Memoirs of Archpriest Vladimir Pravdolyubov. Glinsky elders. Great Russian elders of the 20th century
The Venerable Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov, 1885-1976) is included in the galaxy of great elders of the Glinsk Nativity of the Mother of God of the Desert along with Schema-Metropolitan Zinovy (Mazhuga), Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin) and others. Having chosen the monastic path from his youth, the future saint came to the monastery in 1910. After the monastery was closed in 1922, the monk labored in the Caucasus mountains, where, in the most difficult conditions, he grew spiritually through prayer and vigil, strengthening his spirit for future trials. Both in exile and in the camp, prayer and the grace of God supported the elder, taught him to see and understand the suffering human heart. In 1947, the elder returned to the newly discovered Glinsk hermitage and was appointed confessor. Father Seraphim helped many who were in sorrow and sorrow to find joy in the Lord and peace of mind. The elder ended his earthly journey in Sukhumi, until his last day continuing to care for his numerous spiritual children, helping them with advice and prayer. This publication contains not only a story about life path Venerable Seraphim (Romantsov); Of particular interest are excerpts from the elder’s letters and advice, carefully and lovingly collected by the authors in this book.
Love the path of sorrow
“Jesus Christ, calling everyone to eternal joy, greets with these words: Come to me, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). How to go to Him? By doing His commandments: faith, hope, love. Love the regrettable path, but the long one leads to destruction. It is necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven through many sorrows. Those who do not want to endure without complaint are those who move away from God. I wish you all the best. Grateful for your diligence."
Seek peace of mind
“Spiritual peace is above everything, above fasting and prayer. Pray for the offenders, they are your friends, through them the Lord gives you crowns, and if you grumble, you will lose your crowns. Therefore, avoid curiosity, gossip and everything unnecessary that does not relate to you. Every day, prepare yourself for temptations, sorrows and all kinds of insults, slander and the like. Know that God’s mercy is coming to you. For enduring everything, you will join the ranks of martyrs and, without other exploits, you will be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven. Remember the main thing: consider every day your last and spend it in the fear of God and contrition of heart. Reduce fuss, avoid idle talk. Remember God and cry out to him in repentance. Do not judge or condemn anyone, otherwise you will condemn yourself. Do not analyze other people’s thoughts, deeds, slander and gossip, pass by: it is the enemy who is trying to scatter you and distract you from prayer. Know God, keep His commandments, listen spiritual father, from your neighbors, accept into your soul only good things that are in accordance with God’s commandments.”
Preface
Introduction
Part 1
Chapter 1. The first years of the life of the Venerable Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov)
Military service
Return to the monastery. He was tonsured into a mantle.
Closing of the Glinskaya Hermitage
Chapter 2. Service in Iveria
Drandsky Assumption Monastery
Ordination as a hieromonk
The beginning of desert life in the Caucasus mountains
Desert on the Sukhaya River
Life and living conditions of hermits
Dispersal of the desert inhabitants
Chapter 3. Life in Central Asia
Chapter 4. Discovery of the Glinsk Hermitage
Plight brethren
The return of the spirit-bearing elders to the monastery
Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash)
Appointment of Father Seraphim as confessor of the monastery
The gift of insight and spiritual comfort
Letters to spiritual children
Chapter 5. Second closure of the Glinsk Hermitage
Liquidation of the monastery
Bishop Zinovy (Mazhuga)
Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin)
Moving to the Caucasus. New wave persecution
Chapter 6. Spiritual Father of the Desert Dwellers
Hegumen Andrey (Mashkov)
Father Mardari and other ascetics
Chapter 7. Unity of the Glinsk brethren
Chapter 8. Confessor of the Sukhumi Cathedral
Chapter 9. About the power of the elder’s prayers
Confessor of Father John (Krestyankin)
Chapter 10. Recent years life
Spiritual testament of Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim
Part 2
Chapter 1. From the instructions of Father Seraphim
About the holiday of Easter
A person becomes stronger in temptations
Thank God for everything
My heart suffers for you
Carry your cross
Tears cleanse the heart
The Lord will save us
Strengthen your patience
About prayer
Love the path of sorrow
Take everything graciously
Don't repay evil for evil
Seek peace of mind
Rescue path
Learn humility
Trust in God's help
Know your weaknesses
Wake up soul
Please God
The Lord will protect from evil
About patience
Surrender yourself to the will of God
Be afraid of internal praise
About the Jesus Prayer
Before the start of Lent
Pay attention to your salvation
The Royal Way
About the sin of condemnation
Humility is the greatest gift
Christ is born - praise!
Congratulations on accepting hieromonasticism
From letters to the monastic brethren
R.B. Mary on the virtue of chastity
R.B. Mary on bearing sorrows
Have peace among yourself
Congratulations on the holiday of Epiphany and New Year
Prayer is the breath of man
Always thank the Lord
Earth is God's everywhere
Instructions from Father Seraphim, recorded by Galina Pylneva
Letters to Abbess Eufalia († 1962) and the sisters of the Lebedinsky St. Nicholas Monastery
Chapter 2. Memories of Father Seraphim
Memoirs of Archimandrite Elijah (Reizmir)
Memoirs of Olga Vladimirovna Pavlova
Review of sources and literature
Sources and literature
List of abbreviations
Name index
In the 80s and 90s of the last century, when I came to Sukhumi, I always tried to pray at the grave of Elder Seraphim, I heard, when we lived for some time in the desert in the mountains of Abkhazia, the stories of the hermits there about Father Seraphim, about the spirit-bearing Bishop Zinovia and about Father Andronik.
24.01.2018 Through the labors of the brethren of the monastery 2 380
Many books and articles, compiled in the desert itself, have been written about the life and exploits of the inhabitants of the Glinsk Hermitage. A huge contribution to the compilation of biographies was made by the Glinsky monks, pupils and spiritual children of the elders, about whom memoirs were written, disseminating their spiritual instructions and teachings to subsequent generations. Thanks to their works, we are fully given the opportunity to draw from the treasury of the Glinsk monastery and learn from the example of the lives of some of its inhabitants - spirit-bearing elders who labored in the holy monastery, and to take advantage of their pastoral advice and guidance in spiritual life.
"In December 2017, the Consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church. The main thing for me as Chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints is that Consecrated Cathedral blessed the church-wide veneration of famous ascetics of piety - the Glinsky elders, including their names in the month book of the Russian Orthodox Church. Previously, they were canonized by the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Glinsky elders have long been widely revered outside of Ukraine in many dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, and their numbering among the general church saints is especially dear to me.
In my youth, in the 80s and 90s, when I came to the Caucasus, to Sukhumi, I always tried to pray at the grave of Elder Seraphim (Romantsov). I heard stories from local desert dwellers about Father Seraphim when I lived for some time in the desert in the mountains of Abkhazia. They talked about the spirit-bearing ruler Zinovy (Mazhuga) and about Father Andronik (Lukash).
Even then, in Soviet times, the Glinsky elders were considered great elders and ascetics. And later veneration became church-wide. The Glinsky elders were prayed to in the Caucasus, in Ukraine, and now, after being included in the monthly calendar, in every parish of the Russian Orthodox Church.
And then the day came when the Lord deigned to participate in the preparation and church-wide glorification of them at the Cathedral of the Glin Elders. The soul rejoices! Reverend Fathers of Glinsky, pray to God for us!”
HISTORY OF THE GLINSKAYA DESERT
In Rus', the Glinsk Hermitage was famous for its eldership, just like the Sarov and Optina Hermitages.
The Glinsk hermitage was founded in the 16th century on the site of the appearance of the Nativity icon Holy Mother of God, 40 versts from the city of Putivl, 160 from Kursk and 12 from Glukhov (now Sumy region of Ukraine). During this period our land was tormented by mongol horde, as well as civil strife between Russian princes. It was during this difficult time for Rus' that the Queen of Heaven gave her people consolation and strengthening in faith through the appearance of Her miraculous icon and the founding of the holy monastery. Constant wars, crop failures, epidemics, fires led people to think about the vanity of worldly life, and many went to deserted, forested places. Here they, alone with God, spent time in prayerful endeavors.
The name of the first inhabitant of the Glinsk Hermitage remains unknown. It is only known that he settled near the newly-minted icon, later named Pustynno-Glinskaya, in honor of the Glinsky princes, to whom this area belonged (hence the name Glinskaya Nativity of the Virgin Hermitage), and built a chapel for it. People resorted to the blessed help of the newly appeared shrine. And many, wanting to imitate the exploits of the first ascetic of the desert, stayed here forever.
The ascetic life of the abbots and brethren of the Glinsk hermitage and the care of elders attracted new ascetics to the monastery. The diocesan authorities, noticing the moral height of the Glinsky monks, transferred them to other monasteries to establish a truly spiritual life there. The author of the book “Glinskaya Nativity of the Mother of God Community Hermitage,” Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov) wrote that the holy monastery was “a hotbed of good asceticism in various, even very remote places of our fatherland”. Her enormous educational activities influenced the spiritual and moral education of the people and contributed to the development of literacy. The glory of the monastery spread beyond the borders of our country.
But difficult times came for Russia and the Glinsk Hermitage, the abbot of which at that time was a worthy successor to other godly abbots - Archimandrite Nektariy (Nuzhdin). During the war with Germany in 1914-1918. The monastery brethren provided the army and the people, first of all, with spiritual assistance, raising an intense prayer to God for the granting of victory over the enemies, helping with the word of sermon, explaining the teaching of the Church on war, and with deed - going to active army for spiritual nourishment and material support of soldiers.
Pustyn, despite the long war and the revolutionary coup of 1917, continued to live a full spiritual life, in all respects being a support for people until its closure in 1922.
After the closure, a children's town named after Lenin was formed in the monastery, which existed until 1928. Then, alternating, other various structures were organized. The property of the monastery was plundered. The library, which was of particular value, was looted, but Archimandrite Nektarios managed to preserve some of the books. Miracle-working icon The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken by members Church Council- citizens of the village of Shalygino.
Some of the monks moved to monasteries that were still open, but soon they too were closed. Soviet power, other monks began to serve in parishes, of which there were also very few left; the rest lived in the world, engaged in various crafts. Most of the brethren went through camps and exile.
In 1942, during the Great Patriotic War, monastic life began to flourish again in the Glinsk Desert. The monastery was opened under Father Nektarios, who was also its renovator. By God's providence, Archimandrite Nektariy was not arrested and managed to preserve part of the monastery property.
It was the only monastery that opened in Russia at that time. The news of the opening of the monastery quickly spread, and its former monks, as well as spiritually experienced monks from other closed monasteries, most of whom were returning from exile and camps, began to gather in the Glinsk hermitage. When restoring the monastery, the main attention was paid to the revival of the spiritual traditions of the Glinsk Hermitage. And the monastery became the center of the revival of eldership.
Interesting data about the Glinsk Hermitage and the activities of its inhabitants are provided in archival documents from the Soviet era: "Pilgrims from different cities and regions send money to the monastery by mail, and local believers also donate. Until 1948 inclusive, the monastery was visited not only by locals, but also by distant pilgrims and a hostel of three rooms with a total area of up to 100 square meters on big holidays it was full". Another archival document states: “the monastery...it is famous not only in Ukraine, but also in more distant lands and regions Soviet Union, as evidenced by the visits, although rare, of pilgrims from Tashkent, Chuvashia, Arkhangelsk and others, not to mention the nearest regions of the European part of the USSR... Moreover, when visiting the monastery, they help the monks in their work...”
And the authorities did everything to close the deserts again. Soon it was decided to remove the monks from the desert, and its buildings and equipment to be transferred to the Sosnovsky Home for the Invalids. On July 14, 1961, the monastery was surrounded by authorities to prevent pilgrims from entering. The monks were taken to the railway station, forbidden to take even money with them. The Sosnovsky Home for the Invalids was subsequently transformed into a boarding house for psychochronic patients.
After the monastery was closed, the monks continued their service to the Church and people, but in different parts of the country.
Many exiles from the great Glinsk desert found refuge in the Iveron land. Among them were such guardians of the living tradition of eldership as Metropolitan Zinovy (Mazhuga), Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov).
“Pray to the Mother of God and read “Theotokos Virgin” as often as possible.
By the providence of God, after the first closure of the holy Glinsk monastery (1922), one of its monks came to Georgia - Zinovy (Mazhuga). Here he earned great love and respect from the local residents, primarily for his impeccable monastic life.
Once, when Metropolitan Zinovy arrived from Tbilisi to Sukhumi, the residents of the Greek village of Georgievka invited the elder to visit their village and, having received his consent, organized a holiday on the occasion of his arrival. People brought their children under the blessing of the bishop. And the chairman of the village council of Georgievka even warned the elder about the danger of arrest. Then a Greek family sheltered the elder in their house, risking their safety and even their lives. 
In Iveria, Vladyka Zinovy came in handy with the craft, which he learned in the Glinsk Hermitage in a tailor’s workshop, while undergoing obedience there. He sewed clothes for free for the poor residents of Georgievka and people, seeing the kindness and righteousness of the elder, entrusted to his wise pastoral leadership the salvation of their souls.
The Bishop had great prayerful zeal for the Most Holy Theotokos. Thus, answering the question of one hieromonk about what must be done to remain faithful to Christ and how to endure trials if persecution begins again against the Church, the bishop said: "Pray Mother of God and read “Virgin Mother of God” as often as possible. Whoever reads this prayer is protected by the Most Holy Theotokos...”
About the Jesus Prayer, he taught that we should not strive for high degrees and high concentration of thought, but we must, in the simplicity of our hearts, pray to the living God, Who is close to us, like our soul. He also taught that the Jesus Prayer is grafted only onto a humble heart. He advised me to take advantage of moments of solitude and disperse extraneous thoughts with the Jesus Prayer. The elder considered this type of prayer superior to reading books.
Vladyka Zinovy was an ascetic in the world. So, having already become a metropolitan, he continued to live in two small rooms. The Jesus Prayer was his constant inner activity, which did not stop even during conversations. He prayed mostly at night, and during the day he served the Church and people.
Around the church he gathered monastics who performed various obediences, mainly singing and reading in the choir.
The Bishop often gave secret alms to people. At the Liturgy, I took out many particles for those whom I knew and for whom they asked to pray. He was present at all services every day, throughout his life giving the people around him an example of Christian asceticism.After the second closure of the Glinsk hermitage (1961), many of its inhabitants moved to Vladyka Zinovy, who replaced the abbot for them. Some of them stayed close to the bishop in Tbilisi, at the Alexander Nevsky Church, where the elder served at that time. Some went to mountain hermitages. Others labored in parishes. And Vladyka helped them all both spiritually and financially. The monks knew that the bishop would not leave them and would always help and support them. Thus, many Glinsky monks remained in Georgia for the rest of their lives.
It was here on the holy Iveron land that the elder died, staying with his flock, as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II said, "...not only in spirit, but also in body..."
Let not my mouth speak of the deeds of men
In Tbilisi, in the house of Metropolitan Zinovy at the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, there lived another Glinsky elder - Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash). Here, shutting himself up in the house and going out only to the church, he privately performed all the services according to the rules of the Glinsky Monastery, and during the breaks he read the Psalter. For a visible reminder of the main feats of spiritual life: prayer and inner silence, the elder placed two inscriptions under the glass. The first with the words of the Jesus Prayer, and the second with a verse from the psalm: Let not my mouth speak of the deeds of men(Ps. 16:4). These inscriptions became the elder’s testament to his spiritual children and a lesson for visitors whom he cared for in the traditions of the Glinsky Monastery. The Jesus Prayer, which was protection, consolation, consolation and a source of hope and strength for Father Andronik, he taught to his spiritual children.
The elder was always cheerful in body and spirit. Spiritual joy always emanated from him, spreading to the people around him. Already here on earth, with his heart and mind he lived in the eternal world, but when they came to Father Andronik for advice, he did not reject those who came and held soul-saving conversations with them. The elder did not talk about worldly things, but tried to direct the person’s mind to inner life, to show that the main thing is not what is outside of us, but what is inside of us. Knowing that the one who condemns is subjected to the same passion that he saw in another person, Father Andronik forbade condemning anyone. Therefore, the elder bequeathed to his children: “Be blind, deaf and dumb,” meaning insensibility to worldly passions and not condemning them in others. He also said: “Know yourself, and it will be done with you,” that is, see your sins, repent of them and fight what interferes with prayer.
When he was asked about spiritual life, he answered himself, and when the question concerned the Church, he sent those asking to Vladyka Zinovy.
Father Andronik was merciful at Confession, rarely giving penance, as he loved people very much. After his death, Patriarch David said the following at the elder’s grave: “ Father Andronik, you loved all people, and you had no enemies. Pray for us at the Throne of God.”
External feats of solitude and fasting are an aid to obedience, and not the basis of monasticism.
Another outstanding inhabitant of the Glinsk Hermitage, who moved to Georgia after its closure - Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov). Having received enormous spiritual experience in the Glinsk monastery, he was able to transfer it on Iveron land into the hearts of people striving for truly Christian life. The elder chose the city of Sukhumi as his place of residence. He called the main purpose of his visit here the spiritual nourishment of the hermits who lived in Little Svaneti, several tens of kilometers from the city - in the mountains, in the forest.
Archimandrite Seraphim, being an experienced practitioner of the Jesus Prayer, considered obedience a necessary condition for it. He taught that if a person acquires the skill of this prayer through hard work, but does not heal the soul through obedience and does not abandon his will, then the prayer will not turn out to be the secret Jesus prayer that the holy fathers wrote about, but only words, because a proud mind cannot be combined with in the name of the humble Jesus. He also taught that in order to acquire the Jesus Prayer, one must struggle with passions. He taught that prayer should not be divorced from life. I considered it useful to combine prayer with breathing. He also believed that monks must perform the “pentahundred”.Father Seraphim, at the age of 70, often visited the hermits, overcoming the enormous and the hard way. He invested in them his pastoral experience, prayerful work, and, most importantly, his fatherly love. And the hermits themselves came to their spiritual mentor at night, fearing trouble, provocations from the authorities, and the expulsion of the elder. He, like a child-loving father, always received his children, talking with them, sometimes all night long. Those desert dwellers who obeyed Father Seraphim as a mentor, unquestioningly fulfilling his blessings, walked on an even path, were distinguished by spiritual prudence and a peaceful disposition of the spirit. The elder, in turn, helped them with his prayer. Those who lived without permission, took on an impossible feat without his blessing, and fell into severe temptations.
He taught about the grace of God that without it a person is unable to overcome temptations and fight sin. Only the grace of God can curb sin and make a person a winner in spiritual struggle. That's why main task ascetic - acquiring and storing grace. But grace works only in a humble heart. To acquire it, like air, obedience is necessary. Father Seraphim did not consider a monk without obedience a monk. He considered the external feats of solitude and fasting to be an aid to obedience, and not the basis of monasticism.
The elder spoke about the temptation of modern monks, that they are looking for perspicacious elders, but do not trust an experienced monk, that they demand miracles from the elders, like the Pharisees from Christ. For new monks, he advised to engage in physical labor, which tires the body and is an antidote to carnal passions and exaltation.
The elder, although outwardly stern towards his children, was inwardly loving. He had the gift of penetration into the human soul. He spoke about what a person needed, regarding his salvation. In his stories, he called people to repentance, without naming specific names, and warned against falling. Understanding the complexity of the situation when the monks on the Iveron land lived outside the monastery, Father Seraphim was lenient towards them at Confession. But this condescension did not turn into indulgence of passions, and the elder demanded a fight against sin, and a determination not to repeat sins. He believed that monasticism in the world requires greater obedience than in ordinary monastic life. And he called spiritual joy, which a true novice always carries in his heart, one of the signs of obedience. Another sign of obedience is the pacification of thoughts and surrendering oneself to the providence of God through one’s elder.
At the beginning of his stay in Sukhumi, the elder went to the cathedral, where he received people for Confession, and numerous pilgrims from the Glinsky Monastery flocked to him. At Confession, he resolved spiritual issues, gave advice and instructions. Father Seraphim taught to see God's will in everything and submit to it. The soul of Archimandrite Seraphim was drawn to communication not with learned monks, whom he also respected, but with prayer books.
The elder gave great value continuity of monastic life and even outside the monastery, including the rules of worship, daily Confession, revelation of thoughts. His spiritual friend, Schema-Archimandrite Andronik, often came to him from Tbilisi. Both elders tried to maintain the unity of the Glinsk brethren, which was scattered throughout the country. And the Glinsky monks could always find shelter, guidance and consolation, both from Bishop Zinovy, and from Father Andronik and Father Seraphim.
The elders worked tirelessly for the glory of God, serving the Church of Christ and people. Among the inhabitants of the Glinskaya Hermitage, as stated in the book “Glinskaya Mosaic”: “... there was no division into important and unimportant work, honorable and low, worthy of their rank and title or humiliating them. Where needed, there they were, the elders, first of all. They knew how to do everything quickly, intelligently, silently, probably with prayer.” And this caring of theirs for each other, for each person, their sacrificial life was a light for people that awakened in human souls an awareness of their sinfulness, a desire to cleanse themselves and change themselves for the better. The elders followed the example of their entire lives in fulfilling the words of the Lord: ... But let it not be like this among you: but whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:26-27).
Vitaly Lyakhovsky
September 22 (NS) - day of celebration of the Council of the Reverend Fathers of Glinsky, September 14/27In 1896, Zechariah Majuga, the future saint, was born.
We bring to your attention an article by Zinovy Aleksandrovich Chesnokov, laureate of the All-Russian Orthodox Literary Prize named after. St. Alexander Nevsky, author of books about the Glinsky elders “Elder and Metropolitan. About the life of St. Zinovy (Mazhuga), in the schema of Seraphim" (2015), "An example of boundless humility. Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash)" (2014), "The feat of holy life. Holy Elders of the Glinsk Hermitage" (2013).
The Glinsk Hermitage of the mid-20th century, fenced with fences and huddled around a single hospital church, did not have its former glory. But from all over the country they came and went in an endless stream to this holy place pilgrims and, having been here once, sought again and again.
What were they aiming for? It’s a miracle to see “little candles” lit by Holy Russia and preserving the living warmth of the otherworldly world. This miracle was the venerable Glinsk elders: the vicar Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin), the confessor Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov) and the dean Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash).
By the Providence of God, at the end of the 20th century, the Glinsk hermitage was re-opened, and its venerable elders, as well as Metropolitan Zinovy (Mazhuga), in the schema of Seraphim, who began his monastic journey in this monastery, were canonized and now on September 22 we celebrate memory of the Council of the Reverend Glinsky Fathers. My father, Archpriest Alexander Chesnokov, with youth knew the Monk Zinovy and for thirteen years was next to the elder almost every day. Father Alexander loved the monk so much that he even named his son (the author of this article) the name Zinovy.
"Metropolitan Chambers"
Vladyka Zinovy was a man who combined the grace of eldership and episcopal service. Not every metropolitan can be an elder and not every elder can become a metropolitan. Many were surprised that such a humble and simple man could become a bishop. Throughout the 35 years of his ministry in Tbilisi, Bishop Zinovy lived in a small house next to the Alexander Nevsky Church. The bishop’s “metropolitan chambers” consisted of two tiny rooms. This is how G. A. Gzirishvili describes his first visit to Bishop: “An elderly, pretty nun met me at the threshold and led me into a small room in which there was an iron bed, a small table and two chairs... The walls of this room were hung to the ceiling with icons and portraits of clergy." The Bishop was faithful to his monastic vow until the end of his days. Everyone who visited here was surprised that the Metropolitan had such a modest home.
Among the many icons was the “Pustynno-Glinskaya” icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dear to his heart, an exact copy of the miraculous icon.
One day, Patriarch Melchizedek called the ruler to his place - he wanted to give him his car and offered to help him buy good home. But Vladyka Zinovy refused, citing the fact that he had to be in church every morning and evening. Later, the bishop got a house, but the elder gave it to Schema-Archimandrite Andronik, and he himself remained to live in his two small rooms near the temple.
The ascetic lifestyle of the elder was felt in everything. Even in the altar, instead of a bishop's chair, he had a stasidia. When the patriarch arrived, the stasidia was moved from the right side of the altar to the left, for the bishop, and a chair was placed especially for the patriarch.
“One room-cell, which contained only a desk, an armchair, a bed and two small bookcases, served him both as an office and a bedroom. When Patriarch David V proposed to build a new residence, more consistent with his rank and title, promising that he would always be taken to church and anywhere by car, the Bishop, after a pause, refused.” In his wretched cell he received everyone who needed spiritual advice. Those who came to his cell were struck by the simplicity and modesty of the “metropolitan chambers.”
The bishop had a small window in his cell. There was a grill on it. And a hole was specially made in the grille. And when someone passed by the cell, the bishop pushed money through this hole. The Monk Zinovy loved children very much. If they passed by his cell, he always handed them a metal ruble for candy.
Spiritual children
People loved Vladyka primarily for his impeccable monastic life. The Metropolitan Elder was a practitioner of the unceasing Jesus Prayer, and they saw how some kind of inner light illuminated his face.
People came to the bishop to receive spiritual guidance, consolation, to ease their conscience in the sacrament of repentance, to tell about their sorrows and simply for advice. Not only laymen and monks traveled, but also experienced priests and confessors. They came to see the elder metropolitan. Everyone had to be met, fed, consoled, sent home, and certainly with gifts - no one left Vladyka Zinovy empty-handed.
He had many spiritual children. The spiritual children of Elder Zinovy were not only laymen and clergy, but also church hierarchs. The spiritual son of the elder metropolitan Zinovy was Patriarch Ilia II, who was tonsured as a monk and the bishop predicted his future patriarchal service in Georgia. Among the bishop’s spiritual children were Schema-Archimandrite Vitaly (Sidrenko), Archpriest Alexander Chesnokov, Archpriest Georgy Pilguev, Archimandrite Innocent (Prosvirnin) and many other ministers of the Church of Christ.
The pastoral service of Elder Zinovy was multifaceted. The main principles of his spiritual care were fervent prayer, spiritual reasoning and long-suffering. Being wise from God, he delved into all the secrets of the human heart and knew how to timely and correctly give advice to this or that person regarding his salvation.
We should not forget that for many years Metropolitan Zinovy was a living link between the Russian and Georgian Churches, he served in Georgia under five Patriarchs and was loved and respected by everyone. The Patriarchs of the Russian Church Alexy I and Pimen treated him with great respect.
In the history of the Georgian Church this was the only case in XX-XXI centuries, when a non-Georgian by nationality became a bishop, and even a metropolitan.
We often direct our gaze to the past in order to find there, even in deep Christian antiquity, a light that would serve us as an example of a truly Christian life. The Lord said: “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The Church of Christ is Christ Himself and the people who have taken upon their shoulders the heavy cross of Christ. They carried it immaculately until the end of their lives, fulfilling the words of the Gospel, according to which a burning candle is placed on a candlestick (Mark 4:21) so that the light of the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ illuminates our path to salvation. Christ the Savior speaks about this immediately after His Sermon on the Mount. Elder Metropolitan Zinovy asceticised in the Glinsk monastery, in the Caucasus mountains and, being tested by the Lord just as gold is tested in a crucible, he received spiritual hardening. The Lord wanted to glorify His faithful servant. The words of the Lord were fulfilled on it: “So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
St. Seraphim of Sarov said: “Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved.” Schema-Metropolitan Seraphim can truly be considered one of those spiritual people who are saved themselves and save many. Even just being next to this spirit-bearing elder, a person received Divine grace through the mysterious and invisible communication of human souls. He lived and taught in word and deed, throughout his life setting an example to follow in faith, humility and obedience.
Main events in the life of St. Zinovy
Metropolitan Zinovy of Tetritskaro (Mazhuga; 1896-1985) began his monastic path in the Glinskaya Hermitage. He entered the monastery in 1914. He passed obedience in the coachman's department, then in the tailor's department. In 1921 he was tonsured a monk with the name Zinovy.
After the closure of the Glinsk Hermitage, he entered the Dranda Monastery. There, in the city, Bishop Nikon of Sukhumi was ordained a hierodeacon, and in the city - a hieromonk.
From 1925 to 1930 Father Zinovy served in Sukhumi.
In 1930, he was arrested in Rostov-on-Don. He was in exile from 1930 to 1934. in the Urals in Berezniki and on the White Sea-Baltic Canal.
Upon his release, he served in the Sophia Church in Rostov-on-Don.
From 1936 to 1942 labored in the Caucasus mountains.
From 1942 to 1945 Father Zinovy served in Tbilisi, in the Zion Assumption Cathedral, and was the confessor of the monastery of St. Olga in Mtskheta. In 1945 he was elevated to the rank of abbot.
From 1945 to 1947 served in the village Kirovo, in Armenia, then, until 1950, in Batumi. In 1950, he was appointed rector of the Tbilisi church in the name of the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky and elevated to the rank of archimandrite. And in 1952 he was appointed a member of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
For his ascetic and godly life, Father Zinovy was so respected by the Georgian hierarchs that in 1956 he, a Russian, was ordained a bishop, and in 1972 he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan of the Georgian Church.
Inextricably spiritually connected with the brethren of the Glinsk Hermitage, Bishop Zinovy wrote that he “always prays and calls for blessings on all the Glinskys,” and he himself asked for their prayers.”
Having reached a ripe old age, Vladyka Zinovy was ill a lot. And already at the end of his life he was tonsured into the schema with the name Seraphim, in honor of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.
He died on March 8, 1985 and was buried in the church in the name of the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky, where he spiritually nurtured his flock for thirty-five years.
On March 25, 2009, at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a decision was made to canonize the Venerable Schema-Metropolitan Seraphim. The glorification took place on August 21, 2010 in the Glinskaya Nativity of the Virgin Hermitage.
The memory is celebrated on the day of the celebration of the Council of the Holy Reverend Fathers of Glinsky - September 9 (September 22 according to the new style).
References
1. Chesnokov Zinovy. Elder and Metropolitan. About the life of St. Zinovy (Mazhuga), in the schema of Seraphim. M.: Novospassky Monastery, 2014.
2. Chesnokov Alexander, archpriest; Chesnokov Zinoviy. The feat of holy life. Holy elders of the Glinsk Hermitage. XX century Moscow: Sretensky Monastery, 2013.
3. Chesnokov Alexander, priest. Glinskaya hermitage and its elders. Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, 1994.
4. Chesnokov Zinovy. Holy elders of the Glinsk Hermitage. Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. Publication of the Moscow Patriarchate, 2014. N 4 (April).
5. Chesnokov Zinoviy. Elder Zenobius. A Life in Spiritual Continuity with Pre-revolutionary Russia. New York: Holy Trinity Publications, 2013.
6. Chesnokov Zinoviy, Chesnokov Alexandr. Der Kampf um ein heiliges Leben: Leben und Wirken der Starzen in der Sowjetzeit. Volkach, 2015.
Glinsk Hermitage... For centuries this monastery was for our compatriots the personification of the highest Christian asceticism and moral courage. Along with the Kiev-Pechersk and Trinity-Sergius Lavras, the Glinsk Hermitage served the common national spiritual and educational cause and was a kind of university for the care of senile people in Rus'. This monastery was distinguished by a particularly strict charter.
Two liturgies were celebrated here: an early one from half past six in the morning and a late one. According to the 12th chapter of the Glinsky Charter, the akathist was read four times a week: on Tuesday - to the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, on Thursday - to St. Nicholas, on Saturday - to the Most Holy Theotokos, on Sunday - to the Savior or the Mother of God in front of the miraculous icon.
During the services, all the benefactors of the monastery were remembered. Eating food and drink after evening rule monks were not allowed. Deviation from the rule was allowed only with the blessing of the elder, but after eating the food the monk performed Little Compline with evening prayers. At half past one in the morning the monk got up for Matins, which lasted until half past five in the morning and longer. Vespers began at four o'clock in the evening, at five o'clock there was dinner, at six - compline. Only at seven or eight o'clock in the evening did most of the monks have free time, which they could dispose of as they wished. Usually it was spent reading patristic books, fulfilling the cell rule, talking with the elder, etc. And at midnight they got up again to pray.
Here in 1957 Father Ippolit entered as a novice, where he worked in various monastic obediences.
The history of this desert had many sad pages. The monastery shared the fate of many churches in Russia. In 1922 the monastery was closed and for a long time remained in disrepair. It was opened only during the Great Patriotic War in 1942. All that remains of the monastery are heaps of rubbish, fragments of plaster, brick, and roofing iron.
At the time when Father Hippolyte (then novice Sergius) labored in this monastery, the rector of the Glinsk hermitage was Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin).
Father Seraphim devoted a lot of effort to restoring the monastery. The rest of the monastery’s inhabitants also had to work a lot. The monks and novices bore the brunt of everyday worries: the kitchen, preparing firewood, repairing premises, etc. But the main task for the monks remained prayer.
The Glinsk Hermitage is comparable only to Optina in terms of the number of elders and the feats they accomplished here. Close communication with the elders shaped the character of the future father Hippolytus; from them he learned all the best: humility, tireless prayer, hard work. I would like to talk about these wonderful ascetics, about the prayer books of the Russian land. Father Seraphim (Amelin) is one of them.
The main evidence of the elder’s extraordinary inner appearance was the blessed light that illuminated his face. He pointed to the spirituality that distinguished amazing world and silence. Father Seraphim kept this silence, afraid to disturb it in any way. When communicating with Father Seraphim, one could joyfully remain silent, which happens extremely rarely with other people. In the silence of any corner created by the care of Father Seraphim, there was always the opportunity to pray, work, be silent and rejoice in the light, feeling protected by the prayers of the elders. Everything external melted away into oblivion. Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin) was endowed with God's gift of clairvoyance.
Spiritual father of Father Hippolytus - Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash), - was also a perspicacious elder, a great man of prayer, and was distinguished by extraordinary meekness and humility. The elder gladly received everyone, teaching that good deeds, by obedience, in meekness and humility, they fulfilled the commandments of the Lord. Father Andronik said: “Live lower than the grass and quieter than water - and you will be saved!” For him, all people were saints, he worried and prayed for everyone.
Father Andronik was born in the Poltava province on February 12, 1889 into a family of peasants, and was named Alexy at baptism. From childhood, the boy loved God so much that he was burdened by the vanity of this world. The mother often told her son about monasteries and ascetics, and Alexey and early childhood burned with love for monastic life. But, not daring to go against the will of his parents, the boy obeyed them in everything. After finishing school, his father gave him a job as a volost coachman. One day Alexey met a wanderer who, seeing the youth’s mood for monastic life, told him about the monasteries of the Russian land, about their charters and customs. Alexey heard about the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Valaam, Sarov, Optina, Glinsk and other holy monasteries. After some time, Alexey makes a firm decision to go to the monastery. The mother, having learned about her son’s decision, barely holding back tears, took off her small pectoral cross and blessed Alexei with it, secretly from his father.
In 1906, Alexey first crossed the threshold of the Glinsk monastery. The new resident passed his obedience in the hotel, in the laundry room, in the kitchen. Everywhere he showed himself to be a tireless worker, silent and humble. Three years later he was transferred to the Spaso-Iliodorov monastery, not far from the monastery. Life there was especially strict. And in such solitude, under the obedience of the cellarer, the novice Alexy joined the ascetic life.
From here he was called up for active service, which lasted three and a half years on the territory of Poland, after which Alexy immediately returned to his native monastery, where he served obedience in the apiary. After some time the First began world war. In 1915, together with other young monks of the Glinsk Hermitage, Alexy was mobilized. During the first combat operation, he, along with the remnants of the platoon, was captured, then sent to a camp, from which he was transported to Austria, where he stayed for three and a half years.
In the fall of 1918, he was released and returned to the Glinsk monastery, where in 1921 he took monastic vows with the name Andronik. The years spent at the monastery left an indelible mark on Father Andronik and contributed to his spiritual improvement. Here the beginning of a highly spiritual ascetic life was laid.
At sunrise, he rose to obedience, which he performed diligently and with great zeal. And he spent the night in constant prayers with a lot of kneeling. He abstained from food and drink, kept only the most necessary things from his property: church and work clothes, a hard bed on which he lay down short time rest without undressing. Subsequently, wherever he was, he always firmly fulfilled his monastic vows. His whole life was directed towards one goal - the salvation of his soul and the soul of his neighbor.
After the closure of the Glinsk hermitage, Bishop Pavlin (Kroshechkin) took monk Andronik to his cell and in 1922 ordained him as a hierodeacon. In 1923, Hierodeacon Andronik was exiled to Kolyma on charges of counter-revolutionary activities. In exile, Father Andronik was a hospital orderly. He cared for the sick with sincere compassion and love, and washed them himself. Everyone loved him, and the exiled Uzbeks even called him “mother.”
One day, the deceased Bishop Irinarch (Sineokov-Andreevsky) was brought to the hospital.
“They brought him on a cart, the cart was short, his head was hanging... So thin, only bones...” Elder Andronik later recalled. He washed him and begged the doctor to give him a large coffin for the bishop’s burial, which had been standing in the hospital for several years, then he covered the coffin with sheets, made an omophorion out of a towel, put his hat on the bishop, and put a rosary in his hands.
Father Andronik wrote to Bishop Pavlin that the Lord vouchsafed him to bury Bishop Irinarch. For this, in 1936, Hierodeacon Andronik was awarded the pectoral cross by the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, His Beatitude Metropolitan Sergius.
After some time, Father Andronik, together with Bishop Pavlin, moved to the city of Perm. In 1928, in Moscow, Hierodeacon Andronik was ordained a hieromonk, against his wishes. In 1929, during an illness, Hieromonk Andronik took on the great angelic image - the schema, with the same name - Andronik (in honor of the Venerable Andronik of Moscow).
In 1939, Father Andronik was convicted for the second time and exiled to Kolyma. He was kept in prison for almost a year, summoned for interrogation, threatened and brutally tortured until he lost consciousness...
On September 28, 1948, Elder Andronik returned to the Glinsk Hermitage. His soul, purified by many sorrows, was overflowing with the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit; this spirituality attracted people to the elder. He fulfilled the commandment of love for enemies and acquired in his heart the greatest gift of God's grace - Christian love for one's neighbor. Humility and meekness reigned supreme in his soul. The wise spiritual mentor Father Andronik, consoling others, unmistakably foresaw the inner state of a person and showed him the surest path to salvation. His leadership was particularly gentle and kind. This attracted both the brethren and many pilgrims to the elder. Through his prayers, not only spiritual wounds were healed, but also physical illnesses.
In 1955, Father Andronik was elevated to the rank of schema-abbot. After the closure of the Glinsk hermitage in 1961, schema-abbot Andronik labored in Tbilisi under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Zinovy (Mazhuga), who loved and revered the elder very much. In 1963, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy I, the elder was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. Since 1963, Schema-Archimandrite Andronik served in the Alexander Nevsky Church in Tbilisi. In November 1973, he lost his speech and lost left side bodies. The elder died quietly and peacefully on March 21, 1974. He was buried in Tbilisi, where to this day many pilgrims come to honor his memory.
Oral traditions keep information about those who received and are receiving grace-filled help after the death of Elder Andronicus through his prayers.
In his youth, Father Ippolit came for a blessing to enter the Theological Seminary. The elders replied:
– Here you have both a seminary and an academy.
- Father, you will die, who will be the elder after you? – Father Hippolytus once asked Elder Andronik.
“Yes, you will be an old man,” answered Father Andronik.
One day, novice Sergius (Father Hippolytus) became seriously ill with lobar pneumonia. The disease worsened so much that medical intervention did not help, the condition worsened, and death was already expected. Elder Andronik performed the sacrament of unction over the sick man, gave communion to the novice and began to pray for him. On the third day, novice Sergius arose completely healthy.
The priest treated Father Andronik with reverence all his life and constantly felt his prayerful support.
The ascetic sisters Anisia, Matrona and Agathia, who labored and died in the village of Yaltunovo, Shatsk district, Ryazan region, whose feat, according to the elder Schema-Archimandrite Vitaly (Sidorenko), was higher than that of a monk, loved and honored Schema-Archimandrites Seraphim (Amelina) and Andronik (Lukash). The sisters spoke of the Glinsk ascetics as the great elders of our time.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested in different ways. But they can also be hidden from people, since they are not the purpose of senile service, but are given for one important mission - the salvation of human souls. The senile leadership is aimed at analyzing all human actions, all the subtlest movements of the soul. Perspicacious elders helped their children take the right path, revealing to them their spiritual state and warning them against falls.
The Glinsk hermitage was famous for its host of elders. Eldership was its main feature, its main wealth. And, as N.V. Maslov said, the elders are wise people, led by the Holy Spirit, who have received various grace-filled gifts from the Lord for the spiritual guidance of their children. The Lord, imposing these gifts on His chosen ones, at the same time imposes on them a huge responsibility, because the goal of eldership is one - the salvation of human souls.
But the elders lead their charges to this goal in different ways, looking at their spiritual gifts, individual traits, and the abilities of each person seeking their guidance. Graceful spiritual gifts (“charis” in Greek) are supernatural abilities that are sent to the elders to serve the saint Church of Christ, for evangelism (spreading Orthodox faith), to save people. And, as mentioned above, these gifts manifest themselves in different ways: prophecy, miracles, healing, teaching of faith and others. As the Holy Scripture says: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and the actions are different, but God is one and the same, producing everything in everyone. To one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to others gifts of healings by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different languages, interpretation of tongues to another. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He pleases” (1 Cor. 12:4-11).
Some elders emphasized humility, others on repentance. Some were distinguished by their love of love, such as Father Sophrony, Father Seraphim (Amelin) and others. Others use moderate severity, seeking in the beginners the development of humility and patience through humiliation, as, for example, Father Julian. Some are peacemakers, others are sympathizers with human weaknesses. Some served the Glinsk hermitage and people through the compilation of biographies of the inhabitants of the holy monastery and spiritual and moral literature, others endured all the hardships of severe persecution, preserving spiritual traditions and eldership, like Father Nektary. Some labored in the Glinsk Hermitage itself, others spread its traditions in other monasteries. Some had the gift of miracles, others - clairvoyance (prophecy). Many elders combined several personal qualities and spiritual gifts.
The elder crossed the water, and everyone saw that he walked on the water as if it were dry land.
So, for example, Schema-Archimandrite Ioannikis (Father Isaiah), having worked hard in the matter of salvation, spiritual enlightenment of the brethren and pilgrims who visited the Glinsk hermitage, was endowed by the Lord with many gifts. Saint Theophan the Recluse (Vyshensky) called him “an old man of much experienced wisdom” and asked for his prayers. The elder, having a constant attraction to the inner life and concentration, despite many worries, achieved sobriety - guarding the mind against sinful thoughts, which he constantly taught the brethren. His modest, humble life, unceasing prayer, constant vigilance over himself led him to complete silence and dispassion. Having the gift of crying, the elder always performed the Liturgy with tears. And everyone present at the service, feeling his prayer, received great spiritual benefit and consolation.
The Lord was pleased to glorify His saint and reveal his holiness to everyone through the uncomplaining patience of the accusations unfairly brought against him. Father Ioannikios was slandered and dismissed from his position as rector. When he left the desert, there was a strong spring flood of the rivers. The elder crossed the water, and everyone saw that he walked on the water as if on dry land.
Archimandrite Innocent also possessed at the same time love, friendliness, mercy, insight, the gift of prayer, which for him was higher than bodily food, and the gift of healing.
But, as they testified about him, he hid his talents. Once he anointed the daughter of a woman, a blind girl who kept shaking her head, with oil from the lamp of the Queen of Heaven, and sent the woman herself to pray to the Mother of God in the monastery. When the girl was completely healed, the elder said that this was a work of mercy of the Mother of God.
He reconciled those who quarreled, consoled the mourners, whom he loved and pitied with all his heart, and was ready to give everything to them. He dedicated himself to serving his neighbors from morning until midnight. The elder himself received consolation from above from the Holy Spirit of the Comforter.
Abbot Philaret was awarded the gift of clairvoyance for his godly life. Thus, deeply revering the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, he saw the soul of the deceased saint being carried up to heaven by the Angels. Once Father Filaret predicted that a girl named Elizaveta would become abbess, and she indeed subsequently became Abbess Emilia of Verkho-Kharkov. The gift of insight also contributed to Abbot Philaret in carrying out external transformative activities in the Glinsk Hermitage. The elder also predicted his own death, which occurred on the second day of Holy Easter. It should be noted that during his lifetime Abbot Philaret was honored with a vision of the Most Holy Theotokos in his cell.
Father Seraphim (Amelin), being the abbot of the monastery, was endowed by the Lord with the wonderful gift of humility. The elder considered himself worse than everyone, thanks to which he acquired this gift, which manifested itself in all his actions and even in his clothes. He was never irritated by anything, there was no worldly vanity in him, but in his soul he always had calmness and a blessed peace that emanated from the people around him. As it is said in the Glinsky Patericon: “Peace is the spiritual treasure that Christ brought to earth, reconciling man with God through His sacrifice on the cross. The peace sent from heaven is a grace-filled force that leads to harmony of human souls,” and the souls next to the elder acquired that very peace of Christ. But the main gift that Father Seraphim was endowed with was ardent love for the Lord and for all people, and those, seeing his humility and fatherly love, reached out to the ascetic. Often they were convinced of the perspicacity of their spiritual mentor. Without leaving his cell, he saw with spiritual vision the entire monastery and the needs of the brethren. Guided by this gift, the elder wisely prescribed obediences, knowing what was most beneficial for each novice. The elder could, invisible to ordinary eyes, walk around the monastery; he was seen only by elders who were as perspicacious as himself. And after death, the Lord left his body incorruptible. Thus, he combined humility, insight, peace of mind and love.
Elder Schema-Metropolitan Seraphim (Mazhuga) acquired in his soul the grace of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out abundantly on everyone who came to him for spiritual nourishment. Having the gift of clairvoyance in its entirety, the elder revealed God's will to those who asked him.
The Lord rewarded Hieromonk Jonah with the gift of sacrificial love for his flock. While still a student, Father Jonah deeply accepted the instructions of the Glinsky elders, who taught that the salvation of people depends on the shepherd, since he is their teacher of the truths of Christ and a guide to the Kingdom of Heaven. But a shepherd should not only teach people the truth of God and call for its fulfillment, while he himself should remain outside of it. A true shepherd must let the truths of Christ into his soul, apply them to himself, that is, learn the theology of pastoral service in own experience, through spiritual achievement. The shepherd is a mediator between God and people and receives the grace of his ministry from Christ Himself.
Father Seraphim, without leaving his cell, saw with spiritual vision the entire monastery and the needs of the brethren
The inhabitant of the Glinsk Hermitage, Father Jonah, who was taught by the elders of the holy monastery these and many other truths, who accepted their instructions and teachings about the essence of pastoral service and the height of this service, became a zealous fulfiller of the elders’ covenants in the matter of counseling and showed himself to be a kind, loving shepherd who cares about salvation human souls. He bore the cross of shepherding, which is also the path of martyrdom, enduring all the obstacles of the enemy of the human race on his path, and leading people to Christ. But exalted by people who saw his holiness and zeal in his pastoral service, he himself was never exalted, but attributed all his gifts to God, realizing that all the grace-filled powers of the shepherd do not depend on himself, but come through him from the Lord. Thus, being a shepherd of a holy life, he humbled himself, thereby rejecting enemy attacks that inspired thoughts of his holiness.
One of the godly elders who led the Glinsk Hermitage after its discovery in 1942, Elder Andronik, acquired the gifts of spiritual peace and living faith during his time in captivity with the Austrians. In addition, he was filled with the grace-filled gift of the Holy Spirit - Christian love for others. He was distinguished by humility, meekness and hard work, which were manifested even outwardly - the elder was always bent over. The brethren, seeing his pastoral love, opened their souls to him, and after a conversation with the elder, they felt gracious consolation. Father Andronik constantly prayed for his children. Having a gift from the Lord to unmistakably see the state of a person’s soul, the elder guided everyone to salvation according to his abilities. All of him spiritual direction came down to showing people faith in Christ. His advice, as a rule, was based on the instructions of the holy fathers. The ascetic’s prayers healed the spiritual and physical wounds of everyone who turned to him for help. His pastoral activity in Georgia pushed the Georgian hierarchs to more zealous service. Hegumen Hilarion (Prikhodko), a former inhabitant of the Glinsk hermitage, in his farewell speech over the tomb of the deceased elder Andronik, emphasized the elder’s talents and called him a saddener of human souls for his sacrificial and compassionate love.
Another great Glinsky elder, Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov), already in his youth, under the guidance of wise Glinsky mentors, acquired the gifts of complete obedience, humility, and the gift of unceasing fervent prayer. Having given himself up to a solitary life, spending the whole night in prayer, he brought sincere repentance to the Lord for himself and his children. Having become an experienced spiritual leader, he acquired a special gift - to see the hearts of those who repent, to evoke deep repentance and pure confession in them. When confessing, he did not like verbosity and taught not to tell an autobiography, but to repent of the sins committed. Endowed with spiritual reasoning, the godly elder gave soul-saving instructions based on the Holy Scriptures and the works of the holy fathers to everyone who came to him. Talking with humility with them, he warmed their hearts, enlightened their minds, led them to spiritual peace and wisely led everyone, in the only right direction, to salvation.
The ascetic never attributed all his talents to himself, but called himself only a doer of God’s will and a conductor of grace, thereby humbled his soul and filled it with Christian humility.
Father Seraphim’s main gift was his humility - clear example for everyone around him. The ascetic never attributed all his talents to himself, but called himself only a doer of God’s will and a conductor of grace, thereby humbled his soul and filled it with Christian humility. But his humility was coupled with zeal for the salvation of his flock’s souls. Therefore, when it was necessary to admonish a person and make him aware of his sinfulness, the elder was strict and bold, and directly denounced.
Until his death, Father Seraphim patiently, with humility, devoted himself to serving God and his flock, lived in Christ and was a worthy bearer of His grace.
Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov) was comprehensively gifted. He proved himself both as a spiritual shepherd, and as a gifted teacher, and as a disseminator of the traditions of the Glinsk Hermitage, and as the compiler of many soul-saving works.
The elder clearly saw the inner state of a person, his approach to each soul was individual: what he allowed for one, he categorically forbade another. Sometimes he called strangers by name and spoke about life circumstances that were known only to the interlocutors themselves. He gave to each exactly what and to the extent that he could accommodate according to his spiritual structure. He could so transform a person’s soul that he would turn away from sinful addictions and strive for a new spiritual life. He had the gift of compassion and empathy for others, and with his fiery prayer he healed the soul and body of a person. But he instilled in each of his spiritual children the idea that main goal the existence of a person on earth is the salvation of the soul, and salvation is the work of a lifetime, and earthly life determines future, eternal life. He explained to everyone that the path of salvation is thorny and very difficult, and in order to be saved, you need to apply all your strength, all your will, and put faith in Christ as the basis of salvation.
Father John spent almost 25 years in Moscow theological schools. He taught pastoral theology and, since 1974, also Liturgics. For future clergy, who then scattered throughout the country, the example of the life of their mentor was especially valuable - his self-denial, pastoral courage, and evangelical love for his neighbor.
He, as the owner of great spiritual gifts, was entrusted with the future shepherds of the Church, capable of becoming the spiritual leaders of human souls. His lessons were very interesting and memorable. He knew how to create in the hearts of students the true spirit of shepherding - self-sacrifice, a gracious disposition and love for God, the Church, and the flock.
Father John was not only a gifted teacher for his students, but also a confessor unsurpassed in his influence. As one of his students, Hieromonk Sergius (Dankov), recalls: “Each lesson is, first of all, a lesson in internal spiritual self-knowledge. Father John revealed to us the vast world of spiritual life, taught us to expose our shortcomings, tactfully showed us our sinful passions and with our help he corrected them. At each lesson there was intense spiritual work, and with each individual.”
When Father John was sent as confessor to the Zhirovitsky Holy Dormition Monastery in Belarus, he, like Father Macedonius, the abbot of the Churkinskaya Assumption-Nicholas Hermitage, from the very beginning introduced into it the charter of the Glinsk monastery and monastic traditions that had been preserved in the desert since ancient times. Thanks to such ascetics, the tradition of eldership in the Glinsk Hermitage spread to many other monasteries.
Like Abbot Iasson, a former inhabitant of the Glinskaya hermitage, and since 1903 the abbot of the Kursk Znamensky Monastery, Father John did not forget his native Glinskaya hermitage and also served it through the compilation of biographies of its elders, as well as the history of the Glinskaya monastery.
Nowadays, oversaturated with flows of information, the written works of Father John (Maslov) are a living source for those seeking salvation, they collect a person’s scattered thoughts, focus him on the spiritual, generate a desire to correct his life and show the way to this. The elder achieved such unity with Christ that through reading his works the soul receives the right spiritual direction and approaches God. The works of Father John even after his death continue the work of his whole life - the work of saving people. In his written and oral instructions, Father John answers in detail main question every person: “How to be saved?”
The old man’s connection with the other world was amazing. He talked about afterlife deceased. Everything was open to his spiritual gaze. He could cast out demons, heal the body from incurable diseases, and the soul from passions.
Schema-Archimandrite John had the greatest gifts of the Holy Spirit - the unceasing Jesus Prayer, spiritual reasoning, insight, penetration into the secret places of human souls, healing of diseases of the soul and body, but most importantly - boundless, selfless, active Christian love. Father John himself said: “Only through love can one comprehend the inner life of other people and enter into close spiritual communication with them... Real love is bearing each other’s infirmities.”
Only through love can one comprehend the inner life of other people and enter into close spiritual communication with them.
The Lord revealed an unusually humble and loving mentor, Schema-Archimandrite Vitaly (Sidorenko), not so distant from us. His humility and complete obedience to the elders, to the point of completely cutting off his own will, is the main thing that every novice novice must learn, is well shown by one incident that happened with the young Vitaly. Father Seraphim told him to move the woodpile. He shifted it. Father Andronik ordered to put it back. Vitaly moved it to its original place. Father Seraphim returns: “Why didn’t you do it?” Vitaly ran after Father Andronik, and then he got it from both. But the humble ascetic endured this incident, like many similar ones, without grumbling or despondency, taking the blame, as always, upon himself. He remained so humble until the end of his life, having many spiritual children. He loved every person, honored the image of God in everyone, bowed at the feet of everyone and served everyone. When shepherds came to him for spiritual advice, he, like the Lord, washed their feet. And he treated everyone who approached him with the same love and respect. He even loved his persecutors for his faith, according to the word of the Lord: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who wrong you. Give the other one to the one who hits you on the cheek, and do not prevent the one who takes your outer clothing from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not demand back from the one who took what is yours (Luke 6:27-30). He literally fulfilled these commands of God - for the police officers beating him to death, he prayed as for his benefactors and called them Guardian Angels. He immediately distributed all the gifts from his children to his neighbors.
For his righteous life, the Lord gave the elder such a memory that he remembered everyone who turned to him at least once for spiritual advice, and even their relatives and their life situation. The elder needed a lot of love and patience in order to attract a person to God and awaken in him the desire to be saved. Father Vitaly led his children “the royal way” - he never overburdened prayer rule, did not advise taking on excessive feats. And I never felt sorry for myself. He made countless bows for the suffering, lit candles, and prayed for those children who, thousands of kilometers away, cried out: “Father Vitaly, help!” And they soon became convinced that not only their needs, but also their thoughts were revealed to the elder. The gift of foresight, which the priest humbly concealed, helped him in his senile service. He once said: “If you had love, the walls would fall apart, and you could always be with me, see me.” By great love To his children, the elder always remained with them in soul, no matter where they were.
Love, like any feeling, the more often it is applied and manifested, the more it flares up, so the elders, teaching others, and at the same time learn themselves, drawing the water of life from the well of grace for others, they attract it abundantly into their own well, By lighting other people's lamps with their torch, they do not diminish their light, but rather intensify it, and receive various spiritual gifts from the Lord. By saving others, the elder receives what he lives for - he himself is saved and leads those who obey to the salvation.
Let us note that the Glinsky elders did not isolate themselves in a narrow circle of monasticism, but completely devoted themselves to serving God and their neighbors. They were a visible example of active monastic life, bringing the light of Christ to the people around them. Even during the closing of the Glinsk monastery, being outside their native walls, the elders with their righteous lives attracted the hearts of Christ-loving people and were lamps of piety. With their deeds and virtues they encouraged people to imitate, following the words of Scripture: “So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Having a spirit of prayer, they boldly asked for the people. Through their prayers, many awakened from sinful darkness, received the gift of sincere repentance and became closer to God.