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March, 14, 2012, a lecture about Roerich’s painting “Saint Serguis, the Builder” (1924), from the “Banners of the East” series, took place in the Russian National Library lecture hall in St.Petersburg, Russia. The lecture was presented by Tomsha E.A., the chairman of the St.Petersburg Branch of the International Centre of the Roerichs.

Saint Serguis of Radonezh’s image is a part of the Russian people consciousness; and up to the present Saint Serguis is taken by the Russian people as the teacher, the father and the inspirer. He is the spiritual Guide, “the fair judge, the healer of spiritual and bodily feebleness and the defender from enemies of all kinds”.

Florensky, Pavel Aleksandrovich, a famous Russian theologian, philosopher and scientist highly estimated the role of Sergius from Radonezh in the history of Russia and in formation of Russian culture. Florensky wrote: “Many streams of cultural moisture flow from a new centre of unity – Saint Sergius; they give drink for the Russian people and incarnate in them in a unique way. If we look attentively into the Russian history, into the very substance of the Russian culture, we won’t find a clue which is not connected with the centre, with this starting point, be it moral idea, statehood, painting, architecture, literature, Russian School, Russian science – all these threads of the Russian culture go to Saint Sergius. In His face the Russian nation had become fully aware of itself, of its place in history, and only after that, only after having realized their self-consciousness, the Russians got the historical right for independence”.

Saint Sergius life, his example of moral and spiritual formation were depicted in paintings of famous Russian artists of XIX-XX centuries. They were Nesterov Mikhail, Vasnetsov Victor, Roerich Nicholas.

Saint Sergius from Radonezh was one of the loved and honored saints for Nicholas Roerich and for all his family. Saint Sergius is Builder of the Russian Culture of Spirit; by his heroic life he set up the Temple of Spirit, the most essential for spiritual evolution of the mankind.“Saint Sergius was neither a theologian nor a dogmatist, but all His heroic life was a selfless Service to his Motherland and to the World, a deed of imitation of Christ”, wrote Helena Roerich.

Nicholas Roerich in his article “The Unbreakable” wrote: “They are not numerous, these builders, who create life with inner content of forthcoming evolution. We should carefully choose these names of forthcoming Light, making the list up to nowadays. Each mention of this sacred name is an imperative call to incessant spiritual labor, to self-denying construction, and makes Saint Sergius a saint for all ages and nations. When we rest, demons make merry, and when we work, angels rejoice. Saint Sergius’ co-angelic labor made a cornerstone of the Russian spiritual culture and it belonged to the world hallowed heritage.

Let my painting “Saint Sergius, the Builder” remember about the unbreakable construction. Sergius – a laborer, one of the initiators of the Russian cultural formation.”

Sometimes a question is asked: why did Nicholas Roerich put the painting “Saint Serguis, the Builder” in his “Banners of the East” series? Saint Serguis is a Russian saint, and all characters of the series are of the Eastern origin. We may find the answer in the artist’s words, in his article “Realm of Light”: “I have had the honor of speaking of Saint Sergius before Buddhists, Moslems, Hebrews, Hindus, Fire-worshipers and venerators of the Great Spirit. And was there ever a denial or a contradiction? No, never, because the all-compassionate and omniscient spiritual culture lies within each human heart. And not through the sword, but at the spiritual repast is disclosed the effulgent cup of benediction.

Is it accidental that upon all destined paths are rising the sacred banners of the Blessed One? It is wondrous to see that even in our time of confusion and darkness, temples and chapels everywhere are being built in the name of Saint Sergius. In Paris, there is a monastery of Saint Sergius; in London there is a group of Saint Sergius students; in South America is the sacred name San Sergio. Near New York, we have the pleasure of consecrating the Chapel of Saint Sergius. In New York, in the home of the Roerich Museum there is a chapel-room to Saint Sergius. In many places of Asia churches and chapels are being constructed in the name of the invincible Leader for Good. Numberless books, articles and leaflets are dedicated to this Saint. Everywhere through the world his Powerful Name is bringing blessings.”

During the lecture Tomsha E.A. showed a fragment from the documentary about the heroic life of Saint Sergius and about the most important role of the Trinity Sergius Monastery in formation of the Russian statehood and in establishment of spiritual culture of the Russian people.

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