking. From the darkest depths of my soul, my memory dragged out such abominations that I was afraid not only to talk about, but to think about. I spoke, and I was surprised how I could say all this out loud.
The confession lasted more than an hour. For the same amount of time I listened to the spiritual instructions of the rector of the temple. He didn’t leave the church, but seemed to fly on wings.
Soon I had to go home. I couldn’t believe it, but there was no addiction to drugs. My heart was filled with a joyful feeling that I could live differently. I really wanted to come to Bolgar again. I dropped everything and visited this land again a month later. Having visited the holy well, he poured himself from it with faith for the healing of the soul.
My life has changed dramatically. The circle of acquaintances changed, an interesting job was found, and a sober attitude towards life appeared. I can’t say with certainty how my future will turn out. But the feeling of the miracle that happened to me on Bulgarian soil will always live in me.
I want to tell everyone: don’t pass by such a great place. God is truly marvelous in His saints, who send us their help and save us!

Sergey. Saratov.

"Return..."

I live in Bolgar, but the event I want to talk about happened in the city of Tetyushi. Last year, during my vacation, I went there to visit my parents and help them with the housework. One day, a woman I knew came to my mother and shared her misfortune, asking for advice on what to do. From her story we learned that her grandson had been called up for military service for six months now. At first he sent letters, but for three months there was no news from him. The parents received a message from the military unit. That their son left the unit under unknown circumstances: he fled and is wanted; They earnestly asked to inform me if they knew where he was. The parents went to their son’s place of service to make sure and find out the details. In despair, they returned home - everything was confirmed. Something had to be done.
My mother and I suggested that they turn to the church, the heavenly patrons of warriors, for help. Often in my prayers I turn to the holy martyr Abraham; I have also heard from people about his miraculous intercession before the Lord for us sinners. The woman asked to order “everything necessary” from the church, assuring that she would pray intensely at home so that everything would be resolved safely. Upon returning home, I visited our church, lit candles, ordered a mass for the health of the soldier, and prayed to the holy martyr Abraham to admonish the soldier, so that by any means and in the near future he would report his whereabouts. So they prayed to Saint Abraham every day until they received news.
About a month later, I called the woman, and with a trembling voice she told me about the good news. They received a letter from a stranger of high military rank, from which they learned that their son was alive and well while he was at his home. He wrote that they found out the reason for the escape, was trying to sort everything out and had already informed the unit to stop the search. With tears of joy, we thanked the wondrous prayer book of God for hearing us, unworthy. “Our holy martyr Abraham, pray to God for us...”

Servant of God Valentina.

Blessed place

I first came to the Bulgarian St. Abraham's Church for the Feast of the Holy Trinity in 2000. It is always interesting for a pilgrim to visit a new place, a previously unknown temple. But here I felt a special grace. It was pleasant and joyful to take part in the Divine service, after which we went to the source of St. Abraham. There, a prayer service was served near the chapel. And then they took some holy water, drank it, and began to pour themselves on themselves, asking the martyr for healing. My right knee was very painful, my leg almost couldn’t bend at the joint (it hit me hard). After the douche, I got on the bus with everyone. I felt light in my body, but from everything I had experienced during the day, I felt tired and I wanted to sleep. On the way to Ulyanovsk, I dozed off and then looked around. The condition was normal, only the knee was burning non-stop, a hot iron was applied directly to the leg. When I started getting off the bus in Ulyanovsk, to my surprise, I discovered that the pain had disappeared, and in the following days I no longer remembered it.
I came to Introduction for the second time in December. After the service we went to the source again. And again I was not completely healthy: sinusitis was bothering me. Despite the cold, I washed my face with ice water from the well and returned home without pain. Abrahamia felt the strength and help of the holy martyr the first time. I am glad for every opportunity to visit this blessed place.

N. L. Bazina, Ulyanovsk.

Miraculous healing

In the summer of 2002, on the Day of the Holy Trinity, we, Ulyanovsk pilgrims, came to a festive service at the Holy Abraham Church in the city of Bolgar. It was joyful, but I personally was bothered by physical ailments: acute pain in the spine (osteochondrosis worsened) and a flu-like condition. Therefore, of course, it was difficult to stand in church and participate in common prayer.
After the service, overcoming pain in the lower back, I went with everyone to a prayer service at the source of St. Abraham.
The day turned out to be warm and sunny; It seemed that nature rejoiced along with people on the holiday.
After the prayer service, Mother Vera poured holy water on me from two buckets with the good wish to receive healing through prayer to the holy martyr.
Then I got into the car to go home, and soon felt that the back pain had gone away, the flu-like state had disappeared - I felt healthy. And here I am again in your temple, where I receive great spiritual joy.

Shanina L. A., Ulyanovsk

Troparion, tone 4:

Today, people of good faith, having come together, / let us praise this noble martyr and sufferer Abraham, / for this, we are strengthened by the power of God, / lay down your soul for Christ, / having suffered much from the evil Bulgarians. / For this reason, the crown has been accepted from the Lord / and now it stands before Him / and He prays for this city / and for all of us who honor its memory.

Prayer:

Holy Martyr Abraham, worthy warrior of Christ the Heavenly King, our glorious helper and protector in sorrows and misfortunes! Nothing can separate you from love for the Lord Jesus, not flattering promises of temporary blessings, not rebuke, not torment from the evil enemies of Christ’s most holy faith; You, like a lion, went out to battle against the mental wolves, the spirits of malice, who incited against you, for the sake of your good confession, the Bulgarian people of your kindred, and, like a fiery arrow, you struck them down with the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and strong as death, your love for God. Even though you shed your blood for Christ our God, having destroyed your temporary life, even with your immortal soul, like an eagle, you soared into the heavenly abode of our Father, inheriting there eternal life, glory and unspeakable bliss, and leaving us your incorruptible remains, like a valuable treasure. and fragrant. We believe, O passion-bearing saint, as we stand with the angels and all the saints before the throne of glory of the Trinitarian God, offering up fervent and God-pleasing prayers not only for us, for this holy monastery and our city, but also for all the holy Church of Christ and for the Orthodox Russian state. We believe, glorious miracle worker, like you, by the power of the almighty Lord Jesus Christ, through your holy relics, you exude abundant gifts of grace-filled help for the salvation of everyone who flows to you with faith, especially asking for the death with repentance of those who honor you, and compassionately helping weak babies, and We all, young and old, unanimously glorify the inscrutable greatness of God’s goodness. With the same faith and love for your holy relics, we bow down and reverently kiss them, we beg you, our kind prayer book and intercessor in heaven, help us sinners and humble ones with your prayers in all our sorrows, needs and circumstances, preserve us, this holy monastery and city This is from all evil and all misfortune, and most of all, promote our eternal salvation and all those who ask you for help and intercession. To her, we humbly pray to you, servant of God, pray to Christ our God, may He give peace and silence to all Orthodox Christians and may he turn away from us all anger directed at us, may he deliver us from the snares of the enemy, languor in the bonds of sin and the torments of hell, and may He vouchsafe us unworthy to sit at His right hand at His righteous judgment and bring us into the eternal rest of His saints, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and ineffable sweetness of those who behold the kindness of His face; and thus we will be able with you and all the saints to endlessly glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible. Amen.

(days.pravoslavie.ru; kazan.eparhia.ru; my.mail.ru; illustrations - days.pravoslavie.ru; muchavraamii.narod2.ru; kazan.eparhia.ru).

This rich and noble merchant lived in Volga Bulgaria at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. The life of this man was very different from the life of many of his fellow countrymen and tribesmen. He was an unusually compassionate person, merciful to the needy, and spent his wealth on the needs of the suffering. Visiting Russian cities and communicating with Russian merchants, he became deeply interested in the Christian faith. According to God's vision, grace touched his heart and, having learned the truth of the holy faith of Christ, he accepted Holy Baptism. So this merchant becomes a Christian and receives a new name, with which he is written on the pages of the book of life - Abraham (nowhere in the chronicles is the name of the saint mentioned before Baptism *). After Baptism, the saint, with the word of the Gospel, and - most importantly - with the Christian way of life, carries the apostolic sermon among his people. And just as before the adoption of Christianity Abraham had compassion for the misfortunes and deprivations of his neighbors, so after accepting the saving faith of Christ, he began to be sick in spirit and grieve over the spiritual misfortunes of his fellow citizens, about their ignorance of the true God of heaven and earth, revealed to us through His Only Begotten Son in the Holy Spirit, and about the disorder and disorder of morals that results from this ignorance (John 17:3; Rom. 25:31). Inspired by holy zeal for the holy faith and brotherly love for his wicked fellow tribesmen, Abraham, being on trade business in the capital of Volga Bulgaria - the Great Bulgars, during the fair (aga-bazaar), instead of engaging in trade and acquiring temporary, earthly goods, begins to preach to his fellow tribesmen about eternal, incorruptible blessings, and offers them a sermon about Christ the God-man, “who was crucified for us with his will, who rose from the dead and ascended with glory in the flesh into heaven,” about His beginningless Father and about the co-eternal Father and Son, the All-Holy Spirit.

The Bulgarians were amazed when they heard a Christian sermon from their fellow tribesman and former co-religionist. His compatriots not only did not express sympathy for the preaching of the holy man, but even became irritated with the preacher, especially when they saw his inflexibility after repeated admonitions and advice to leave the Christian faith. They initially began to persuade Abraham, as someone beloved by everyone, to leave the faith of Christ. When gentle persuasion did not have an effect on the confessor of Christ's name, they began to threaten him with taking away his property. To these threats the blessed one replied that for Christ the Savior he was ready to lose not only his property, but would not spare his very life. After that the beatings began. They beat Abraham “with the whole world,” they beat him so cruelly that not a single undamaged place was left on the martyr’s body, “as if there was no place on it that was intact and unhurt” (from the akathist to the martyr). They tried to silence him, to renounce Christ, but it was in vain. Then the Bulgarians, furious as animals, tormented the confessor for many days in prison, forcing him with many torments to renounce the Christian faith. The valiant sufferer for the true faith did not faint in torment, but strengthened by the grace of God, he was even more confirmed in holy love for the Redeemer of the world. Then, seeing his inflexibility in faith, the evil fanatics took him out of the city and at a well, not far from the bank of the Volga, they first cut off his hands, then his legs and head. So on April 1, 1229, with a confession of true faith on his lips, this merciful and sincere man of God went to his Heavenly Father. The Murom merchants, who witnessed this, buried the martyr in a special cemetery, “where all Christians were buried.” The Lord soon punished the inhabitants of the Great Bulgars for the blood of His saint with a terrible fire “... soon this Great city burned out with many and countless wealth!”

Signs very soon began to appear at the tomb, giving rise to the veneration of the saint, rumors of which spread throughout Orthodox Rus'. In 1230, ambassadors from the Volga Bulgars came to the noble Prince of Vladimir Georgy Vsevolodovich to ask for peace (after a six-year war with Russia). Prince George agreed to their desire and, as soon as peace was concluded, he sent an embassy to the Bulgars to transfer the relics of the martyr of Christ. On March 9, 1230, his relics were transferred to Vladimir, to the Princess Monastery (where the surviving particle is still kept).

Shortly before the revolution, an ancient image of the saint with a particle of his relics and an old wooden shrine were transferred to the village of Bolgari. These shrines were lost during the godless hard times. Only the phalanx of the finger of the right hand has been preserved, which in godless times was preserved with reverence by the inhabitants of the city in their homes, and is now located in the St. Abraham's Church in the city of Bolgar. The Lord glorified His saint with many miracles that occurred through his prayers at the holy relics. It was noted that the martyr had a special grace-filled power to intercede before God for sick children; records of the healing of the sick have been preserved. Abraham of Bulgaria is prayed for patronage and success in trade and personal entrepreneurship. So says the life of this wonderful saint.

At the place of his execution, a source of clean water began to flow, from which healing began to emanate. It can be assumed that even after death the martyr prayerfully intercedes for his fellow Bulgars. Local legend says that the first person to receive healing from this source was a Muslim.

Now on the site of the holy spring of the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria** there is an architectural ensemble in the style of Volga Bulgaria buildings with well inside. From here you can see the Volga, and you can admire its vastness. In windy weather, the river with its choppy waves even looks somewhat like the sea. This place was once the site of Agha Bazar (floating bazaar). Here you could buy whatever your heart desired: Siberian furs, oriental spices, fabrics, jewelry, etc.

Saint Abraham:

I thought he looked a little like me =)

The water is considered healing. There are known cases of healing of the sick both among local residents and among visitors. The source is visited by people from other cities and villages, not only Orthodox Christians, but also Muslims. Pleasant-tasting water. We filled all the bottles that we had with this water and brought them home to Bashkiria.

When the key was restored, many such crosses were found. People placed them here in gratitude to the Lord for the help they received after praying at this holy place. So that others know that this place is special and blessed.

The only thing that upset me a little was the bad road leading to the source. Looking at how the entire territory of the Bolgar settlement is being improved, this place seems to be deliberately ignored. It would be necessary to lay new asphalt here too. After all, tourists come here too.

And this is the temple of St. Abraham. In the whole world there are only two temples dedicated to this saint. The second temple is located in the Vladimir region in the village of Energetik. It seems to me that there should be many more churches with this name, especially in Tatarstan. After all, this is a local and even, one might say, a national saint for the Kazan Tatars (among them there are now a lot of Orthodox Christians and there are more and more of them), Kryashens and Chuvashes, for whom the Volga Bulgarians are direct ancestors. If the Bulgars had followed the Christian path, Abraham would now be as popular with them as St. Patrick is with the Irish. And April 1, perhaps, would be celebrated as a national holiday - St. Abraham's Day. But, unfortunately, the Bulgars missed this chance. However, who knows, if Abraham’s popularity reaches sufficient heights, this holiday will really begin to be celebrated on a large scale... God willing, God willing!

Monument in honor of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the temple in his name:

What pleasantly surprised me was the large number of tourists visiting this temple. So, after all, people know about Abraham of Bulgaria:

Icon shop:

I bought these two small icons for myself. I know from experience that they cannot be found in any church, only in the Church of St. Abraham they are available:

Abraham of Bulgaria is the patron saint of Muslims who turned to Christ! And also entrepreneurs and sick babies:

Reliquary with a particle of the relics of Abraham of Bulgaria:

I cannot describe the thrill that gripped me when I touched it:

Unlike most Orthodox churches, there are many benches.

Unfortunately, all this was photographed in a hurry and I was not able to do everything I wanted, I was not even able to attend the liturgy, but I really wanted to! Alas, I had to go home quickly. But I will come back here again, God willing!

* Perhaps before baptism his name was Ibrahim, because... this name was common in Volga Bulgaria (for example, Bulgar rulers with the same name are known). And the Muslim Ibrahim in Christian sounds like Abraham.
** There is another name for the source - “Tuibike koesy” (Tuibiki Source). According to one legend, Tuibika was the daughter of the Bulgarian king Aidar.

Since Saint Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, the Wonderworker of Vladimir, was a native of the Volga Bulgarians, the ancestors of the present-day Chuvash. He was brought up in Mohammedanism, adopted by the Bulgarians in 922 under Khakan Almus. From an early age Abraham strove for a virtuous life. The Lord looked upon his selfless labors and, by the grace of God, enlightened Abraham’s heart with the life-giving light of the teachings of Christ. Having accepted holy Baptism, Abraham became a zealous Christian. He fed the poor, gave water to the thirsty, and clothed the naked. Through prayer and fasting Abraham strengthened his soul in piety. Saint Abraham inherited a significant fortune from his parents. Having become a Christian, he “gostu deyashe”, that is, traded, was a merchant. In 1228, Saint Abraham sailed on a boat along the Volga to trade in the city of Great Bulgar, the ancient capital of the Bulgarian kingdom. Saint Abraham did not hide his faith in Christ from anyone and boldly preached everywhere the truth revealed to him by the Lord, that one must repent and in heartfelt contrition for sins, in a righteous virtuous life, having acquired strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, hoping in His mercy, to enter to the Kingdom of God. The Volga Bulgarians were embarrassed when they saw that a very rich and famous merchant, who did not come from Russian cities, but belonged to their tribe, zealously and incessantly preached the faith of Christ. They captured him and forced him to renounce Christ. For many days they persuaded the holy martyr to return to Islam, resorting either to persuasion or to torture. However, the courageous confessor of Christ Abraham remained adamant, did not heed their vain advice, but unwaveringly confessed Christ, the true God, and rejected the Mohammedan faith. The holy martyr Abraham resisted many temptations, was not afraid of cruel torments, and endured all trials with honor. After many and lengthy tortures, the torturers beheaded him on April 1, 1229. Christians took the body of the sufferer, placed it in a coffin and buried it in the Christian cemetery of the Great Bulgar. The Nikon Chronicle narrates: “God soon took vengeance, in the summer their Great City caught fire and more than half of it burned, but the remaining part of the city caught fire for many days twice and thrice a day, and so little of the city remained, the whole city burned down and a lot of countless goods burned " That same summer, the Bulgarian border posts on the Yaike River were defeated and put to flight. The final destruction of the Bulgarian kingdom and the destruction of its capital by the Tatar-Mongols followed in the fall of 1237. In the summer of 1229, the Volga Bulgarians made peace with the Grand Duke of Vladimir, Saint George (Yuri) Vsevolodovich (February 4) for six years. Both sides pledged to release the prisoners.

On March 6, 1230, the relics of the holy martyr Abraham were brought from the Bulgarian land to the glorious city of Vladimir. Together with Bishop Mitrofan and the entire clergy, Georgy Vsevolodovich met the relics of the holy martyr a mile from the city with lighted candles. The relics of Saint Abraham were placed in the Annunciation Church of the Assumption Convent, founded in 1199 by Princess Maria (monastically Martha), wife of Grand Duke Vsevolod. From the time of the transfer of the relics, the celebration of the memory of the holy martyr Abraham in Vladimir began. The sick put his chains on themselves and stood in them during the service, by their faith receiving healing from their ailments.

Prayers to the holy martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. Prayers to Abraham the Bulgarian

Commemoration: April 1/14 and the fourth week of Easter

Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. Fresco, 17th century. Assumption Cathedral of the Vladimir Assumption Princess Monastery

Troparion to the Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, tone 4

Kontakion to Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, tone 3