Saint Elizabeth Gulevich: benefactor and patroness of family happiness

Exclusive. The history of Ukraine knows many outstanding women who influenced the course of events with their intelligence, determination and good deeds. One of such figures is the righteous Galshka Gulevichivna, a Ukrainian noblewoman, philanthropist and great benefactor. She did not follow the monastic path, but her life became an example of serving God and people. Why does the memory of Galshka Gulevichivna live on to this day? Why do believers turn to her with prayers for family harmony, well-being, children, as well as for a happy marriage and choice of a life partner? What legacy did she leave for Ukraine? The answers to these questions are in this article.

Saint Elizabeth (Halshka) Gulevich, canonization icon

The Righteous Galshka Gulevichivna is a woman who sacrificed her own property for the education and spiritual development of her people. It was thanks to her generosity that the Kyiv Brotherhood and the Brotherhood School, the future Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, were founded. She supported the Orthodox faith, helped the needy, and educated generations. Her life path is a story of strength of spirit, loyalty to ideals, and unshakable faith in the future.

On November 21, 2021, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) held a regular meeting. After consideration and recommendations of the Synodal Commission on the Canonization of Saints, a blessing was given for local veneration in the dioceses of historical Volyn and Kyiv of the famous Orthodox figure of the 1642th-XNUMXth centuries, confessor of the Orthodox faith, philanthropist, founder of the Kyiv Brotherhood of the Epiphany Monastery and the Kyiv Brotherhood School, Elizaveta Vasylivna Gulevich, also known as Halshka Gulevichivna (+XNUMX).

Righteous Elizaveta Gulevich, modern image

The day of memory of the righteous Elizabeth will be celebrated annually on the day of her heavenly patrons - the prophet Zechariah and the righteous Elizabeth, the parents of Saint John the Baptist, on September 18 (September 5 of the Christian era). The righteous Elizabeth will be honored for now in those places where she worked for the sake of Christ and His Church, that is, in the city of Kyiv and in the lands of historical Volhynia, as stated in the decision of the Holy Synod.

The canonization of this righteous woman, actually for the first time in the modern history of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has an important symbolic meaning for the present. Throughout the great, long-suffering history of Ukraine, women have always been a true example of preserving Christian values, great deeds in charity, the sacrifice of their own lives, and deep religiosity. Both in those days and today, during the terrible war with the Russian aggressor, hundreds of thousands of unknown women daily do everything possible with their actions for the victory of God's commandments over the forces of darkness and death. Ukraine very often appears in the people, works, and art as a woman-Bereginya. She gives life, teaches the first prayer, Christian love for people, encouragement in the face of challenges, and humility to the will of the Lord.

The spiritual feat of such a Berehyna – righteous Elizaveta Gulevich – teaches us today not only to rely on the will of the Lord in every moment of life, but also to understand that all our prayers, aspirations to draw closer to Christ must be embodied in actions, deeds, and specific deeds that will serve as an example, including for future generations.

Galshka Gulevichivna (1577-1642) came from an ancient Ukrainian noble family of Volhynia - Gulevichs, known in historical sources from the beginning of the 1570th century. Gulevichs occupied the second place among the rulers of Volhynia land, among them were voivodes, sub-starosts, and chorunji. Galshka's father, Vasyl Gulevich, was a wealthy and respected man, a public figure, and a defender of Orthodoxy. He married three times. From the last marriage in XNUMX with Nastasya Patrikievna, three sons and a daughter, Galshka, were born.

She was born in the village of Zaturka (now Lokachyn district of Volyn region) most likely in 1577. According to other sources, in 1575. Halshka's childhood was spent in Volyn, where she lived on her father's estates. She received a good upbringing and a thorough education, as she was raised in a virtuous family that remained devoted to the Orthodox faith and Ukrainian national traditions. In 1594, Halshka married Khrystofor Potiy, the son of the Bratslav castellan (later Bishop of Volodymyr Ipatiy Potiy) and Princess Anna Fedorovna Holovna-Ostrozhetska. However, this marriage did not last long, soon after the marriage, Halshka's husband fell ill and died. Therefore, their daughter Kateryna was born an orphan.

In 1606, Halska married for the second time - her husband was Stefan Lozka, a wealthy Kyiv nobleman who held the position of the Kiev sub-chancellor and the Mozyr marshal. The marriage was unequal in age - Halska was about 30 years old, Stefan - under 60. In 1618, Halska again became a widow. As Polish genealogists note, four children were born from this marriage: Joseph, Mykhailo (Michal), Regina, and Anastasia. Among all the children, Mykhailo "...was the embodiment of human contradictions. Unlike his mother, he chose a different Christian direction - Catholicism. ...He did not increase the family property, but only scattered it." But despite this, he was the most beloved son of Halska, who bequeathed him part of her estate in Rozhev.

After 1606, Halshka Hulevychivna-Lozchyna moved from Volyn to Kyiv, with which her entire subsequent life and the history of the creation of the Kyiv Fraternal School - the predecessor of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy - would be connected.

The philanthropist provides land for the Kyiv Brotherhood Monastery and Brotherhood School, thus becoming their founder. The deed of gift, which Mrs. Gulevichivna solemnly entered in the “city books” of the Kyiv magistrate on October 15, 1615, in the presence of “well-born” witnesses, states: “I, Galshka Gulevichivna, the wife of his grace, Mr. Stefan Lazka, Marshal of Mozyr, being healthy in body and mind, clearly and voluntarily realizing by my voluntary letter-record that I am virtuous, living in the ancient, holy Orthodox faith of the Eastern Church… and out of love and mercy for my brothers of the Ruthenian people… have intended to do good to the Church of God… and to the pious Christians of the Ruthenian people in the counties of the Kyiv, Volyn and Bratslav voivodeships… have given, bestowed, recorded and founded my own, hereditary goods, noble rights and liberties, having: my own manor with land… in the city of Kyiv… with all the rights, belongings to that manor and land, parishes and various belongings and with belongings… for the monastery, the Stavropegia of the Patriarchal Common Life according to Basil the Great, as well as for the school for children of both the nobility and the city.”

This document had legal force, it officially confirmed the founding of the monastery and school. Thus, on October 15, 1615, a historical event took place - the progenitor of higher education in Ukrainian lands, the predecessor of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy - the Kyiv Fraternal School appeared.

Around 1618, Halska moved to Lutsk, where she maintained close ties with the Lutsk Brotherhood. On April 2, 1641, Mrs. Hulevychovna made a will, according to which she bequeathed 4,5 thousand zlotys to the Lutsk Brotherhood Monastery, which took care of the Lutsk Brotherhood School, to its hospital, and also to the Brotherhood Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the crypt of which she was buried. The famous Volhynian woman passed away in April 1642.

The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy combined loyalty to the cultural and educational traditions of the Ukrainian people and openness to Western European innovations. One of the centers of philosophical thought of the Slavic world as a whole was formed here, Greek, Polish, German, and French languages ​​were studied; until the 80s of the XNUMXth century, teaching was conducted in Latin, and achievements of world literature, poetry, history, philosophy, etc. were introduced. The first rector of the academy was Ivan Boretsky, later he was the Metropolitan of Kyiv, Galicia, and All Rus. During the existence of the educational institution, many famous graduates came out of its walls. Among the students were Ivan Mazepa, Pylyp Orlyk, Pavlo Polubotok, Ivan Skoropadsky, Ivan Samoilovych, and others. The Academy occupied a leading place in the cultural and educational environment of Ukraine. Today, it is a well-known educational center in our country and abroad - the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

The memory of Halshka Gulevichivna remained for a long time. Thus, in 2002, a memorial plaque was installed on the wall of the ancient Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to the outstanding patroness and patriot of the Ukrainian lands. In the old Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, every year on her name day (December 22), Halshka was commemorated as the founder of this institution - meetings of the academic corporation were held, at which professors were elected, new teachers were approved, etc. Today, at the National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy", the best, gifted, intelligent students are awarded a scholarship named after Halshka Gulevichivna. There is also an interesting tradition when, on the annual celebration of the Academy Day (October 15), students carry out the "Clean Frying Pan" action, during which they wash the monument to Hryhoriy Skovoroda on Kontraktova Square.

Thus, charity in Ukrainian lands was an important component of social life and an integral part of the national past. It was determined by the norm of Christian morality and the embodiment of the virtues of its true representatives. In the conditions of the dominance of Catholicism and Polonization, the traditional practice was the foundation of an educational institution together with a charitable institution - a hospital and a monastery, which were supposed to perform protective functions and protect the school from oppression by "...radical Catholic secular and church circles". Charity acquired a church-public character, for the most part it depended on the private initiative of an individual.

An example of this is the legacy of Halshka Gulevichivna, namely her noble origin, belonging to famous magnate families; good upbringing and thorough education; early marriage, not quite simple and happy personal life; high morality, charity, kindness, as well as determination and love of freedom; patriotic feelings, desire to protect and revive the Orthodox faith, culture, traditions; aspiration to defend one's homeland; promising nature of charitable activities, since valuable undertakings were aimed at developing national educational affairs, in particular, at organizing and supporting a new type of Orthodox schools - academies; "viability" of charitable gifts, because the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, which has gone through a difficult and thorny path in its development, today functions and develops, preserving previous cultural and educational achievements, traditions and the memory of its patrons. Therefore, the high moral and spiritual principles of the benefactors of the past can serve as an example for the founders of modern charitable foundations, organizations, and associations.

Therefore, charity in Ukrainian lands was an important component of social life and an integral part of the national past. It was defined by the norm of Christian morality, an example of service to one's neighbor and a way of affirming faith. Halshka Gulevichivna became one of the most prominent figures in this process. Her contribution to the development of education and church life is invaluable, because thanks to her sacrifice, the Kyiv Fraternal School appeared, which later turned into the famous Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

The memory of the righteous Galshka Gulevichivna lives on to this day, and many believers turn to her with prayer as a great benefactor of the Ukrainian people. The holy righteous Galshka Gulevichivna is prayed for help in learning, gaining wisdom and enlightenment, because she dedicated her life to the development of education. She is also asked to strengthen faith, love for her native land and readiness for charity, because her life has become a model of sacrificial service to the public good.

In addition, people turn to the holy righteous Galshky Gulevichivna with prayers for family harmony, peace and understanding between spouses, for resolving family and financial problems, as well as for children and grandchildren.

She is the patroness of those who seek a good life partner, who long for a happy marriage or renewed family happiness. She is prayed to for comfort in loneliness, for strengthening love and mutual respect between spouses and relatives.

Believers also ask her for intercession for educators, students, scholars, and all who seek knowledge of the truth. She is revered as the patroness of benefactors and patrons, asking for purity of intentions, strength of spirit, and inspiration for good deeds. Her example reminds us that true glory lies not in wealth or nobility, but in service to people and a tireless pursuit of spiritual perfection. May the memory of her great deeds inspire future generations to the path of righteousness, education, mercy, and family well-being!

Hieromonk Theophanes (Skorobogatov) of Polotsk.