"The Tale of Mamaev's Massacre" Description and analysis of "the tale of Mamaev's massacre" The legend of Mamaev's massacre author

THE TALE OF MAMAYEV'S MASSACRE

THE BEGINNING OF THE TALE ABOUT HOW GOD GRANTED VICTORY TO THE GOVERNOR GRAND DUKE DMITRY IVANOVICH BEHIND THE DON OVER THE POSSESSIVE MOMAY AND HOW, BY THE PRAYERS OF THE HOLY MOTHER AND THE RUSSIAN MIRACLE WORKERS, ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY - THE RUSSIAN LAND RAISED IL, AND THE GODLESS HAGARIANS SHAMED.

I want to tell you, brothers, about the battle of the recent war, how the battle on the Don happened between Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich and all Orthodox Christians with the filthy Mamai and the godless Hagaryans. And God exalted the Christian race, but humiliated the filthy and put to shame their savagery, just as in the old days he helped Gideon over Midian and the glorious Moses over Pharaoh. We must tell about the greatness and mercy of God, how God fulfilled the wishes of those faithful to him, how he helped Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich and his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich over the godless Polovtsians and Hagarians.

By God's permission, for our sins, through the delusion of the devil, a prince of an eastern country named Mamai arose, a pagan by faith, an idolater and an iconoclast, an evil persecutor of Christians. And the devil began to incite him, and the temptation against the Christian world entered his heart, and his enemy taught him how to ruin the Christian faith and desecrate the holy churches, because he wanted to subjugate all Christians to himself, so that the name of the Lord would not be glorified among the faithful. Our Lord, God, king and creator of all things, will do whatever he wants.

The same godless Mamai began to boast and, envying the second Julian the apostate, Tsar Batu, began asking the old Tatars how Tsar Batu conquered the Russian land. And the old Tatars began to tell him how Tsar Batu conquered the Russian land, how he took Kyiv and Vladimir, and all of Rus', the Slavic land, and killed the Grand Duke Yuri Dmitrievich, and killed many Orthodox princes, and desecrated holy churches and burned many monasteries and villages , and in Vladimir he plundered the golden-domed cathedral church. And since he was blinded by his mind, he did not comprehend that, as the Lord pleased, it would be so: in the same way, in ancient days, Jerusalem was captured by Titus the Roman and Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, for the sins and lack of faith of the Jews - but not God is endlessly angry and He does not punish forever.

Having learned everything from his old Tatars, Mamai began to hurry, constantly inflamed by the devil, taking up arms against Christians. And, having forgotten himself, he began to speak to his Alpauts, and Esauls, and princes, and governors, and all the Tatars like this: “I don’t want to act like Batu, but when I come to Rus' and kill their prince, then which cities are the best sufficient, will for us, we’ll settle here, take over Russia, live quietly and carefree,” but the damned one didn’t know that the Lord’s hand was high.

And a few days later he crossed the great Volga River with all his strength, and joined many other hordes to his great army and said to them: “Let's go to the Russian land and get rich from Russian gold!” The godless one went to Rus' like a lion, roaring in rage, like an insatiable viper breathing anger. And he had already reached the mouth of the river. Voronezh, and disbanded all his strength, and punished all his Tatars like this: “Let not one of you plow bread, be prepared for Russian bread!”

Prince Oleg Ryazansky found out that Mamai was wandering around Voronezh and wanted to go to Rus', to the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow. The poverty of his mind was in his head, he sent his son to the godless Mamai with great honor and with many gifts and wrote his letters to him like this: “To the Eastern great and free king, Tsar Mamai, rejoice! Your protege, Oleg, the prince of Ryazan, who swore allegiance to you, I heard a lot of prayers from you, sir, that you want to go to the Russian land, against your servant, Prince Dimitri Ivanovich of Moscow, to frighten him, but now, sir and blessed king, your time has come: the land is overflowing with gold, and silver, and riches. Moscow, and all the treasures of your possession will be needed. And Prince Dimitri of Moscow - a Christian man - when he hears the word of your rage, “he will flee to his distant borders: either to Novgorod the Great, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and the great wealth of Moscow and gold - everything will be in your hands and your army will need it. But your power will spare me, your servant, Oleg of Ryazan, O Tsar: for for your sake I strongly intimidate Rus' and Prince Demetrius. And we also ask you, O Tsar, both your servants, Oleg of Ryazan and Olgerd of Lithuania: we received a great insult from this Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, and no matter how we, in our insult, threaten him with your royal name, he is not worried about it. And also, our lord king, he captured my city of Kolomna for himself - and about all this, oh king, we send you a complaint.”

And Prince Oleg Ryazansky soon sent another messenger with his letter, and the letter was written like this: “To the Grand Duke Olgerd of Lithuania - rejoice with great joy! It is known that for a long time you have been plotting against the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow in order to expel him from Moscow and take possession of Moscow himself. Now, prince, our time has come, for the great Tsar Mamai is coming to him and to his land. And now, prince, we will both join Tsar Mamai, for I know that the king will give you the city of Moscow. , and other cities that are closer to your principality, and he will give me the city of Kolomna, and Vladimir, and Murom, which are closer to my principality. I sent my messenger to Tsar Mamai with great honor and with many gifts, as well. and you sent your messenger, and whatever gifts you had, you sent to him, writing your letters, and how - you yourself know, for you understand more about it than I.”

Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, having learned about all this, was very happy at the great praise of his friend Prince Oleg of Ryazan and quickly sent an ambassador to Tsar Mamai with great gifts and gifts for the royal amusements. And he writes his letters like this: “To the great Eastern Tsar Mamai! Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, who swore allegiance to you, prays to you a lot. I heard, sir, that you want to punish your inheritance, your servant, the Moscow prince Dimitri, that’s why I pray to you, free king, slave yours: Prince Dimitri of Moscow inflicts a great insult on your ulus prince Oleg of Ryazan, and he also does great harm to me. Mister Tsar, free Mamai! Let the power of your rule now come to our places, O Tsar, may your attention be directed to our sufferings. from Moscow Prince Dimitri Ivanovich."

Oleg Ryazansky and Olgerd Lithuanian thought to themselves, saying this: “When Prince Dimitri hears about the arrival of the Tsar, and about his rage, and about our alliance with him, he will flee from Moscow to Veliky Novgorod, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and we will sit in Moscow and Kolomna. When the Tsar comes, we will meet him with great gifts and with great honor, and we will beg him, the Tsar will return to his possessions, and we will divide the Principality of Moscow, at the Tsar’s command, among ourselves - then to Vilna, otherwise to Ryazan, and Tsar Mamai will give us his labels and our descendants after us.” They didn’t know what they were planning and what they were saying, like foolish little children, ignorant of God’s power and God’s destiny. For it is truly said: “If someone has faith in God with good deeds and holds the truth in his heart and trusts in God, then the Lord will not betray such a person to his enemies for humiliation and ridicule.”

The Sovereign, Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich - a kind man - was a model of humility, he desired a heavenly life, expecting future eternal blessings from God, not knowing that his close friends were plotting an evil plot against him. The prophet said about such people: “Do not do evil to your neighbor and do not swarm, do not dig holes for your enemy, but trust in the Creator God, the Lord God can revive and kill.”

Ambassadors came to Tsar Mamai from Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan and brought him great gifts and letters. The tsar accepted the gifts and letters favorably and, having heard the letters and ambassadors with respect, released him and wrote the following answer: “To Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan. For your gifts and for your praise addressed to me, whatever Russian possessions you want from me, I will give you those And you swear allegiance to me and quickly come to me and defeat your enemy. I don’t really need your help: if I wanted now, then with my great power I would conquer ancient Jerusalem, as I did now to support you. I want in my royal name and power, and by your oath and your power, Prince Dmitry of Moscow will be defeated, and your name will become formidable in your countries with my threat. After all, if I, the king, have to defeat a king like myself, then royal honor is due and proper to me. receive. Now go away from me and convey my words to your princes.”

The ambassadors, returning from the king to their princes, told them: “Tsar Mamai greets you and is very, for your great praise, well disposed towards you!” Those, poor in mind, rejoiced at the vain greetings of the godless king, not knowing that God gives power to whomever he wishes. Now - one faith, one baptism, and with the godless we united together to pursue the Orthodox faith of Christ. The prophet said about such people: “Indeed, they cut themselves off from the good olive tree and were grafted into the wild olive tree.”

Prince Oleg Ryazansky began to rush to send ambassadors to Mamai, saying: “Go forth, Tsar, quickly to Rus'!” For great wisdom says: “The way of the wicked will perish, for they accumulate grief and reproach upon themselves.” Now I will call this Oleg the accursed the new Svyatopolk.

And the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich heard that the godless Tsar Mamai was approaching him with many hordes and with all his might, tirelessly raging against Christians and the faith of Christ and envying the headless Batu, and the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich was greatly saddened because of the invasion of the godless. And, standing before the holy icon of the Lord’s image that stood at his head, and falling on his knees, he began to pray and said: “Lord! I, a sinner, dare to pray to you, your humble servant? But to whom will I turn my sorrow? I hope only in you, Lord, and I will lift up my sorrow. You, Lord, king, ruler, light-giver, do not do to us, Lord, what you did to our fathers by bringing the evil Batu upon them and their cities, for even now. , Lord, that great fear and trembling lives in us. And now, Lord, king, lord, do not be completely angry with us, I know, Lord, that because of me, a sinner, you want to destroy our entire land, for I have sinned against you; by you more than all people. Make me, O Lord, for my tears, like Ezekiah, and, O Lord, tame the heart of this ferocious beast!” He bowed and said: “I trusted in the Lord, and I will not perish.” And he sent for his brother, for Prince Vladimir Andreevich to Borovsk, and for all the Russian princes he sent out fast messengers, and for all the local governors, and for the boyar children, and for all the service people. And he ordered them to be in Moscow soon.

Prince Vladimir Andreevich quickly arrived in Moscow, and all the princes and governors. And the Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, taking his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich, came to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian and said to him: “Do you know, our father, the great test that lies ahead of us - after all, the godless Tsar Mamai is moving towards us, inflaming his inexorable rage?” And the Metropolitan answered the Grand Duke: “Tell me, my lord, what have you done wrong to him?” The great prince said: “I checked, father, everything was accurate, that everything was according to the behests of our fathers, and even more, I paid tribute to him.” The Metropolitan said: “You see, my lord, with God’s permission for the sake of our sins, he goes to fill our land, but you, Orthodox princes, must satisfy those wicked ones with gifts at least four times. If even after that he does not humble himself, then the Lord will pacify him, because the Lord resists the daring, but gives grace to the humble. The same thing happened once with the Great Basil in Caesarea: when the evil apostate Julian, going against the Persians, wanted to destroy his city of Caesarea, Basil the Great prayed with all the Christians to the Lord God, collected a lot of gold. and sent to him to satisfy the greed of the criminal. The same accursed one only became more enraged, and the Lord sent his warrior, Mercury, to destroy him. And the wicked one was invisibly pierced in the heart, but You, my lord, cruelly ended. “, take as much gold as you have, and go to meet him - and you will quickly bring him to his senses.”

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich sent to the wicked Tsar Mamai his chosen youth, named Zakhary Tyutchev, tested by reason and sense, giving him a lot of gold and two translators who knew the Tatar language. Zakhary, having reached the land of Ryazan and learned that Oleg of Ryazan and Olgerd of Lithuania had joined the filthy Tsar Mamai, quickly sent a messenger secretly to the Grand Duke.

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having heard that news, was grieved in his heart, and filled with rage and sadness, and began to pray: “Lord, my God, I hope in you, who loves the truth. If the enemy harms me, then I should endure, for from time immemorial he is a hater and enemy of the Christian family; but my close friends have plotted against me. Judge them and me, because I did them no harm, except that I accepted gifts and honors from them, but I also responded to them. gave. Judge, Lord, according to my righteousness, let the malice of sinners end."

And, taking his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, he went a second time to the Metropolitan and told him how Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan united with Mamai on us. The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “And you yourself, sir, have not caused any offense to both of them?” The great prince shed tears and said: “If I have sinned before God or before people, then I have not transgressed a single line before them according to the law of my fathers. For you yourself, Father, know that I am satisfied with my limits, and have not caused them any offense, and I do not know why those who harm me have multiplied against me.” The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “My son, the great lord prince, let your heart’s eyes be illuminated with joy: you honor the law of God and do the truth, since the Lord is righteous, and you loved the truth. Now they have surrounded you like many dogs; they are vain and vain attempts, in the name of the Lord, defend yourself from them. The Lord is just and will be your true helper. And from the all-seeing eye of the Lord, where can you hide - and from his firm hand?

And Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, and with all the Russian princes and governors, thought about how to build a strong outpost in the field, and sent their best and experienced warriors to the outpost: Rodion Rzhevsky, Andrei Volosaty, Vasily Tupik, Yakov Oslyabyatev and other seasoned warriors with them. And he commanded them to carry out guard duty on Quiet Pine with all zeal, and to go to the Horde, and to obtain a language in order to find out the true intentions of the king.

And the great prince himself sent fast messengers throughout the Russian land with his letters to all cities: “Be ready, all of you, to go to my service, to the battle with the godless Hagaran Tatars; let us unite in Kolomna for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God.”

And since the guard detachments lingered in the steppe, the Great Prince sent a second outpost: Clementy Polyanin, Ivan Svyatoslavich Sveslanin, Grigory Sudakov and others with them, ordering them to return quickly. The same ones met Vasily Tupik: he leads the tongue to the Grand Duke, and the tongue is from the people of the royal court, from the dignitaries. And he informs the Grand Duke that Mamai is inevitably approaching Rus' and that Oleg Ryazansky and Olgerd of Lithuania have contacted each other and united with him. But the king is in no hurry to go because he is waiting for autumn.

Having heard such news from the tongue about the invasion of the godless king, the Grand Duke began to take comfort in God and called for firmness on his brother Prince Vladimir and all the Russian princes, saying: “Brothers Russian princes, we are all from the family of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich of Kyiv, to whom the Lord opened to know the Orthodox faith, like Eustathius Placis; he enlightened the entire Russian land with holy baptism, delivered us from the torments of paganism, and commanded us to firmly hold and preserve the same faith and fight for it. If anyone suffers for it, he will be the first to the saints in the future life. I will be numbered among the disciples for the faith of Christ. But I, brothers, want to suffer even to death for the faith of Christ.” They all answered him in agreement, as if with one mouth: “Truly, sir, fulfill the law of God and follow the commandment of the Gospel, for the Lord said: “If anyone suffers for my name’s sake, then after the resurrection he will receive eternal life a hundredfold.” And we, sir “Today we are ready to die with you and lay down our heads for the holy Christian faith and for your great offense.”

The Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having heard this from his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich and from all the Russian princes who decide to fight for the faith, ordered his entire army to be at Kolomna for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God: “Then I will review the regiments and appoint a governor for each regiment.” And the whole multitude of people seemed to say with their lips alone: “God grant us this decision to fulfill your name for the sake of the saint!”

And the princes of Belozersky came to him, they were ready for battle, and the army was perfectly equipped, Prince Fyodor Semenovich, Prince Semyon Mikhailovich, Prince Andrei Kemsky, Prince Gleb Kargopolsky and the Andom princes; Yaroslavl princes also came with their regiments: Prince Andrei Yaroslavsky, Prince Roman Prozorovsky, Prince Lev Kurbsky, Prince Dmitry Rostovsky and many other princes.

Immediately, brothers, a knock knocks and it’s like thunder roars in the glorious city of Moscow - then the strong army of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich is coming and the Russian sons are thundering with their gilded armor.

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, took with him his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, and all the Russian princes, went to the life-giving Trinity to bow to his spiritual father, the reverend elder Sergius, to receive a blessing from that holy monastery. And the venerable abbot Sergius begged him to listen to the holy liturgy, because it was then Sunday and the memory of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus was honored. At the end of the Liturgy, Saint Sergius and all his brothers asked the Grand Duke to eat bread in the house of the life-giving Trinity, in his monastery. The Grand Duke was in confusion, for I would send messengers to him that the filthy Tatars were already approaching, and he asked the monk to let him go. And the venerable elder answered him: “This delay of yours will turn into double obedience for you. For it is not now, my lord, that you will wear the crown of death, but in a few years, and for many others the crowns are now being woven.” The great prince ate bread from them, and Abbot Sergius at that time ordered the water to be blessed from the relics of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus. The great prince soon got up from the meal, and the Monk Sergius sprinkled him with sacred water and all his Christ-loving army and overshadowed the great prince with the cross of Christ - a sign on his forehead. And he said: “Go, sir, against the filthy Polovtsians, calling on God, and the Lord God will be your helper and intercessor,” and added to him quietly: “You will defeat, sir, your adversaries, as befits you, our sovereign.” The great prince said: “Give me, father, two warriors from your brethren - Peresvet Alexander and his brother Andrei Oslyab, then you yourself will help us.” The venerable elder ordered both of them to quickly prepare to go with the Grand Duke, for they were famous warriors in battles and had met more than one attack. They immediately obeyed the venerable elder and did not refuse his command. And he gave them, instead of perishable weapons, an incorruptible one - the cross of Christ, sewn on the schemas, and commanded them, instead of gilded helmets, to place it on themselves. And he handed them over to the hands of the Grand Duke, and said: “Here are my warriors for you, and your chosen ones,” and said to them: “Peace be with you, my brothers, fight firmly, like glorious warriors for the faith of Christ and for all Orthodox Christianity against the filthy Polovtsy." And the sign of Christ overshadowed the entire army of the Grand Duke - peace and blessing.

The great prince rejoiced in his heart, but did not tell anyone what the Monk Sergius had told him. And he went to his glorious city of Moscow, rejoicing in the blessing of the holy elder, as if he had received an unstolen treasure. And, returning to Moscow, he went with his brother, with Prince Vladimir Andreevich, to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian, and secretly told him everything that the elder Saint Sergius had told only to him, and what blessing he had given to him and his entire Orthodox army. The archbishop ordered to keep these words secret and not tell anyone.

When Thursday, August 27, came, the day of remembrance of the holy father Pimen the Hermit, on that day the great prince decided to go out to meet the godless Tatars. And, taking with him his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich, he stood in the church of the Holy Mother of God before the image of the Lord, folding his hands on his chest, shedding streams of tears, praying, and said: “Lord our God, great and steadfast ruler, truly you are the king of glory, have mercy on us sinners, when we become discouraged, we resort to you alone, our savior and benefactor, for we were created by your hand. But I know, Lord, that my sins are already covering my head, and now do not leave us, sinners, do not depart from us. Judge, O Lord, those who oppress me and defend from those who fight against me; take, O Lord, a weapon and a shield and come to my aid. Give me, O Lord, victory over my enemies, so that they too may know your glory.” And then he proceeded to the miraculous image of the Lady Theotokos, which Luke the Evangelist wrote, and said: “O miraculous Lady Theotokos, intercessor of all human creation, - for thanks to you we came to know our true God, incarnate and born of you. Do not give up, lady, destroy our cities to the filthy Polovtsians, so that they may not desecrate your holy churches and Christian faith. Pray, Madam Mother of God, to your son Christ, our God, so that he may humble the hearts of our enemies, so that their hand will not be over us And you, our most holy lady. Mother of God, send us your help and cover us with your incorruptible robe, so that we do not fear wounds, we rely on you, for we are your slaves, lady, if you want, you will help us against our evil enemies, these filthy Polovtsy, who are not. they call on your name; we, Madam Most Pure Mother of God, rely on you and for your help. Now we stand against the godless pagans of the filthy Tatars, pray to your son, our God.” And then he came to the tomb of the blessed wonderworker Peter the Metropolitan and, falling heartily to him, said: “O miraculous Saint Peter, by the grace of God you constantly work miracles. And now the time has come for you to pray for us to the common ruler of all, the king and the merciful savior. For Now the filthy adversaries have taken up arms against me and they are preparing weapons against your city Moscow. After all, the Lord showed you to our subsequent generations, lit you as a bright candle, and set you on a high candlestick to shine on the whole Russian land. And now it is fitting for you, sinners, to pray for us. The hand of death came upon us, and the hand of the sinner did not destroy us. You are our steadfast guard against enemy attacks, for we are your flock.” And, having finished the prayer, he bowed to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian, and the archbishop blessed him and released him on a campaign against the filthy Tatars; and, having crossed his forehead, overshadowed him with the sign of Christ, and sent his holy council with crosses, and with holy icons, and with sacred water to the Frolovsky gate, and to the Nikolsky, and to the Konstantino-Eleninsky, so that every warrior would come out blessed and with holy water sprinkled

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, with prince Vladimir Andreevich, went to the church of the heavenly governor Archangel Michael and beat his holy image with his forehead, and then proceeded to the tombs of the Orthodox princes, his ancestors, tearfully saying: “True guardians, Russian princes, Champions of the Orthodox Christian faith, our parents! If you have the boldness to stand before Christ, then pray now for our grief, for a great invasion threatens us, your children, and now help us.” And having said this, he left the church.

The Great Princess Evdokia, and Vladimir's Princess Maria, and other Orthodox princes, princesses, and many wives of the governor, and the Moscow boyars, and the wives of the servants stood here, seeing off, from tears and heartfelt cries they could not say a word, giving a farewell kiss. And the rest of the princesses, and the boyars, and the wives of the servants also kissed their husbands farewell and returned with the Grand Duchess. The great prince, barely restraining himself from tears, did not cry in front of the people, but in his heart he shed a lot of tears, comforting his princess, and said: “Wife, if God is for us, then who can be against us!”

And he sat on his best horse, and all the princes and commanders sat on their horses.

The sun shines clearly for him in the east, showing him the way. Then, as the falcons fell from the golden stocks from the stone city of Moscow, and flew up under the blue skies, and thundered with their golden bells, they wanted to strike at the large herds of swans and geese: then, brothers, it was not falcons that flew out of the stone city of Moscow, it was the Russian daredevils with their sovereign, with Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, but they wanted to run into the great Tatar power.

The Belozersk princes left separately with their army; Their army looks finished. The great prince sent his brother, Prince Vladimir, on the road to Brashevo, and the Belozersk princes on the Bolvanovskaya road, and the great prince himself went to the Kotel road. The sun shines brightly in front of him, and a quiet breeze blows after him. That is why the great prince was separated from his brother, because they could not travel the same road.

The Great Princess Evdokia, with her daughter-in-law, Princess Vladimir Maria, and with the voivode's wives, and with the boyars, went up to her golden-domed mansion on the embankment and sat down on the locker under the glass windows. For this is the last time he sees the Grand Duke, shedding tears like a river flow. With great sadness, putting his hands to his chest, he says: “My Lord God, the Almighty Creator, look at my humility, deign me, Lord, to see again my sovereign, the most glorious among people, Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich. Help him, Lord, with your with a firm hand to defeat the filthy Polovtsians who came out against him. And, Lord, do not allow what happened many years before, when the Russian princes had a terrible battle on Kalka with the filthy Polovtsians, with the Hagarians, and now, Lord, deliver us from such a misfortune; , and save and have mercy! Lord, do not let the surviving Christianity perish, and let your holy name be glorified in the Russian land. Since the time of that Kalka disaster and the terrible Tatar massacre, the Russian land is now sad, and it no longer has any hope for it! anyone, but only on you, the all-merciful God, for you can revive and kill. I, a sinner, now have two small branches, Prince Vasily and Prince Yuri: if the clear sun rises from the south or the wind blows from the west - neither one nor the other. They won’t be able to bear another one yet. What then can I, a sinner, do? So, Lord, return to them their father, the Grand Duke, healthy, then their land will be saved, and they will always reign.”

The Grand Duke set off, taking with him noble men, Moscow merchants - ten people from Surozhan - as witnesses: no matter what God arranged, they would tell in distant countries, like noble merchants, and there were: the first - Vasily Kapitsa, the second - Sidor Alferyev, third - Konstantin Petunov, fourth - Kuzma Kovrya, fifth - Semyon Antonov, sixth - Mikhail Salarev, seventh - Timofey Vesyakov, eighth - Dmitry Cherny, ninth - Dementy Salarev and tenth - Ivan Shikha.

And the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich moved along the big wide road, and behind him the Russian sons quickly walked, as if drinking cups of honey and eating bunches of grapes, wanting to gain honor and a glorious name for themselves: already, brothers, knocking is knocking and thunder is thundering at the early dawn, Prince Vladimir Andreevich crosses the Moscow River on a good ferry on Borovsky.

The great prince came to Kolomna on Saturday, the day of remembrance of the holy father Moses Ethiopia. Many governors and warriors were already there and met him on the Severka River. Archbishop Geronty of Kolomna with all his clergy met the Grand Duke at the city gates with life-giving crosses and holy icons, and overshadowed him with the life-giving cross, and made a prayer: “God save your people.”

The next morning, the Grand Duke ordered all the soldiers to go to the field to the Maiden Monastery.

On Holy Sunday, after Matins, many trumpets sounded, and the kettledrums thundered, and the embroidered banners rustled near Panfilov’s garden.

The Russian sons entered the vast fields of Kolomna, but even here there was no room for a huge army, and it was impossible for anyone to look around the army of the Grand Duke. The great prince, having entered an elevated place with his brother, with Prince Vladimir Andreevich, seeing such a multitude of people equipped, rejoiced and appointed a governor for each regiment. The great prince took the Belozersk princes under command, and appointed his brother Prince Vladimir to the regiment of his right hand and gave him command of the Yaroslavl princes, and appointed Prince Gleb of Bryansk to the regiment of his left hand. The leading regiment is Dmitry Vsevolodovich and his brother Vladimir Vsevolodovich, with the Kolomenets - voivode Mikula Vasilyevich, the Vladimir voivode and Yuryevsky - Timofey Voluevich, and the Kostroma voivode - Ivan Rodionovich Kvashnya, and the Pereyaslav voivode - Andrey Serkizovich. And Prince Vladimir Andreevich has governors: Danilo Beleut, Konstantin Kononov, Prince Fyodor Yeletsky, Prince Yuri Meshchersky, Prince Andrei Muromsky.

The Great Prince, having distributed the regiments, ordered them to cross the Oka River and ordered each regiment and commanders: “If anyone walks across the Ryazan land, do not touch a single hair!” And, taking a blessing from the Archbishop of Kolomna, the great prince crossed the Oka River with all his might and sent the third outpost, his best knights, into the field so that they would meet with the Tatar guards in the steppe: Semyon Medic, Ignatius Kren, Foma Tynina, Peter Gorsky, Karp Oleksin , Petrusha Churikov and many other daring riders with them.

The great prince said to his brother Prince Vladimir: “Let us hasten, brother, to meet the godless pagans, the filthy Tatars, and we will not turn our faces away from their insolence, and if, brother, death is destined for us, then it will not be without benefit, not without a plan for us.” this death, but into eternal life!" And the Great Prince himself, on his way, called on his relatives for help - the holy passion-bearers Boris and Gleb.

Prince Oleg Ryazansky heard that the great prince had united with many forces and was going towards the godless Tsar Mamai, and besides, he was firmly armed with his faith, which he places all his hope in God the Almighty, the Supreme Creator. And Oleg Ryazansky began to beware and move from place to place with his like-minded people, saying: “If only we could send news of this misfortune to the wise Olgerd of Lithuania, to find out what he thinks about it, but it’s impossible: they blocked our path. I thought in the old way that the Russian princes should not rise up against the Eastern Tsar, but now how can I understand all this? And where did the prince come from so much help that he could rise up against the three of us?

His boyars answered him: “We, prince, were informed from Moscow fifteen days before,” but we were afraid to tell you, “that in his estate, near Moscow, lives a monk, his name is Sergius, he is very perspicacious. measures and armed him, and gave him assistants from among his monks." Hearing this, Prince Oleg Ryazansky was frightened and became angry and furious with his boyars: “Why haven’t they told me until now? Then I would have sent to the evil king and begged him, and no evil would have happened! Woe to me, I have lost my mind , but I am not the only one who has weakened in mind, but Olgerd the Lithuanian is more intelligent than me; but, however, he honors the Latin faith of Peter the Great, but I, the accursed one, have come to know the true law of God! And why have I gone astray? And what the Lord said to me will come true? If a slave, knowing the law of his master, breaks it, he will be beaten severely." For now what has he done? Knowing the law of God, who created heaven, and earth, and all creation, he has now joined the wicked king, who decided to trample on the law of God! And now what of his have I entrusted myself to an unreasonable thought? If I now offered help to the Grand Duke, he would not accept me, for if I join the wicked king, then I will truly become like the former persecutor of the Christ’s faith, and then the earth will swallow me alive, just as I did. Svyatopolk: I will not only be deprived of my reign, but I will also lose my life, and I will be thrown into fiery Gehenna to suffer. If the Lord is for them, then no one will defeat them, and even that perspicacious monk will help him with his prayer! If I don’t help any of them, then how can I resist both of them in the future? And now I think so: whichever of them God helps, I will join!”

Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, in accordance with the previous plan, gathered many Lithuanians and Varangians, and Zhmudi and went to help Mamai. And he came to the city of Odoev, but, having heard that the great prince had gathered a great multitude of warriors - all of Rus' and the Slavs, and went to the Don against Tsar Mamai, - having also heard that Oleg was frightened, - and from then on he became motionless here, and realized the futility of his thoughts, now he regretted his alliance with Oleg Ryazansky, rushed about and was indignant, saying: “If a person lacks his own mind, then he searches in vain for someone else’s mind: it has never happened that Ryazan taught Lithuania! Now he has driven me crazy Oleg, and even worse, died. So now I’ll stay here until I hear about the Moscow victory.”

At the same time, Prince Andrei of Polotsk and Prince Dmitry of Bryansk, the Olgerdovichs, heard that great trouble and care had burdened the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow and all of Orthodox Christianity from the godless Mamai. Those princes were unloved by their father, Prince Olgerd, because of their stepmother, but now they were loved by God and received holy baptism. They were like fruitful ears of corn, suppressed by weeds: living in the midst of wickedness, they could not bear worthy fruit. And Prince Andrei secretly sends a small letter to his brother, Prince Dmitry, in which it is written like this: “You know, my beloved brother, that our father rejected us from himself, but our heavenly father, the Lord God, loved us more strongly and enlightened us with the saints by baptism, having given us his law to live according to it, and has separated us from empty vanity and from unclean food; now, what shall we give to God for this? So, brother, let us strive for a good deed for the ascetics of Christ, the source of Christianity, let us go, brother, to the aid of the Grand Duke Dmitry of Moscow and all Orthodox Christians, for great trouble has come for them from the filthy Ishmaelites, and even our father and Oleg of Ryazan have joined the godless and are persecuting the Orthodox Christian faith. We, brother, should fulfill the holy scripture that says. : “Brothers, be responsive in troubles!” Do not doubt, brother, that we will resist our father, because this is how the Evangelist Luke conveyed the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “You will be betrayed by your parents and brothers and die for my name; whoever endures to the end will be saved!" Let us get out, brother, from this crushing weed and graft ourselves into the true fruitful grapes of Christ, cultivated by the hand of Christ. Now, brother, we are not striving for earthly life, but desiring honor in heaven, which the Lord gives to those who create his will."

Prince Dmitry Olgerdovich, having read the letter from his elder brother, rejoiced and cried with joy, saying: “Master, Lord, lover of mankind, give your servants the desire to accomplish this good feat in this way, which you revealed to my elder brother!” And he ordered the ambassador: “Tell my brother, Prince Andrey: I am ready now at your order, brother and lord. As many of my troops as there are, they are all with me, because by God’s providence we have gathered for the upcoming war with the Danube Tatars. And also tell my brother, I also heard from the honey collectors who came to me from the Sèvres land, they say that Grand Duke Dmitry is already on the Don, because the evil raw-eaters want to wait there and we should go to the North and unite there: we need to keep our path to the north. North, and in this way we will hide from our father, so that we are not shamefully disturbed."

A few days later, both brothers came together, as they decided, with all their strength in the Seversk land and, having met, they rejoiced, as Joseph and Benjamin once did, seeing with them many people, vigorous and equipped with skillful warriors. And they quickly reached the Don, and caught up with Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow on this side of the Don, at a place called Berezuy, and then they united.

The great prince Dmitry and his brother Vladimir both rejoiced with the great joy of such God’s mercy: after all, it is impossible for such a simple thing to happen, for the children of their father to leave and outwit him, like Herod’s wise men once did, and come to our aid. And he honored them with many gifts, and they went their way, rejoicing and glorifying the holy spirit, having already renounced everything earthly, awaiting another immortal redemption for themselves. The great prince said to them: “My dear brothers, for what need have you come here?” They answered: “The Lord God sent us to help you!” The great prince said: “Truly you are like our forefather Abraham, who quickly helped Lot, and you are also like the valiant Grand Duke Yaroslav, who avenged the blood of his brothers.” And the great prince immediately sent such news to Moscow to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian: “The Olgerdovich princes came to me with many forces, but left their father.” And the messenger quickly reached the Metropolitan. The archbishop, having heard about this, stood up in prayer, saying with tears: “Lord, Master and lover of mankind, for you turn the winds that are contrary to us into quiet ones!” And he sent to all the cathedral churches and monasteries, commanding them to pray diligently day and night to the Almighty God. sent to the monastery to the venerable hegumen Sergius, so that God would heed their prayers, but the Great Princess Evdokia, having heard about God’s great mercy, began to distribute generous alms and constantly remained in the holy church, praying day and night.

Let's leave this again and return to the previous one.

THE TALE OF MAMAYEV'S MASSACRE

The beginning of the story about how God granted victory to the sovereign Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich across the Don over the filthy Mamai and how, through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God and Russian miracle workers, Orthodox Christianity - God exalted the Russian land, and put the godless Hagarians to shame.

Having learned everything from his old Tatars, Mamai began to hurry, constantly inflamed by the devil, taking up arms against Christians. And, having forgotten himself, he began to speak to his Alpauts, and Yesauls, and princes, and governors, and all the Tatars like this: “I don’t want to act like Batu, but when I come to Rus' and kill their prince, then which cities are the best sufficient will be for us - we’ll settle here, and we’ll take over Russia, we’ll live quietly and carefree,” but the damned one didn’t know that the Lord’s hand was high.

Prince Oleg Ryazansky found out that Mamai was wandering around Voronezh and wanted to go to Rus', to the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow. The poverty of his mind was in his head, he sent his son to the godless Mamai with great honor and with many gifts and wrote his letters to him like this: “To the Eastern great and free king, Tsar Mamai, rejoice! Your protege, Oleg, Prince of Ryazan, who swore allegiance to you, begs you a lot. I heard, sir, that you want to go to the Russian land, against your servant, Prince Dimitri Ivanovich of Moscow, to frighten him. Now, lord and bright king, your time has come: the land of Moscow is overflowing with gold, and silver, and many riches, and all kinds of valuables are needed for your possession. And Prince Dimitri of Moscow - a Christian man - as soon as he hears the word of your rage, “he will flee to his distant borders: either to Novgorod the Great, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and the great wealth of Moscow and gold - everything will be in your hands and for your army as needed. But your power will spare me, your servant, Oleg of Ryazan, O Tsar: for for your sake I strongly intimidate Rus' and Prince Demetrius. And we also ask you, O Tsar, both your servants, Oleg of Ryazan and Olgerd of Lithuania: we received a great insult from this Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, and no matter how we, in our insult, threaten him with your royal name, he is not worried about it. And also, our lord king, he captured my city of Kolomna for himself - and about all this, oh king, we send you a complaint.”

And Prince Oleg Ryazansky soon sent another messenger with his letter, but the letter was written like this: “To the Grand Duke Olgerd of Lithuania - rejoice with great joy! It is known that for a long time you have been plotting against the Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich of Moscow in order to expel him from Moscow and take possession of Moscow yourself. Now, prince, our time has come, for the great Tsar Mamai is coming against him and his land. And now, prince, we will both join Tsar Mamai, for I know that the Tsar will give you the city of Moscow, and other cities that are closer to your principality, and he will give me the city of Kolomna, and Vladimir, and Murom, which are to my they are closer to the principality. I sent my messenger to Tsar Mamai with great honor and with many gifts, and you also sent your messenger, and what gifts you have, you sent to him, writing your letters, but you yourself know how, for more you understand me about that.”

Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, having learned about all this, was very happy at the great praise of his friend Prince Oleg of Ryazan and quickly sent an ambassador to Tsar Mamai with great gifts and gifts for the royal amusements. And he writes his letters like this: “To the great Eastern King Mamai! Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, who swore allegiance to you, begs you a lot. I heard, sir, that you want to punish your inheritance, your servant, the Moscow prince Dimitri, therefore I pray to you, free king, your servant: Prince Dimitri of Moscow inflicts a great insult on your ulus prince Oleg Ryazansky, and he also does great harm to me. Mister Tsar, free Mamai! Let the power of your rule now come to our places, let your attention, O Tsar, turn to our suffering from the Moscow prince Dimitri Ivanovich.”

Oleg Ryazansky and Olgerd Lithuanian thought to themselves, saying this: “When Prince Dimitri hears about the arrival of the Tsar, and about his rage, and about our alliance with him, he will flee from Moscow to Veliky Novgorod, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and we will land in Moscow and Kolomna. When the Tsar comes, we will meet him with great gifts and with great honor, and we will beg him, the Tsar will return to his possessions, and we, by the Tsar’s order, will divide the Principality of Moscow among ourselves - either to Vilna, or to Ryazan, and the Tsar will give us Mamai will give her labels to our descendants after us.” They didn’t know what they were planning and what they were saying, like foolish little children, ignorant of God’s power and God’s destiny. For it is truly said: “If someone has faith in God with good deeds and holds the truth in his heart and trusts in God, then the Lord will not betray such a person to his enemies for humiliation and ridicule.”

Ambassadors came to Tsar Mamai from Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan and brought him great gifts and letters. The tsar accepted the gifts and letters favorably and, having heard the letters and ambassadors with respect, released him and wrote the following answer: “To Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan. For your gifts and for your praise addressed to me, whatever Russian possessions you want from me, I will give you those. And you swear allegiance to me and quickly come to me and defeat your enemy. I don’t really need your help: if I wanted to now, then with my great strength I would conquer ancient Jerusalem, as the Chaldeans did before. Now I want to support you with my royal name and strength, and with your oath and your power, Prince Dmitry of Moscow will be defeated, and your name will become formidable in your countries through my threat. After all, if I, the king, have to defeat a king similar to myself, then it is right and proper for me to receive the royal honor. Now go away from me and convey my words to your princes.”

“The beginning of the story about how God granted victory to the sovereign Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich across the Don over the filthy Mamai and how, through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God and Russian miracle workers, Orthodox Christianity - God exalted the Russian land, and put the godless Hagarians to shame”...

“The Tale of the Massacre of Mamayev” is a famous monument of ancient Russian literature, telling about the courage, suffering and military valor of the Russian people and their military leader, Dmitry Donskoy. It rightfully bears the name of one of the unique works of ancient Russian literature. Tells about the event of that time - the Battle of Kulikovo. But is this a reliable source? The Legend opens with a story about heavenly signs that predicted the victory of the Russian people. There are a lot of them and... isn’t it too much? Next, the author cites many interesting facts and describes step by step the events associated with this battle: the campaign of Russian squads from Moscow to the Kulikovo Field, Dmitry Donskoy’s visit to the Trinity Monastery, meeting with Sergius of Radonezh and receiving a blessing to protect the Russian land, sending “watchmen”, appointment of a governor , the beginning of the battle - the duel between the hero Peresvet and the “filthy” warrior, the actions of the Ambush Regiment.

The time of writing the stories of the Kulikovo cycle has not been determined to this day, and there is no consensus on the time of writing the cycle of stories. It has only been established that the closest in date of creation to the memorable year 1380 was “Zadonshchina” - a work that glorified the insight and courage of Dmitry Donskoy and the princes devoted to him, the courage of the Russian squad. Researchers of the literary monument note the copying of the “Tale” “The Tale of Igor’s Host”, composed 200 years earlier, from which entire phrases were taken, as well as passages and some expressions of the “Word...”, and all this was drawn to the story of the victory of the princely squad over the Tatars behind the Don. Later, in the 14th century, the “Chronical Tale of the Battle of the Don” was written, which received its name because it consisted of several chronicles. This “Tale” can be attributed to the genre of military stories. Researchers divide the lists of the “Tale...” into two editions: “Long”, written in the 1390s, containing a more detailed description of the battle on the Kulikovo Field, and “Short”, dating back to the first half of the fifteenth century.

The most detailed literary document reflecting the events that occurred in the fall of 1380 is considered to be “The Tale of the Massacre of Mamaev.” Dmitry Ivanovich, the prince of the land of Moscow and his brother, Prince Vladimir of Serpukhov, are depicted here as smart and fearless military leaders. Their courage and military prowess are glorified. The main idea of “The Legend...” is the unification of Russian princes against the enemy. Only in unity is their strength, only then will they be able to give a worthy rebuff to the enemy. The “Tale…” severely condemns the betrayal of the Ryazan prince Oleg and the treachery of the Lithuanian prince Olgert, who wished to be Mamai’s allies. Like most works of that period, “The Legend...” has a cult flavor. For example, monologues and prayers emphasizing Dmitry’s piety. Of course, the influence of the “Zadonshchina” on the “Legend...”: this was noticeable in some phrases, additions, colorful images of regiments and nature.

So, on the eve of the battle, on the night before the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Prince Dmitry Donskoy and Voivode Volynets travel to the site of the future battle, in the field between the Russian and Tatar sides. And they hear from the enemy side a loud knock and screams and screams, and the mountains seem to be shaking - terrible thunder, as if “the trees and grass were falling down.” This natural phenomenon clearly foreshadowed the death of the “filthy”. And where the Russian squads stand there is “great silence” and flashes of light. And Volynets saw a “good sign” in how “the dawn was lifted from the many lights.”

About a hundred copies of this work are known to this day. Literary scholars divide them into four versions (although there are disagreements among them): Basic, Common, Chronicle and Cyprian. All of them refer to an old text that has not survived to our time, which arose immediately after the Battle of Kulikovo. The earliest edition, which arose in the second half of the 15th century, is considered to be the Main Edition, which formed the basis for the other three. As mentioned above, the main heroes of the events of 1380 are Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, as well as his brother, Vladimir Andreevich, who reigned in Serpukhov. Among the clergy, Metropolitan Cyprian stands apart, who after the Battle of Kulikovo moved from Kyiv to Moscow, received a high rank, and, in addition, took an active part in the affairs of the Principality of Moscow. Cyprian became especially close to the son of Dmitry Donskoy, Vasily Dmitrievich, who, after the death of his father, took the reins of government in the principality into his own hands. In addition, the main edition of the “Tale ...” presents the Lithuanian prince Olgerd as an ally of Mamai, although it is known that in 1377, three years before the events on the Kulikovo Field, the prince had already died and Lithuania was ruled by Jagiello, his son.

Mamai, taking advantage of the fact that Russia and Lithuania had very difficult relations at that time, entered into an agreement with Jagiello and the Ryazan prince Oleg, who was afraid of the strengthening of the Moscow principality. Mamai hoped to defeat the Moscow principality with their help.

A lot of mystical and mysterious things happen the night before the battle. In the "Tale" a certain husband, Thomas Katsibey, a robber, was placed by Dmitry Donskoy on the Churov River on patrol from the Mamai army. And Thomas had a wonderful vision. Standing on a hillock, he saw a cloud coming from the east, of enormous size, as if not a cloud, but an enemy army was moving to the west. And from the southern side, two young men seem to be coming, with bright faces, in light purple robes, in each hand a sharp sword, and asking the enemy commanders: “Who ordered you to destroy our fatherland, which the Lord gave us?” And they began to beat them and destroyed them all, and there was no salvation for anyone. And Thomas from that time became a deeply religious man of rare spiritual purity. He told Prince Dmitry Ivanovich about the mysterious vision in the morning, alone. And the prince answered him: “Don’t tell that, friend, to anyone,” and, raising his hands to the sky, he sobbed, saying: “O Lord, lover of mankind! Prayers for the sake of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, help me, like Moses against the Amalekites, and like old Yaroslav against Svyatopolk, and my great-grandfather Grand Duke Alexander against the boastful king of Rome, who wanted to ruin his fatherland. Do not repay me according to my sins, but pour out your mercy on us, extend your mercy to us, do not give us to the ridicule of our enemies, so that our enemies do not mock us, the countries of the infidels do not say: “Where is the god against whom they so they hoped.” But God help the Christians, for they glorify your holy name!”

Texts of this kind are very typical of Russian literature of those years, which was largely based on the Bible and took its plots from it. Comparisons and open borrowings from it, robbers who believed and became “clean” - all this is by no means, but edification, and this must be well understood.

And then came the “eighth hour” of the day, when the “southern spirit” pulled (this did not mean the southern direction of the wind, but God’s help to the Russian army). It's happy hour. And Volynets cried out, raising his hands to the sky: “Prince Vladimir, our time has come, and the opportune hour has come!” - and added: “My brothers, friends, be bold: the power of the Holy Spirit is helping us!”

“The eighth” this hour is a funny thing. Famous Soviet and modern historian A.N. Kirpichnikov, for example, believed that Bobrok was waiting for the sun to stop shining in the eyes of Russian soldiers. Others even claimed that he was waiting for the wind to blow dust into the eyes of the “accursed Tatar.” In fact, the “southern spirit” mentioned in the “Tale...” could not possibly have been helpful for our warriors, since it brought dust in their faces! After all, the Russian regiments were in the north, and Mamai’s regiments were in the south! But maybe the creator of “The Tale…” got it wrong? No, he knew exactly everything and wrote that Mamai was moving to Rus' from the east, the Danube River was in the west, etc. And what does the same robber Foma Katsibeev say? “God has revealed... from the east... they are coming to the west.” “From the midday country” (i.e. from the south) “two young men came” - meaning Saints Boris and Gleb, who helped the Russian regiments win. Of course, now everyone seems to have believed in God, but is it still worth relying in historical science on the help of two canonized young men, even if they were killed innocently? Moreover, the “southern spirit” is a direct borrowing from the Bible, indicating the godly nature of the Russian cause and nothing more. Therefore, you also don’t have to refer to the “southern spirit” as a trustworthy fact: the Bible doesn’t even say that.

But the battle ended in victory for the Russian troops. And Prince Dmitry said: “Glory to you, the supreme Creator, the heavenly king, the merciful Savior, who had mercy on us sinners and did not give us into the hands of our enemies, filthy raw-eaters. And you, brothers, princes, and boyars, and governors, and the younger squad, Russian sons, are destined for a place between the Don and Nepryadva, on the Kulikovo field, on the Nepryadva river. You laid down your heads for the Russian land, for the Christian faith. Forgive me, brothers, and bless me in this life and in the next!” Prince Dmitry Ivanovich and the governors mourned bitterly for the killed, driving around the field after the bloody battle. By order of Dmitry Donskoy, the dead were buried with honors on the banks of the Nepryadva River. And the winners were honored by all of Moscow, greeting them with the ringing of bells. Olgerd of Lithuania, having learned that Dmitry Donskoy had defeated Mamai, went to Lithuania “with great shame.” And the Ryazan prince Oleg, having learned that Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy intended to go to war against him, got scared and fled from his principality along with his wife and the boyars close to him; the Ryazan people then beat the Grand Duke with their foreheads, asking Dmitry Ivanovich to put his governors in Ryazan.

And Mamai, hiding his real name, was forced to shamefully flee to Kafa (now Feodosiya), there he was identified by a local merchant, captured and killed by friags. This is how Mamai’s life ended ingloriously.

The fame of the Russian soldiers who won the great battle with Mamai’s army quickly spread throughout the world. And foreign merchants and guests from Surozh, who were on a glorious campaign with Dmitry Donskoy, helped in this. “Glory to Shibla to the Iron Gates, to Rome and to Kafa by sea, and to Tornav, and from there to Constantinople for praise: Great Rus' defeated Mamai on the Kulikovo field”...

That is, we can definitely say approximately the same thing: as in relation to the Battle of the Ice - there was a battle, the Russians won, certain accompanying political events took place, and its main culprit, Mamai, fled to Kafa (Feodosia) and was killed there! And... that's it! Meaning? Yes, it was, and quite significant! And all the other “details” from the “Tale…” are… church literature and a retelling of biblical texts, demonstrating the “bookishness” of its author. And for now we will have to be satisfied with this for a long time, if not forever!

The beginning of the story about how God granted victory to the sovereign Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich across the Don over the filthy Mamai and how, through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God and Russian wonderworkers, Orthodox Christianity - God exalted the Russian land, and put the godless Hagarians to shame

According to a number of historians, this story was created in the first half of the 15th century on the basis of chronicle information. Unlike the later “The Tale of the Massacre of Mamayev,” all the main characters and the sequence of events are correctly named in the story. Noteworthy is how the compiler of the story tries to denigrate Oleg Ryazansky. It seems that the Ryazan Grand Duke was the main villain of all times and peoples. Even Mamai pales against his background. Perhaps this story was written shortly after, in 1427, the Ryazan Grand Duke Ivan Fedorovich, grandson of Oleg Ryazansky, broke the treaty with Moscow and swore allegiance to the Lithuanian prince Vitovt. This caused violent indignation in Moscow and, naturally, spilled over into the pages of the chronicle.
Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow is blessed for battle by Bishop Gerasim of Kolomna. The story strongly emphasizes the piety of the Grand Duke of Moscow. Apparently, Prince Vasily Dmitrievich really wanted everyone to forget about the curse placed on his father by Metropolitan Cyprian. It is interesting that the victory was won by the Russian princes with the help of the heavenly army led by the Archangel Michael. />If the “Tale of the Massacre of Mamaev” ends with the defeat of the Tatars and the glorification of the Russian troops, then the earlier “Long Tale” ends with the successful accession of the legitimate Tsar Tokhtamysh in the Horde and the expression of joy of the Russian princes on this occasion. There is no talk of any overthrow of the “Horde yoke”!

THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY OF HOW GOD GRANTED THE VICTORY OF THE GRAND DUKE DMITRY IVANOVICH OF THE DON OVER THE FILTHY MOM, AND BY THE PRAYER OF THE HOLY MOTHER AND THE RUSSIAN WONDERWORKERS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY OF THE RUSSIAN EARTH LOVE GOD RISE, AND THE GODLESS HAHARIANS SHAME

THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY ABOUT HOW GOD GRANTED VICTORY TO THE GOVERNOR GRAND DUKE DMITRY IVANOVICH BEHIND THE DON OVER THE POSSESSIVE MOMAY AND HOW GOD RAISED ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY - THE RUSSIAN LAND WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE HOLY MOTHER AND THE RUSSIAN WONDERWORKERS IL, AND THE GODLESS HAGARIANS SHAMED

I want to tell you, brothers, the battle of new victories, how the battle happened on the Don between Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich and all Orthodox Christians with the filthy Mamai and the godless Hagarians. And God raise up the Christian race, and humiliate the filthy and disgrace their severity, as in former times Gideon over Midian and the glorious Moses over Pharaoh. It is fitting for us to tell the majesty and mercy of God, how the Lord did the will of those who feared him, how the Lord helped Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich and his brother Prince Vladimer Andreevich over the godless Polovtsians and Hagarians.

I want to tell you, brothers, about a new victory in the battle, how on the Don there was a fight between Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich and all Orthodox Christians with the filthy Mamai and with the godless pagans. And God exalted the Christian race, and humiliated the filthy and put to shame their savagery, just as in the old days he helped Gideon over the Midianites and the glorious Moses over Pharaoh. We must tell about the greatness and mercy of God, how the Lord fulfilled the wishes of those faithful to him, how he helped the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich and his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich over the godless Polovtsians and pagans.

By God's remission for our sins, from the infusion of the devil, a prince from the eastern country, named Mamai, rose up from the devil, a Greek by faith, an idolater and an iconoclast, an evil Christian reproacher. And the devil began to incite him and, in his heart, to attack the Christian race, and whispered to him how to destroy the Orthodox faith and desecrate the holy churches and that all Christianity would like to be subdued from him, as if it would not glorify the Lord’s name among his people. Our Lord God, the king and creator of all creatures, can create as much as he wants.

By God's permission, for our sins, through the delusion of the devil, a prince of an eastern country named Mamai, a pagan by faith, an idolater and iconoclast, an evil persecutor of Christians, arose. And the devil began to incite him, and the temptation against the Christian world entered his heart, and his enemy taught him how to ruin the Christian faith and desecrate the holy churches, because he wanted to subjugate all Christians to himself, so that the name of the Lord would not be glorified among the faithful. Our Lord, God, the king and creator of all things, does whatever he wants.

He, the godless Mamai, began to boast and became jealous of the second Julian the apostate, Tsar Batu, and began to ask the old Tatars how Tsar Batu captured the Russian land. And the old Tatars began to tell him how Tsar Batu had captured the Russian land, how he had taken Kiev and Vladimir, and all of Rus', the Slovenian land, and killed the Grand Duke Yuri Dmitreevich, and beaten many Orthodox princes, and desecrated holy churches, and many monasteries and villages. , and in Volodymyr he plundered the golden-topped universal church. I’m blinded by his mind, because he doesn’t understand, no matter how old the Lord is, so it will be. Just as in those days Jerusalem was captured by Titus of Rome and Nechadnasser, the king of Babylon, for their sins and lack of faith - but the Lord is not completely angry, nor is He at enmity forever.

The same godless Mamai began to boast and, envying the second Julian the apostate, Tsar Batu, began asking the old Tatars how Tsar Batu conquered the Russian land. And the old Tatars began to tell him how Tsar Batu conquered the Russian land, how he took Kyiv and Vladimir, and all of Rus', the Slavic land, and killed the Grand Duke Yuri Dmitrievich, and killed many Orthodox princes, and desecrated holy churches and burned many monasteries and villages , and in Vladimir he plundered the golden-domed cathedral church. And since his mind was clouded, he did not comprehend that as the Lord willed, so it will be: in the same way, in ancient days, Jerusalem was captured by Titus the Roman and Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, for the sins and lack of faith of the Jews - but he is not infinitely angry The Lord does not punish forever.

Having heard the godless Mamai from his old Tatars, he began to be mobile and constantly fired at the devil, fighting for Christianity. And I began to say in myself to my Eulpats and Yasaul, and the princes, and the governors, and all the Tatars, like: “I don’t want to do this, like Batu, I will never reach Rus' and kill their prince, and those red cities will prevail over us, and then we will sit down and rule Russia, we will live quietly and serenely.” And the one who knows not, for the Lord’s hand is high.

Having learned everything from his old Tatars, Mamai began to hurry, constantly inflamed by the devil, taking up arms against Christians. And, having forgotten himself, he began to say to his Alpauts, and Esauls, and princes, and governors, and all the Tatars: “I don’t want to do like Batu, but when I come to Rus' and kill their prince, which of the best cities will be sufficient for us - we’ll settle here, and we’ll take over Russia, we’ll live quietly and carefree,” but the damned one didn’t know that the Lord’s hand was high.

And in a few days I crossed the great Volga River with all my might. And many other hordes joined their great army and said to them: “Let us go to the Russian land and enrich ourselves with Russian gold!” The godless one went to Rus', like a roaring lion, panting, like an insatiable viper, breathing with anger. And when you reach the mouth of the Voronozh River, dissolve all your strength and commandment to all your Tatars: “Don’t plow a single grain, be ready for Russian bread!”

And a few days later he crossed the great Volga River with all his strength, and joined many other hordes to his great army and said to them: “Let's go to the Russian land and get rich from Russian gold!” The godless one went to Rus' like a roaring lion, like an insatiable viper breathing anger. And he had already reached the mouth of the Voronezh River, and disbanded all his strength, and punished all his Tatars like this: “Let not one of you plow, be prepared for Russian bread!”

Prince Oleg Rezansky heard that Mamai was wandering around Voronozh, but wanted to go to Rus', to Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow. The poverty of his mind was at the head of him, he sent his son to the godless Mamai with great honor and with many gifts and letters and letters to him: “To the great and mighty of the East, the king of Tsar Mamai, rejoice! Your prisoner and juror Oleg, Prince of Rezansky, has a lot to pray to you. I heard, sir, that you want to go to the Russian land, against your servant, Prince Dimitri Ivanovich Moskovsky, and you want to threaten him. Now, Lord All-Bright Tsar, your time has come: the land of Moscow has been filled with a lot of gold and silver and wealth, and your kingdom will need all kinds of ornaments. And Prince Dmitry of Moscow is a Christian man, when he hears the name of your rage, he will run away to his distant lands: either to Novgorod the Great, or to Beloozero or to the Dvina, and much of Moscow’s wealth and gold will all be in your hands and your wealth will be needed. Your servant, Olga Rezanskaya, is desiring to spare me, the Tsar. I terrify Rus' and Prince Dmitry. And we also pray to you, the Tsar, both of your servants, Oleg Rezansky and Olgord Lithuanian, that the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich has offended us greatly, and where we will threaten him with your Tsar’s name about our insult, he won’t bother about it. And yet, Mr. Tsar, my city Kolomna plundered for itself. And about everything, to the king, we make a complaint to you.”

Prince Oleg Ryazansky found out that Mamai was wandering around Voronezh and wanted to go to Rus', to the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow. The poverty of his mind was in his head, he sent his son to the godless Mamai with great honor and with many gifts and wrote his letters to him like this: “To the Eastern great and free king, Tsar Mamai, rejoice! Your protege, Oleg, Prince of Ryazan, who swore allegiance to you, begs you a lot. I heard, sir, that you want to go to the Russian land, against your servant, Prince Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow, to frighten him. Now, lord and bright king, your time has come: the land of Moscow is overflowing with gold, and silver, and many riches, and all kinds of valuables are needed for your possession. And Prince Dmitry of Moscow - a Christian man - as soon as he hears the word of your rage, he will flee to his distant borders: either to Novgorod the Great, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and the great wealth of Moscow and gold - everything will be in your hands and your army will I will require it. Your power will spare me, your servant, Oleg Ryazansky, O Tsar: after all, for your sake I strongly intimidate Rus' and Prince Dmitry. And we also ask you, O Tsar, both of your servants, Oleg of Ryazan and Olgerd of Lithuania: we received a great insult from this Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, and no matter how in our insult we threaten him with your royal name, he is not worried about it. And also, our lord king, he captured my city of Kolomna for himself - and about all this, oh king, we send you a complaint.”

And the other ambassador of his messenger, Prince Oleg Rezansky, with his writing, the writing is as follows in the letters: “To the Grand Duke Olgord of Lithuania - rejoice with great joy! We know that for a long time you have been thinking about the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow, in order to drive him out of Moscow, and rule Moscow yourself. Now, prince, our time has come, as the great Tsar Mamai is coming against him and his land. Now, prince, we will both venerate ourselves to Tsar Mamai, since the Tsar will give you the city of Moscow, and other cities that are from your reign, and I will give the city of Kolomna, and Vladimer, and Murom, who from my reign will stand nearby . I sent my ambassador to Tsar Mamai with great honor and many gifts. You also sent your ambassador and what were your gifts, and you went to him, and wrote off your letters, as much as you can understand.”

And Prince Oleg Ryazansky soon sent another messenger with his letter, but the letter was written like this: “To the Grand Duke Olgerd of Lithuania - rejoice with great joy! It is known that for a long time you have been plotting against Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow in order to expel him from Moscow and take possession of Moscow yourself. Now, prince, our time has come, for the great Tsar Mamai is coming against him and his land. And now, prince, we will both join Tsar Mamai, for I know that the Tsar will give you the city of Moscow and other cities that are closer to your principality, and he will give me the city of Kolomna, and Vladimir, and Murom, which are to my principality stand closer. I sent my messenger to Tsar Mamai with great honor and with many gifts, and you also sent your messenger, and what gifts you have, you sent to him, writing your letters, but you yourself know how, for more you understand me about that.”

Prince Olgord of Lithuania, hearing this, was very glad for the great praise to his friend Prince Olga of Rezansky. And soon send an envoy to Tsar Mamai with great gifts and much royal pleasure. And write your letters to the mother: “To the great Eastern Tsar Mamai! Prince Olgord of Lithuania, your juror, I beg you a lot! I have heard, sir, that you want to execute your ulus, your servant, the Moscow prince Dmitry. And for this reason, I pray to you, your servant, who cares for the Tsar, because Prince Dmitry of Moscow is doing a great offense to your ulus, Prince Olga Rezansky, and it is also a great dirty trick for me to do. Lord Tsar, excited Mamaia! May the ruler of your kingdom now come to our places, may the Tsar see your view of our rudeness from the Moscow Prince Dmitry Ivanovich.”

Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, having learned about all this, was very pleased with the high praise of his friend Prince Oleg of Ryazan and quickly sent an ambassador to Tsar Mamai with great gifts and gifts for the royal amusements. And he writes his letters like this: “To the great Eastern King Mamai! Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, who swore allegiance to you, begs you a lot. I heard, sir, that you want to punish your destiny, your servant, Prince Dmitry of Moscow, therefore I pray to you, free king, your servant: Prince Dmitry of Moscow inflicts a great insult on your ulus prince Oleg Ryazansky, and he also does great harm to me. Mister Tsar, free Mamai! Let the power of your rule now come to our places, let your attention, O Tsar, turn to our oppression from the Moscow prince Dmitry Ivanovich.”

Oleg Rezansky and Olgord Litovsky thought to themselves, saying: “As soon as Prince Dmitry Tsarev hears the coming and his rage and our oath to him, we will run away from Moscow to Velikiy Novgrad or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina. And we will land on Moscow and Kolomna. When the Tsar comes, we will present him with great gifts and with great honor and beg him, and the Tsar will return to his hordes, and we will divide the reign of Moscow by the Tsar’s decree, to Vilna, to Rezan, and Tsar Mamai will give us labels are ours and ours are ours.” I don’t know what is thinking and what is saying, like young children who are foolish, ignorant of God’s power and the Lord’s vision. In truth it is said: “Whoever trembles in God with faith through good deeds and truth in his heart and places his trust in God, the Lord will not allow that person to be reproached, to be an enemy and to be laughed at.”

Oleg Ryazansky and Olgerd Lithuanian thought to themselves, saying this: “When Prince Dmitry hears about the arrival of the Tsar, and about his rage, and about our alliance with him, he will flee from Moscow to Veliky Novgorod, or to Beloozero, or to the Dvina, and we will land in Moscow and Kolomna. When the Tsar comes, we will meet him with great gifts and with great honor, and we will beg him, and the Tsar will return to his possessions, and we will divide the Principality of Moscow, at the Tsar’s command, among ourselves - either to Vilna, or to Ryazan, and he will give us Tsar Mamai gave his labels to his descendants after us.” They didn’t know what they were planning and what they were saying, like foolish little children, ignorant of God’s power and the Lord’s destiny. For it is truly said: “If someone has faith in God with good deeds and holds truth in his heart and trusts in God, then the Lord will not hand over that person to his enemies for reproach and ridicule.”

And the Lord, Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, is a humble man and bears the image of humility, heavenly desires and the expectation of future eternal blessings from God, not knowing that his close friends are bringing evil upon him. About such the prophet spoke: “Do not do evil to your neighbor and do not swarm or dig holes for your enemy. Put it towards God the Creator. The Lord God can live and kill.”

The Sovereign, Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, a peaceful man, was a model of humility, he desired heavenly life, expecting future eternal blessings from God, not knowing that his close friends were plotting an evil plot against him. The prophet said about such people: “Do not do evil to your neighbor and do not swarm, do not dig holes for your enemy, but trust in God the Creator, the Lord God can give life and death.”

The ambassadors came to Tsar Mamai from Olgord of Lithuania and from Olga of Rezansk and brought him many gifts and written books. The Tsar received the gifts with love and the books, and having heard the letters, and having honored the ambassadors, he released them, and wrote the letter to Sitsev: “To Olgord of Lithuania and Olga of Rezansky. Based on your gifts and for your praise for joining me, as much as you want from me, I will give you Russian estates. And you take an oath to me and meet me whenever you have time, and defeat your enemy. Because your help is not very convenient for me: if only I would now, with my great power, I would have captured ancient Jerusalem, just as I did the Chaldeans. Now I want your honor, in my royal name and with a thunderstorm, and by your oath and with your hand, Prince Dmitry of Moscow will be dissolved, and your name will be threatened in your countries with my thunderstorm. Since it is worthy for me to defeat the king like myself, then it is fitting and worthy for me to receive the royal honor. And now you go away from me and recite my words to your princes.”

Ambassadors came to Tsar Mamai from Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan and brought him great gifts and letters. The tsar accepted the gifts and letters favorably and, having heard the letters and ambassadors with respect, released him and wrote the following answer: “To Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan. For your gifts and for your praise addressed to me, whatever Russian possessions you want from me, I will give you those. And you swear allegiance to me and quickly come to me and defeat your enemy. I don’t really need your help: if I wanted to now, then with my great strength I would conquer ancient Jerusalem, as the Chaldeans did before. Now I want to support you: in my royal name and by force, and by your oath and by your hand, Prince Dmitry of Moscow will be defeated, and your name will become formidable in your countries through my threat. After all, if I, the king, have to defeat a king similar to myself, then it is right and proper for me to receive the royal honor. Now go away from me and convey my words to your princes.”

The ambassadors returned from the king to their princes and told them: “Tsar Mamai congratulate you and tell you for your great praise, good verb.” They, with a meager mind, rejoiced at the vain greetings of the godless king, and did not know that God should give power to Him. Nowadays there is one faith, one baptism, and by joining with the godless they will persecute the Orthodox faith of Christ. About such the prophet said: “Indeed, you yourself will cut off your own good olive oil and sit down to the olive oil.”

The ambassadors, returning from the king to their princes, told them: “Tsar Mamai greets you and is very kind to you for your great praise!” Those, poor in mind, rejoiced at the vain greetings of the godless king, not knowing that God gives power to whomever he wishes. Now - one faith, one baptism - the godless and the godless have united together to pursue the Orthodox faith of Christ. The prophet said about such people: “Indeed, they cut themselves off from the good olive tree and were grafted into the wild olive tree.”

Prince Oleg Rezansky began to hurry, sending ambassadors to Mamaev and saying: “Strive, O Tsar, quickly to Rus'.” For wisdom says: “The path of the wicked is not hastened, but they accumulate insults and diarrhea for themselves.” Now I will name this new Olga Svyatoplok.

Hearing that the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich heard that the godless Tsar Mamai was coming against him with many hordes and with all his might, steadily angry at Christianity and the faith of Christ and jealous of the headless Batu, the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich was saddened by the godless presence. And standing before the holy icon of the Lord’s image, which stands at its head, and fell on his knee, he began to pray and said: “Lord! I, sinner, dare I pray to you, your humble servant? then to whom will I extend my despondency? I trust in you, Lord, and I will cast away my sorrow. And you, Lord, King, Master, Light-Giver, do not do to us, Lord, like our fathers, who brought the evil of Batya upon them and on their cities, and moreover, Lord, that fear and trembling in us is great. And now, Lord, King, Master, do not be completely angry with us, because, Lord, for the sake of me, a sinner, you want to destroy our whole land; I have sinned against you more than all men. Make me, O Lord, tears for my sake, like Hezekiah, and tame, O Lord, the heart of this ferocious beast!” I bowed down and said: “I have trusted in the Lord, and I will not faint.” And he sent an ambassador for his brother, Prince Vladimer Andreevich, to Borovesk, and for all the Russian princes, fast messengers Rozoslav, and for all the local governors, and for the boyar children, and for all the service people. And he ordered them to be in Moscow soon.

And the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich heard that the godless Tsar Mamai was approaching him with many hordes and with all his might, tirelessly raging against Christians and the faith of Christ and envying the insane Batu, and the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich was greatly saddened because of the invasion of the godless. And standing before the holy icon of the Lord, which stood at the head of it, and falling on his knees, he began to pray and said: “Lord! Do I, a sinner, dare to pray to you, your humble servant? But to whom shall I turn my sorrow? I rely only on you, Lord, and I will lift up my sorrow. But you, Lord, king, ruler, giver of light, do not do to us, Lord, what you did to our fathers by bringing the evil Batu upon them and their cities, for even now, Lord, that great fear and trembling lives in us. And now, Lord, king, lord, do not be completely angry with us, because I know, Lord, that because of me, a sinner, you want to destroy our entire land; for I have sinned against you more than all people. Make me, O Lord, for my tears, like Ezekiah, and, O Lord, tame the heart of this ferocious beast!” He bowed and said: “I have trusted in the Lord, and I will not perish.” And he sent for his brother, for Prince Vladimir Andreevich to Borovsk, and for all the Russian princes he sent out fast messengers, and for all the local governors, and for the boyar children, and for all the service people. And he ordered them to quickly be in Moscow.

Prince Vladimer Andreevich came on board to Moscow and all the princes and governors. The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having captured his brother Prince Vladimer Andreevich, came to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian and said to him: “Do you, our father, now imagine this great misfortune, as the godless Tsar Mamai is coming upon us, bearing wrath unflinchingly?” The Metropolitan said to the Grand Duke: “Lead me, sir, why have you not corrected yourself before him?” The great prince said: “We are tested, great father, as everything is according to our fathers’ tradition, and even more so we sigh to him.” The Metropolitan said: “You see, sir, with God’s permission, for the sake of our sins, to go to captivate our land, it is fitting for you, an Orthodox prince, to satisfy those wicked ones with the gift of the fourfold. If for the sake of this the Lord does not humble himself, otherwise the Lord humbles him, for this reason the Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. The same thing happened sometimes to the Great Basil in Caesarea: when the evil apostate Julian, going to hell, and wanting to destroy his city of Caesarea, Basil the Great prayed with all the Christians to the Lord God and collected a lot of gold and a messenger to him in order to satisfy his criminal. He became more angry, and the Lord sent the wine of his Mercury against him to destroy him. And the wicked one was invisibly pierced into the heart, ending his life in evil. But you, sir, take the gold, as much as you have, and go against him and, moreover, make amends before him.”

Prince Vladimir Andreevich soon arrived in Moscow, and all the princes and governors. And the Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, taking his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich, came to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian and said to him: “Do you know, our father, the great test that lies ahead of us - after all, the godless Tsar Mamai is moving towards us, inflaming his inexorable rage?” And the Metropolitan answered the Grand Duke: “Tell me, my lord, what have you done wrong to him?” The great prince said: “I checked, father; everything is certain that everything according to the behests of our fathers, and even more, paid tribute to him.” The Metropolitan said: “You see, my lord, with God’s permission for the sake of our sins, he is coming to fill our land, but you, Orthodox princes, must satisfy those wicked ones with gifts at least four times. If even after that he does not humble himself, then the Lord will pacify him, because the Lord resists the daring, but gives grace to the humble. The same thing happened once with the Great Basil in Caesarea: when the evil apostate Julian, going against the Persians, wanted to destroy his city of Caesarea, Basil the Great prayed with all the Christians to the Lord God, collected a lot of gold and sent it to him to satisfy the greed of the criminal. The same accursed one only became more enraged, and the Lord sent his warrior, Mercury, against him to destroy him. And the wicked one was invisibly pierced in the heart and cruelly ended his life. You, my lord, take as much gold as you have and go to meet him - justify yourself to him again.”

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich was pleased with his chosen young man, being pleased with his reason and sense, in the name of Zakhary Tyutshov and give him two interpreters who know the Polovtsian language, and send with him a lot of gold to the wicked Tsar Mamai. Zachariah, having reached the land of Rezan and hearing that Oleg of Rezansky and Olgord of Lithuania kissed the filthy Tsar Mamai, soon sending a messenger secretly to the Grand Duke.

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, hearing that news, began to ache in his heart and was filled with rage and sorrow, and began to pray: “Lord my God, I trust in you, who loves the truth. If my enemy does dirty tricks, then it is fitting for me to trample, as from time immemorial he is a hater and enemy of the Christian race; These are my sincere friends who have such plans for me. Judge, Lord, between them and me, for I have not done a single evil to them, unless I have received gifts and gifts from them, and I have given them the same gifts against them. Judge, O Lord, according to my righteousness, so that the malice of sinners may end.”

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having heard that news, grieved in his heart, and was filled with rage and sadness, and began to pray: “Lord my God, I trust in you, who loves the truth. If an enemy harms me, then I should endure it, for from time immemorial he has been a hater and enemy of the Christian race; but my close friends plotted against me. Judge, O Lord, between them and me, for I did not cause them any harm, except that I accepted gifts and honors from them, but I also gave them in return. Judge, O Lord, according to my righteousness, let the malice of sinners cease.”

And I caught my brother, Prince Vladimer Andreevich, and went second to the Right Reverend Metropolitan and told him how Olgord of Lithuania and Oleg of Rezansky copulated with Mamai on us. The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “Again, sir, what offense did you cause?” - The great prince shed tears and said: “Even if I am a sinner before God or men, and before them I have not transgressed a single trait according to the law of my fathers. You know, father, that you yourself are satisfied with your currents, and have not caused any offense to them and do not know that for the sake of multiplying the cold on me.” The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “My son, Lord the Great Prince, enlighten the eyes of your heart with joy: honor the law of God and do the truth, as the Lord is righteous and loves the truth. Nowadays you have become like many psychopaths who teach in vain and in vain, but you resist them in the name of the Lord. The Lord is truthful and you will be a helper of truth. And where can the Master escape from the all-seeing eye from his strong hand?

And, taking his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, he went a second time to the Metropolitan and told him how Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan united with Mamai on us. The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “And you yourself, sir, have not caused any offense to both of them?” The great prince shed tears and said: “If I am a sinner before God or before people, then before them I have not transgressed a single line according to the law of my fathers. For you yourself, Father, know that I am satisfied with my limits, and have not caused them any offense, and I don’t know why those who harm me have multiplied against me.” The Right Reverend Metropolitan said: “My son, the great lord prince, may your heart’s eyes be illuminated with joy: you honor the law of God and do the truth, since the Lord is righteous, and you have loved righteousness. Now they have surrounded you like many dogs; Their attempts are vain and in vain, but in the name of the Lord, defend yourself from them. The Lord is just and will be your true helper. Where can you hide from the all-seeing eye of the Lord - and from His firm hand?

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, with prince Vladimer Andreevich and with all the Russian princes and governors, decided to prepare a strong watchman in the field. And the ambassador sent his chosen strong gunmen on guard: Rodion Rzhevskago, Andrea Volosatago, Vasily Tupik, Yakov Oslyabyatov and other strong young men with them. And he commanded them to guard the children on Quiet Pine with all zeal and go under the Horde and gain the tongue to hear the truth of the king’s desire.

And the Great Prince himself sent swift messengers throughout the Russian land, Rozoslav, with his letters throughout the city: “Let you all be prepared for my service, to fight against the godless Polovtsy Hagarians. Buy everything in Kolomna, let the holy Mother of God buy meat.”

And the great prince himself sent fast messengers with his letters to all cities throughout the Russian land: “Be ready, all of you, to go to my service, to the battle with the godless Hagarians and Tatars; Let us all unite in Kolomna for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God.”

And the same watchmen slowed down in the field, and the Great Prince gave the second guard to the ambassador: Kliment Polyanin, Ivan Svyatoslav Sveslanin, Grigory Sudokov and others with them, commanding them to return soon. They are the word of Vasily Deadlock: to lead the tongue to the Grand Duke, the tongue of the Tsar’s court, the high-ranking husband. And tell the Grand Duke that Mamai is steadily coming to Rus' and how Oleg Rezansky and Olgord Lithuanian cheated and copulated with him. The king shouldn’t rush to go because he’s waiting for autumn.

And since the guard detachments lingered in the steppe, the Great Prince sent a second outpost: Clementy Polyanin, Ivan Svyatoslavich Sveslanin, Grigory Sudakov and others with them, ordering them to return quickly. The same ones met Vasily Tupik: he leads the tongue to the Grand Duke, and the tongue is from the people of the royal court, from the dignitaries. And he informs the Grand Duke that Mamai is inevitably approaching Rus' and that Oleg Ryazansky and Olgerd of Lithuania have exiled each other and united with him. But the king is in no hurry to go because he is waiting for autumn.

Hearing from the tongue such a thought expressed and such the rise of the godless king, he began to take comfort in God and strengthened his brother Prince Vladimer and all the Russian princes and said: “Brother Russian princes, the nest is Prince Vladimer Svyatoslavich of Kiev, to whom the Lord has revealed get to know the Orthodox faith , like Eustathius Placidas, who enlightened the entire Russian land with holy baptism, brought us out of the Hellenic passions and commanded us to hold the same holy faith tightly, preserve and overcome it. If anyone suffers for her sake, he will be counted among the saints who suffered through the faith of Christ. But, brothers, I want to suffer for the faith of Christ, even to the point of death.” They decided everything to him collectively, as if with one mouth: “Truly, sir, you have perfected the law of God and fulfilled the commandment of the Gospel, for the Lord said: “If anyone suffers for my name’s sake, then in the age to come you will receive eternal life a hundredfold.” And we, sir, prepare today to die with you and lay our heads for the holy Christian faith and for your great offense.”

Having heard such news from the tongue about the invasion of the godless king, the Grand Duke began to take comfort in God and called for firmness on his brother Prince Vladimir and all the Russian princes, saying: “Brothers Russian princes, we are all from the family of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich of Kyiv, to whom the Lord opened to know the Orthodox faith, like Eustathius Placidas; He enlightened the entire Russian land with holy baptism, delivered us from the torment of paganism, and commanded us to firmly hold and preserve the same holy faith and fight for it. If anyone suffers for her, in the future life he will be numbered among the holy first martyrs for the faith of Christ. “I, brothers, want to suffer for the faith of Christ, even to the point of death.” They all answered him in agreement, as if with one mouth: “Truly, sir, you have fulfilled the law of God and followed the gospel commandment, for the Lord said: “If anyone suffers for my name’s sake, then after the resurrection he will receive eternal life a hundredfold.” And we, sir, today are ready to die with you and lay down our heads for the holy Christian faith and for your great offense.”

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having heard from his brother Prince Vladimer Andreevich and from all the Russian princes that they were fighting by faith to overcome, and commanded all his troops to be in Kolomna for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, saying: “Let me sort out the plukkas and plukkas of all I'll make a vodvod " And the whole multitude of people, as if with one mouth, deciding: “Grant us, Lord, to change this course, for the sake of your holy name.”

The Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, having heard this from his brother Prince Vladimir Andreevich and from all the Russian princes who decide to fight for the faith, ordered his entire army to be at Kolomna for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God: “Then I will review the regiments and appoint a governor for each regiment.” And the whole multitude of people seemed to say with their lips alone: “Give us, Lord, this decision to fulfill your name for the sake of the saint!”

And the princes of Beloozersk came to him, similar to the warriors and velms, their army was established: Prince Feodor Semenovich, Prince Semyon Mikhailovich, Prince Andrey Kemsky, Prince Gleb of Kargopol, and the Andom princes; The Yaroslavl princes arrived with their forces: Prince Andrey Yaroslavsky, Prince Roman Prozorovsky, Prince Lev Kurbsky, Prince Dmitry Rostovsky, and many other princes.

And the Belozersk princes came to him, they were ready for battle, and their army was perfectly equipped: Prince Fyodor Semenovich, Prince Semyon Mikhailovich, Prince Andrei Kemsky, Prince Gleb Kargopolsky and the Andom princes; Yaroslavl princes also came with their regiments: Prince Andrei Yaroslavsky, Prince Roman Prozorovsky, Prince Lev Kurbsky, Prince Dmitry Rostovsky and many other princes.

Now, brothers, the knock is knocking and like thunder is thundering in the glorious city of Moscow, then the army of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich is coming, and the Russian sons are thundering with their gilded armor.

Immediately, brothers, a knock knocks and as if thunder rumbles in the glorious city of Moscow - then the strong army of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich is coming, and the Russian sons are thundering with their gilded armor.

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich will take with him his brother, Prince Vladimer Andreevich, and all the Russian princes, and will go to the Holy Trinity to bow to his father, the Venerable Elder Sergius, to receive blessings from the holy monastery. And the Reverend Abbot Sergius pray to him to listen to the holy litorgy, for then it is Sunday and the memory of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus. After the dismissal of the Liturgy, pray to Saint Sergius and all his brothers, the Grand Duke, to eat bread in the house of the Holy Trinity, in his monastery. The Grand Duke needs to eat, as messengers have come to him, as if the abominations of the Polovtsy are already approaching, begging the venerable one to let him go. And the reverend elder said to him: “Stop slowing down and making haste. It’s not like you, sir, have yet to wear this crown of victory, but in the past years, but many others are now weaving their crowns.” The great prince tasted their bread, and Abbot Sergius at that time ordered the water to be blessed from the relics of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus. The great prince will soon get up from the meal, but the Monk Sergius sprinkles him with sacred water and all his Christ-loving hosts and gives the great prince the cross of Christ - a sign on his forehead. And he said: “Go, sir, to the filthy Polovtsy, calling on God, and the Lord God will be your helper and intercessor.” And I speak to him secretly: “Imashi, sir, defeat your adversaries, as long as your state is satisfied.” The great prince said: “Give me, father, two wines from your pluk - Peresvet Alexander and his brother Andrey Oslyab, and you yourself will help us.” The venerable elder commanded him to quickly prepare with the Grand Duke, for knowing the essence of the warriors in battle, not a single hundred riders. They quickly obeyed the venerable elder and did not reject his command. And give them an incorruptible weapon in a corruptible place - the cross of Christ is found on the skims, and commanded them to put it on themselves instead of the gilded sholomov. And give them in the hands of the Grand Duke and the speech: “These are my armored women, and yours are the maids,” and the speech to them: “Peace be with you, my brethren, guard firmly, for you are good in the faith of Christ and in all Orthodox Christianity with the filthy Polovtsians! » And give the sign of Christ to all the troops of the Grand Duke, peace and blessing.

The Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, taking with him his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, and all the Russian princes, went to the Life-Giving Trinity to bow to his spiritual father, the Venerable Elder Sergius, to receive a blessing from that holy monastery. And the venerable abbot Sergius begged him to listen to the holy liturgy, because it was then Sunday and the memory of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus was honored. At the end of the Liturgy, Saint Sergius and all the brothers of the Grand Duke asked him to eat bread in the house of the Life-Giving Trinity, in his monastery. It was hard for the Grand Duke, for messengers came to him that the filthy Tatars were already approaching, and he asked the monk to let him go. And the venerable elder answered him: “This delay of yours will turn into double help for you. For it is not now, my lord, that you will wear the crown of death, but in a few years, and for many others the crowns are now being woven.” The great prince ate their bread, and Abbot Sergius at that time ordered the water to be blessed from the relics of the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus. The great prince soon got up from the meal, and the Monk Sergius sprinkled him with sacred water and all his Christ-loving army, and overshadowed the great prince with the cross of Christ - a sign on his forehead. And he said: “Go, sir, against the filthy Polovtsians, calling on God, and the Lord God will be your helper and intercessor,” and added to him quietly: “You will defeat, sir, your adversaries, as befits you, our sovereign.” The great prince said: “Give me, father, two warriors from your brethren - Peresvet Alexander and his brother Andrei Oslyab, then you yourself will help us.” The venerable elder ordered both of them to quickly get ready to go with the Grand Duke, for they were famous warriors in battles, they had met more than one attack. They immediately obeyed the venerable elder and did not refuse his command. And he gave them, instead of perishable weapons, an incorruptible one - the cross of Christ, sewn on the schemas, and commanded them, instead of gilded helmets, to place it on themselves. And he handed them over to the hands of the Grand Duke, and said: “Here are my warriors for you, and your chosen ones,” and said to them: “Peace be with you, my brothers, fight firmly, like glorious warriors for the faith of Christ and for all Orthodox Christianity against the filthy Polovtsy." And the sign of Christ overshadowed the entire army of the Grand Duke - peace and blessing.

The great prince was glad at heart and did not tell anyone what the Monk Sergius had said to him. And go to your glorious city of Moscow, rejoicing, as if you have discreetly found a treasure, the blessing of the holy elder. And having arrived in Moscow, he went with his brother, with Prince Vladimer Andreevich, to the Most Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian and told the only metropolitan what Elder Saint Sergius had said to him secretly and what blessing he would give to him and his entire Orthodox army. The Archbishop ordered to keep these words and not tell anyone.

I arrived on the fourth of August 27, in memory of the holy father Pimin the Otkhodnik, on that day the great prince decided to go out against the godless Tatars. And we took with us our brother Prince Vladimer Andreevich, and stood in the church of the Holy Mother of God before the image of the Lord, bending her hands to her breasts, shedding a source of tears, praying, and saying: “Lord our God, terrible and strong Lord, truly you are the king of glory , have mercy on us sinners, when we become discouraged, we resort to you alone, our savior and benefactor, by your hand we were created. But we know, Lord, that my sins have exceeded my head, and now do not forsake us sinners, nor depart from us. Judge, Lord, those who offend me and pick up those who fight with me, accept, Lord, weapons and shields and stand to help me. Grant me, Lord, victory over our hostile enemies, so that you too may know your glory.” And then proceed to the miraculous image of the Lady Queen, the southern Luke the Evangelist, who wrote alive, and said: “Oh, the miraculous Lady Queen, intercessor of all human creation, through you the knowledge of our true God, incarnate and born from you. Do not let the filthy Polovtsy destroy our cities, Madam, and do not desecrate your holy churches and Christian faith. Pray, Lady Queen, your son Christ, our God, to humble your heart against our enemy, so that your hand will not be high. And you, Lady Most Holy Theotokos, send us your help and cover us with your imperishable robe, so that we will not be afraid of wounds, for we rely on you, as we are your servants. After all, Madam, if you want and can help us against these nasty enemies, the filthy Polovtsians, who do not call on your name, we, the Most Pure Mother of God, rely on you and for your help. Now we are struggling against the godless Pechenegs, the filthy Tatars, so that your son, our God, may be beseeched by you.” And then he came to the tomb of the blessed miracle worker Peter the Metropolitan, fell kindly to him, and said: “O miracle worker Saint Peter, by the grace of God you continually work miracles. And now the time has come to pray for us to the common ruler of all, the Tsar, the merciful Savior. Now the adversaries of abomination have wept upon me and are firmly armed against your city of Moscow. For the Lord, show us to our last generation and burn for you a bright lamp, and place it on the high priesthood to shine the light of the entire Russian land. And now it is fitting for you, sinners, to pray for us, so that the hand of death and the hand of a sinner do not come upon us and destroy us. For you are our strong guard from opposing attacks, like your shepherd.” And having finished the prayer, bowed to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian, the archbishop blessed him and sent him away to drink against the filthy Tatars and give him the sign of Christ - a cross on his forehead and the holy ambassador of his collection with crosses and with holy icons and with sacred water at the Frolov Gate, and at the St. Nicholas Gate , and in Konstantin-Elenskaya, so that everyone is blessed to come forth and be sprinkled with sacred water.

When Thursday, August 27, came, the day of remembrance of the holy father Pimen the Hermit, on that day the great prince decided to go out to meet the godless Tatars. And, taking with him his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, he stood in the church of the Holy Mother of God before the image of the Lord, folding his hands on his chest, shedding streams of tears, praying, and said: “Lord our God, great and steadfast Lord, truly you are the king of glory , have mercy on us sinners, when we become discouraged, we resort to you alone, our savior and benefactor, for we were created by your hand. But I know, Lord, that my sins are already covering my head, and now do not leave us sinners, do not depart from us. Judge, Lord, those who oppress me and defend from those who fight with me; Take, Lord, a weapon and a shield and come to my aid. Grant me, Lord, victory over my enemies, so that they too may know your glory.” And then he proceeded to the miraculous image of the Lady Theotokos, which Luke the Evangelist wrote, and said: “O miraculous Lady Theotokos, intercessor of all human creation, for thanks to you we came to know our true God, incarnate and begotten by you. Do not, Madam, give our cities to destruction to the filthy Polovtsians, lest they desecrate your holy churches and Christian faith. Pray, Madam Mother of God, to your son Christ, our God, to humble the hearts of our enemies, so that their hand will not be over us. And you, our lady, the Most Holy Theotokos, send us your help and cover us with your incorruptible robe, so that we do not fear wounds, we rely on you, for we are your slaves. I know, Madam, if you want, you will help us against our evil enemies, these filthy Polovtsians who do not call upon your name; We, Lady Most Pure Mother of God, rely on you and your help. Now we are speaking out against the godless pagans, the filthy Tatars, pray to your son, our God.” And then he came to the tomb of the blessed wonderworker Peter the Metropolitan and, falling heartily before him, said: “O wonderworking Saint Peter, by the grace of God you continually work miracles. And now the time has come for you to pray for us to the common ruler of all, the king and the merciful Savior. For now the filthy adversaries have taken up arms against me and are preparing weapons against your city Moscow. After all, the Lord showed you to our generations and lit you for us, a bright candle, and placed you on a high candlestick to shine on the whole Russian land. And now it is fitting for you to pray for us sinners, so that the hand of death does not come upon us and the hand of the sinner does not destroy us. You are our steadfast guard against enemy attacks, for we are your flock.” And, having finished the prayer, he bowed to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian, but the archbishop blessed him and released him on a campaign against the filthy Tatars; and, having crossed his forehead, overshadowed him with the sign of Christ, and sent his holy council with crosses, and with holy icons, and with sacred water to the Frolovsky gate, and to the Nikolsky, and to the Konstantino-Eleninsky, so that every warrior would come out blessed and with holy water sprinkled

The great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, with Prince Vladimer Andreevich, went to the church of the heavenly commander of the Archangel Michael and struck his holy image with his forehead, and then proceeded to the tomb of the Orthodox princes of his ancestors, and so tearfully recited: “True guardians, Russian princes, Orthodox Christian faith champions, our parents! If you have encouragement from Christ, now pray for our despondency, for a great uprising has now befallen us, your children, and now struggle with us.” And behold, he left the church.

The great prince Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, with prince Vladimir Andreevich, went to the church of the heavenly commander, Archangel Michael, and beat his holy image with his forehead, and then proceeded to the tombs of the Orthodox princes, his ancestors, tearfully saying: “True guardians, Russian princes, Orthodox Christian champions, our parents! If you have the boldness to stand before Christ, then pray now for our grief, for a great invasion threatens us, your children, and now help us.” And having said this, he left the church.

The Great Princess Eovdokia, and Princess Maria of Vladimir, and other Orthodox princes, princesses, and many wives of the voivodskaya, and the noblewomen of Moscow, and the servants of those wives stood, seeing off, in tears and exclamations of the heart, unable to utter a word, giving the last Eating. And the other princesses and boyars, and servant wives, also gave their husbands the final kiss and returned with the Grand Duchess. The great prince himself could hardly help himself from tears, not allowing himself to shed tears for the sake of the people, but with his great heart he shed tears, and comforted his princess, and said: “Woman, if God is for us, then who will be against us!”

And he mounted his chosen horse, and all the princes and commanders mounted their horses.

And he sat on his best horse, and all the princes and commanders sat on their horses.

The sun will shine clearly for him, tell him the way. Even then, like falcons, rushing from the golden wells and stones of the city of Moscow and flying under the blue skies and rattling their golden bells, and wanting to strike at the many herds of swans and geese; then, brother, it was not the falcons that flew out from the stone city of Moscow, but the Russian braves with their sovereign, with the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, who wanted to ride on the great Tatar power.

The sun shines clearly for him in the east, showing him the way. Then, as the falcons fell from the golden stocks from the stone city of Moscow, and flew up under the blue skies, and thundered with their golden bells, they wanted to strike at the large flocks of swans and geese; then, brothers, it was not falcons that flew out of the stone city of Moscow, then Russian daredevils left with their sovereign, with Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, but they wanted to run into the great Tatar power.

The princes of Beloozersk left with their heads; It’s hard to see their presence.

The Belozersk princes left separately with their army; Their army looks finished.

The great prince let his brother, Prince Vladimer, go to the Brasheva road, and the Belozersk princes - to the Bolvanovskaya road, and the great prince himself will go to the Kotel road. Ahead of him, it is good for the sun to shine, and for him a gentle wind to blow. For this reason, the great prince separated from his brother, as he could not meet them on one road.

The great prince sent his brother, Prince Vladimir, on the road to Brashevo, and the Belozersk princes on the Bolvanovskaya road, and the great prince himself went to the Kotel road. The sun shines brightly in front of him, and a quiet breeze blows after him. That is why the great prince was separated from his brother, because they could not travel the same road.

The Grand Duchess Eovdokia with her daughter-in-law, Princess Volodimerova Maria, and with the voivode's wives and boyars, went up to their golden-domed mansion on the embankment and sat down on the Urunduts under the glass windows. It’s already the end of one’s vision to look at the Grand Duke, tears flowing like the rapids of a river. With great sadness, he put his hands to his chest and said: “Lord my God, the highest creator, look at my humility, grant me, Lord, to still see my sovereign, the glorious Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich among men. Give him, Lord, help from your strong hand to defeat the filthy Polovtsians who are disgusting to him. And do not, Lord, do as before, in just a few short years, there was a great battle between the Russian prince on Kalki and the filthy Polovtsians from the Hagarians; and now, Lord, deliver them from such misfortune and save them, and have mercy! Do not let, Lord, the remaining Christianity perish, may your holy name be glorified in the Russian land. Because of the Galadian troubles and the great massacre of the Tatars, even now the Russian land is sad and no longer has hope in anyone except you, the all-merciful God, who can live and die. Because, sinner, I now have two branches, they are still young, Prince Vasily and Prince Yuria. Whenever the clear sun hits them from the south or the wind blows against the west, both cannot yet be shaken. Then I am a sinner, what will I do? “Return to them, O Lord, their father, the Grand Duke, in good health, and their land will be saved, and they will reign forever.”

The Great Princess Evdokia, with her daughter-in-law, Princess Vladimir Maria, and with the voivode's wives, and with the boyars, went up to her golden-domed mansion on the shore and sat down on the locker under the glass windows. For this is the last time he sees the Grand Duke, shedding tears like a river flow. With great sadness, putting his hands to his chest, he says: “Lord my God, the Almighty Creator, look at my humility, deign me, Lord, to see again my sovereign, the most glorious among people, Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich. Help him, Lord, with your firm hand to defeat the filthy Polovtsians who came out against him. And do not allow, Lord, what happened many years before this, when the Russian princes had a terrible battle on Kalka with the filthy Polovtsians, with the Hagarians; and now, Lord, deliver from such trouble, and save, and have mercy! Do not let, Lord, the surviving Christianity perish, and let your holy name be glorified in the Russian land! Since the time of that Kalka disaster and the terrible massacre of the Tatars, the Russian land is now sad, and it no longer has hope for anyone, but only for you, the all-merciful God, for you can revive and kill. I, a sinner, now have two small branches, Prince Vasily and Prince Yuri: if the clear sun rises from the south or the wind blows to the west, neither one nor the other will be able to bear it. What then can I, a sinner, do? So, Lord, return to them their father, the Grand Duke, healthy, then their land will be saved, and they will always reign.”

The great prince went, took with him the men of the deliberate, Moscow guests of the Surozhan ten people for the sake of vision, if God would happen to him, and they would have to tell in distant lands, like guest hosts, being: 1. Vasily Kapitsa, 2. Sidora Olferyev, 3 . Konstantin Petunova, 4. Kozma Kovryu, 5. Semyon Ontonov, 6. Mikhail Salarev, 7. Timofey Vesyakova, 8. Dimitria Chernago, 9. Dementia Salareva, 10. Ivan Shikha.

The Grand Duke set off, taking with him ten noble men, Moscow merchants-surozhans, as witnesses: no matter what God arranges, they will tell in distant countries, like noble merchants, and they were: the first - Vasily Kapitsa, the second - Sidor Alferyev , third - Konstantin Petunov, fourth - Kuzma Kovrya, fifth - Semyon Antonov, sixth - Mikhail Salarev, seventh - Timofey Vesyakov, eighth - Dmitry Cherny, ninth - Dementy Salarev and tenth - Ivan Shikha.

And the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich advanced in great heights, and the Russian sons marched along them successfully, like drinking cups of honey and stems of wine, wanting to gain for themselves honor and a glorious name: already, brethren, the knocking will knock and thunder will thunder at the early dawn ѣ, Prince Vladimer Andreevich is transported from the Moscow River on a red transport to Borovets.

The great prince came to Kolomna on Saturday, in memory of the holy father Moisia Murin. There were also many governors and warriors and they met him on the river on Severka. Archbishop Gerontey of Kolomna met the Grand Duke at the city gates with life-giving crosses and holy icons with the whole collection and covered him with a life-giving cross and said the prayer “Save, God, your people.”

The great prince came to Kolomna on Saturday, the day of memory of the holy father Moses Murin. Many governors and warriors were already there and met him on the river in Severka. Archbishop Geronty of Kolomna with all his clergy met the Grand Duke at the city gates with life-giving crosses and holy icons, and overshadowed him with the life-giving cross, and said the prayer: “Save, God, your people.”

In the morning, the great prince ordered everyone to go out into the field to Divich.

The next morning, the Grand Duke ordered all the soldiers to go to the field to the Maiden Monastery.

On Holy Week, after Matins, many war trumpets begin to sound, and many argans are beaten, and treasures roar are laid out in Panfilov’s garden.

On Holy Sunday, after Matins, many trumpets sounded, and the kettledrums thundered, and the embroidered banners rustled near Panfilov’s garden.

The sons of the Russians stepped on the great fields of Kolomna, as it was not powerful enough to contain the great war, and it was impossible for anyone to see the army of the Grand Duke. The great prince, having gone to a high place with his brother, with Prince Vladimer Andreevich, seeing many many decent people, rejoiced and brought order to the governor’s platitude. The Grand Duke took the Belozersk princes into his regiment, and gave his right hand to his brother, Prince Vladimer, gave him the Yaroslavl princes to the regiment, and made his left hand Prince Gleb of Bryansk. The advanced Plk - Dmitry Vsevolozhny, yes, his brother Vladimer Vsevolozh, from Kolomnichi - the Vasilyevichi Vyvovod, the Vladimir Voevoda and the Yuryevsky - the Timofi Volyevich, the Kostroma Voevoda - Ivan Kvashnya Rozhovonovich, the Pereslavny Vodvoda - Andrey Serkizov. And Prince Vladimer Andreevich has governors: Danilo Belyut, Konstantin Konanov, Prince Feodor Yeletsky, Prince Yuri Meshchersky, Prince Andrey Muromsky.

The Russian sons entered the vast fields of Kolomna, but even here there was no room for the huge army, and it was impossible for anyone to take a look at the army of the Grand Duke. The great prince, having entered an elevated place with his brother, with Prince Vladimir Andreevich, seeing a great multitude of people equipped, rejoiced and appointed a governor for each regiment. The great prince took the Belozersk princes under command, and appointed his brother Prince Vladimir to the regiment of his right hand and gave him command of the Yaroslavl princes, and appointed Prince Gleb of Bryansk to the regiment of his left hand. The leading regiment is Dmitry Vsevolodovich and his brother Vladimir Vsevolodovich, with the Kolomenets - voivode Mikula Vasilyevich, the Vladimir voivode and Yurievsky - Timofey Voluevich, and the Kostroma voivode - Ivan Rodionovich Kvashnya, and the Pereyaslav voivode - Andrey Serkizovich. And Prince Vladimir Andreevich has governors: Danilo Beleut, Konstantin Kononov, Prince Fyodor Yeletsky, Prince Yuri Meshchersky, Prince Andrei Muromsky.

The Great Prince, having arranged the plakas, ordered Oku-Reka to tinker with them and command each plaka and governors: “If anyone goes through the Rezan land, do not touch a single hair!” And we take the blessing of the Great Prince from the Archbishop of Kolomna, and cross the Oka River with all our might and release into the field the third guard, his chosen knights, as they often see the Tatar guards in the field: Semyon Melik, Ignatius Krenya, Foma Tynina, Peter Gorsky, Karp Oleksin, Petrusha Chyurikov and many other glademen with them.

The Great Prince, having distributed the regiments, ordered them to cross the Oka River and ordered each regiment and governor: “If anyone walks on the Ryazan land, do not touch a single hair!” And having taken the blessing from the Archbishop of Kolomna, the great prince crossed the Oka River with all his might and sent the third outpost, his best knights, into the field so that they would meet with the Tatar guards in the steppe: Semyon Melik, Ignatius Kren, Foma Tynina, Peter Gorsky, Karp Oleksin, Petrush Churikov and many other daring riders with them.

The great prince spoke to his brother Prince Vladimer: “Let us hasten, brother, against the godless Polovtsians, the filthy Tatars, and we will not satisfy our face from their lack of shame; If, brother, death happens to us, then this death is neither simple nor foolish for us, but eternal life.” And the Great Prince himself, on his way, called on his relatives for help - the holy passion-traders Boris and Gleb.

The great prince said to his brother Prince Vladimir: “Let us hasten, brother, to meet the godless pagans, the filthy Tatars, and we will not turn our faces away from their insolence, and if, brother, death is destined for us, then it will not be without benefit, not without meaning for us.” this death, but into eternal life! And the Great Prince himself, on his way, called on his relatives for help - the holy passion-bearers Boris and Gleb.

Hearing that Prince Oleg Rezansky, like a great prince, had bought up with many forces and was coming to meet the godless Tsar Mamai, and most of all, he was firmly armed with his faith, placing all his hope in God the Almighty Creator. And Oleg Rezansky began to watch and move from place to place with like-minded people, and saying: “If only we could powerfully send a message to the multi-wise Olgord of Lithuania against such an adventurer as we have to think, but they found our way. I believe that it is not proper for a Russian prince to stand against the Eastern Tsar, and now what do I understand? Where did this help come from for him, since he was armed against three of us?

Prince Oleg Ryazansky heard that the great prince had united with many forces and was following towards the godless Tsar Mamai, and besides, he was firmly armed with his faith, which he placed all his hope in God Almighty, the Supreme Creator. And Oleg Ryazansky began to beware and move from place to place with his like-minded people, saying: “If only we could send news of this misfortune to the wise Olgerd of Lithuania, to find out what he thinks about it, but it’s impossible: they blocked our path. I thought in the old fashioned way that Russian princes should not rise up against the Eastern Tsar, but now how can I understand all this? And where did the prince come from so much help that he could rise up against the three of us?”

His boyars said to him: “We, prince, were told from Moscow in 15 days, but we are ashamed to tell you: how can a Kaluger live in his patrimony, near Moscow, called Sergius, great sage. Instead, you armed him and the Kaluger gave him accomplices from his own.” Hearing this, Prince Oleg Rezansky began to be afraid and began to be angry with his boyars: “Why didn’t they tell us this before? I would have sent and begged the wicked king, so that nothing evil would happen! Woe to me, for I have lost my mind, not only because I am impoverished in mind, but even more wisely Olgord of Lithuania: but he revered the Latin law of Peter Gugniv, but he, the damned one, understood the true law of God! Why did you swim for the sake of it? And what was spoken by the Lord will come true to me: “If a slave, knowing the law of his master, transgresses, he will be beaten much.” Now what have I done? Knowing the law of God, the creator of heaven and earth and all creation, but those who are now attached to the wicked king, I want to trample on the law of God! Nowadays, why should I give in to my poor understanding? Even if I helped the Grand Duke now, he wouldn’t accept me - the news would be my betrayal. If I venerate myself to the wicked king, then, truly, like the ancient persecutor of the Christian faith, the living earth will devour me, like Svyatoplak: not only will I be deprived of my reign, but I will also be persecuted and handed over to the fiery torment. Even if the Lord is for them, no one is against them. Another prayer I will pray for him is that perspicacious thinker! If I don’t help either one, then what use can I make of both? And now I think: whoever their Lord helps, I will give my allegiance!”

His boyars answered him: “We, prince, were informed from Moscow fifteen days before - but we were afraid to tell you - that in his estate, near Moscow, there lives a monk, his name is Sergius, he is very perspicacious. He armed him beyond measure and gave him assistants from among his monks.” Hearing this, Prince Oleg Ryazansky was frightened and became angry and furious with his boyars: “Why haven’t they told me until now? Then I would have sent to the wicked king and begged him, and no evil would have happened! Woe to me, I have lost my mind, but I am not the only one who has weakened in mind, but also the more intelligent Olgerd of Lithuania than me; but, however, he reveres the Latin faith of Peter the Great, but I, damned one, have come to know the true law of God! And why did I go astray? And what the Lord said to me will come true: “If a servant, knowing the law of his master, breaks it, he will be severely beaten.” For now what have you done? Knowing the law of God, who created heaven and earth and all creation, he now joined the wicked king who decided to trample on the law of God! And now to what unreasonable thought have you entrusted yourself? If I were to offer help to the Grand Duke now, he would not accept me, for he had learned about my betrayal. If I join the wicked king, then I will truly become like the former persecutor of the Christian faith, and then the earth will swallow me alive, like Svyatopolk: not only will I be deprived of my reign, but I will also lose my life, and I will be thrown into fiery hell to suffer. If the Lord is for them, then no one will defeat them, and even that perspicacious monk will help him with his prayer! If I don’t help any of them, then how can I resist both of them in the future? And now I think so: whichever of them the Lord helps, I will join!”

Prince Olgord of Lithuania, according to the prophesied world, bought a lot of Lithuania and Varangians, and pearls, and went to the aid of Mamai. And he came to the city of Odoev, and heard that the great prince had acquired a lot of armies, all of Rus' and the Slovenes, and went to the Don against Tsar Mamaa, and heard that Oleg was afraid, and from there he remained motionless, and began to understand his vain thoughts , having had different thoughts about his relationship with Olg Rezansky, he began to rush and get angry, saying: “As long as a person does not have his own wisdom, you demand someone else’s wisdom in vain: since Lithuania was taught by Rezan! Now Oleg has driven me crazy, and he himself has even perished. Now I’ll stay here until I hear Moscow’s victory.”

Prince Olgerd of Lithuania, in accordance with the previous plan, gathered many Lithuanians, Varangians, and Zhmudi and went to help Mamai. And he came to the city of Odoev, but, having heard that the great prince had gathered a great multitude of warriors - all of Rus' and the Slavs, and went to the Don against Tsar Mamai, - having also heard that Oleg was frightened, - and from then on he became motionless here, and I realized the futility of my thoughts, now I regretted my alliance with Oleg Ryazansky, rushed about and was indignant, saying: “If a person lacks his own mind, then he searches in vain for someone else’s mind: it has never happened that Ryazan taught Lithuania! Now Oleg drove me crazy, and he himself died even worse. So now I’ll stay here until I hear about the Moscow victory.”

At the same time, Prince Andrei Polotsky and Prince Dmitry Bryansky, the Olgordovichs, heard how great the burden and care was to be owed to the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow and all Orthodox Christianity from the godless Mama. Best of all, those princes were hated by their father, Prince Olgord, for the sake of their stepmothers, but now they are beloved by God and received holy baptism. Besta, like certain classes of good fruit, are suppressed by thorns: living among wickedness, if they were not worthy of bearing fruit. And Prince Andrey secretly sent a small letter to his brother, Prince Dmitry, in which it was written: “We, my beloved brother, as our father rejected us from himself, and Lord God, Heavenly Father, love us more and enlighten us with the saints.” baptism, and giving us your law - to walk according to it, and detaching us from the wasteland vanity and from the unclean creation of the wasteland; Now, what are we going to repay to God about this? Let us, brother, strive for the good ascetic Christ, the leader of the Christians; let us go, brother, to the aid of the Grand Duke Dmitry of Moscow and all Orthodox Christianity, for they are in great pain from the filthy Ishmaelites, and also our father and Oleg Rezansky fell in love with the godless and persecute the Orthodox faith in Christ. It is fitting for us, brother, to write down the Holy Scripture, which says: “Brother, help in troubles!” Do not hesitate, brother, to oppose us to your father, just as the Evangelist Luke spoke through the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ: “You will be betrayed by your parents and brothers and die for my name’s sake; Having endured to the end, you will be saved!” Let us get away, brother, from this overwhelming friction and plant ourselves in the true fruitful grapes of Christ, labored by the hand of Christ. Now, brother, we strive not for the sake of earthly life, but for heavenly honors, which the Lord gives to those who do his will.”

At the same time, Prince Andrei of Polotsk and Prince Dmitry of Bryansk, the Olgerdovichs, heard that great trouble and care had burdened the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow and all of Orthodox Christianity from the godless Mamai. Those princes were unloved by their father, Prince Olgerd, because of their stepmother, but now they were loved by God and received holy baptism. They were like fruitful ears of corn, suppressed by weeds: living in the midst of wickedness, they could not bear worthy fruit. And Prince Andrei secretly sends a small letter to his brother, Prince Dmitry, in which it is written: “You know, my beloved brother, that our father rejected us from himself, but our heavenly Father, the Lord God, loved us more strongly and enlightened us with the saints.” by baptism, giving us his law to live by it, and he separated us from empty vanity and unclean food; Now what will we give back to God for this? So, brother, let us strive for a good feat for the ascetic Christ, the source of Christianity, let us go, brother, to the aid of the Grand Duke Dmitry of Moscow and all Orthodox Christians, for a great misfortune came for them from the filthy Ishmaelites, and even our father and Oleg Ryazansky joined godless and persecute the Orthodox Christian faith. We, brother, should fulfill the Holy Scripture, which says: “Brothers, be responsive in troubles!” Do not doubt, brother, that we will resist our father, because this is how the Evangelist Luke conveyed the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “You will be betrayed by your parents and brothers and die for my name; he who endures to the end will be saved!” Let us get out, brother, from this oppressive weed and let us be grafted into the true fruitful grapes of Christ, cultivated by the hand of Christ. Now, brother, we are not striving for earthly life, but desiring honor in heaven, which the Lord gives to those who do his will.”

Prince Dmitry Olgordovich read the writings of his eldest brother, beginning to rejoice and cry with joy, saying: “Lord God, who loves mankind, grant to your servants the desire to accomplish this good deed, as you have revealed to my eldest brother the goodness!” And I said to the brotherly ambassador: “Speak to my brother, Prince Andrey: I am ready this day according to your punishment, brother and master. As much as I have my fortune, then everything is together with me, because by God’s providence it is necessary to buy it for the sake of war from the Danube Tatars. And now I say to my brother: I hear that the medical supply from the Severa has come to me, and it seems that Grand Duke Dmitry is already on the Don, because the evil raw-eaters want to wait. And it behooves us to go to the North and buy it for us: for the path to the North is set before us, and in that way we will hide our father, so that we do not get cold.”

Prince Dmitry Olgerdovich, having read the letter from his elder brother, rejoiced and cried with joy, saying: “Master, Lord, lover of mankind, give your servants the desire to accomplish this good feat in this way, which you revealed to my elder brother!” And he ordered the ambassador: “Tell my brother, Prince Andrey: I am ready right now on your order, brother and master. As many of my troops as I have, they are all with me, because by God’s providence we have gathered for the upcoming war with the Danube Tatars. And also tell my brother: I also heard from the honey collectors who came to me from the Seversk land, they say that Grand Duke Dmitry is already on the Don, because the evil raw-eaters want to wait there. And we should go to the Seversk land and unite there: we must keep our way to the Seversk land and in this way we will hide from our father so that he does not shamefully interfere with us.”

A few days later, both brothers descended with all their might to the North, and when they saw, they rejoiced as Joseph and Benjamin sometimes did when they saw a multitude of people, diligently and orderly in the military spirit. And the greyhound hastened to the Don, and the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow hastened across the whole country of Don, in the place of the recommended Berezuy, and he has bought it.

A few days later, both brothers came together, as they decided, with all their strength in the Seversk land and, having met, they rejoiced, as Joseph and Benjamin once did, seeing with them many people, vigorous and equipped, skillful warriors. And they quickly reached the Don, and caught up with Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow on this side of the Don, at a place called Berezuy, and then they united.

The great prince Dmitry and his brother Vladimer rejoiced with great joy, as such is the mercy of God: as if it were not convenient for such a thing to be, as if he were to leave his father’s children, he reproached himself, as he sometimes did to Herod, and came to our aid. And he honored them with many gifts, and went on his way, rejoicing and having fun about the Holy Dus, having already rejected everything earthly, hoping for an immortal other change. The great prince spoke to them: “Brothers, moa milaa, for the sake of need, have you come to this?” They said: “The Lord God has sent us to you to help you.” The great prince said: “Truly, you are zealots of our forefather Abraham, for you will soon help Lot, and you are also zealots of the valiant Grand Duke Yaroslav, for you will avenge the blood of your brother.”

The great prince Dmitry and his brother Vladimir both rejoiced with the great joy of such mercy of God: after all, it is impossible for such a simple thing to happen, for the children of their father to leave and outwit him, like Herod’s wise men once did, and come to our aid. And he honored them with many gifts, and they went their way, rejoicing and glorifying the Holy Spirit, having already renounced everything from the earth, awaiting an immortal other redemption. The great prince said to them: “My dear brothers, for what need have you come here?” They answered: “The Lord God sent us to help you!” The great prince said: “Truly you are like our forefather Abraham, who quickly helped Lot, and you are also like the valiant Grand Duke Yaroslav, who avenged the blood of his brothers.”

And soon the great prince sent a message to Moscow to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian, saying that “The Algordovich princes came to me with many forces, and left their father.” Soon the messenger came to the Right Reverend Metropolitan. The archbishop, hearing it, stood up and prayed, saying with tears: “Lord, Lord, lover of mankind, for in the face of our winds you have chosen to be quiet!” And he sent ambassadors to all the congregational churches and monasteries and commanded them to pray exclusively day and night to the Almighty God. And she sent the venerable abbot Sergius to the monastery, so that God might listen to their prayers. The Great Princess Eovdokia, hearing that great mercy of God, began to do alms and began to unceasingly go to the holy church to pray day and night.

And the great prince immediately sent such news to Moscow to the Right Reverend Metropolitan Cyprian: “The Olgerdovich princes came to me with many forces, but left their father.” And the messenger quickly reached the Metropolitan. The archbishop, having heard about this, stood up in prayer, saying with tears: “Lord, master lover of mankind, for you turn the winds hostile to us into quiet ones!” And he sent to all the cathedral churches and monasteries, commanding them to earnestly pray day and night to the Almighty God. And he sent them to the monastery to the Venerable Abbot Sergius, so that God would heed their prayers. The Great Princess Evdokia, having heard about that great mercy of God, began to give out generous alms and constantly remained in the holy church, praying day and night.

Let’s leave these packs and return to the right.

Let's leave this again and return to the previous one.

The Grand Duke, who was at the place called Berezuya, as if twenty and three miles from the Don, arrived on the 5th day of the month of Septevria, in memory of the holy prophet Zechariah, on the same day the murder of his relative Prince Gleb Vladimerovich, having arrived two from his guard, Peter Gorsky and Karp Oleksin, and brought the language deliberately from the dignitaries of the Tsar’s court. Your language tells: “The king is already standing on Kuzmin, but not in a hurry, waiting for Olgord of Lithuania and Olga of Rezan, but your king does not know the meeting, nor does he desire your desire, according to the books prescribed to him by Olgov, and for three days he has to be on the Don " The great prince asked him about the strength of the king, and he said: “The wealth of his strength is countless, no one can exhaust it.”

When the great prince was in a place called Berezuy, twenty-three miles from the Don, the fifth day of the month of September arrived - the day of remembrance of the holy prophet Zechariah (on the same day the murder of Dmitry's ancestor - Prince Gleb Vladimirovich), and two of his guard arrived outposts, Peter Gorsky and Karp Oleksin, brought a noble speaker from among the dignitaries of the royal court. That language tells: “The king is already standing on the Kuzmina road, but is in no hurry, waiting for Olgerd of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan; according to the information received from Oleg, the tsar does not know about your preparations and does not expect to meet with you; in three days he should be on the Don.” The great prince asked him about the royal strength, and he replied: “The countless number of troops is his strength, no one can count them.”

The great prince began to think with his brother and with the newly christened brethren, with the Lithuanian princes: “Shall we stay here again or will we move to the Don?” The Olgordovichs told him: “If you want a strong military, then take him to the Don to tinker, so that there is not a single thought about turning back; but don’t think about great power, as God has no power, but in truth: Yaroslav, crossed the river, defeated Svyatoplka, your great-grandfather the great prince Alexander, crossed the Neva River, defeated the king, and you, having named God, should do the same. And if we beat you, we will all be saved; if we die, then we will all suffer a common death, from princes to ordinary people. Now you, Sovereign Grand Duke, should leave mortals to speak violent verbs and with those words your kingdom is strengthened: for we see that there are many chosen knights in your kingdom.”

The great prince began to confer with his brother and with his newly found brother, with the Lithuanian princes: “Are we going to stay here further or will we cross the Don?” The Olgerdovichs told him: “If you want a strong army, then order them to cross the Don so that not a single one has the thought of retreating; do not think about the great power of the enemy, for God is not in power, but in truth: Yaroslav, having crossed the river, Svyatopolk defeated, your great-grandfather, the great prince Alexander, having crossed the Neva River, defeated the king, and you, calling on God, should do the same do. And if we defeat the enemy, then we will all be saved, but if we perish, then we will all accept common death - from princes to ordinary people. You, Sovereign Grand Duke, now need to forget about death, speak with bold words, so that from those speeches your army will be strengthened: we see what a great number of chosen knights are in your army.”

The Great Prince ordered the whole Don government to tinker.

And the great prince ordered the entire army to cross the Don.

And at that time the messengers are speeding up, as if the abominations are approaching the Tatars. Many Russian sons rejoiced with great joy, seeing their desired feat, which they had longed for in Rus'.

And at this time the scouts are hurrying up, because the filthy Tatars are approaching. And many Russian sons rejoiced with great joy, expecting their desired feat, which they had dreamed of back in Rus'.

For many days, many people came to that place, howling menacingly, incessantly all night, hearing a great thunderstorm. For brave people, their hearts are strengthened in tears, but other people are in tears, hearing the thunderstorm, and even taming it: before many armies gathered in an unusual way, without ceasing to speak, the Galicians spoke in their own speech, and many eagles flew from the mouth of the Don, along the aerial It's squealing , and many beasts will howl menacingly, waiting for those days of the terrible, God-willed, and yet to have the mouth of a human corpse, such is the bloodshed, like the water of the sea. Because of such fear and thunder, the great trees bow down and the grass is spread over.

And over many days, many wolves flocked to the place, howling terribly, continuously all night, anticipating a great thunderstorm. The hearts of the brave people in the troops are strengthened, but other people in the troops, having heard the thunderstorm, became completely depressed: after all, an unprecedented army has gathered, they are silently calling to each other, and the jackdaws are speaking in their own language, and the eagles, having flown in multitudes from the mouth of the Don, are soaring through the air, croaking , and many animals howl fiercely, awaiting that terrible day, predetermined by God, on which human bodies must lie: there will be such bloodshed as if it were sea water. Because of this fear and horror, the great trees bow down and the grass bends down.

Many people become sad because of both, seeing death before their eyes.

Many people from both armies are sad, foreseeing their death.

When the abomination of the Polovtsians began to be darkened with much grief over the destruction of their lives, the wicked one died, and their memory perished with a noise. And true believers are more than happy to see the fulfillment of this promise, beautiful crowns, about which the Venerable Abbot Sergius told the Grand Duke.

The filthy Polovtsians, in great despondency, began to lament the end of their lives, because if the wicked dies, then the memory of him will disappear with a noise. The faithful people will shine even more in joy, awaiting the aspirations prepared for them, the beautiful crowns that the Venerable Abbot Sergius told the Grand Duke about.

The messengers are speeding up, as if the abomination is already approaching. At the sixth hour of the day, Semyon Melik came running with his retinue, and they were being chased by many from the Tatars. She so shamelessly despised the tears and lamentations of the Russians when she saw them and soon returned to the Tsar and told him how the Russian princes had lamented at the Don. By God's providence I saw a great many people ordered, and told the Tsar that “the army of the Russian princes is fourfold larger than our assembly.” He is a wicked king, inflamed by the devil for his own destruction, having shouted in vain, he let go. “Such is the strength of Moa, if I don’t defeat the Russian princes, how can the Imam return to his place? I can’t bear my own shame.” And he ordered his filthy Polovtsians to arm themselves.

The scouts are hurrying up, because the filthy ones are already close and are getting closer. And at six o'clock in the afternoon Semyon Melik rushed with his squad, and many Tatars were chasing him; They brazenly chased almost to our army, but as soon as they saw the Russians, they quickly returned to the Tsar and informed him that the Russian princes were preparing for battle at the Don. For by God's providence they saw a great multitude of people equipped and reported to the tsar: “The army of the Russian princes is four times larger than our gathering.” The same wicked king, inflamed by the devil to destroy himself, suddenly cried out and spoke: “Such are my strengths, and if I do not defeat the Russian princes, then how will I return home? I can’t bear my shame!” - and ordered his filthy Polovtsians to prepare for battle.

Semyon Melik told the Grand Duke that: “Tsar Mamai has already arrived at Gusin Ford, and we have one night together, so that in the morning we must come to Nepryadva. It is fitting for you, the Sovereign Grand Duke, to shed tears today, and not to be preceded by desecration.”

Semyon Melik told the great prince: “Tsar Mamai has already arrived at Gusin Ford, and there is only one night between us, for by morning he will reach Nepryadva. You, Sovereign Grand Duke, should now prepare yourself so that the filthy ones don’t take you by surprise.”

Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, with his brother Prince Vladimer Andreevich, and with the Lithuanian princes Andrey and Dmitry Olgordovich, will begin to establish a parade before the sixth hour. A certain commander came with the Lithuanian princes, named Dmitry Bobrokov, originally from the Volyn lands, who was also a deliberately fast commander, the lords set up the place according to their heritage, as far as where it was fitting for anyone to stand.

Then the Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich with his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, and with the Lithuanian princes Andrei and Dmitry Olgerdovich began to arrange the regiments until the sixth hour. A certain governor came with Lithuanian princes, named Dmitry Bobrok, originally from the Volyn land, who was a noble commander, he arranged the regiments well, according to dignity, how and where someone should stand.

Great prince, I took with me my brother Prince Vladimer and the Lithuanian princes and all the Russian princes and governors and rode up to a high place and saw the images of the saints, which are depicted in Christian signs, like certain luminaries of the sun shining in time. name of the bucket; and their gilded treasures roar, spreading, like clouds, quietly trembling, wanting to say a word; The Russian heroes and their banners plow as if they were alive, the armor of the Russian sons, like the water swayed in all the winds, the golden sholoms on their heads, like the dawn disappeared in the time of shining buckets, the yalovtsi of their sholomovs, like a fiery flame, plowed.

The great prince, taking with him his brother, Prince Vladimir, and the Lithuanian princes, and all the Russian princes, and the governor, and riding to a high place, saw the images of saints sewn on Christian banners, as if they were solar lamps, glowing in the rays of the sun; and their gilded banners make noise, spreading out like clouds, quietly fluttering, as if they want to say something; The Russian heroes stand, and their banners, as if alive, sway, the armor of the Russian sons is like water that flows in the wind, the gilded helmets on their heads, like the dawn of the morning in clear weather, glow, the yalovs of their helmets are like a fiery flame, sway.

It is touching to see and pitiful to see such Russian assemblies and institutions, all of them indifferent, united for one, wanting to die for each other, and all unanimously saying: “God, look down on us from on high and grant our Orthodox prince, like Constantine, victory, subdue the enemies of Amalek under his nose, as sometimes the meek David did.” The Lithuanian princes were surprised at this, saying to themselves: “It was not before us, neither with us nor for us would the army be ordered like this. Like King Alexander of Macedonia, the warriors of Gideon were likewise with courage, for the Lord armed them with His strength!”

It is sad and pitiful to look at such a Russian gathering and their organization, for everyone is unanimous, one for the other, for each other, they want to die, and everyone unanimously says: “God, look at us from on high and grant to our Orthodox prince, like Constantine, victory, throw the Amalekite enemies under his feet, as once meek David did.” The Lithuanian princes marveled at all this, saying to themselves: “There was neither before us, nor with us, and after us there will not be such an army organized. It is like Alexander, king of Macedon, the army, the courage is like Gideon’s horsemen, for the Lord armed them with His strength!”

The great prince, seeing his chest worthily dressed, and dismounted from his horse and fell on his knees straight to the great banner of the black sign, on which was depicted the image of the Lord our Lord Jesus Christ, from the depths of his soul began to call loudly: “O Master of the Almighty! See with your looking eye these people, who created with your right hand and redeemed the work of the enemy with your blood. Inspire, O Lord, the voice of our prayers, turn your face towards the wicked, who do evil to your servant. And now, Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and worship your holy image and your most pure Mother and all the saints who have pleased you, and our steadfast and invincible intercessor and prayer book for us, to you, the Russian saint, the new miracle worker Peter, at his mercy We hope and desire to call upon and glorify your holy and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen".

The great prince, seeing his regiments worthily arranged, got off his horse and fell on his knees right in front of the large regiment with a scarlet banner on which was embroidered the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, and from the depths of his soul began to cry out loudly: “O Lord Almighty! Look with a discerning eye at these people who were created by your right hand and redeemed by your blood from serving the devil. Listen, Lord, to the sound of our prayers, turn your face to the wicked who do evil to your servants. And now, Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and worship your holy image, and your most pure Mother, and all the saints who have pleased you, and our strong and invincible intercessor and prayer book for us, you, Russian saint, new miracle worker Peter! Hoping for your mercy, we dare to cry out and glorify your holy and beautiful name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen".

Having finished the prayer, everyone mounted his horse and began to ride along the road with the princes and governors. To each regiment he said: “Brothers moa milaa, sons of the Russians, from young to old! Already, brothers, the night has come, and the terrible day is approaching - in this night, watch and pray, take courage and be strong, the Lord is with us, strong in battles. Stay here, brothers, in your places, undisturbed. Each of you will now be established, in the morning it is inconvenient to be powerfully established in such a way: already our guests are approaching, standing on the river Nepryadva, near the Kulikovo field, having wept, in the morning we will drink with them a common cup, shared between ourselves, which, my friends, we longed for even in Rus' . Now, brothers, trust in the living God, peace be with you in Christ. If only in the morning the abomination of raw food will come upon us faster.”

Having finished the prayer and mounted his horse, he began to ride through the regiments with princes and governors and said to each regiment: “My dear brothers, Russian sons, all from young to old! Already, brothers, the night has come, and the terrible day has approached - on this night, watch and pray, take courage and be strong, the Lord is with us, strong in battle. Stay here, brothers, in your places, without confusion. Let each of you now get ready, in the morning it will no longer be possible to get ready: for our guests are already approaching, they are standing on the river on Nepryadva, near the Kulikovo field they are preparing for battle, and in the morning we will drink a common cup with them, passed on to each other, after all, it’s hers, friends my, back in Rus' we desired. Now, brothers, trust in the living God, may peace be with Christ, for in the morning the filthy raw-eaters will not hesitate to attack us.”

The night has already arrived for the luminous feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. The autumn then had long lasted and the bright days were still shining, but that night the warmth was great and quietly great, and the darkness of the growth appeared. Truly, the prophet said: “The night was not bright for the unbelievers, but enlightened for the faithful.”

For the night has already come of the luminous feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. Autumn then lingered and still brought joy with bright days; that night it was very warm and very quiet, and fogs rose from the dew. For truly the prophet said: “The night is not bright for the unbelievers, but for the faithful it is enlightened.”

Dmitry Volynets spoke to the Grand Duke: “I want, sir, to test myself on this night.” And the dawn has already faded, the nights are deep in the depths of existence, but Dmitry Volshetz, taking with us the only Grand Duke, and having gone out onto the field of Kulikovo and, standing in the middle of both plakovs and turning to the Tatar plakov, hear a great knock and a cry, and a cry, as if the tremors are being removed, like a city building, and like great thunder thundering; from behind the pluk of the Tatar wolf howl menacingly velmi, on the right side of the country the pluk of the Tatar raven screams and vibrates like a bird, great velmi, and on the left country, like the mountains playing, the thunderstorm is great; According to Nepryadva, geese and swans splash their wings, giving an unusual thunderstorm. The great prince spoke to Dmitry Volynets: “We hear, brother, there is a great thunderstorm.” And Volynets’ speech: “Call, prince, God for help!”

And Dmitry Volynets said to the Grand Duke: “I want, sir, to check this sign of mine at night,” and the dawn had already faded. When deep night fell, Dmitry Volynets, taking only the Grand Duke with him, rode out onto the Kulikovo field and, standing between two armies and turning to the Tatar side, heard a loud knock, and shouts, and screams, as if the marketplaces were converging, as if a city was being built, as if great thunder roars; from the rear of the Tatar army, wolves howl very menacingly, on the right side of the Tatar army, crows call and the hubbub of birds is very loud, and on the left side, as if the mountains are shaking - terrible thunder, along the Nepryadva River geese and swans splash their wings, foreshadowing an unprecedented thunderstorm. And the great prince said to Dmitry Volynets: “We hear, brother, the storm is very terrible.” And Volynets answered: “Call, prince, God for help!”

And turning to the Russian cry - and the silence was great. Volynets said: “Do you see anything, prince?” - He said: “I see: many fiery dawns are being filmed...” And Volynets said: “Rejoice, sir, be kind to the signs, only call on God and do not become depleted in faith!”

And he turned to the Russian army - and there was great silence. Volynets then asked: “Do you see anything, prince?” - he answered: “I see: many fiery dawns are rising...” And Volynets said: “Rejoice, sir, these are good signs, just call on God and do not become deficient in faith!”

And again he said: “And we also have a sign of temptation.” And he descended from his horse and touched the ground with his right ear for a long hour. I stand up and bow down and sigh from my heart. And the great prince said: “What is there, brother Dmitry?” He is younger and doesn’t even want to tell him, but the great prince bothers him a lot. He said: “One is good, but the other is boring. I hear the earth crying in two: one country, like a certain woman, weeping in vain for its children with a Hellenic voice, and another country, like a certain maiden, alone cried out in a mournful voice, like a certain pipe, it is pitiful to hear Velmi. Before this, many of these signs of battles were tested, for this reason now I hope for the mercy of God - through the prayer of the holy passion-traders Boris and Gleb, our relatives, and other miracle workers, Russian champions, and I hope for the victory of the filthy Tatars. But your Christ-loving virtue will fall a lot, but otherwise your fall will be your glory.”

And again he said: “And I also have a sign to check.” And he dismounted from his horse and pressed his right ear to the ground for a long time. He stood up, drooped, and sighed heavily. And the great prince asked: “What is there, brother Dmitry?” He was silent and did not want to tell him, but the great prince forced him for a long time. Then he said: “One sign is for your benefit, the other is for sorrow. I heard the earth weeping in two ways: one side, like some kind of woman, weeping loudly for her children in a foreign language, the other side, like some kind of maiden, suddenly cried out loudly in a sad voice, like some kind of pipe, so it’s sad to hear Very. Before this, I checked a lot of those signs of battles, that’s why now I’m counting on God’s mercy - through the prayer of the holy passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, your relatives, and other miracle workers, Russian guardians, I’m waiting for the defeat of the filthy Tatars. And many of your Christ-loving troops will fall, but, nevertheless, your triumph, your glory will be.”

Hearing this, the great prince shed tears and said: “Everything is possible for the Lord God: the breath of all of us is in his hand!” And the speech of Volynets: “It is not proper for you, sovereign, to tell him about his sins, only for whom he was commanded to pray to God and to call upon his saints for help. And early in the morning they ordered them to mount their horses, in every way, and to arm themselves tightly and protect themselves with the cross: for you have a weapon against the enemy, for in the morning you want to see us.”

Hearing this, the great prince shed tears and said: “Everything is possible for the Lord God: the breath of all of us is in his hands!” And Volynets said: “You, sovereign, should not tell this to the army, but just order each soldier to pray to God and call on his saints for help. And early in the morning, order them to mount their horses, every warrior, and arm themselves firmly and sign themselves with the cross: this is, after all, a weapon against the opponents who will meet with us in the morning.”

That same night, a certain man named Thomas Katsibey, a robber, was quickly appointed as a guard by the Grand Duke on the river on Churov, for the sake of his courage on the fortress guard from the filthy. I believe this, God revealed to him that night to see a great vision. Standing at a high place, you can see a cloud from the east that is quite large, like some kind of clouds, going to the west. From the midday country two men came, wearing bright purple clothes, their faces shining like the sun, in both hands they had sharp swords, and shouting like a plunker: “Who did you command to treasure our fatherland, which the Lord has given to us?” And having eaten their food and cut them all off, not a single one was left of them. The same Thomas is chaste and reasonable, that’s why he is sure that he will be, and that vision is reported to the only Grand Duke in the morning. The great prince said to him: “Don’t say that, my friend, to anyone,” and, raising his hand to the sky, began to cry, saying: “Master God, more loving than mankind! Prayer for the sake of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, help me, like Moses against Amalek and the right Yaroslav against Svyatoplak, and for my great-grand prince Alexander against the boasting king of Rome, who wants to ruin his fatherland. Do not repay me for my sins, but pour out your mercy on us, extend your compassion to us, do not let our enemies laugh at us, so that our enemies do not rejoice over us, and the countries of the infidels cry: “Where is their God, Don’t you hope?” Help, Lord, Christians, for by them your holy name is magnified!”

That same night, the Grand Duke appointed a certain man named Thomas Katsibey, a robber, for his courage as a guard on the river on Churov for strong protection from the filthy. Correcting him, God deigned him to see a wondrous sight that night. Standing on a high place, he saw a cloud coming from the east, very large, as if some troops were marching to the west. From the south side came two young men, dressed in light scarlet, their faces shining like the sun, sharp swords in both hands, and said to the leaders of the army: “Who ordered you to destroy our fatherland, which the Lord has given us?” And they began to cut them down and cut them all down, not one of them escaped. The same Thomas, from then on chaste and prudent, believed in God, and the next morning he told the Grand Duke alone about that vision. The great prince said to him: “Don’t tell this, friend, to anyone,” and, raising his hands to the sky, he began to cry, saying: “Master God, lover of mankind! Prayers for the sake of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, help me, like Moses against the Amalekites, and like old Yaroslav against Svyatopolk, and my great-grandfather Grand Duke Alexander against the boastful king of Rome, who wanted to ruin his fatherland. Do not repay me according to my sins, but pour out your mercy on us, extend your mercy to us, do not give us to the ridicule of our enemies, so that our enemies do not mock us, the countries of the infidels do not say: “Where is the God against whom they Is that what you hoped?” But help, Lord, Christians, because your holy name is glorified by them!”

And the great prince let his brother, Prince Vladimer Andreevich, go up the Don to Dubrova, so that his weeping might be hidden there, giving him worthy servants of his court, daring knights, strong warriors. And with him, release your famous governor Dmitry Volynsky and many others.

And the great prince sent his brother, Prince Vladimir Andreevich, up the Don to the oak grove so that his regiment would hide there, giving him the best warriors from his retinue, daring knights, strong warriors. And with him he sent his famous governor Dmitry Volynsky and many others.

Having arrived on the 8th day of the month of Septevria, the great feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, twisting the heel of the rising sun, I glimpse the present morning, the Christian struggles begin to stretch out and the trumpets of war sound loudly. The Russian horses have already become stronger from the voice of the trumpet, and each time they march under their banner. And to see, the walls are regularly lined with the teachings of the strong governor Dmitry Bobrokov Volynets.

When it came, on the eighth day of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, at dawn on Friday, when the sun rose and it was a foggy morning, Christian banners began to flutter and trumpets began to sound in abundance. And now the Russian horses are invigorated by the sound of the trumpet, and each warrior marches under his own banner. And it was joyful to see the regiments lined up on the advice of the firm commander Dmitry Bobrok Volynets.

When the second hour arrived, the sound of the trumpets of both pipes began to cease, but the Tatar trumpets seemed to be numb, and the Russian trumpets became more stable. The boys haven’t seen each other yet, the morning is still hazy. And at that time, brothers, the earth groans with greatness, sending a great thunderstorm to the east as far as the sea, and to the west to the Danube, while the great field of Kulikovo bends over, and the rivers protrude from their places, as if there were no more people in that place.

When the second hour of the day arrived, the sounds of trumpets from both troops began to rise, but the Tatar trumpets seemed to go numb, and the Russian trumpets thundered louder. The regiments still cannot see each other, because the morning was foggy. And at this time, brothers, the earth groans terribly, predicting a great thunderstorm to the east all the way to the sea, and to the west to the Danube itself, and that huge Kulikovo field is bending, and the rivers have overflowed their banks, for never have there been so many people in that place .

To the Grand Duke, riding on his chosen horse, crying and saying from the great sorrow of his heart, tears like a river flowed from his eyes: “Fathers and brothers, for the sake of the Lord, strive for the sake of the saints for the sake of the churches and the faith for the sake of the Christian, for this is death for us now there is no death, but eternal life; and let us not turn away from anything earthly, brothers, so that we may be crowned victorious by Christ our God and the salvation of our souls.”

When the great prince mounted the best horse, rode through the regiments and spoke in the great sadness of his heart, tears flowed from his eyes in streams: “My fathers and brothers, for the sake of the Lord, fight for the sake of the saints, for the sake of the churches and for the sake of the Christian faith, for this death is for us now is not death, but eternal life; and, brothers, do not think about anything earthly, for we will not retreat, and then Christ God and the Savior of our souls will crown us with victorious crowns.”

Having strengthened the capes, he came again under his black banner and mounted from his horse and on every horse, and took off the royal drag from himself and clothed himself in another. He gave his horse to Mikhail Andreevich under Brenik and placed that drag on him, which he loved more than anything, and he commanded his black banner to be carried over him. Under that banner he was quickly killed for the Grand Duke.

Having strengthened the regiments, he returned again under his black banner, and got off his horse, and sat on another horse, and threw off his royal clothes, and put on simple clothes. He gave his former horse to Mikhail Andreevich Brenk and put those clothes on him, for he loved him beyond measure, and he ordered his squire to hold his scarlet banner over Brenk. Under that banner he was killed in place of the Grand Duke.

The great prince stood in his place and, taking out from his bosom the life-giving cross, on it the passion of Christ was depicted, and in it was the life-giving tree, and wept bitterly and said: “We rely on you, O life-giving cross of the Lord, and in this way appeared to the Greek king Constantine, while he was in battle with the wicked and defeated them in your wondrous way. The abominations of the wickedness of the Polovtsi cannot stand against your image, so, Lord, surprise your mercy on your servant!”

The great prince stood in his place and, taking from his chest the life-giving cross, on which the suffering of Christ was depicted and in which there was a piece of life-giving wood, he wept bitterly and said: “So, we hope for you, the life-giving cross of the Lord, in the same form.” appeared to the Greek king Constantine when he went out to fight the wicked and defeated them with your miraculous appearance. For the filthy, wicked Polovtsians cannot resist your image; So, Lord, show your mercy on your servant!”

At the same time, an ambassador came to him with books from the venerable elder Abbot Sergius; in the books it was written: “Peace and blessings to the Grand Duke and all the Russian princes, and to the entire Orthodox army!” The great prince, having heard the scripture of the venerable elder and kissed the envoy kindly, was satisfied with that scripture, like some strong warfare. The sent old man from the hegumen Sergia Khlebets is the Prechista Virgin, the prince is the great one, the Holy Holy and his hands, in thezers, is velly: “O Great name is all -minded Trinity, about the Most Holy Mistress of the Virgin, help us with prayers and the reverence of the abyss of the abyss, Christ, Christ, Christ. have mercy and save our soul!”

At the same time, a messenger came to him with letters from the Venerable Elder Hegumen Sergius, and in the letters it was written: “Peace and blessings to the Grand Duke, and to all the Russian princes, and to the entire Orthodox army!” The great prince, having listened to the scripture of the reverend elder and kissed the messenger with love, was strengthened by that letter, as if by some kind of solid armor. And the elder sent from Abbot Sergius gave a loaf of bread from the Most Pure Mother of God, but the great prince accepted the holy loaf and stretched out his hands, crying out loudly: “O great name of the All-Holy Trinity, O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, help us with the prayers of that monastery and the venerable Abbot Sergius; Christ God, have mercy and save our souls!”

And everyone mounted his chosen horse and took up his spear and an iron club, and moved from the regiment, and, first of all, he wanted to fight with the filthy out of the great sorrow of his soul, for his great offense and for the holy church and the Christian faith. Many Russian heroes, having restrained him, lifted him up, saying: “It is not proper for you, the Grand Duke, to fight in front of you, it is proper for you to stand and watch us, and it is proper for us to fight and show our courage and bravery before you: when you The Lord will provide with His mercy, and you understand whom to bestow. We are preparing on this day to lay our heads for you, sovereign, and for the holy churches and for Orthodox Christianity. It is fitting for you, the Grand Duke, as your slave, if anyone deserves to be your head, to create a memory, like Tsar Leontius to Theodore Tyrone, to write us in the collected books, in memory of the Russian son who will be like us. If we destroy only one of you, who do the imams expect, who will create a memory for us? If we are all saved and only you are left, what success will we have? And we will be like a flock of sheep, without a shepherd, dragging through the desert, and the wonders come to scatter the sheep, and the sheep will scatter in all directions. It is fitting for you, sir, to save yourself and us.”

And he mounted his best horse, and, taking his spear and an iron club, rode out from the ranks, he wanted to fight with the filthy before anyone else out of the great sadness of his soul, for his great offense, for the holy churches and the Christian faith. Many Russian heroes, holding him back, prevented him from doing this, saying: “You, Grand Duke, should not fight first in battle yourself, you should stand aside and look at us, but we need to fight with our courage and bravery in front of show you: if the Lord saves you with his mercy, then you will know who to reward with what. We are all ready to lay down our heads on this day for you, sir, and for the holy churches, and for Orthodox Christianity. You must, Grand Duke, create a memory for your slaves, as much as anyone deserves with his own head, like Tsar Leontius to Theodore Tyrone, to write down our names in the book of councils, so that the Russian sons who will come after us will remember. If we destroy you alone, then from whom can we expect that a memorial will be arranged for us? If we are all saved, and we leave you alone, then what success will we have? And we will be like a flock of sheep without a shepherd; it drags along the desert, and the wild wolves that run in will scatter it, and the sheep will scatter in all directions. You, sir, should save yourself, and us too.”

The great prince shed tears and said: “Brothers moa milaa, Russian sons, I cannot respond to your kind speech, but I only praise you, for you are truly blazing servants of God. What is even more telling is the torment of Christ’s passion-martyr Arethas. Sometimes he was tormented, and the king commanded to lead them to disgrace and cut them to pieces with the sword, and to kill his friends, united before one, each to bow their head to the sword for Arefa, his commander, knowing therefore the honor of his victory. Arefa, however, spoke in his own words: “You know, my brethren, from the king of the earth I was not honored before you, and took earthly goods and gifts? And now we must begin to befit ourselves both to the heavenly King, and to my head, who was previously beheaded, and especially to the wedding people.” And the swordsman came and cut off his head, and afterwards I would cut off his head with wine. It’s the same, brethren. Who is more honored than me among the Russian sons and constantly receives blessings from the Lord? And now evil has come upon me, can I really not suffer: for for my sake everything has risen up. I can’t see you being defeated, and so on, I can’t suffer, and I want to drink the same common cup with you and die the same death for the holy Christian faith! If I die, I’ll be with you; if I’ll be saved, I’ll be with you!”

The great prince shed tears and said: “My dear brothers, Russian sons, I cannot respond to your kind speech, but I only thank you, for you are truly good servants of God. After all, you know well about the torment of Christ’s passion-bearer Arethas. When he was being tortured and the king ordered him to be led before the people and cut to death with a sword, his valiant friends, one in a hurry before the other, each of them bowed his head to the executioner under the sword instead of Arefa, his leader, realizing the glory of his act. Arefa, the leader, said to his soldiers: “So know, my brothers, was it not I who was honored more than you by the earthly king, having received earthly glory and gifts? So now it is fitting for me to go ahead to the heavenly king, my head should be the first to be cut off, or rather, to be crowned.” And, approaching, the executioner cut off his head, and then cut off the heads of his soldiers. So do I, brothers. Who among the Russian sons was more honored than me and constantly received good things from the Lord? And now evil has come upon me, can I really not endure it? After all, it was because of me alone that all this was erected. I can’t see you being defeated, and I can’t bear everything that follows, that’s why I want to drink the same common cup with you and die the same death for the holy Christian faith! If I die, I’ll be with you; if I’m saved, I’ll be with you!”

Already, brethren, at that time the pluks are leading: the leading pluk is led by Prince Dmitry Vsevolodich, and his brother is Prince Vladimer Vsevolodich, and the right hand pluk is led by Mikula Vasilyevich from Kolomnichi, and the left hand is led by Timofey Voluyevich from Kostroma. Many wicked people wander about, both sexes: because of their great strength, there is no place for them to part. The godless Tsar Mamai, having ridden to a high place with three princes, wasted human bloodshed.

And now, brothers, at that time the regiments are leading: the leading regiment is led by Prince Dmitry Vsevolodovich and his brother, Prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich, and on the right hand the regiment is led by Mikula Vasilyevich with the Kolomna residents, and on the left hand the regiment is led by Timofey Voluevich with the Kostroma residents. Many filthy regiments are wandering from all sides: due to the multitude of troops, there is no place for them to converge. The godless Tsar Mamai, having gone to a high place with three princes, observes human bloodshed.

Already the strong crests converging nearby, the evil Pecheneg emerged from the great Tatar crest, appearing before everyone with courage, like the ancient Goliad: its height was five fathoms, and its width was three fathoms. Seeing him, Alexander Peresvet, an old man like Vladimer Vsevolodovich, moved from crying and said: “I need to look for this man like myself, I want to see him!” On his head was the mantle of the Archangel image, armed with the command of Abbot Sergius. And he said: “Father and brothers, forgive me, a sinner! Brother Andrey Oslebya, pray to God for me. Peace and blessings to my child Jacob.” Let him attack the Pecheneg and say: “Hegumen Sergius, help me with prayer!” The Pechenegs rushed against him, and the Christians all cried out: “God, help your servant!” And the spears hit hard, the place almost broke under them, and both fell from their horses to the ground and died.

When the days came to the third hour, seeing this, the great prince said: “Behold, our guests have already approached and lead the way among themselves, having already written up the previous ones and having fun and sleeping, the time has come, and the hour has come to show your courage to everyone.” And everyone hit their horse and shouted unanimously: “God is with us!” - and again: “Christian God, help us!”, and the abominations of the Polovtsi began to call upon their gods.

Seeing that the third hour of the day had arrived, the great prince said: “Now our guests have already approached and are passing the circular cup to each other, the first have already drunk it, and rejoiced, and fell asleep, for the time has already come and the hour has come to show their courage to everyone.” And each warrior whipped his horse, and everyone exclaimed unanimously: “God is with us!” - and again: “Christian God, help us!” - and the filthy Tatars began to call on their gods.

And both great forces came down menacingly, beating hard, in vain to destroy themselves, not only with weapons, but also from the great tightness under the horse’s legs, I gasped, as if it were too weak to fit on that field of Kulikovo: the place is closely between the Don and the Sword. On that field, strong waves gave way, bloody dawns emerged from them, and in them, strong lights trembled from the sheen of the sword. And there was a coward and a great sound from the breaking of the pike and from the cutting of the sword, as if it were not powerful to behold this terrible massacre without this dark hour. In one hour, in the blink of an eye, how many thousands of human souls, God’s creations, perished! The will of the Lord is being done: the third hour, and the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth, the Christians are fighting hard and relentlessly with the filthy Polovtsians.

And both great forces came together menacingly, firmly fighting, brutally destroying each other, giving up the ghost not only from weapons, but also from the terrible cramped conditions - under horse hooves, for it was impossible to fit everyone on that field of Kulikovo: that field was cramped between the Don and the Mecheya . On that field, strong troops converged, bloody dawns emerged from them, and sparkling lightning fluttered in them from the shine of swords. And there was a great crash and thunder from the broken spears and from the blows of swords, so that in this sad hour it was impossible to see that fierce carnage in any way. For in just one hour, in the blink of an eye, how many thousands of human souls, God’s creatures, perished! The will of the Lord is being accomplished: for the third hour, and the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth, the Christians fight firmly and relentlessly against the filthy Polovtsians.

The days have come to the seventh hour, and by God's permission for the sake of our sins we begin to overcome the abominations. Already, from high-ranking men, many are beaten, but Russian heroes and governors, and brave people, like oak trees, bow to the ground under horse hooves: many Russian sons are destroyed. The great prince himself was wounded by the velma and killed from his horse, but he, needlessly, bowed down from the slaughter, as if he could not fight so powerfully, and took refuge in the wilds, but was quickly preserved by God’s power. Many times the great prince’s fortunes were cut down, but not destroyed by God’s mercy, but rather strengthened.

When the seventh hour of the day arrived, by God’s permission and for our sins, the filthy began to overcome. Now, many of the noble men have been killed, Russian heroes, and governors, and brave people, like oak trees, are bowing to the ground under horse hooves: many Russian sons have been crushed. And the Grand Duke himself was severely wounded, and he was thrown from his horse, he barely got out of the field, because he could no longer fight, and hid in a thicket, and was saved by God’s help. Many times the banners of the Grand Duke were cut down, but they were not destroyed by God's grace, they became even more established.

I heard this from a faithful eye-witness, who was also from Vladimer Andreevich, told the Grand Duke, saying: “In the sixth year of this day, I saw the sky above you corrupted, a cloud came out of it, like a crimson dawn over the face of the Grand Duke, trembling low. The same cloud is filled with human hands, even the hands of the great cry of preachers and prophets. In the seventh hour of the day, your clouds trembled with many crowns and descended over the clouds, on the heads of Christians.”

We heard this from a faithful eyewitness who was in Vladimir Andreevich’s regiment; he told the Grand Duke, saying: “At the sixth hour of this day I saw the sky open above you, from which a cloud emerged, like a crimson dawn over the army of the Grand Duke, gliding low. The cloud was filled with human hands, and those hands stretched out over the great regiment as if preaching or prophetically. At the seventh hour of the day the cloud held many crowns and lowered them on the army, on the heads of the Christians.”

Abominations are beginning to overwhelm, and Christians are becoming scarce - there are few Christians, and all are abominations. Having seen the fall of the Russian sons, Prince Vladimer Andreevich could not mourn and spoke to Dmitry Volynets: “What is the point of our standing? What kind of success will we have? Who can we help? Already our princes and boyars, all the Russian sons, are perishing in vain from the filthy, like the grass is bending!” And Dmitry’s speech: “The trouble, prince, is great, our time has not yet come: we begin without time, to accept harm to ourselves; The wheat classes are suppressed, and the third classes are growing and raging over the noble ones. And we will suffer little until the time is like this, but in the meantime we are ready to give back to the enemy for free. Now we only command everyone to pray diligently to God and call upon the saints for help, and from this hour to receive the grace of God and help as a Christian.” Prince Vladimer Andreevich, raising his hand to the sky, shed a bitter tear and said: “God our Father, who created heaven and earth, give help to the Christian race! Do not, Lord, let our enemies rejoice over us; show little, but have much mercy, for you are an abyss of mercy.” The Russian sons in his regiment are crying loudly, seeing their friends being beaten by the filthy, constantly making an attempt, as if calling for a marriage to drink sweet wine. Volynets cheered them up, saying: “Wait a little, Bouvian sons of Russia, it will be your time to console yourself, you have someone to have fun with!”

The filthy ones began to prevail, and the Christian regiments thinned out - there were already few Christians, and all were filthy. Seeing such a death of Russian sons, Prince Vladimir Andreevich could not restrain himself and said to Dmitry Volynets: “So what is the use of our standing? what kind of success will we have? who should we help? Already our princes and boyars, all Russian sons, are cruelly dying from the filthy, as if the grass is bending!” And Dmitry answered: “The trouble, prince, is great, but our hour has not yet come: he who begins ahead of time will bring harm to himself; for the ears of wheat are suppressed, and the weeds grow and rage over the noble. So let’s wait a little until the time is convenient, and at that hour we will give what we deserve to our opponents. Now just command every soldier to pray diligently to God and call on the saints for help, and from now on the grace of God will descend and help Christians.” And Prince Vladimir Andreevich, raising his hands to the sky, shed bitter tears and said: “God, our Father, who created heaven and earth, help the Christian people! Do not, Lord, allow our enemies to rejoice over us; punish little and have much mercy, for your mercy is endless!” The Russian sons in his regiment cried bitterly, seeing their friends struck down by the filthy, and constantly rushed into battle, as if invited to drink sweet wine at a wedding. But Volynets forbade them to do this, saying: “Wait a little, wild sons of the Russians, your time will come when you will be consoled, for you have someone to have fun with!”

The final hour of the day has come, the spirit of the south has drawn behind us, and Vilynets cried out in a great voice: “Prince Vladimer, our time has come, and an hour like this has come!” - and the speech: “Moah brothers, friends, fight: the power of the Holy Spirit to help us!”

And then the eighth hour of the day came, when the south wind pulled from behind us, and Volynets exclaimed in a loud voice: “Prince Vladimir, our time has come and the opportune hour has come!” - and added: “My brothers, friends, be bold: the power of the Holy Spirit helps us!”

With the same mind, the friends emerged from the green oak grove, like tempted falcons, rushing from the golden wells, striking at the great herds of fat, at that great Tatar power; and their deeds are directed by the strong governor Dmitry Volynts: byahu bo, like David’s youths, who had hearts like lvovs, like lyuti vltsi, they came to the flock of sheep and began to feed the filthy Tatars mercilessly.

Companions and friends jumped out of the green oak grove, as if tried falcons had fallen from golden stocks, rushed towards the endless herds, fattened, towards that great Tatar power; and their banners were directed by the firm commander Dmitry Volynts: and they were like David’s youths, whose hearts were like lions, like fierce wolves attacked the sheep flock and began to whip the filthy Tatars mercilessly.

The filth of the Polovtsians, seeing their destruction, called out in a Hellenic voice, saying: “Alas for us, Rus' has once again managed to fight with us, but has respected all its virtues!” And she turned to abomination, and gave off her splashes, and ran away. The Russian sons, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the help of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, chased them down, like a forest, like a forest, like grass from a scythe, spread among the Russian sons under horse hooves. The abomination runs screaming, saying: “Alas for us, our honest king Mamai! Fearfully, you flew high and you descended to hell!” Many of our wounds, and those help, sect the filthy without mercy: only the Rusyns should drive out a hundred filthy ones.

The filthy Polovtsians saw their destruction, shouted in their own language, saying: “Alas for us, Rus' has outwitted us again: the younger ones fought with us, but the best all survived!” And the filthy ones turned, showed their backs, and ran. The Russian sons, with the power of the Holy Spirit and the help of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, driving them away, cut them down, as if they were cutting down a forest - as if the grass under the scythe falls behind the Russian sons under horse hooves. The filthy ones shouted as they ran, saying: “Woe to us, Tsar Mamai, whom we honor! You ascended high - and you descended to hell! And many of our wounded helped, cutting down the filthy ones without mercy: one Russian drives away a hundred filthy ones.

The godless king Mamai, seeing his death, began to call on his gods: Perun and Salavat, and Raklia, and Gurs, and his great accomplice Mahmet. And there would be no help for him from them, for the power of the Holy Spirit, like fire, would burn them.

The godless Tsar Mamai, seeing his death, began to call on his gods: Perun and Salavat, and Rakli, and Khors, and his great accomplice Mohammed. And he had no help from them, for the power of the Holy Spirit, like fire, burns them.

Mamai, seeing new people, like fierce beasts, rises and tears, like a flock of sheep, and says to his own: “Let’s run away, for nothing good, Imam Chaati, but we will carry away our heads!” And now the filthy Mamai with four men in Lukomorie, gritting their teeth, crying loudly, saying: “We, brothers, will no longer be in our land, and don’t talk about our katun, and won’t see our children, talk to us about the damp earth, kiss We are green to Murova, but we will no longer see our retinue, neither from the princes nor from Alpauta!”

And Mamai, seeing new warriors who, like fierce beasts, were galloping and tearing apart enemies like a flock of sheep, said to his friends: “Let’s run, because we can’t wait for anything good, so at least we’ll carry off our own heads!” And immediately the filthy Mamai ran with four men into the bend of the sea, gnashing his teeth, crying bitterly, saying: “We, brothers, will no longer be in our own land, and we will not caress our wives, and we will not see our children, we will no longer caress the damp land, we will kiss the green ant, and we will no longer see our retinue, neither the princes nor the boyars!”

Many people chased after them and did not overcome them, their horses became tired, but Mamai’s horses are intact, and they ran away.

And many chased after them and did not catch up, because their horses were tired, but Mamai’s horses were fresh, and he left the pursuit.

This is by the grace of Almighty God and the Most Pure Mother of God and by the prayer and help of the holy passion-trappers Boris and Gleb, whom Thomas Katsibeev the Robber saw, always standing on guard, as it was previously written. Yeti is the same as the bridegroom, always having access to everyone and returning, each to his own banner.

And this all happened by the grace of Almighty God and the Most Pure Mother of God and the prayer and help of the holy passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, whom Thomas Katsibey the Robber saw when he stood guard, as already written above. Some chased after the Tatars and, having finished off everyone, returned, each to his own banner.

Prince Vladimer Andreevich stood on the bones under the black banner. It is terrible, brethren, to see then, and pitiful to see and gruesomely look at, human bloodshed - like sea water, and a human corpse - like hay masses: a greyhound horse cannot gallop, but a vagabond is covered in blood up to his knees, and rivers flow with blood for three days.

Prince Vladimir Andreevich stood on the battlefield under the crimson banner. It is terrible, brothers, to contemplate then, and it is pitiful to see and it is bitter to look at human bloodshed: like the expanse of the sea, and human corpses like haystacks: a fast horse cannot gallop, and they wandered knee-deep in blood, and the rivers flowed with blood for three days.

Prince Vladimer Andreevich did not find his brother, the Grand Duke, in mourning, but only the Lithuanian princes of Olgordovich, and ordered the assembled trumpets to be blown. Wait an hour and you won’t find the Grand Duke, you will begin to cry and scream, and you will begin to walk around crying, and you won’t find it and say to everyone: “Brothers of Moa, Russian sons, who has seen or who has heard our shepherd and leader?” And he said: “If the shepherd is defeated, the sheep will be scattered. Who will be honored by this, who will appear in this victory?

And the Lithuanian princes said: “We think of him as though he were alive, he was vulnerable; When do they always lie in a dead corpse? And he said: “I saw him at the seventh hour, fighting hard with the filthy club.” And he said: “I saw him later; four Tatars lie down on him, but he fights hard with them.” A certain prince, named Stefan Novosilskaya, said: “I saw him before your very arrival, walking and coming from the battle, I was wounded by Velmi. For this reason, I couldn’t help him - we are being persecuted by three Tatars, but by the grace of God I was barely saved from them, but I received a lot of evil from them and suffered greatly.”

And the Lithuanian princes said: “We think that he is alive, but seriously wounded; what if it lies among the dead corpses? Another warrior said: “I saw him at the seventh hour firmly fighting with the filthy club with his club.” Another one said: “I saw him later: four Tatars attacked him, but he fought them firmly.” A certain prince named Stefan Novosilsky said: “I saw him just before your arrival, he was walking on foot from the battle, all wounded. That’s why I couldn’t help him because three Tatars were chasing me and by the grace of God I barely escaped from them, but I accepted a lot of evil from them and was very tormented.”

Prince Volodymer said: “Brothers and friends, Russian sons, if anyone finds my brother alive, you will truly be the first among us!” And everything scattered into a great, strong and terrible battle, seeking victory for the winner. Ovi came upon the murdered Mikhail Andreevich Brenk: to lie in the drag and in the helmet that the great prince gave him; In other words, the murdered prince Feodor Semyonovich Belozerskaya, who expected him to be the Grand Duke, was more than befitting him.

Prince Vladimir said: “Brothers and friends, Russian sons, if anyone finds my brother alive, he will truly be the first among us!” And they all scattered across the great, mighty and formidable battlefield, seeking the victory of the winner. And some came across the murdered Mikhail Andreevich Brenk: lying in clothes and in the helmet that the Grand Duke gave him; others came across the murdered Prince Fyodor Semenovich Belozersky, considering him to be the Grand Duke, because he looked like him.

Two years of war escaped to the right side of the country in Dubrova, one named Theodore Sabur, and the other Grigory Kholopishchev, both from Kostroma. Having barely left the battle and the Grand Duke was beaten and the wound was great and difficult, while he was resting under the canopy, a birch tree was cut down. And seeing him, he fell from his horses and bowed to him. Sabur soon returned to tell Prince Vladimer and said: “The Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich may live in good health and reign forever!”

Two warriors deviated to the right side into the oak grove, one named Fyodor Sabur, and the other Grigory Kholopishchev, both from Kostroma. We walked a little away from the battlefield - we came across the Grand Duke, beaten and wounded all over and tired, he was lying in the shade of a felled birch tree. And they saw him and, dismounting from their horses, bowed to him. Sabur immediately returned to tell Prince Vladimir about this and said: “The Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich is alive and reigns forever!”

All the princes and commanders heard, and quickly fell on his feet, saying: “Rejoice, our prince, ancient Yaroslav, new Alexander, conqueror of the enemy: with this victory honor is due to you.” The great prince barely spoke: “What is, tell us.” Prince Vladimer said: “By the grace of God and His Most Pure Mother, the help and prayers of the relatives of our holy martyrs Boris and Gleb and the prayer of the Russian Saint Peter and our helper and champion Abbot Sergius, - and with the prayers of all those saints we have conquered our enemies, but we are saved "

All the princes and governors, hearing about this, quickly rushed and fell at his feet, saying: “Rejoice, our prince, like the former Yaroslav, the new Alexander, conqueror of the enemies: the honor of this victory belongs to you!” The great prince barely said: “What is there, tell me.” And Prince Vladimir said: “By the grace of God and His Most Pure Mother, the help and prayers of the relatives of our holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, and the prayers of the Russian Saint Peter, and our helper and inspirer Abbot Sergius, through all of those prayers our enemies were defeated, but we were saved.” .

The great prince, hearing this, stood up and said: “The Lord has made this day, let us rejoice and be glad, people!” And again he said: “This day of the Lord, rejoice, people! Great art thou, O Lord, and wonderful are thy deeds: the evening may end with mourning, and the morning with joy!” And again he said: “I praise you, O Lord my God, and I honor your holy name, because you did not betray us as our enemy, and you did not allow them to boast, who have plotted evil against me: do not judge them, O Lord, according to their righteousness, But, Lord, I trust in you!”

And he brought him a horse and, all on horseback, rode out into a great, strong and menacing battle, and seeing his army was beaten by the Velmi, and the filthy Tatars were beaten by a quartet of more and, turning to Volynets, he said: “Truly, Dmitry, it is not false This is your mark; it is fitting for you to always be a leader.”

And they brought him a horse, and, mounting the horse and riding out to the great, terrible and formidable place of battle, he saw a lot of killed in his army, and the filthy Tatars were four times more than those killed, and, turning to Volynets, he said: “Truly, Dmitry, Your omen is not false; it behooves you to always be a commander.”

And with his brother and the remaining princes and governors, he began to ride through the battlefield, his heart aching, screaming, and his tears flowing, and he said: “Brothers, Russian sons, princes and boyars, and governors, and boyar children! The Lord God judges that you will die that death. Naturally they laid down their heads for the holy churches and for Orthodox Christianity.” And having traveled a little, we came to a place where the princes of Belozersk lay beaten together: the Tolma fought hard, as if one would die for one. Mikhailo Vasilyevich was killed lying nearby; He became the great prince over them, over the kind governors, and began to cry and say: “Brothers of the princes, sons of the Russians, if you have the desire of God, pray for us, because God will listen to you, and together with you the Lord God we will!”

And he went with his brother and with the remaining princes and governors to the place of the battle, exclaiming from the pain of his heart and shedding tears, and said thus: “Brothers, Russian sons, princes, and boyars, and governors, and boyar servants! The Lord God has destined you to die such a death. You laid down your lives for the holy churches and for Orthodox Christianity.” And a little later he drove up to the place where the Belozersk princes lay killed together: they fought so firmly that they died one after the other. The murdered Mikhail Vasilyevich lay nearby; standing over them, dear commanders, the great prince began to cry and say: “My brother princes, sons of the Russians, if you have courage before God, pray for us, so that we may be with the Lord God with you, for I know that he will listen to you.” God!"

And then he arrived at another place and ran into his colleague Mikhail Andreevich Brenk, and near him lay the steadfast guard Semyon Melik, and near them Timofey Voluevich was killed. Standing over them, the great prince shed tears and said: “My beloved brother, you killed me for the sake of my image. What kind of slave can serve the master like that, as if he himself is going to die for me, you mean? Truly like the ancient Avis, who did the same thing from Dariev Persky.” As that Melika lay, she said above him: “My strong guard, I am always your guard.” Arriving at another place, he saw the Peresvet monk, and in front of him lay a filthy Pecheneg, an evil Tatar, like a mountain, and lying nearby was the deliberate hero Grigory Kapustin. The great prince turned and said: “You see, brethren, your leader, like this Alexander Peresvet, our accomplice, was blessed by Abbot Sergius and defeated the great, strong, evil Tatar, from whom many people should have drunk the cup of death.”

And he went further and found his confidant Mikhail Andreevich Brenk, and near him lay the staunch guard Semyon Melik, and nearby Timofey Voluevich was killed. Standing over them, the great prince shed tears and said: “My beloved brother, because of your resemblance to me, you were killed. What kind of slave can serve his master like this one, who voluntarily comes to death for my sake! Truly like the ancient Abis, who was in the army of Darius the Persian and did the same as you.” Since Melik was lying here, the prince said above him: “My steadfast guard, I was firmly guarded by your guard.” He arrived at another place, saw Peresvet the monk, and in front of him lay a filthy Pecheneg, an evil Tatar, like a mountain, and right there nearby lay the famous hero Grigory Kapustin. The great prince turned to his people and said: “You see, brothers, his initiator, for this Alexander Peresvet, our accomplice, blessed by Abbot Sergius, defeated the great, strong, evil Tatar, from whom many people would drink the cup of death.”

And he drove off to another place and ordered the assembled trumpets to be blown and the people to be summoned. The brave knights, having sufficiently tested their weapons against the filthy Polovtsi, wander from all countries to the sound of a trumpet. What is coming is joyful, jubilant, songs of the Mother of God, Ovii of the Mother of God, the friends of martyrdom, and others of a psalm, that is, Christian singing. Each one rides, rejoicing, to the sound of the trumpet.

And having driven off to a new place, he ordered to blow the prefabricated pipes and convene people. The brave knights, having sufficiently tested their weapons against the filthy Tatars, wander from all sides towards the sound of the trumpet. They walked joyfully, rejoicing, and sang songs: some sang the Mother of God, others martyrdom, others psalms, all Christian songs. Every warrior goes, rejoicing, to the sound of the trumpet.

With all the gathered people, the great prince stood in the midst of them, weeping and rejoicing: he weeps for the slain, but rejoices for the healthy. The verb says: “Brothers moa, Russian princes and local boars, and serving people of all the earth! It is fitting for you to serve in this way, and for me it is fitting to praise you. When the Lord protects me and I am on my table, in the great reign, in the city of Moscow, then the imam will bestow you according to his worth. Now we will manage this; Let us bury each of our neighbors, so that we will not be a beast to consume the body of a Christian.”

When all the people had gathered, the great prince stood in the midst of them, weeping and rejoicing: he weeps for the slain, but rejoices for the healthy. He said: “My brothers, Russian princes, local boyars, and service people of the whole earth! It is fitting for you to serve in this way, and for me to duly praise you. If the Lord protects me and I am on my throne, on the great reign in the city of Moscow, then I will reward you according to your dignity. Now, let’s do this: let’s bury each of our neighbors, so that Christian bodies don’t fall to the beasts to be devoured.”

The great prince stood behind Dan on the bones for eight days, until he separated Christians from the wicked. The Christian bodies were dug into the ground, and the bodies of the wicked were destroyed by animals and birds for plunder.

The Great Prince stood behind the Don on the battlefield for eight days, until the Christians were separated from the wicked. The bodies of Christians were buried in the ground, the bodies of the wicked were thrown to animals and birds to be torn to pieces.

And the Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich spoke: “Be considered, brethren, there are no prickly governors, prickly service people?” The Moscow boyar, whose name is Mikhailo Alexandrovich, was in mourning with Mikula at Vasilyevich’s, and was calculatedly quick: “We have, sir, 40 Moscow boyars, and 12 princes of Belozersk, and 13 nobles of Novgorod, and 50 boyars of Nizhny Novgorod, yes 40 Serpokhov boarins, 20 Pereslavl boarins, 25 Kostroma boarins, 35 Vladimir boarins, 50 Suzdal boarins, 40 Murom boarins, 33 Rostov boarins, 20 Dmitrov boarins, 70 Mozhaisk boarins, 60 boarins ъ Zvenigorodskiy, yes 15 Boarins from Ugletsky, and 20 Boarins from Galitz, and there’s no count of young people; “We only know: all our squads, half a third of a hundred thousand and three thousand, have disappeared, but we have fifty thousand squads left.”

And the Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich said: “Count, brothers, how many governors are missing, how many service people.” Says a Moscow boyar named Mikhail Alexandrovich, and he was in the regiment of Mikula Vasilyevich, he was a very good counter: “We, sir, do not have forty Moscow boyars, and twelve Belozersk princes, and thirteen Novgorod mayor boyars, and fifty boyars of Nizhny Novgorod , yes, forty Serpukhov boyars, and twenty Pereyaslav boyars, and twenty-five Kostroma boyars, and thirty-five Vladimir boyars, and fifty Suzdal boyars, and forty Murom boyars, and thirty-three Rostov boyars, and twenty Dmitrov boyars, and seventy Mozhaisk boyars, and sixty Zvenigorod boyars, and fifteen Uglich boyars, and twenty Galich boyars, and there is no count of the younger warriors; but we only know: our entire squad of two hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand perished, and we have a squad of fifty thousand left.”

The great prince said: “Glory to you, the highest Creator, the heavenly king, the merciful Savior, for you have had mercy on us sinners, and have not betrayed us into the hands of our enemy, the filthy son of a bitch. And you, brothers, princes and boars, and governors, and young people, Russian sons, have a narrowed place to lie between the Don and the Nepr, on the Kulikovo field, on the Nepryadva river. They naturally laid down their heads for the Russian land, for the Christian faith. Forgive me, brothers, and bless me in this world and in the future!” And he shed tears for a long hour and spoke to his princes and governors: “Let’s go, brothers, to our land of Zalesskaya, to the glorious city of Moscow and sit on our hams and grandfathers: we have access to honor and a glorious name!”

And the great prince said: “Glory to you, the supreme Creator, the king of heaven, the merciful Savior, who had mercy on us sinners and did not give us into the hands of our enemies, filthy raw-eaters. And you, brothers, princes, and boyars, and governors, and the younger squad, Russian sons, are destined for a place between the Don and Nepryadva, on the Kulikovo field, on the Nepryadva river. You laid down your heads for the Russian land, for the Christian faith. Forgive me, brothers, and bless me in this life and in the next!” And he cried for a long time, and said to his princes and commanders: “Let us go, brothers, to our land of Zalesskaya, to the glorious city of Moscow, we will return to our estates and grandfathers: we have gained honor for ourselves and a glorious name!”

The filthy Mamai then ran away from the massacre and ran to the city of Kafa and, hiding his name, ran to his land and could not suffer, seeing himself defeated and put to shame and desecrated. And again he was angry, angry, and still thinking evil about the Russian land, like a roaring lion and like an insatiable viper. And having collected his remaining strength, he still wanted to go into exile to the Russian land. And I thought to him, news suddenly came to him, like a king named Taktamysh from the east, troops from the Blue Horde, would come to him. Mamai, even though he had prepared an army, was about to go to the Russian land, and he and that army went against Tsar Taktamysh. And they fought on Kalki, and there was a great battle for them. And King Taktamysh, having defeated King Mamaa, and drove him away, the Mamaev princes and the Ryadtsy, and the Yasovuls, and the Alpauts beat up King Taktamysh. And he received them and took the Horde, and sat in the kingdom. Mamai came running back to Kafa alone; Having hidden his name, he stayed with her and was discovered by a certain merchant, who was quickly killed by friars and ruined his life. Let's leave Sia here.

The filthy Mamai then fled from the massacre, and reached the city of Kafa, and, hiding his name, returned to his land, unable to bear it, seeing himself defeated, disgraced and desecrated. And again he was angry, very furious, and still plotted evil against the Russian land, like a roaring lion and like an insatiable viper. And, having gathered his remaining strength, he again wanted to go into exile to the Russian land. And when he planned this, news suddenly came to him that a king named Tokhtamysh from the east, from the Blue Horde itself, was coming against him. And Mamai, who prepared an army for a campaign against Russian land, went with that army against Tsar Tokhtamysh. And they met on Kalka, and there was a big battle between them. And Tsar Tokhtamysh, having defeated Tsar Mamai, drove him away, but the Mamai princes, and allies, and esauls, and boyars beat Tokhtamysh with their foreheads, and he accepted them, and captured the Horde, and sat down as king. Mamai ran away to Kafa alone again; having concealed his name, he hid here, and was identified by some merchant, and then he was killed by fryags; and so evil lost his life. Let's finish talking about this here.

Having heard Olgord of Lithuania that the great prince Dmitry Ivanovich defeated Mamaa, he returned home with much suffering. Oleg of Rezansky, hearing that the great prince wanted to send an army against him, feared and ran away from his fatherland and with the princess from the boars; and Rezan brought his forehead to the great prince, and the great prince placed his governors on Rezan.

Olgerd of Lithuania, having heard that the Great Prince Dmitry Ivanovich had defeated Mamai, returned home with great shame. Oleg Ryazansky, having learned that the Grand Duke wanted to send an army against him, got scared and ran away from his estate with the princess and the boyars; The Ryazan people beat the Grand Duke with their foreheads, and the Great Prince installed his governors in Ryazan.