Bishop Roman of Yakutsk and Lensk: “I was born a monk. Media monitoring: "a certain bishop roman serpukhovskaya (gavrilov) is a boring grandfather with a gray face and empty eyes
After graduating from high school in the city, he entered a vocational school, from which he graduated in 1987.
In July 1987 he was admitted to the subdeacon of Archbishop Anthony (Zavgorodniy, +1989), the ruling bishop of the Stavropol and Baku dioceses.
In December of the same year, he was called up for compulsory military service.
In December 1989, he was admitted to the first class of the Stavropol Diocesan School. St. Ignatiy Bryanchaninov. In 1990 he was transferred to the second class of the reorganized Stavropol Seminary.
Since 1990, he served as subdeacon, Metropolitan of Stavropol and Baku Gedeon (Dokukina, +2003).
On March 20, 1992, while studying in the third year of the Stavropol Theological Seminary, he was tonsured into monasticism with the name Roman in honor of St. Roman the Sweet Songwriter.
On April 7, 1992, in the Andreevsky Cathedral of Stavropol, Metropolitan Gedeon of Stavropol and Baku was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon. On August 9 of the same year, in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the city of Kislovodsk, he was promoted to the rank of hieromonk.
During the last year of his studies, he bore the obedience of the dean of the seminary church and acted as the head of the chancellery of the seminary.
After graduating from the seminary, he was appointed rector of the church of St. Ignatius Stavropolsky (Brianchaninov), acting inspector, as well as a teacher of liturgy and moral theology of the Stavropol Seminary.
Since October 18, 1993 - Executive Secretary, and since May 14, 1994 - Chief Editor of the Pravoslavnoye Slovo newspaper.
In 1995 he entered the full-time department, from which he graduated in 1999 with a PhD in Theology, having defended his thesis on the topic "Ascetic views of Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky)".
Since 1999 - vice-rector for educational work (inspector) of the Stavropol Theological Seminary and rector of the Ignatiev Seminary Church.
From 2009 to 2011 - the listener.
On December 25, 2009, by a resolution of the Holy Synod (), following the results of an agreement with, as a cleric of the Moscow diocese in Tbilisi, for pastoral service among Russian-speaking believers, with the instruction, if necessary, to represent the position of the Russian Orthodox Church.
On January 4, 2010, with the blessing of the Primate, he began serving in the Tbilisi church of the Apostle John the Theologian.
Bishop on June 18, 2011 at the home church of the Patriarchal Residence in Chisty Pereulok in Moscow. June 19 at the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The divine services were led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
November 25, 2012, in memory of the celebration of the 380th anniversary of the entry of Yakutia into Russia and the service on this occasion of the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, was awarded by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill a commemorative panagia.
In 1638 it was decided to send Orthodox priests to the lands of the Sakha people. In the tsar's decree it was said: "... so that there would be no priests on the Lena River, and service people would not die without repentance and communion." "Russian God" began to become "theirs" for the Yakuts. The current head of the Yakut diocese continues the work of his great predecessors - the caretakers of the Yakut lands. Vladyka Roman (Lunkin), Bishop of Yakutsk and Lensky, gave an exclusive interview to Pravda.Ru.
- You mentioned social work. What are the features of the local social work of the Yakut diocese?
- I will not say that there are some peculiarities here. Social work is the direction of the church, which, unfortunately, during the Soviet period, it was not allowed to develop and implement churches. And the church is now returning to what it was before 1917. And this is the presence of their own boarding houses, almshouses for old people, for poor people, the existence of programs to support large families. But the church does not own such means, for example, as the state, therefore it is impossible to talk about absolutely independent social work. Rather, we can talk about social work within each parish. This is, first of all, attention to their own parishioners who are below the poverty line and in need of support. You need to start with the parishioners.
Secondly, orphanages, boarding schools and orphanages are the objects of close social work and attention. In addition, we conduct spiritual, moral and guardianship work among prisoners, we work with old people, elderly people, especially those who are lonely, are in boarding houses.
- What work are you doing on the treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholic patients?
- At the Nikolsky Church of the Grado-Yakutsk Cathedral there is a group of alcoholics anonymous, with whom a priest and an Orthodox psychologist are engaged. In addition, we envisage the creation of a diocesan rehabilitation center jointly with the State Drug Control Service, about which we have previously reached an agreement. We are actively working so that such a diocesan center could start working early next year.
- You recently returned from a working trip to one of the regions of the republic. Tell us about her.
- Yes, we went to the Suntarsky district on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. They also opened a spiritual and educational center at the temple there.
- Is it a new or old temple?
- The temple was built 248 years ago, but it was destroyed. A new temple was built on the site of the previous one in 2004. Its uniqueness is that it is made by local craftsmen. From beginning to end, national Yakut motives were used in the decoration of the decor, which makes it stand out from other temples.
- What is the task of this spiritual and educational center at the temple?
First, it is a place where the law of God is taught to children and adults. Secondly, it is a meeting place for all interested people. On the opening day of this center, I gave the first Sunday school lesson, the next day we held a round table with the district administration, school directors, where they talked about the history of Orthodoxy in the Suntarskaya land and the need to preserve temples or historical temple sites. They also discussed the problems of spiritual and moral education among young people. In addition, the spiritual and educational center includes a refectory and a priest's house.
23 new churches in four years! Another 25 are laid or on the way ... 28 priests, ordained during this time to the priesthood. Many of them have already gone to their place of service - to the most distant parishes of Yakutia, to most of which "you can only fly by plane."
If we comprehend these data, the conclusion follows: the pace of restoration of the Yakut diocese in recent years can probably be called rapid. What helps to restore the Yakut diocese, which will celebrate its 145th anniversary in 2015? What problems are waiting to be solved? We talked about this with Bishop Roman of Yakutsk and Lena.
Each temple has its own story
Vladyka, when you arrived in Yakutia in 2011, in one of the first interviews with you, I remember asking: is it possible to restore the destroyed economy of the diocese in its pre-revolutionary form? You answered: hardly. But since then, every year new churches appear in the republic: in 2012 - 9, in 2013 - 4, in 2014 - 6. It turns out that in a good sense you are refuting your own words. And if it goes like this ...
Well, in fairness, I must say that the history of the construction of many of them began long before my arrival here. I just picked up what my predecessors had started, continued and brought it to the end.
It is difficult to restore what once was, and it is unlikely that it will be possible in the same volume. After all, before the revolution, the Orthodox Church was officially supported by the state. Today, all support is donations from parishioners. Everything we do: our educational projects, educational work, seminary, and social activities - everything is based exclusively on them.
However, in a sense, this is even good! Because we are independent of the budgets of different levels and do not chase after them. Yes, what we have today is clearly not enough, but all this is honest, transparent and noble.
- And, nevertheless, new temples - every year ...
Yes, they open up! And each has its own unique story. Indeed, in one case, all the construction costs are suddenly decided by some large company. And that's one story.
The Church of St. George the Victorious in Neryungri is dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory. This is a "people's building", which is very symbolic
Remembering last year's heat, I was preparing for the current religious procession in Korobeinikovo - the 17th and 12th in my life - with some doubt and even fear. What will the weather be like? Will you have enough strength and health? Will the Lord help? ..
Start
After the early Liturgy in the Intercession Cathedral, the procession of the cross on the first day, June 26, was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Sergius of Barnaul and Altai. Bishop Roman of Rubtsovsk and Aleis, the priesthood of Barnaul and other dioceses, residents of Barnaul, the Altai Metropolis, the Gorno-Altai diocese, visitors from different cities of the country, including Moscow, the European part of Russia, Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and many other cities and villages of Russia.
On the first day, about two thousand people walked along with those seeing us off. There were 450-500 people directly among the crusaders.
Weather
In the city, I usually do not pay much attention to the weather: whether it is rain, sun, clouds - all this absolutely does not matter, when at any moment you can hide under the “roof of your house”. The city is, first of all, livability and convenience. And everything that accompanies this. This is the place “where comfort lies and censes, grinning” (Pasternak). The present civilization can be called a “civilization of comfort”, which corrupts a person and makes him relaxed. It is quite another matter - "field conditions", a stay in nature for many days, when you are in the air around the clock, walk through open space, surrendering completely to the power of the elements, and no matter what happens: rain, hail, scorching sun, wind, cold - there is absolutely nowhere to hide from the vagaries of the weather. You have to count only on your raincoat and tent (from the rain), hat and clothes (from the sun), sweater and sleeping bag (from the cold), spray (from mosquitoes) and God's help. And the Lord did not leave us. Although there were hot sunny days, they alternated with windy and cloudy ones. And in Elbank, the only place where the Liturgy was not served, a terrible storm traditionally burst out at night - with thunders and lightning, with rain almost all night long. In the midst of bad weather, among the continuous peals of thunder, a frightened child's voice came from one of the tents: “I'm afraid! I'm afraid!"
An even more terrible storm broke out on a festive night in Korobeinikovo - during the night Liturgy, which was served at 4 o'clock in the morning - everything was the same as in Elbanka, plus terrible gusts of wind that tore the doors of the tent, threatening to demolish and bring it down. With me was my son Fyodor, who slept in the sleep of a righteous man. In the morning I asked him if he had heard the elements clear up. It turned out he had heard almost nothing.
Archpastors and Pastors
For the second year in a row, the procession was led by Bishop Roman of Rubtsovsk and Aleisk. Vladyka blessed all participants to confess and receive communion at each Liturgy, which were performed daily, with the exception of Elbanka, fortunately, we had a tabernacle (a marching temple). Thus, we partook of the Holy Mysteries in Buranovka, Kalmanka, Beloyarovka, Aleisk, Ust-Pristan and Korobeinikovo. In addition, akathists or holy prayers were served at the bus stops.
In Korobeinikovo, in connection with the traditional influx of pilgrims and cross-walkers not only from Barnaul, but also from Belokurikha and Biysk, three festive Liturgies were served on July 3: at midnight, at 4 am and at 9:00 am. The last service was performed by the hierarchical rank, it was headed by Vladyka Roman, he was concelebrated by Bishop Callistratus of Gorno-Altai and Chemalsky and Bishop of Biysk and Belokurikha Serapion, as well as numerous clergy who arrived not only from Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsky, Slavgorod and Gorno-Altai, but also from many others. dioceses.
In Buranovka, Vladyka Roman recalled the words of the Lord: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all this will be added to you” (Matthew 6, 33). We are here in training, called to learn and love this search for truth and the Kingdom of Heaven. “And so we are looking for this truth of God in ourselves and find ... sheer paganism! How we care about things that do not at all relate either to the truth of God or to His Kingdom! .. But gradually we attune our whole being to attention to this Divine truth. Let us put our trust in God, not grunting and, if possible, helping our neighbors. The Lord will definitely take care of us, even if there were twice or three times more of us. " Vladyka urged not to think about vanity, but to go with everyone and say the Jesus Prayer. Walk not like tourists or foolish pedestrians, but like real soldiers of Christ. “Let's try not to worry about the spite of the day, but to put our trust in the Lord, to seek the truth and the Kingdom of Heaven! And the rest - EVERYTHING without exception - will be added to us, for the words of God are immutable. "
In Kalmanka, Vladyka Roman recalled the Lord's words that we take up our cross and follow Him: “We are doing the Jesus Prayer. But the Lord reminds us: “Not everyone who speaks Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Even if our lips sang in agreement with everyone, this is still very little. It is necessary that our whole being, mind, heart, fulfill the will of God. But often we seem to sing, but we think about vain, and even about sinful. And someone is thinking about stopping - to rest, stretch your legs! But let us remember the name of Christ, which is in our lips and we want it to remain in our heart. "He is the way and the truth and the belly." We have already come, if the name of Christ is on our minds and hearts. And we have nothing more to look for. This is what you and I must remember.
Today we greet the brothers of the Cossacks, who are marching with us in the procession on the water. A Cossack plow “Ataman Ermak - Prince of Siberia” is walking along the great Siberian river Ob. He bears a shrine - the icon "Reigning" of the Mother of God. "
By the way, when the procession was crossing the Charysh River on the way to Korobeinikovo, the plow passed under us, and we greeted each other, shouting joyfully and waving our arms! He was sailing, on which the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands was depicted. An amazing sight!
In Kalmanka, after the Liturgy, a prayer service was also served, a stone for the foundation of a new church and a cross were consecrated.
At Beloyarovka, Vladyka noted that “we have come to the middle of the road. But ... the end is the crown of the case. It is important to complete what you started, bringing it to the end. So it is with the procession. We are in the middle of the road. Sometimes we start well, but in the middle of the path we become weak, our goals are lost, others appear - vain, small, momentary. And we turn off the chosen path. May it not be so with us! " Bishop Roman recalled that here, in Beloyarovka, there is a church in honor of Sergius of Radonezh, and he turned to the monk with a prayer to help him reach and finish what he had begun with dignity, in spite of everything that hinders us! And this prayer had an effect - we got there.
In Aleisk, the Liturgy was celebrated on the territory of the monastery of Demetrius of Thessaloniki. Vladyka Roman recalled a Gospel episode when the Lord and his disciples were walking on a ship on the sea of Genesaret, and the Lord was asleep, despite the raging elements. He slept because he was terribly tired, proceeding hundreds of roads, preaching about the approaching Kingdom of Heaven. The frightened disciples woke Him up: “Lord! save us, we perish. And he said to them: Why are you so fearful, you little faithful? Then, rising, he forbade the winds and the sea, and there was a great silence. But the people, astonished, said: Who is this that both the winds and the sea obey Him? " (Matthew 8, 25-27). The Lord, who Himself created all these elements out of nothing, tamed them, demonstrating His omnipotence to the disciples.
Vladyka Roman drew a parallel between the Gospel story and today: “According to all forecasts, bad weather, downpour, rain, and thunderstorm awaited us in Aleisk. There was a storm warning. The question arose: where to serve - in the temple or in the open air? Humanly, of course, one has to prepare in the church. But, thank God, there was enough wisdom to leave room for the action of God's Providence. And it happened: sunshine, there is no wind and no rain. The Lord commands all of these.
Yesterday the head of the city administration Vera Nikolaevna Serikova walked with us in the procession through the whole city. This have not happened before! We talked about how much it is necessary to work together so that people become stronger in their faith and know the Orthodox culture and the Law of God from childhood. And now the Lord shows us His mercies and Divine miracles, strengthens us with His holy Mysteries, through the action of His Providence ”.
In Ust-Pristan, the archpastor indicated: the target is already visible, we are already in the Ust-Pristan region, where the shrine is located. He recalled the Gospel story of how the disciples broke the fast, even, being hungry, ate ears of wheat and the Pharisees reproached them for this. “We often break laws,” Vladyka Roman added. - But Divine Grace is above the law. Love is above the law. And the One who set this law for us can temporarily stop all these laws of nature for the sake of our salvation. Let us try to cleanse our soul, prepare it to receive Divine Grace. Saint and righteous John of Kronstadt, in whose church we pray, said about the Mother of God that he who comes to Her never leaves without the gift that She gives. No one will be left without a gift. She, a kind and powerful Lady, wants to bestow everyone. And She has many gifts. Everyone - according to their strength, according to their dignity, according to need. Let us try to be worthy of this gift. Everyone will receive what he asks if it is for salvation. " This is what Vladyka Roman preached throughout the procession.
Among the pastors, we contemplated how time-tested crusaders, such as Archpriest Andrei Ushakov, Archpriest Anatoly Sadovikov, Priest Pyotr Lissitzky, Priest Pavel Balakirev, Priest Sergei Timofeev, Priest John Popovich, who already buried his wife during the procession, by the way, buried her in Topch Vladyka Roman on Sunday, and new faces - Hieromonk Procopius (Gubanov), Priest Yevgeny Telegin and others. And, of course, it would be a sin not to mention the long-term permanent leader of the column, Deacon Konstantin Filatov, who now has a co-leader or assistant, Deacon Philip from the Rubtsovsk diocese, since the procession now - after the division - passes through the territory of two dioceses - Barnaul and Rubtsovsk. Before sending home the sisters from the Slovo youth association sang to Father Konstantin “many and blessed years”, but the emotionally emotional Father Konstantin said: “Pray that the Lord will grant us a procession with the cross next year!”
Ask - and it will be given to you
Vladyka Roman said about it this way: “Let us remember what we wanted to ask the Mother of God? Strong faith, unbreakable love, patience, Christian virtue, health to yourself or your relatives, family well-being or the resolution of any other problems that no one in the world can solve - no acquaintances, no connections, no calls, no knowledge - only intervention from above ... The divine commandment directly commands: "Ask and it will be given to you!" And we must ask for whatever is needed. But what is the first thing to ask for? The Gospel of Luke says: will the Lord not send you His Spirit, His grace? With her, we are not afraid of anything and, believe me, nothing else in the world is needed. "
Nevertheless, each crusader has some kind of goal, a cherished request. Someone wants to thank the Lord for the great mercies shown to him, others want to pray for the granting of a child to him or for the health of children already born, others, especially young girls, for the granting of family happiness. After all, it is difficult to even imagine how a young soul languishes without a second "half"! And the Lord gives to everyone - according to their faith and according to their readiness to accept for their own benefit what they ask for.
I, no matter how strange it may seem to someone, always, including in the procession of the cross, I pray not only for children, grandchildren and neighbors, but also for the President of Russia, so that the Lord would strengthen and admonish him, give him strength to serve. to the Russian state and the people in their colossally responsible post, especially when dark clouds are gathering more and more on our borders.
Views and beauties
These are the magical beauty of the lake, these are the fields, these are birch groves, these are the temples of God, this wonderful sky, decorated with cumulus clouds. But one place especially struck me. When we came to Beloyarovka, Father Peter occupied a parking area among firs and birches, there was such a pleasant coolness in the shade of trees that I just fell in love with this place! It completely replaced Chistyunka, where we used to stay among the poplars on the territory of the school, now disbanded.
Concert
In Ust-Pristan, Hieromonk Nikandr (Rechkunov) was waiting for us at the Poklonniy Cross, a prayer service was served here, and on the territory adjacent to the temple under construction in honor of St. John of Kronstadt, not only a dinner, but a shower and a traditional concert was organized. On the Ob, a meeting with the Cossack plow "Ataman Ermak" and his team awaited the crusaders. Those interested could also go to the holy spring. I remember that at a concert, children sang patriotic war songs with a guitar, including "Blue Scarf". The words of these songs are very relevant today, when the West once again encroaches on the riches of Russia, which the Lord gave to the Russian people for their faith ...
The construction of the temple is progressing. I would like to believe that soon the parishioners will serve the Liturgy already within the walls of this monumental building made of red brick, which will decorate the regional center in every sense, including in the spiritual. After all, there is no real Russian village without the Church of God.
Children
I was glad when I saw my relatives - son Vitalik and wife Vlada and grandchildren Irina (9 years old) and Gosha (7 years old). Ira was already walking almost like an adult, and Gosha was playing as an Indian, running with a bow and a quiver of arrows, then, like an eastern warrior, he walked with nunchucks - a weapon of eastern martial arts. I hope that my other children and grandchildren will repeat the feat of Vitali and Vlada next year. After all, the Lord's commandment is immutable: “Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them; for such is the kingdom of God ”(Mark 10:14). My friend and colleague Marina Borovikova, a mother of three children, also sacredly fulfills this commandment. Like last year, she walked on the first day to the cafe "U Grigorich" on the Zmeinogorsky tract, with two children - the eldest Kolya (8 years old) and the youngest Sasha (2 years old). Then their dad, Seryozha, drove up in a car to pick up the family, but Kolya expressed a desire to continue the procession and walked almost all day - to the lake - with his godfather Alexander Gromov. I was struck by the boy's determination and seriousness. By the way, he was born 8 years ago during a procession on the 4th of July! And they named him in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker. He told his mother afterwards that he would like to go through the entire procession.
There was also the boy Sasha, four and a half years old, who was merrily running along the column, and Ilyusha and Yaroslav, who recently had a third brother, who is not even a month old, but he also rode in a carriage with his mother Anastasia. There were also my acquaintances from last year "Arseny the Boy" and "Liza the Girl", now they are 4 and 6 years old. They walked with their mother and grandmother. In Aleisk, our tents were standing nearby, and when we arrived and camped, one of them blazed a loud roar: “I want to start a procession! I want a religious procession! " Apparently, they were taken by car, and the procession for them is movement in a column in summer carriages, where they feel at home.
There was also an orphan girl of 8-9 years old, familiar to me from last year, who walked with her aunt like an adult, without resting or driving up. She was called "abbess". There were other children who rode in strollers and walked. Sometimes a tired boy would sit on the side of the road, sit for a minute, resting, and then jump up and rush on with renewed vigor.
Blessed are the parents who brought their children to God ...
Meal
The kitchen was commanded by Larisa Tumyalis (also a veteran of the Slovo circle), my old friends, the crucifixes Vladimir Tsygankov and Peter, as well as a new acquaintance Eugene and others, who regularly supplied us with boiling water, and we gave them tea infused with aromatic herbs ... In the utility block, Alexander Esipov played magic.
The meal was simple, but hearty: soups, borscht, cereals, bread, herbs, salads, pickled vegetables, for tea - cookies, gingerbread, drying. All this was provided by benefactors. In addition, the traditionally set tables were greeted by the cafe "U Grigorich" in Barnaul, on the Zmeinogorsky tract, and in Korobeinikovo for several years now the slave of God Elena from Irkutsk has regaled the crusaders, who offered milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, okroshka, pies with potatoes for the meal. , cabbage and jam, honey for tea, cookies and more.
With us was Gennady Ignatievich from the village of Logovskoye, who took with him so many provisions, including dairy products, nuts, lemons, etc., that we had enough for the entire procession to refresh ourselves during the day's halts. Well, the rest also had something with them. So we never went hungry.
Many and good years to all those who have mercy and nourish the crusaders!
Brothers and sisters
Traditionally and at the call of my soul, I walked with a group of young people from the missionary youth diocesan association "Slovo", which is based at the Church of Demetrius of Rostov in Barnaul. It was created as an Orthodox youth circle with the blessing of Archpriest Mikhail Kapranov in 2004 by sexton Pavel Taichenachev, now a priest living in Shebalino (Gorno-Altai diocese). We were nourished - confessed and conducted spiritual conversations - by Priest Peter Lissitzky, rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael in the village of Mikhailovskoye. Father Peter is a real ascetic shepherd, thanks to whom we did not have any problems with confession and many participated in the Liturgies and received the Holy Mysteries every day, and also could get answers to any spiritual questions they were interested in. With us was also Hieromonk Procopius - a quiet, humble young priest, whom the parishioners love very much, sexton Ivan Brown and Yuri - also from Mikhailovka. Ivan Grigorievich is my matchmaker, a very emotional person, sometimes quick-tempered, but the procession of the cross affects him in the most beneficial way - Ivan was in bliss. Later, we were joined by Matushka Elena, the wife of Father Peter.
The circle was represented by Alexander Devyatykh, who this year graduated from seminary and left to teach at the BDS, Deacon Sergiy Soldatkin and mother Anna, Tatyana Domanova, Ekaterina Nelepko, mother Natalia Vorozhtsova, Zina Zimogor, Nikolay (grandson of the Great Patriotic War participant Daniil Gavrilovich Popov) , Dimitri, Vladimir, as well as new faces for me - Yana (Anna), Ksenia and Maria. And this means that the circle has not only been living for the twelfth year, but also developing, new young people are coming, thank God for everything! By the way, this year, perhaps, for the first time, representatives of the youth association "Light" at the St. John the Theological Church headed by Vladimir Zyablov walked on foot, which we could not but rejoice at. In Elbank in the evening after dinner we had a joint tea party.
The parishioners of the Iberian Seminary Church also walked as a friendly joint group - there were 20 - 25 of them, led by Priest Alexander Mikushin. They were united, among other things, by joint pilgrimage trips with Father Alexander to the holy places of the Altai Mountains, as well as by the active preaching work of the priest.
Traditionally, participants in the children's Sunday school at the Church of Demetrius of Rostov (Barnaul), led by Elena Valentinovna Lebedeva, were accompanied, of course, by their parents.
I was heartily pleased by the participants in the Lay, thanks to which I did not feel lonely. Of course, in the procession of the cross, where the Lord Himself and the Mother of God are invisible with us, it is impossible to feel lonely, but the Lord also acts through brothers and sisters, giving what we need.
Miracles and Signs
Prayer communication with brothers and sisters is the main miracle of the procession. But there were other signs and wonders. In Beloyarovka, as soon as we pitched our tents in the shade and rejoiced in the paradise corner in which we found ourselves, I heard the agitated voice of the monk Kirion: “Vladimir Fedorovich! Rather, a rainbow! " I grabbed my camera and, running out from under the canopy of trees, really saw a brightly sparkling rainbow. Barely had time to photograph, as she disappeared.
In the first days we were tormented by mosquitoes, with the exception, perhaps, of Aleisk, where we stood in Ponyushovo near the monastery of Demetrius of Thessaloniki. And on the morning of Friday, July 1, in Ust-Pristan, before the departure of the procession, I successfully crossed paths with Vladyka Roman and asked for his blessing "for the blessed procession." Vladyka blessed him with the words: "Let the procession of the cross be blessed." No sooner had we left the regional center in the field, as from nowhere, dragonflies flew in and began, like the terminators, to exterminate the mosquito tribe. There were hundreds and hundreds of dragonflies, and they accompanied us all the way to Korobeinikov, so we practically forgot about the mosquito attack. However, returning to Barnaul, I found whole hordes of these bloodsuckers in my garden, and on July 10, when I was finishing these lines, the dragonflies did not appear in the city.
However, ask any crusader, and he will tell you what miracle happened to him personally during the procession. Everyone has their own.
And Zina told about the miraculous healing of her mother Olga, who was suffering from severe cardiac arrhythmia. Once Olga drank an antibiotic pill and washed it down with water from the Nikolsky spring. So I went to bed. In the morning I suddenly felt that my heart was working normally. The day passed, then another, and my heart was beating evenly, without interruption. Until now, he continues to drink Nikolskaya water from the holy spring and enjoy life. This happened, of course, not in the procession, but it testifies to the fact that miracles lie in wait for us everywhere. According to our faith, they are given from above.
By the way, as Zina recalled, the Nikolsky spring was noted as healing at the end of the 19th century, and an obvious miracle of healing was recorded for the first time at the beginning of the 20th century, when a relaxed child with twisted arms-legs was immersed in the water of the spring, after which the child got up and walked ... October 1917 coup, the Bolsheviks tried to erase from the memory of the people information about the wonderful place, which was turned into a dump. However, in the 80s of the XX century, the source was remembered. Microbiologists took water samples and analyzed its composition. To their great surprise, the water was absolutely clear. The healings of those who use the Nikolskaya water with faith continue.
Now, next to the source, with the blessing of Metropolitan Sergius of Barnaul and Altai, a church is being built in honor of the holy martyr Archbishop Jacob (Maskaev) of Barnaul, since there was a place of execution of believers, including nuns, nearby.
Instead of an epilogue
How many times have I convinced myself, falling into despondency from the realization of my own weakness, from the fear of illness and lack of confidence in my own strengths, that the Lord knows about our sorrows, prayers and desires and will certainly help if this will benefit our salvation. It happened this time too. The Lord heard my prayers, gave me strength, instructed me how to go through the procession without harm to health, and even with the addition of such. Those who saw me said that in comparison with last year I looked much more cheerful. And so it was. In fact, we are given a lot from above, much more than we can even realize. Glory to God and the Mother of God for everything!
And the archpastors, pastors, organizers, brothers and sisters - participants in the procession in Korobeinikovo in 2016 - have many and good years!
Vladimir Klimenko
- Your Eminence, I have never understood the close attention to the biographies of writers, artists, scientists ... It seems to me that for any creative person, and even more so for a clergyman, and even more so for a bishop who has dedicated himself to co-creation with God, external circumstances are not of great importance have. Indeed, thanks to the sacrament of ordination, prayers, divine services, the grace of God begins to interfere in the fate of the priest, in his character, in his mind, feelings, and actions. He becomes unequal to himself. But still, people have a great interest in precisely this - the details of life.Please tell us about yourself and your family. How did you start to believe in God? When and why did you decide to take monastic tonsure? How did you become a clergyman? In short, tell us about the life that brought you to us, to Yakutia.
I think there are two ways to God. The first is when faith is passed on, as they say, by inheritance. The second is a meeting with God as a result of various circumstances: illness or illumination, or the calling of God, or ... There can be a lot of these “ors”. It does not at all mean that any of the paths is more majestic and preferable. Each of them has its own difficulties.
- The temptations of the second path are clear to me, but what are the first?
When faith is given from birth, from family education, it does not undergo such a rational, intellectual assimilation, as is the case when a person acquires it in adulthood. Despite the fact that my entire childhood was spent in the church, for the first time I had to defend the faith, formulate and expound my religious beliefs in the army when I met with atheists.
So, I belong to those people who have absorbed faith with mother's milk. Born in the North Caucasus, in Kabardino-Balkaria, in the village of Prokhladnaya (now it is a city), into a traditional, Orthodox, conservative family. My grandmother was a nun. I was baptized shortly after I was born. The priest, the rector of the church, became my receiver. I spent my childhood within its walls. All education, the formation of a worldview took place under the influence of the Church, priests and pious parents. Mom is still alive, for which I thank the Lord.
At the end of the eight grades, I had to go to study at a vocational school, because there was a difficult period in the family - my father was very ill, and my mother raised us, three children, practically alone. And at the school I had the opportunity to study for three days and work for three days, to help my mother feed my brother and sister.
According to the ancient Russian family tradition, in a large family, one of the children was dedicated to serving God. And my mother made a vow that I, the firstborn, would be dedicated to the Lord. From childhood, she spiritually “programmed” me for this ministry. Therefore, at the time of taking monasticism, there was no dilemma of which path to choose. That's how I was raised. I was born a monk. As Vladimir Vysotsky sang: "This track is only mine!" My track is monastic.
After graduating from college, almost a year before being drafted into the army, I spent near the late Archbishop Anthony (Zavgorodny), then the governor of the Stavropol diocese, a very gifted, talented bishop. He accepted me as a subdeacon, and for the first time I was actively involved in church life. Vladyka did a lot of missionary work, traveled around the diocese, often performed divine services, and I passed the first priesthood school, missionary work beside him.
In 1987 I was drafted into the armed forces. He served, of course, in the construction battalion, at that time it could not be otherwise, because I was called from the Church. The service was, on the one hand, difficult, on the other, there was a lot of time left for reading, raising my intellectual and theological level, which I did. I thank the Lord for those two years, the experience that I gained in the army. I paid my debt to the Motherland. This is how we were always brought up, and I think it is right to defend the Fatherland.
After returning, I was admitted to the Stavropol Theological Seminary. In the third year he took monastic vows. In 1992, the rector of the seminary, then archimandrite, and now the archbishop of Vereysk Eugene (Reshetnikov), rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, tonsured me into monasticism. He also became my spiritual father. Vladyka Eugene is a man of the deepest faith, the same humility, amazing simplicity, leading a correct monastic life (as I can now assess it). Having confessors in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he brought me up in simplicity and humility and laid the foundations for monastic life. This is very important for a monk. A monk cannot be successful without a spiritual father. Every person needs a spiritual father who gives birth and lays the foundations of the worldview, especially a monk.
While still in my fourth year, I became the head of the chancellery of the seminary, was engaged in publishing.
- More on this, please.
We published the seminar newspaper "Pravoslavnoye Slovo". I wonder how she came about. The then popular psychic came to the city to seduce and seduce people. And we, the seminarians, went to the circus where he spoke to stop people on the steps. And before that, one of the fellow students said: "It would be nice to make leaflets!" And we made ... a newspaper. And they distributed it. First they printed on an old coal roter. Of course, the first number was accusatory, directed against psychics and other occult activities. Then the newspaper was published weekly by the seminarians.
In my fourth year, I was ordained first as a hierodeacon, then as a hieromonk. After graduating from the seminary, he remained there to teach and was an inspector. Then I began my full-time studies at the Moscow Theological Academy, from which I graduated, having written my Ph.D. thesis "Ascetic Views of Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky)".
After graduating from the academy in 1999, he returned to the Stavropol Seminary as vice-rector for educational work. And there for ten years he was engaged in the affairs of the seminary in all their diversity.
In 2009, I was sent as a representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to Georgia, where I served for a year and a half until the Synod decided to appoint me Bishop of Yakutsk and Lensk.
Monastic ideal
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Nothing in our life is accidental. Upon learning that Vladyka was a specialist in Archbishop Theodore, I just shed a tear. After serving a litiya at the grave of Bishop Zosima, he called the parents of the deceased, told about our bond, and I think his dad was also moved to tears.
- Vladyka, I think that the general interest in the personality of Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky) is also not accidental. So you have one monastic ideal? What is it?
Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky said that monasticism can be monastic and scholarly. It is probably understandable how the monks living in the monastery ascetic. The learned monks devote themselves to scientific and educational activities. Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky) was one of the most prominent representatives of this type of monasticism. He headed the Moscow Theological Academy during a difficult period before the revolution. He was one of the last abbots of the Danilov Monastery. An ascetic, an ascetic of piety, a theologian, a scientist who knew many foreign languages ... This was, after all, Vladyka Zosima. This is my monastic ideal.
- You researched askeletal views of Vladyka Theodore... Tell me, is asceticism for you more a subject of study or a way of life? Is the first possible without the second? Is asceticism necessary for a Christian?
There is no Christian without asceticism. Asceticism is the science of asceticism. Spiritual life has its own rules, laws, by living by which it is only possible to inherit eternal life, to receive salvation. Asceticism can be wrong. The Apostle Paul has the following words: “But if anyone strives, he will not be crowned, if he strives unlawfully” (Tim 2: 5).
- The reader will ask: who created these laws? Why should I obey them?
First, they are reflected in the Holy Scriptures - in the Savior's Sermon on the Mount, which is transmitted by the Gospel of Matthew. And further, more deeply, in the works of the Apostle Paul, and then in the Fathers of the Church. Already starting with the apostolic men, in the writings of the apologists, the first monks, a significant place was given to the rules of asceticism and spiritual life. Knowledge of these laws is of the utmost importance. Because they contain the experience of people who have achieved communion with God, holiness.
It is paradoxical that none of the holy fathers wrote books just like that, out of an inner need to express themselves. They wrote not for vanity, not to put their works on the table, not because they really wanted to speculate…. Any theological patristic work is an answer to a question. Both "The Ladder" by John Climacus and "Psychic Teachings" by Abba Dorotheus are books that begin like this: you asked, I answer you ...
The Holy Fathers experienced everything that they taught others. They share the results of their own spiritual exploits, explain how to pray, fast, keep their thoughts in check, watch their feelings, not engage in their own praise, and not seek admiration. These are rules derived from personal experience.
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Missionary is to burn
- Your Grace, I have read your journalistic materials on the Internet with pleasure. Quite recently, in January 2011, asking Metropolitan Nikolai (Pachuashvili) of Akhalkalaki and Kumurda, who creatively testifies to the faith of Christ in Georgia, with which he began, you added: "After all, your diocese is special - missionary." And now they themselves headed the diocese, which is even more in need of a Christian mission. Let me forward your question to you: what, Vladyka, do you intend to rely on to a greater extent - on your experience or the work of your predecessors?
Of course, I will rely both on my knowledge and on the experience that I received, but even more - on the experience that already exists here, in Yakutia. I want to imitate Saint Innocent, and Archbishop German, and Bishop Zosima, and all the previous hierarchs.
The main thing in missionary work, as I see it, is the manifestation of the Gospel by one's own life, by one's own example. Then we can talk about ways and methods, which may be different, proceeding from real conditions, peculiarities of time ... But, it seems to me, all this is secondary in relation to the first.
- Nevertheless, about the methods ... What form of mission do you consider the most productive and expedient? Bishop Zosima), mission through print and electronic media, something else?
I believe you are talking about different parts of one strong missionary work. It is impossible to oppose one to the other, and even more so to talk about the superiority of one form or another. Of course, active, extensive work should be carried out in the parishes. I will move the priests and ride myself. It is very important. But church-social and even purely secular events are just as important. I ask the priests not to refuse any invitations they receive. Their participation is always helpful. Even walking down the street in a cassock, in sacred clothing, is missionary work. Any presence of a priest - sight, word, deed - in any situation should carry the message of Christ.
The problem is that we know a lot about missionary work: methods, methods, techniques ... But the most important thing is to do all this: do not fade away, do not fade away, do not be lukewarm, as stated in Revelation. The main thing is to burn! But besides burning, activity, the missionary should be, as I see it, humble.
- His Holiness the Patriarch, both in his speech when naming you a bishop and at dinner, spoke of the need to co-create with the Yakut intelligentsia: thinking people, to tell them about the history of Orthodoxy - because in the current conditions the local people will not withstand globalization if they are not Orthodox. " But, you see, the intellectuals are everywhere the most difficult stratum to preach. Our inherent pride of mind, heightened vanity and other passions seem to clog the ears, like on an airplane. But, on the other hand, it may be easier for an intelligent, educated person to explain his point of view. How do you look at this problem?
Of course, you are right, intelligent people, like no one else, have a sense of their own dignity. There is a lot of sorrow in many things knowledge ... This is where you have to be patient! Both pride and reveling in one's own significance must be tolerated because such is a feature of people who are given a lot. If you do not show patience and humility, nothing will work: both a proud missionary and a representative of the intelligentsia with a heightened sense of their own dignity ... Plus for plus - rejection will follow.
I have experience of working with the scientific intelligentsia - not much, but I do have it. I was the dean of the faculty at a secular university - at the Institute of Friendship of the Peoples of the Caucasus. I talked with professors, with teachers, and with students. Yes, no one opens the heart right away, but over time, words are found, and people begin to feel. We served missionary liturgies at the institute - shortened, with comments ... It is quite possible to take into account the complexities of creative people.
- Can't you say that it is easier for you to find a common language with some people, with some more difficult?
No. It is difficult for me with aggressive people who are deliberately hostile to you. But this aggression needs to be dealt with. Sometimes pride is hidden behind it: a person would be interested to learn about Christ, about the Gospel, but all his past life experience is atheistic and refuses to admit it, and he begins to argue, moreover aggressively. You can not argue with such a person, but talk. And there is blind aggression, demonic, then you should not throw pearls ... But this is rare, fortunately.
- Vladyka, in Yakutsk, for 290 thousand people, there are four functioning churches (not counting brownies), that is, no more than 1% of the population are regular parishioners. How do you see the mission in an “easily accessible” (in comparison with the northern ulus) urban space?
Churchill said that statistics are a legalized system of deception. I am distrustful of statistics. How do you calculate how many people attend the temple? Someone comes once a year, someone several times a week ... Of course, there are few churches in Yakutsk. The smaller the territory the parish covers, the closer the priest is to the people, the more time he has to deal with their problems. I believe that there should be a temple for 10 thousand people. The temple is the center of the mission. It is clear that this is not so easy, but we will strive to rebuild and build temples in parallel with the mission of evangelism. I wish there were more of them.
We will serve in Yakut
- Now only a small part of the service is performed in the Yakut language, do you plan to introduce at least sometimes or in some churches the service is completely in Yakut?
I would really like that! I want one of the liturgies (early or late) on Sunday in the Cathedral to be in the Yakut language as soon as possible. And now it is necessary to use more widely at least what has already been translated: exclamations, prayers, litanies, the Gospel, the Apostle ... But I set myself the task that the divine service in the Yakut language be performed completely, as under St. Innocent.
- So, do you plan to continue your translation activity? Do you intend to publish more widely what has already been translated: the New Testament, the Psalter, prayers? ..
When I performed my first prayer service in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Yakutsk, I saw how many Sakha representatives came, for the first time heard the litany in the Yakut language, chants and said that I really liked the Yakut language, it fits perfectly with motifs, Church Slavonic chants. I made a promise that I would learn the Yakut language. I think not, I am sure that we will also deal with liturgical translations, we will serve the liturgy in the Sakha language. And he has already begun to study Yakut.
- And the Russian language? Don't you think it is possible to introduce him into the service to a greater extent, at least in parallel?
The Inter-Council Presence has recently published a draft concept on the official website in this regard. I fully approve of him. I completely agree that the divine service needs translation into Russian, but I am categorically opposed to it being done hastily and illiterately. Alas, there are some bad examples. Caution is also needed due to the fact that in the Church a significant part of conservative-minded people are resolutely against the participation of the Russian language in divine services. Haste can lead to a split, as happened in Greece, for example. This cannot be allowed.
- Reading one of your interviews, I learned that The Georgian and Greek Churches have jointly implemented a wonderful project: they printed a million copies of the Gospel of Mark and ... sent them by mail to all residents of the country! Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, rector of St. mch. Tatiana at Moscow State University, when he came to Yakutia. Don't you think that the Word of God should be available at least to those who desire it?
I will make a bold statement: in the very near future we will undertake the publication of the Gospel in the Yakut language and will distribute it free of charge, we will provide libraries and churches. I think I will find helpers from among the kind patrons who will join this program. You can assume that it has already begun. You gave me this idea.
- Then I will allow myself one more: Father Anatoly Astafyev published in Lensk a prayer book with parallel texts in Yakut and Church Slavonic with Russian commentaries. Moreover, many prayers by Salome Leontyev, the editor of this prayer book, at one time translated specifically for the Logos. The circulation of two thousand copies scattered ...
I considered it my duty the next day after my consecration to go to the Assumption Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and there serve a prayer service at the relics of St. Innocent in order to receive his blessing for episcopal service in Yakutia. During the service, Father Anatoly came up to me, showed me a prayer book, said that he wanted to republish it. I replied that this circulation should be increased at least five times, some part should be given out free of charge, and I promised that the diocese would take over this project. Moreover, there is a catechetical part in the prayer book, moreover, it can be used as a guide for those who want to learn Yakut. Very good edition!
- His Holiness Patriarch told you in his parting words: “... Yakutia has never known such a number of priests and bishops as in the years of repression ... And maybe you will also take the trouble to tell by name about everyone who died a martyr on the Yakut land for loyalty to Christ Savior ". Are you ready, Vladyka, to take upon yourself this blessed work?
At a meeting of the very first diocesan council, we decided to create a commission for the canonization of saints. It will involve specialists, historians and archivists. To begin with, you need to at least compile a database, and then collect information about the life and death of martyrs and confessors as yet unknown. We will do it. I know that such work has already begun under Vladyka Zosima. I think this is extremely necessary. We must return the memory of the saints.
- Vladyka, I was very touched by the question that you are asking yourself: “And Could I, being crucified on the cross, from this cross, like the apostle, preach the word of Christ's truth? " Probably, only life can give this answer, but with all my heart I wish people not to crucify you with their malice, mistrust, slander, because the archpastoral cross is already heavy. So that, realizing how good a deed you are called to do, all the Yakutians help you with whatever they can.