Vladyka Roman: “You are true warriors of Christ
Date of Birth: October 11, 1968 A country: Russia Biography:At the end high school city entered a vocational school, which he graduated in 1987.
In July 1987, he was accepted into the subdeaconate of Archbishop Anthony (Zavgorodniy, +1989), the ruling bishop of the Stavropol and Baku diocese.
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 named after. St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. In 1990 he was transferred to the second class of the reorganized Stavropol Seminary.
Since 1990, he bore the obedience of subdeacon Metropolitan of Stavropol and Baku Gideon (Dokukina, +2003).
On March 20, 1992, while studying in his third year at the Stavropol Theological Seminary, he was tonsured a monk with the name Roman in honor of St. Roman Sladkopevets.
On April 7, 1992, in St. Andrew's Cathedral in Stavropol, Metropolitan Gideon of Stavropol and Baku ordained him to the rank of hierodeacon. On August 9 of the same year, in the Holy Cross Church in Kislovodsk, he was ordained hieromonk.
During last year During his studies, he carried out obedience to the dean of the seminary church and acted as head of the seminary office.
After graduating from the seminary, he was appointed to the position of rector of the Church of St. Ignatius of Stavropol (Brianchaninov), acting inspector, as well as a teacher of liturgics and moral theology at the Stavropol Seminary.
From October 18, 1993 - executive secretary, and from May 14, 1994 - Chief Editor newspaper "Orthodox Word".
In 1995, he entered the full-time department, which he graduated in 1999 with a candidate of theology degree, having defended a dissertation on the topic “The ascetic views of Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky).”
Since 1999 - Vice-Rector for educational work(inspector) of the Stavropol Theological Seminary and rector of the Ignatius Seminary Church.
From 2009 to 2011 - listener.
On December 25, 2009, by a resolution of the Holy Synod (), based on the results of agreement with, as a clergyman of the Moscow Diocese in Tbilisi for pastoral service among Russian-speaking believers, with instructions, in necessary cases, to also 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.
Consecration of the bishop on June 18, 2011 in the house church of the Patriarchal residence in Chisty Lane in Moscow. June 19th Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The services were led by His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and All Rus' Kirill.
On November 25, 2012, in memory of the celebration of the 380th anniversary of the entry of Yakutia into Russia and the service of the Divine Liturgy on this occasion in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, he was awarded a memorial panagia by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
So we buried our dear Vanya... Soloist of the Alexandrov Ensemble, senior sergeant Russian army Stolyar Ivan Vitalievich Ivan Stolyar. (...)
We wanted, Nadya wanted, our relatives wanted a funeral service for our friends before the funeral. Orthodox rite, let in closed coffins, but with the rite of an in-person funeral service. We wanted the best Cathedral Choir in the country to sing at the funeral service - friends of Vanya Stolyar and other artists of the Ensemble gathered and came from several regions of the country, among them Honored Artists of Russia, soloists of the Bolshoi Theater, Helikon Opera, Novaya Opera, Musical theater named after Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko, Choir Sretensky Monastery, Choir of the St. Daniel Monastery, Choir of the New Jerusalem Monastery, Choir of the Davidic Hermitage, Choir of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, many other famous Orthodox singers, I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of People's Artists Russia arrived, I didn’t even have time to see everyone. Few?! Should I list more?! No one in our country sings better than these people! More than a hundred people came!! (...)
Their participation in the funeral service and farewell ceremony had been discussed for a week. They came out against everyone - Metropolitan Juvenaly and even the Patriarch. The Ministry of Defense contacted everyone they could reach - they couldn’t reach Shoigu, but the military didn’t mind, and even allocated a special large bus for the choir transfer free of charge. And our Russian Orthodox Church did not object. In words…
As a result, the Cathedral Choir gathered, people came to the Memorial in Mytishchi to participate in the ceremony. Military Commandant of Moscow, Lieutenant General Selezenev E.A. personally ordered the choir to be placed in the hall so that they could sing the entire service. And then... oh, yes, the “beloved” JSC “ROC” showed itself in all its glory! A certain Bishop Roman Serpukhovskaya (Gavrilov) (heading the funeral rite) - a boring grandfather with a gray face and empty eyes, sent one of his many “toadies” to the military with a demand not to allow the “incomprehensible Cathedral Choir” to sing. He said something like: “if they start singing, I’ll stop!” Everyone is panicking, including the military. Pause… “Boots” do not whistle, but their brains creak…. relatives of the victims weep over closed coffins...
They didn’t think for long - they drove the entire choir of 100 people out into the cold. They said: if you sing, we will arrest you. The singers did not have time to understand anything... I was inside with my relatives, if I had gone outside, they wouldn’t have let me back in, I couldn’t do anything! Fedya Tarasov and Lesha Tatarintsev tried to convince someone in shock, but to no avail: the “gray bishop” blurted out that he, they say, “was not allowed by the Ministry of Defense” and sneaked off to serve a three times shortened funeral service with some priest-choristers in the amount of five people. Five people sang discordantly, and the huge choir of singers was at a loss... broke up and moved away...
This is a disaster and a shame, people!!... No, I can understand the cowardice and stupidity of the bishop near Moscow - he was probably thinking about what television was filming, about “no matter what happens,” about the fact that he does not control these singers, what if they start singing something “politically incorrect”?! But they agreed with you every day for a week! They called you, wrote to you, asked your “toadies” to receive your thrice useless “blessing”! They wrote to Juvenalia, they called the Patriarchate! It seems like you received a “verbal blessing” from the ruling bishop (and it’s not you)! And in general, God blesses, and you, the bearded guide, must listen to Him, and the people, your flock! Ugh, disgrace!!! These people you drove out into the cold are the best singers in the country, they sing at all the main services and Orthodox concerts... Personally, they sang “many years” to you a hundred times before. They came to see you off last way their friends, they wanted to sing for them!! You weren’t the main one there at all - the main people there were the people whose small parts of their bodies lay in closed capsules in coffins, and their relatives who were waiting for this choir and this singing!!! Nadya alone achieved this for a week under a drip, and called, wrote, called, and wrote in a pre-stroke state! And you took them all and drove them out into the cold, handsome!!... I hope that your “director” Yuvenaly will deprive you of the “corporate bonus” collected from parishes near Moscow from poor old women.
As a result, the most persistent singers did not disperse, they stayed. They sang on the street, near the grave. Yes, how they sang!!! I have never heard such singing. And many have not heard this... Tears flowed and could not dry... When the cannons fired, the military brass band played the Russian anthem, but none of us even heard this, we sang. Then it turned out on the video that the anthem was playing from behind... (...)
The Alexandrov Ensemble and its staff are great, thank them very much, they are trying very hard to help! The Ministry of Defense, on the whole, is also good, they creak, they dig “from pillar to post.” Journalists... some of them, disguised as doctors, snuck into Nadya’s hospital in order to find out how she was going to share the body of her deceased husband with her mother-in-law…. Journalists, in short, are also ma-la-ds! ((...
But the priests... the priests performed in full, and receive from me a well-deserved 1st place in the ranking of “benefactors.” Everyone around helped as best they could - with money, benefits, transport, the Prefecture of the Central Administrative District and the Khamovniki Administration, on their own initiative, provided a hall for the funeral and laid a table for 60 people at their own expense (a luxurious table!) and humbly waited until half past midnight until everyone had cried and get drunk, people from the Ministry of Defense, social services called and asked how to help, sent doctors and psychologists for free, treated them in the best wards, Sobyanin even, looking up from the tiles and parking lots, paid the money before anyone else and still promises to help, well - all normal people!
The Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is silent. Still dumb. He's a coward. And, as you can see, he also shits. Somewhere there was information that the Patriarch prayed for those killed in the plane crash. That's all?! No consolation, no help, not even money. Why the hell do we need you here, huh?! You even kicked your own choir out onto the street!! I Orthodox Christian, but I am forced to write such accusatory words, instead of rejoicing in the kindness, understanding and mercy of our Church... It pains me for this darkness and hypocrisy that I see! Yes, everyone can see who is not blind... (...)
In 1638, it was decided to send to the lands of the Sakha people Orthodox priests. The royal decree said: “... so that on the Lena River there will be no priests, and service people will not die without repentance and communion.” The “Russian God” began to become “one of our own” for the Yakuts. The current head of the Yakut diocese continues the work of his great predecessors - the caretakers of the Yakut lands. Bishop Roman (Lunkin), Bishop of Yakutsk and Lensk, gave exclusive interview"Pravde.Ru".
— You mentioned social work. What are the features of local social work Yakut diocese?
— I won’t say that there are any peculiarities here. Social work is a church direction that, unfortunately, during the Soviet period, churches were not allowed to develop and implement. And the church is now returning to what it was before 1917. And this is the presence of their own boarding houses, almshouses for the elderly, for the poor, the existence of programs to support large families. But the church does not own such funds, let’s say, like the state, so 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 our own parishioners who are below the poverty line and in need of support. We need to start with the parishioners.
Secondly, the object of close social work and attention are orphanages, boarding schools, orphanages. In addition, we carry out spiritual, moral and caring work among prisoners, we work with the elderly, elderly people, especially those who are alone and in boarding homes.
— What work are you doing to treat and rehabilitate patients with alcoholism?
— At the St. Nicholas Church of the City-Yakut Cathedral there is a group of anonymous alcoholics, with whom a priest and an Orthodox psychologist work. In addition, we envisage the creation of a diocesan rehabilitation center together with the State Drug Control Service, about which we have previously reached an agreement. We are actively working so that such a diocesan center can start operating at the beginning of 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 Suntar district on the occasion patronal feast Introductions to the Temple Holy Mother of God. They also opened a spiritual and educational center at the temple there.
- Is this 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 lies in the fact that it is made by local craftsmen. From start to finish, national Yakut motifs are used in the decoration, which sets it apart from other temples.
— What is the task of this spiritual and educational center at the temple?
First, it is a place for teaching the law of God to children and adults. Secondly, it is a meeting place for all interested people. In this center, on the opening day, I taught my first Sunday school lesson, the next day we held " round table"with the district administration, school directors, where they talked about the history of Orthodoxy in the Suntar land and the need to preserve temples or historical temple sites. They also talked about the problems of spiritual and moral education among young people. In addition, the spiritual and educational center includes a refectory and a house priest
Bishop Roman (Gavrilov Gennady Mikhailovich) was born on February 3, 1957 in Orthodox family workers in the city of Kolchugino, Vladimir region.
In 1974, he graduated from the 10th grade of the Berechinsky secondary school and in the same year he became a worker at the Sergo Ordzhonikidze plant.
From 1975 to 1977 served in the ranks Soviet army. Upon demobilization from the army, he was sent to work as an inspector in the security department of administrative buildings in Moscow.
From 1978 to 1980 Studied at the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys.
An irresistible desire to devote his life to serving God and people in the monastic rite prompted him to take monastic vows on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6/19, 1980. The tonsure was performed in the Holy Trinity Church in the village. Low Moscow region by Hieromonk Joseph (Balabanov).
From August 14 to December 17, 1981, he served as a psalmist in the St. Paraskevinsky Church in the village. Velikodvorye Gus-Khrustalny district, Vladimir region.
December 4/17, 1981 on the day of memory of St. Great Martyr Barbara and St. John of Damascus with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop of Vladimir and Suzdal Serapion (Fadeev) in the house church of the Bishop's Chambers, which is under the Vladimir Diocesan Administration, rector of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the city of Vladimir, secretary of the Archbishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, dean of the churches of the Kirzhach district, Archimandrite Alexy ( Kutepov) tonsured into monasticism with the name Roman, in honor of St. Roman Kirzhachsky, student St. Sergius Radonezh.
On the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Holy Dormition cathedral of the city of Vladimir, Archbishop Serapion of Vladimir and Suzdal ordained him to the rank of hierodeacon, and the next day, December 7/20, 1981, by the same Most Reverend Archpastor in the same cathedral he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk and became a cleric of the said cathedral.
From January 20, 1982 to April 15, 1986 - clerk of the Vladimir Diocesan Administration.
In 1983 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary.
On October 18, 1983, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus' was awarded the right to wear a pectoral cross.
On April 7, 1985, on the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop Serapion of Vladimir and Suzdal elevated him to the rank of abbot.
On January 20, 1986, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus' awarded him the right to carry a club for the holiday of Holy Easter.
From April 15, 1986 to December 2, 1987, he served as rector of the Holy Dormition Church in the city of Petushki.
On April 20, 1987, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus' was awarded the right to wear a cross with decorations.
From December 22, 1987 to November 2, 1990, by determination of Metropolitan Serapion of Chisinau and Moldova, he was appointed to the position of rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in the city of Bendery.
On January 6, 1988, Metropolitan Serapion of Chisinau and Moldova elevated him to the rank of archimandrite.
In connection with the anniversary of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus' in 1988, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen was awarded the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, III degree.
On October 14, 1988, by determination of Metropolitan Serapion of Chisinau and Moldova, he was appointed a member of the Diocesan Council of the Chisinau Diocesan Administration. In the same year, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Pimen awarded the Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, III degree.
In 1989, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Patriarchate in Rus', His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus' was awarded the right to serve the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the “Our Father”.
In 1990, he was elected a member of the presidium of the Relief Society of the city of Bendery, Moldavian SSR.
On February 18, 1991, he was accepted into the clergy of the Moscow diocese and, by decree of Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, was appointed rector of the Transfiguration Church in the city of Zheleznodorozhny.
On April 20, 1991, by decree of Metropolitan Yuvenaly, he was appointed dean of the churches of the Shchelkovo district.
On November 26, 1992, he was appointed rector of the Borisoglebsky Church in the city of Dmitrov, Moscow Region, leaving the post of dean of the churches of the Shchelkovo district and rector of the Transfiguration Church.
February 23, 1993 The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate approved the position of rector of Borisoglebsk monastery city of Dmitrov, Moscow region.
From September 19, 1997 to October 7, 2005, he served as rector of the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Dmitrov, Moscow region.
On July 28, 2003, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' was awarded the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree.
From May 13, 2005 to October 18, 2005, he was rector of the Elizabeth Church in the city of Dmitrov, Moscow region.
On August 8, 2005, Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna was entrusted with the temporary fulfillment, concurrently, of the duties of the rector of the Ascension David Hermitage of the village of Novy Byt, Chekhov district, Moscow region, and the duties of the dean of the churches of the Chekhov district.
On October 7, 2005, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church appointed him rector of the Ascension David Hermitage in the village of Novy Byt, Chekhov district, Moscow region, and by decree of Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna he was appointed dean of the churches of the Chekhov district.
In 2006 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary. At the Department of Theology, he wrote on the subject “Basic Theology” thesis on the topic “Critical analysis of the ideological side of the works of academician M.S. Norbekov.” In the same year, he enrolled in the first year of external studies at the Moscow Theological Academy (Theological Department).
On August 10, 2006, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, at the Divine Liturgy in the Smolensk Church of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, led the consecration of Archimandrite Roman as Bishop of Serpukhov, vicar of the Moscow diocese.
By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 5-6, 2011 (magazine No. 129), he was appointed abbot of the Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov with relief from his duties as rector of the Ascension David Hermitage.
In 2008 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy.
Remembering last year's heat, I was preparing for the current religious procession in Korobeynikovo - the 17th in a row and the 12th in my life - with some doubt and even fear. What will the weather be like? Do you have enough strength and health? Will the Lord help?..
Start
After the early Liturgy in the Intercession Cathedral, the procession on the first day, June 26, was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Sergius of Barnaul and Altai. Along with him were Bishop Roman of Rubtsovsk and Aleisk, the priesthood of Barnaul and other dioceses, residents of Barnaul, the Altai Metropolis, the Gorno-Altai diocese, and visitors from different cities countries, including Moscow, European part Russia, Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and many other cities and villages of Russia.
On the first day, about two thousand people walked with us. There were about 450-500 crusaders directly.
Weather
In the city I usually don't pay attention special attention on the weather: rain, sun, clouds - all this does not matter at all when at any moment you can hide under the “roof of your house.” A city is, first of all, comfortable and comfortable. And everything that goes with it. This is a place “where comfort lies and censes, grinning” (Pasternak). The current civilization can be called a “civilization of comfort”, which corrupts a person and makes him relaxed. It’s a completely different matter - “ field conditions“, a multi-day stay in nature, when you are in the air around the clock, walking 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 rely 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 hot sunny days There were also, but they alternated with windy and cloudy ones. And in Elbank, the only place where the Liturgy was not served, a terrible thunderstorm traditionally broke out at night - with thunder and lightning, with rain almost all night long. In the midst of bad weather, amid continuous peals of thunder, a frightened child’s voice was heard from one of the tents: “I’m afraid! I'm afraid!"
An even more terrible storm broke out on the holiday night in Korobeynikovo - during the night Liturgy, which was served at 4 o'clock in the morning - everything was the same as in Elbank, plus terrible gusts of wind that tore the doors of the tent, threatening to demolish and collapse it. With me was my son Fyodor, who slept the sleep of a righteous man. In the morning I asked him if he heard how the elements cleared up. It turned out he heard almost nothing.
Archpastors and shepherds
For the second year in a row, the religious procession was led by Bishop Roman of Rubtsovsky and Aleisky. The Bishop blessed all participants to confess and receive communion at every Liturgy, which were performed daily, with the exception of Elbanka, fortunately, we had a tabernacle (camp church). Thus, we received Holy Communion in Buranovka, Kalmanka, Beloyarovka, Aleysk, Ust-Pristan and Korobeynikovo. In addition, akathists or water-blessing prayers were served at stops.
In Korobeynikovo, in connection with the traditional influx of pilgrims and crusaders 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. The last service was performed by the bishop's rank, it was led by Bishop Roman, he was concelebrated by Bishop Kallistrat of Gorno-Altai and Chemal and Bishop of Biysk and Belokurikha Serapion, as well as numerous clergy who arrived not only from Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Slavgorod and Gorno-Altai, but also from many other neighboring dioceses.
In Buranovka, Bishop 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 look for this truth of God in ourselves and find... complete paganism! How we care about something that does not relate at all to the truth of God or to His Kingdom!.. But gradually we attune our whole being to attention to this Divine truth. Let us place our trust in God, without complaining and, if possible, helping our neighbors. The Lord will definitely take care of us, even if there were twice or three times as many of us.” The Bishop urged not to think about vain things, but to go together with everyone and say the Jesus Prayer. Walk not like tourists or foolish pedestrians, but like real soldiers of Christ. “Let us try not to worry about the topic of the day, but to place our trust in the Lord, to seek truth and the Kingdom of Heaven! And the rest - ALL without exception - will be added to us, for the words of God are immutable.”
In Kalmanka, Bishop Roman remembered the Lord’s words that we should take up our cross and follow Him: “We say the Jesus Prayer. But the Lord reminds us: “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Even if our lips sang in agreement with everyone, this is still not enough. It is necessary that our entire being, mind, heart, fulfill the will of God. But often we seem to sing, but we think about vain things, and even about sinful things. And someone is thinking about stopping - to rest, stretch their legs! But let us remember the name of Christ, which is in our mouths and we want it to remain in our hearts. “He is the way and the truth and the life.” We have already arrived if the name of Christ is on our mind and heart. And we have nothing more to look for. This is what we must remember.
Today we greet the Cossack brothers who are marching with us in a procession on the water. According to the great Siberian river The Cossack plow “Ataman Ermak - Prince of Siberia” is walking along the Ob River. He carries a shrine - the “Sovereign” icon of the Mother of God.”
By the way, when the procession crossed the Charysh River over the bridge on the way to Korobeynikovo, a plow passed under us, and we greeted each other, shouting joyfully and waving our arms! He was sailing under a sail on which was depicted the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands. An amazing sight!
In Kalmanka, after the Liturgy, a prayer service was also held, the foundation stone of the new church and the cross were consecrated.
In Beloyarovka, the bishop noted that “we have come to the middle of the path. But... the end is the crown of the matter. It is important to finish what you started by bringing it to the end. So it is with the procession of the cross. We are halfway there. Sometimes we start well, but in the middle of the journey we weaken, our goals are lost, and others appear - vain, small, momentary ones. And we turn off the chosen path. Let it not be like this with us!” Bishop Roman reminded that here, in Beloyarovka, there is a temple in honor of Sergius of Radonezh and turned to the monk with a prayer to help us get there and worthily complete what we started, despite everything that hinders us! And this prayer had an effect - we got there.
In Aleysk, the Liturgy was celebrated on the territory of the monastery of Demetrius of Thessalonica. Vladyka Roman recalled the Gospel episode when the Lord and his disciples walked on a ship on the Sea of Gennesaret, and the Lord slept, despite the raging elements. He slept because he was terribly tired, walking hundreds of roads, preaching about the approaching Kingdom of Heaven. The frightened disciples woke Him up: “Lord! save us, we are perishing. And he says to them: Why are you so fearful, you of little faith? Then, getting up, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great silence. The people were amazed and said, “Who is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matt. 8:25-27). The Lord, who Himself created all these elements out of nothing, tamed them, demonstrating His omnipotence to the disciples.
Bishop Roman drew a parallel between the Gospel story and today: “According to all forecasts, bad weather awaited us in Aleysk, downpour, rain, thunderstorm. There was a storm warning. The question arose: where to serve - in the temple or under open air? As a human being, of course, we need to prepare in church. But, thank God, there was enough wisdom to leave room for the action of God's Providence. And it happened: sunshine, no wind and no rain. The Lord commands all this.
Yesterday, the head of the city administration, Vera Nikolaevna Serikova, walked with us in a religious procession through the entire city. This have not happened before! We talked about how much we need to work together so that people become stronger in their faith and know from childhood Orthodox culture and the Law of God. 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 goal is already visible, we are already in the Ust-Pristan region, where the shrine is located. He recalled the Gospel story about how the disciples broke their fast, even when hungry, ate ears of wheat and were reproached by the Pharisees for this. “We often break laws,” added Bishop Roman. - 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. The holy and righteous John of Kronstadt, in whose church we pray, said about Mother of God that whoever comes to Her never leaves without the gift She gives. No one will be left without a gift. She, the kind and powerful Lady, wants to bestow gifts on everyone. And She has many gifts. To each - according to his strength, according to his dignity, according to his need. Let's try to be worthy of this gift. Everyone will receive what he asks for if it is for salvation.” This is what Bishop Roman preached all the way procession.
Among the pastors we contemplated time-tested crusaders such as Archpriest Andrei Ushakov, Archpriest Anatoly Sadovikov, Priest Peter Lisitsky, Priest Pavel Balakirev, Priest Sergius Timofeev, Priest John Popovich, who buried his wife already during the procession of the cross; by the way, he buried her in Topchikha Bishop Roman on Sunday, as well as new faces - Hieromonk Procopius (Gubanov), Priest Evgeny 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 also has a co-leader or assistant, Deacon Philip from the Rubtsovsk diocese, since the religious procession now - after the division - passes through the territory of two dioceses - Barnaul and Rubtsovsk. Before leaving home, the sisters from the youth association “Slovo” sang “many and blessed years” to Father Konstantin, but the emotional Father Konstantin said: “Pray that the Lord will grant us a religious procession next year!”
Ask and it will be given to you
Vladyka Roman said this: “Let us remember what we wanted to ask from the Mother of God? Strong faith, unshakable love, patience, Christian virtue, health for yourself or your relatives, family well-being or solving any other problems that no one in the world can solve - neither acquaintances, nor connections, nor calls, nor knowledge - only intervention from above. The Divine commandment directly commands: “Ask and it will be given to you!” And we must ask for everything we need. But what should you ask for first? The Gospel of Luke says: Will not the Lord send you His Spirit, His grace? With her we are not afraid of anything and, believe me, we don’t need anything else in the world.”
However, each crusader has his own goal, a cherished request. Someone wants to thank the Lord for the great mercies shown to him, others want to pray for the gift of a child or for the health of already born children, others, especially young girls, for the gift of family happiness. After all, it’s hard to even imagine how a young soul languishes without a “second half”! And the Lord gives to everyone - according to their faith and willingness to accept with benefit for themselves what they ask for.
I, no matter how strange it may seem to someone, always, including during the procession of the cross, pray not only for children, grandchildren and neighbors, but also for the President of Russia, so that the Lord will strengthen and admonish him, give him strength to serve to the Russian state and the people in their colossally responsible position, especially when dark clouds are increasingly gathering on our borders.
Views and beauty
These are magically beautiful lakes, these are fields, these are birch groves, these are temples of God, this is a marvelous sky decorated with cumulus clouds. But one place especially struck me. When we arrived in Beloyarovka, Father Peter took a parking lot among the spruce and birch trees, there was such a pleasant coolness in the shade of the trees that I simply fell in love with this place! It completely replaced Chistyunka for us, 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 Worship Cross, a water blessing prayer service was served here, and on the territory adjacent to the church under construction in honor of the saint righteous John Kronstadtsky, not only dinner was organized, but a shower and a traditional concert. On the Ob, the crusaders had a meeting with the Cossack plow “Ataman Ermak” and his team. Those who wished could also go to the holy spring. I remember at the concert, children performed patriotic war songs with a guitar, including “The Blue Handkerchief.” The words of these songs are very relevant today, when the West is in Once again is encroaching on the wealth of Russia, which God gave to the Russian people for their faith...
The construction of the temple is progressing. I would like to believe that soon parishioners will serve the Liturgy within the walls of this monumental red brick structure, which will decorate the regional center in every sense, including the spiritual. After all, there is no real Russian village without the Church of God.
Children
I was happy when I saw my relatives - son Vitalik and wife Vlada and grandchildren Irina (9 years old) and Gosha (7 years old). Ira walked almost like an adult, and Gosha either played Indian, running around with a bow and quiver of arrows, or, like an oriental warrior, walked with nunchucks - weapons of oriental martial arts. I hope that my other children and grandchildren will repeat the feat of Vitali and Vlada next year. After all, the commandment of the Lord is immutable: “Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). My friend and colleague Marina Borovikova, a mother of three children, also religiously fulfills this commandment. Like last year, on the first day she walked to the U Grigorich cafe, 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 his car to pick up the family, but Kolya expressed a desire to continue the religious procession and walked almost the entire day - to the lake - with godfather Alexander Gromov. I was struck by the boy’s determination and seriousness. By the way, he was born 8 years ago during a religious procession - on the 4th of July! And they named him in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. He later told his mother that he would like to go through the entire religious procession.
There was also a boy Sasha, four and a half years old, who was running merrily along the column, and Ilyusha and Yaroslav, who had recently welcomed a third brother, who was not even a month old yet, but he was also riding in a stroller with his mother Anastasia. My acquaintances from last year, “Arseny the boy” and “Liza the girl,” were also here, now they are 4 and 6 years old. They walked with their mother and grandmother. In Aleysk, our tents stood nearby, and when we arrived and set up camp, one of them seduced us with a loud roar: “I want to go to the religious procession! I want to go to the religious procession!” Apparently, they were transported by car, and the religious procession for them is moving in a column in summer carriages, where they feel at home.
There was also an orphan girl about 8-9 years old, whom I knew from last year, who walked with her aunt like an adult, without resting or moving up. She was called "Abbess". There were other children riding in strollers and walking. 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 bring their children to God...
meal
The kitchen was commanded by Larisa Tumyalis (also a veteran of the “Word” circle), my old friends-crusaders Vladimir Tsygankov and Peter labored there, as well as a new acquaintance Evgeniy and others, who regularly supplied us with boiling water, and we them with tea infused with aromatic herbs . Alexander Esipov performed magic in the utility room.
The meal was simple, but satisfying: soups, borscht, porridge, bread, herbs, salads, pickled vegetables, and for tea - cookies, gingerbreads, and dried bread. All this was provided by philanthropists. In addition, we were greeted with traditionally set tables by the cafe “U Grigorich” in Barnaul, on the Zmeinogorsky tract, and in Korobeinikovo for many years now the crusaders were treated to the servant of God Elena from Irkutsk, who offered milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, okroshka, pies with potatoes for the meal , cabbage and jam, honey for tea, cookies and more.
Gennady Ignatievich from the village of Logovskoye came with us, who took with him so many supplies, including dairy products, nuts, lemons, etc., that we had enough for the entire religious procession to refresh ourselves during the day's rests. Well, the others also had something wrong with them. So we never went hungry.
Many and blessed years to all who have mercy and nourishment on the Crusaders!
Brothers and sisters
Traditionally and at the call of my soul, I walked with a group of youth 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 cared for - confessed and held spiritual conversations - by Priest Peter Lisitsky, rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael in the village of Mikhailovskoye. Father Peter is a true ascetic shepherd, thanks to whom we had no problems with confession and many daily participated in Liturgies and received Holy Communion, and could also receive answers to any spiritual questions that interested them. Hieromonk Procopius was also with us - a quiet, humble young priest, who is very loved by the parishioners, sexton Ivan Brown and Yuri - also from Mikhailovka. Ivan Grigorievich - my matchmaker, a very emotional person, sometimes hot-tempered, but the religious procession has the most beneficial effect on him - Ivan was in bliss. Later, Mother Elena, the wife of Father Peter, joined us.
The circle was represented by Alexander Devyatykh, who graduated from the seminary this year and left for a teaching job at the BDS, Deacon Sergius Soldatkin and Mother Anna, Tatyana Domanova, Ekaterina Nelepko, Mother Natalya Vorozhtsova, Zina Zimogor, Nikolai (grandson of a participant in the Great Patriotic War Daniil Gavrilovich Popov), Dimitry, Vladimir, as well as new faces for me - Yana (Anna), Ksenia and Maria. This means that the circle has not only been alive for the twelfth year, but is 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 “Svet” at the St. John the Theological Church, led by Vladimir Zyablov, walked on foot, which we could not help but rejoice at. In Elbank in the evening after dinner we had tea together.
The parishioners of the Iveron Seminary Church also walked in a friendly joint group - there were 20 - 25 of them, led by Priest Alexander Mikushin. They were brought together by joint pilgrimage trips with Father Alexander to holy places. Gorny Altai, as well as active preaching activity priests.
Traditionally, participants of the children's Sunday school at the Church of Demetrius of Rostov (Barnaul) also attended, led by Elena Valentinovna Lebedeva, of course, accompanied by their parents.
I was heartily pleased by the members of Slovo, thanks to whom I did not feel lonely. Of course, in a procession of the cross, where the Lord Himself and the Mother of God are invisibly with us, it is impossible to feel lonely, but the Lord also works through brothers and sisters, giving us what we need.
Signs and Wonders
Prayerful 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 set up our tents in the shade and rejoiced at the paradise in which we found ourselves, I heard the excited voice of the monk Kirion: “Vladimir Fedorovich! More like a rainbow!” I grabbed the camera and, running out from under the canopy of trees, I really saw a brightly sparkling rainbow. I barely had time to take a photo before she disappeared.
In the first days we were tormented by mosquitoes, with the exception, perhaps, of Aleysk, where we stood in Ponyushovo near the monastery of Demetrius of Thessalonica. And so on the morning of Friday, July 1, in Ust-Pristan, before the departure of the religious procession, I successfully crossed paths with Bishop Roman and asked for his blessing “for the blessed procession.” The Bishop blessed with the words: “May the procession be blissful.” Before we had time to leave the regional center into the field, dragonflies swooped in out of nowhere and began, like 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 scourge. However, upon returning to Barnaul, I discovered entire hordes of these bloodsuckers in my garden, and as of July 10, when I was finishing writing these lines, dragonflies had not appeared 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 spoke about the miraculous healing of her mother Olga, who suffered from severe cardiac arrhythmia. Once Olga took an antibiotic tablet and washed it down with water from the Nikolsky spring. With that I went to bed. In the morning I suddenly felt that my heart was working normally. A day passed, then another, but the heart still beat evenly, without interruption. He still continues to drink Nikolskaya water from the holy spring and enjoy life. This did not happen, of course, during a religious procession, but it testifies to the fact that miracles await us everywhere. According to our faith they are given from above.
By the way, as Zina recalled, the Nikolsky spring was noted as healing in late XIX centuries, 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 and legs was immersed in the water of a spring, after which the child stood up and walked... After the October Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks tried to erase information about the wonderful place from the people’s memory, which was turned into a landfill. However, in the 80s of the 20th century, the source was remembered. Microbiologists took water samples and analyzed its composition. To their great surprise, the water turned out to be absolutely clean. Healings of those who drink Nikolskaya water with faith continue.
Now, next to the source, with the blessing of Metropolitan Sergius of Barnaul and Altai, a temple is being built in honor of the Hieromartyr Archbishop Jacob (Maskaev) of Barnaul, since nearby was the site of the execution of believers, including nuns.
Instead of an epilogue
How many times have I become convinced, falling into despondency from the awareness of my own weakness, from the fear of illness and lack of confidence in my strengths, that the Lord knows about our sorrows, prayers and desires and will definitely help if it benefits our salvation. This happened this time too. The Lord heard my prayers, gave me strength, and taught me how to go through the religious procession without damage to my health, or even with an increase in it. Those who saw me said that compared to 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 to the archpastors, shepherds, organizers, brothers and sisters - participants in the procession of the cross in Korobeynikovo 2016 - many happy summers!
Vladimir Klimenko