Orthodox priest Andrey Tkachev. Seeing Archpriest Andrei Tkachev

For many decades, faith was banned by the authorities. Today, no one oppresses believers, but the level of religious literacy remains very low. People are addicted to rituals, replacing them with genuine Christianity. And only thanks to a few talented preachers can Christians understand whether their spiritual life is developing in the right direction. One of such zealous ministers is Archpriest Andrey Tkachev.

Biography

Andrey was born in Lvov (Ukraine) on December 30, 1960. His parents wanted to see their son in the military. Upon reaching the age of 15, he entered the Moscow Suvorov School. After completing a difficult training, he continued training at the institute under the Ministry of Defense. Even then, inclinations towards oriental culture appeared - the student chose the Persian language as his specialization.

At this time, a deep interest in classical literature awakened in the young man. The works of the greats helped to understand that he was more concerned about the inner world of a person, and not the foreign policy of the state. Therefore, against the will of his parents, he did not complete his studies. Who knows how the Lord knocked on the heart and called to his service? It does not matter, the main thing is that the voice was heard.

At the age of 23 Andrei Tkachev began his studies at the Kyiv Theological Seminary. A year later he was appointed to the deacon's ministry, six months later he was ordained a priest. This speaks of an undoubted vocation, which the church authorities could discern in him. Upon completion of the course, he entered the service in one of the temples in his hometown. Later life was connected only with serving God and people.

Events unfolding in Ukraine , could not force oh. Andrew to drown out the voice of conscience. He always had a very active life position, was not afraid of earthly authorities, recognizing only the highest court over himself. Direct statements against the events on the Maidan led to the fact that he was persecuted. To protect the family, I had to move to Russia. At first, Priest Andrei Tkachev served at the house church of Moscow State University. Today he is one of the priests at the Church of the Resurrection of the Word of the central Moscow deanery.

Creation

Missionary activity is closely related to the ability to beautifully express one's thoughts, to reach many hearts, including unbelieving people. And such a talent was given to the father. While still in Ukraine, he began to lead the program "For the dream to come." In just 10 min. airtime managed to intelligibly cover topics that excite the audience, answer their questions. All this was presented in an unobtrusive manner, but competently and thoughtfully.

Then there was a program about the Psalms - "The Garden of Divine Songs". As you know, biblical texts have several interpretations. The theological significance of the psalms was discussed here. To an ordinary person it can be hard to read between the lines. Who else will help believers understand the full depth Holy Scripture how not a representative of the clergy? This role was assumed by the missionary.

Today the father has become so popular that There is even a Wikipedia article about it.. His sermons are recorded, passed on to friends, and listened to via the Internet. Thanks to them, many began to better understand what God expects from them. This is how much benefit one person can bring if he believes in his calling and does not turn off direct way. Who can remain indifferent to the sincere appeal of a priest? There are very few such people.

Where to listen to the new sermons of Fr. Andrew? He often takes part in the programs of the Soyuz TV channel, speaks on the Radonezh radio. All updates can be seen on his official VKontakte page, the archpriest also has a website. Materials are collected and posted by a special editorial group.

writing

It is also possible to reach the hearts of parishioners through the printed word. Archpriest A. Tkachev began publishing books in 2008., already having experience in ministry, working with people. After all, a simple education is not enough in such a matter as Christianity. Here it is important to work in the field of Christ, to fill bumps, to face difficulties. Otherwise, who will believe a person who is unable to understand the hearts of ordinary parishioners?

Since the priest belongs to the white clergy, he has a family, he lives among ordinary citizens, as they say, in the world. Every day he faces the same problems as his wards. The popular spiritual father began to receive letters with questions. As a response, the first books were written on them. Here are a few titles: “The first miracle. Conversations about family and marriage”, “Letter to God”, “God wrote a letter to you and me”. Since many works are submitted in the form of answers to questions, it is quite interesting to read them, the material is easily absorbed.

Sermons

No missionary work can be imagined without preaching. It varies both in form and in purpose of pronunciation. The audience for which the speech is delivered is also important. It can be said that preaching is an art. Not all clergy are fluent in it. Yes, and it is necessary to invest a lot of work - to study the Bible, the instructions of the Church and the holy fathers. At the same time, words should come from the very heart, not be a repetition of dry dogmas.

But in the words of A. Tkachev there is always a spark, both knowledge of the subject and a living faith in God are felt. That is why people look forward to every sermon. There are text versions, you can read them as in in social networks, as well as on the official website. There are also audio recordings. However, this may seem unpleasant to some, since the priest never embellishes reality, he speaks frankly. He makes it clear to people that they should hurry to do good, work on themselves, serve their neighbors.

Archpriest Andrey Yuryevich Tkachev - priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, minister of the church of St. Basil the Great at the gymnasium of the same name in the village of Zaitsevo near Moscow, missionary, TV presenter.

He is the author of the books “Our time. Why We Are Born”, “Preparation for Death”, “Christ to the Seven Churches”, “The Fugitive from the World”, “Gift of God – Old Age” and other spiritual literature devoted to eternal questions about faith, morality, human existence and the meaning of life. Known, among other things, for his resonant and ambiguous remarks of a public nature, for example, the call “... to break women on the knee, beat off her horns. Scrap."

Childhood and youth

The future clergyman was born on December 30, 1969 in Lviv, a Ukrainian city famous for the beauty of architectural monuments, including majestic Christian shrines: temples, churches, cathedrals. He studied at a Russian school, became interested in Christianity as a teenager.

At the insistence of his parents, after the 9th grade, in 1984, he became a graduate of the Moscow Suvorov School, enrolling in the faculty of special propaganda and choosing one of the most difficult foreign languages- Persian. However, the young man was soon expelled from military educational institution in the prescribed manner "out of unwillingness to learn."

Then he was drafted into the army, where, in his free time, he got acquainted with the unique book "Bhagavad Gita" (translated from Sanskrit "Divine Song"), which has another name - "a poem about God." After demobilization, the young man returned home to Lviv, began working as a loader in a grocery store, then was a watchman in a church.

On the formation of personality and its formation as a future clergyman big influence provided by one of his informal friends. He fascinated him with church music, visiting monasteries in order to pray and listen to choral singing, introduced him to reading the Gospel and other Christian literature.

Career in the ROC

In 1992, on the advice of his confessor (a priest who takes confession), he entered the external study of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, where he met representatives of high church rank - Archimandrites Kirill (secular name S.N. Govorun) and Longin (V.G. Chernukha), which influenced his worldview. During two years of study, he simultaneously worked as a minister in Lviv churches.

For some time Andrei studied at the Theological Academy of Kyiv, but was expelled for absenteeism. He himself explained the absence of classes by his active, busy and eventful way of life, because of which obtaining a full-fledged education was “problematic”. He later referred to himself as "self-taught".

In 1993, in Lviv, Tkachev was ordained a deacon, then, in the same year, a priest. Until 2005, he served in the church of St. George, combined his ministry with teaching, gave lectures at the theological academy of his native city and introduced children to the "Law of God" in high school(referred to in school curriculum ethics lesson).

Moving to the capital

In 2005, the clergyman and his family left Lviv for Kyiv in order to actively participate in television programs of spiritual content. He did not have a direction to a particular church, so at first he read God's Word wherever he was invited by familiar priests. Over time, on the initiative of the parishioners, he was accepted into the church of Agapit of Pechersk. In 2006, Tkachev became rector of this parish (the previous spiritual leader fell ill) and served there for the next 8 years.

In the same period, he was the host of the TV program “For the dream to come” on the national Orthodox channel KRT (“ Kievan Rus- TV"). One could listen to his sermons both in the TV show “Garden of Divine Songs” on KRT, and on the radio “Era FM” in the program “Putivnik z father Andrey” (“Guide with father Andrey”).

Andrey Tkachev in the program "The Garden of Divine Songs"

Soon he became a columnist for the newspaper Segodnya, the author of the journal of the Ioninsky Monastery, the Orthodox Internet publication for youth Otrok. In 2008, his book “Look, the sky is getting closer” was published, in 2009 - “Thoughts of repentance”, in 2010 - “Letter to God”. In the media, he often spoke from an openly pro-Russian position.

In 2013, he was appointed head of the Missionary Department of the Kyiv diocese. In the same year, he visited the United States, noting in an interview with journalists that this country "entered the stage of imperial decay."

Departure to Russia

In 2014, amid the aggravation of Russian-Ukrainian relations and, as a result, the conflict between the Kyiv and Moscow patriarchates, the archpriest moved to the Russian capital, where he was first enrolled in the clergy of the house church of Moscow University, then became a freelance clergyman at the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Vrazhek , while the main place of his ministry was the gymnasium of St. Basil the Great in the Moscow region.

For me, everything that happened in Ukraine is a test of humanity, which Ukraine passed in a negative sense. That is, she called the lie the truth.

Simultaneously with the performance of the main duties in the gymnasium, the clergyman was the creator and host of the Holy Truth program on the Tsargrad TV channel, wrote articles, and published books. In 2015, his “Worldly Notes” were published, in 2016 - “Air of the Heavenly City” and other works.

In 2017, he received a new appointment - a full-time cleric of the church of St. Basil the Great.

Family of Andrey Tkachev

The priest is married. There is no information in open sources about his family, which he created while living in his hometown and serving in the church of St. George. It is known that he and his wife are raising four children.

In January, he was a guest of the program “Direct Line. The Priest's Answer" on the Spas TV channel, a participant (together with futurologist Danila Medvedev) of the launched project "I don't believe it! Conversation between a priest and an atheist. In March, in the column “Holy Truth” on the Tsargrad channel, he spoke about the philosophy of materialistic atheism, and also about the importance of not being “righteous beyond measure.”

It is not easy today to express criticism of Andrei Tkachev's father. Not so long ago, looking through the window of a bookstore, I discovered a dubious pseudo-scientific book, which I complained to the saleswoman. “You will not be pleased! came the offended reply. “Some people don’t like Tkachev either!” Alas, the dubious fame of a liberal again hurries ahead of me.

Therefore, I hasten to assure the admirers of the priest that I love Father Andrei Tkachev in my own way, as it is proper to love any Christian, in any case I do not hate him. I have been following his work since the late 90s, when in Kyiv two bright priests named Andrei, Tkachev and Dudchenko published the youth magazine SOS - Save Our Souls and wrote sharp, topical articles in it. What wondrous times were when in the Church we all did a common thing, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia seemed unthinkable nonsense! Analyzing in the sermons and books of Father Andrei Tkachev what seems to me personally erroneous, I criticize not so much him as a certain trend in modern preaching and pastoral practice in general. At the same time, I also criticize myself, because I myself am related to moral Christian journalism, and if life had turned out a little differently (I would have married on time, would have taken the rank), I could literally repeat the same mistakes.

First of all, let's honestly answer the question: "Do you like being scolded?"

Orthodox upbringing, a certain erudition in the quotations of the holy fathers, suggest an answer like that it is useful to scold a Christian. Good is done by the one who reproves us; we often do not see our sins, even though we are the first among sinners. The one who sheds light on our abominations saves our souls.

Yes, it's helpful. Furacilin is also useful, but hardly anyone likes its bitter taste.

But the reaction to accusations is different. One woman drips tears: “Yes, I am so dirty, dirty! I'm the worst in the world!" Another, for example, a man is sharpened by bewilderment: “What should I do immediately to fix everything, at least start correcting it?”

Another question: “How do you react when you are scolded for nothing?”

Each of us has sins that especially torment our conscience. If the conscience is deaf, the task of the confessor is to awaken it, to force a person to change his life, or at least change his attitude towards sin. Sometimes in confession you raise your head from the lectern, and the priest silently, contritely shakes his head - this is how it works.

But to denounce sin publicly, regardless of anyone - to shoot sparrows from a cannon. Of course, if the sparrows are completely insolent ... It is especially "effective", say, to tell the monks about the dangers of abortion, the old women - about the unbridled youth who "buried their phones", the stern bearded men - about the dangers of ecumenism and same-sex marriages.

In theory, a person should listen and humble himself. Or delve into yourself, whether there is indirect guilt in this sin, or repeat “okay, I didn’t have abortions, I didn’t steal motorcycles, but I’m still the worst of all, because I fell asleep without reading the prescribed kathisma, or ate mayonnaise on Wednesday.”

In fact, the effect can be exactly the opposite. “Turned up” by the incessant search for sins, the bearded uncle, who has never been involved in either infanticide or attraction to his own sex, sighs with relief: “Finally! Be like other people." This is how the consciousness of the Pharisee is gradually formed: in the words of “the most sinful”, inside he is proud of his righteousness.

The first moral is that what a pastor should tell a person face to face does not necessarily have to be the subject of a public sermon.

But what, the Church to keep silent about the obvious vices of society? Is she not allowed to speak publicly?

It has. But look how the ever-memorable Bishop Anthony of Surozh did it in his conversations. How different even the tone differs from Andrei Tkachev's father! Vladyka's tone is calm, conciliatory. The goal is not to be horrified by the depth of sin, but to arouse compassion for the sinner. The listener himself will be horrified if he wants to, he is a thinking person. And it is better to feel sorry for the sinner (and yourself in his person) together with the priest. And turn to God for help in correction.

The second moral is: it is good when a shepherd speaks at least from his own spiritual experience. A formal letter from the Scriptures and the holy fathers can kill, but not give life. Especially if it is flavored with bright epithets.

Suppose a parishioner comes for an indulgence in fasting. It is not difficult for a father to observe a fast: his non-working mother prepares for him, and even the parish refectory. “Of course, the sick are supposed to be relieved,” the shepherd says from the screen. – For example, those who have open tuberculosis or cancer in the fourth stage. Do you know what it is? Batiushka is not a doctor, but visiting hospitals he himself must have seen dying cancer patients. But is it only for them to take care of their health, located on the threshold of the grave?

Another example: perfect family. We all know what it should be according to Christian concepts. Alas, the ideal on earth is almost unattainable. What is better to “poke your face” at the ideal, reminding a person of his sinfulness, or using a specific example (better than his own, maybe acquaintances, but not Saints Peter and Fevronia) to show what steps towards improving the family can be taken?

A special case is when the shepherd himself was seen in those sins that he most loudly denounces. What tone to choose here? How can a priest, addicted to alcohol, criticize this vice? Ruthlessly scourging from the pulpit or seeking compassion?

In the case of Father Andrei Tkachev, everyone knows his “anti-Ukrainian” views. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But with this opinion he infected many of his Kyiv parishioners, who now, not without reason, are afraid for their future. Where is the father himself? Does he share experiences with his children? He has no time, he sings of the Russian world in Moscow and denounces the rotten West.

According to a good shepherd, it would not be worth speaking out about politics at all. Blessed are the peacemakers...

The third moral is: you have to prepare for the sermon. It may not be necessary to write a summary, as in a homiletics class in a seminary, but at least to think about a sermon, like any speech, is worth it.

The speech usually contains the main idea. Vivid images, fresh ideas, new facts are needed primarily to illustrate it. You can designate it as the topic of a lecture or sermon.

Unfortunately, some priests begin to speak with the intention of “blabbing” like a student at an exam. So jumping from bump to bump is obtained. If you look at the sermons of neo-Pentecostals on YouTube, it comes out exactly the same, only for an hour and a half ...

It is at the moment of such improvisations that absurdities arise, such as the desire to bring up a wife with a whip (almost according to Nietzsche). And I don’t want to refuse, you can always find such a formal “letter” according to which you are right.

“But all this does not concern the father! - Admirers of Father Andrei's talent will tell me. “You are denouncing someone imaginary!” I gladly agree with them. It is better to admit the mistake and keep the peace.

However, I dare to formulate a fourth moral.

In Christ there is neither male nor female. Being a “real man” is not a virtue at all, but only a natural state for a Christian. Masculinity is not righteousness. And even strength (physical, imperious) is not a “bonus”, but a responsibility, a dangerous tool entrusted to a person. "Put down the mighty from the throne and exalt the humble..."

The temptation to “be a real peasant” today breaks many male characters: both lay and pastoral. Women, unfortunately, are often psychologically attached to someone who is stronger. Moreover, it is one thing for a confessor, who is obliged to regulate family affairs, and another for a husband who is only looking for a way to faith ... And especially if the priest is also outwardly handsome. There may not be any prodigal passion in thoughts, but everything looks ambiguous. Conclusion: this topic should be dealt with very carefully.

If we talk about gender relations, then at the heart of many family crises is disrespect for each other. Why is the spouse not forgiven what is easily forgiven to a neighbor? “I laid my life on him! The trouble is that a person is bad in principle! And women just as accurately respond to our male disrespect with disrespect on their part: yes, we do not live up to their expectations. But what is better, to force a woman to respect herself with the help of a fist, or to open new horizons to replace her (albeit incorrect) expectations in front of her?

The same applies to respect between parents and children, and in the Church between confessors and flocks. You should not despise all "these intellectuals", rotten liberals, Americans and Ukrainians. Many of the laity make moral demands on themselves that are tougher than pastors make on themselves - I know from experience.

We still respect Father Andrei Tkachev as a bright, albeit not an impeccable speaker. Does he respect us?

Ostap Davydov

executive secretary, literary editor of the children's Orthodox educational magazine "Kolokolchik"
(literary and artistic almanac for children's and family reading).

Liked the article? Share it 21 16 8 946

Andrey Tkachev - Orthodox priest, mitred archpriest, active in missionary work. To show and explain to people how to be Orthodox in our difficult time is the main goal of a priest. AT this moment The priest serves and preaches in Moscow, and began his journey in Ukraine.

life path

Father Andrey Tkachev was born in 1969. The biography of the father is quite interesting. He was baptized as a child, but really became interested in Orthodoxy as a teenager. The parents of Andrei Rostislavovich wanted to see him in the military, so the young man was sent to study at the Suvorov School in Moscow, then entered the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense, but soon took the documents. In the column of reasons for leaving, Andrey indicated: unwillingness to study. This wording closed the doors to the university forever for him. Then he was drafted into the army.

Meetings with several believers gradually formed worldview of the future father, and after the army a year later he enters the Kyiv Theological Academy, embarking on the path of serving God. In parallel with his studies, he serves in churches. As a result, he was expelled from the seminary due to low attendance. Father Andrei admits that the reason for the absences was communication with parishioners and caring for the family.

In 1993, Andrei was ordained a deacon, and then a priest, and was sent to serve at the Church of St. George the Victorious in his native Lvov. Even then, the father was engaged in active social activities, lectured on the Law of God in ordinary schools.

In 2005, the archpriest moved to Kyiv in order to expand the audience for preaching and filming in television programs. After some time, he was attached to the temple of Agapit of the Caves, and soon became the rector of this temple, where he served from 2006 to 2014. Even then, Father Andrei actively appeared on the KRT TV channel - “Kyiv Rus”. He hosted the programs "Garden of Divine Songs" and "For the Dream of the Future."

In 2014, in connection with the well-known events in Ukraine, the priest moved to Moscow and became a clergyman at the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Vrazhek, and now also serves in the gymnasium of Basil the Great in the Moscow region.

Little is known about the father's family, he protects his personal life in every possible way from outsiders. It is known that he has been married since 1992 and has four children. Photos of the family are almost impossible to find on the Internet.

In Moscow, the priest also conducts active missionary work, appears on television, and maintains online pages on social networks. His sermons are distinguished by the liveliness of the word and deep penetration into our reality as it is. The priest speaks absolutely simply and clearly, but at the same time intelligibly and penetratingly. The words of the priest often hit the heart, many believers who are looking for, doubting something, striving for the truth, sad and happy, are going to listen to Andrei Tkachev. His books are also published:

• "Letter to God".
• "First Miracle"
• "Steps to Heaven" and others, in total more than 30 books have been published.

Links to Internet resources

There are many sites on the Internet where you can get acquainted with the activities of Andrei Tkachev. Recent sermons, video performances in good quality can be seen for free at the following link: rideo.tv/tkachev_a/

The priest also has an official website: www.andreytkachev.com, which contains news about the ministry, as well as Andrey Tkachev's sermons and his talks. Watch or read - you can choose a convenient option for yourself, a video archive is available. They often publish materials in the blog format - like articles from various sources. There is also a selection of audio materials that can be downloaded.

Orthodoxy site. RU you can also find materials produced by Andrei Tkachev (Archpriest). You can listen to new lectures on the site about current Orthodox events, for example, about the beginning of Great Lent, about the Christmas holiday, and simply about current and important issues of our reality, such as family, pension and old age, children, work, etc. Acute and The bright word of the priest made his spiritual conversations popular among the most diverse segments of the population - from schoolchildren and students to people of creative professions, the elderly, families and even atheists.

Archpriest Andrei also actively appears on Russian television, for example, on Orthodox TV Soyuz in the Conversations with a Father cycle, you can have a conversation with a priest about the relationship between husband and wife, about family and children.

And of course, many lecture notes and meetings are on the YouTube video site. On request, Andrey Tkachev, you can find a lot of interesting and relevant material.

In the multiblog of Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov, also a famous Moscow preacher, you can see entertaining and profound conversations with Father Andrei. The conversation between the two smartest ministers of our time is always sharp and will be interesting for all believers. www.dimitrysmirnov.ru/blog/answer-49481/

Father on social media

There is also an official page on the VKontakte social network vk.com/public33360510. They turn to her Special attention that there are many pages and accounts of the priest on the network, and most of them are not conducted on his behalf. Andrei Tkachev is in contact only in his official group, which is conducted by his Blessing. There is also a Facebook group: www.facebook.com/andreytkachevcom.

All published materials are reviewed and edited by Father Andrey.

• "Good morning".
• "Briefly about the important."
• "Prayer for Agreement".

One of the sermons is for the celebration of the day of Mother Xenia of Petersburg. elitsy.ru/communities/35901/368011/. This site also has a section “Questions to the priest”, where you can ask a question to various well-known clergymen, including Father Andrei, and get an answer.

In the age of information the way to the hearts of people lies through the word. Many modern Internet opportunities give believers a close contact with deep reflections and sermons of modern church ministers, including Fr. Andrew, even while living in another city or country, and learn something important for yourself, and maybe become a real Orthodox Christian.

Seeing Archpriest Andrei Tkachev

On Sunday, October 29, the farewell ceremony took place for Archpriest Andrei Tkachev, who was a supernumerary cleric of our church for three years.

Meeting the wishes of Father Andrei, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia blessed him to release him from supernumerary service in our church and appoint him as a full-time cleric of the church of St. Basil the Great at the Orthodox gymnasium of the same name in the village of Zaitsevo, Odintsovo district, Moscow region, in order to devote all his strength to pastoral, preaching and teaching activities among the students of this wonderful educational institution and their parents.

For three years and three months, Father Andrei served in our church, combining his service with us with teaching at the gymnasium and with services in the church of St. Basil. This church was at first under construction, and then the priest could devote more time to the Church of the Resurrection of the Word. Then, for the succession in our parish, Father Andrei had one liturgical day left - Friday evening and Saturday morning. Today, the temple in Zaitsevo is ready for regular worship, on Sundays there are more than a hundred communicants in it. I had to make a choice...

Our parishioners fell in love with Father Andrei as a tireless and ardent preacher of the word of God, a zealous servant of the Lord's altar, a caring confessor and a caring adviser. Breaking up was not easy.

Our rector Archpriest Nikolai Balashov and Archpriest Andrei Tkachev celebrated the Sunday Liturgy together. Father Andrew gave a wonderful sermon on the topic gospel reading day about the sower, which is so close to the image of the ministry of the preacher himself.

At the end of the service, Father Nikolai turned to Father Andrei with a warm farewell word and presented the priest with an icon of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. “We are grateful to God and Father Andrei for the fact that this time of joint service in the life of our parish was. Outstanding shepherds and evangelists served here. We try as best we can to keep what they have commanded, and, as far as possible for us, to imitate them in their service. We hope that this time of service with us was useful for Father Andrei as well.” Highly appreciating the labors of his colleague and testifying to the extraordinary talents given to him by God, our rector expressed the wish to often see Father Andrei at festive divine services as a guest of our church. On behalf of the grateful parishioners, Archpriest Nikolai handed Father Andrey a bouquet of roses.

In response, Archpriest Andrei Tkachev thanked the father rector, fellow clergymen, workers and parishioners of our church for their joint service, for the kind words addressed to him, promised not to forget our parish and regularly visit our holidays. “I am not disappearing anywhere, we are in the same Church, in the same diocese, under the common Patriarchal omophorion. There will be many opportunities throughout the year for us to meet and communicate. I found a church family for myself here. Thank you for accepting me. What will happen next - the Lord knows. But we are people of one Chalice, one Book, and we have one cause and one path. Christ is risen, the Church lives, there is a lot of work, we need to sow, we need to plow, we will do it together,” said Father Andrei.

After the service, Father Nikolai and Father Andrei took part in the traditional tea party with the parishioners, during which the priests answered questions from those present.

On this day, Archpriest Vladimir Vigilyansky, rector of the church of St. Basil the Great in Zaitsev, and his wife also visited our church and took part in the farewell meal. Father Vladimir, a constant friend of our parish, ordained a priest in our church on the day of his patronal feast, is also rector of the Church of the Holy Martyr Tatiana at Moscow University, where Father Andrei began his ministry after moving to Moscow.