Blessed love of Ryazan. Akathist of the blessed love of Ryazan How does Ryazan love help?
Blessed are the inhabitants of that city who have their intercessor in Heaven. In Ryazan, this is Saint Lyubushka, who is loved here like family and they even compose songs about her.
T It’s hard to say what a child who cannot stand on his feet and run around with his peers experiences. When even his loved ones shrug their shoulders doomedly and cannot help in any way, one can only believe in a miracle. And she believed in him. She believed and asked her beloved Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker to heal her. Years passed, the girl was still bedridden, but her faith did not weaken, but, on the contrary, was strengthened by prayer and reading spiritual literature. The girl's name was Lyuba. This was the eldest daughter of Semyon and Maria Sukhanovsky, poor townspeople who came to Ryazan from Pronsk and settled in house No. 42 at the intersection of Vladimirskaya and Voskresenskaya streets (later renamed Svobody Street and Square, respectively). Unfortunately, this house has not survived to this day.
At the age of 15, Nicholas the Wonderworker himself appeared to her and said: “Get up, Lyuba, go and play the fool!”
The head of the family, Semyon Ivanovich, took on any job to feed his wife and three children: Vasily, Lyubov and Olga. Despite the difficult life full of hardships, the Sukhanovskys lived piously, raising their children in the fear of God. Probably, for their faith, simplicity of soul and hard work, the Lord rewarded them through their eldest daughter Lyubov, about whom not only Ryazan, but the entire Orthodox world later learned.
Seclusion for prayer
For many years Lyuba could not get out of bed. But one day, the mother returned home and saw her 15-year-old daughter completely healthy, standing firmly on her feet. As it turned out, Nicholas the Wonderworker himself appeared to the girl and said: “Get up, Lyuba, go and play the fool!” She rose without difficulty, and the saint became invisible. Maternal joy was followed by doubts and anxiety: how to let her daughter go to such a difficult feat? However, the priest, with whom the concerned mother decided to consult, ordered not to resist the will of God and to allow her daughter to act like a fool.
Before starting her difficult journey, Lyubov lived for some time in the Kazan Monastery, and then entered into a voluntary “seclusion for prayer”, hiding in the space between the wall and the stove. After three years of hermitage, the girl took upon herself the feat of foolishness. After leaving her parents' home, she wandered around Ryazan, often praying in city churches. She especially loved visiting the Kazan Monastery and staying with the sisters and Abbess Catherine herself.
The blessed one did not deprive worldly people of her attention. Both the poor and the rich knew her. She could enter the shop of some merchant, take any item without asking and leave. Nobody stopped her. The merchants already knew from experience: since Lyubushka came in, it means the trade will be successful. Kind people often treated Lyubushka to food, but she did not take anything for herself, but gave it to the poor.
Her kindness, compassion, mercy and care for her neighbors did not go unnoticed: the people of Ryazan loved her as if they were their own, and this love for a simple Russian girl is well conveyed in Sofia Nikulina’s song “Lyubushka, Ryazan darling.”
Paper predictions
On the one hand, Lyubushka was a simple, sincere and merciful person. Why they loved her. On the other hand, she was an unusual person, often unpredictable and incomprehensible. Why were they afraid of her? However, putting on the guise of a mad person, the holy fool hid her virtues from people: prayerful feats, strict fasting, non-covetousness, mercy and much more. The Lord often rewarded such people with extraordinary spiritual gifts - Lyubushka Ryazanskaya had the gift of clairvoyance. The blessed one did not express her predictions directly in words. She passed them on using... scissors and paper, cutting out different figures. Anyone who was afraid of her predictions hid the scissors away in advance. But the saint either found them without difficulty, or simply tore the paper with her hands, so that she still got a figurine. I made a wreath out of paper - marriage is ahead, a horse - there is a journey ahead, a coffin - expect death.
Once, during the funeral of her friend’s father, the blessed one began to dig a hole for a sparrow near a fresh grave. Soon, a baby in this family died, and it became clear which sparrow the hole was intended for.
The blessed one foresaw the future troubles of Russia. Shortly before the fall of the autocracy in 1917, she repeated a phrase that was then still incomprehensible to the people: “The walls of Jericho are falling!” And she predicted the upcoming closure of the Kazan Monastery to some elderly sisters: “You will leave your bones here, but others will not.”
Pink gauze
The blessed one informed her good friend Elizabeth M. about her death in advance: “Lizonka, I’m going to die soon, and you go and pray to God for me. Go to my grave and take the sand from it, and cover my coffin pink.” Why pink? Lyubushka loved this color very much, and the people of Ryazan remembered her wearing a pink scarf on her head.
It was February 1921 when she died. The store shelves were empty. Food was given out only with coupons, and it was simply impossible to find pink fabric for the coffin. Out of despair, the woman wandered into the pharmacy, deciding to line the coffin with at least gauze. She could not even imagine that they would bring her deep pink gauze. This is how Lyubov Ryazanskaya’s last wish was miraculously fulfilled. And 66 years after her death, Blessed Lyubov was numbered among the Cathedral of Ryazan saints.
Having imitated an angel in your earthly life, you were named Love from the font, and having acquired this virtue from childhood, you despised the madness of the world with imaginary madness; therefore, consider the prayers of those who say to you with love:
Rejoice, thou who was named Love from the holy font.
Rejoice, generously enriched with this virtue.
Rejoice, you who endured sorrow from your suffering flesh.
Rejoice, you who offered prayers before the image of St. Nicholas.
Rejoice, through the holy saint of God you have been granted healing.
Rejoice, according to his words, you have clothed yourself in the robe of foolishness.
Rejoice, you who carried this feat like your cross upon your shoulders.
Rejoice, you who carried him in this way after Christ.
Kontakion 2
Seeing your mother, blessed Love, your wondrous healing, and marveling at such a strange phenomenon for you, overwhelmed by doubts, going to the temple, the presbyter came to his senses, saying: behold, the will of the Lord, so bless you for this difficult feat, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
You hid your reason with foolishness in the vain life of a great city, with humility you extinguished the flames of passions, O blessed mother, who will count your secret prayers, tears and sighs? We, remembering this, call you sitsa:
Rejoice, you who showed the image of patience and kindness.
Rejoice, you who hid the radiance of grace with imaginary madness.
Rejoice, stranger to the world, but not stranger to those who exist in it.
Rejoice, you who prayed to God for people who grieve.
Rejoice, you who voluntarily shut yourself up in your house.
Rejoice, you who hid this wondrous feat from us.
Rejoice, you who have received instructions from God for the path.
Rejoice, you who entered this path with joy.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 3
Strengthened by the power of the Most High and obeying His providence, blessed mother Love, wanting to serve your neighbors, you left your home seclusion, and like a true servant of God, you incessantly cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having within yourself, O blessed mother, the fire of Divine love, you shone like a lamp on the candlestick, illuminating the darkness of our sins, and like an incorporeal angel you always soared on the mountain. We say to you in tenderness:
Rejoice, you who were jealous of Christ’s journey.
Rejoice, you who passed through the city of Ryazan.
Rejoice, you who have rejected the vanity of the earthly world.
Rejoice, thou who hast been worthy to taste the sweets of heaven.
Rejoice, you who despised your dwelling for the sake of serving people.
Rejoice, thou who sought and received Heavenly shelter.
Rejoice, all the red in the world who counted it for nothing.
Rejoice, for having shown the love of God to people through such a life.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 4
The storm of worldly vanity could not swallow you up, God-wise Love, for you walked on dry land across the abyss of the sea of life, becoming like our Savior, singing gratefully to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
The inhabitants of the city of Ryazan hear and see your godly life, with love I accept you under my roof. You admonished them wonderfully, showing them in a strange way what had been prepared for them from the Lord. Help us, blessed mother, to do His all-good will, so that we magnify you thus:
Rejoice, wonderful decoration for the city of Ryazan.
Rejoice, for our iniquities brought us into contrition.
Rejoice, you who are coming, as you who have contemplated the present are near.
Rejoice, O glory of mankind, for having escaped the evil serpent.
Rejoice, thou who instruct us with wisdom for good.
Rejoice, you who enlighten the darkened eyes of our souls.
Rejoice, thou who drowned the passions of the persecutor of Pharaoh.
Rejoice, you who have tasted the grace of the Holy Spirit like manna from Heaven.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 5
Dressed in the richly woven robe of grace, you did not look at faces and titles, nor at temporary honors, our mother, avoiding praise and vanity, teach us about the one glory of the Heavenly Kingdom, and bring glory to the One God in the Trinity, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Pious people saw your arduous journey, and when you were tired of resting on the steps of the houses, you, wanting to lessen your suffering, brought food and drink to the Shah. But you, who wished to preserve your feat, blessed mother, distributed this to the poor. We, marveling at your poverty with freedom, sing to you with love:
Rejoice, wise fool, teaching us wisdom.
Rejoice, for you expose the madness of the world with foolishness.
Rejoice, you who have tasted the sweetness of heaven in spiritual poverty.
Rejoice, for the sake of this sweetness you have counted everything on earth for nothing.
Rejoice, you who did not allow reproach and ridicule into your heart.
Rejoice, you who distributed everything that was brought to you to the poor.
Rejoice, you who teach us non-covetousness.
Rejoice, you who have gathered your wealth in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 6
You appeared as a great-voiced preacher, blessed mother, when in times of trouble you knowingly prophesied the misfortunes coming upon us. But even in the difficult days of trials, when many were overwhelmed with fear, having fled, you taught in your image to cry out with hope to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The truth of your words, spoken in the parable, appeared in reality, when the walls of Jericho fell and the Russian power was quickly given over to reproach. Pray to Christ the Master, O blessed mother, to help us bear this yoke and diminish our suffering. We please you like this:
Rejoice, you who do not abandon us in the midst of adversity.
Rejoice, you who water our passions with Heavenly coolness.
Rejoice, thou who bringest us out of the abyss of despair.
Rejoice, you who lead us to a quiet haven.
Rejoice, thou who cheerest the despondency of our hearts.
Rejoice, you who encourage our exhausting strength.
Rejoice, you who stood firm in the faith during times of persecution.
Rejoice, you who teach us to trust in the mercy of God.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 7
Although He may show the greatness of His love and mercy to the fallen human race, when the time of destruction of the Kazan monastery from the atheist approaches, the Lord does not leave His servants in sorrow and send you, our blessed mother Love, as a consolation to the mourning sisters, so that in the days of temptation you will not be thrown into despair , but enduring adversity without complaint, they will sing a song of praise to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Having revealed a new miracle, blessed mother, when the sisters were in confusion, you prophesied the future, and you diminished their tearful sobs with undoubted hope in the Intercessor, the Mother of God. This will be praised; we call you this:
Rejoice, you who entered the fence of the Kazan monastery.
Rejoice, you who stayed there in the cells for many days.
Rejoice, you who consoled those in suffering.
Rejoice, you who provided joy in troubles and misfortunes.
Rejoice, you who guided Christ’s chosen ones on the path to the Heavenly Bridegroom.
Rejoice, you who shared the hardships of the narrow path with them.
Rejoice, for you prophesied the path to come for them.
Rejoice, you who punished this path by thanking God for walking.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 8
Strange and wondrous is your immaculate life, with great signs you raised many from the sleep of sin to repentance: you gave healing to them, announced their imminent death to others, and exposed the secret thoughts of others. We also pray to you, Blessed Love, enlighten our darkness of unbelief, instructing us to correct us, so that at the Last Judgment of Christ the fate of shuiya will not befall us, but may we be worthy, along with the elect, to cry out to Almighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Fully filled with Divine love, you appeared as the receptacle of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: comforting the sorrowful, protecting the weak, providing for the poor, healing the sick, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who helped the orphaned and needy.
Rejoice, you who cared for the poor and widows.
Rejoice, faithful protection of the weak.
Rejoice, quick healing for the sick.
Rejoice, you who offer warm prayers for us.
Rejoice, for teaching us all to run to God.
Rejoice, you who acquired the gift of clairvoyance through extreme humility.
Rejoice, you who gave away the tuna from this gift to those who demanded it.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 9
You were filled with all virtues, Blessed Love, with prayer on your lips, you gave up your spirit in the hand of God, Who settled you in the Heavenly abodes, where you decreed angels and gathered the saints joyfully to receive you. Ask the Lord for us to have a peaceful Christian death, so that we may sing a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things are perplexed as to how to praise you, blessed mother, for you showed many more glorious miracles even in your life, but even after your repose you did not cease to work by the grace of God. We, compelled by love, dare to sing to you:
Rejoice, adorned with many virtues.
Rejoice, our prayer book is bold before God.
Rejoice, you who walked the narrow path of foolishness to the gates of Heaven.
Rejoice, you who ascended into the palace of the Heavenly Bridegroom with a voice of joy.
Rejoice, wondrous mother, worthy of good memory.
Rejoice, exalted by God after your blessed death.
Rejoice, you who teach us to reject the ages of this superstition.
Rejoice, helping those who honor your memory in troubles and sorrows.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 10
Although the Lord has revealed to everyone the salvation through your gracious death, how worthy it is to be ready for repose, when you ordered a certain girl, our blessed mother Love, to cover your coffin with a pink cloth, for it was not sadness, but joy in the hour of death that you were vouchsafed to receive. So now, dwelling in the Jerusalem above, joyfully eat to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
With an impenetrable wall, the inhabitants of Ryazan, in weeping and grief over their orphanhood, filled the hundreds of our city, blessed Love, realizing the funeral procession of your body, for fear of being abandoned by your intercession. We, now celebrating your memory, resort to your prayerful cover and in hope we praise you with these titles:
Rejoice, thou who has inherited the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, you who reveal to us the bliss of immortal life through Divine love.
Rejoice, as you were tempted by gold in the crucible.
Rejoice, for the Lord accepts the fruitfulness of sacrifice.
Rejoice, woven into a crown of peace, joy and goodness.
Rejoice, valuable censer, offering incense of praise to God.
Rejoice, lamp, burning with your heart towards God.
Rejoice, inexhaustible vessel of grace.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 11
This laudable singing, even if it were so many offerings to you, our mother Love, would not be sufficient to glorify your virtues and miracles, since we send praise to God for everything that He shows us in His saints. To Him we sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Illuminated by a tri-radiant light, with all the saints you now stand in Heaven at the throne of the King of Reigns, much-blessed Love, and from there, like a luminous luminary, you enlighten the land of Ryazan, dispelling the darkness of delusion and showing the way to Heavenly bliss. For this reason, glorifying you, we say:
Rejoice, you are a partaker of the prophet.
Rejoice, for you are with the saints.
Rejoice, faithful teacher of the right path.
Rejoice, guardian of purity and chastity.
Rejoice, illuminated by the Sun of Truth.
Rejoice, adorned with the simplicity of humility.
Rejoice, dispelling the darkness of our doubts.
Rejoice, O luminary, who kindles our hearts with burning towards God.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 12
You have received abundance of grace, O most blessed one, according to the abundance of your love for Christ God, now we diligently cry to you, our mother Love, pour out a warm prayer for us to our Lord, may He preserve His Holy Church unharmed from heresies and schisms, and may all Orthodox have mercy and will save those who cry to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your blessed memory, we praise you, blessed mother Love, otherwise we cannot adequately depict the height of your humility and love for us, with reverence and joy we call to you:
Rejoice, you who have gained freedom from all vanity.
Rejoice, you who have opened the spiritual eyes and hearts of many to repentance.
Rejoice, having spent your life wandering, having come to the desired paradise.
Rejoice, you who have seen your beloved Lord.
Rejoice, for no sorrow or distress was able to separate you from the love of Christ.
Rejoice, you who have shown us how Divine love leads to eternal life.
Rejoice, you who accepted this madness for Christ’s sake.
Rejoice, having found wisdom in Christ.
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 13
O our blessed mother Love, guardian and intercessor of the land of Ryazan. Accept now this small prayer of ours and look upon you who diligently ask, for you are our prayerful intercession to God. Ask us from Christ for bodily and spiritual purity, so that in peace and repentance, having finished the rest of our lives, we will reach the Heavenly abodes, where with you and all the saints we will be worthy to sing to the glorified God in the Trinity: Alleluia.
This Kontakion is read three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.
Prayer of Blessed Lyubov of Ryazan
Oh, blessed mother Love, servant of Christ! Hear us sinners praying to you. Accept our prayer and bring it to the Merciful and Humane God, to whom you now stand in the joy of the saints and from the face of an Angel. Beg His mercy to preserve this city of Ryazan, in which, having lived virtuously, you have pleased God, from all the slander of the enemy, may He not judge us for our iniquities, but may He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask us from Christ and our God for a peaceful and serene life, mental and physical health, the earth’s prosperity and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we turn the good things given to us from the All-Bountiful God not into evil, but into His glory and the glorification of your intercession. Again we pray to you, our blessed mother Love, visit us who pray to you in our needs, so that we may intercede with you, and on the Day of Judgment we will be honored at the right hand of the Son of God with your holy prayers to the Savior and His Most Holy Mother, our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos, blessed from all generations , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion of Blessed Lyubov of Ryazan, tone 5
You were named Love in holy baptism, You knew the Love of Christ in your life, Having served God and man for love, You have acquired great boldness, so we diligently run to You, crying out from the depths of our hearts: pray to the Lord, Blessed, God-wise Love, grant to the world peace and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion of Blessed Lyubov of Ryazan, tone 4
Healed by Saint Nicholas of Christ, and blessed to serve God and people, having borne the cross of foolishness with love to the end, holy blessed Love, do not forsake us, who honor your holy memory, standing in the ranks of the saints before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, praying for the prosperity of your Fatherland and about the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion 1
Chosen from her youth by the love of Christ, who shone forth for His sake in the ascetic struggle of foolishness, the wondrous prayer book and intercessor of the land of Ryazan, our holy blessed mother Love, we offer songs of praise to you who honor your holy memory, but you who now stand with boldness before the King and Lady of all, do not cease cry out to the Gracious Savior for us, calling to you:
Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Greatness
We please you, our holy blessed mother Love, and we honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
Lyubov Semenovna Sukhanovskaya was born on August 28 (old style, September 10, new style) 1852 in Ryazan, in the family of a poor Pronsky tradesman Semyon Ivanovich Sukhanovsky and his wife Maria Ivanovna. By this time they already had two children: Vasily and Gregory (died in 1855). Three and a half years later, another girl was born into the family. Lyubushkina's younger sister was named Olga.
Lyubushka was baptized two days after her birth - on August 30 - in the St. Nicholas Church, which, due to the fact that its dome rose above the bell tower before the reconstruction in 1904, was popularly called St. Nicholas the Long-necked or St. Nicholas the Tall. The baptism in the Nikolovysokovskaya Church was performed by the rector of the church, Archpriest Pyotr Dmitrievich Pavlov, the father of the famous scientist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov.
The Sukhanovskys lived poorly and very cramped. Maria Ivanovna, Lyubushka and her sister Olga were located on 4.4 cubic fathoms. Not a single family in the city of Ryazan had such a small living space. Semyon Ivanovich Sukhanovsky had died by this time. Left without a breadwinner, the Sukhanovsky family became one of the poorest in Ryazan, so their spiritual mentor, Father John Dobrotvorsky, often petitioned the city authorities for financial assistance for them.
The Sukhanovskys lived piously. And the Lord did not leave them. Through Lyubushka, He poured out His grace not only on the Sukhanovskys, but on all Ryazan residents.
This is how Schema-nun Seraphima (in the world Elena Aleksandrovna Masalitinova) describes God’s will, revealed through the blessed Lyubov of Ryazan: “Luba soared in spirit to the Lord, and her body was relaxed: for fifteen years she could neither walk nor even stand on her feet. In the room where she lay there was an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and Lyuba prayed to him and loved the Saint with all her soul - she knew how much good he did to people.
But then the time came, and the Lord looked upon the weak servant and through the saint revealed His will to her. One day, when Lyuba was alone in the house, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker himself appeared to her. And when the mother returned and entered the room, she saw Lyuba standing on her feet. Seeing this, she exclaimed in surprise: “My daughter, is that you? How did you get back on your feet?”
Lyuba raised her hands to the icon of the Saint and said: “God’s saint Nicholas appeared and said to me: “Get up, Lyuba, walk and act like a fool,” and I stood firmly on my feet, and he became invisible.”
The mother was very happy about this event, but at the same time she was saddened by the foolishness destined for her daughter. Without hesitation, she went to the priest of her parish. I told him everything and asked for advice. The priest, having listened, replied: “God’s will, do not detain your daughter, let her go and act like a fool, from the Lord a man’s feet are straightened.” The mother submitted to the will of God...
From then on, Lyuba began to pray fervently in Ryazan churches, especially in the Kazan convent, where she lived for a long time with some sisters, and more often with the abbess, an intelligent, educated and sincere woman of noble birth.
Under the shadow of the stone vaults of churches, in the mysterious twilight of flickering lamps, the bright faces of God’s saints looked at Lyuba and called her to heroic deeds, and the words spoken to her by the Savior were heard, and the desire for asceticism matured in her heart. And by God’s will, she took upon herself the feat of the shutter, and this shutter was unusual. Lyuba imprisoned herself in her house in a space between the stove and the wall (in fact, it was not only a seclusion, but also a feat of stylite life).
There is no doubt that during this period of her life a man of strong will and exalted soul was formed from her. How did she pray, what did she see and hear at that time? All this is known only to God.
But time passed... Lyubushka, having remained in seclusion for three years, came out of it. Perhaps she had an indication of this from Above, for when the time came, the ascetics, by the will of God, left their solitude and went to serve people.
Prayer for others, good advice, affection, sensitivity, the desire to warn against danger, compassion for people became her lot. Lyuba was often seen on the streets of Ryazan. She went into merchants' shops and took what she needed without asking. The merchants did not scold her, did not drive her away - they rejoiced: after all, this was a sure sign that trade would be successful that day. The doors didn't close. And some merchants themselves called to her, but the blessed one pretended not to hear and walked past.
Sometimes, tired, Lyuba sat down on the porch of a house and was given something to eat. She willingly accepted from some, but did not accept from others. What she took, she did not bring home - she distributed it along the way to those in need. The poor and needy knew her and loved her.
Lyubushka had the gift of providence. There were people who were afraid of Lyuba’s insight. There were also those who did not believe and laughed at her. She endured everything patiently - the smile almost never left her face, which, in addition to the usual friendliness, also expressed great willpower.
Lyubov Semyonovna, or, as people sincerely called her, Lyubushka, dressed simply. She wore colored dresses, and on her head a scarf - sometimes blue, sometimes pink. She especially loved the color pink and wanted her coffin to be upholstered in pink when she died.
Lyubushka was kind and affectionate to everyone, but one girl, as eyewitnesses recalled, was afraid of her. I was afraid of Lyubushkina’s insight. The girl was not bad, but she had an unaccountable fear. One day she got up early in the morning and began to put on the samovar. She began to light a torch and looked out the window and saw Lyubushka coming through the gate. The girl, frightened, ran quickly to lock the door so that the blessed one would not enter. But Lyuba had already stepped on the threshold and said: “And I was in a hurry, I was afraid that you would lock the door.” Then she took a chocolate candy out of her pocket and gave it to her, saying: “Here’s a candy for you, you’ll definitely eat it. Just eat it yourself, don’t give it to anyone.” The girl did as Lyubushka said, and from that time her fear disappeared, and every time she greeted the blessed one with joy.
Sometimes, visiting her friends and knowing where the hostess had scissors and paper, Lyubushka took them and began to cut out some figure. And then she gave it to the person for whom the prediction was intended. And whoever was afraid of such predictions hid the scissors in advance. In such cases, the blessed one plucked figures out of paper with her hands and still served what was intended: to those who loved it - a horse or a train, to those who wanted to get married - a wreath, and to those who loved death - a coffin. And she made such figures very skillfully. He will give it silently and leave. And everything came true.
There was such a case. The novice Euphrosyne lived in the Kazan Monastery in Ryazan with the robed nun Artemia. Sometimes Euphrosyne was visited by her sister, who really wanted to go to this monastery, but she was still very young and was not accepted. One day this girl came to the monastery and again started talking about her desire to be a nun. At the same time, Lyubushka came to mother Artemia. She took scissors and a large sheet of paper from the chest of drawers and quickly began to cut something out. Then I laid out everything I had cut out on the table. And what happened there? The circle is like a monastery fence, a church, a choir. Then, pointing to the young girl, Euphrosyne’s sister, to the choir, she said: “This is where you will sing, you will also read.” The time came, and this girl entered the monastery. They assigned her obedience - to sing in the choir. She turned out to be the owner of a rare voice - a female bass. In addition to singing in the choir, her obedience was also the reading of the “Apostle,” that is, the Acts and Epistles of the Holy Apostles. With such a voice, there were only two nuns in the monastery, who alternated with each other: either in the choir, or reading the “Apostle” during the Liturgy. And when the monastery was closed, she sang in another church almost until her death.
Lyubushka foresaw the closure of the Kazan Monastery long ago. She said to some elderly mothers: “You will leave your bones in the monastery, but others will not.”
But then a sad day came: the monastery was closed. How many tears were shed! How much grief has been experienced! “What lies ahead?” - each of the nuns involuntarily asked themselves a question, leaving their native monastery.
After the silence of the monastery, life in the world frightened many of them: there was anxiety in their hearts, the unknown lay ahead. But on this day Lyubushka came to the monastery. Worried and upset, the sisters surrounded her. The blessed one was serious and concentrated, almost did not speak, she only worked with her hands deftly and habitually: a sheet of paper, scissors... When she saw the carved figures, everything became clear - who would get married, who would leave, and who would live and work at the temple. To one mother, Lyubushka carved out a church with a gatehouse and a bell and said: “You will live here and be well fed.” This mother lived for ten years at the Vvedenskaya Church, doing various jobs. I also had to ring the bell.
Subsequently, many sisters of the Kazan monastery, meeting each other, remembered what Lyubushka cut out for them, and were convinced that everything she predicted had come true.
There were other cases of blessed Lyubov’s insight. “She came to our family,” said one woman who knew Lyubushka, “as if she belonged to us and loved us all. At that time, my father died in Moscow. His mother decided to transport him to Ryazan and bury him at the Lazarevskoye cemetery. Although it was difficult to do this in those difficult years, he was still transported and buried in Ryazan. Lyubushka was also at the funeral. They began to bury the grave, and she moved a little to the side alone and began to dig a hole. Our grandmother saw this and reproachfully said to her: “My dear, what are you doing? You’re digging a second grave, because we haven’t had time to bury this one yet.” She answered: “And we will bury the little sparrow here.” Soon a boy in our family died, who was two months old. That’s when we realized what little sparrow she was digging the grave for.”
One family had three children, and the fourth was about to be born into this world. One day Lyubushka came to see them and said to the owner: “Konstantin Pavlovich, marry me,” and she smiled so affably. He also smiled at her words and replied: “Yes, I would gladly marry you, Lyubov Semyonovna, but where are we going to take my wife, Pelageya Fedorovna?” This time Lyubushka, as had sometimes happened to her before, said directly: “She will die.” And indeed, the woman died during childbirth, leaving behind four children. After the funeral there was a large funeral dinner. Lyubushka was also invited. She sat at the table in silence, did not look at anyone, but when she got up from the table, she left - and since then she has never been in this house.
They invited Lyubov Semyonovna not only to funerals, but also to weddings, believing that her presence would bring happiness to the young people. But it wasn't always like this. One rich Ryazan merchant gave his daughter in marriage. Many guests from the bride and groom were invited. The wedding was luxurious: a richly served table, music, flowers. The groom carefully hid the fact that he had a strong addiction to alcohol, and no one suspected him of being a drunkard. Imagine the amazement of all the guests and relatives of the bride when Lyubov Semyonovna, who had not previously known the groom, loudly announced at the table: “The groom is a bitter drunkard. And the young woman will not be happy.” The fun was darkened, and those who called the blessed one felt sorry. And then, when they were convinced of the truthfulness of her words, they loved and respected her as before.
One day Lyubushka came to her house. Her grandfather was still alive then. It so happened that when my godfather came to see my grandfather, Lyubushka also came at that time. The godfather decided to play a little joke on Lyubushka and asked her: “Tell me, Lyubov Semyonovna: when you die, who will get your house?” The blessed one smiled and answered: “To the soldiers.” They began to laugh at her words. Then no one could have imagined that over time the house would actually be demolished and a military warehouse for soldiers’ equipment would be built in its place. Consequently, the place where the house was located actually went to the soldiers...
One day three girls friends were preparing for exams. They heard about Lyubushka and decided to go to her and ask how the exams would go. Planned and done. They came, but before they even had time to cross the threshold of Lyubushka’s house, she greeted them warmly: “And they came to me... Katya, Shura and Lida.” And she called everyone correctly by name, although she didn’t know them before. And she began to say: “Your exams are coming soon, but you are afraid. Don’t be afraid of anything, everything will be fine.” The girls left reassured. The exams were passed successfully.
Lyubushka predicted the future fate of the two little girls. She was a frequent visitor to their parents. She somehow came to them. Pure children's souls were not afraid of anything, and therefore they trustingly clung to the blessed one: “Aunt Lyuba, tell us what you know.” Lyubushka, smiling, took a small package out of her pocket, unfolded it, and in her hands were two paper icons: she gave one icon with the image of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky to the eldest girl, and gave the younger one an icon of the Holy Blessed Princess Anna Kashinskaya. Subsequently, the elder sister got married, her husband’s name was Alexander in honor of the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky, and they lived in Moscow near the Alexander Nevsky metro station. The fate of the youngest is similar to the life of the holy blessed princess Anna Kashinskaya: having lost her husband early, she was left a widow with two children.
Before the revolution, in 1917, the blessed one walked through the streets of the city and repeated: “The walls of Jericho are falling, the walls of Jericho are falling.” She was already a famous seer, and people asked her what this meant. But Lyubushka did not explain her words, and only when everything was done did their meaning become clear.
Elizabeth M., who knew the blessed one well, spoke about the last days of the life and death of blessed Lyubov. “Three weeks before her death, Lyubushka came to our house. Our family was large, and she loved us all. I was the youngest in the family, and she especially loved me. That time Lyuba, affectionately calling me by name, said: “Lizonka, I will die soon. Pray to God for me, come to the grave and take sand from it. Cover my coffin pink." I ask her: “Why do I need sand?” She thought for a minute and said: “Still, take the sand, pour it into a jar of flowers - and there will be grace in the house.”
When Lyubushka died, I was at work. Returning home, I learned about her death and immediately went to her house. Cleanly cleaned, she lay in a coffin, which was well planed, but not upholstered. Then I remembered Lyubushka’s request - to cover the coffin with pink - and began to wonder: how can I fulfill her request?
She died on February 21, 1920. There was almost nothing in stores then. The material was sold using coupons, and our family had already stocked them a long time ago. Ask no more, don’t ask, you won’t get anything. What should I do? Well, I think I’ll go to the store and at least ask for some gauze. Still, it will be better than just a planed coffin. I came to the store and started talking to the manager: “I should at least buy gauze from you, I need to upholster the coffin for an old lady I know, she asked me about this in advance.”
The head called the boy student: “Misha, we have pink gauze on the shelf, go and get it.” I thought: “Is he laughing at me, is the gauze pink?” But I look: the boy is carrying a pile of gauze of a beautiful deep pink color. There has never been such gauze on sale. So they upholstered her “house” in pink. Yes, they made frills and bows all around - it turned out beautifully. Thus Lyubushka’s dying wish was fulfilled.
The winter of 1920 was difficult. There was a civil war going on. People suffered at the front and suffered in the rear: there was not enough bread, kerosene, and firewood. It was as cold in the houses as it was outside. Instead of lamps, “morgasiki” were lit in the evenings, and under such lighting the children learned their lessons. The adults were concerned about how to get food for the family. It seemed that everyone was thinking only about themselves. But when they learned that Lyubushka had reposed in the Lord and was being buried, people dropped everything and hastened to see the blessed one off on her last journey. So many people gathered that the police took measures to maintain order. This is how people honored the memory of Lyubushka.
After the death of her mother, Lyubushka lived with her sister Olga, who treated her condescendingly. She did not oppress her, did not offend her, but did not believe her, saying: “Our Lyuba is letting herself into a whim.” Truly, “a prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in his own house” (Matthew 13:57). When Olga saw the huge crowd of people accompanying Lyubushka on her final journey, she cried bitterly: “How many people knew my sister, but I was the only one who didn’t know her.” Olga outlived Lyubushka by only three years, dying in December 1923.
And after her death, blessed Lyubushka did not leave the people of Ryazan - many miracles and healings were performed through prayers at her grave.
After Lyubushka’s death, her admirers erected a small monument at her grave. But over the years it collapsed and the grave fell into disrepair. And so one military man erected a cross and a metal fence at his own expense. About himself, he said that recently he had been plagued by failures, in addition, he was sick, and the doctors could not help him. And then Lyubushka appeared to him in a dream and said: “Go to Ryazan, find the grave of Lyubov Semyonovna Sukhanovskaya in the cemetery, put a fence around it, after which you will be healthy and happy.” He did everything she told him and received healing. Since then, he annually came to her grave and served a memorial service.
Here is a very recent miraculous incident that occurred in 2002. The servant of God Tatiana from the city of Alexandrov had severe inflammation of the thyroid gland. She came to Ryazan to visit her mother. Having learned about her illness, a relative gave Tatyana oil blessed on the relics of blessed Lyubov, an icon and an akathist. Tatyana prayed, read the akathist, but did not anoint herself with oil. At night she sees a dream, as if she came with her mother to the temple. A priest walks through the temple with an icon in his hands and says to Tatyana: “Anoint the neck with oil, anoint it...” Tatyana began to anoint herself with oil and soon felt much better. And there is a lot of evidence of such cases.
On January 12, 1987, Lyubov Semenovna Sukhanovskaya was numbered among the Cathedral of Ryazan Saints as a locally revered saint - Blessed Lyubov of Ryazan. According to the resolution of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen, the day of remembrance was established on February 8/21 - the day of repose and June 10/23 - on the day of the celebration of the Council of Ryazan Saints.
In 1992, through the diligence of the abbot of the Holy John the Theological Monastery, Archimandrite Abel (Makedonov), a chapel was built at the Sorrowful Cemetery on the grave of Blessed Lyubov, and on the eve of the 800th anniversary of the Ryazan diocese, on June 23, 1998, her holy relics were transferred to the Nikolo-Yamskaya Church Ryazan. Thus, baptized in the church of St. Nicholas, healed by St. Nicholas, Lyubushka rests in the church of her beloved saint, whom she revered with all her soul during her life and with whom she is now in the Heavenly abodes. Some of the relics remained in the chapel above her former grave at the Sorrowful Cemetery. Many also come here to worship the blessed saint.
Akathist to Saint Blessed Lyubov of Ryazan
Kontakion 1
Chosen from her youth by the love of Christ, who shone forth for His sake in the ascetic struggle of foolishness, the wondrous prayer book and intercessor of the land of Ryazan, our holy blessed mother Love, we offer songs of praise to you who honor your holy memory, but you who now stand with boldness before the King and Lady of all, do not cease cry out to the Merciful Savior for us, calling to you: Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Ikos 1
Having imitated an angel in your earthly life, you were named Love from the font, and having acquired this virtue from childhood, you despised the madness of the world with imaginary madness, and look at the prayers of those who said to you with love: Rejoice, you who were named Love from the holy font; Rejoice, generously enriched with this virtue. Rejoice, you who endured sorrow from your suffering flesh; Rejoice, you who offered prayers before the image of St. Nicholas. Rejoice, through the holy saint of God you have been granted healing; Rejoice, according to his words, having clothed yourself in the robe of foolishness. Rejoice, you who carried this feat like your cross upon your shoulder; Rejoice, you who carried him in this way following Christ. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 2
Seeing your mother, blessed Love, your wondrous healing, and marveling at such a strange phenomenon for you, you were overwhelmed by doubts, going to the temple, and the presbyter came to your senses, saying: behold, the will of the Lord, so bless you for this laborious feat, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
You hid your reason with foolishness in the vain life of a great city, with humility you extinguished the flames of passions, O blessed mother, who will count your secret prayers, tears and sighs? We, in remembrance of this, call to you: Rejoice, you who have shown the image of patience and kindness; Rejoice, you who hid the radiance of grace with imaginary madness. Rejoice, alien to the world, but not alien to those who exist in it; Rejoice, you who prayed to God for grieving people. Rejoice, you who voluntarily shut yourself in your house; Rejoice, you who hid this wondrous feat from us. Rejoice, you who have received direction from God for the path; Rejoice, you who entered this path with joy. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 3
Strengthened by the power of the Most High and obeying His providence, blessed mother Love, wanting to serve your neighbors, you left your home seclusion and, like a true servant of God, you incessantly cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having within yourself, O blessed mother, the fire of Divine love, you shone like a lamp on the candlestick, illuminating the darkness of our sins, and, like an incorporeal Angel, you always soared on the mountain. We say to you with tenderness: Rejoice, you who were jealous of Christ’s journey; Rejoice, you who passed through the city of Ryazan. Rejoice, you who have rejected the vanity of the earthly world; Rejoice, thou who hast been worthy to taste the sweets of heaven. Rejoice, you who despised your dwelling for the sake of serving people; Rejoice, you who sought and received Heavenly shelter. Rejoice, all the red of the world who counted it for nothing; Rejoice, for having shown the love of God to people through such a life. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 4
The storm of worldly vanity could not swallow you up, God-wise Love, for you walked on dry land across the abyss of the sea of life, becoming like our Savior, singing gratefully to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
The inhabitants of the city of Ryazan hear and see your godly life, with love I accept you under my roof. You admonished them wonderfully, showing them in a strange way what had been prepared for them from the Lord. Help us, blessed mother, to do His all-good will, so that we magnify you: Rejoice, wondrous adornment to the city of Ryazan; Rejoice, for our iniquities brought us into contrition. Rejoice, you who are coming, as you who are near, who have contemplated; Rejoice, thou who shunned the glory of men like a serpent from wickedness. Rejoice, thou who instruct us with wisdom for good; Rejoice, enlightening the darkened eyes of our souls. Rejoice, thou who drowned the passions of the persecutor of Pharaoh; Rejoice, thou who has tasted the grace of the Holy Spirit like manna from Heaven. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 5
Dressed in the richly woven robe of grace, you did not look at faces and titles. Not for temporary honors, our mother, avoiding praise and vanity, teach us about the one glory of the Heavenly Kingdom to strive and bring glory to the One God in the Trinity, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen your arduous journey, pious people, when you were tired on the steps of the houses to rest, you, wanting to lessen your suffering, brought food and drink to the Shah. You, who wished to preserve your feat, blessed mother, gave this away to the poor. We, marveling at your poverty with freedom, sing to you with love: Rejoice, wise fool, teaching us wisdom; Rejoice, for you expose the madness of the world with foolishness. Rejoice, you who have tasted the sweetness of heaven in spiritual poverty; Rejoice, for the sake of this sweetness you have counted everything on earth for nothing. Rejoice, you who did not allow reproach and ridicule into your heart; Rejoice, you who distributed everything that was brought to you to the poor. Rejoice, you who teach us non-covetousness; Rejoice, you who have gathered your wealth in the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 6
You appeared as a great-voiced preacher, blessed mother, when in times of trouble you knowingly prophesied the misfortunes coming upon us. But even in difficult days of trials, when many were overwhelmed with fear, having fled, you taught in your image to cry out to God with hope: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The truth of your words, spoken in the parable, appeared when the walls of Jericho fell and the Russian power was quickly given over to reproach. Pray to Christ the Master, O blessed mother, to help us bear this yoke and diminish our suffering. We please you in this way: Rejoice, you who do not abandon us in the midst of adversity; Rejoice, you who water our passions with Heavenly coolness. Rejoice, thou who bringest us out of the abyss of despair; Rejoice, you who lead us to a quiet haven. Rejoice, thou who cheerest the despondency of our hearts; Rejoice, you who encourage our weary strength. Rejoice, you who stood firm in faith during times of persecution; Rejoice, you who teach us to trust in the mercy of God. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 7
Although He may show the greatness of His love and mercy to the fallen human race, when the time of destruction of the Kazan monastery from the atheist approaches, the Lord does not leave His servants in sorrow and send you, our blessed mother Love, as a consolation to the mourning sisters, so that in the days of temptation you will not be thrown into despair , but enduring adversity without complaint, they will sing a song of praise to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
You have revealed a new miracle, blessed mother, when you prophesied the future to the sisters, in the confusion of the present, and diminished their tearful sobs with undoubted hope in the Intercessor of the Mother of God. This is a praising will, we call you this way: Rejoice, you who entered the fence of the Kazan monastery; Rejoice, you who stayed there in your cells for many days. Rejoice, you who consoled those in suffering; Rejoice, you who provided joy in troubles and misfortunes. Rejoice, you who guided Christ’s chosen ones on the path to the Heavenly Bridegroom; Rejoice, you who shared the hardships of the narrow path with them. Rejoice, for you prophesied the path to come for them; Rejoice, you who punished this path and walked with thanks to God. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 8
Strange and wondrous is your immaculate life, with great signs you raised many from the sleep of sin to repentance: you gave healing to them, announced their imminent death to others, and exposed the secret thoughts of others. We also pray to you, Blessed Love, enlighten our darkness of unbelief, instructing us to correct us, so that at the Last Judgment of Christ the fate of shuiya will not befall us, but may we be worthy, along with the elect, to cry out to Almighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Fully filled with Divine love, you appeared to be the receptacle of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: comforting the sorrowful, protecting the weak, providing for the poor, healing the sick, for this reason we cry out to you: Rejoice, you who helped the orphans and the needy; Rejoice, you who cared for the poor and widows. Rejoice, faithful protection of the weak; Rejoice, quick healing for the sick. Rejoice, you who offer up warm prayers for us; Rejoice, for teaching us all to run to God. Rejoice, you who acquired the gift of clairvoyance through extreme humility; Rejoice, you who gave away the tuna of this gift to those who demanded it. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 9
You were filled with all virtues, Blessed Love, with prayer on your lips, you gave up your spirit in the hand of God, Who settled you in the Heavenly abodes, where you established the Angels and gathered the saints in joyfully receiving you. Ask us from the Lord for a peaceful Christian death, so that we may sing a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things are perplexed as to how to praise you, venerable blessed mother, for you showed many more glorious miracles in your life, but even after your repose you did not cease to work by the grace of God. We, compelled by love, dare to sing to you: Rejoice, adorned with many virtues; Rejoice, our prayer book is bold before God. Rejoice, you who walked the narrow path of foolishness to the gates of Heaven; Rejoice, you who ascended into the palace of the Heavenly Bridegroom with a voice of joy. Rejoice, wondrous mother, worthy of good memory; Rejoice, exalted by God after your blessed death. Rejoice, you who teach us to reject the ages of this superstition; Rejoice, helping those who honor your memory in troubles and sorrows. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 10
Although the Lord has revealed to everyone the salvation through your gracious death, how worthy it is to be ready for repose, when you ordered a certain girl, our blessed mother Love, to cover your coffin with a pink cloth, for it was not sadness, but joy in the hour of death that you were vouchsafed to receive. Thus, even now, dwelling in the Jerusalem above, eat joyfully to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
With an impenetrable wall, the inhabitants of Ryazan, in weeping and grief over their orphanhood, filled the hundreds of our city, blessed Love, realizing the funeral procession of your body, for fear of being abandoned by your intercession. We, now celebrating your memory, resort to your prayer cover and in hope we praise you with these titles: Rejoice, you who have inherited the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, you who reveal to us the bliss of immortal life through Divine love. Rejoice, like gold in the furnace, you who have been tempted; Rejoice, for the Lord accepts the fruitfulness of sacrifice. Rejoice, crowned, woven from peace, joy and goodness; Rejoice, valuable censer, offering incense of praise to God. Rejoice, lamp, burning with your heart towards God; Rejoice, inexhaustible vessel of grace. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 11
This laudable singing, even if it were so many offerings to you, our mother Love, would not be sufficient to glorify your virtues and miracles, but rather sending praise to God for everything that He shows us in His saints, to Him we sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Illuminated by a tri-radiant light, you now stand with all the saints in Heaven at the Throne of the King of Reigns, much-blessed Love, and from there, like a luminous luminary, you enlighten the land of Ryazan, dispelling the darkness of delusion and showing the way to Heavenly bliss. For this reason, glorifying you, we say: Rejoice, you are a partaker of the prophet; Rejoice, you are with the saints. Rejoice, faithful teacher of the right path; Rejoice, guardian of purity and chastity. Rejoice, illuminated by the Sun of Truth; Rejoice, adorned with the simplicity of humility. Rejoice, dispelling the darkness of our doubts; Rejoice, O luminary, who kindles our hearts with burning towards God. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 12
You have received abundance of grace, O most blessed one, according to the abundance of your love for Christ God, now we diligently cry to you, our mother Love, pour out a warm prayer for us to our Lord, may He preserve His Holy Church unharmed from heresies and schisms, and may all the Orthodox have mercy and will save those who cry to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your blessed memory, we praise you, blessed mother Love, who otherwise cannot worthy to depict the height of your humility and love for us, with reverence and joy we call to you: Rejoice, you who have gained freedom from all vanity; Rejoice, you who have opened the spiritual eyes and hearts of many to repentance. Rejoice, having spent your life wandering, having come to the desired Paradise; Rejoice, you who have seen your beloved Lord. Rejoice, for no sorrow or distress was able to separate you from the love of Christ; Rejoice, you who have shown us how Divine love leads to eternal life. Rejoice, you who accepted madness for Christ’s sake; Rejoice, having found wisdom in Christ. Rejoice, holy blessed mother Love, saint of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 13
O our blessed mother Love, guardian and intercessor of the land of Ryazan, accept now our small prayer and look upon you who diligently ask, for you are our prayerful intercession to God. Ask us from Christ for bodily and spiritual purity, so that in peace and repentance, having finished the rest of our lives, we will reach the Heavenly abodes, where with you and all the saints we will be worthy to sing to the glorified God in the Trinity: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion.)
Prayer
O blessed mother Love, servant of Christ! Hear us sinners praying to you. Accept our prayer and bring it to the Merciful and Humane God, to whom you now stand in the joy of the saints and from the face of an Angel. Beg His mercy to preserve this city of Ryazan, in which, having lived virtuously, you have pleased God, from all the slander of the enemy, may He not condemn us for our iniquities, but may He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask us from Christ and our God for a peaceful and serene life, mental and physical health, earthly prosperity and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we not turn the good things given to us from the All-Bounteous God into evil, but into His glory and the glorification of your intercession . Again we pray to you, our blessed mother Love, visit us who pray to you in our needs, so that we may intercede with you, and on the Day of Judgment we will be honored at the right hand of the Son of God with your holy prayers to the Savior and His Most Holy Mother, our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos, blessed from all generations , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Blessed are the inhabitants of that city who have their intercessor in Heaven. U Ryazan This is Saint Lyubushka, who is loved here like family and they even compose songs about her.
T It’s hard to say what a child who cannot stand on his feet and run around with his peers experiences. When even his loved ones shrug their shoulders doomedly and cannot help in any way, one can only believe in a miracle. And she believed in him. She believed and asked her beloved Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker to heal her. Years passed, the girl was still bedridden, but her faith did not weaken, but, on the contrary, was strengthened by prayer and reading spiritual literature. The girl's name was Lyuba. This was the eldest daughter of Semyon and Maria Sukhanovsky, poor townspeople who came to Ryazan from Pronsk and settled in house No. 42 at the intersection of Vladimirskaya and Voskresenskaya streets (later renamed Svobody Street and Square, respectively). Unfortunately, this house has not survived to this day.
The head of the family, Semyon Ivanovich, took on any job to feed his wife and three children: Vasily, Lyubov and Olga. Despite the difficult life full of hardships, the Sukhanovskys lived piously, raising their children in the fear of God. Probably, for their faith, simplicity of soul and hard work, the Lord rewarded them through their eldest daughter Lyubov, about whom not only Ryazan, but the entire Orthodox world later learned.
For many years Lyuba could not get out of bed. But one day, the mother returned home and saw her 15-year-old daughter completely healthy, standing firmly on her feet. As it turned out, he himself appeared to the girl Nicholas the Wonderworker and said: “Get up, Lyuba, go and act like a fool!” She rose without difficulty, and the saint became invisible. Maternal joy was followed by doubts and anxiety: how to let her daughter go to such a difficult feat? However, the priest, with whom the concerned mother decided to consult, ordered not to resist the will of God and to allow her daughter to act like a fool.
Before starting her difficult journey, Lyubov lived for some time in the Kazan Monastery, and then entered into a voluntary “seclusion for prayer”, hiding in the space between the wall and the stove. After three years of hermitage, the girl took upon herself the feat of foolishness. After leaving her parents' home, she wandered around Ryazan, often praying in city churches. She especially loved visiting the Kazan Monastery and staying with the sisters and Abbess Catherine herself.
The blessed one did not deprive worldly people of her attention. Both the poor and the rich knew her. She could enter the shop of some merchant, take any item without asking and leave. Nobody stopped her. The merchants already knew from experience: since Lyubushka came in, it means the trade will be successful. Kind people often treated Lyubushka to food, but she did not take anything for herself, but gave it to the poor.
Her kindness, compassion, mercy and care for her neighbors did not go unnoticed: the people of Ryazan loved her as if they were their own, and this love for a simple Russian girl is well conveyed in Sofia Nikulina’s song “Lyubushka, Ryazan darling.”
On the one hand, Lyubushka was a simple, sincere and merciful person. Why they loved her. On the other hand, she was an unusual person, often unpredictable and incomprehensible. Why were they afraid of her? However, putting on the guise of a mad person, the holy fool hid her virtues from people: prayerful feats, strict fasting, non-covetousness, mercy and much more. The Lord often rewarded such people with extraordinary spiritual gifts - Lyubushka Ryazanskaya had the gift of foresight. The blessed one did not express her predictions directly in words. She passed them on using... scissors and paper, cutting out different figures. Anyone who was afraid of her predictions hid the scissors away in advance. But the saint either found them without difficulty, or simply tore the paper with her hands, so that she still got a figurine. I made a wreath out of paper - marriage is ahead, a horse - there is a journey ahead, a coffin - expect death.
Once, during the funeral of her friend’s father, the blessed one began to dig a hole for a sparrow near a fresh grave. Soon, a baby in this family died, and it became clear which sparrow the hole was intended for.
The blessed one foresaw the future troubles of Russia. Shortly before the fall of the autocracy in 1917, she repeated a phrase that was then still incomprehensible to the people: “The walls of Jericho are falling!” And she predicted the upcoming closure of the Kazan Monastery to some elderly sisters: “You will leave your bones here, but others will not.”
The blessed one informed her good friend Elizabeth M. about her death in advance: “Lizonka, I’m going to die soon, and you go and pray to God for me. Go to my grave and take the sand from it, and cover my coffin pink.” Why pink? Lyubushka loved this color very much, and the people of Ryazan remembered her wearing a pink scarf on her head.
It was February 1921 when she died. The store shelves were empty. Food was given out only with coupons, and it was simply impossible to find pink fabric for the coffin. Out of despair, the woman wandered into the pharmacy, deciding to line the coffin with at least gauze. She could not even imagine that they would bring her deep pink gauze. This is how Lyubov Ryazanskaya’s last wish was miraculously fulfilled. And 66 years after her death, Blessed Lyubov was numbered among the Cathedral of Ryazan saints.
You can venerate her relics and ask for help and healing from ailments today at Nikolo-Yamsky Church in Ryazan. A piece of her relics is also located in the Annunciation Church (Zatinnaya St., no. 58), as well as at the Sorrowful Cemetery in a small chapel erected on the site of the blessed one’s former grave.
Both during her life and after her righteous death, Lyubov of Ryazan does not leave without help and love those who turn to her with faith and hope.
After Lyubushka’s death, her admirers erected a small monument at her grave. But over the years it collapsed and the grave fell into disrepair. And so one military man erected a cross and a metal fence at his own expense. About himself, he said that recently he had been plagued by failures, in addition, he was sick, and the doctors could not help him. And then Lyubushka appeared to him in a dream and said: “Go to Ryazan, find the grave of Lyubov Semyonovna Sukhanovskaya in the cemetery, put a fence around it, after which you will be healthy and happy.” He did everything she told him and received healing. Since then, he annually came to her grave and served a memorial service.
Here is a very recent miraculous incident that occurred in 2002. The servant of God Tatiana from the city of Alexandrov had severe inflammation of the thyroid gland. She came to Ryazan to visit her mother. Having learned about her illness, a relative gave Tatyana oil blessed on the relics of blessed Lyubov, an icon and an akathist. Tatyana prayed, read the akathist, but did not anoint herself with oil. At night she sees a dream, as if she came with her mother to the temple. A priest walks through the temple with an icon in his hands and says to Tatyana: “Anoint the neck with oil, anoint it...” Tatyana began to anoint herself with oil and soon felt much better. And there is a lot of evidence of such cases.
Prayer
O blessed mother Love, servant of Christ! Hear us sinners praying to you. Accept our prayer and bring it to the Merciful and Humane God, to whom you now stand in the joy of the saints and from the face of an Angel. Beg His mercy to preserve this city of Ryazan, in which, having lived virtuously, you have pleased God, from all the slander of the enemy, may He not condemn us for our iniquities, but may He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask us from Christ and our God for a peaceful and serene life, mental and physical health, earthly prosperity and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we not turn the good things given to us from the All-Bounteous God into evil, but into His glory and the glorification of your intercession . Again we pray to you, our blessed mother Love, visit us who pray to you in our needs, so that we may intercede with you, and on the Day of Judgment we will be honored at the right hand of the Son of God with your holy prayers to the Savior and His Most Holy Mother, our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos, blessed from all generations , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
