The Elder Archpriest Nikolay Guryanov (1909–2002) with scenes of his life. Wooden orthodox icon

Icon of Elder Archpriest Nicholas Guryanov (May 24, 1909 – August 24, 2002)

"Mercy and love," said Father Nicholas, "are not weakness or compromise with evil: 'This is spiritual ABC,' he said. 'We are consecrated to God in the holy font of Baptism, and must live purely, according to the Gospel.'"

It was precisely this Gospel purity of Christ that the Russian people recognized in this holy prayer warrior—and they opened their hearts to him, entrusting themselves to the Elder's guidance and his word. In Father Nicholas there shone brilliantly a majestic, God-loving Russian soul that had compassion for all of God's creation. He said that God has no orphans, we are all God's children. Therefore he received the greatest sinners in their sorrow and joy, and grieved with them over their falls as if they were his own. The Elder literally wiped away people's tears. No one was ashamed to weep for their perishing soul, falling upon his hand. And until the heart had wept itself out and repented, Father would wait and not withdraw his fatherly hand... He waited and prayed, teaching everyone to pray to the Lord—with repentance and humility: "If you weep and pray for your sins, God will forgive you, and perhaps with your little prayer you will help someone else."

And now, the time has come when for the prayers of grateful hearts, the Lord inspired iconographer Stefan Potyagalov from the village of Mosta in Ivanovsk region to paint the image of Father as "Nicholas the Merciful Comforter."

Scenes from the Life of Elder Nicholas (as depicted on the icon):

1. Receiving from God a commandment from youth, Father Nicholas, to pray for the salvation of Holy Russia. The Holy Tsar-Martyr Nicholas learned God's Will concerning you, and all the Royal Passion-Bearers blessed you for a great humble life.

2. Called by God and the Tsar, he began to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and baptize children: and the Lord appeared to him, and taking him by the hand said: "Take up your Cross and follow Me."

3. Holy Hieromartyr Benjamin of Petrograd saw your warm love for the Lord and monastic life, and blessed you with his Cross for exploits—the very Cross he wore upon his chest.

4. At nine years old, he was led by the Holy Spirit to see how the Christ-like Tsar Nicholas was slain and ascended Golgotha together with the Tsarina, Tsarevich, and Grand Duchesses. From that time the holy child received the commandment: to glorify the Cross-bearing Sacrifice of the Meek Tsar for the salvation of Russia and Orthodoxy.

5. Having loved Christ the Crucified King, being enrolled in the monastic order and receiving the Grace of priesthood from holy confessors, on Good Friday of the Russian Orthodox Church you fearlessly accepted martyric sufferings.

6. You sanctified all your life, confessor, through ceaseless invocation of God's Name. In fierce persecutions, in winter hunger, drowning in waters, you prayed unceasingly, and the All-Merciful Lord and the Most Holy Lady Theotokos saved you.

7. When for the Faith of Christ you watered the earth with your blood from the Godless ones, blessed priests and monks took your honorable remains upon your body, martyr, as upon the Lord's Throne, and served the Holy Liturgy, and Christ preserved you alive.

8. The pastors and brothers of the Vilnius Monastery of the Holy Spirit, where you labored, marveled at your knowledge of God and prayer: when from the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Tikhvin you announced the Church's commandment: to release the miraculous image with St. John of Riga to a foreign land, until we return to Faith and Piety. And in monasticism you were named Nektarios.

9. Your radiant Soul, Father, having reached perfect measure, by God's command was taken up into the Heavenly Kingdom, to the portion of the righteous saints. But you, seeing the fire eternally burning sinners and unspeakable darkness, wept to the Lord: how can I help souls in hell?

10. The Merciful Lord answered: "They shall have much relief when you pray for the departed on earth and make remembrance of them at the Dread Life-Creating Mysteries." Then the saint entreated in tears: "Jesus, Son of God, return me to earth to pray for the salvation of all the world."

11. When your time approached, there came a voice from the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos to Arsenius, a monk of St. Sergius Monastery: "This holy Nicholas is a true servant of Christ and wonder-worker, beloved by My Son, for he is from the last times, and there is no person on earth who does not need his holy blessing."

12. The prayer warrior of God tearfully asked the Lord to restore the Throne of the Orthodox Church and fearlessly loved and glorified the First Russian Anointed of God, John IV Vasilyevich, and Gregory the man of God, martyred by servants of secret lawlessness, teaching this also to the faithful children of Christ's Church.

13. You were wondrously enlightened with Heavenly Light when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to you and blessed you with a branch of paradise, foretelling your soon departure. And you said: "I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith, Lord save all, Lord help all."

14. You traversed a wondrous path of salvation, preaching the Word of God; in reward for your labors from Gospel grace, the Lord sent your friends: Venerable Dositheus of Verkhniy Ostrog, who spoke with apostles and evangelists: Holy one, today was the Church of God.

15. Divine light illumined your cell when the Most Holy Theotokos appeared with St. Seraphim. And the God-Chosen Tsar-Martyr Nicholas, whom you faithfully served, from the Most Bright Royal hand the Lord gave you to drink of the Heavenly and Life-Creating Flaming Mysteries unto Eternal Life.

16. Having received grace from God and glorification in the fragrant departure of your soul from earth: after repose, yourself receiving the Holy Cross and Gospel in your hands, you appeared free from death, rejoicing with the Angels: "Christ is Risen! Do not lose Paschal Joy!"

17. Having pleased God with word and life, holy Father Nicholas, dwelling in the Abode of the Heavenly Father, you appeared on the ninth day after your glorious repose to the priest Evgeny, and commanded him to write down the troparion and the image of your miraculous appearance.

18. We honor your fragrant and wondrous Life, and magnify your Heavenly Glory, for you continue to pour forth healings even from the place where your body was committed to the earth, and you raised Evtikhios from death by the blessing of your Icon, showing by this miracle how the Lord glorifies those who love Him.

This hagiographic icon depicts the holy life and miracles of Elder Nicholas Guryanov, a modern confessor and prayer warrior who lived through Soviet persecution and became a spiritual father to thousands. 

We wrote more information about the elder's life here: https://iconsofsaints.com/blogs/novidades/archpriest-nicholas-guryanov-spiritual-guide-and-elder-of-modern-russia

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