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Saint Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov: A Life of Devotion and Scholarship · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Wednesday, october twenty eighth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Saint Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov.
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  SPEAKER_00: Born in december sixteen fifty one near Kiev, his given name was Daniel Savich Tuptalo.
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  SPEAKER_00: He grew up in a deeply Christian family and showed early promise in both faith and learning.
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  SPEAKER_00: In sixteen sixty two, after his family moved to Kiev, Daniel was sent to the Kiev Mogilyansk College.
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  SPEAKER_00: There his talents became clear as he mastered Greek, Latin, and many classical sciences.
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  SPEAKER_00: On July 9th, 1668, Daniel took monastic vows and was given the name Demetrius in honor of the great martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.
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  SPEAKER_00: He began his monastic life at the Kirilov monastery in Kiev, where he also started preaching and writing.
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  SPEAKER_00: On May 23, 1675, Demetrius was ordained a hieromonk by Archbishop Lazar of Chernivov.
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  SPEAKER_00: For several years he lived an ascetic life and preached in monasteries and churches across Ukraine, Lithuania, and Belarus.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1684, while serving as igumen of the Maximov Monastery, he was called to the Kiev Caves Lavra.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Archumandrite Barlaim, recognizing Demetrius's spiritual depth and scholarly gifts, entrusted him with organizing the Menaeon, the collection of the lives of the saints for the entire year.
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  SPEAKER_00: This was a massive task that took twenty years.
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  SPEAKER_00: It required gathering many sources and presenting them in clear, accessible language.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Demetrius relied on God's help throughout this demanding work.
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  SPEAKER_00: He said that his soul was filled with the presence of the saints, which gave him strength and encouraged him to complete his task.
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  SPEAKER_00: During this time, he also led several monasteries.
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  SPEAKER_00: His work brought him to the attention of Patriarch Adrian.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1701, by order of Tsar Peter Thursters, Demetrius was consecrated Metropolitan of Tobolsk in Siberia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Soon after, because of his important scholarly work and fragile health, he was reassigned to Rostov Yaroslavel.
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  SPEAKER_00: On March 1, 1702, he began serving as Metropolitan of Rostov.
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  SPEAKER_00: He continued to work for the unity of the church, especially in the face of the old believers' schism.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Demetrius's writings and sermons inspired many generations of Russian theologians, offering spiritual strength for prayer and creativity.
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  SPEAKER_00: He lived a humble, ascetic life, owning little besides books and manuscripts.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Demetrius reposed on October 28, 1709.
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  SPEAKER_00: His sanctity was recognized officially on April 22, 1757, and his relics were uncovered on September 21st.
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  SPEAKER_00: May we be inspired by his dedication to God, his scholarship, and his humble life.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, grant us the strength to serve you with faith and humility, like Saint Demetrius.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to grow in knowledge and love for you.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, with one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.