Kirill Turovsky

Kirill Turovsky (ru.wikipedia.org/wiki)

Our land is rich in outstanding people whom we can follow and who can be our heroes. Different times brought different heroes. While studying Man and the World at school, I came across a very interesting article about great Belarussian enlighteners: Frantsysk Skoryna, Efrosinya Polotskaya and Kirill Turovsky. I chose Kirill Turovsky at once. You can ask me: why? It's quite clear.

"Saint Kirill Turovsky is the preceptor of virtue, a preacher and a theologian, an ascetic and a bibliophile, a poet and a speaker named «Speaker with golden words, the Brightest Star in Old Russia”, an expert on Holy Writ. Scripture and literature," he was working for God's sake. He was a candle for us to light and use. He was one of the famous preachers and writers of ancient Rus and of the world in the 12th century. His contemporaries called him Russian Zlatoust as he wrote solemn "Gospels", two sermons, eight homilies, more than twenty prayers and canons, all in all about seventy works which became real masterpieces of the 12th century and were greatly appreciated. Some of his works survived, e.g. the 12th century Turovsky Gospels. The Gospel of Turov is one of the most ancient East Slavonic Christian manuscripts. Rich imagination and enthusiastically joyful mood are typical of his works. He is praised for his high ideals and spirit, his expressive eloquence and elegance of his literary works.

Monument to Kirill Turovsky in the town of Turov (gomeltour.com/en/Cities/Turov)

As is known Kirill Turovsky was born in a wealthy family in 1130. At the age of 31 he took monastic vows in Borisoglebsky monastery in his native town of Turov. In the 60's of the XII century, he was selected on episcopal chair in Turov. He spent his last years in Borisoglebsky monastery, leading a solitary life there. We consider him to be one of the best Christian preachers of his time. He taught everybody by his word and by his life. He was a real example to follow as his prayers inspired people and could penetrate in the farthest dark corners of human soul. No wonder that he was canonized as a Saint in Russian orthodox church.

Nowadays monuments to Kirill Turovsky are erected in some Belarussian cities: Gomel, Minsk and Turov. Celebrations in honour of this eminent church figure, the enlightener and preacher, occur annually in the ancient city of Turov.