Vladyka Savva. Vladyka Savva left the Novospassky monastery
The guest of the “Bright Evening” program was the first deputy administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate, vicar of the Moscow diocese, abbot of the Novospassky Monastery, Bishop Savva of the Resurrection.
Bishop Savva spoke about what “vicariate” is and what the duties of a “vicar” are, how the day of an Orthodox bishop is structured; spoke about how he came to faith and to service in the Church. In addition, the bishop spoke about bringing the right hand of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica to the Novospassky Monastery.
Presenters: Alexey Pichugin, Alla Mitrofanova
A. Pichugin
Friends, hello! Alla Mitrofanova, I am Alexey Pichugin, we welcome you...
A. Mitrofanova
Good bright evening.
A. Pichugin
Our guest today is the Bishop of Resurrection, abbot of the Moscow Novospassky Monastery, Bishop Savva. Hello, lord!
Ep. Savva
Good evening!
Our dossier:
Bishop of Resurrection Savva. Vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. In the world Alexander Evgenievich Mikheev. Born on May 10, 1980 in Perm in a family of workers. At an early age, he moved with his parents to the city of Kasimov, Ryazan region, and in 1997, after graduating from school, he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary. After the seminary he accepted monasticism and became a priest. Graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy and Ryazan State University named after Sergei Yesenin. In 2011, he was appointed abbot of the Novospassky stauropegial monastery in Moscow. In the same year he became Bishop of Resurrection. He cares for parish churches in the south-eastern administrative district and New Moscow. In 2014, he was appointed first deputy manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.
A. Pichugin
Let's get to know you. Listeners who more or less know the geography of Moscow and the region, they may be surprised that your title is Resurrection, you are the abbot of the Moscow Novospassky Monastery, and also, when I introduced you, I did not name you, you manage parishes on the territory of New Moscow, the so-called vicariate new territories. These are churches that were located in the Moscow region and, with the expansion of Moscow to the Kaluga region, entered this territory. People may wonder how this happened.
A. Mitrofanova
And how are you enough for everything?
Ep. Savva
Thank you for such an interesting question, let's start from the beginning. All vicars of His Holiness the Patriarch bear the titles of cities near Moscow.
A. Mitrofanova
Let me explain, I apologize, what a vicar is.
Ep. Savva
Vicar - as a term it means assistant to the ruling bishop. IN in this case The city of Moscow is the see of the ruling bishop, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill. And therefore all vicars bear the title of vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch. Literally translated as assistant to His Holiness the Patriarch. The entire city of Moscow is divided into administrative boundaries along secular boundaries. And within the same boundaries is our church division into so-called vicariates. In a way, we can call them prefectures, for greater clarity. In particular, with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, I have under my control not only the new territories of the city of Moscow, but also the south-eastern administrative district. And some parishes and metochions of the Patriarch of Moscow in the region. There are 139 such parishes under my jurisdiction. And a large number of parishes But I can manage them with the help of my assistants. The first, closest assistants are the deans, who are directly involved in the management, supervision of the deanery, and the performance of divine services in smaller territories that are located within the boundaries of several districts. And if we talk about new territories, there are three such deaneries - Odigitrievskoye, Ilyinskoye and Nikolskoye. That is, three deaneries, which were initially divided into former districts - Leninsky district, Podolsky district and Naro-Fominsky. As these borders passed through the districts, we initially distributed them according to this principle. Since the secular division, when new territories were annexed, had not yet formed as such, but the church division was the first, so we had to make some decisions. That's why there is such a division. Accordingly, there are three deaneries in the new territories, and three deaneries help me in management. To help me, according to the order of the Patriarch, there is a special vicarial department, where there are the heads of the secretariat, the head of the office and some responsible employees who are responsible for youth work, catechesis and education, social activities, such an administrative structure. In this way they help me in solving the, of course, difficult tasks of managing such a large number of our parishes.
A. Mitrofanova
Where do you spend most of your time? In a monastery or in administrative matters? How does this work in practice?
Ep. Savva
If we take the daily cycle, then I spend more time in the monastery. I live there, and my vicar office is located there. Geographically, initially it was convenient because the southeastern district began literally across the road. Well, since a new territory appeared, it appeared much later, until a separate vicarial administration was formed there, it is not needed, since I am the only vicar and for now we are managing from the monastery. And there it is more convenient that we can gather on this territory, on the territory of the monastery, with all the clergy of our districts. But we are now practicing meeting in different places. As some bishops and secular people sometimes practice in our country, when, for example, one meeting is in one city, another in another...
A. Pichugin
In places.
Ep. Savva
In places. Therefore, we began to take turns, holding one meeting in the south-eastern district in one deanery, and holding another meeting in the New Territory. So that everyone doesn't feel offended. And if it is not possible to gather in other places, then we gather in the monastery.
A. Mitrofanova
Can I ask what your day looks like? You wake up... I know that bishops are all very busy people, you great amount affairs, judging by what territories you manage. How does this all line up?
Ep. Savva
Until recently, I had a completely different schedule. And now, since you have not yet said that I have another position, I am the first deputy director of affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, then usually in the first half of the day, after our usual monastic rules, ordinary prayers, I go to the Danilovsky Monastery, another place my obedience. Where I spend most of the time before lunch reviewing papers and doing some business in case management. The second half of the day is mainly devoted to the management of our vicariates and the monastery. In the remaining time we are engaged in the monastery, since this is my main obedience. Of course, it is difficult to fulfill some abbot duties, since they require presence at some of our common and lunch meals, some services and prayers. Sometimes the brethren forgive me for indulgences and absences due to the obedience that the Church has determined for me.
A. Pichugin
Surely you have assistants in the monastery who take on some of the functions.
Ep. Savva
Discipline is, of course, handled by the dean, to whom we give some instructions, who constantly reports to me on the phone about certain situations, but, basically, the fraternal team that has formed there is already long-standing, some brethren there have been in the monastery for 20 years, more me, adults, mature people, perhaps the youngest of them I turn out to be. Both by time of residence and by age. Therefore, I probably remain the least sedate. And the rest have somehow already settled down and they are all peacefully fulfilling their monastic duty.
A. Pichugin
And how is lack of stature expressed?
Ep. Savva
In constant moving, you need to go somewhere, take part somewhere, this is a kind of vanity, it is probably inherent in all bishops, because they constantly have to be on the move, visiting parishes, and this is probably my lack of stature.
A. Mitrofanova
Vladyka, you said that everyone who lives in the Novospassky Monastery, which you lead, where you are abbot, are people who are older than you. How is your interaction structured? You are actually senior to them in position. They are in your submission, they are in your obedience, how is that?
Ep. Savva
There is a concept of church hierarchy, church discipline; any monk takes a vow of obedience to the abbot in everything. Therefore, everyone who lives with me, all our monks or monastics, who initially, whether the abbot is young or elderly, give the abbot a vow of obedience, fulfillment of all his blessings. If we talk in my case, about my shortcoming, which is easily corrected by time, the brethren, at least, do not complain and fulfill their obediences. Moreover, I did not carry out any reforms as such after my appointment there. I believe that the regime, the daily routine, the charter that has developed, it was created before me, so my task is to support the traditions that have developed in the monastery. Those obediences and habits of the brethren that are already correlated with the monastic rank and with some spiritual criteria, so that they are supported by me and not destroyed. Therefore, we do not have such dissonance and any kind of reproach towards me; I never felt that I was young among them, and they were all so elderly, respectable. In any case, we have, both according to the charter and according to the established tradition, a spiritual council, a monastic meeting, where we discuss collectively some issues of our internal monastic life, and I consult with our brotherhood before making a decision. This concerns, first of all, the acceptance of new inhabitants into the brethren of the monastery; this is the question of ordination to the priesthood or deacon. We have such an internal, monastic law that if one of the brethren is against some kind of ordination or acceptance into the fraternity, we postpone for a certain time a decision on this or that person, issue, and after some time we return to this We return to the question, and if the brethren all agree...
A. Mitrofanova
That is, democracy is like this...
Ep. Savva
I would not say that democracy is the usual principles of monastic fraternal life, this is our family, brothers. How we cannot together jointly solve the issues on which we ourselves must live. Recently, my brothers and I discussed the design of a fraternal dormitory.
A. Pichugin
On the territory of the monastery.
Ep. Savva
We already have it, but we want to change the conditions so that they are a little better and comply with all the rules of staying in a hostel. So that all the rules, in secular terms, of communications are observed, as they should be in our country, rules fire safety and many other problems. Since this is an architectural monument, this is agreed upon with our supervisory authorities. And we all discussed together how it would be more convenient for us to make a layout and arrange the furniture in our cells. Then we all have to live together, let everyone’s opinion be taken into account so that everyone feels good and comfortable.
A. Mitrofanova
Do you naturally feel like a leader, speaking in secular terms?
Ep. Savva
I like my family; I don’t feel like some kind of outcast. Although everyone tells me that you are endowed with episcopal authority, which separates you from the brethren, that you are treated as an authoritarian person who, having made a decision, does not consult with anyone, and this causes a certain mediastinum and a wall in fraternal communication. In fact, the mediastinum arises only due to lack of time, when you do not have time to communicate with the brethren, come to a common meal, to a common worship service. Because you have been appointed to serve in another place, to perform some kind of obedience. This sometimes causes mediastinum, but in terms of fraternal communication we do not have any wall. Anyone can come to me and call me at any time. Brothers, I always tell them all that the doors of my office and cell are open for you at any time, you can come and consult.
A. Pichugin
Bishop Savva of the Resurrection, abbot of the Novospassky Monastery, is spending this “Bright Evening” with us. Vladyka, you say that in terms of age you are probably the youngest of the brethren of the Novospassky Monastery, but, nevertheless, before that you served for many years in both the Yaroslavl and Ryazan diocese. But it turns out that you have been in church since your youth. How did you come to faith?
Ep. Savva
Quite consciously. I even remember how I was baptized. I was baptized at the age of six, when I came from Perm, where I was born, with my parents to Ryazan, since our relatives were there. And my grandmother baptized me. And from the moment of Baptism, the temple, the priest, who, as I realized later, I did not understand then, performed incense in the temple, performed divine services, sank into my soul. I was impressed by this; I was unusual and interested in what was on the other side of the altar. But for some time I probably went through the process of parental, grandmotherly upbringing. And when my grandmother went to church, she managed to go quite infrequently; in my memory, she went 3 or 4 times a year...
A. Pichugin
Some big holidays...
Ep. Savva
Firstly, she had a large farm, she worked on a collective farm, and she had a grandfather, who took up a lot of her time, since he also needed some kind of care. And when grandfather allowed, grandmother could go to the temple of God, and I always asked to go with her. And I always tried to stand up for the entire service. This is not for my praise, I’m not bragging, I was just so interested that I didn’t want to sit down or go out anywhere, and I always stood with my grandmother until the end of the service.
A. Mitrofanova
How did your parents feel about this?
Ep. Savva
With a feeling of respect. I would not say that my parents were church people. But they didn’t stop me either. Their only objection was that when I wanted to fast with my grandmother, they always said that “you are a growing organism, that you need to eat as you should” and scolded me somehow. But in any case, I obeyed my parents, because my grandmother said that the commandment is to obey your parents, to honor them. And the priest told me that I must be obedient to my parents, so I obeyed them, which must have been charged to me for forgiveness of the sin of breaking the fast.
A. Pichugin
Can we say that your desire to enter the seminary somehow grew logically out of your whole life?
Ep. Savva
Yes. My only desire was that I prayed to God recent years five, when I was in school, that I would like to become a priest, enter the seminary.
A. Mitrofanova
So you've been asking since fifth grade?
Ep. Savva
Since fifth grade, yes. Because from about that time I began to go to church regularly. It started with my independent, without my grandmother, going to church. And not to ours the only church in the city of Kasimov, this is the St. Nicholas Church, I still remember it, for me this is the temple where I was baptized, it sank into my soul. But in the 90s, more churches opened here, and a church opened in the village of Telebukino, this is from the place where my grandmother lives about 8 kilometers on foot, if along the banks of the Oka River, maybe closer. There was the Church of the Transfiguration, where regular services began to be held, and they were given to the parish community. And I came to this temple. Of course, it was not as beautiful as Nikolsky, which was never closed. But something impressed me and I thought, let me go every Sunday. And I got up at half past six, took out the cattle with my grandmother and went to the temple along the river bank. And so I came there for three Sundays, and on the third Sunday the priest said to me: “Could you help me at the altar?” And I began to study the censer first. At first I was afraid to walk on carpets, because my grandmother always said that you can’t walk on carpets, only father walks on carpets. And I jumped over these carpets, and the priest laughed at me: “What are you... Do you need to fly?”
A. Pichugin
I understand that you were the only young man in the parish?
Ep. Savva
Then yes. The only boy who walked.
A. Mitrofanova
Didn’t your grandmothers swear at you or hiss?
Ep. Savva
No. I was then the light in the eyes of these three hundred grandmothers. Our grandmothers liked me. There were mostly grandmothers there, only one grandfather was there - Nikolai, the husband of our headman Elena Petrovna. And the priest himself. Then men, elderly, old people began to appear, then I delved so deeply into the topic of sextonism, I figured out the censer, began to clean it, realized that it was necessary to look after it, that this was the main, in general, object of sexton obedience, from the work of which The worship service also depends. It needs to be served to Father on time. And it worked so that smoke could come out.
A. Pichugin
You say the city of Kasimov, which I still can’t get to, I love driving along the Golden Ring and the cities that are not far from it. But this is a city that has been preserved since pre-revolutionary times. I know that you defended your doctorate on church architecture, on some such church forms. This also affected your consciousness, right?
Ep. Savva
If you visit the city of Kasimov, then you look from the bridge at the bank of the Oka River, you will see that there, on the bank, there are probably 7 temples. And they are all visible. We had such a place, you come there, it’s with opposite side city, the banks of the Oka, you can see the whole city - the Trinity Church, Nikolsky, Ilyinsky, Uspensky, Voznesensky, they all stand in one row and decorate the city. And I always wondered why our city Kasimov was not taken into Golden ring? It’s such a beautiful, provincial town, I know they filmed “The Inspector General” there once upon a time...
A. Pichugin
We filmed a lot. But then there would be an oval.
Ep. Savva
Maybe, but the oval looks like an egg, and the egg is a symbol eternal life, Easter. Moreover, it so happened that throughout my life I have always been surrounded by Transfiguration churches. In Telebukino there was a Church of the Transfiguration, then in another village Babino-Bulygino began to be a sexton, there is also a Church of the Transfiguration. I can even tell, if time permits, a certain story about these three villages that were located on the banks of the river.
A. Pichugin
Let's!
A. Mitrofanova
Tell us!
Ep. Savva
There were such villages on the banks of the river. Babino-Bulygino, where the Transfiguration Church was, Selezovo, where I lived, and Telebukino. And we had such a belief. Once upon a time there lived a Mr. Bukin who walked through these villages. Here he was walking along Babino-Bulygino, women were throwing cobblestones at him. And he reached the village of Selezovo, and shed tears in pain. And when he reached Telebukino, he died there, passed away, they buried him and wrote Bukin’s body. And Telebukino appeared.
A. Pichugin
Lovely local legends.
Ep. Savva
A. Mitrofanova
When we started studying your biography, we thought how interesting it was. The man first graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy, and then from Ryazan University. Lord, why? You already have a spiritual education, and education at the highest level - a theological academy. And suddenly you enter Ryazan University.
Ep. Savva
First I graduated from the Theological Seminary, then I entered the Academy, and the University appeared in my life by chance. I didn’t set out to get a secular education, but by the will of fate and the church’s blessing I had to do it. And why? In Ryazan we had, and still have, a department of theology. At that time there was great progress in education.
A. Mitrofanova
At a secular university?
Ep. Savva
- It was at the Ryazan Pedagogical University named after Yesenin. And now it is the State Ryazan University. There was a department of theology that existed successfully and was probably one of the leading departments of theology. Now, perhaps, there is already a department of theology. This was 2004-2003. The position of a theology teacher became vacant there. In this case, it should be called dogmatic theology, but then there was theology. The teacher died, the second teacher, it seems, moved to another place of service. And they didn’t know who to appoint there. A condition for teaching is to have a secular education. Pedagogical, profile.
I didn't have one. But they offered me. And they said that, according to the rules, we can overcome this misunderstanding by enrolling you in the theology department to teach and learn to teach at the same time.
I then passed all the relevant exams in theology as an external student, and then completed my studies in specific ones - pedagogy, foreign languages, philosophy.
A. Mitrofanova
Did you study directly? Did you come to class with the students?
Ep. Savva
I had to not attend all classes, I did come to some, mostly I took tests, since I had obedience, and wrote my theses, which I chose. This was a thesis on the Spaso-Yakovlevsko-Dimitriev Monastery in Rostov the Great.
A. Mitrofanova
In architecture?
Ep. Savva
Also on architecture and history.
A. Pichugin
And you served in Yaroslavl then.
Ep. Savva
Then, when Metropolitan Simon of Ryazan and Kasimovsky retired, I had to go with him to Yaroslavl, since his place of residence was determined in Yaroslavl, so I did not leave Ryazan University, the teachers asked me to stay. And I finished it, fortunately they gave me the opportunity to study by correspondence, I traveled and only passed exams.
A. Mitrofanova
How old were you when you started teaching there?
Ep. Savva
I was 22 years old, 23.
A. Mitrofanova
So it turns out that you are practically the same age as the students?
Ep. Savva
Almost yes.
A. Pichugin
I think we’ll talk about this, but first we’ll pause for a minute.
A. Pichugin
Again Good evening, Friends! Alla Mitrofanova, I am Alexey Pichugin, we welcome you here to the studio of “Svetly Radio” and remind you that our guest today is the abbot of the Moscow Novospassky Monastery, Bishop Savva of the Resurrection.
A. Mitrofanova
I would like to talk with you about your experience teaching at a secular university. You simultaneously studied at Ryazan University and taught there from the age of 22, already being a priest, as I understand it.
Ep. Savva
Yes, I was a hieromonk.
A. Mitrofanova
Not only was a priest allowed into a secular educational institution, he also taught there, he also studied there, and you were also 22 years old. Could you tell us about this experience? Did students, or actually peers, pester you with questions?
Ep. Savva
Due, probably, to the subjects that I taught, mainly dogmatic theology, or as they called it, theology, there were no such reproaches, it seems to everyone that I am so young, hot, blood plays. A beard makes you look old, long hair too... And the weight makes itself felt, gives you solidity. There was never a question about my age when we first met. Then they found out that I was so young. But in any case, it was necessary to follow the teaching rules, I followed them all, which were set by a secular university. This is an educational and methodological complex that had to be prepared, the necessary literature and a thematic plan. And the breakdown of lectures by hour, calendar plan, topics of essays, topics of coursework, I tried to do all this. And the lectures that I attended, I attended regularly. If I couldn’t due to church blessing, then I called in advance. There should have been no resentment among the students, especially since they all passed the exams positively, and I would not say that they did not understand theology, theology. Even I was pleased with our students and students.
A. Mitrofanova
Did they themselves like how you felt?
Ep. Savva
If they didn't like it themselves, I think they wouldn't come. Since we have free attendance at a secular university, as far as I understand. In any case, in a secular university, the test is a deterrent.
A. Pichugin
This is Alla Sergeevna’s professional interest, as a higher school teacher.
Vladyka, we also wanted to ask you, now you serve in the center of Moscow, but for a long time you served practically in rural parishes. Before the broadcast, you said that you had to travel and replace clergy somewhere in the Yaroslavl region. In the provincial monasteries of Yaroslavl... How much different is the priestly ministry in Moscow in the center and the ministry of a priest in a small city?
Ep. Savva
It differs in that in a rural parish, you can pay more attention to your parishioners. There are not many of them, you know them all by heart, you know what their problems are, how they live, what worries them. Therefore, accordingly, your sermon, your attitude, and confession are built on this. You communicate even after the service much calmer and easier, when we could all sit at the same table and drink tea. Of course, it’s hard in the city. There is a large influx of believers and you cannot separate... Distribute among them all. There is much more responsibility here, because if... A rural parish is usually of the same level. And educational, and intellectual, and spiritual, practically the same problems, questions, sins, perhaps, are inherent. And in the city here it is necessary to be everything to everyone in order to save at least some. That is, it is necessary...
A. Mitrofanova
According to the Apostle Paul.
Ep. Savva
A. Pichugin
It seemed to me that this is more a problem of small parishes, when the priest is constantly in sight, and so are they. And you can’t hide in the house.
Ep. Savva
There it’s simpler, more family-friendly. Well, they know that the priest has some problems, but everyone loves him for who he is. Someone agrees with something, someone disagrees, someone condemns his mother, someone doesn’t, someone likes it, but in any case they treat him as one of their own. And here, of course, there are a lot of intelligent people who write, so something constantly arises here. The standards for priests are also higher.
A. Pichugin
Don't you miss such a measured life?
Ep. Savva
I miss. Sometimes I want to go out into the field.
A. Pichugin
Is it possible?
Ep. Savva
Lately it hasn't been possible.
A. Pichugin
Although, on the other hand, you have under your control the vicariate of new territories, complete villages... And some are completely villages on the border with the Kaluga region.
Ep. Savva
Yes. This, you know, somehow consoles me. You arrive there and think: “Lord, what’s here... There’s really no Moscow here, either in appearance or in spirit, just names.”
A. Pichugin
God grant that it doesn't happen.
Ep. Savva
An ordinary village. I would like the villages in the new territories to retain their rural identity; this somehow gives a special flavor to the city of Moscow. On one side is the city, drive away and the village.
A. Mitrofanova
Vladyka, when we say “village,” a rather sad picture appears in our heads: people have nowhere to work, the infrastructure is insufficiently developed. And so on. Compared to a metropolis, there are much fewer opportunities for people to realize themselves and find themselves. That's why there aren't many young people there. Everyone who wants to realize themselves goes to big cities. You lived there a lot, and I see that this life is spiritually close and understandable to you. What needs to be done to change this situation? Or is there no need to change?
Ep. Savva
I think it needs to change. How to attract? I don’t know what administrative measures the state should take; let the people who are responsible for it decide. But I will give you a simple example of how the presence of a priest in a village turns the entire way of life of the village into a different, much more positive perspective.
I had a priest friend who came from Moscow, left Moscow, thought, well, what is this, he says, I spend most of my life in traffic jams, I would rather devote part of this life to something more important, do something good for people . He came to us in the Yaroslavl diocese, he was assigned a village, where he settled, and began to restore the parish. Part of the land was donated to him, and a farm was donated to the parish. He began to engage, as they say now, in the rehabilitation of the residents who were sadly drinking there, mainly the male part. And he gave them the opportunity to work on these farms, engage in agriculture.
A. Mitrofanova
And did you pay money for it?
Ep. Savva
A. Pichugin
I feel like I saw a report about him on TV.
Ep. Savva
Yes. If you want, this is the village of Davydovo, Yaroslavl region. There is a priest there, Father Vladimir Klimzo, my friend, who is now engaged in something else good deed. He now organizes summer camps for disabled children. He opened a gymnasium where his mother, who is a candidate biological sciences, is a director and teaches, his whole family is there. The children gave birth to grandchildren for him, the children study in the gymnasium, and in the parish, and in this agriculture. Young people came there, his children live there, and the gymnasium is here. And the hospital is probably not far away. The parishioners also defended so that it would not be closed. And somehow people forgot about the special conditions, that something is necessary for everyday life, so they followed this priest and do not regret it, I see that the village is developing. It came to life, it became different. Of course, there are also temptations, and you can’t live without them either. But it turns out that he was engaged in the restoration of the temple, and restored his entire parish and residents. And now they are not getting around to the final restoration of the temple, because so many problems have arisen: either in the gymnasium or on the farm.
A. Pichugin
Well, the temple is probably almost restored too?
Ep. Savva
Almost yes.
A. Mitrofanova
Well done. But probably not everyone can do this.
Ep. Savva
- This is one example of how we can revive. It is very important that the priest lives in the parish. It is very important. And the hierarchy always talks about this. Not everyone, of course, can afford this, but here you need to be dedicated to your work, devoted to serving God and your neighbor.
A. Mitrofanova
And if you imagine that it was not a priest who came to this village, but just a very good man with specialized education. He starts farming, and everything is the same, but he’s not a priest.
Ep. Savva
It's also possible. There are such cases.
A. Pichugin
Just a few days ago, about one of these people who came to the village to die, after he was diagnosed with cancer, from which, by the way, he was healed, he has a developing collective farm, he began to print his own money, the story was dedicated to this (laughs ).
A. Mitrofanova
Why did I ask this question? For a priest, the most important thing in life is worship. And Christ is at the center of life. And preaching Christ is probably the most important thing.
Ep. Savva
I do not believe that worship is the very first task of a priest. It seems to me that there is no point in a divine service in which there is no parish or parishioners. Why is it needed? Why is this temple needed? If there are no parishioners there. It turns out to be simple, a monument of architecture, church art, and that’s all. Wrapper, no inner contents. Therefore, human souls are very important for a priest; service to God and neighbors is important. It is most important. And worship is, of course, important, central, where we unite, where we communicate, where the Earthly and Heavenly Churches unite. But first you need to attract someone there, call someone, find some parishioners, those who want to be saved. That's what I think is most important. These are our people. To whom should we preach Christ, for whom should we perform services, because God does not need service, you and I need it. God is a self-sufficient being, the angels sing a song of praise to Him, but why are we here?! Sometimes we can’t even sing normally in church.
A. Mitrofanova
Vladyka, the relics of Demetrius of Thessalonica have just been brought to the monastery. Could you tell us what kind of shrine this is and where it came from?
Ep. Savva
They brought it from the Greek Church, from Greece, from the monastery of Panagia Devra, it seems, I don’t remember in Greek. It was brought by the guardian of the right hand of the Great Martyr Demetrius, Metropolitan of Nalves and Verea Panteleimon. This right hand has been in his custody since 1979. Until 1978, the relics of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica were in Italy. And Bishop Panteleimon, with the blessing of the Greek Church, was engaged in the transfer from Italy to the city of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, the current relics of the holy great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the myrrh-streaming one. And as a token of gratitude, the Synod of the Greek Church allocated the right hand to him both as a reward and for storage in his monastery, where he lives, not being an abbot, simply having a cell, since he likes the monastic life. We communicate with him, he talks about his life. And this right hand now remains in our monastery until February 18.
A. Mitrofanova
If Dmitry, or in general people who revere this saint, can hear us now. To meet this shrine, what should you do? Just come to the Novospassky Monastery and stand in a long line there?
Ep. Savva
There are no long queues now. I left, there is very little there. Of course, when such a shrine is presented, which is of general church significance, then it is necessary to comply with our city rules. Naturally, we notified the authorities that such a shrine existed. Therefore, according to a certain procedure, the monastery was prepared for the reception of the relics, security measures were taken, which may seem unnecessary, but, probably, don’t worry, while it’s quiet, it would be better if these security measures were observed.
Of course, I will say that monastic life is discordant, because we have a lot of barriers, a lot of police, ambulance, equipment, all necessary sanitary conditions are met. But I believe that this is the city’s concern for our citizens, so that if these long lines appear, so that they can not push each other, they will have conditions where they can wash their hands, drink tea and everything else. Therefore, we complied with all this. There are no queues yet. And I think that it’s probably good that people don’t have to stand in the cold and quickly go to the relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius. They are in our tomb of the Romanov boyars for convenience. It seemed that it was more convenient for parishioners, for pilgrims, so they are there.
A. Pichugin
Are they coming from different cities?
Ep. Savva
Yes, they already called from my home region of Yaroslavl, and from Nizhny Novgorod, I know, they called to bring pilgrim groups by bus. We are now distributing them so that they do not occur at the same time. And they arrived at different times. To distribute the flow. I feel sorry for the people, it’s a little cold now so that no one gets frostbitten.
A. Pichugin
Is there somewhere to accommodate people in the Novospassky Monastery?
Ep. Savva
Well, we don’t have a hotel yet. We don't have the opportunity. Our neighbor Mother Abbess Feofaniya is building a good hotel, maybe over time we will cooperate with her so that she can accommodate bus groups. But, moreover, they come from not distant regions. I think that one day they can cope. Moreover, we set a time to quickly conduct this group. So that she fulfills her Christian, pilgrimage duty and can go home.
A. Mitrofanova
Vladyka, judging by what you say, you have so much administrative work, but a bishop is also a monk. What is your essence that is more important to you? Administrative or monastic.
Ep. Savva
Of course, the monastic feat is closer to me. I can’t call my monastic life a feat, but monasticism is somehow closer. This is probably the first thing that came to my mind. This is monasticism.
A. Mitrofanova
How old were you?
Ep. Savva
At the age of 21 I became a monk with the blessing of my confessor, Elder Metropolitan Simon of Ryazan and Kasimovsky, he then headed the department in the city of Ryazan.
A. Mitrofanova
Have you ever regretted it? Many people at 21 think about completely different things.
Ep. Savva
Somehow the Lord probably preserved me so that I never regretted it. Maybe this is the Lord’s prayer. Somehow, perhaps, he saw some kind of monastic root in me. Moreover, this did not happen according to my desire. To decide after seminary - to get married or become a monk. Somehow it all happened suddenly, by accident. Nothing in life happens by chance. The Bishop asked: “When will you take monastic vows?” I said: “How bless you.” And he said: “Well, let’s do it tomorrow.” I said that I didn’t have my monastic robes ready, I didn’t know that you would ask me that way. He said: “Well, then let’s call the governor and ask how many days it will take to sew the necessary clothes.” He said: "7 days." And after 7 days, on November 27, Bishop Simon tonsured me.
A. Pichugin
Wasn't it scary?
Ep. Savva
Of course it's scary. When you crawled, there was some kind of excitement, excitement from uncertainty, that nothing had happened to you yet, and maybe you should turn back.
A. Mitrofanova
So it still happens?
Ep. Savva
It's probably all from the evil one. In this case, what saves you is the mantle of the monastic brethren that covers you, who take you into monastic vows. It’s not for nothing that it is written in the order that the brethren meet you, so that perhaps you don’t wander back.
A. Mitrofanova
Is it possible for the monk and the bishop to rest?
Ep. Savva
I have an opportunity.
A. Mitrofanova
How do you do this, if not a secret.
Ep. Savva
It's impossible to plan a vacation every time. It's very difficult. As you plan for some time, some blessings, obediences and difficulties still arise. But sometimes I manage, maybe for 2 weeks, for 10 days, if His Holiness the Patriarch blesses, then sometimes I manage to get out. I'm going on vacation to a place where no one can bother me.
A. Mitrofanova
And turn off your phone?
Ep. Savva
A. Pichugin
And if you don’t mean such a global thing as a vacation.
Ep. Savva
Do you mean relaxation after a working day? In the summer I have the courage to go cycling. They gave me a bicycle, I like to ride a bicycle.
A. Mitrofanova
Where do you ride?
Ep. Savva
Mostly I ride along the embankment. Now we have made bicycle paths, and I was surprised that many Muscovites ride here. Both on skates and on boards. I like to ride not a sports bike, but a pleasure bike, and see the city. I like to drive around, see some buildings, architecture, our churches. Maybe it’s surprising that a person in the rank of bishop rides a bicycle in sportswear, but it seems to me that there will be more temptation if you are wearing a constantly clinging cassock that is constantly twisted into a bicycle chain... It’s not convenient. We consulted with the brethren, the brethren also do not see anything reprehensible, and some of the brethren also ride with me. Sometimes I wonder if I am seducing someone with this behavior. But I don’t advertise, I don’t write that I’m a bishop on my baseball cap, I just drive like ordinary people drive.
A. Pichugin
And beards are in fashion now.
Ep. Savva
And beards are in fashion now. She is, of course, a defiant redhead...
(They laugh.)
A. Mitrofanova
I don't think so. Thank you very much for this conversation. And for the story. A little inside information about what a bishop's day looks like, the life of a bishop in a big city.
A. Pichugin
Alla Mitrofanova, Alexey Pichugin, Bishop Savva, Bishop of the Resurrection, abbot of the Novospassky Monastery visited us, all the best, be healthy.
Bishop Savva of the Resurrection is one of the closest assistants of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill in the city of Moscow with responsibility for the parishes of its South-Eastern church district and for the New Territories, recently annexed to the capital, the first deputy manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Savva is also the abbot of the Moscow Novospassky Stavropegic Monastery.
Talks with the bishop main editor of the newspaper "Orthodox Moscow" Archpriest Mikhail Dudko.
– Your Eminence! The simplest and most obvious question: what is it like to be a Moscow vicar?
– My task is outlined by my title: vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. There are many obediences and blessings of His Holiness that need to be fulfilled. I consider one of the main duties to be obedience to the abbot of the Novospassky Monastery.
It's a lot of work. You know what a huge burden lies on our Holy Father. By taking upon ourselves only part of it, we understand the weight of the cross that he carries on his shoulders.
– You are responsible for the new Moscow territories. Not much is known about them to the average resident of the capital. Even secular people sometimes find it difficult to say what the purpose of their joining is. However, the Church must accept the decisions of the secular authorities. What are the specific features of the new territories compared to what was done in old Moscow? How do you work with this specificity?
– We are not obliged to follow the secular authorities in everything, but changing administrative boundaries is their right. I am glad that there are many young priests there. I enjoy working with my deans. They are all very energetic. Everything is done quickly.
And the territory is probably larger than the entire old Moscow. There's a lot to do. I have not seen the master plan for the development, but His Holiness the Patriarch has already given his blessing to reserve about 150 plots for the construction of new churches. Now there are 60 operating there, but we must be prepared for new residents to come to these lands.
Part of the construction is taking place thanks to the “200 Temples” program. For example, the temple in the city of Shcherbinka was included in the program, and in a few months more was done than in the previous 8 years.
The construction of urgently needed churches in Troitsk and Moskovskoye is progressing.
– Now the program will be renamed, probably? After all, taking into account the new territories, there will be not 200 temples, but more?
– I think that the program was originally named not entirely correctly. There is no need to limit yourself to numbers. I think the program should have been called, for example, “The Path to the Temple.” You know the proverb: whatever you name a ship, that’s how it will sail.
The goal is not to build as much as possible. We are already accused of building churches everywhere. But in the cities and other settlements I have noted, people have a great thirst for church life. They dream of a place where they can quietly gather for prayer. The existing temples are clearly not enough. We organize a sound broadcast to the street, and on holidays we serve two or three Liturgies. Still, this does not meet the needs of believers.
– How do you manage everything? These are huge territories!
– As I already said, I have good assistants - deans, there is a secretariat of the vicariate.
Who will pay?
– Let’s return to old Moscow, to the Novospassky Monastery, where we are now. I came here by metro and got to the Proletarskaya station, which is the closest to the monastery. Its name is obviously a vestige of the atheistic era, and there are many of them. There are hotheads who say that our modern troubles are because we have not outlived the past, including in names. Yes, and you yourself recalled the proverb: whatever you name the ship, that’s how it will sail. How do you feel about renaming? Should we break spears here or should we just do our job without paying attention to them?
– For those who don’t want to get off at Proletarskaya to get to the monastery, there is the Krestyanskaya Zastava station (smiles).
Seriously, I dealt with the problem of renaming when I was the abbot of the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery in the city of Rostov. The address of the monastery is Engels Street, 44. At first it seemed simple: change the sign and that’s it. It turned out that this is actually a very big job. And expensive. All enterprises need to change documents with a legal address, citizens need to change their registration in their passports, etc. It turned out to be too expensive to even rename a small street called Engels. There simply were no funds in the modest budget of the provincial city of Rostov the Great.
In order not to disturb taxpayers, they decided to write the historical name under the official name, postal. In our case - “Former Yakovlevskaya”.
We have a good intention to rename everything, we really want to do it. And society, people treat renaming differently, but even those who support do not want to pay for it.
In the capital's wilderness
– You are the governor of the capital’s monastery. But if you open the Philokalia, the first thing that comes to mind is that monasticism in the city is hardly possible. However, there are good good examples of people who were saved in the capitals and even became saints. In your experience, what is a monastery in a city? How do you survive?
– There is a popular proverb: it is not the place that makes the man, but the man the place. The city has the same desert. Only even more dense and deep than the real one. You will shout: “Ay!” - and the answer is most often silence... The neighbors on the landing live nearby, not even knowing the names of the people who are twenty centimeters behind the wall from them. Why not the wilderness?
I communicate with native Muscovites, and many have no idea that our Novospassky Monastery exists in Moscow. Perhaps this is even good for us. We are also almost like in the desert.
We could completely close ourselves inside our walls and not let anyone in if we decide that openness is harmful to us. They would become hermits. But it can be done differently. Are people bothering you? Close the doors of your cell, sit and engage in the thought of God. I allow my brethren to do this. Shut up and pray - please.
And people flock to the monastery for spiritual support. Come to the service in the evening: crowds stand for confession. Our priests and hieromonks have many spiritual children. This is evidence that we are needed.
– I remember that in one of the spiritual books it was said that one becomes a monk for three reasons: wanting to atone for sins, striving for a reward in Heaven, or – this is the most correct thing – out of love for God. What are the goals of today's tonsured monks? Who is going to the monastery now and why?
– I can answer for myself. The monastic vocation was, firstly, a blessing. Secondly, I wanted to serve the Church entirely, without reserve. I wanted to devote myself entirely to God, starting from a young age. Probably, through the service of the Church, love for God is also manifested. Maybe. For me there is simply no other life than serving the Church and in the Church.
Observing those who come to monasteries, I can say that today they are more often looking for monastic life to bear the fruits of repentance. I remember that middle-aged and younger people used to come. Today they are fifty years old and older. People with life experience consciously go to the monastery fence to cleanse their souls and correct their ways. We have residents under 80 years old. And the elderly are no worse than the young.
– You said in one of your interviews that you love traffic jams. You’re driving in the car—reading, thinking, praying. A peaceful spirit is a matter of having the right attitude towards life’s circumstances. Some people are driven crazy by traffic jams, others even use them for good.
And yet it’s easier for a monk. He returned to the monastery walls - and again under protection. How can a secular person maintain a peaceful spirit who is forced to stew in a cauldron of various circumstances almost around the clock?
– Acquiring a peaceful spirit is a matter of life. I like the prayer of the Optina elders, which is placed among morning prayers. “Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day will bring me.” Sometimes even in a monastery it is difficult to keep oneself in balance and not get irritated. To help myself, I have developed the following rule: before making a decision, you need to pause. Then the decision turns out to be more sober.
- The morning is wiser than the evening?
- Yes. You receive information, it takes some time for it to settle. Then you decide finally. This is one of mine life principles, helping to maintain inner peace. No wonder it is said: “If you hurry, you will make people laugh.”
In Moscow, by the way, this principle is easier to implement. People are in no hurry here. In the provinces people are more energetic. There are a lot of bosses and authorities here. Until it gets to the top, while it comes down... Sometimes it turns out that there was no need to rush.
– The second version of the regulation on monasteries and monasticism is currently being discussed. The discussion is lively and there is criticism. Is this connected with the crisis of monasticism?
– Everyone is talking about crises: financial, foreign policy, and so on. I do not see a serious crisis with monasticism in the modern Russian Orthodox Church. That is, such a crisis, for example, that monasteries are closed and disbanded due to the lack of monks.
Of course, there are questions. Now in the life of monasteries new stage. Previously, young people went there after reading a couple of books, but today monastic vocations are more conscious. Yes, there was some outflow from the monasteries of those who made a not entirely thought-out decision. And he realized that this was not his path. It's coming now less people, but faithful.
I think the provision will be useful mainly for the governors of monasteries, who must correctly build the life of the monastery.
Archpriest Mikhail Dudko
Metropolitan of Tver and Kashinsky Viktor (Oleynik) was sent to retire at his own request. In his place Holy Synod elected the first deputy manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, vicar (assistant-Ed.) of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Bishop of the Resurrection Savva (Mikheev), while retaining the position of deputy manager of the Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate.
It is also known about the new metropolitan that he is 38 years old. He was born in Perm into a family of workers; a little later the family moved to the city of Kasimov, Ryazan region. After graduating from school, he entered and graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary. Later he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology and Ryazan State University named after S.A. Yesenin, majoring in Theology, then General Church doctoral studies. He was tonsured a monk in 2001. The date of consecration as Bishop of Resurrection, vicar of the Moscow diocese is July 11, 2011. Before appointment to a new position (since 2011). In 2015, he was appointed chairman of the All-Church Commission on Church Art, Architecture and Restoration. In 2016, he was elected a member of the Presidium and deputy head of the World Russian People's Council.
In journal No. 47 (minutes of the meeting - Ed.) we read that the now former head of the Tver Metropolis this time submitted a petition “to retire him” for the second time. He previously asked in 2015, when he turned 75 years old. This time the request was granted. (By the way, it was in that anniversary year that Komsomolskaya Pravda managed to interview Vladyka Victor. It turned out to be interesting and in some ways even frank, because he spoke about many things for the first time.)
The document reports that “Heartfelt gratitude was expressed to His Eminence Metropolitan Victor for the long-term archpastoral care of the Tver diocese, which was marked by a multiple increase in parishes and clergy, tireless care for the monasteries, the establishment of a friendly and constructive dialogue with local authorities and public associations, as well as for his work on post of head of the Tver Metropolis."
Let us recall that Metropolitan Victor of Tver and Kashin ruled the Tver diocese for more than 25 years.
It is also mentioned that, after leaving his position, Bishop Victor will live in Tver, receiving financial support (in other words, a pension - Ed.) from the Tver diocesan administration.
Your Eminence, long before the decision was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church and to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate, the Novospassky Monastery began work on a large publishing project - the publication of the acts of the All-Russian Council of 1917-1918. Therefore, the first question is about the new release of materials from the Council. What can you say about the results of your work so far? What is the project completion timeline?
The historical significance of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1917-1918 is very great. Even today we cannot fully comprehend the importance for people and the entire Church of those documents that were considered and adopted at the Council. In our time, it has become possible to thoroughly study the documents that were adopted at that difficult time for our Fatherland.
The 20th century became a serious test for the Russian Church. Not only was the conciliar principle violated, but the very existence of the Church as an institution in Russian society was called into question. That is why today, after a whole century, that conciliar work is relevant and important for us, which became not only a guarantee of preservation, but also a solid foundation for the further development of free church life in Rus'.
In order to understand the context in which the Council's decisions were developed and adopted, much work is currently being done on the scientific publication of the Council's documents. We still have to comprehend and actualize this heritage in modern church life. We can say that the acts of the conciliar are the testament of the new martyrs and confessors for the preservation and continuity of conciliarity in our Church. For the Novospassky Monastery, this project is an honor, an honorable duty, and a great responsibility. I think that this publication will be a kind of monument to the Cathedral.
Of course, it is still too early to talk about the completion date of the project. We are focusing on 2020 as the time for completing work on the main volumes and documents. It is clear that in any case one should strive for a specific goal. Our goal is to publish as many documents as possible, naturally accompanying them with the necessary scientific comments. As you know, each of our volumes opens with an article by the executive editor, where he especially draws the readers’ attention to certain published documents. It is now planned to release 36 volumes, although previously we settled on the number 25. The increase in the number of volumes is due to a thorough study of the composition of the cathedral archive and each of the seven hundred files that make it up. Of course, this is very hard work, but nevertheless very necessary. We have already begun to constantly popularize the cathedral heritage, and have developed a new book format for the mass presentation of conciliar discussions on various topics (the first book, “The Holy Council of 1917-1918 on Marriage and Divorce,” will soon be released and presented to a wide range of readers). Then the creative heritage of the Council members will have to be published.
Vladyka, you rule not only the South-Eastern Moscow Vicariate, but also the Vicariate of the New Territories. Since 2013, the planning of new developments began to take into account the needs of believers, that is, in the urban planning plan of Moscow, land was allocated in advance for Orthodox churches. Are there any problems with the implementation of this program?
The area of the new territories is larger than the area of, let’s say, “old Moscow” itself. It is clear that these territories are under the jurisdiction of His Holiness the Patriarch as the ruling bishop of the capital city. I have been given the obedience to oversee church life in the new territory of the capital.
As you know, all this used to be the Moscow region. And today, when you drive through this territory, you get the impression that you are in a rural area, and not in the capital of a huge country. The city seems more compact to us, and we are accustomed to the fact that there is a lot of stone, asphalt, high-rise buildings... It’s different in the new territories. Here the temples are located at a considerable distance from each other. The division goes through villages, there are fields, dense forests, and maybe somewhere else you can meet wild animals...
If we compare the clergy of the new territories and the South-Eastern Vicariate, then the difference is also noticeable. Certain traditions and principles of communication have developed in Moscow... And the clergy themselves behave like they belong to the capital. The new territories may not be distinguished by such metropolitan polish, but nevertheless there is a spirit there that is close to me personally, since I myself come from rural areas. When you leave the Moscow Ring Road, you see natural landscapes, people who have not yet completely changed under the influence of the metropolis. Some time will pass, and the new territories will become completely different...
And the management organization is a little different - you have to travel more and spend more time on the road. If we go to the edge of new territories (this is closer to the Kaluga region), then we have to spend a good half of a day, or even more, on the way. So the main problem- this is the distance. And another problem, with a “plus” sign, is that a program for the construction of temples is now being implemented in new territories.
Here, the master development plan is just being formed, so we did not encounter the difficulties that we had when searching for plots in the South-Eastern district of the capital, where there is no free land and in any case you are entering the zone of someone else’s interests. In this regard, it is much better and easier in the new territory. We act according to the following plan: deans, together with the rectors of churches and heads of administration, hold meetings to find suitable sites for the construction of a new church, taking into account their uniform location. These proposals come to me, we review and approve them, then we submit an application.
Such applications have already been submitted for 110 sites, about 30 have been approved, and verification work is underway for the rest. By official statistics, we have 200 thousand people who are registered in new territories. However, this figure has changed a lot, there are those who are not registered, summer residents... Now, I think, we can safely talk about a million residents. For now, the 60 temples we have are enough for us. 110 submitted applications are only the first stage. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill set us the task of building 150 churches, so now the search for the remaining 40 sites is underway. The work is ongoing and we are moving forward.
You have already talked about the difference between rural priests and metropolitan priests, you have experience as a vicar of a large monastery, and you are also involved in the spiritual education of clergy. Who is, in your opinion, a modern priest?
It seems to me that the young clergy were raised somehow differently; I don’t always see an element of... sacrifice in young priests. Some of them strive to somehow quickly settle down, to serve immediately in a well-maintained church, they initially do not want to endure any difficulties... While many of the clergy, if you can call it that, of the old formation, overcame significant hardships on their pastoral path. The modern clergy has somewhat dulled the ability to appreciate what we have. And this worries me about modern clergy. This is the result of the fact that they grew up and were formed at a time when the authorities and society were favorable to the Church and did not experience serious difficulties. Although, of course, I no longer saw all the trials that the clergy of previous generations endured - only a little. At that time the Church was at some distance from society and the state. But the current clergy is formed in more prosperous conditions, and it will be difficult for them if these conditions somehow change for the worse. Maybe after a while they will treat us differently, not as loyally as they are now. That's why I'm worried for the most part for whether we will have spiritual fruits the same as they were 100 years ago during the era of persecution?
For me, the ideal of spiritual education is the Moscow, Lavra, school. There the priest receives both education and, most importantly, upbringing. We were raised in such a way that the Church became the meaning of life for us.
Your Eminence, what is it like to be a Moscow vicar? It is interesting to know what the main directions of your work are and what the first deputy manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate is responsible for... What is it like to combine monasticism and administrative leadership?
Being a Moscow vicar means, first of all, carrying out assignments Holy Father, to assist the Patriarch in governing a very large and complex diocese. Every large city parish is not only caring for the community and the church building, it is also a variety of social activities, it is involvement in the life and culture of the neighborhood. And if we are talking about dozens of parishes that make up the vicariate, then it is obvious that there are enough problems that the bishop should help solve. Basically, similar work We are engaged in the management of the affairs of the Patriarchate: we help our dioceses to feel like a single Church, a single organism. We assist in the implementation of church-wide decisions and resolutions of the Councils of Bishops, and monitor the conflict-free flow of church life. It is necessary for all of us to help Metropolitan Barsanuphius, the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, together with the deputy manager of the affairs, Archimandrite Savva (Tutunov), solve these problems on a daily basis. And in this capacity I feel like a novice of His Holiness the Patriarch and Metropolitan. In this sense, those monastic vows to which I am faithful only help.
Vladyka, in our conversation we cannot help but talk about your service as abbot of the Novospassky Monastery. This monastery is being transformed literally before our eyes; large-scale restoration continues. What are the issues of monastic life in modern world, in your opinion, the most relevant?
Talking about the modern life of the Novospassky Monastery, I must first remember and thank my predecessor as governor - Bishop Alexy (Frolov), who is buried here. It was he who laid the main directions for the revival of the monastery; he ruled this holy monastery for more than two decades. I took over from him an established monastery with its own traditions, principles and established brethren. We, like many of his faithful spiritual children, keep the memory of Bishop Alexy. Spiritual heritage I try to preserve and increase, continuing the traditions laid down by the archbishop.
Changes in the monasteries are taking place with the direct participation of the bishop of the city of Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, who is especially attentive to the life of stauropegial monasteries. He does not deprive our Novosspasskaya monastery of his attention and monitors the progress of restoration work. His Holiness the Patriarch, together with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, came and monitored the progress of the implementation of instructions. We must pay tribute to the mayor and his team, they do not forget about cultural heritage, are trying in every possible way to contribute to its restoration. For this, the parishioners and brethren are sincerely grateful to Sergei Semenovich.
With regard to the restoration of the monastery, today our aspirations are aimed at restoring the bell tower. When all the work is finished, we will raise a thousand-pound bell and consecrate the temple! I am sure that the monastery will be transformed not only from the inside, but also from the outside, because our bell tower is the architectural dominant of the area. Moreover, what is noteworthy is that it is the first in height after the bell tower of Ivan the Great.
Among daily work brethren, I would like to once again note the work of our publishing house, the publication of the acts of the Holy Council of 1917-1918, with which we began our conversation. We are also engaged in advanced training for clergy. The correspondence education sector of the Moscow Theological Academy is located here, they work training courses, a youth movement was organized. It should be mentioned that we still have farmsteads where social work is carried out.
And yet, a monastery is a work of prayer, a feat... But if we talk about a solitary monastic life away from the world, then your monastery does not quite correspond to this definition. Is it easy to carry out monastic deeds in the midst of the bustle of the city? How to find the right balance between solitude and the need to be open to the world? In your experience, what is a monastery in a city like?
I agree, carrying out monastic obedience in a city monastery is a special feat. In this case, it is very important not to stumble, and this is precisely the difficulty of staying in such a monastery. Here we cannot close our holy gates to the parishioners. Of course, it’s much easier to go somewhere to the periphery and lock yourself in the desert. But here, in the bustle of the city, we must engage in the spiritual nourishment of people.
The Lord gives us the opportunity to accomplish our feat, and we accomplish it to the best of our strength, capabilities and our weaknesses, which we also have. I think that the Lord will be merciful to us, since we also try to be merciful to everyone who comes to our monastery. I hope that all the people who come to the Novospassky Monastery will be able to take a break from the bustle for at least a few minutes, pray, and think about God and their neighbors. Therefore, I cannot take this opportunity not to invite residents of Moscow and guests of our capital to the Novospassky Monastery!
