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Saint Benedict in Orthodoxy. Christian symbolism: Cross and Crucifix Catholic saint benedict

MEDALLION OF SAINT VENEDIKT IN THE CATHOLIC TRADITION

The origin and content of the medallion of St. Benedict (in the Orthodox tradition we write the name as Benedict, and in the Catholic tradition as Benedict)

St. Benedict (b. in Nursia, Italy, in 480) With particular veneration of the holy cross and our crucified Savior. With the sign of the cross, he performed many miracles and defeated evil spirits. In honor of his work, a medallion was minted. On one side, Benedict is depicted holding a cross and the Rule of Order, and on the edges there is an inscription in Latin, which sounds in Ukrainian: “May his presence keep us at the time of death.” (Saint Benedict has always been the patron of the dying, because he himself died gloriously, praying before the Most Holy Mysteries). There is a cross on the back of the medallion. On the edges are the first letters of Latin words from a poem written by St. Benedict: “Get out, Satan DO NOT tell me your vain things. The cup you're handing me is bad; drink your own poison." In the corners of the cross, the Latin words say: "", on the cross itself: "Let the holy cross be easy for me. Don't let the dragon become my guide."

Inscriptions and their meaning on the miraculous medallion

With the image of a saint:
Crux sancti Patris Benedict!
Cross of Saint Benedict

On the medallion hoop:
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur.
May his presence keep us in the time of death.
CSPB - Crux sancti Patris Benedict!
Cross of Saint Benedict

Letters on the cross:
CSSML - Crux sancta sit mihi lux.
Let the holy cross be my light.
NDSMD - Non draco sit mihi dux.
Let Satan be my guide.

On the medallion hoop:
VRSNSMV - Vade retro satana non suade mihi vana
Go away, Satan, don't tempt me to evil
SMQLIVB Sunt mala quae libas, ipse venena bibas
You do evil deeds, drink your own poison

Pope Leo IX in the 11th century, who in his youth was healed from a fatal illness through the supernatural mediation of St. Benedict. In a vision, I saw how the righteous Benedict in monastic clothes descended from heaven along the luminous stairs, carrying a shining cross in his hand. He touched the cross to the swollen face of the future Pope and immediately healed him.

The Roman Bishop Benedict XIV in 1742 solemnly approved and encouraged the faithful to wear the medallion. Medallion of St. Benedict must be blessed by a Benedictine father or a specially authorized priest. The church has three solemn prayers for the blessing of the medallion.

The first prayer is the exorcism (casting out) of the evil spirit in order to neutralize its bad influence, along with an earnest request that the medallion, when worn, serve for the well-being of the body and soul. (This prayer can only be published by special permission of the church authorities).

The second prayer to fervent requests and reads like this: O Almighty God, Giver of all good gifts! We humbly ask you to give through the mediation of St. Benedict Your blessing on these medallions, their letters and signs, conceived by you, so that all who will wear them and try to do good work may receive health for soul and body, the caress of salvation. Forgive me. recognized for us, and that with the help of Your mercy, they would avoid the snares and wiles of the devil, and be found holy and blameless in Your eyes. Amen.

The third prayer is very touching, so it reminds us of the agony, suffering and death of our Lord. ( The right to publish this prayer belongs exclusively to the Order of Saint Benedict). Once blessed, the medallion cannot be sold.

The power and effect of the medallion

Everyone who wears it with reverence, trusting in the life-giving powers of the Lord's cross and the merits of the righteous Benedict, can hope for his help in spiritual and early needs. From the one who wears this medallion with faith and reverence, he will distract all the dangers to the body and soul that come from an evil spirit.

The medallion of a believer will have the power to: destroy the spells of wizards, wicked and evil persons; protect from temptations, deceit; to comprehend the conversion of sinners, especially at the time of death; protect from infirmities; protect from storms, lightning and other natural disasters. It can be worn around the neck, attached to a chapel (otherwise - paraman) or Rosary, or worn in some other way. For the patient - put on wounds, immerse in medicines or in water that they give him to drink.

The medallion is often placed in the foundations of buildings or walls, hung on doors, or attached to barns and stables to invoke God's protection and blessing. There are no special prayers when using the medallion. The very dressing and use of it is considered a silent prayer to God to give us for the merits of St. Benedict, the caresses we ask for. However, to receive extraordinary caresses, there are special devotions in honor of St. Benedict. On the day of the death of the righteous, March 14, the Way of the Cross of St. Benedict. On the day of St. Benedict, March 27, we ask for his guardianship with this prayer:

On July 25, 1979, the Blessed Virgin Mary, appearing in Bayside, New York, asked that the Benedictine Order focus on sending messages about its founder, including thousands of castings of a medallion depicting St. Benedict.

PRAYER TO VENEDIKT OF NURSIA

To righteous Benedict! You are a high example of all virtues, an innocent vessel of God's mercy! Take a look at me, submissively attracting what knees before Your
way. I beg Your heart to pray for me before the throne of God. I turn to you in all the dangers that surround me every day. Protect me from my enemies. Give me inspiration to follow You in everything. May Your blessing be with me always so that I turn away from the evil that God forbids and avoid the occasion to sin. Kindly beg for me from the Lord mercy and affection, which I most of all need in all experiences, sufferings and misfortunes on earth. Your heart has always been full of love, compassion and mercy for those who find themselves in any kind of trouble or misfortune. You never rejected without comfort and help those who turned to You. Therefore, I call on Your powerful mediation in the firm hope that you will hear my prayers and receive for me a special mercy and mercy, for which I so heartily pray (tell me what you ask for), when it will be for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Help me, O great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to always be obedient to the Lord's will and to comprehend eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.

In Catholicism, the figure of Benedict of Nursia occupies one of the primary places. He is even the patron saint of all of Europe. It is believed that it was Benedict who founded the first monastic order, creating a charter for communal religious life. The saint is revered in all countries of Latin Christianity. That is why he has different names. In Italy, he is Benedetto, Bendt in Denmark, Venedikt in the regions where Orthodoxy is professed. It often happens that the Church venerates several saints with the same name. Benedict is no exception.

But in this article we will talk about only one saint who bears this name. And this is Benedict the hermit. You will find a photo of the saint (or rather, images of engravings or frescoes) in this article. We will also tell about the life of the founder of Western monasticism and about his path to Salvation. There are also prayers directed to St. Benedict. The Orthodox Church also reveres him. Where are the relics of the saint kept? We will try to talk about all this below.

Life of a Hermit

The future saint was born in 480 in Nursia. Now this Italian town is called Norcia. Therefore, the full name of the saint is Benedict of Nursia. According to legend, he had a twin sister, Scholastica. We will also mention her, because she followed the path of asceticism after her brother and created the first regular convent. We know about the life of a brother and sister only from the Dialogues, which were written at the end of the 6th century by Pope Gregory the Great (Dialog).

Benedict and Scholastica were the children of a noble and wealthy Roman. When his son turned 18, his father sent him to the Eternal City to study and build a career. But the turmoil of the world in Rome was clearest of all. Therefore, Benedict, without completing his studies, fled the city. Together with a small handful of equally pious men and youths, he settled in the mountain village of Affide (the modern name of Affila), not far from Subiaco (80 km from Rome). But life in this community seemed to Benedict not harsh enough. Monk Roman from a nearby monastery showed him a grotto near a dam on the Anio River. Benedict settled there. He spent three years in the grotto, and during this time he was tempered not only physically, but also spiritually.

The life of the abbot of the monastery

The fame of the pious hermit grew and spread. Pilgrims began to flock to the cave by the lake on Anio. Soon, the monks from the Vicovaro monastery also became interested in Benedict. When their abbot died, they sent a delegation to the grotto, begging the hermit to come to them and take the position of the deceased. Benedict agreed. After some time, he discovered that the brethren were hopelessly mired in gluttony and laziness. All attempts to bring their lives closer to Christian ideals ended in failure.

It got to the point that the brethren, by conspiracy, almost poisoned their rector. Therefore, Saint Benedict was forced to flee. He was followed by some of his followers. Benedict divided them into groups and appointed an abbot over each. For himself, he assigned the role of a supervisor of morality and strictness of morals. But that didn't work either. Ambition, envy and the desire of the clergy to live freely led to a new conspiracy.

The first "real" monastery

Benedict moved south. Not far from the town of Cassino rises a mountain, on top of which, at the beginning of the 6th century, a pagan temple was still preserved. Benedict converted to Christianity those who still came to the temple with sacrifices, and the building was rebuilt into a church. He settled on the mountain, founding the monastery of Monte Cassino. Diverse communities of monks existed before. But they did not have any common rules, structure and organization. The founder of the first monastery in history became famous for having developed all these norms.

The monks, who began to live according to them, formed the first religious order - the Benedictine. It emphasized two main principles: the economic autonomy of the monastery and kinovia (dormitory). The Rule of St. Benedict became the basis for other monastic orders, for example, the Cistercians, Trappists, Camaldolians and others. Here we should also mention the sister of the hero of our story. Already in her early youth, Scholastica decided to devote herself to God. She refused to marry and led a very pious life. And when she heard that her brother had settled on Mount Cassino, she founded a Benedictine monastery nearby. Thus, Scholasticism is the founder of female monasticism.

Codex Regula Benedicti was written around 540. In this set of rules, Benedict brought together, rethought and classified the traditions of Eastern and ancient Gallic monasticism. To write his work, the founder of the first religious order studied the anonymous treatise "The Rules of the Teacher", as well as the charters of Basil of Caesarea, John Cassian, Pachomius the Great and Blessed Augustine.

Saint Benedict was one of the first to compare a monk with a "warrior of God." Therefore, he established the "Lord's Service Squad." The main vocation of a monk is militare. And, since a monk is equated with a soldier, a Charter is needed for such service. In the code of his rules, Benedict prescribed all the smallest details of cinovia. He says that if an individual monk takes a vow of poverty, this does not mean at all that the monastery cannot have wealth. The main virtue of the monk Benedict considered humility. The motto of the Benedictines was Ora et labora ("Prayer and work").

Death of Saint Benedict of Nursia

According to the Charter, developed by the founder of Western European monasticism, a monk must always spend the night in the monastery. After all, a person who has made vows to God, according to Saint Benedict, is a hermit, but not an anchorite. The monk leaves the worldly bustle in the wasteland, but does not avoid other similar servants of the Lord. Inokov Benedict often compared with warriors, and the monastery - with a detachment. And the saint himself honored his Charter. She and her sister used to meet once a year in the town of Cassino and talk about spiritual topics.

Shortly before her death, Scholastica asked her brother to stay with her for the night in order to continue the conversation. But Benedict refused, referring to the Charter. Then Scholastica prayed to God and a terrible storm broke out. Willy-nilly, Benedict was forced to stay. And three days later he had a vision of a dove flying into the sky. Then he realized that Scholastica knew about the approaching death and wanted to say goodbye to her brother before her death. Benedict himself died in 547 and was buried at Monte Cassino.

Where are his relics?

The monastery of Montecassino, founded by Saint Benedict, was completely destroyed by the Lombards in 580. Later, the monastery was restored, but it was badly damaged during the Second World War. Researchers have suggested that the relics of Benedict and Scholastica are lost. There were hypotheses that their remains were transported to Subiaco (Italy), and possibly to France. But in 1950, when the architects were restoring the bombed-out monastery, they discovered well-preserved burials of a man and a woman in the crypt.

The role of the saint and his followers in the Christianization of Europe

After the destruction of the monastery by the Lombards, the Benedictines, with the blessing of Pope Gregory the Great, dispersed to different countries in order to evangelize the peoples inhabiting there. Soon new monasteries arose in the Frankish kingdom, England, and in the 11th century they also appear in Eastern Europe. When third orders became popular (organizations of pious believers who make vows but live in the world), the Benedictine order established the institution of oblets.

There have been attempts to make the Rule, written by St. Benedict, the patron saint of monasticism, even more strict. Because of this, the orders of the Camaldules (founded by St. Romuald in the 11th century), the Cistercians, and the Trappists “spun off” from the Benedictines. It is necessary to remember one more St. Benedict - Aniansky. He called for changing the Charter in the direction of complete asceticism, wearing a stern sackcloth, silence (except for divine services) and self-torture. From the ranks of the Benedictines came such prominent personalities as Adalbert of Prague, St. Willibrord, Alcuin, Bede the Venerable, Peter Damian and other church leaders.

Saint Benedict in Orthodoxy

The Byzantine and Roman Catholic churches diverged dramatically in the 11th century. Therefore, they mutually honor the saints who lived before the Great Schism (schism). Saint Benedict is one of them. Therefore, in the eyes of the Orthodox Church, he is worthy of veneration. The only difference between the Latin and Byzantine rites in relation to Saint Benedict is in the calendar.

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates his day in the summer, July 11th. In Orthodoxy, the memory of St. Benedict is honored on March 27 (14). This day always falls on Great Lent. Therefore, the honoring of the saint is not as magnificent as in the Latin rite. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has at least five monasteries and churches of Saint Benedict.

Iconography

How to recognize Benedict in religious paintings? He is depicted as an old gray-bearded man in a black robe. But the founder of the monastic order himself did not invent either the cut of the Benedictine cassock or its color. When other religious congregations appeared, the need arose to distinguish monks. Nevertheless, the saint is depicted in the cassock of the order. In order not to confuse Benedict with other Benedictines, he is depicted with certain attributes.

Most often, this is the famous Charter in the form of a thick book or a model of the building of the monastery church. Also in his hands may be a cracked goblet (mention of poisoning), an abbey staff and a bunch of rods. At the feet of the saint, a raven with a piece of bread is often depicted, since it is believed that during the hermitage in the cave, food was brought to the anchorite by a bird.

Pilgrimages

Despite the fact that a whole skeleton of St. Benedict was found in the crypt of Montecassino, you can bow to his relics in other places. The most famous outside of Italy is the monastery of Buron. It is located in Bavaria, in the foothills of the Alps. Because of the precious relic - the radius of the right hand of the saint - the monastery was renamed Benedictbourn. According to legend, King Charlemagne himself handed over the relics to the Bavarian monastery shortly before he was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (800). The bone can be seen in a precious reliquary created by the Munich jeweler Peter Streisel at the end of the 18th century. But, of course, it is better to make a pilgrimage to Monte Cassino to pray at the grave of the saint.

Medallion of Benedict

But you can not go to distant lands. It is said that if you acquire the Medallion of St. Benedict, the machinations of the devil will bypass you. During his lifetime, the founder of monasticism venerated the Crucifixion and the Holy Gifts. They say he even died during the celebration of the liturgy. Therefore, on the medallion minted in honor of the saint, on one side, he himself is depicted holding a cross in one hand, and the Charter in the other.

Along the edges there is an inscription in Latin, which can be translated as “May the presence (of this medallion) keep you during the hour of death. On the back you can see the holy cross. On it are placed the words: “Let my cross be light. God, don't let a dragon become my guide." This medallion helps to save the soul of those who do not have the opportunity to confess and receive unction on their deathbed.

Appeals to Benedict

Since the veneration of the hero of our story is also shared by the Church of the Eastern Rite, the pronunciation of a prayer to St. Benedict is allowed by the Orthodox. By the way, it is also used by exorcists to exorcise the devil. But for ordinary believers, such a prayer is allowed: “O God, through the mediation of St. Benedict, descend Your blessing on this medallion, its letters and signs, so that whoever wears it can receive health in soul and body, salvation and the remission of sins.” It is believed that this appeal to the saint turns the medallion into a talisman. Therefore, after saying a prayer, the medallion cannot be sold.

Medallion of the Great Orthodox Ascetic, the Pious and Rev. St. Benedict, also called the Cross of St. Benedict, is one of the most ancient objects of private veneration in the Ecumenical Orthodox Church (March 14, old style or March 27, new style). St. Benedict loved to pray in a special way to the Cross of Christ. He often blessed with the holy Cross, while doing many miracles.

Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) in "Conversations", in the life of St. Benedict, recalls one of the events in the life of the saint. St. Benedict arrived in the city of Vicarare, and there they immediately gave him something to eat. While praying, Benedict blessed the meal, and the cup full of poison burst. Thus the life of the saint was saved. This pious elder devoted his whole life to the fight against Satan and, as best he could, resisted the influence of the evil one on people. He even cast out evil spirits from the possessed.

The students of St. Benedict remembered that the saint commanded them to perform a prayer service to the Holy Cross. Some of them, for example, the saints Maurus and Placidus, worked many miracles. Saint Benedict wanted to protect his sons from the temptations and snares of the evil one, and he called on them to “pray and work” (“ora et labora”). Prayer unites the soul with God, but the flesh must work, so that there is no place left for the devil's temptations and seductions of this world. This opposition to evil is the true legacy of St. Benedict.

A trustworthy tradition relates the initial use of the medallion to one of the moments of inspiration from Heaven received by St. Benedict. Prayer of St. Benedict to the Holy Cross became especially popular in the 11th century. This was facilitated by the following event. The young Count Bruno of Eguisheim, Alsatia, was seriously ill. One night he saw in his chambers a staircase leading to heaven. An old man in monastic vestments descended along it. The count recognized in the elder St. Benedict. The elder touched the count's face and he was instantly healed. Many years later, Bruno became pope under the name of Leo IX (1049-1054) and introduced prayer to the Holy Cross into church practice.

In 1647, a manuscript depicting St. Benedict. In his right hand, the saint holds a staff with a cross, on the staff is visible the inscription: “Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti. Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux.” In the left hand of the saint is a scroll with the inscription: „Vade Retro Satana, Non Suade Mihi Vana. Non Draco Sit Mixi Dux.”

Since then the medallions of St. Benedict acquired the following appearance: on the front side is depicted the holy patriarch Benedict, holding a cross in his right hand, and in his left hand a book, the Holy Rule, leading all who observe it through the Cross to the Eternal Light.

On the reverse side of the medallion is placed a large Cross, and on it are letters arranged accordingly: the initial letters of Latin words that reveal the meaning of the medallion itself. In the Greek Church, as a tribute to the ancient tradition, the Latin letters did not change during the manufacture of the medallion.

So, in four fields, separated by the sign of the Cross, the following letters are placed:

C S P B (Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti - Cross of the Holy Father Benedict)

On the vertical base of the Cross, from top to bottom, are the letters:

C S S M L (Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux - Let the Holy Cross shine on me).

On a crossbar perpendicular to the base:

N D S M D (Non Draco Sit Mixi Dux - May the ancient serpent perish).

Around the Cross are the letters:

V R S N S M V (Vade Retro Satana, Non Suade Mihi Vana - let Satan depart, vanity will not enter me).

S M Q L I V B (Sunt Mala Quae Libas Ipse Venena Bibas - May he not tempt me with evil, may he taste the cup of poison himself).

Through the pious use of the medallion of St. Benedict, over the many centuries of his existence, a considerable number of Orthodox faithful have received the gifts of grace necessary for soul and body. In particular, he helped to protect himself from diseases, poisoning, and kept him in all dangers.

In order to gain many graces through a medallion, it must be consecrated and worn with oneself, best of all - around the neck. However, it can also be strengthened where we are most afraid of the forces of darkness, for example, on the doors of our houses, in rooms, in cars. These medallions have a special power, they resist unclean spirits.

In itself, the kissing of the medallion, the corresponding attitude towards it and the invocation of the help of St. Benedict are sufficient to obtain various graces. At the same time, one should from time to time make a prayer from protecting us from the temptations of the evil one. The full text of this prayer is as follows:

Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux

Non Draco Sit Mixi Dux

Vade Retro Satana

Non Suade Mihi Vana

Sunt Mala Quae Libas

Ipse Venena Bibas

Let the Holy Cross shine on me

Let the ancient serpent perish.

Let Satan go

Vanity will not enter me.

Evil shall not tempt me,

Let him taste the cup of poison himself.

These words come from the lips of St. Benedict. He uttered them, being in the desert, in a grotto near Subiaco, when he was tempted and, having made the sign of the Holy Cross, overcame Satan with them. The second part was uttered by him when they gave him a bowl of poison.

The effectiveness of the medallion of St. Benedict has been repeatedly confirmed in the history of the Church by miracles and grace-filled gifts obtained through the intercession of the saint.

Summing up, it can be stated that the faithful usually received these grace-filled gifts in cases where it was required:

1. Crush superstition and the works of the devil.

2. Protect yourself from temptations, cast out an unclean spirit.

3. Protect yourself from the poison supplied by human malice.

4. Be saved from all kinds of epidemics.

5. Find help in various ailments.

6. Avoid being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.

7. Be chaste and resist temptation.

8. Find comfort in suffering, and especially in the hour of death.

Medallion of St. Benedict should be carried around, preferably around the neck. During epidemics, it is strengthened on the walls and doors of houses.

When livestock die, it is placed on the walls of barns, stables and cattle sheds, which contain domestic animals.

During the construction of houses, churches, etc., the medallion is placed at the base of the building.

To resist theft or damage to the crop, the medallion is buried in the field.

In those households where there is a well, the medallion is thrown into the water.

Prayer of St. Benedict on sending down a good end:

God, who sent many gifts to St. Benedict at his glorious death, vouchsafe us, sinners, these graces, so that he himself is present at our death and delivers us from the wiles of the devil. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Through the penetration of the spirit of modernism into the Western Church, the veneration and wearing of the medallion almost disappeared, but in Orthodoxy, which is closely associated with the cross and the memory of the Monk St. Benedict, it exists to this day. So the pendant of St. Benedict was especially revered and distributed by St. Benedict. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the Reverend Fathers of the Optina Hermitage.

Saint Benedict of Nursia. Prayer of St. Benedict of Nursia.

Benedetto da Norcia
Benedikt von Nursia 20020817.jpg
Born around 480
Died 21 March 547
Canonized 1220
In the Face of a Saint (Catholic)
holy reverend (Orthodoxy.)

Saint Benedict

Benedict from Nursia, Saint, also Benedict (Italian: Benedetto da Norcia, born 480 - d. March 21, 547) - the founder of the Benedictine order, and also, it is believed, of all Western monasticism in general, the main patron of Europe.
He came from a noble family, studied in Rome, but he did not like the depravity of Roman life and he went to a mountainous area near the city, where he lived in a cave for many years.
The fame of the pious life of Benedict brought him several supporters, with whom he founded 12 small monasteries.
The hostility of the local clergy forced him, along with his disciples, to move south to Monte Cassino, where they founded a new monastery, for which Benedict drew up rules in which he expressed his views on monasticism and the human soul. Benedict wrote the monastic charter of the Benedictine Order, in which, as St. Gregory, "the holy man taught as he himself lived." He had the gift of predicting future events and reading people's thoughts.
So he became the first to create a well-thought-out system of rules for life in the monastery. According to them, the monk had to renounce himself and understand God, and he pledged not to have property, to lead a life in virtue as an active member of the Society of love and obedience.
According to the charter of Benedict of Nursia, everyone who wanted to become a monk had to pass a summer probationary period (noviceship). The monks made 3 vows: chastity, poverty and obedience. The monks had to adhere to silence, pray according to the established order of prayers, read the Holy Scriptures and the Church Fathers, and provide for themselves at the expense of their own labor. The ascetic norms established by Saint Benedict were quite accessible, but at the same time strict, which led to his popularity. Each monk was assigned to a particular monastery in which he should live. The Charter of Benedict of Nursia streamlined monastic life in the West, excluded from it the anarchy and vagrancy of monks. Over time, this charter became the main one in Catholic monasticism.
After the death of Benedict, Pope Gregory I promoted the spread of Benedictine monasticism in Italy, Gaul and England.
Saint Benedict was canonized by the Catholic Church and declared a saint in 1220.
July 11 - Saint Benedict's Day.

Origin and content of the Saint Benedict medallion

St. Benedict (b. in Nursia, Italy, in 480) With particular veneration of the holy cross and our crucified Savior. With the sign of the cross, he performed many miracles and defeated evil spirits. In honor of his work, a medallion was minted. On one side, Benedict is depicted holding a cross and the Rule of Order, and on the edges there is an inscription in Latin, which sounds in Ukrainian: “May his presence keep us at the time of death.” (Saint Benedict has always been the patron of the dying, because he himself died gloriously, praying before the Most Holy Mysteries). There is a cross on the back of the medallion. On the edges are the first letters of Latin words from a poem written by St. Benedict: “Get out, Satan DO NOT tell me your vain things. The cup you're handing me is bad; drink your own poison." In the corners of the cross, the Latin words say: "Cross of the holy monk Benedict", on the cross itself: "Let the holy cross be easy for me. Don't let the dragon become my guide."
Inscriptions and their meaning on the miraculous medallion

With the image of a saint:
Crux sancti Patris Benedict!

On the medallion hoop:
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur.
May his presence keep us in the time of death.
CSPB - Crux sancti Patris Benedict!
Cross of Saint Benedict

Letters on the cross:
CSSML - Crux sancta sit mihi lux.
Let the holy cross be my light.
NDSMD - Non draco sit mihi dux.
Let Satan be my guide.

On the medallion hoop:
VRSNSMV - Vade retro satana non suade mihi vana
Go away, Satan, don't tempt me to evil
SMQLIVB Sunt mala quae libas, ipse venena bibas
You do evil deeds, drink your own poison
Pope Leo IX in the 11th century, who in his youth was healed from a fatal illness through the supernatural mediation of St. Benedict. In a vision, I saw how the righteous Benedict in monastic clothes descended from heaven along the luminous stairs, carrying a shining cross in his hand. He touched the cross to the swollen face of the future Pope and immediately healed him.
The Roman Bishop Benedict XIV in 1742 solemnly approved and encouraged the faithful to wear the medallion. Medallion of St. Benedict must be blessed by a Benedictine father or a specially authorized priest. The church has three solemn prayers for the blessing of the medallion.
The first prayer is the exorcism (casting out) of the evil spirit in order to neutralize its bad influence, along with an earnest request that the medallion, when worn, serve for the well-being of the body and soul. (This prayer can only be published by special permission of the church authorities).
The second prayer is for fervent requests and reads like this: O Almighty God, Giver of all good gifts! We humbly ask you to give through the mediation of St. Benedict Your blessing on these medallions, their letters and signs, conceived by you, so that all who will wear them and try to do good work may receive health for soul and body, the caress of salvation. Forgive me. recognized for us, and that with the help of Your mercy, they would avoid the snares and wiles of the devil, and be found holy and blameless in Your eyes. Amen.
The third prayer is very touching, so it reminds us of the agony, suffering and death of our Lord. (The right to publish this prayer belongs exclusively to the Order of St. Benedict). Once blessed, the medallion cannot be sold.
The power and effect of the medallion
Everyone who wears it with reverence, trusting in the life-giving powers of the Lord's cross and the merits of the righteous Benedict, can hope for his help in spiritual and early needs. From the one who wears this medallion with faith and reverence, he will distract all the dangers to the body and soul that come from an evil spirit.
The medallion of a believer will have the power to: destroy the spells of wizards, wicked and evil persons; protect from temptations, deceit; to comprehend the conversion of sinners, especially at the time of death; protect from infirmities; protect from storms, lightning and other natural disasters. It can be worn around the neck, attached to a chapel (otherwise - paraman) or Rosary, or worn in some other way. For the patient - put on wounds, immerse in medicines or in water that they give him to drink.

Prayer of St. Benedict of Nursia

In righteous Benedict! You are a high example of all virtues, an innocent vessel of God's mercy! Take a look at me, submissively attracting what knees before Your

Medallion of Saint Benedict

way. I beg Your heart to pray for me before the throne of God. I turn to you in all the dangers that surround me every day. Protect me from my enemies. Give me inspiration to follow You in everything. May Your blessing be with me always so that I turn away from the evil that God forbids and avoid the occasion to sin. Kindly beg for me from the Lord mercy and affection, which I most of all need in all experiences, sufferings and misfortunes on earth. Your heart has always been full of love, compassion and mercy for those who find themselves in any kind of trouble or misfortune. You never rejected without comfort and help those who turned to You. Therefore, I call on Your powerful mediation in the firm hope that you will hear my prayers and receive for me a special mercy and mercy, for which I so heartily pray (tell me what you ask for), when it will be for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Help me, O great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to always be obedient to the Lord's will, and to comprehend eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.

Benedict of Nursia was born c. 480 in Nursia (modern Norcia), Italy. Died March 21, 547 in Monte Cassino, Italy. He is the founder of the Western monastic movement. Holy catholic and orthodox churches. In the Orthodox tradition, he is considered a reverend. The author of the "statute of St. Benedict" - the most important of the monastic charters of the Latin tradition.

Medallion of St. Benedict, also called the Cross of St. Benedict, is one of the most ancient objects of private veneration in the Catholic Church. St. Benedict loved to pray in a special way to the Cross of Christ. He often blessed with the holy Cross, while doing many miracles.

Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mixi Dux
Vade Retro Satana
Non Suade Mihi Vana
Sunt Mala Quae Libas
Ipse Venena Bibas

Let the Holy Cross shine on me
Let the ancient serpent perish.
Let Satan go
Vanity will not enter me.
Evil shall not tempt me,
Let him taste the cup of poison himself.

On the reverse side of the medallion is placed a large Cross, and on it are letters arranged accordingly: the initial letters of Latin words that reveal the meaning of the medallion itself.

So, in four fields, separated by the sign of the Cross, the following letters are placed:

C S P B(Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti - Cross of the Holy Father Benedict)

On the vertical base of the Cross, from top to bottom, are the letters:

C S S M L(Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux - Let the Holy Cross shine for me).

On a crossbar perpendicular to the base:

N D S M D(Non Draco Sit Mixi Dux - May the ancient serpent perish).

Around the Cross are the letters:

V R S N S M V(Vade Retro Satana, Non Suade Mihi Vana - let Satan depart, vanity will not enter me).

S M Q L I V B(Sunt Mala Quae Libas Ipse Venena Bibas - May he not tempt me with evil, may he taste the cup of poison himself).

In 1747, Pope Benedict XIV approved the above-described type of medallion and compiled a special prayer of dedication especially for this occasion, and also associated numerous indulgences with the wearing of the medallion.

An act of the Church issued in Rome in 1857 stated: "It is certain that through this medallion many of the graces of God are obtained."

In 1880, a commemorative medallion was minted on the occasion of the 1400th anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict. Additional symbols were placed on it. If earlier the inscription IHS (name of Jesus) was placed above the sign of the Holy Cross, then since that time it has been replaced by the word PAX (peace), serving as a Benedictine motto and, at the same time, one of the first monograms of the name of Christ. XP are the first letters of the Greek word XPICTOC (Christ), the Anointed One. The jubilee medallion was supplemented with an inscription above the image of the saint: EX S.M. Casino 1880 (From the holy mountain of Casino 1880) and the words around: EIUS IN OBITU NRO PRAESENTIA MUNIAMUR ("Let us be strengthened by his presence at our death").

Through the pious use of the medallion of St. Benedict, over the many centuries of his existence, a considerable number of the faithful received the gifts of grace necessary for soul and body. In particular, he helped to protect himself from diseases, poisoning, and kept him in all dangers.

In order to gain many graces and indulgences through the medallion, it must be consecrated and carried with you. However, it can also be strengthened where we are most afraid of the forces of darkness, for example, on the doors of our houses, in rooms, in cars. These medallions have a special power, they resist unclean spirits.

Already in itself kissing the medallion, the corresponding attitude towards it and invoking the help of St. Benedict are sufficient to obtain various graces. At the same time, one should from time to time make a prayer from protecting us from the temptations of the evil one.

The effectiveness of the medallion of St. Benedict has been repeatedly confirmed in the history of the Church by miracles and grace-filled gifts obtained through the intercession of the saint. Summing up, it can be stated that the faithful usually received these grace gifts in cases where it was required:

Crush superstition and the works of the devil.
Protect yourself from temptations, cast out an unclean spirit.
Protect yourself from the poison supplied by human malice.
Save yourself from all kinds of epidemics.
Find help for various ailments.
Avoid being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.
Be chaste and resist temptation.
Find comfort in suffering, and especially in the hour of death.

Medallion of St. Benedict should be carried around, preferably around the neck. During epidemics, it is strengthened on the walls and doors of houses. When livestock die, it is placed on the walls of barns, stables and cattle sheds, which contain domestic animals. During the construction of houses, churches, etc., the medallion is placed at the base of the building. To resist theft or damage to the crop, the medallion is buried in the field. In those households where there is a well, the medallion is thrown into the water.