History of the Service to All Russian Saints: XVI–XX Centuries

Abstract

In the era of the Maсariev Councils, after the canonization of a whole host of Russian saints, it became necessary for them to compose liturgical texts. Saint Macarius decided to establish a common day of remembrance for all Russian miracle workers, whose service was performed by the monk Gregory of Suzdal. However, due to the prevailing circumstances, the veneration of all Russian saints was not widespread and soon completely forgotten. Several centuries later, at the Local Council of 1917–1918. the question of restoring the lost holiday was initiated. It was decided to establish a widespread celebration of the day of all the saints who shone forth in the Russian land, the compilation of the service of which was entrusted to Professor B.A. Turaev and the future Saint Athanasius (Sakharov). This article provides a historical background on these events. Also, in the course of the study, the authors examined the further fate of the text of the service to all Russian saints and carried out a partial poetic analysis of selected liturgical hymns from the services of the 16th and 20th centuries.