Sodom and Gomora of the Chuvash Orthodox Diocese. Patriarchal letter (1970)

Dear!!! Which was hooked by my “comment” and he sold the same “comment” to me. First, this person writes more than once, defending the position of previous leaders. Secondly, it is clear that he defends this position in such a way that, as it were, he did it himself! Anyway! I never “comment” if I have no idea, especially since I am a former head of the municipality, and I have some work experience. But when I wrote, I “repent”, I did not look into the “primary sources”. So here it is! You decided to “carve” my “comment”, and I decided to “refresh” my memory with laws. I agree! Some of the wording is incorrect. I am clarifying!!! The budget code, and I "expressed" as the law on the municipal budget! MUP is an organization created by the municipality (in this case, the administration of Novocheboksarsk) and operates on the basis of the law on MUPs. The ROC is a public organization (Church), and is separated from the state by the Constitution. And then what? And then the court decision: ... The administration of Novocheboksarsk brings the full excerpt of the appeal ruling dated November 28, 2016 No. 33-6178 / 2016 on the claim of Alekseev Yuri Ivanovich. On March 20, 2017, “The Judicial Collegium for Civil Cases, which considered in an open court session in the premises of the Supreme Court of the Chuvash Republic a civil case on the claim of Yury Ivanovich Alekseev against the administration of the city of Novocheboksarsk, established: ... From the documents submitted to the case file, it can be seen that on the basis of letters ... to a religious organization ... on the provision of charitable assistance, addressed to Alekseev Yu.I., to CEO MUP "KS of Novocheboksarsk", they issued order No. 59 dated March 20, 2015 and listed cash enterprises in the amount of 446,600 rubles. ... to a local religious organization by payment orders No. 652, No. 668 dated March 23, 2015 and No. 797 dated April 3, 2015 ... Evidence that the owner of the property of the enterprise - the administration of the city of Novocheboksarsk considered the issue of providing charitable assistance ... is not available, the plaintiff's reference to the letter administration of Novocheboksarsk dated February 2, 2015 No. 99 / 14-66-vp (in response to outgoing No. 84 dated January 26, 2015), which allegedly agreed to provide this charitable assistance, are insolvent, since the said letter agreed on the use of the company's funds in the amount 500000 rub. for the provision of charitable assistance within the framework of the festive anniversary events held in 2015 in Novocheboksarsk. However ... the connection of the financial assistance of the local religious organization with the holding of anniversary events in Novocheboksarsk in 2015 is not seen, the letters of the local religious organization on the provision of charitable assistance were received on March 18, 2015, that is, later the issue of providing charitable assistance as part of the festive anniversary events was agreed ... ". But for religious organizations! And so, despite the fact that they are separated from the state, they have such benefits that educational institutions never dreamed of!!! The ROC has tax benefits, does not pay taxes, has free real estate and land, does not report to anyone about its income, does not pay income taxes, and is not subject to control by antimonopoly and other state bodies. Very often, the ROC is also financed from the state budget, receiving money from the budget for the construction of churches ... I do not want to defend Kalinichenko in any way, but here is the “second excerpt” of the court decision: “Transferring charitable assistance in the absence of the consent of the owner of the property of the enterprise, did not determine the amount of such assistance and the direction of its use, given the non-fulfillment of the Investment Program for 2015 (inspection act dated June 20, 2016), the presence of current debt to service providers (GUP CR "Biological treatment facilities"Ministry of Construction of Chuvashia, etc.), not directing the remaining profit to the formation of the relevant funds of the enterprise, the head of the enterprise Yu.I. Alekseev violated the Charter, the interests of the municipality were also violated, because the transferred amount of financial assistance reduced the profit, which was, in including a source of replenishment of the local budget ... ". I was interested in something completely different !!!" The administration of the city of Novocheboksarsk was not going and is not going to collect money from the local ... Church. This is simply a fact of unauthorized actions on the part of the former director of the Municipal Unitary Enterprise "KS of Novocheboksarsk", on which a court decision was issued (appellate ruling dated November 28, 2016 No. 33-6178/2016 on the suit of Alekseev). The “call” from Cheboksary was addressed to the city administration: “Select!!” We decided this way, through the Municipal Unitary Enterprise of Novocheboksarsk. They took a walk and celebrated and forgot. And during the financial audit, this Charity jumped out like a "hell out of a snuff box." As usual in such cases, everything is "in the bushes." Well, we decided "Heap" on the head of Alekseev and "probably" asked to return personally, "debt". And then he "bucked up" and the city had a problem. "One hundred pounds" I'm sure that he, too, received an instruction from the city administration by phone: "Allocate it!" !!"... So, according to the court, these 500,000 rubles, misuse, and they must be returned! Therefore, my commentator needs to study the laws himself ... And the Russian Orthodox Church in Chuvashia, as I suggested, you need to help the former director of the Municipal Unitary Enterprise Alekseev, it was because of you that he "suffered ". And now I have Kalinichenko's claims! Is it like the city has no problems? Still as it is! Now these 500,000 "Tugriks" have been voiced, and they must return by law, at least to the Municipal Unitary Enterprise. After that, let the administration of the city of Novocheboksarsk and CBM management in accordance and law!!! That's how we live.

His Eminence Barnabas

His Eminence Varnava (Vladimir Viktorovich Kedrov), Metropolitan of Cheboksary and Chuvash, was born on April 21, 1931, in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazan District, Ryazan Region).

Patriarchal letter (1970),

Order of Friendship (1996),

Order of Honor (2011)

The Order of M. I. Platov (2012) His Eminence Varnava (Kedrov Vladimir Viktorovich), Metropolitan of Cheboksary and Chuvash, was born on April 21, 1931, in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazan District, Ryazan Region).

Comes from an ancient priestly family, dating back to the 17th century. Grandfather - prot. John Kedrov served in the church of St. John the Theologian s.Vysokoye, in 1929 he was arrested and repressed. Father - Viktor Kedrov was arrested in 1931 by the NKVD 4 days before the upcoming deacon's ordination, which was the reason for the arrest. Subsequently, he was repressed, and there was no information about him. When they came to arrest the mother, she began prenatal contractions, the arrest did not take place, which saved both her and her son Vladimir. Mother Evdokia Petrovna raised four children alone, who attended churches from childhood. At the age of 12, Vladimir Kedrov met Blessed. Pelageya of Ryazan and began to go to her. She told everyone that Volodya would be a great person, and in 1956 there was a meeting with the schemamonk - hermit George, who predicted his hierarchal ministry.

In 1945, Vladimir Kedrov received his secondary education.

From 1951 to 1953 (1.5 years) was a sexton with. Bakhmacheevo, Ryazan region Mervinsky district from his uncle Fr. Peter Smirnov. 1953-1955 subdeacon of Ryazan Archbishop Nikolai (Chufarovsky; +1967), helped with the repair of the Ryazan Boriso-Gleb Cathedral.

In May 1955, he joined the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and was appointed assistant to the sacristan and assistant to the governor. On December 10 of the same year, the abbot of the Lavra, Archim. Pimen (Izvekov; later, His Holiness Patriarch) in the Sergius Refectory Church, he was tonsured a monk with a name in honor of St. Ap. Barnabas.

On January 18, 1956, he was appointed sacristan of the Lavra. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy-I (Simansky) ordained monk Barnabas on February 15, 1956 in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow to the rank of hierodeacon, and on March 09, 1957 in the Cross Church in the patriarchal chambers of the Lavra - to the rank of hieromonk. In addition to the obedience of the sacristan of the Lavra, Hieromonk Barnabas performed the obedience of the chief steward of the Lavra, in weekdays gunnershiel.

In 1960 he was elevated to the rank of abbot and awarded the Cross with decorations in 1963.

From 1970 to 1974, Archimandrite Varnava carried out the obedience of the dean of the Lavra and served as the acting governor of the Lavra from 1970 to 1973, because. the abbot of the Lavra, Archimandrite Augustine (Sudoplatov), ​​lived on the sidelines due to illness. After the death of Patriarch Alexy-I (Simansky), he joined the commission for the revision of the Patriarch's quarters and for holding a Local Council to elect a new Patriarch.

Member of the Local Council in 1971 from the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

November 30, 1976 - the consecration of the Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash took place in the Refectory Church of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which was headed by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov).

By the arrival of Bishop Barnabas, there were 35 parishes in Chuvashia.

Over the years, 30 years of service of Vladyka Barnabas at the Cheboksary cathedra, seven monasteries were restored from the ruins: men's - Cheboksary in the name of the Holy Trinity, Alatyrsky in the name of the Holy Trinity, Alexander Nevsky in the village. Karshlykhi; women's - Cheboksary in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Alatyrsky Kiev-Nikolsky Novodevichy, Tsivilsky in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Iversky in the village of Sherauty, more than 210 Parishes were opened, the Cheboksary Theological School was restored.

A significant event in the life of Chuvashia was the visits of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II: June 23-25, 1996 and July 05-08, 2001

With the blessing of Metropolitan Varnava, an Orthodox missionary center was established in the Cheboksary-Chuvash diocese, leading an active struggle against numerous sects that have launched their activities on the territory of the Chuvash Republic.

In many Parishes, Mercy Homes for the elderly and disadvantaged parishioners have been opened, and a charitable service has been organized to help the poor. The clergy of the diocese minister to places of deprivation of liberty.

With the active participation and huge contribution of Vladyka Varnava, the historical part of Cheboksary was revived, the “Road to the Temple” was opened, connecting the center with the historical part of the city, which was consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II during his visit in 1996 to the Cheboksary-Chuvash Diocese.

In 1998, the local city authorities nominated Vladyka Varnava as a candidate for the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology. Metropolitan Barnabas repeatedly visited the Holy Land and the holy Mount Athos.

Vladyka Varnava was awarded the following awards:

Patriarchal letter (1970),

St. equal to ap. book. Vladimir II degree (1971),

Consecration as Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash (1976),

Rev. Sergius of Radonezh II degree (1981),

He was elevated to the rank of archbishop (1984),

St. blgv. book. Daniel of Moscow II degree (1996),

He was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan (2001),

St. Innokenty, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna II degree (2001),

Order Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, II degree, by His Holiness Diodorus, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine (1996),

Order of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord III degree (2003),

Cross of the Holy Sepulcher with the Order of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, 1st Class, by His Beatitude Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine Irenaeus (2004),

Honorary Medal of the Soviet Peace Fund (1984),

Order of Friendship (1996),

Honorary medal of the Volga Cossack army, I degree (1996),

Medal of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation for the 120th anniversary of the penal system of Russia (1999),

Honorary Diploma of the Chuvash Republic "For services to the Republic" (1997),

Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology (2000),

Medal of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation "For strengthening the penitentiary system" (2001),

Medal "For Merit in Conducting the All-Russian Population Census" (2002),

Medal of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation "In memory of the 200th anniversary of the Ministry of Justice of Russia" (2002),

Medal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation "For assistance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia" (2002),

Medal of the State Committee for Sports of the Russian Federation for the 80th anniversary of the State Committee for Sports of Russia (2003),

Medal of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation "In memory of the 125th anniversary of the Russian Penitentiary System" (2004),

Honorary Citizen of the city of Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic (2005),

Order "For Merit to the Chuvash Republic" (2006),

Order Reverend Seraphim Sarovsky II degree (2006),

Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (2006)

Medal "450 years. Volga Cossack army" (2010)

The title of Honorary Doctor of ChSU named after I.N. Ulyanova (2010)

Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 1st class (2011)

Order of Honor (2011)

Gold Star of the Order "St. George the Victorious" (2011)

Cross of the Order "To the Faithful Son of the Fatherland, Matvey Platov" (2011)

Order of M. I. Platov (2012)

On July 25, Metropolitan Varnava of Cheboksary and Chuvash received a state award - the Order of Honor. The text of the decree of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev says that the manager of the Cheboksary diocese was awarded this award "for the achieved labor successes, many years of conscientious work and active social activity." This is not the first secular award of the Bishop - before that he was awarded the Order of Friendship and became a laureate of the State Prize in the field of construction and architecture. Metropolitan Varnava this year celebrated his 80th birthday, the 55th anniversary of his service in the holy rank and the 35th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.

Childhood

Metropolitan Varnava (in the world - Vladimir Viktorovich Kedrov) was born on April 21, 1931 in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazan district, Ryazan region, into a deeply religious, pious family. His paternal grandfather, Archpriest John, was the last priest in this village, in the church in which his ancestors had ministered for about three hundred years. In 1929, when there was a second wave of repression against the ministers of the Church and believers in general, Archpriest John was arrested and shot.

In 1931, the father of the future Bishop Barnabas, Viktor Kedrov, was appointed to serve in the same village of Vysokoe, and on Forgiveness Sunday he was to be ordained a deacon, and subsequently a priest. But a few days before that, on Thursday of Shrovetide Week, he was also arrested, taken to Ryazan and sentenced to 10 years. Despite many requests, his fate is unknown.

The house and all property were taken away as the property of the collective farm, and the mother of the future lord, Evdokia, who was soon to give birth, was settled with three young children in a small makeshift house. The families of the convicts were usually subject to immediate expulsion, and a month later, in Great Saturday the same year, they also came to them to exile them to Siberia. But at that time, the mother began to have contractions, and soon she gave birth to a boy, whom she named Vladimir. Volodya was the fourth child. The authorities postponed the arrest and promised to return in a few days, but for some reason did not return. So the birth of the future lord saved his family.

Vladyka Varnava recalls: “During the war, we went to church in the city of Ryazan, to the cemetery church “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” There was nowhere to spend the night, we slept in the cemetery, inside the high fences of the graves, so that evil stray dogs would not attack us. There were constant military alarms and bombings in the city. Once they left the house, looked back - but the house is no longer there, it was blown up. During the war I was 10-14 years old. We dug trenches because the front line passed through our village.

In 1946, a temple was opened in the village of Bakhmacheevo, eight kilometers from us. Archpriest Peter Smirnov served there - my cousin uncle, a very pious, great prayer book. He helped people a lot, healed the sick, had the gift of clairvoyance. I was his attendant. At the same time, through believers, I became acquainted with the blessed Pelageya of Ryazan, a blind old woman, and sometimes I began to go to her. A lot of people went to her for help, for advice. The authorities did not allow it, some of those who came to her were arrested, but people went anyway, because her clairvoyance was known.

As a child, I loved to pray, even at night. Once I heard a screech, as if someone was dancing in the attic. But when I began to pray more fervently, everything disappeared.”

Beginning of church service

“When the Borisoglebsky Cathedral was opened in Ryazan,” recalls Metropolitan Varnava, “I helped with its repair, at first as a laborer. Then the bishop's secretary, Archpriest Simeon (Gratsiansky), invited him to be a subdeacon to the Ryazan bishop. So I became a subdeacon."

Vladyka Barnabas told how once, in the early fifties, on the feast of the Annunciation, which coincided that year with Good Friday Holy Week, after the service, he was taken by force to the police and demanded to sign a paper renouncing his faith. Volodya did not sign anything. They began to beat him severely, but this is surprising: “For some reason, I didn’t feel pain,” says Vladyka, “I just thought that today was Good Friday, that is, the day when the Lord was crucified and tortured, and I seem to suffer along with Him. And there was one more thought - that's why the martyrs endured such severe tortures without losing courage. The Lord gave them the strength to bear it all. In the evening they let me out. The next day I took communion, and I probably never experienced such joy after communion.

Despite the difficult life, there was also a lot of good in it, because the Lord kept and strengthened me. Many times I got into dangerous situations, but got out of them safely. As a child, my brother and I were fishing and ended up on a breakaway ice floe. My brother jumped over, and I ended up in the water, pulled me into the whirlpool, and I don’t know how I got out safe and sound. On the way to the temple - and it was a long one! - many times I walked past the wolves standing along the road, but the Lord kept me.

Archbishop Nikolai (Chufarovsky), whom I served, respected and trusted me. Once I asked him to go to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and I really liked it there. I didn’t tell anyone about it, but all the time I was drawn to it.”

One priest, who personally knew the governor of the Lavra, Archimandrite Pimen, the future Patriarch, interceded for Vladimir. And the vicegerent father agreed to accept the young man into the monastery. Vladyka recalls: “I didn’t want to go to the monastery without my mother’s blessing. And how to get it? A rare mother will agree to part with her child, especially since my mother expected to live with me. And I did this: I told her that I wanted to get married. She got upset. Then I asked: maybe I should go to the monastery? Mom replied that it was better to become a monk than to get married. There was nothing holding me back in this world."

Lavra

On May 22, 1955, Vladimir entered as a novice. On December 10, 1955, the Lavra's abbot, Archimandrite Pimen (later His Holiness Patriarch), in the Refectory Church, novice Vladimir was tonsured a monk with a name in honor of the holy Apostle Barnabas, and already in January 1956 he was appointed sacristan of the Lavra. "My monastic life- says Vladyka, - everything happened - both difficult and bitter. But I endured everything without reproach, completely relying on the will of God, always repeating the words of St. John Chrysostom: "Glory to God for everything." For 15 years he did not leave the gates of the monastery; never forgot that there is no going back. When it was hard, he closed himself in his cell, knelt before the icons with a prayer, and immediately felt relieved.

Cheboksary department

By the time Bishop Barnabas arrived in Chuvashia, there were 35 parishes. For 35 years of hierarchical service at the Cheboksary cathedra, seven monasteries were restored from the ruins, more than 200 parishes were opened, and the Cheboksary theological school was opened. With the active participation and huge contribution of Bishop Varnava, the historical part of the city of Cheboksary was revived, the “Road to the Temple” was opened, connecting the center with the historical part of the city.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Varnava, an Orthodox missionary center was established in the diocese. Mercy homes for the elderly and disadvantaged parishioners have been opened in the parishes, and a charitable service has been organized to help the poor. For many parishioners and clergy of Chuvashia, Vladyka became like a father. In line for an appointment with Metropolitan Varnava, and he constantly receives people, and a rural worker, and a university scientist, and a doctor, and a teacher - there is something for everyone good word and wise advice. Vladyka constantly serves, travels around the diocese, meets with many people. The name of the lord - Barnabas - in translation means "son of consolation." That's really true - by name and life.

I have known Vladyka Barnabas for 20 years. Metropolitan Barnabas is for me, and for many, many who know him, an example of a zealous minister of the Church of Christ, a wise archpastor. I will always remember the command of Bishop Barnabas: "Be with Christ!" Metropolitan Barnabas himself spends his whole life with Christ and His holy Church.

Reference

On February 15, 1956, at the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy I (Simansky) ordained monk Barnabas to the rank of hierodeacon, and on March 9, 1957, to hieromonk. In 1960, Hieromonk Barnabas (Kedrov) was elevated to the rank of abbot, and on the feast St. Sergius, October 8, 1965, elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

From 1970 to 1974, Archimandrite Varnava carried out the obedience of the dean and acted as the vicar of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. Archimandrite Varnava was a member of the Local Council of 1971 from the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

On November 30, 1976, the hierarchal consecration of Archimandrite Varnava as Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash took place, which was headed by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen.

In 1984, Bishop Barnabas was elevated to the rank of archbishop, and on February 25, 2001, for his attention to the diligent service of the Church of God, Archbishop Barnabas was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. Metropolitan Varnava has received many ecclesiastical and secular awards

In consideration of his diligent labors for the good of our Church, in connection with his 80th birthday, as well as the 55th anniversary of serving in the holy rank and the upcoming 35th anniversary of his episcopal consecration, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill awarded Metropolitan Barnabas the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 1st class.

The material was prepared by Dmitry Avdeev, a member of the Writers' Union of Russia

Date of Birth: April 21, 1931 The country: Russia Biography:

Born April 21, 1931 in the village. Vysokoye of the Ryazan district of the Ryazan region (his ancestors were priests and served in the temple of the village of Vysokoye from the 17th century; only his father did not become a priest, having only graduated from the Ryazan Theological Seminary). In 1945 he graduated from high school.

In 1952-53. served in the Church of the Holy Trinity in the village. Bakhmacheevo, Ryazan region

In 1953-1955. was a subdeacon in cathedral Holy Passion-Bearers Princes Boris and Gleb in the city of Ryazan.

In May 1955, he joined the brotherhood and was appointed assistant sacristan.

On December 10 of the same year, he was tonsured a monk by the abbot of the Lavra and named in honor of the holy Apostle Barnabas.

On March 9, 1957, in the Cross Church of the Lavra in the name of Philaret the Merciful, he was ordained a hieromonk. In 1958 he was awarded a pectoral cross.

In 1960 he was elevated to the rank of abbot. In 1963 he was awarded a cross with decorations.

In 1965 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

In 1970 he was appointed Dean of the Lavra. In 1971, from the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was a member of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On November 30, 1976, in the Sergius Refectory Church of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was consecrated Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash. The consecration was performed by Metropolitan Seraphim of Krutitsy and Kolomna, Bishops of Ryazan and Kasimov Simon, Orlovsky and Bryansk Gleb.

In 1983, with a pilgrimage group of the Russian Orthodox Church, he visited Mount Athos.

In 2001, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

Decision Holy Synod on October 4, 2012, he was appointed () head and approved (magazine No. 103) as rector (priest archimandrite) of the Holy Trinity Monastery in the city of Cheboksary, Republic of Chuvashia.

Place of work: Chuvash Metropolis (Head of the Metropolis) Diocese: Cheboksary diocese ( ruling bishop) Scientific works, publications:

Speech at the naming of the Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash on November 29, 1976 // ZhMP. 1977, no. 2, p. 18-19.

On the day of memory of St. Nicholas (said on December 19, 1976 in the Vvedensky Cathedral in Cheboksary) // ZhMP. 1977, no. 7, p. thirty.

Animated Temple // ZhMP. 1980, no. 5, p. 32.

The meaning of the temple in the life of a Christian (said on July 9, 1980 in the village of Kozlovka) // ZhMP. 1981, no. 5, p. 36.

On the day of memory of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas (a sermon delivered in the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Knash, December 19, 1981) // ZhMP. 1983, no. 12, p. thirty.

Quite recently, there was a period in our society when faith in Christ and life in the Orthodox Church were considered some kind of relic and even a crime.
Thousands and millions of Russian people were forced to defend and uphold their faith with martyrdom.
But, thank God, the seeds of faith, stained with the blood of the holy martyrs, began to grow, and Christ Himself becomes the main treasure of the Russian soul.
We have opened a website Orthodox church New Martyrs and Confessors Russian cities Cheboksary Cheboksary-Chuvash Diocese.
The main task of the Orthodox website is to bring its users to Christ and to get acquainted with the life of the Orthodox Church.
I hope that here you will not only learn the history of this temple and the history of Orthodoxy in Chuvashia, but also through the answers you receive to your questions, you will receive spiritual benefit and become children of the Church.
I call on God's blessing on you, on your homes and your relatives.

Lord Jesus Christ be with all eat us!

*

*

Decree of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen and the Holy Synod November 18, 1976….

* TELLS "SLAVYANKA"ONE OF THE OLDEST BISHOPRUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH METROPOLITAN OF CHEBOKSAR AND CHUVASH VARNAVA.

We must learn the love of Christ

MERCY LORD TO HIS CHILDREN. HE DOES NOT CALL EVERYONE IN THE FIELD OF MONASSY, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, HE GIVES SPECIAL HELP. ABOUT THE HAPPINESS TO BE A MONK, ABOUT HOW AND TO WHOM TO BE A PREACHER IN THE WORLD, ONE OF THE OLDEST BISHOPS OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, METROPOLITAN OF CHEBOKSARSK AND CHUVASH VARNAVA TELLS THE “SLAVYANKA” AFFECTIVELY, WITH QUIET CHILD SIMPLICITY.

Your Eminence, please tell us about your childhood, your parents.

Both my grandfather, a priest, and my father were arrested before I was born. Therefore, I know the history of the family from the words of my mother. After the grandfather's arrest, the temple was left without a priest. Soon after that, in 1931, the Ryazan bishop decided to ordain my father as a priest. The deacon's consecration had already been scheduled for Forgiveness Sunday, 1931, but the authorities found out about this and arrested my father for Maslenitsa.

A trial took place, the father was sentenced to 10 years. Then came word of mouth that he had passed away. He died young - at the age of 35, my mother was pregnant with me at that time.

After the arrest and death of my father, according to the verdict, my mother and children - my two brothers and sister - were subject to deportation with confiscation of all property. On Holy Saturday they came to take her away with her children, and she gave birth to me ... The arrest was postponed for a while, and then they no longer began to exile us.

But they took away everything: land, buildings, and livestock, leaving only a small house that looked like a bathhouse. We lived there half-starving, as we had to. But they survived, thank God. And, despite the persecution, from childhood, from the cradle, I lived with God.

Please tell us about these times of persecution.

All the churches were closed, in the whole region there was only one Church of Sorrow in Ryazan, it was located twenty-five kilometers from our village. But by the grace of God I grew up, one might say, in the Church.During the Great Patriotic War When the German army approached Ryazan, I, a 12-year-old teenager, together with my fellow villagers, had to dig anti-tank ditches and trenches near our village. Thank God, the German did not reach us eight kilometers.

After the war, in 1947, Boris and Gleb Cathedral was allowed to open in Ryazan. By this time, I had already grown up and went there, helped to restore it - the cathedral was all destroyed.And in 1952, eight kilometers from us, in the village of Bakhmacheevo, the Holy Trinity Church was opened, where I began to serve as a sexton with Archpriest Peter Smirnov, my uncle. He was a father of high spiritual life. It was he who blessed me to go to services in the Ryazan Borisoglebsky Cathedral.

Of the youth, I went there alone: ​​no girls, no guys - there was no one at all. And if anyone appeared, they were immediately intimidated so that they would not go to the temple. One day I remember forever. It happened on Good Friday, in that year the Annunciation fell on Great Heel, the service went on for a long time, 12 Gospels were read.I go out after the service, and two policemen are waiting for me at the temple. Even the parishioners asked to be left alone, but the police dispersed everyone so that no one would interfere. They took me to the department, they gave me a piece of paper: “Sign that you will not come to the temple again.” I refused, and they told me: "You sign for us, we need it, and then you can go yourself."

I answer: "No." I was so unspoiled - how is it to lie: I will sign, but I will go myself? They beat me badly, threatened that if I didn't sign this paper, they would kill me. But with God's help, I still didn't give up.You know, the lives of the saints tell how the saints did not feel pain when they were tortured. The Lord did such a miracle with me: they beat me, but I did not feel pain. This happened to me the only time in my life ... The policemen asked: “Doesn't it hurt you?”

I was silent. They began to beat even harder, with all their might - they almost killed me. And I didn't feel. There was even some joy. Then the chief of these militiamen came and asked them about me: “Who is this? Why was it taken away? And where are the documents on which you detained him?” They began to make excuses. He told them: "Now let him go!"And when they let me go, I asked the question: “I’ll go out now, and then I’ll go to the temple again, will you pick me up again?” “No, we won’t take any more.” That's how I won by the grace of God. Then, indeed, all the young people who came to the temple were taken away, but I went alone, and they did not touch me. Most importantly, when I was beaten, I remembered that today is the Great Heel, that the Savior suffered at the same time, it was so pleasant for me to think that the Lord was with me. That's how I went to the temple for 25 kilometers on foot, because then there was no transport.

In the same year, 1952, Bishop Nikolai (Chufarovsky) invited me to become a subdeacon. He was a very kind old man and loved me very much. I was a subdeacon with him for two and a half years, went with him to parishes, helped him in the office, typed on a typewriter. There I met Father John (Krestyankin). He was appointed to serve in the village of Letovo, in the Rybnovsky district. I was still a young man, and he loved me so much. I remember he told me: “I once in my life, without reading prayer rule served the Liturgy. “Father John, why is that?” And he tells me, a young man, how in confession: “Yes, thieves climbed up to me, put me in the basement, put a barrel on top of the lid so that I would not come out.

I sat there, praying as best I could, but I didn't read the rule. And I had to serve the Liturgy.” The people who came to the temple realized that they needed to look for Father John, he could not just not come to the service. They began to search and found in the basement, the priest came out of there and immediately went to serve.Then the robbers took everything from him: icons, crosses, leaving only one wooden cross. And Father John wore this wooden cross until his death as the most expensive one. Then I kept in touch with the priest, we talked. He gave me instructions that really needed to be listened to.

Father John loved everyone impartially - both bad and good, for everyone he was a father. And even if someone came to him with slyness, the priest of this person happened to be so caressed, kissed, that he left him already a different person.
It was a good time. I then lived with Father Viktor Shipovalnikov, rector of the Borisoglebsky Cathedral. Vladyka Nicholas was pleased with my work. And in general, all the priests were so kind, they loved me. Then all the priests were ancient, released from prison and endured a lot. I served as a subdeacon under Bishop Nicholas until 1955.

Vladyka, why did you choose the monastic path?

From childhood I was persecuted, and therefore I decided to be with the Church. As a teenager, I was familiar with the monks, and even then I decided that I would definitely be a monk. Nobody told me this.My family did not interfere with me, my mother was deeply religious. Times, of course, were difficult, the monasteries were closed, but when they opened the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, I thought to go only there. The set was very small, it was very difficult to register. But the Lord arranged everything.

Father Viktor Shipovalnikov, rector of the Borisoglebsky Cathedral, once went to the Lavra.And the governor of the Lavra, Archimandrite Pimen, was his close friend. Well, Father Victor talked about me, and Archimandrite Pimen said: “Let him come immediately, while they are registering.” And I was not yet ready for such a sharp turn, I had to discuss it with my mother. But I knew that now she would be against it.It was necessary to invent something - without the blessing of a mother, how? And I didn’t have a passport yet - in the villages, after all, they didn’t give passports before - but it was definitely needed. Well, I went to persuade my mother.And I knew her weakness and I say: “I want to get married, that’s all!” Of course, then she didn’t agree to this either: “No, no, I won’t allow it, I’m still very young ...”. I told her: "One way out - to the monastery." She says: "You'd better go to the monastery." She removed the icon from the wall and blessed me.

So I went to the monastery. The last time he served as a subdeacon in memory of St. Nicholas. Bishop Nicholas was the birthday boy. I remember how he put me on salt and announced to the people: “Volodya is leaving for a monastery. We, - he says, - are sorry to let him go, but he is going to such a place - to the monastery! We will pray for him that he will be a good monk.” Vladyka embraced me and said goodbye to me. I had lunch and went to the monastery.

Vladyka sent me to the Lavra in his car — ZIM.
They gave me a cell where the Patriarch's chambers are located, they gave me a cassock, they determined obedience - a cooper. I had to stand with a rod in the service of the governor and be an assistant to the sacristan. And so he began his life in the monastery.
In May he came, in August - a cassock, in November he was already tonsured a monk. I was young, only 24 years old.

Physically it was hard, but spiritually it was easy. All the monks were already elders, experienced, there were almost no young people in the monastery. There were 75 of us in total. They carried obediences, sang the early and late Liturgy, came to the fraternal prayer service - every single one.The old and the young all came. All obediences were performed by monks - both in the kitchen and at the prosphora - there were brethren everywhere, even a tailor - and he was a hieromonk. And they did it everywhere. Only hired workers cleaned the territory. I lived in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra for 21 years.

How did you react to the news of your appointment to the diocese?

Never thought of such a way. I came to the Lavra just to be saved, to serve God. But one fine day the Patriarch put forward my candidacy for consecration as a bishop.Six days after the decision of the Synod, the Patriarch summoned me and informed me about it. I began to refuse, but His Holiness said: “Of course, we will accept your refusal, but the Synod will decide how to punish you. And, of course, you will no longer stay in the Lavra. You better agree." That's how I became a bishop.

Vladyka, please tell us how your ministry began?

At first it was not easy in the new place, but I got used to it. I arrived at the diocese by train with two suitcases, everything around was new, I did not bring any of my friends and relatives with me, I was alone. But they received me well, the people fell in love with me. There was only one temple in Cheboksary at that time, and during the services it was always full of people.

Your Eminence, who is now an example for you in spiritual life?

It is very difficult to single out one of the bishops or clergy. I can't uplift some and I can't downgrade others. All are good: bishops, archpriests, and archimandrites are all good. And everyone is saved in his own way, you never have to watch how he does it because it is difficult to judge how spiritual a person is.

How is parish life being revived in your diocese?

It is being revived well, 36 years ago there were only 35 parishes in our diocese, and now there are already 230. A metropolis has been formed, now we have three dioceses, the new bishops are good, pious. Thank God for everything !

Vladyka, how do you assess the spiritual potential of today's youth? And how to talk today with the youth about God, about faith, in order to be heard?
The youth is different now. We need to work with them carefully and competently. Especially actively it is necessary to revive Sunday schools, circles in which it is necessary to explain the essence of Orthodox faith. The youth must be brought up with patience, humility, taught with love.Priests should preach not only in the temple, but also in universities, schools and kindergartens, during the performance of treb. And the struggle here is no longer for churching, but for our youth to be good, so that they do not go through life on a false path and do not drown in vices. Well, if the youth is believing, God-fearing, then our state will be strong, life will be better, and there will be fewer crimes.

What, in your opinion, is the role of women in Orthodox missionary work?

Women more zealously honor Orthodoxy and, of course, much better than men suitable for missionary work in the world. Men are less adapted to this. Orthodox women and children are trying to educate in the faith. Yes, in general, a lot rests on women. They can love and educate not only their own, but also other people's children. Through their lives, Orthodox women set an example of what a Christian should be like and how to live piously. Women play a huge role in education and missionary work.Especially now it needs to be appreciated and used. After all, the clergy cannot cover everything, and when a woman comes to the rescue, a serious help appears. And I wish that as much as possible more women labored in Christ's field.

Vladyka, how important, in your opinion, is the revival of national traditions?

Every place has different national traditions. For example, we have our own traditions in Chuvashia, and they differ from the traditions middle lane Russia.
And the Chuvash adopted Orthodoxy not so long ago.
Archbishop of Kazan St. Guriy (XVI) was engaged in the enlightenment of the Chuvash land, he built the first temple, as well as I.Ya. Yakovlev (XIX), who created the Chuvash alphabet and translated the Gospel for his people.Now the Chuvash people have become God-fearing and are trying to fulfill the law of Christ. People visit churches, they try to make sure that the priest in the parish is good, so that the service is long. And if the rector begins to shorten the service, the parishioners are outraged.

Of course, it is important to keep and honor folk traditions, but it is necessary to distinguish between Christian foundations and remnants of paganism. The Chuvash adhere to old customs, they are deeply religious people and hard workers. I don’t know anything bad about them and I can’t say anything condemning, only good.

What advice would you give to today's young families?

Live piously, yield to each other, do not blame each other, carry a common cross and endure all hardships together. If the husband and wife endure each other, the family will be strong, and if they find fault with each other, the family will fall apart. Carry one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). And the law of Christ must always be fulfilled. Husband and wife should peacefully and correctly allocate time for prayer and for work, and everything should be in agreement. In no case should there be swearing. And then the Lord will send His grace, will keep them and admonish them.Now in society there is a lot of talk about the crisis of the family, the demographic crisis, the inadmissibility of abortion, but little is said about the reason that led modern Russian society to this state. The cause of these disasters is the loss of the spiritual foundation of the family.. Without the restoration of spirituality in the family, without bringing a person closer to God, we will not be able to solve the problems of demography, abortion, divorce and incomplete families.

The family is a small church. This concept has come down to us from the first centuries of Christianity. In the life of a family, the words of Christ the Savior are fulfilled: ... Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). If the center of the family is not Christ, then one cannot speak of such a family as a Christian family.
The multiplication of love and growth in it is one of the main goals of the family. The family is the first school of love, having been brought up in it, love should be extended to all those around. You need to learn to love your neighbor, first of all, from love for the one who is next to you, who is one flesh with you. If we do not love one another, then we will not confess Holy Trinity, because either we can't, or we'll lie. Love in the family should be like the love of Christ for the Church, sacrificial to the point of willingness to give life.

On the need to cherish in marriage mutual love St. Theophan the Recluse says: “Take care of your mutual love with your wife. This is the source of a happy family life.But you have to watch it so that it doesn't get clogged."Chastity has become today that virtue which is most trampled upon and neglected in modern world, but it is she who is the basis of a strong family and prevents the problems that are mentioned in modern society- abortion, divorce, infidelity, various diseases mental and bodily.

The word "chastity" indicates the integrity and strength of the personality, the spiritual arrangement of a person. The temptations of fornication are strong, and nothing excites youth so much as this passion. The sins of fornication bring great harm and destruction to the soul and body, and in patristic tradition they are called a fall. The Apostle Paul points to a terrible verdict for dissolute people: If anyone corrupts the temple of God, God will corrupt him (1 Cor. 3:17). St. John Chrysostom teaches: “He who was chaste before marriage, will remain so after marriage. On the contrary, whoever before marriage learned to commit adultery, he will begin to do the same after marriage.
Legal marriage is one of the important conditions for the emergence of a family as small church. On God's Establishment and Blessing of Marriage Holy Bible says repeatedly. So, in the book of Genesis we read: And God created man ... in the image of God created him; male and female he created them.And God blessed them... (Genesis 1:27, 28). Knowing the immutability and truth of Scripture, we must recognize that a legal marriage must be blessed by God. The union of Christ with the Church is full of grace and truth (cf. John 1:14), and marriage with the blessing of the Church, it is filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Vladyka, how do you look at the proposals for the modernization of worship: the introduction of the Russian language instead of Church Slavonic, the simplification of the Sacrament of Confession, the reduction of worship and fasting?

We are not ready for this yet. And if we introduce something new in the Church, a schism may occur. While the people are not ready for this, it should not be implemented.What to do if you see serious sins, including those against the commandments of God, on the part of the hierarchy?In no case should one condemn a priest, so as not to fall into the sin for which he condemned. As St. John of the Ladder says, for what sins we condemn our neighbor, bodily or spiritual, we will fall into those ourselves, and it does not happen otherwise. It is necessary to pray for the sinning priest and ask God for mercy.

Your Eminence, with what pastoral parting words would you address the readers of our magazine?

I wish you a blessed God's help in carrying out his obedience. I wish the readers of the magazine "Slavyanka" to compare their lives with Christianity. If you ask the Lord and believe that He is near, then He will accept your requests, and you will live gracefully under the protection of God. I wish you health, God's help and peace. Be kind to everyone - both to good people and to evil ones - then you yourself will see your fruits. The Importance of the Church in the Life of a Christian VARNAVA, Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash 1981

* VARNAVA, Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash 1983