Alexander Peresvet is one of the most famous Russian heroes. Listed as a saint by the Orthodox Church. His personality is covered with legends and myths.
The streets and cities still bear the name of the Russian warrior monk, and his fame has not faded even after almost 700 years.
Biography of Peresvet
The date of birth of Alexander is not known for certain. A number of sources testify to the boyar origin. That is, belonging to the upper class. Boyars occupied leading positions and owned lands. In the 14th century, every boyar was trained in military craft from childhood. Place of birth - Bryansk. Presumably, Alexander Peresvet participated in campaigns and wars. At some point, he became a monk. The ceremony was held in Rostov. Since there are practically no authoritative sources that could reliably report on certain events, historians are still discussing the biography of Peresvet to this day. The problem also lies in the fact that ancient writers often resorted to allegories and ex altations. That is, famous personalities were credited with feats and qualities that they did not really possess. And it is quite difficult for modern scientists to distinguish fiction from reality.
One way or another, we can safely say that by 1380 AlexanderPeresvet was a monastery schemamonk. It was in this rank that he approached the Battle of Kulikovo, which brought him eternal glory.
Background
In the 14th century, Russia languished under the Mongol-Tatar oppression of the Golden Horde. At the same time, the influence of the Muscovite kingdom increased. Several Russian princes were able to win several victories over the Tatars, which gave strength to the resistance to the occupation. In 1376, Russian troops began to liberate their land, pushing the Horde to the south. During the retreat, the Khans of Mamai ravaged several principalities, but never entered into an open battle. In mid-August, the Russian army arrives in Kolomna. In different ways, warriors are gathered from all over Russia to repulse the Tatars once and for all. The leader of the Horde, Mamai, believes that Dmitry will be afraid to cross the Oka and hopes for an ambulance from the Lithuanians. But by the beginning of September, the Russians had crossed the river and moved through the Ryazan lands to Mamaia. Among the soldiers was Alexander Peresvet.
Dmitry's maneuver was regarded as a reckless move. Panic rumors spread throughout Russia about the imminent defeat of the coalition of princes.
Battle of Kulikovo
On September 8, the famous Battle of Kulikovo and the duel between Peresvet and Chelubey took place. The day before, Russian troops had crossed the Don River. Grand Duke Dmitry gathered under his banner from 40 to 60 thousand people. The Moscow regiment was the nucleus. The arriving Lithuanians and Ryazans stood on the flanks. On the night of September 7, a review of the troops took place. Dmitry understood the enormous responsibility that was entrusted to him. Because inin the event of a defeat, all the lands to Moscow would be open to the Tatars. Therefore, the review was carried out very carefully.
Alexander Peresvet was most likely in the central regiment with the court of the Moscow prince. Late at night, scouts from both sides inspect the positions of the enemy. Only in the morning do the first skirmishes occur. The Tatars brought about 100 thousand people to the Kulikovo field. Since medieval sources tend to significantly increase the number of troops, it is rather difficult to determine the true number. Some sources indicate up to 40 thousand Russian soldiers and up to 60 thousand Tatars. On the morning of September 8, the Russians lined up in battle formations. The legendary heroes of the ensuing battle made speeches. A thick fog spread over the field, and the Russians waited in a daze for several hours to start the battle. A few hours later, the Tatars emerged from the forest in a dense wall.
Fights
In the Middle Ages, general battles were often preceded by a duel of the best fighters from each army. This unwritten rule was observed inviolably. The duel continued to the death and no one had the right to interfere. The origins of this custom go back to BC. Ancient legends indicate that instead of a battle between two armies, a battle between two people could take place. The losing side retreated. Of course, in reality, most likely the battle began regardless of the duel. But he had a very important psychological significance for the fighters. For many, it was a kind of superstition.
Duel of Peresvet with Chelubey
From the side of the Tatars came the famousChelubey. According to ancient legends, he was famous for his enormous physical strength and military cunning. He was the best in fights. It was for these purposes that the Tatars hired him. Before the Battle of Kulikovo, he did not know defeat. In riding battles, he used a spear, a meter longer than usual, which allowed him to kill the enemy even before the collision. He left the Tatar army on a white horse, dressed in gray clothes. Alexander Peresvet was in crimson robes and stood under the "black" (red) Russian Orthodox banner. The troops froze in anticipation of the fight.
Peresvet and Chelubey dispersed and rushed towards each other with straightened spears. They collided at full speed. The spears pierced the combatants at the same time. Peresvet and Chelubey died at the same time. But Alexander managed to stay on horseback longer, which meant his victory. Encouraged by the victory of their fighter, the Russians were furious. The foggy morning burst into howling trumpets, and the Russian army rushed to the attack.
Peresvet with Chelubey on Kulikovo field: another version
According to another version, Peresvet went to cunning and self-sacrifice intentionally. The hero, who fought Chelubey before the Battle of Kulikovo, knew about the long spear of the enemy. Therefore, he deliberately took off all his armor so that the spear of the Tatar favorite passed through the body of Alexander quickly and this would allow him to hit the enemy. The warrior monk put on a church attire with an Orthodox cross. The self-confident Chelubey pierced Peresvet, but he, with a spear in his body, reached out to the enemy and defeated him. In death agony, a Russian warriormanaged to ride to his troops and only fell there.
Fight
Inspired by the victory and heroic self-sacrifice, the Russian troops shouted at the enemy. The parties clashed in a fierce battle. The Tatars were outnumbered. But the Russians left in an ambush the regiment of the governor of Serpukhov. At the decisive moment, he struck at the rear of the Tatar troops. The cavalrymen cut down from behind, the Tatars f altered. They turned into a stampede and almost all were killed. The defeat of the Horde in the Battle of Kulikovo became the starting point for the liberation of Russia from the Tatar-Mongols. Encouraged by the victory, the Russian princes decided to rally around Moscow.
Burial of a hero
The body of Alexander Peresvet was taken to Moscow. There he was buried with military honors near the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in a personal crypt. Legendary battle heroes such as Rodion Oslyabya were buried with him.
In the 18th century, builders found an ancient tomb under the bell tower, in which Alexander Peresvet was supposedly buried. Some historians consider this information implausible. After the restoration, the temple was supplemented with a tomb and a tombstone was placed. It lasted until the 1920s. Now a new tombstone has been placed in the refectory of the temple, which repeats the cast-iron sarcophagus of Peresvet. The grave is open to visitors.
Memory
The Hero of the Battle of Kulikovo was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church as a saint. September 7 is considered the day of memory of Alexander Peresvet. at the Moscow State Academya pectoral cross is kept, which presumably belongs to Peresvet. During the Russian Empire, several warships were named after Alexander. Today, there are several streets, as well as a city in the Moscow region, named after Peresvet.
In 2006, a special detachment of explosives "Peresvet" was formed.
