The Righteous doctor Nikolai Pirogov: to the 215th anniversary of his birth

The paper is devoted to the 215th anniversary of Nicolai Pirogov's birth (1810-1881), an outstanding Russian doctor, scientist, pedagogue and citizen. The author examines the life path and professional activity of the great surgeon through the prism of his attitude to religion, Church and God. The moral qualities of Pirogov's personality, the evolution of his religious and philosophical views and pedagogical principles are analysed in detail. It is also described the popular veneration of the “wonderful” doctor, and provides memoirs and testimonies of his contemporaries, students and representatives of Russian religious and philosophical thought. The author comes to the conclusion that Nicolai Pirogov, being a faithful son of his people and the Orthodox Church, had lived his bright, unusual, full of suffering and trials, but at the same time joyous life, which he laid down on the altar of the Motherland and for the sake of help suffering humanity. Being God's chosen, the great Russian surgeon worked selflessly for many years in the field of medical science, making brilliant and great discoveries that he applied for the sake of the highest mission – saving people from illnesses and diseases. In this regard, according to the author, the issue of the possible canonization of Nikolai Pirogov is more relevant today than ever.