They asked God who is the best commander. Interesting quotes from four of the most notable commanders

In this last lecture of the seminar we will look at only one, the last chakra. But the significance of the period of its activity in a person’s life is unusually great - after all, in fact, this is the period, the finale to which human development must come. The end of this period marks what a person was able to achieve throughout his life. This is the highest point in the evolution of man as an intelligent living being.

SAHASRARA(42 – 49 years old) is the time when all the secrets of the universe can be revealed to a person. Therefore, during this period, it is necessary to completely devote yourself to the final formation of your mind - this treasure of human life. It must be said that of all forms of life, only man has the opportunity to devote himself to self-awareness, and finally understand who “I” is, who God is and what the relationship is between us. The most important thing during this period is to be able to stop the endless pursuit of material things: aimless travel or useless hobbies, hobbies, money, household chores, farming - what a person has already been doing all his life. During these years, one can understand from one’s own experience that all this did not bring the desired happiness and peace in the heart. Those. this is the most appropriate time when a person can gradually begin to move away from all worldly affairs and devote himself more and more to God, because during this period preparation for the most important exam of the school of life begins. But such a departure is possible only for those who have developed spiritually throughout their lives.

(→ The Lord of the Rings”) – The leaving man.

Unfortunately, someone who has not gone through all the previous stages of knowledge will not be able to take such a step (according to statistics, people in these years very rarely take the path of Spiritual practice). Therefore, the older a person is, the more difficult it is for him to start to practice spiritual life. This is easier to do in younger years, when the baggage of identifications, habits, attachments, and connections is much smaller.

Chakra influence : the need to influence, to lead, and the opportunity to do this, which we are either able or unable to take advantage of (depending on whether we passed the previous exams or not).

First, let's figure out what opportunities this chakra opens up for a person at this age, how these people influence our lives, and how we should relate to them. And then consider our own (real) situation, and what can be done about it.

Possibilities.

This is the time when the chakra gives a person the ability to influence the masses. It opens up a person’s opportunity to influence large masses of people, i.e. be a leader with a capital L. Why does a person exhibit such an ability?.. Because by this time he (in theory) should already understand the will God , and have the ability to convey it to others. In fact, during this period the Lord can trust a person to be His representative.

(→ “Moses”) – we choose you as God’s representative.

Of course, there simply cannot be many such leaders. The full opening of this chakra in our time is not just a rare phenomenon, but rather a unique one. But every such person leaves a mark on history.

And here you can ask yourself: this trace can be very, very different. Some great leaders are remembered as saints and prophets, others as bloody dictators. What determines how a person will behave when the chakra opens up unlimited opportunities for him to influence the world?.. Whether he understands correctly by this time your position in relation to God .

And here there are two options. Ideally, a person should very clearly understand that he is a servant of the Lord and behave accordingly (We will consider this scenario a little later). And the second option is when a person uses the opportunity of influence to act on his own whim. And nowadays this option is much more common. The highest point of this behavior is when a person declares himself by whom?.. By God himself. He doesn’t necessarily talk about it out loud, it’s rather an inner conviction, but it’s very easily guessed and picked up by those around him.

(→ “Stalin”) Immortal demigod – For such people it is impossible to come to terms with the idea that the place of God (the place of the “First”) has already been taken. And such a person tries in every possible way to instill in others the idea that God is him. This is what the cult of personality is based on. Since there are no qualities of a real God, then they must be attributed to oneself, and the whole propaganda machine is put into action.

And listen to one quote from the key Vedic scripture, from B.-G.: “Ordinary people always need a leader to lead them” (BG 3.21.k.). That is, the need to follow some kind of leader is initially present in all people, regardless of age. This is why ordinary people obey such a person so easily.

So, during this period the need comes to a person to somehow influence people. And the chakra opens for each such an opportunity. But that's how much this opportunity will be manifested in the life of each individual person - it already depends on his karma. Nothing in our life happens just like that. (Example with the greatest commander: a simple shoemaker, but if he had the opportunity, he would become the greatest commander).

“The King and the Shoemaker”: an angel appeared to the great king and said that he would fulfill his every desire. The king asked to show him the greatest commander of all times and peoples. The angel pointed to a simple shoemaker, peacefully sewing boots. The king asked for an explanation. The angel said: “If he became a commander, he would be the greatest.” Moral: what is the use of qualities and inclinations if they are not realized?

But, despite the fact that a person’s ability to influence people is limited, he strives to extend his influence to as wide a circle of people as possible, without thinking: does he have the authority to do this? In accordance with his karma, someone influences his wife, someone influences the house, someone influences the city, and someone influences no one at all, although there is a need (and there are a lot of such people).

That is, to take the place of a representative of the will of God, one desire is not enough. We also need some kind of “permission” from above. But even the fact that a person understands that there is some higher power does not guarantee that he will be able to Right take advantage of the opportunity provided. In other words, all opportunities come to us through karma. But here's how we use them...

(→ “Hitler”) – spear of fate. He understood that the opportunity to become great was given to him from above. But did he use this opportunity correctly?.. And everyone has the risk of making mistakes, regardless of their level of influence. Here both points that we discussed were very clearly manifested: 1. Opportunities to influence the masses of people given to one person. 2. The desire of these masses to see some kind of leader in front of them, essentially God, the desire to follow him, without even thinking about where.

And what can save each of us from such a fate - to follow a false God because of the need to follow a leader?.. Only Spiritual practice that will bring back into our lives present God. Just one warning - this must be an authoritative spiritual practice, and always under the guidance of a real Spiritual teacher. Because false gurus always play on our desire for something higher: they speak very good words, their promises are always pure, their promises are sweet, they always promise a bright future, national happiness, etc.

But, if we look back at the past, we will see that everything that a leader creates, focused on himself, on his position, posing as God, is perishable, short-lived, all this turns out to be a soap bubble.

(→ “Stalin”) – the greatness of a historical figure. This is what helps us understand how to treat many historical figures. Fame, power, wealth - many had all this, but which of them left behind something that really changed the world for the better?

And at the same time, what was created by people who truly followed the will of the Lord has survived centuries - remember Jesus, Muhammad, Seraphim of Sorov, etc. And such examples exist not only in distant history. Now you will see an example from modern times, how the influence of one person led to a positive change in the lives of countless people around the world, and this influence continues to grow and develop even after his departure.

(→ “Your Eternal Well-Wisher” - the whole world, great influence)

Let's sum it up result . Ultimately, the influence that a person will have on others will depend on his relationship with God. And this will also determine how long what he created will last - whether it turns out to be something real, or just a sand castle. And it doesn’t matter how great the influence of this leader is - whether he is the head of state or an ordinary parent raising children. Even if we create the character of our child, how long what we have invested in him will last in him, and will be an indicator of our attitude towards God.

A word about Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov...

On the day of the solemn celebration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, the great commander was named the Russian Archangel.

Archangel Michael is called the Archangel of the Heavenly Armies. Sovereign Emperor Paul I, assigning Suvorov the highest military rank of generalissimo after the Italian Company, uttered amazing words: “For others this is a lot, for Suvorov it is not enough. He should be an angel!

The Orthodox call the monastic rank the rank of angels. Monks, through feats of fasting and unceasing prayer, strive to become like the angels and achieve holiness. But the Emperor, believing that Suvorov should be an angel, implied Alexander Vasilyevich’s unknown desire to go to the Nilo-Stolobensk hermitage and take monastic vows. Emperor Paul I spoke about the soul, about the spiritual structure of his glorious commander. Suvorov managed, over decades of continuous wars and campaigns filled with fierce battles and bloody battles, to acquire the same prayer and humility as the monks who pray for many years in monastic monasteries.

Not a single person doubts that Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov is the greatest of Russian commanders. But the assertion that Suvorov is worthy of glorification as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church sometimes causes bewilderment. Yes, they say, Suvorov is a great commander, but is he a saint?

Everyone knows that Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was a deeply religious Orthodox Christian. No one argues with the fact that the victories won by Suvorov often seem unprecedented, miraculous, that much accomplished by Suvorov’s miracle heroes clearly exceeds human strength. A pious commander who defeated his enemies with prayer - perhaps everyone agrees with this.

But, having heard about the possibility of glorifying Suvorov, we are often objected to: not all Orthodox Christians, even those known for their ardent and sincere faith, need to be canonized. And they remind us that even the most famous commanders, who won the greatest victories for the glory of the Fatherland, were never glorified by the Church for their exploits on the battlefield.

So why in our days do we still consider it possible to hope for the glorification of Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov as a saint? And is there any reason for Alexander Suvorov to be depicted on icons next to the heavenly patrons of the Russian army, the noble princes Alexander Nevsky, Dimitri Donskoy, Dovmont of Pskov, St. Ilya of Muromets and other holy knights of Rus'?

"Suvorov - Soldier of Christ"

It is well known that among the Russian saints, after the saints and saints, the most glorified are the noble prince-warriors who defended the Russian land with a sword in their hand.

Among the laity who have pleased God and been glorified by the Church, holy warriors are the overwhelming majority. For Russians, defending the Fatherland meant defending the Orthodox Faith. The noble princes fought with enemies from the West - the Teutons, Swedes, Poles - behind whom stood Latin Rome.

They fought with enemies from the East - the Hagarians. They fought off the onslaught of nomads: from the Pechenegs and Polovtsians to the Mongol-Tatars, whose invasions from the depths of the Asian steppes constantly rolled into Rus'. Then they repelled the onslaught of the Ottoman Empire. Fighting the enemy, the Russian princes fought “For the Land of Svyatorus, for the Holy Temples of God.”

Not all brave and famous Russian princes who defeated enemies on the battlefield are canonized. But among the faithful princes there are also prince-martyrs: Vasilko of Rostov, Mikhail of Chernigov, Mikhail of Tverskoy, who suffered for Christ. Today, unfortunately, the names of many Russian princes glorified by the Church are not known to the majority of our compatriots. But every Russian person, even those far from the Church, knows the two holy princes - Alexander Nevsky and Demetrius Donskoy. And in times of state atheism, it was impossible to teach Russian history without naming these names.

The history of Russia is unthinkable without the greatest Russian commander, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, who had to defeat enemies from both the West and the East. The names of Suvorov and Saint Alexander Nevsky embody not only the memory of the great victories and glory of our Fatherland. " God is not in power, but in Truth."- with these words of Alexander Nevsky, Russian people for centuries have risen to defend their native land from invasions. The people's attitude towards the war was deeply Christian and evangelical. It was not by chance that the Russian Army was called the Christ-loving army. Generalissimo Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, as all military historians and thinkers unanimously admit, with his life and their victories showed the spirit of the Russian warrior. Christ-loving Russian warrior.

Often, remembering Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, they say: “Pushkin is our everything,” implying the importance of the great poet for Russian culture. Speaking about the Russian Army, about its military spirit and traditions, one can rightfully say the words “Suvorov is our everything.” It is no coincidence that it is customary to say about our best military leaders: “commander of the Suvorov school.” One of the Russian military thinkers at the beginning of the twentieth century, the famous words “Russia responded to Peter’s call for enlightenment with Pushkin,” continued, “The Russian Army responded to Peter’s call with Suvorov.” Suvorov is not only a great commander of the glorious Russian military history. Suvorov is a name without which Russian culture is unthinkable. Without Suvorov it is impossible to imagine the Russian national character in its entirety. Without the genius of Suvorov, Russia itself is unthinkable.

In the 21st century, the invincible admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov was canonized. The message of the Holy Patriarch Alexy II to the glorification of the righteous warrior Fedor Ushakov says: “Theodore Feodorovich Ushakov, glorified by military valor and admiral of the great Russian fleet who was not defeated in any battle, is now blessed by the Holy Church as a righteous and faithful man, as one of the examples for imitations of believers, as a saint of God... Theodore Ushakov, as you all know well, was an outstanding statesman. His whole life was given to Russia. He devotedly served the good of his people, the sovereign dignity of his Motherland. And at the same time, he always remained a man of deep faith in Christ the Savior, strictly committed to Orthodox moral principles, a man of great mercy and sacrifice, a faithful son of the Holy Church.” Probably everyone will agree that these words spoken about the holy naval commander can rightfully be applied to Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov.

In “Three Conversations about War, Progress and the End of World History” V.S. Soloviev discusses why Alexander Nevsky, who beat the Livonians and Swedes in the thirteenth century, is glorified, but Alexander Suvorov, who beat the Turks and French in the eighteenth century, is not glorified. Noting the sincere piety and impeccable life of Suvorov, the absence of any obstacles to canonization, Solovyov comes to the conclusion that Alexander Nevsky fought for the future of our Fatherland, which lay in ruins and conflagrations after the terrible Mongol invasion. Suvorov, who accomplished great feats, did not have to save Russia and therefore he remained only a “military celebrity.” Indeed, Alexander Nevsky, with a valiant sword and humble wisdom, saved the Russian land in the terrible times of Batu’s ruin. Alexander Suvorov won victories at a time when the Russian Empire was returning to the shores of the Black Sea, crushing the Ottoman Porte, and crushing the French in the valleys of Italy and the Swiss Alps. But still, it is impossible to completely agree with Solovyov. It seems that the main reason lies in how the Russian people understood the significance of the feat of the noble princes in the 15th - 16th centuries, and in the state of religiosity of Russian society in the 18th - 19th centuries.

During the reign of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, more saints were glorified than in the 18th and 19th centuries. The pious Sovereign invited the Synod to glorify the saints of God. Often the Tsar even had to insist on the canonization of saints at a time when many church hierarchs were succumbing to the pressure of the so-called “progressive” Russian society, which was gradually losing faith and moving away from the Church. Naturally, if this “society” had difficulty understanding the glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov by the Tsar-Martyr, then there could be no talk of canonizing Suvorov.

The noble princes of Ancient Rus', defending the Fatherland, fought with the Latins and Mohammedans for “Christian Faith, for the holy churches of God, for the land of Svyatorusskaya”. What did Suvorov fight for? Is it really only for expanding the borders of the Russian Empire in the “age of golden Catherine”?

Alexander Vasilyevich himself left us the answer in his “Science of Victory”: “Stand for the House of the Mother of God! Stand for Mother Queen! They will kill - the Kingdom of Heaven, the Church prays to God. Alive - honor and praise!

The common people, unlike the “progressive” society, always clearly understood what Suvorov fought for. In folk songs and tales dedicated to Alexander Vasilyevich, the commander is called "Suvorov - Christ's warrior."

The Russian people have preserved many legends that say that at the birth of Alexander Suvorov, an angel in the form of a wanderer visited the house of his parents. There is a well-known prophecy of one fool for Christ, who announced the birth of Suvorov: “On this night an extraordinary man was born - famous and terrible to infidels.” Undoubtedly, such legends could only arise when Suvorov was venerated by the people as a “Warrior of Christ,” a defender of the Orthodox Faith from various “non-Christs.”

Public veneration is one of the conditions important for the glorification of the saint of God. But haven’t we seen nationwide love for Alexander Vasilyevich in Russia all these 250 years? During the life of the commander, all the people not only rejoiced at the glorious victories, but also truly loved Suvorov. The hero of the war of 12, Denis Davydov, the son of a Russian officer, talks about how he fell in love with Suvorov from early childhood: “...How can a playful child not fall in love with everything military with the ever-present spectacle of soldiers and the camp? And the type of everything military, Russian, native military, wasn’t Suvorov then? Wasn’t he the subject of admiration and blessings, in absentia and personally, by one and all?”

And for the next two and a half centuries, Suvorov will remain the embodiment of everything “Russian, dear, military” for those who value Russian military glory, for those who love the Russian army. But, unfortunately, until now this popular love and veneration has not been considered from a religious point of view. Although songs and legends, all our folk art clearly indicates that Suvorov for the Russians is a “Christ-loving warrior.” Before the beginning of the terrible twentieth century, the Russian people were not only a Christian people, but also surprised foreigners with their deep faith.

The soldier's song dedicated to the capture of Ishmael tells how a raven saw a miracle:

Wonderful wonder, wonderful wonder,

Like our Father Suvorov-Count

With the small strength of their falcons

Smashed countless shelves

For Holy Rus'-Fatherland

And for the Christian Faith

It must be said that Alexander Vasilyevich himself knew and loved Russian songs and epics well. After the victorious battle, Suvorov praises the hero of the Don General Denisov: “Here is a Don, he is Russian, he is Ilya Muromets, he is Eruslan Lazarevich, he is Dobrynya Nikitich! Victory, glory, honor to the Russians!”

Appearing at the Imperial Court, where at that time great attention was paid to “gallant” and “elegant” manners, Suvorov sought to testify, namely, testify to his faith before the highest society. For example, during an audience with the Empress, upon entering the palace, Alexander Vasilyevich, in front of everyone, went to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, reverently made three prostrations, and then, turning sharply, showing that he saw the Empress well, imprinting his step, went to bow to the Empress. Suvorov showed everyone - first the worship of the Queen of Heaven, and then the Queen of the Russian Land.

All the famous “eccentricities” of Alexander Vasilyevich, upon careful examination, are evidence of faith, the foolishness of a deeply religious person, exposing the sins and deviations from the faith of his contemporary society. Suvorov, with his “eccentricities,” tells the world the truth, denouncing hypocrisy, pride, idle talk, and the desire for earthly glory. Although, it should be noted, Alexander Vasilyevich did not suffer from ostentatious humility. To the question of the all-powerful Potemkin “ What can I reward you with?” Suvorov answered with dignity: “ I'm not a merchant. Only God and the Empress can reward me.” Grigory Alekseevich Potemkin highly valued and always spoke in superlatives about Suvorov in his letters to the Empress.

For all his “eccentricities,” Alexander Vasilyevich amazed the Empress, Potemkin and many other worthy interlocutors with his deep intelligence, serious thoughts and eloquence when it came to state affairs. Suvorov was a deeply educated man and knew several languages. One day, the Englishman Lord Clinton talked with Suvorov during lunch at the commander’s house. The Briton, amazed by the intelligence and education of Alexander Vasilyevich, wrote a letter full of admiration, calling Suvorov not only the greatest commander, but also a great man. “I don’t remember if I ate anything, but I remember with delight every word he said.”- wrote Lord Clinton. When Suvorov was informed about Clinton's letter, he said with regret: “It’s my own fault, I revealed myself too much; there were no buttons."

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov won many glorious victories, won dozens of battles in which the enemy forces usually significantly exceeded the Russian forces. For many years of continuous military campaigns, not a single lost, unsuccessful battle. But Suvorov’s two victories especially glorified the name of the Russian commander.

"Inexplicable miracle"

After the capture of Ishmael, Byron in his poem “Don Juan” called Suvorov “an inexplicable miracle.” All of Europe was amazed by the success of Russian weapons. Izmail was a fortress with powerful fortifications, which German and French engineers helped the Turks build. A fortress “without weak points,” as Suvorov soberly defined Izmail’s fortifications. The Russians have 28 thousand, of which only 14 thousand are regular infantry, 11 squadrons of cavalry and Cossacks dismounted for the assault. In Izmail there are 35 thousand Turks, among whom are 17 thousand selected Janissaries, 250 guns. When storming such a fortress, the attackers must have at least a threefold advantage. To Suvorov’s ultimatum, the Turkish commander Seraskir Aidos Mehmet Pasha, confident in the inaccessibility of Izmail and well aware of his numerical superiority, self-confidently replied: “It’s more likely that the flow of the Danube will stop and the sky will fall to the ground than the Russians will take Ishmael.” But Suvorov carefully prepares the troops, and then gives the famous order: “One day to fast, one day to pray, the next - assault, or death, or victory!”

Under the most severe fire, impregnable walls and deep ditches were overcome by assault columns. The Turks, knocked off the walls in fierce hand-to-hand combat, fight with incredible tenacity and bitterness, fight in the city, turning every house into a fortress. But by 16 o'clock the battle was over. 27 thousand Turks were killed, 9 thousand captured. Our losses were 1,879 killed (64 officers and 1,815 lower ranks), 2,702 wounded. How is this possible when storming such a fortress, with such a stubborn enemy? But it's true. It was no coincidence that Suvorov admitted after the victory: “You can decide on such an assault only once in your life.” Great was Alexander Vasilyevich’s hope in God’s help, great was the power of the prayer of the Russian commander!

But Alexander Vasilyevich accomplished his main feat, ending his life with an unprecedented, wonderful Swiss campaign. Suvorov's crossing of the Alps is a real miracle of military history. What the Russian miracle heroes accomplished under the command of Suvorov in the Alps cannot be accomplished by human forces alone. After the brilliant victories of the Italian Company, in which the Russians defeated MacDonald, Moreau, and Joubert in 10 battles, and liberated 25 fortresses, this is treason and deliberate betrayal of the treacherous Austrians who lured Suvorov into a trap. The Austrians did not leave the promised warehouses and deceived us by deliberately handing over the wrong cards. found themselves without ammunition, food and winter clothing in the mountains. Many mountain passes in the Alps are impassable in winter, even for tourists with modern mountaineering equipment. In the mountains, in a place like the famous “Devil's Bridge” - at the exit from a narrow tunnel made in the rock - a narrow stone arch over a bottomless abyss, at the bottom of which a stormy stream rumbles, one company of soldiers can easily hold back an entire army. All positions on the impregnable passes were occupied by the French. The French forces were three times larger than the Russian army. Suvorov does not have 20 thousand, the French have 60 thousand. The French are the best soldiers in Europe. The brigades of Republican France, singing “La Marseillaise,” completely defeated the Austrian and Prussian armies, the Italians, the British, and the Dutch. The French are brave, courageous warriors, confident in their invincibility. French troops do not lack ammunition and food. At the head of the Republican army are Napoleon's best generals - the famous Moreau, Lecourbe, and the “favorite of victories” Massena. The trap in the impassable mountains has slammed shut. General Lecourbe, gloating, wrote to Massena that the end had come for the Russians and “All that remained for Suvorov was to die in the mountains from hunger and frost.”

And, indeed, there was no hope of salvation from the trap into which the Russian army had been led by the treachery and betrayal of the Austrians. According to all the laws of military art, the Russians were doomed. It remained to either lay down their arms or die of hunger and cold in the winter mountains. Or die with glory, in an obviously hopeless battle with a superior enemy.

But these were Russian miracle heroes, and he led them “Christ’s warrior - Suvorov”...

In the battle of Schwyz, a 4,000-strong Russian detachment had to hold back Massena’s entire army. The French were advancing in huge dense columns of many thousands, with unfurled banners, confident of victory. But only two Russian regiments, with insane audacity, rushed with bayonets. Six times the miracle heroes launched bayonet attacks, holding back the enemy, but there were too few heroes. And General Rehbinder ordered a retreat. The Russians retreated quietly, in perfect order, with bayonets at the ready. The huge French columns stopped, and the brave French, at the sight of such courage, a handful of Russian heroes burst into applause.

But, suddenly, General Rebinder appears in front of the Russian formation and exclaims in a thunderous voice: "Guys! Our cannon remained with the French... Help out the royal property!

And the Russians again rush at the enemy with hostility! The French were confused and wavered. At this time, Miloradovich arrived with a small detachment; his people, according to eyewitnesses, rushing into battle, impatiently, literally pushed Rebinder’s tired soldiers aside.

The French were driven in a crowd along the gorge to Schwyz four miles...

But at night reinforcements approached Massena. And in the morning, a huge French army, wanting to wash away the shame and put an end to a handful of Russians, again advances in menacing columns towards a small Russian detachment.

Russian soldiers have one charge in their bags. Officers say: “Brothers! Let's show that we are Russian. Work like Suvorov, with a bayonet!” The French are coming closer and closer, the Russian system is silent. Massena may have decided that the Russians, realizing the futility of resistance, would salute the French and lay down their arms. And after the victory it will be possible to express respect for the valiant enemy in a knightly manner.

But, when the French came very close, a volley was heard, followed by the Russian “Hurray!”, and the miracle heroes rushed with bayonets!

The Russians, breaking the enemy with an unstoppable bayonet strike, again turned his huge, slender and formidable columns into a disorderly crowd. Non-commissioned officer Makhotin grabbed Massena himself from his horse with a blow of his fist, but a French officer rushed to the marshal’s rescue. Makhotin, holding Massena with one hand, defeated the Frenchman in hand-to-hand combat, but Massena broke free and, jumping on his horse, managed to escape, leaving his golden epaulette in the hands of the Russian non-commissioned officer...

The French are being driven through the gorge. Having captured an enemy battery, they turn their guns and smash the enemy with French cannons...

In this battle, the Russians captured General Lecourbe, who dreamed of Suvorov’s death in an Alpine trap.

Before the Rosshtok pass, the mountaineers assure Suvorov that Rosshtok is not passable at this time of year.

Suvorov answers: “We will pass - we are Russians! God is with us!". The Swiss say that at this time of year no one walks in the mountains, the formidable spirit of Rübezahl reigns there. Suvorov laughs. “I am Rübetzal!”- he shouts to the frightened mountaineers.

The Russians passed both Rosstock and the even more terrible Ringenkopf. Since then, Suvorov’s words have remained in memory for centuries: “ Where a deer will not pass, a Russian soldier will pass!” We walked along icy rocks and cornices, over bottomless abysses, in snow and rain, and climbed where climbers find it difficult to pass today. We walked among the clouds, along mountain passes, and spent the night on glaciers.

The French were driven down from impregnable positions with bayonets alone. It is still unclear how the Russians managed to cross the “Devil’s Bridge” occupied by the French! The French, retreating under Russian pressure, blew up the stone bridge. Under the most severe fire, throwing several logs and tying them with officer scarves, they ran across a bottomless abyss and overthrew the terrified enemy with bayonets.

To defeat everyone, to knock down the superior enemy from the impregnable “devil’s bridges”, to cross the impassable Alps in winter, where at that time only the “mountain spirit of Rübezahl”, according to the ideas of the Swiss mountaineers, lives, and even to bring with him one and a half thousand captured Frenchmen - this really happened "an inexplicable miracle"! And still no one can explain it.

Nowadays, it is customary to talk about moral and volitional qualities, about the moral and psychological training of special forces units. What Suvorov’s miracle heroes accomplished in the Alps (not the mountain rifle special forces, but the entire army!) is a real miracle. Russian miracle.

“God is our general. He guides us. Victory comes from him!

In military science, all serious scientists attach great importance to the spirit of armies and pay a lot of attention to the spiritual component of victories. Indeed, the best armies of military world history have always been distinguished by high fighting spirit, faith in their mission and in their leaders. Such were the fanatical “warriors of Islam” of the Arab conquerors and the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire, the Lutheran Swedes of Gustav Adolf and Charles XII, and Napoleon’s Old Guard, and the iron soldiers of the Wehrmacht who crushed all of Europe.

So by what spirit were Suvorov’s miracle heroes led to their glorious victories? Of course, by the Holy Spirit, called upon in your prayers. “Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth...” with deep faith, together with their commander, Suvorov’s soldiers sang at the marching altars, performing a prayer service before each battle. Suvorov’s words: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Holy Hierarch Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, pray to God for us! Without this prayer, do not draw your weapon, do not load your gun!” - were accepted with the heart of every Russian soldier. Suvorov said: “Pray to God; Victory comes from Him!”- and the soldiers believed him and prayed fervently along with their leader. But everyone understands that in order to inspire such faith in the hearts of soldiers, teachings and words alone are not enough. Every Orthodox Christian in Russia at that time knew and heard similar words from childhood. In order to inspire such ardent faith in the hearts of the soldiers, the commander himself had to have a living hope in God in his heart and had to demonstrate it with his life. It is no coincidence that Denis Davydov, who himself, in the “thunderstorm of the twelfth year,” well recognized the Russian soldier, wrote the exact words: “Suvorov put his hand on the heart of a Russian soldier and studied its beating.”

The hearts of the Russian Christ-loving warrior and the Russian Christ-loving commander beat the same. In their hearts there was love for Christ the Savior, the Queen of Heaven and the Russian land. Suvorov rightfully said to his heroes: “ God is our general. He guides us. Victory comes from him!

By the way, the first of the Russian regimental priests awarded for military feats was Father Timofey Kutsinsky, who, after all the officers were knocked out, raising a cross, led a column of rangers under heavy fire to storm the Izmail walls. The priest's cross was pierced by two bullets. Suvorov awarded royal awards for bravery to soldiers and officers to those who distinguished themselves in the church. He himself brought them to the altar on a platter, the priest sprinkled the orders and medals with holy water, and then, each of the heroes made the sign of the cross, knelt down, and kissed the insignia.

Both Suvorov's miracle heroes and Ushakov's sailors, according to even their enemies, were distinguished by their mercy and generosity towards the vanquished. “He who asks for mercy, have mercy. He is the same person. They don’t hit someone who’s lying down.”- taught Suvorov. Honest, unusually disciplined Russian soldiers and sailors impressed the inhabitants of Italy and the Ionian Islands with their “good morals.” Suvorov taught: “Don’t offend the average person, a soldier is not a robber.” And he emphasized - “God is not a thief’s help.” Suvorov, like Ushakov, considered faith in God, a clear conscience and high morality to be the basis of military spirit and valor. Both the Russian naval commander and the Russian military leader were known for their unselfishness, strikingly different at that time from the English admirals and generals, for whom, like the famous Nelson, war was a way to get rich. And, of course, from the generals of Republican France, who, following Bonaparte, became famous for the unprecedented robberies of Italy. Although, it should be noted that when capturing an enemy camp, or storming a city, the booty of soldiers was considered legal. But it was not in the rules of Russian military leaders to participate together with the soldiers in the division of this booty. These were the traditions of the Russian Army.

Suvorov considered it important to know the moral character of his opponents. And he divided the French generals opposing him into two lists: Moreau, MacDonald, Joubert, Surier - honest, but unhappy republicans, Bonaparte, Massena, Lemoge and others - robbers.

About Massena, known for his greed, Suvorov said: “Will he not remember that his cramped coffin will not fit all the millions he robbed and stained with blood?”

In Europe, both delighted and frightened by the Russian victories, rumors were spread about the bloodthirstiness of the great commander. Yet, those who witnessed his victories, even foreigners, talk about Suvorov’s extraordinary generosity and mercy towards his enemies. But, to the defeated enemies. A well-fortified suburb of Warsaw, Prague was taken by a fierce assault; in a fierce battle, most of the thirty thousand Poles who stubbornly defended the suburb were killed. But, accepting the keys to the suburbs of Warsaw, which had been terrified by the assault, Suvorov kissed the keys of the city and, raising them to the sky, said: “I thank the Lord that they were not as expensive as...” and looked at the destroyed suburb. His first words addressed to the delegation of conquered Warsaw were: “Peace, silence and tranquility. Life, property, oblivion of the past. The Most Gracious Empress grants you peace and silence!” Suvorov, entering Warsaw, gave the order not to respond to possible shots from houses. 25 thousand rebels who laid down their arms were sent home with passports. And, evidence of the wisdom and philanthropy of Alexander Vasilyevich is his order not to enter Warsaw to the regiments whose commands were stationed in the Polish capital during the uprising. On Friday of Holy Week, the Poles, having raised an uprising, meanly killed the Russian teams scattered throughout the city. Only a few with General Igelstrom managed to break through to their own. The Poles proudly called this treacherous massacre, committed on Holy Week, the “Warsaw Matins Massacre.” Suvorov understood that Russian soldiers might not be able to resist the desire to avenge their fallen fellow soldiers, and he took pity on the Poles. But Suvorov always conducted military operations with extraordinary determination and lightning speed. “Is it better to drag out the war and lay down 100 thousand?”- he asked those who reproached him for trying to solve the company with a decisive, albeit fierce, battle. Poland was pacified in an unusually short time.

Suvorov considered Poland, quite rightly, the nest of Jacobinism in Eastern Europe, an ally of Republican France. And here, it is very important for us to understand what the war with France was for Alexander Vasilyevich.

"For the Holy Altars and Thrones"

Suvorov said that he was fighting for "Holy Altars and Thrones". For the altars of Christian churches and for the thrones of Christian sovereigns. Suvorov's miracle heroes knew that they were fighting the “godless” French, who “killed their king and are destroying the temples of God.” Let us remember what the “great” French Revolution brought to the world, what the brigades of the French Revolutionary Army brought to Europe under the slogans “freedom, equality, fraternity.” France still celebrates Bastille Day and sings the Marseillaise. Few people remember how this revolution took place in beautiful France - the brainchild of encyclopedists and anti-clericals. Bloody bacchanalia, a constantly working guillotine, baseness and meanness and incredible cruelty of the Jacobins, truly bloodthirsty monsters of the Marats, Dantons, Robespierres. In the Parisian Cathedral of Notre Dame - the temple of the “Goddess of Reason”, desecration of shrines, murder of priests. Suvorov clearly understood that this was an atheistic spirit, the spirit of the Antichrist, and felt the “breath of hell” in the French Revolution. “Paris is the root of evil. Paris is a disaster for all of Europe."- Suvorov prophetically warned. French troops smashed the armies of neighboring states, and observing what was happening in Europe, Suvorov ended his letters to Empress Catherine II with the words: “Mother, order me to go to the French!” Alexander Vasilyevich truly prophetically predicted the danger threatening Russia when Bonaparte and his troops were in Poland. He even foresaw exactly which European countries would give their regiments to Napoleon’s army. He also accurately named the number of troops - more than half a million. By the way, during the invasion of hordes of “twelve tongues” into Russia, the desecration of the Kremlin cathedrals by foreigners, many Orthodox Christians, not without reason, considered Napoleon “the forerunner of the Antichrist.”

Suvorov sought to destroy the terrible danger in the bud - “I beat the French, but did not finish them off. Paris is my point, Europe’s trouble.” “The fellow walks broadly, he will go far if you don’t stop him,” he said about Napoleon. And, if not for the treacherous betrayal of Austria, which forced the Sovereign Emperor Paul I to recall the Russian troops, Suvorov, there is no doubt, would have crushed the Corsican.

Napoleon had to be beaten and driven away from the Russian land by Suvorov's favorite student, Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov. And the confrontation between “godless” France and the Russian Tsardom ended in Paris in 1814. On Easter 14, in the square where the French killed their king, Russian regiments stood in parade formation. The regimental priests, in red Easter vestments, performed a solemn service at the marching altars. And to the exclamations of the priests “Christ is Risen!” Together with their Russian Tsar, Sovereign Emperor Alexander I, thousands of Russian soldiers responded, fighting from Borodino and Maloyaroslavets to Paris. “Truly He is Risen!” - the thunderous cry of victory of the “Christ-loving army” resounded over Europe.

Suvorov taught his soldiers before battles with French troops: “The French are violators of general silence and enemies of general peace. The French rejected Christ the Savior! Fear their depravity! You were happy with your faith - keep it. Treasure your conscience; may she not reproach you for being companions of the oppressors of the faith and rights of the people. Flee false teachers! Testament of the Russian Archangel to his miracle heroes.

In Italy, in liberated Milan, residents strew his path with flowers, tree branches, kneel down, kiss his hands, the hem of his dress. Suvorov makes the sign of the cross and repeats: “God helped!.. Thank God!.. Pray to God more!”

In Switzerland, at the very top of St. Gotthard, Capuchin monks tremblingly await the appearance of the “northern barbarians.” Russian troops appear. Clothes and shoes turned into rags, almost barefoot Russian soldiers made difficult treks across mountain glaciers and snowy passes, the last crackers had long since run out. Finally, the Russians reached the top of St. Gotthard. In Gotspies, in the hospice house, the monks were accustomed to rescuing travelers in trouble in the winter mountains. Food and drink prepared in advance. But the Russian elder commander greets the prior and asks everyone, first of all, to go to the church - to serve a thanksgiving prayer to God. The Capuchin monks watch in amazement as the famous Suvorov himself lights candles, earnestly crosses himself, and sings prayers of thanks with everyone.

Finally, Panix also crossed over. The Alps, impassable in winter, were overcome, the French were defeated, and the Russian army conquered the last pass. Suvorov, in front of the formation of his miracle heroes, rips his hat off his head and raises his hands to the sky and sings loudly: “We praise you, God!”

Suvorov fought, defending not only the altars of Christian churches from desecration by atheists, but also the thrones of Christian sovereigns. The whole life of Alexander Vasilyevich is an example of loyalty to the Royal throne. One of Suvorov’s “eccentricities” at the Court was the commander’s custom of not only making three prostrations in front of the icon of the Queen of Heaven, but also greeting the Empress with a prostration. At a time when the courtiers bowed gracefully and gallantly before the Empress, the illustrious commander bowed to the ground before the Empress. Suvorov emphasized his Christian reverence for the autocratic Tsarina.

Suvorov said: “God have mercy! We Russians pray to God; He is our helper; We serve the Tsar - he trusts in us and loves us.” Suvorov considered faithful service to the Tsar not only a Christian duty, but also a great virtue. “Russians are capable of anything, including praying to God and serving the Tsar!”- Alexander Vasilyevich said with admiration, rejoicing at the exploits of his miracle heroes.

Diligently and skillfully, the enemies of Emperor Paul I, taking advantage of the fact that Suvorov was far from the capital in the army, tried for a long time to quarrel between the Sovereign and the commander. Despite his reverent attitude towards the Royal Throne, Alexander Vasilyevich, as under Empress Catherine II, always spoke the truth, boldly exposing the shortcomings of the Gatchina innovations in the army. His words: “Bulles are not cannons, powder is not gunpowder, a scythe is not a cleaver, and I am not a German, but a native hare!”, “Russians have always beaten Prussians!” - echoed throughout the army. But, knowing Suvorov’s unshakable loyalty to the Tsar, the conspirators did not even think of persuading the famous commander to treason. It was only possible through intrigue to achieve Suvorov’s disgrace and exile.

By the way, Alexander Vasilyevich said that he had seven wounds; two received in war, and five at Court. But these five, according to him, were more painful than the first.

The exile in Konchanskoye was a prayer retreat for Suvorov. Suvorov not only sings in the choir in a rural church. In disgrace, in humility and patience, the soul of the great commander gathers strength and prepares for the feat of the Swiss campaign. Suvorov asked the Emperor for permission to leave for the Nilova Novgorod hermitage in order to end his days serving God in a monastic monastery. In the letter, Suvorov writes: “Our Savior alone is sinless. Forgive my unintentions, merciful Sovereign.” But the Lord was preparing Alexander Vasilyevich for the last great feat for the glory of God, the Tsar and the Fatherland.

The reconciliation between the noble Sovereign Pavel Petrovich and Suvorov was extraordinary. In the Emperor’s letter to the commander, the Sovereign admitted his guilt:

“Count Alexander Vasilyevich! Now is not the time to settle accounts. God will forgive the guilty. The Roman Emperor demands you to become the commander of his army and entrusts you with the fate of Austria and Italy. My job is to agree to this, and yours is to save them. Hurry up by coming here and do not take away your time from your glory, but it is my pleasure to see you. I am in your favor. Paul."

Suvorov kisses the letter and gives the order: “It’s an hour to get ready, another to set off. He served in the village as a sexton; I sang in bass, and now I’ll go sing with Mars.”

In St. Petersburg, approaching the Tsar, Suvorov reads the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father” aloud, and at the words "And do not lead us into temptation"- kneels. The Emperor raises Alexander Vasilyevich from his knee, completing the prayer: “But deliver us from evil!”

The majestic and worthy reconciliation of the Russian Christian commander and the Russian Tsar. In an effort to reward Suvorov for his patience and loyalty, Emperor Paul I places the chain of the Order of St. on Suvorov. John of Jerusalem Grand Cross. Suvorov exclaimed: “ God, save the Tsar!” “It’s up to you to save the kings!”- answers the Emperor.

After the great Swiss campaign, Emperor Paul I, having awarded Alexander Vasilyevich the title of generalissimo, ordered that the army give Suvorov military honors similar to the person of the Sovereign, and even in the presence of the Tsar himself.

Suvorov fought, “saving thrones,” trying to protect the Christian statehood of the European powers from the “hyena,” as the commander called the French Revolution. The Orthodox Russian Tsars restrained the “spirit of Antichrists”, the “breath of hell”. In the mid-nineteenth century, Tyutchev prophetically said there are two forces in the world - revolution and Orthodox Russia. And how the Russian generals, who betrayed Tsar-Martyr Nikolai Alexandrovich in March 17, lacked this simple, Holy Russian loyalty to the Tsar of a great commander and a great Christian. Suvorov's loyalty to the Tsar, the Anointed of God, was based on his firm, Orthodox, patristic faith. Would the generals fulfill Suvorov's covenant? You were happy with your faith - keep it! Flee false teachers!- if they had remained faithful to the Tsar, the fate of Russia and the whole world in the twentieth century would have been different.

Today we see where the modern world is moving, built on the “humane ideals of the Great French Revolution,” which proclaimed “freedom, equality, fraternity.” There is no place for Christ in this godless world. Suvorov in the 18th century clearly understood that this “spirit of Antichrist” was brought to people, and he fought with it precisely as a “Warrior of Christ.” When Alexander Vasilyevich was congratulated on crossing the Alps, the commander uttered truly prophetic words: “God helped us overcome them and go through the thunder clouds. But will it help us to ward off the thunderclaps directed at the Thrones?.. His Holy Will!”

In 1812, the invasion of the “forerunner of the Antichrist” Napoleon was defeated by the Russian Christ-loving army. In 1917, Russia was defeated, but was preserved by the prayers of the Holy Royal Martyrs, all the New Martyrs of Russia, under the Protection of the Sovereign Mother of God. In the world, two forces are still in conflict - the revolution and Russia, which still retains the Orthodox faith. Nowadays, the “spirit of the Antichrist”, in the form of “global structures” that have already taken possession of the world, seeks to completely crush Russia. And we are talking not only about our energy resources and the territory needed by the “world government”. We are faced with the same hatred of Christ and His Church that possessed both the French Jacobins and those who seized power in Russia in 17. Russia, which can be reborn as an Orthodox Russian state, is the last obstacle in the path of these God-fighters. Once again Russia is in danger; and from the West - NATO (the current horde of “twelve languages”), and from the East and South - the invasion of foreign hordes. Opponents today surpass Russia both in material and human resources. But, despite the fact that more and more new types of weapons are being developed, despite the existence of nuclear forces, high-precision weapons, despite the fact that the confrontation extends into the space sphere, the decisive factor in this confrontation with the enemy will still be the spirit of the Army and the spirit of the People. Suvorov said: “One cannot defeat ten. God's help is needed."“Post-Christian” Europe and the USA, which has retreated from the faith and Christ the Savior, the growing fanatical hordes of “Islamic warriors” under the green banner, billion-strong pagan China...

Let's think about whether today the Russian Army needs Suvorov's covenants and the prayerful help of the Russian Archangel?

Temple builder, church choirmaster, bell ringer, benefactor...

Speaking about the possible glorification of Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, one cannot help but remember that the great commander was also a temple builder. In Novaya Ladoga, as commander of the Suzdal regiment, Suvorov built the Church of Peter and Paul. Together with the soldiers, he carried logs and personally carved a cross mounted on the dome of the church. Going to war with the regiment, he sent Archpriest Anthony a letter with a request: “I ask for your blessing, so that until the regiment returns, the service will be performed daily.” and a donation to the temple. He built the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky in Konchanskoye, and despite being busy, he arrived at a distant estate to pray at the consecration of the temple. In Kistysh, on the site of the wooden church of St. Basil the Great built by the commander Vasily Ivanovich’s father, Suvorov erected a stone temple, with boundaries to the prophet Elijah and St. Alexander Nevsky. Took care of and decorated the temple in Undol. He sent a letter to the Turkish company with an order to sell the estate, horses, harness, dishes in Undol, and give all the money for church utensils.

The church choir, recruited from peasants, was the best in the province. Alexander Vasilyevich himself very much loved, appreciated and understood church singing. Suvorov sang in the choir and in his native Moscow church of St. Theodore the Studite. In Konchanskoye, Suvorov, long before the start of the service, climbed the bell tower and waited until the figure of a village priest going to the service appeared on a green hillock. Then Suvorov began to ring the bells. He called skillfully. During the service, he served at the altar, served the censer, and read notes. He loved to read in the choir, especially the clock and the Apostle.

Suvorov was also an educator, making sure that the Word of God was heard. Not only did he open Sunday schools at churches, but he himself wrote a children’s catechism. As the commander of the Astrakhan regiment, he is engaged in the education of officers and soldiers, using his own funds to build a school for soldiers’ children at the church, where he teaches arithmetic to both children and adults, and outlines the basics of new textbooks.

Alexander Vasilyevich loved life in the village. Once, when a doctor advised a sick commander to go to warm waters, Suvorov replied: “God have mercy! What do you want? Send healthy rich people, limping players, and intriguers there. There, let them bathe in the mud. And I am truly sick. I need prayer in the village, a hut, a bathhouse, gruel and kvass.”

Much can be said about the strong Christian principles on which economic life was built on Suvorov’s estates. By the way, the farms on his estates were much more efficient than those of neighboring landowners. Alexander Vasilyevich was not only a “father to soldiers,” but also a father to his peasants. He always helped the poor get on their feet and raise their economies. He cared for widows, the poor, and the disabled. As a father, Suvorov was especially concerned not only with the well-being and prosperity, but also with the health and morality of the peasants. He tried to ensure that there were no dowries and no dowries in his domain. He encouraged childbearing as best he could, and always gave the family a silver ruble for the birth of a child. “A peasant gets rich not with money, but with children” - Suvorov was convinced.

There is a lot of evidence about how Suvorov provided various assistance to those in need, but secret donations of large sums to charitable institutions became known only after the death of the commander. “From an unknown person,” Alexander Vasilyevich transferred 10 thousand rubles annually to the St. Petersburg prison to ransom debtors.

The great commander had an unusually kind and merciful heart. During Great Lent, during severe frosts, a “bird room” was built in Suvorov’s house - forest birds were saved from hunger and cold - “it’s frosty early, they’ll die.” Trying to help Captain Sinitsky’s mother return her son from exile in Siberia, Suvorov writes to the old mother: “I will pray to God, you will pray too, we will both pray!” It was possible to obtain a pardon and return Sinitsky from exile.

Denis Davydov notes that Suvorov “commanded the Russian armies for fifty-five years, did not make a single person unhappy, not a single official or private, he never hit a soldier, he punished the guilty only with ridicule in the national spirit, which cut into them like brands.” Many considered Suvorov even too soft. When asked to severely punish the culprit, Suvorov replied: “I am not an executioner.” And at the same time, the discipline in his troops was ironclad.

Having learned that during the entire Italian campaign and the Swiss campaign there was not a single case of disobedience, Suvorov exclaimed: “I recognize our Russian troops. The burden of service is light when many people lift it together. No! The Greeks and Romans are not our equals!”

Suvorov showed extraordinary generosity towards the defeated enemy. When releasing General Lecourbe from captivity, Suvorov, having learned that the Frenchman had recently married, gave a flower to the general’s young wife. This flower, like the greatest shrine, was kept in the Lecourbe house in Paris. In 1814, Lecourbe showed it to Russian officers.

Suvorov was unhappy in his family life. But this is not his fault, but the misfortune of the “gallant age”. And it is impossible to blame Alexander Vasilyevich for not being able to forgive his wife. Suvorov was strict, first of all, towards himself. The commander valued purity and a clear conscience above all else. Suvorov no longer began to seek family happiness, but for the rest of his life, he devoted all his strength to the Fatherland. But how touching is his love for his daughter Natalya, “dear Suvorochka.” Alexander Vasilyevich said with all sincerity: “My life is for the Fatherland, my death is for Natasha.” Letters to his daughter are filled not only with tender fatherly love, but with great concern for the daughter’s moral purity and strengthening her in piety.

Suvorov, in letters to his godson Alexander Karachay and the young officer P.N. Skripitsin, left an unusually deep and laconic instruction, explaining what a true hero needs to be. Alexander Vasilievich warns young people against the danger of turning virtues into flaws. For example, he advises to be: “Brave, but without passion. Quickly without rashness. Subordinate, but without humiliation. A boss, but without being arrogant. A winner, but without vanity. Noble, but without pride... - and many other equally accurate pieces of advice were left by the great commander... Suvorov asks to be: “An enemy of envy, hatred and vengeance. Depose opponents with leniency. Dominion over friends by loyalty. Abhor lies. Be innately straightforward. Be honest with friends. Forgive your neighbor's mistakes. Never forgive them in yourself. Do not lose heart in misfortune... Reverence for God, the Mother of God and the saints consists in avoiding sin. The source of sin is lies, this comrade is flattery and deception,” writes Suvorov. All of Suvorov’s instructions are imbued with a deep Christian spirit and are no less instructive for each of us. And, most importantly, everything that Alexander Vasilyevich advises young people to strive for, he himself managed to implement in his life.

Suvorov was not a hypocrite and, considering faith and morality to be the basis of the valor of his troops, he always found time for good jokes. Alexander Vasilievich was a man of a joyful, bright Christian spirit. With two or three words he could lift the spirits of the troops. It is known how, seeing the incredible fatigue, a soldier began to sing a humorous song:

What happened to the girl?

What happened to the red one?

And the exhausted soldiers gained strength.

The Austrians, after the battle with the Turks, in which they seemed to take part, but did not fight, demanded for themselves part of the guns taken by the Russians from the defeated enemy. Suvorov ordered: “God have mercy! Give them everything! We’ll get some more for ourselves, but where can they get it for the poor!” The court wits in St. Petersburg tried not to offend Alexander Vasilyevich, knowing his resourcefulness and well-aimed, precise words.

As an obstacle to the canonization of Suvorov, they remembered his alleged involvement in the Freemasons. In the 18th century, indeed, some well-meaning Orthodox Russian people, not understanding who they were dealing with, ended up in Masonic lodges. But, the statements of Alexander Vasilyevich are known, warning officers against communicating with these enemies of Christ. Historians have long refuted the fables of Freemasons who want to attribute to themselves many great Russian people about the imaginary “Freemasonry” of Suvorov.

Suvorov, while fighting in Italy, respected Catholic priests and churches of God, but never doubted that only the Orthodox Church was the truth.

Suvorov in Prague, in Bohemia, having encountered the sect of the “Bohemian brothers”, having heard the legend about the burning of John Hus, says: “I thank God that reformation fever has never visited our Fatherland: we have always had religion in all its purity. And who does not know that the Son of God never commanded the baptism of Jews and pagans with sword or fire?

“But we are Russians! God is with us!"

Glorifying the saints of God, the Church calls on us to try to imitate them in our lives. And it is very important today to learn another covenant left to us by the Russian Archangel.

Suvorov often exclaimed: “We are Russians, God is with us!”, “We are Russians - what a delight!” “We are Russians - the enemy trembles before us!”- addressed his miracle heroes. The commander uttered these words not only to raise the morale of his troops, but from an overflowing heart. Suvorov's delight was spiritual joy, gratitude to God of an Orthodox Russian man who loves his Fatherland. The words of Alexander Vasilyevich surprisingly echo the words of the holy righteous John of Kronstadt: “Russian people - be proud that you are Russian! Russia is the foot of the Throne of God on earth.”

At the same time, Suvorov did not have the slightest hint of xenophobia, which today people are so afraid to see in the Russian patriotic movement. Alexander Vasilyevich is friends with the Prince of Coburg, the Frenchman Lamet. He writes a famous letter, filled with deep respect, to the “noble knight of the Vendée”, the monarchist Charette, calling “Restore the Temple of the Lord and the throne of your Sovereigns.” About one noble Russian officer who wrote poorly in Russian, Suvorov said: “It’s a shame, but let him write in French, as long as he thinks in Russian.” With all the Russians, Alexander Vasilyevich spoke exclusively in Russian; those officers who, following fashion, tried to speak French, received the mocking nickname “Monsieur” from Suvorov.

During the famous military council in the Alps, when it was clear that there was no hope of salvation, Suvorov, having described in detail the hopelessness of the situation, paused for a moment, suddenly looked around at everyone and shouted: “ But we are Russian! God is with us!". And on behalf of all the generals, the eldest, Vilim Khristoforovich Derfelden, speaks: “ Lead us, we are your father, we are Russians! All the generals say in unison: “We swear by Almighty God!”. Suvorov listens with his eyes closed to the oath of the Russian generals. Then he happily says, “I hope so!” Glad! God have mercy! We are Russians! Thank you Thank you! Let’s defeat the enemy, and victory over him is victory over treachery... There will be victory!”

Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration said: “We left Alexander Vasilyevich with an enthusiastic feeling, with selflessness, with the strength of will of the spirit; win or die, but die with glory, cover the banners of our regiments with your bodies...”

Both Bagration and Derfelden were Russians for Suvorov, and they considered themselves Russians and were proud of it. During the retreat of 1812, the ardent Bagration would write with indignation to Barclay de Tolly: “What kind of Russians are we if we give our Fatherland to the enemy?”

Suvorov asks Miloradovich: “Misha, do you know the three sisters?” Miloradovich, having guessed, answers: "I know! Faith Hope Love!". Suvorov joyfully picks up the words of the young hero general: “Yes, you know. You are Russian You know three sisters: Vera, Nadezhda, Love. Glory and victory are with them, God is with them!”

By the way, when anyone, be it a soldier, an officer or a general, performed their service poorly, Suvorov equally reproached them: " You are not Russian; This is not Russian." To those who wanted to improve he said: “ Show in action that you are Russian.”

For many years, the media, methodically and persistently, have been hammering into our heads that Russia is an eternal loser, that we have only “fools and roads”, Russians are drunkards and lazy people and other “gentleman’s set” of Russophobes. They are convinced that, it turns out, there are no Russians anymore, but only “Russian-speaking Russians.” For them, only the “Russian” mafia and the terrible “Russian fascism” remained Russian.

Suvorov, having learned about the capture of Corfu by the Russian fleet F.F. Ushakov, exclaimed: “Our Great Peter is alive!” and remembered the words of Emperor Peter the Great after the victory over the Swedish fleet at the Aland Islands: “Nature produced only one Russia; She has no rival! - and now we see. Hurray for the Russian fleet!

How important it is for us today to hear the words of the Russian Archangel who drive away despondency: “We are Russian - what a delight!”

“He who conquers himself is invincible”

Lately, when a seemingly unthinkable distortion of Russian history is happening before our eyes in the media and Soros textbooks, let us not be discouraged, let us remember the words of Alexander Vasilyevich said about a contemporary French writer: “This historian has two mirrors. One is a magnifying one for our people, the second is a diminutive one for us. But history will break both and create its own, in which we will not be pygmies.”

In the 20th century, they already tried to rewrite the history of Russia once. But when the enemy stood near Moscow, Stalin turned to the names of the holy noble princes Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kutuzov. It is no coincidence that during the Great Patriotic War, our best military leaders were called commanders of the “Suvorov school.” Returning to the traditions of the glorious Russian The army, creating schools in 1944 in the likeness of the cadet corps of Imperial Russia, gave them the name Suvorov.

After the pogrom committed by the Soviet Army in the 90s, new reforms are gradually finishing off the Armed Forces remaining in modern Russia. They are destroying military science, military education, and military medicine. They are also trying to interrupt the historical traditions of our Army. The “reform” of the Suvorov schools is one of the evidence of these attempts to destroy the “connection of times.”

But Russia cannot exist without a strong Army and Navy. When the current Russian hard times end, we will have to, straining all our strength, restore the Armed Forces of the Russian state with all our might. They must become the great Russian Army again. It is possible to accomplish this only based on the covenants of the Russian Archangel. IN " The science of winning" Suvorov left us the main advice for all times: “Pray to God; Victory comes from Him! And the firm conviction of the great commander: “Teaching an unbelieving army is like sharpening rusty iron.” Suvorov, who did not know a single defeat, proved the Christian truth with his life - “ He who conquers himself is invincible."

Suvorov's miracle heroes were firmly convinced that their beloved commander was capable of begging for victory. They believed in his words: “God is our commander! He is leading us! The soldiers saw how Suvorov earnestly prayed to God before each battle. There was a story among the troops about how once Alexander Vasilyevich, sitting on a horse, prayed for a long time, according to his custom before a battle, silently peering into the sky. When one soldier asked what he saw in the sky, the commander ordered the soldier to stand up in his stirrup. And Suvorov showed the soldier in the heavens the angels singing glory. And, heavenly crowns over the Russian columns descending on the heads of those who are destined to die in battle. “I pray for them,” Suvorov said to the warrior. After the battle, Suvorov always attended the funeral and memorial service, seeing off the killed soldiers and officers with prayer.

It is known how, before the start of the hardest and stubborn battle on the Kinburg Spit, Suvorov did not interrupt the service in the regimental church, despite alarming reports that the Turks were already landing numerous troops. Until the Divine Liturgy ended, Suvorov did not stop praying and did not give the order to engage in battle. In the battle, the Ottomans were completely defeated.

At the beginning of the general prayer, Suvorov himself read the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father” in front of the formation of the regiments. The soldiers felt Suvorov's prayer. And the whole army tried to imitate their beloved commander. The Warsaw suburb of Prague was fortified and fenced with wolf pits. The assault began at night. Before the battle, at midnight, all the soldiers, led by officers, gathered at the company icons, in front of which they lit lamps and prayed on their knees. “We are all at the end of the aisle” - says, an old grenadier, participant in the battle “They put on clean underwear and waited to fulfill the will of A.V. Suvorov.” The company commander addressed the soldiers in Suvorov’s words: “Listen, children, we need, as Christians, as Russians, to pray to the Lord God for victory over our enemies. Yes, make peace with everyone. It will be our way, the Russian way.” After the prayer, the old Suvorov officer gives the last instructions: “Listen, children, remember God in a fight. It is in vain not to kill the enemy. They are the same people." The entire Russian army prayed with their commander that night. The Suvorov grenadier told how in the morning after the victory, the soldiers carefully made their way between six rows of terrible wolf pits and could not understand how at night, during a rapid attack, no one fell into the traps.

The soldiers believed in Suvorov’s foresight, in the fact that “the plane of God was open” to their beloved commander. During the hardest, most stubborn battle with the French on the Trebia River, at the decisive moment, Suvorov jumped off his horse, threw himself on his face to the ground and prayed to God. A few minutes later, he stood up and gave orders, after which the Russians broke the enemy.

There were stories among the soldiers about how the Heavenly Forces protected Suvorov from assassinations sent by enemies. It is reliably known that in Switzerland, a cook bribed by the French brought poisoned food to Suvorov several times at dinner, but Alexander Vasilyevich silently, long and intently looked into his eyes until the cook removed this dish.

They said that in the most difficult moments of the battles, a mysterious horseman in light vestments and a red cloak appeared next to Suvorov, the Russian forces doubled, and the enemy was broken. Who was this mysterious horseman, an angel of God, or a holy warrior-martyr in a red cloak? Or maybe the rider’s cloak was the princely basket of the blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of Alexander Suvorov?

During the German War, the battalion of Suvorov's favorite Fanagorian Regiment was surrounded. All the officers were killed; a young lieutenant took command. With the battalion was the regimental banner of the glorious Phanagorian regiment. Before going into the last battle, the Phanagorians prayed fervently, and many were honored to see Suvorov at the unfurled banner. The Germans could not withstand the furious Russian bayonet strike, the battalion fought its way out of the encirclement and saved the regiment's banner. The sentries testified that at night Suvorov was seen twice at the coffin of the deceased lieutenant. The poem “Suvorov Banner” was dedicated to this miraculous appearance of the commander by the Russian officer, participant in the war with the Germans, Arseny Ivanovich Nesmelov.

In Rus' it is customary to say “ the end is the crown of the matter.” The Holy Fathers believed: “How a person lives is important, but it is also important how he will die”. The great commander, beloved by all of Russia, endures disgrace with the greatest patience and humility. Not remembering the insult, like Ilya Muromets in the epics, he again follows the Tsar’s call to fight for the Fatherland. He crowns his life with the feat of the Italian company, in which for every killed Russian soldier there were 75 killed Frenchmen, and with the great Swiss campaign. Alexander Vasilyevich completes his earthly journey, pouring out everything that he had collected in his heart over many decades of wars and battles, glorious victories and people’s love, royal opals and royal favor, in the composition “ The Canon of the Repentant Savior and Our Lord Jesus Christ." Despite the protests of doctors, Suvorov goes through his last Great Lent with this severity, does not miss services, sings in the choir, reads in church, and makes countless prostrations. Before his death, having confessed and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, Suvorov, bidding farewell to everyone, said: “For a long time I chased glory - everything was a dream, peace of mind at the throne of the Most High.”

The whole of St. Petersburg saw off Suvorov on his last journey. When the hearse approached the gates of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, confusion arose, the hearse was large and the gates were low, they decided that the hearse with a canopy would not pass. But, the old Suvorov soldier, the grenadier non-commissioned officer cried out: “Suvorov won’t pass? Suvorov passed everywhere, and will pass here too! Come on brothers, get on with it!”. And the hearse with the body of the beloved commander, supported by the hands of the people, inexplicably passed through the gates of the Lavra.

The funeral liturgy was performed by Bishop Ambrose. No one spoke funeral words during farewell. Only the choir of court singers sang Psalm 90 “He who lives in the help of the Most High will dwell in the shelter of the Heavenly God...” and when the coffin was lowered, the thunder of gun salvos was heard - Russian cannons said goodbye to the great commander.

In the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, at the left choir on the gravestone there are words engraved to which nothing needs to be added - “Here lies Suvorov.”

“And now when the Russian regiments go to battle, he says a prayer for them, they sing about him”

Reverence and love for Suvorov remained in the hearts of all who loved Russia and to whom the glory of Russian weapons was dear. Not only the common people understood that Alexander Vasilyevich "Christ's Warrior". Archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin), rector of the New Jerusalem Monastery, loved the poem by A.S. Tsurikov "Grandfather Suvorov." The poem contains surprisingly precise lines:

The gift of victory is God's gift!

We need to pray to God

You need to sober up your heart

To strike the enemy.

...... ...... ...... .....

The strength of the army is not in the communities

Not in warlike outfits,

Strength in spirit and hearts!

....... ...... ........

Wonderworker-voivode

I didn’t expect the trip, -

Took victory in the skies.

The husband created the truth without noise

I thought deeply in God -

And glorified in miracles.

.... ...... ..... ......

A monk who is exemplary in life,

Clean in spirit from all filth,

That's why we're invincible!

He went from the temple to battle,

From battle to prayer again,

Like God's cherub.

...... ....... ...... .....

In 1840, in “Notes of the Fatherland,” a poem by I.P. Klyushnikov about Suvorov was published, which ends with the confidence that Alexander Vasilyevich, even after the end of his earthly journey, continues to pray for the Russian Army:

And now that it's time for battle

Russian regiments are coming,

He says a prayer for them -

They sing about him.

Suvorov's biographer A.F. Petrushevsky wrote down a folk legend, which tells that Suvorov, like the Holy Russian heroes, sleeps in a dense forest, in a stone cave, bowing his gray head on a stone ledge. Through a small hole, the light of an unquenchable lamp is visible in the cave, and a prayerful commemoration to the prince, servant of God Alexander, is heard. The legend says that in a terrible time for the Russian land, the great Russian knight will wake up, come out of his tomb and save the Fatherland from adversity.

On the icon of the holy righteous warrior, the invincible Admiral Theodore Ushakov, there is an inscription on the scroll: “Do not despair, these formidable storms will serve for the glory of Russia.” For the inscription on the icon of the holy righteous warrior, invincible Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov, many words of the great commander can be chosen: “For the Most Pure Lady Theotokos!” For the House of Our Lady!”, “We are Russians - God is with us!”, “Pray to God; Victory comes from Him! Miracle heroes, God guides us - He is our general!” The inscription from Suvorov’s dying instructions is also suitable: “Be a Christian; God knows what to give and when to give.”

In the Suvorov schools, since 1944, under portraits of Suvorov, it was customary to write the words of his will: “I ask my descendants to follow my example.” But the full words of Alexander Vasilyevich sound like this:

“I ask my descendants to follow my example; start every business with the blessing of God; to be faithful to the Sovereign and the Fatherland until the end of your life; avoid luxury, idleness, greed, and seek glory through truth and virtue, which are my symbols."

Of course, in Soviet times they could not allow future officers to be taught “to begin every business with the blessing of God” and remember loyalty to “the Sovereign and the Fatherland.”

The Russian Army has many heavenly patrons - holy warriors. But Suvorov’s spiritual heritage in the 21st century is no less precious and important for us than in the 19th and 20th centuries. And, perhaps, given Russia’s current position in the world, it becomes vitally necessary.

But, in our days, all of Suvorov’s instructions are extremely important not only for officers and soldiers of the Russian army, but also for every Orthodox Christian. Russian soldiers need firm faith and trust in the God of Suvorov's miracle heroes. Shouldn’t we all imitate Alexander Vasilyevich’s desire for moral purity and active, selfless service to God, the Tsar and the Fatherland? Shouldn't we all make efforts to restore Christian statehood in Russia, which Suvorov defended? For Suvorov, loyalty to the Tsar, the Anointed of God, was inseparable from loyalty to Christ the Savior.

Suvorov wrote: “A good name belongs to every honest person, but I concluded a good name in the glory of my Fatherland, and all my deeds tended towards its prosperity. Self-love, often obedient to the impulses of fleeting passions, has never controlled my actions. I forgot myself where I should have been thinking about the common good.”

Doesn’t Russia need Suvorov’s example of active service to the Fatherland today? After all, what to hide, often we, Orthodox Christians, live only for ourselves and our loved ones. Alexander Vasilyevich’s reproach sounds not only to some of Suvorov’s contemporaries: “Let’s forget about the common cause, let’s start thinking about ourselves - this is the whole virtue of a secular person.”

Lately, Orthodox Christians have often been instilled with the image of false repentance and some kind of dull “humility.” Some “theologians” claim that Russia is “to blame for everyone,” and we need to “repent before everyone and ask everyone for forgiveness” - this will be, it turns out, “genuine Christianity.” Others call for the “remnant of the faithful” to be saved in the forests in the “end times,” which in their opinion have already arrived.

It is very important for us today, instead of false humility and Tolstoy’s non-resistance to evil, to acquire the fighting and victorious spirit of the great Russian commander "Christ's warrior - Suvorov."

All of Russia should hear with their hearts and believe the words of Suvorov, spoken when the army was trapped in impassable mountains, there were numerous and strong enemies around, and there seemed to be no way out: “God have mercy! We are Russians! Let's defeat the enemy! And victory over him, and victory over deceit; there will be victory!

“Canon to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ"compiled by Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov ends with the words:

“Behold, I offer You in supplication, O Lord, Your Most Pure Mother and all those who have pleased You from all eternity. You can have them through your prayers. Accept their petition for me, the unworthy one.

We no longer know what else to say to You: I am Yours and save me.”

Many pastors and Orthodox Christians have no doubt that the great commander and Christian who wrote these lines, together with those who pleased God, has the boldness to intercede for our Fatherland and for us sinners, and prays earnestly for his beloved Russian Army.

It is no coincidence that the first to be canonized by our Church in the 3rd millennium was the glorious naval commander, righteous warrior, invincible admiral Theodore Ushakov. The Russian Fleet received a heavenly patron. We hope that the Russian Army, among the host of holy warriors and noble princes, will be able to prayerfully call upon the holy righteous warrior, the invincible commander Alexander Suvorov.

And, perhaps, we will see how in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, in the temple where the holy relics of the blessed prince Alexander Nevsky reside, the holy relics of the righteous warrior, named after the holy prince, saint of God Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, the Russian Archangel, will be solemnly transferred.

Wars are an integral part of human existence. And there are people whose tactical and strategic genius is fully revealed only during military operations. They are called the best commanders in history. We present 10 of the greatest of them to your attention today.

One of the famous military leaders of the Victory was the only person in the history of the USSR who became a marshal of two countries at once: Poland and the Soviet Union.

During the Great Patriotic War, Rokossovsky led such important operations as the Battle of Moscow (1941), the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk (1942 and 1943).

However, his talent as a commander was fully revealed during the liberation of Belarus in 1944. At the suggestion of Rokossovsky, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front attacked two main directions at once, depriving the Germans of the opportunity to maneuver their reserves. And well-prepared disinformation gave the German command a false idea of ​​the location of the general offensive.

According to many historians, during Operation Bagration, German troops suffered their biggest defeat in World War II.

General, First Consul, and eventually Emperor of France, won many battles, mostly against the rest of Europe. He was proclaimed king of Italy, obliged Spain to help France with money and a fleet, and gave Holland into the possession of his brother Louis. And this is only a small part of his military achievements.

Napoleon's luck changed in 1812 when he invaded Russia. After the first successes, the capture of Smolensk and the deserted Moscow, Napoleonic army suffered a series of defeats, largely due to the large-scale partisan movement. Napoleon fled back to France, losing most of his army.

Forced to surrender after the titanic Battle of Leipzig in 1813, and abdicate for the first time in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. However, he managed to return to the French throne for 100 days in 1815, was defeated by Blücher and Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, and spent the rest of his life on St. Helena trying to explain to anyone who would listen why he was still the best general in history.

One of the greatest commanders in Russian history was not a “nugget from the hinterland.” He acquired his military experience under the command of such military stars as P.A. Rumyantsev and A.V. Suvorov.

Kutuzov's military talent was revealed most clearly in the confrontation with another great commander - Napoleon Bonaparte. He preferred to take care of the soldiers and not engage in large-scale battles with the French, giving the only general battle near the village of Borodino. Modern historians believe that the lack of victory at Borodino was one of the main factors in Napoleon's defeat.

Napoleon Bonaparte did not respect his opponents too much, not sparing a strong word for them. However, for Kutuzov he made an exception, explaining the failure of the Russian campaign by “merciless Russian frosts.”

One of the best military leaders in the world did not lose a single battle in his entire military career. And he took part in more than 60 major battles.

Suvorov's most famous military campaigns included the capture of Izmail and the Italian and Swiss campaigns.

• Izmail, a Turkish fortress built according to the latest (for that time) requirements of serfdom, was considered impregnable. Suvorov ordered the creation of a training camp imitating the moat and rampart of the Izmail fortress. After eight days of training, Russian troops took Izmail by storm.
• During the campaign in Northern Italy, Russian troops under the command of Suvorov liberated the Italians from the rule of the French Directory. And the count himself received from the Sardinian king the magnificent rank of “Grand Marshal of the Piedmontese troops.”
• During the 17-day Swiss campaign, Suvorov's famous crossing of the Alps took place. After the assault on the Saint Gotthard Pass and the capture of the Devil's Bridge, exhausted and hungry Russian soldiers reached the town of Altdorf, from which there was no further road through the mountains. Suvorov and his miracle heroes had to cross the Rostock ridge and the Muoten Valley without any climbing equipment, with wounded comrades, provisions and weapons. Unfortunately, due to numerous betrayals by the Austrians, the Swiss campaign could not be completed as planned in St. Petersburg. The French were not defeated, but the Russian corps of General Rimsky-Korsakov was completely destroyed.

Having doubled the territory of Prussia during his reign, Frederick, nicknamed the Great by his contemporaries, fought with the Russians, Saxons, French, Swedes and Austrians. At the battles of Rosbach and Leuthen, he valiantly defeated forces more than twice his own size, mainly thanks to two skills that he considered the key to victory: the speed of decision-making and the lightning speed of their implementation.

Napoleon, during the invasion of Prussia, said of Frederick: “If this man were still alive, I would not be here.” Frederick died peacefully in his sleep in 1786.

This Czech commander and leader of the Hussites can rightfully be called the “honey badger man” of his time, for his fearlessness, severity and ingenuity. Judge for yourself.

• Before becoming the leader of the Hussites (representatives of the Czech reform religious movement), Zizka managed to fight for the Poles, the Hungarians, and the British (but this is not certain, since there is no reliable information about his service to Henry the Fifth). And in his free time from the war, he was the leader of robbers, after which he was amnestied by the Czech king Wenceslas the Fourth and accepted into his service.
• Having lost his second eye during the siege of Rabi Castle and being completely blind, Zizka continued to lead the army. He was carried in a cart, in full view of the soldiers, so that they would not lose their presence of mind. History is silent about where Ian lost his first eye.
• Žižka's "tanks", also known as "wagenburgs" or "tabors", were carts held together by chains, behind which were hidden crossbowmen, spearmen, shield bearers and landing troops. In the face of such all-round defense, the knight's cavalry was powerless.
• Žižka led the Hussites in numerous wars for many years before dying of the plague. Before his death, he asked to remove his skin and stretch it onto a drum, so that even after death he could terrify his enemies.

Under the leadership of this brilliant commander, the Mongols captured China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and even Eastern Europe. Genghis Khan (named Temujin or Temujin at birth) was often merciless, slaughtering the entire population of many cities that did not surrender to him.

On the other hand, he was also religiously tolerant, a tactical genius (he perfected the "feigned retreat" ploy), and a master at maintaining supply lines for the largest continental empire in human history.

He is probably the most famous of all the ancient Romans. After the conquest of Gaul, which extended Roman territory to the English Channel and the Rhine, Julius Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both of these water barriers. Under his leadership, Roman legions invaded Britain.

These achievements gave the great Roman general unsurpassed military glory that threatened to eclipse Caesar's former triumvirate ally, Gnaeus Pompey. Pompey accused Caesar of disobedience and treason and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. Caesar refused and in 49 BC. led his army into a civil war, which he won.

Thanks to Caesar, Rome became the largest empire in the Mediterranean.

The assassination of Julius Caesar occurred shortly before he was to set out on a campaign against the Parthian Empire.

One of the greatest generals of antiquity went down in history as the man who brought Rome to its knees during the Second Punic War. He defeated the Romans on Lake Trasimene, and lost only about 1,500 soldiers, which was incomparable with the losses suffered by the Roman army (15 thousand soldiers were killed, 6 thousand were captured).

At Cannes, Hannibal demonstrated one of the earliest examples of pincer tactics. Most of the Roman army found itself in a cauldron from which it could not escape. The Battle of Cannae entered the military annals as one of the bloodiest; according to various estimates, from 60 to 70 thousand Romans died. Hannibal captured Tarentum, Syracuse and Capua - the most important city in Italy after Rome.

Unfortunately for Hannibal, the Romans quickly realized that the tactic of "refusing to fight" and liberating the cities captured by the Carthaginians meant that the Carthaginian army could only chase Roman troops throughout Italy, creating trouble for the local population, but gradually exhausting its strength. Ultimately, Hannibal was forced to retreat to Carthage, where he was defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama.

In Western historiography, this Macedonian king is known as Alexander the Great. He conquered an incredibly vast territory for his time - from Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt to Persia, Central Asia and the banks of the Indus - founded twenty separate cities in his name, and continued for centuries to be revered as God in many of the lands he conquered.

For the greatest commander of all time, it was not only the ability to win that was important, but also the ability to know what to do with victory. Alexander recognized the importance of the people he defeated and did not seek to assimilate them. He brought Greek culture, philosophy and technology to the defeated peoples.

Alexander the Great died at the age of 32, before many of the other famous military leaders on this list achieved their first victory.

As long as human civilization has existed, there have been wars. And wars, in turn, gave birth to great warriors.

10. Richard I the Lionheart (1157-1199)

He earned this nickname for his outstanding military talents and personal courage. Together with King Philip II of France, he led the crusade. He turned out to be a victim of betrayal by an ally, so the Holy Sepulcher was never freed from the army of the “Knight of the East” Saladin. After a dramatic return to England, he waged a grueling struggle with his brother John for the English crown. Many knightly legends and ballads are associated with King Richard I the Lionheart.

9. Spartacus (110-71 BC)

Source: toptenz.net

The most famous gladiator in history, who led a slave revolt against ancient Rome. According to one version, before falling into slavery and becoming a gladiator, he served in the Roman army, deserted and became a thief. With his army of runaway slaves, he walked the length and breadth of Roman possessions. In 71 BC. In the battle near the Silari River in the south of the Apennine Peninsula, the gladiators were defeated and Spartacus died. According to legend, a legionnaire named Felix, who killed Spartacus, laid out a mosaic picture of that battle on the wall of his house in Pompeii.

8. Saladin (1138-1193)

Source: usu.edu

Sultan of Egypt and Syria, brilliant Muslim commander of the 12th century. “Anti-hero” of the Third Crusade (for the Western world) and defender of Islamic shrines from the hordes of “infidels” (for the Eastern world). He captured King Richard the Lionheart, but then nobly let him go home in exchange for a promise not to try to liberate Muslim Jerusalem. Developed advanced tactics for rapid cavalry attack.

7. Napoleon I Bonaparte (1769-1821)

Source: liveinternet.ru

Emperor of France, an outstanding commander and statesman. He began his military career with the rank of lieutenant. In 1788, he almost became an officer in the Russian army, which was staffed partly by foreigners for the war with Turkey. Taking part in wars, from the very beginning of his career he established himself as a skillful and brave commander. Having become emperor, he unleashed the so-called Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815), which radically changed the face of Europe.

6. Alexander Nevsky (1221-1263)

Source: heruvim.com.ua

He studied military affairs from an early age. Already being a prince, he led his squads and personally fought in the front ranks. He received his nickname in honor of the victory on the banks of the Neva River over the Swedes in 1240. However, his most famous victory is the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipsi in 1242. Then the warriors of Alexander Nevsky completely defeated the knights of the Livonian Order and stopped the ruthless Catholic expansion of the West into Russian lands.

5. Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BC)

Source: teammarcopolo.com

This Roman dictator, commander and statesman, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, became famous for his victorious wars far beyond the borders of his country. At the head of the famous Roman legions he conquered Gaul, Germany and Britain. He was considered the most powerful figure of his time, but fell victim to a relatively small group of conspirators.

4. Hannibal Barca (247-183 BC)

Source: talismancoins.com

Outstanding Carthaginian commander and strategist. In his battles, he successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks and then encircling them. Fiercely he hated Rome and everything Roman. He fought the famous Punic Wars with the Romans with varying degrees of success. His unprecedented crossing of the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps at the head of a 46,000-strong army, which included 37 war elephants, is known.

3. Genghis Khan (1155 (or 1162) - 1227)

Wars march shoulder to shoulder with the civilization of mankind. And wars, as we know, give rise to great warriors. Great commanders can decide the course of a war with their victories.

So we present to your attention the 7 greatest commanders of all times.

1) Alexander the Great - Alexander the Great
We gave the first place among the greatest commanders to Alexander the Great. Since childhood, Alexander dreamed of conquering the world and, although he did not have a heroic physique, he preferred to participate in military battles. Thanks to his leadership qualities, he became one of the great commanders of his time. The victories of the army of Alexander the Great are at the pinnacle of the military art of Ancient Greece. Alexander's army did not have numerical superiority, but was still able to win all the battles, spreading his gigantic empire from Greece to India. He trusted his soldiers, and they did not let him down, but faithfully followed him, reciprocating.

2) Genghis Khan - the great Mongol Khan
In 1206, on the Onon River, the leaders of the nomadic tribes proclaimed the mighty Mongol warrior the great khan of all Mongol tribes. And his name is Genghis Khan. The shamans predicted Genghis Khan power over the whole world, and he did not disappoint. Having become the great Mongol emperor, he founded one of the greatest empires and united the scattered Mongol tribes. The Shah's state conquered China, all of Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Baghdad, Khorezm, as well as some Russian principalities.

3) Tamerlane – “Timur the lame”
He received the nickname “Timur the lame” for a physical disability that he received during skirmishes with the khans, but despite this he became famous as a Central Asian conqueror who played a fairly significant role in the history of Central, South and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, Volga region and Rus'. Founded the Timurid empire and dynasty, with its capital in Samarkand. He had no equal in saber and archery skills. However, after his death, the territory under his control, which stretched from Samarkand to the Volga, very quickly disintegrated.

4) Hannibal Barca – “Father of Strategy”
Hannibal is the greatest military strategist of the Ancient world, a Carthaginian commander. This is the "father of strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with it, and was a sworn enemy of the Roman Republic. He fought the well-known Punic Wars with the Romans. He successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks, followed by encirclement. Standing at the head of a 46,000-strong army, which included 37 war elephants, he crossed the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps.

5) Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich - national hero of Russia
Suvorov can safely be called a national hero of Russia, a great Russian commander, because he did not suffer a single defeat during his entire military career, which included more than 60 battles. He is the founder of Russian military art, a military thinker who had no equal. Participant in the Russian-Turkish wars, Italian and Swiss campaigns.

6) Napoleon Bonaparte - a brilliant commander
Napoleon Bonaparte French emperor in 1804-1815, a great commander and statesman. It was Napoleon who laid the foundations of the modern French state. While still a lieutenant, he began his military career. And from the very beginning, participating in wars, he was able to establish himself as an intelligent and fearless commander. Having taken the place of the emperor, he unleashed the Napoleonic Wars, but he failed to conquer the whole world. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and spent the rest of his life on the island of St. Helena.

7) Alexander Nevsky
Grand Duke, wise statesman, famous commander. He is called the fearless knight. Alexander devoted his entire life to defending his homeland. Together with his small squad, he defeated the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. That's why he got his nickname. He recaptured his hometowns from the Livonian Order at the Battle of the Ice, which took place on Lake Peipsi, thereby stopping the ruthless Catholic expansion in Russian lands coming from the West.

You can learn a lot of interesting history by visiting the website HISTORY