Russia is famous for its heroic deeds andnumerous talented commanders, many of whom glorified the strength of domestic weapons in various wars and battles. One of these is Admiral Fedor Ushakov.
He forever entered Russian history astalented naval commander who did not know a single defeat and won many high-profile victories that allowed Russia to become one of the strongest European powers of that time.
Canonization
At the meeting of the Russian Bishops' CouncilOrthodox Church, held in 2004, it was decided to rank the famous Russian admiral, who covered himself with unfading glory, among the saints. The transfer of the relics of Fyodor Ushakov was a significant event for the entire Russian fleet.
Канонизирован он был еще раньше, в 2001 году.He was canonized in the Saransk diocese, in which the relics of the holy righteous Fyodor Ushakov were located. Its leadership did not know how the Navy’s leadership would react to this. But the reaction was, as expected, positive, and the meeting of the relics of Fyodor Ushakov was solemn. A large delegation of the command of the Navy of Russia and Ukraine, numerous top government officials of the two countries, representatives of Greece and about six thousand pilgrims arrived at events related to his canonization.
Procession
В честь этого события был проведен и крестный ход.It was quite unusual, since many military personnel took part in it, including the top command staff. Raku with the relics of the famous admiral was met by the Navy Orchestra, performing military marches. At the head of the column were officers with St. Andrew’s flags in their hands. Raku, in which were the relics of Admiral Fedor Ushakov, was carried by admirals. The cadets and sailors marched on the guard of honor. This event was not without a salute of carbines. All this turned the church rite into a real holiday of the Navy.
Honors at the Navy
In the same year, the leadership of the Russian Navy andThe church decided to carry out a set of measures to glorify the hero. Over time, a special service was developed, icons were painted. The relics of Fedor Ushakov were transported to cities, especially those that were somehow connected with the fleet. In Saransk, the construction of the cathedral in honor of the holy admiral was begun. In addition, in many cities associated with the fleet, began to build churches and chapels named after Fedor Ushakov.
The Russian Navy celebrated with special triumphhis new patron saint. Processions were held in all fleets. Especially solemn and numerous was held on the Black Sea. Two large landing ships set off on the procession - the Yamal, which was part of the Russian Navy, and the Konstantin Olshansky from the Ukrainian Navy. On one of them were the relics of Fedor Ushakov.
Since the recognition of this illustrious admiralsaints icons can be seen on all ships and places of deployment of the Navy, and not only in the cockpits and barracks of sailors, but also in the cabins and cabinets of senior and senior command personnel. This is considered useful and strengthens the fighting spirit, improves the atmosphere in the team. Bringing the relics of Fyodor Ushakov is always a significant event for any temple.
This saint is revered not only in Russia, but alsoin many other countries. First of all, in those in whose history Ushakov played a significant role. In particular, this is Greece, because it owes him a lot. In addition, he is revered in Georgia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The relics of Fyodor Ushakov are busy in many churches and temples.
Carier start
On the numerous merits and service in the NavyFedor Ushakov knows a lot. After all, there remains a lot of written evidence of his actions. Many books have been written about him and numerous films have been shot. Some of its mythologization even occurred, which quite often happens with such great people. But if his service is known in sufficient detail, then his last years of life are poorly covered. But it was they, to a large extent, that became the reason for his canonization.
The famous admiral was born in a poornoble family. From childhood, he dreamed of serving in the Navy, and at the end of the naval cadet corps he was first sent to the Baltic Fleet, and a few years later to the Azov Flotilla, which actively participated in the war with Turkey.
Ushakov immediately proved to be an excellent commanderand quickly began to climb the career ladder. He was respected not only by ordinary sailors, but also by a higher management. Over time, he rose to the rank of admiral, leading a brigade of ships of the formed Black Sea Fleet.
The fight against the Turks and the French
He took an active part in its creation,stood at the origins of the construction of Sevastopol, did everything in order to increase Russia's influence in the Black Sea. In several naval battles with Turkish squadrons, he defeated them, even though their forces were more numerous.
Thanks to his talent as a naval commander, he ledRussian squadron in the Mediterranean Sea, which, acting together with its allies, inflicted a number of serious defeats on the French naval forces and liberated a number of countries of Napoleonic invaders.
Resignation
Fedor Ushakov devoted his whole life to servingthe navy. He was never married, and he had no children. All this is one of the basic rules of the life of monks. Having retired, he could settle in any large city, but did not want to do this, although he was a rather wealthy man. Instead, the illustrious retired admiral donkey in the small quiet village of Alekseevka, which was located in Mordovia.
Как свидетельствует в своих трудах бывший в то being rector of the Sanaksar Monastery hieromonk Nathanael, Fedor Ushakov lived near the monastery and regularly rendered her assistance. During Lent, he lived annually with the monks for about a week in a regular cell. He stood along with the rest of the long service. He did not forget about the poor and the afflicted, whom he regularly helped.
Help during the Patriotic War and after it
With the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, a retiredAdmiral was elected by the local nobility as commander of the militia of the Tambov province. But Fyodor Ushakov could not take command, because he was already in his advanced years, and his health was greatly shaken. Because of this, he was forced to resign.
But still, Fedor Ushakov did not stay away fromdefending the Fatherland from the invading enemy. He helped form a hospital to help wounded soldiers, and gave a significant amount for the newly formed Tambov Infantry Regiment. As noted in the written sources of those years, he donated almost all his money to protect Russia from the Napoleonic army.
Помогал он всем нуждающимся и в мирное время.He was often visited by peasants who lived in villages nearby, as well as urban residents. The retired admiral did not refuse anyone, he shared with everyone what he had. He did not forget to cheer up desperate people, saying that all the troubles sooner or later end, and all of them will gradually improve.
Death and funeral
Fedor Ushakov died on October 2, 1817.In his last days, as hieromonk Nathanael testifies, he kept fasting and prayed incessantly. As a retired admiral and desired, he was buried in the cemetery at the monastery.
Fyodor Ushakov was buried in the city churchTemnikov, who was nearby. At the funeral of the admiral there were a huge number of people, and not only commoners, but also noblemen and officers. When the coffin with his body was taken outside the city limits, they initially wanted to put him on a cart, but people carried him in their arms up to his grave, which was in the Sanaksar monastery. The monks carefully looked after her.
Under the USSR
After the February Revolution of 1917 and the coming topower in Russia of the Bolsheviks Sanaksar monastery, like all other religious institutions in the country, was closed. The built chapel, under which were the relics of Fedor Ushakov, was destroyed. The place of his burial for several decades fell into disrepair.
But during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945years, Joseph Stalin established the order of Fedor Ushakov and raised the question of the burial place of the famous admiral. The leadership of the country decided to create a special commission, which opened his grave, located on the territory of an abandoned monastery.
As it turned out, the relics of Fedor Ushakov wereimperishable, which was immediately recorded in the documents of the commission. As the Holy Synod later decided, this serves as evidence that the admiral was a saint.
Modernity
The grave in which the relics of Ushakov Fedor restedFedorovich, like the whole monastery, was restored and taken under state protection. It turned out that even after his death, this talented naval commander was able to do a good deed, because the monastery was preserved, and in 1991 it was returned to the Russian Church.
The glorified admiral became the first Russianthe commander who was canonized. This event created a kind of precedent. Increasingly, they began to express a desire to canonize another great commander, Alexander Suvorov.
Admiral Fedor Ushakov glorified himself in manynaval battles and did everything in order to strengthen the Russian fleet and elevate his country. He, despite his glory and numerous honors, was a wonderful person and a true Christian who was always ready to help those who needed it. The holy relics of Fyodor Ushakov are revered by many parishioners.
