Who is the abbot of the monastery? Abbot of the monastery. Appeal to the monks

The love of the Orthodox people for monasteries is known. There are now about 500 of them in the Russian Orthodox Church. And in each of them, in addition to the monks, there are workers, pilgrims who come to strengthen themselves in faith, piety, and to work for the glory of God on the restoration or improvement of the monastery.

The monastery has stricter discipline than the parish. And although the mistakes of newcomers are usually forgiven and covered with love, it is advisable to go to the monastery already knowing the rudiments of the monastic rules.

Spiritual and administrative structure of the monastery.

The monastery is headed by the sacred archimandrite - the ruling bishop or (if the monastery is stauropegial) the Patriarch himself.

However, the monastery is directly controlled by the governor (this can be an archimandrite, abbot, or hieromonk). In ancient times he was called the builder, or abbot. The convent is governed by the abbess.

Due to the need for a clearly organized monastic life (and monasticism is a spiritual path, so verified and polished by centuries of practice that it can be called academic), everyone in the monastery bears a certain obedience.

The first assistant and deputy governor is the dean. He is in charge of all worship services and the fulfillment of statutory requirements. It is to him that people usually refer regarding the accommodation of pilgrims coming to the monastery.

An important place in the monastery belongs to the confessor, who spiritually cares for the brethren. Moreover, this does not have to be an old man (both in the sense of age and in the sense of spiritual gifts).

From among the experienced brethren the following are selected: treasurer (responsible for storing and distributing donations with the blessing of the governor), sacristan (responsible for the splendor of the temple, vestments, utensils, storage of liturgical books), housekeeper (responsible for the economic life of the monastery, in charge of the obediences of workers who come to the monastery), cellarer (responsible for storing and preparing food), hotel (responsible for the accommodation and accommodation of monastery guests) and others.

In women's monasteries, these obediences are carried out by the nuns of the monastery, with the exception of the confessor, who is appointed by the bishop from among the experienced and usually elderly monks.

Appeal to the monks.

In order to correctly address the monk (nun) of the monastery, you need to know that in the monasteries there are novices (novices), cassock monks (nuns), robed monks (nuns), schemamonks (schemanuns). In a monastery, some of the monks have holy orders (serve as deacons and priests).

Conversion in monasteries is as follows.

In a monastery.

You can contact the governor indicating his position ("Father Viceroy, bless") or using a name ("Father Nikon, bless"), possible and simple "father"(rarely used). In a formal setting: "Your Reverence"(if the governor is an archimandrite or abbot) or "Your Reverence"(if hieromonk). In the third person they say: "father governor", "father Gabriel". The dean is addressed: indicating the position ("father dean"), with name added (“Father Paul”), “father”. In the third person: "father dean" ("turn to father dean") or "father... (name)". The confessor is addressed using the name (“Father John”) or simply “father.” In the third person: “what the confessor will advise,” “what Father John will say.”

If the housekeeper, sacristan, treasurer, cellarer have priestly rank, you can contact them "father" and ask for blessings. If they are not ordained, but have been tonsured, they say "father housekeeper", "father treasurer".

One can say to a hieromonk, abbot, or archimandrite: "father...(Name)", "father".

A tonsured monk is addressed to: "father", to the novice - "Brother"(if the novice is in old age - “father”). When addressing schema-monks, if rank is used, the prefix “schema” is added - for example: “I ask for your prayers, Father Schema-Archimandrite.”

In a nunnery.

The abbess, unlike the nuns, wears a gold pectoral cross and has the right to bless. Therefore, they ask for her blessing, addressing her in this way: "mother abbess"; or using the name: "Varvara's mother", "Nicholas' mother" or simply " mother". (In a convent, the word “mother” refers only to the abbess. Therefore, if they say, “That’s what mother thinks,” they mean the abbess.)

In an address to the nuns they say: "mother Eulampia", "mother Seraphim", but in a specific situation you can simply "mother". The novices are addressed: "sister"(in case of advanced age of the novice, conversion is possible "mother"). There is no spiritual justification for the practice of some parishes, where parishioners who work in the kitchen, in the sewing workshop, etc., are called mothers. In the world, it is customary to call only the wife of a priest (priest) a mother.

About monastic rules.

The monastery is a special world. And it takes time to learn the rules of monastic life.

Since this material is intended for lay people, we will indicate only the most necessary things that must be observed in the monastery during pilgrimage.

When you come to the monastery as a pilgrim or worker, remember that in the monastery they ask for a blessing for everything and strictly fulfill it.

You cannot leave the monastery without a blessing.

They leave all their sinful habits and addictions (wine, tobacco, foul language, etc.) outside the monastery.

Conversations lead only about the spiritual, they do not remember about worldly life, they do not teach each other, but they know only two words - “forgive” and “bless”.

Without grumbling, they are content with food, clothing, sleeping conditions, and eat food only at a common meal.

They do not go to other people’s cells, except when they are sent by the abbot. At the entrance to the cell they say aloud a prayer: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us” (in the convent: “Through the prayers of our holy mothers...”). They do not enter the cell until they hear from behind the door: “Amen.”

They avoid free speech, laughter, and jokes.

When working on obediences, they try to spare the weak person who works nearby, covering with love the errors in his work. When meeting each other, they greet each other with bows and the words: “Save yourself, brother (sister)”; and the other responds to this: “Save, Lord.” Unlike the world, they don’t take each other’s hands.

When sitting down at the table in the refectory, they observe the order of precedence. The prayer said by the person serving the food is answered “Amen”, the table is silent and listens to the reading.

They are not late for divine services, unless they are busy with obedience.

Insults encountered during general obediences are endured humbly, thereby gaining experience in spiritual life and love for the brethren.

How to behave at a reception with a bishop

A bishop is an angel of the Church; without a bishop, the Church loses its fullness and very essence. Therefore, a church person always treats bishops with special respect.

When addressing the bishop, he is called "Vladyko" ("Vladyko, bless you").“Vladyko” is the vocative case of the Church Slavonic language, in the nominative case - Vladyka; For example: “Vladyka Bartholomew blessed you...”

Eastern (coming from Byzantium) solemnity and eloquence in addressing the bishop at first even confuses the heart of a person of little church, who can see here a (in fact non-existent) derogation of his own human dignity.

In official address, other expressions are used.

Addressing the bishop: Your Eminence; Your Eminence Vladyka. In the third person: "His Eminence ordained him a deacon...".

Addressing the Archbishop and Metropolitan: Your Eminence; Your Eminence Vladyka. If you want to enter into a conversation with a bishop unfamiliar to you and you do not know what hierarchical level he is at, pay attention to the bishop’s headdress: in the modern Russian Orthodox Church, an archbishop, unlike a bishop, wears a small four-pointed cap on his hood or skufiya cross made of transparent faceted stones; in addition, the metropolitan, unlike the bishop and archbishop, has a white hood. In general, a distinctive feature of the bishop is that he wears a round panagia with the image of the Savior or the Mother of God over his sacred robes. IN third person: “With the blessing of His Eminence, we inform you...”

Addressing the Patriarch: Your Holiness; Holy Master. In the third person: "His Holiness visited... the diocese."

A blessing is taken from the bishop in the same way as from a priest: the palms are folded crosswise one on top of the other (the right one is at the top) and they approach the bishop for the blessing.

A telephone conversation with the bishop begins with the words: "Bless, Master" or "Bless, Your Eminence (Eminence)."

The letter can begin with the words: "Bless the Master" or "Your Eminence (High Eminence), bless."

When formally writing to the bishop, the following form is used.

In the upper right corner of the sheet write, observing the line:

His Eminence

His Eminence(Name),

Bishop(name of the diocese),

Petition.

When contacting to the archbishop or metropolitan:

His Eminence

Your Eminence(Name),

to the archbishop(to the Metropolitan),

(name of the diocese),

Petition.

When addressing the Patriarch:

His Holiness

His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all

Rus Alexy

Petition.

They usually end a petition or letter with these words: “I ask for the prayers of Your Eminence...”

The priests, who are essentially under church obedience, write: “Your Eminence’s humble novice...”

At the bottom of the sheet they put the date according to the old and new styles, indicating the saint whose memory the Church honors on this day. For example: July 5/18, 1999 A.D. (Christmas Day). St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Arriving at an appointment with the bishop at the diocesan administration, they approach the secretary or head of the chancellery, introduce themselves and tell them why they are asking for an appointment.

When entering the bishop's office, they say a prayer. “Through the prayers of our holy Master, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us,” They cross themselves onto the icon in the red corner, approach the bishop and ask for his blessing. At the same time, there is no need to kneel or prostrate out of excessive reverence or fear (unless, of course, you have come confessing to some sin).

There are usually many priests in the diocesan administration, but it is not necessary to take a blessing from each of them. In addition, there is a clear rule: in the presence of the bishop, they do not take blessings from the priests, but only greet them with a slight bow of the head.

If a bishop leaves his office for the reception, he is approached for blessing in order: first the priests (according to seniority), then the laity (men, then women).

Bishop's conversation with They do not interrupt anyone with a request for a blessing, but wait until the end of the conversation. They think about their appeal to the bishop in advance and present it briefly, without unnecessary gestures or facial expressions.

At the end of the conversation, they again ask for the bishop’s blessing and, having crossed themselves at the icon in the red corner, they sedately leave.

In days of trouble.

Finally, a few notes about the time when all festivities are abandoned. This is a time of mourning, that is, an outward expression of feelings of sadness for the deceased.

There are deep mourning and ordinary mourning.

Deep mourning is worn only for father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, husband, wife, brother, sister. Mourning for father and mother lasts one year. By grandfather And grandmother – six months. For the husband - two years, for the wife - one year. For children – one year. For brother and sister - four months. According to uncle, aunt and cousin - three months. If a widow, contrary to decency, enters into a new marriage before the end of mourning for her first husband, then she should not invite any of the guests to the wedding. These periods can be shortened or increased if, before death, those remaining in this earthly vale received a special blessing from the dying person, for pre-death benevolence and blessing (especially parental) are treated with respect and reverence.

In general, in Orthodox families, no important decisions are made without the blessing of parents or elders. From an early age, children learn to ask for the blessings of their father and mother even for everyday activities: “Mommy, I’m going to bed, bless me.” And the mother, having crossed the child, says: “A guardian angel for your sleep.” A child goes to school, on a hike, to a village (to a city) - along all the paths he is protected by his parent’s blessing.

If possible, parents add to their blessing (at the marriage of their children or before their death) visible signs, gifts, blessings: crosses, icons, holy relics, the Bible, which, forming a household shrine, are passed on from generation to generation.

The inexhaustible bottomless sea of church life. It is clear that this small book contains only some outlines of church etiquette.

Hegumen Aristarchus (Lokhapov)

My last role of Golokhvastov in the play “Chasing Two Hares” turned out to be prophetic – Archimandrite Spiridon (Khodanich).

Archimandrite Spiridon (Khodanich). © Orthodox Life

Strange events are taking place in the monastery in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” in Boryspil. Last year at Christmas the temple burned, and this year there was a flood. The editors of the “Orthodox Life” portal went on a press tour to the city of Boryspil to talk with the viceroy, see everything with their own eyes and understand the situation themselves.

Reference: The first mention of the parish church in Boryspil dates back to 2003, when the community was organized. In 2008, by decision of the Holy Synod, a blessing was given to found a monastery on this site. The first governor was Archimandrite Varlaam (Gergel), serving in Bortnichi. Two years ago, by decision of the Holy Synod, Archimandrite Spiridon (Khodanich) became the abbot of the monastery). The monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source” is located in the center of Boryspil, surrounded by the private sector and new buildings.

“Our roof is on fire!”

– Father Spiridon, what are these Christmas temptations in your monastery?

– Strange things happen at Christmas, although for us, as believers, everything is obvious. In the monastery we have two Liturgies (night and late) due to the large number of people, for this we took a blessing for the second antimension. I served the late Liturgy, at which I congratulate all the parishioners. Father Seraphim, our dean, celebrated the night Liturgy. Naturally, I went to rest before the morning service.

On the choir in the monastery church

I wake up and hear some noise - the windows look out onto the monastery courtyard. I looked out and all the people were leaving the church, and it was 12 o’clock at night, just as the service was about to begin. I had a premonition that something was wrong. The congregation hastily left the temple. “What happened? Besides all these events. God forbid, some kind of provocation.” I see Father Seraphim running out in his vestments. I’m already starting to feel bad because I understand that something has happened.

A call came from one of the seminarians who sings with us. I ask about what happened. “Father, our roof is on fire,” he exclaimed. Everything swam before my eyes, I barely had time to lean on the windowsill. I got dressed, went out, and looked: the whole temple was in smoke. Firefighters arrived and began to dismantle the roof. All the people immediately grabbed the buckets and rags. Absolutely everything was poured.

– Has the service already started at that time?

Providentially, the service had not yet begun, the priest was in confession, although he was constantly being tugged at, saying it was time to start. But he made an excuse that he needed a couple more minutes to finish the confession; there were 10 minutes left before the start. And these minutes helped in this situation, because one of the choristers who were on the choir noticed a tongue of flame that was blown by a draft. The side door opened, so we immediately noticed. In addition, all places were insulated, there were three special pipes. Many churches burn like this, but the ceilings are wooden.

On the threshold of the temple. © Orthodox Life

Those who did not help extinguish the fire socialized in the refectory. In literally less than an hour, everything was extinguished, cleaned, and carpets were laid. The service began. Those present claimed that the feeling was indescribable: such a temptation before the Christmas service - and everyone was like one family. The common work united us so much, everyone tried to help in some way. In the morning after the Liturgy, I tell the parishioners that such a temptation happened - the enemy decided to take revenge for the fact that our services began, that people receive spiritual benefits. I told the congregation about the fire, and everyone sighed together. They began to look around where it was burning. Nothing was visible, we removed everything. Even though it’s Christmas, it’s a holiday, but they’ve put things in order. The roof was torn apart.

And the next year we had a flood. The Sunday school was flooded.

– That is, exactly for Christmas again?

- Yes. But already this year we “prepared” with Father Seraphim, we understood: something was going to happen. On the day when Christ is born, the devil, of course, trembles. And for Easter. These days the enemy is trying his best to take revenge on those who do something to glorify the name of God.

– What happened?

– Somewhere the pipes froze and there was a leak.

– And the water flowed?

- Yes, on the walls. For a long time they could not find where and what. They turned off the water in half of the building.

From the editor: According to statistics, most of the provocations of schismatics or political forces occur precisely on church holidays.

At the service in the monastery church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

"Death to the Moscow priest"

– Father, have you noticed that provocations and temptations occur precisely on major holidays.

- Yes indeed! On the great twelve holidays.

–This year and last year show that they choose these days to take people away from the spiritual mood.

– That year they were going to do some provocations on Pokrov. Let us remember the posters with the inhuman slogan “Death to the Moscow priest.” Where are the moral principles?

– Moreover, Ukraine is trying to imitate European standards. And universal human values are spelled out in the law, and people’s rights must be protected. But it turns out that killing a person costs nothing. Simply because he is of a different religion.

– After all, evil begets new evil, and love destroys all evil. Therefore, the one who loves must worry with his heart. Do not intentionally aggravate the situation, create new evil, but, on the contrary, heal.

One of the shrines of the monastery is the reliquary with the relics of Saints Kuksha of Odessa, Job of Ugolsky and Alexy of Carpatho-Russia. © Orthodox Life

– You know, there really is some kind of fabulous feeling in your temple...

- Yes, everyone says so. Some people live next to the cathedral and come to us. Because here, in their words: they pray as one family, kneel. I thank them every service: “It’s so good to pray with you!” It's cozy here. The priest’s prayer is also important, because it’s difficult to tune in on your own. But a lot also depends on the parishioners. They really pray with tears and are on their knees during the Eucharistic Canon.

– Yes, thank God that people are coming, becausenowadays the people are deceived by schismatic propaganda, by the desire to take as many people as possible away from the canonical Church. Visiting a temple in some places becomes a feat.

– You know, the church pulpit is a holy place, and no speeches should be made from it about the situation in the world. This is discussed in private conversations, at lectures, courses, if someone has any questions. I introduced a compulsory sermon, delivered by deacons and priests, but only on gospel topics. I say, “If you are a Christian and want to find the answer to a life question, study the earthly life of Christ. Without Christ we are not Christians. In His life we have all the answers to our questions.”

The grave of Priest Yevgeny Tchaikovsky on the territory of the monastery. © Orthodox Life

You read the Gospel and the works of the Holy Fathers every day - and you understand how much benefit there is from this, you are convinced that all the answers for us are in the life of Christ. Why do people come to church?! To pray, to find warmth for their soul, to ask God for help in overcoming life’s difficulties (mental and physical), to feel the unearthly joy of touching Divine grace, but they already hear about the situation in the world every day from the TV screens. The temple is a piece of heaven on earth, and those who run to the temple are precisely running away from the bustle of the world.

– Father, ah How does your monastery differ from others?

– Monasteries may differ externally, but their internal life is similar, because the goal is the same. The first thing I did was introduce daily services, as it should be in monasteries. Even if one person comes, who, perhaps, has some kind of holiday, a day of remembrance of a relative, or has a desire to take communion. It’s so good that he can come knowing that there is a service every day. The monastery is God's gift to people! There are many houses around, but we are visited mainly by those who live far away. In the summer, Father Seraphim and I go out, sit on a bench and think: “Where do these people go?! There is so much light in the windows at night, and this is each family with its own life. At Easter, at Christmas there are tons of people. We open up the courtyard, the gates, and the crowds to the lake and beyond.”

The place where the construction of a new monastery church is planned. © Orthodox Life

From the editor: The rector plans to build a new church on the territory adjacent to the old church, located in a simple rural house. The new temple will be like the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, with a beautiful onion dome.

“I serve according to the ideal”

- Father,It takes a lot of work to build a new temple. Aren't you afraid?

– I am inspired by our academic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. For me this is the ideal of service. And if I go somewhere and they tell me that something is changing somewhere, I say that I serve according to the ideal. I also moved here the Lenten Sunday evening service - akathist to the Passion of Christ, passion. This is a special service. Its history is ambiguous, but, nevertheless, the singing, these touching stichera, this akathist to the Passion are chanted. The guys sing with the local girls who come to our Sunday school. They also donated a piano to us, and we are organizing rehearsals. This has never happened here before.

There are a lot of people now. The temple is full during the Passion. It does not last long - about an hour, but is filled with tenderness. We introduced a lot of things, focusing on the academic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is especially dear to me.

Group photo after the bishop's service in the monastery

– Why?

After my monastic tonsure, it was in the academic church that I spent three days and three nights receiving communion every day; it was in this church that my diaconal ordination took place on January 8, 2009, on the day of the Council of the Most Holy Theotokos, and my priestly ordination on September 21, the patronal feast day of the academic church. I served in this church before my appointment to the Borispol Monastery.

In all these events I see and feel the great love and care of the Mother of God: tonsure in the first cave church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, both ordinations on the feasts of the Mother of God and further service in the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God.

– Is there a tradition of not leaving the temple after tonsure?

- Yes. As far as I know, this practice, associated with monastic tonsure, exists everywhere. For three days and three nights, the newly tonsured monk remains in the temple, in prayer with the lighted candle given to him at the time of tonsure, and the hood is not removed all this time until the third day, when a special prayer is read. Leaving the temple only when absolutely necessary and always accompanied by a confessor or someone from the senior monastic brethren. This is due to the fact that the enemy of the human race, the devil, especially takes up arms against monks for their decision to renounce the world and selflessly serve God.

So much has already been said and written about monasticism that if we tried to talk about it, not even a week would be enough...

Father Spiridon with children in the premises of the children's Sunday school

– Then please tell us about the achievements of your monastery.

At the monastery we have catechism courses for adults, an icon painting school and a Sunday school for children. Catechetical courses are taught by both priests from the diocese and teachers from the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary. In 2014, at a young age, our monastery cleric, Priest Evgeniy Tchaikovsky, a very bright man, died of cancer. Father Eugene’s mother, Juliania, organized an icon-painting school with us. We have many icons of our school in our church. Our sextons deserve special attention. We have five of them. From 12 years old to 76. The two eldest, George and John, have been here since 2003.

– How many inhabitants are there in the monastery?

– Father governor and father dean (smiles).

The inhabitants of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” are Father Spiridon and Father Seraphim. © Orthodox Life

– And how do you two cope?

“Father Seraphim and I worked together back in the seminary. It so happened that we were in the same economic service. Then he became the head of the kitchen, and I, in addition to other duties, performed the duties of a cellarer - I purchased food. From then on I knew him well. Nothing can happen in life without trust, so when I was appointed here, I understood that I would need an assistant who would love prayer (this is important), communicate with people, and be congenial. Father Seraphim has all these qualities. It is necessary that he does not hear and become proud. People love and respect him very much. In some ways he imitates St. Seraphim of Sarov. I suggested it to him, he agreed, and we started working together.

– Do you have a lot of miracles happening in your everyday life?

– Miracles happen every day, you just need to be able to see them. There are difficulties in the preparation of financial documents, but winter is coming, and we have a large staff: people at the cash register, cleaning in the church, working on prosphora in the kitchen. As in any institution. And as soon as you pray, ask, a person appears and says: “I want to help.” I can give several examples.

On the monastery prosphora. © Orthodox Life

We urgently needed someone to work in the kitchen, because we feed everyone who helps us with cleaning in the church, all the sextons and choir members, as well as all the disadvantaged and low-income people, and this is already almost 25-35 people! And then the servant of God L. comes to us and says that she wants to be obedient in our kitchen, because she dreamed of working at the monastery in her old age. Cooks amazingly! Another case: when we began to prepare documents for construction, it was necessary to make a design for a new temple. We understood that this was not very cheap. One evening after the all-night vigil, the servant of God A. comes up to me and tells me that she has a company that deals with projects, and they want to make us a temple project for free!!! Isn't it a miracle?

But among our parishioners there is a person who has a special heart for the monastery and helps us. We jokingly call him our Guardian Angel.

A lot of such miraculous incidents have happened here in a short time, although, like everywhere else, there are probably people who promise to do a lot in the monastery, but everything ends only in promises. Apparently, their hearts are simply not yet filled with genuine love for God, and while promising to help, they probably live in the hope of speedy earthly retribution. Despite this, we are truly touched by the everlasting mercy of the Mother of God towards us and thank Her for this.

Information: Vitaly Khodanich graduated from the Uzhgorod Higher School of Culture in 2001, majoring in director.

From actors to monks

– Father, you were preparing to become an actor. Did you work in your specialty?

– No, I didn’t work, but I performed a lot during my studies.

– Why did you want to be an actor?

– You know, it’s impossible to say that I dreamed of the life of an artist. This is how the circumstances developed: young age - they offered and agreed. Then there was conscious going to Church. The more I went to the temple of God and measured my life against the truths of the Gospel, the more I realized that the life of an actor was not for me, although all the teachers thought otherwise.

– We understand the teachers - talent is obvious...

– My last role - Svirid Petrovich Golokhvosty in the play by Mikhail Petrovich Staritsky “Chasing Two Hares” turned out to be prophetic, I said the words on stage in the presence of about 800 people: “... If I’m lying, let all the Pechersk saints punish me and the great Lavra will cover me bell..." These words confused me in my heart. I understood that it was impossible to say such a thing, but the monks of Pechersk did not punish me, but received me in the Lavra.

– Interesting: from the actors– into monks.

– Not right away, there was also the Odessa Theological Seminary and the Kiev Theological Academy. I remember one incident: at the Odessa Theological Seminary, one of my friends, a very charming and charismatic person, Alexey Bezdushny, yes, that’s his last name, gave me a photograph of him and me together in a student’s room, on the back there is an inscription: “To the most theater seminarian from Lesha Without..."

– Were your parents surprised?

– Friends were surprised. Many asked what happened to me, why I followed this path, and then decided to join a monastery, because everything was fine, everything worked out, and life promised great career growth. The commission from Kyiv, which came for the state exam, immediately said that they were taking me to Kyiv. They thought that some kind of unhappy love or grief had happened. But just the opposite. I went out of great happiness and great love for God. A person will never become a monk and will not agree to such a selfless path if he does not experience great love for the Lord. There can be no game here.

The walls of the monastery church are hung with icons, which were brought and continue to be carried by parishioners. © Orthodox Life

– Does your acting experience help you in any way?

– It helps a lot – in preparing for a sermon and in teaching.

The class teacher at school once told me that I couldn’t play the role of Golokhvasty because I was a romantic. In his opinion, only dull images suited me. This, of course, hurt me, because at literary evenings I took first place and had many awards. Here, of course, it was a matter of principle, and I took on this role and successfully performed it (smiles).

In Greece

The actor's memory develops very well. They may give you a text the day before so that you can play some role tomorrow morning. And you need to learn 5 A4 sheets. The directing department teaches music, singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, and stage acting. It was interesting to study, but hard. At 8 o'clock in the morning he left for lectures and returned at 11 pm after all the rehearsals.

– What influenced your decision to join a monastery?

– Problems, sorrows, illnesses began in the family, and we went to Church. We met good clergy. One of them was the late Archimandrite Vassian (Pop). We went to see him in the village of Krivoe, Tyachiv district, Transcarpathian region. He was a man with a big loving heart that could accommodate everyone without exception. Father always said that I would be a monk, although at that time I was still an actor, but without education... If you look at the photos of that time, you will never believe that it is me.

Once my parents and I went to the Mukachevo St. Nicholas Monastery. Old Mother Capitolina was already there. She and I sat and talked for a long time. She talked about what a wonderful gift of God the monastic life is and that she would never change her monastic life for another. At that time, all my thoughts were about the acting profession and entertainment. When we were already leaving the monastery and my parents had gone ahead, she gave me a rosary and said that I would need them in life. I didn’t understand then why I needed the rosary and when I would need it.

There were many signs in my life that I would become a monk. The Lord clearly protected me from death.

At a minimum, I remember three cases in my life when there was not a single logical explanation for why I remained alive. It's scary to even remember. This thought periodically appeared in my head. Studying at the Odessa Seminary had already completely led me to the monastic path. While in my 4th year at the seminary, I lived in the Odessa monastery, where the successive eldership is preserved... Father Nikon, with whom you work in obedience, confession to Elder Jonah. Communicating and seeing this holiness changes a lot in your soul. It is very important that in monasteries there are people with holiness who can console you during your despondency. Among my favorite saints is St. Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles. Silouan of Athos is the beloved monk, and among the elders is John the Peasant.

I remember how Bishop Clement asked me: “Have you read St. Silouan of Athos?” I say: “No.” He: “How? You didn’t read?!” He immediately gave me the book. I didn’t need lunch or dinner: I took the book and read it all at once. And I’ve already re-read it several times. Of course, an amazing book by the spiritual child of the Monk Silouan - Archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov).

– Before your tonsure, you did not know your new name?

Before tonsure, I was offered to take a blessing from Bishop Sergius of Ternopil. We came to his house and talked. A man of amazing holiness. Communicating with such a person, you yourself want to love everyone. One immediately notices the huge number of books and icons in the house, and the fragrant smell of incense everywhere. When we were leaving, he gave us a bag of something. Opening it, we see: the icon of St. Spyridon of Trimythous. Nobody knew the name that they would give me a few days later during my tonsure.

– How did you perceive the name?

– There is such a temptation among monks - in most cases, at first you don’t like the name that you are given when you are tonsured. So it was with me. I really liked the name Benjamin. Now I wouldn’t change my name for anything else.

– Do you remember what they told you at your tonsure?

– The tonsure was performed in the Far Caves in the Annunciation Church by the rector of theological schools, Bishop Anthony. There were four of us - the current bishops Filaret (Gavrin), now he is in Russia, Voznesensky Alexy (Shpakov), me and Father Ambrose (Vainagy). Bishop Anthony addressed us with a very heartfelt sermon. He was very empathetic and said that every person who lives on earth needs to feel the inextricable connection between his loneliness and Christ. These words sank into my soul for the rest of my life.

Afterword: At the monastery The “Open Heart” homeless assistance service was organized. We asked Father Archimandrite why assistance to the poor was organized. This is what the father answered us:

– In the Gospel, every priest looks for a path for himself and comes to the conclusion that the Lord, as a good Teacher, has already given us all the cheat sheets with answers to the questions that He will ask at the Last Judgment. We will not have to report how many hours we spent in prayer or how many akathists we read. The Lord will ask whether we fed the hungry, visited the sick, or gave drink to the thirsty.

One day, beggars came to the church at the beginning of the evening service and wanted to talk to me. I felt bad and sent them away, then I repented, caught up, sat them down at the table and set it for them myself. We talked with them for a long time, it turned out that they were wonderful people, I looked, and one of them had no soles on his shoes, and it was winter outside, so I had to give my shoes, the other my jacket. You should have seen the surprise, the joy and gratitude that was expressed with tears in their eyes. I don’t even know who received the greatest spiritual benefit from this meeting, but we all had unearthly joy.

I remember once it was very difficult for me at the Lavra. And the beggar spoke to me. Then he helped me a lot with his simple words. According to the Apostle Paul, the word is of great importance. How can you not respond to the call of poor people if the Lord said: “...Because you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me” (Matthew 25:45). We are obliged to at least somehow cover our sins. Our parishioners are trying to help them; they brought a lot of clothes and food.

Interviewed by Natalya Goroshkova,

The love of the Orthodox people for monasteries is known. In each of them, in addition to the inhabitants, there are workers, pilgrims who come to strengthen themselves in faith, piety, and to work for the glory of God on the restoration or improvement of the monastery. The monastery has stricter discipline than the parish. And although the mistakes of newcomers are usually forgiven and covered with love, it is advisable to go to the monastery already knowing the rudiments of the monastic rules.

Spiritual and administrative structure of the monastery

The monastery is headed by the sacred archimandrite - the ruling bishop or (if the monastery is stauropegial) the Patriarch himself. However, the monastery is directly controlled by the governor (this can be an archimandrite, abbot, or hieromonk). In ancient times he was called the builder, or abbot. The convent is governed by the abbess.

Due to the need for a clearly organized monastic life (and monasticism is a spiritual path, verified and polished by centuries of practice), everyone in the monastery bears a certain obedience. The first assistant and deputy governor is the dean. He is in charge of all worship services and the fulfillment of statutory requirements. It is to him that people usually refer regarding the accommodation of pilgrims coming to the monastery.

From the experienced brethren the following are selected: treasurer (responsible for storing and distributing donations with the blessing of the governor), sacristan (responsible for the splendor of the temple, vestments, utensils, storage of liturgical books), housekeeper (responsible for the economic life of the monastery, in charge of the obediences of workers who come to the monastery), cellarer (responsible for storing and preparing food), hotel (responsible for the accommodation and accommodation of monastery guests) and others.

Appeal to the monks

Conversion in monasteries is as follows.

In a monastery. You can address the governor by indicating his position (“Father Governor, bless”) or by using his name (“Father Nikon, bless”), or perhaps simply “father” (rarely used). In an official setting: “Your Reverence” (if the governor is an archimandrite or abbot) or “Your Reverence” (if a hieromonk). In the third person they say: “father governor”, “father Gabriel”.

The dean is addressed: with an indication of his position (“father dean”), with the addition of a name (“Father Pavel”), “father.” In the third person: “father dean” (“turn to father dean”) or “father... (name).”

The confessor is addressed using his name (“Father John”) or simply “father.” In the third person: “what the confessor will advise,” “what Father John will say.”
If the housekeeper, sacristan, treasurer, and cellarer have priestly rank, you can address them as “father” and ask for blessings. If they are not ordained, but have been tonsured, they say: “father housekeeper”, “father treasurer”.

You can say to a hieromonk, abbot, or archimandrite: “father... (name)”, “father”.

A monk who has been tonsured is addressed as “father”; a novice is addressed as “brother” (if the novice is of advanced age, “father”). When addressing schema-monks, if rank is used, the prefix “schema” is added - for example: “I ask for your prayers, father schema-archimandrite.”

In a nunnery. The abbess, unlike the nuns, wears a gold pectoral cross and has the right to bless. Therefore, they ask for her blessing, addressing her in this way: “mother abbess”; or using the name: “Varvara’s mother”, “Nicholas’ mother” or simply “Mother”. (In a convent, the word “mother” refers only to the abbess. Therefore, if they say: “That’s what mother thinks,” they mean the abbess.)

When addressing nuns they say: “Mother Eulampia”, “Mother Seraphim”, but in a specific situation you can simply “Mother”. The novices are addressed as “sister” (in the case of an advanced age of the novices, the address “mother” is possible).

About monastic rules

The monastery is a special world. And it takes time to learn the rules of monastic life. For the laity, we will point out only the most necessary things that must be observed in the monastery during pilgrimage. When you come to the monastery as a pilgrim or worker, remember that in the monastery they ask for a blessing for everything and strictly fulfill it.

You cannot leave the monastery without a blessing.

They leave all their sinful habits and addictions (wine, tobacco, foul language, etc.) outside the monastery.

Conversations are only about spiritual things, they don’t remember about worldly life, they don’t teach each other, but they know only two words: “forgive” and “bless.”
Without grumbling, they are content with food, clothing, sleeping conditions, and eat food only at a common meal.

They do not go to other people's cells, except when they are sent by the abbot. At the entrance to the cell they say aloud a prayer: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us” (in the convent: “Through the prayers of our holy mothers...”). They do not enter the cell until they hear from behind the door: “Amen.”
They avoid free speech, laughter, and jokes.

When working on obediences, they try to spare the weak person who works nearby, covering with love the errors in his work.

When meeting each other, they greet each other with bows and the words: “Save yourself, brother (sister)”; and the other responds to this: “God bless you.” Unlike the world, they don’t take each other’s hands.

When sitting down at the table in the refectory, they observe the order of precedence. To the prayer said by the person serving the food, they answer: “Amen”; they are silent at the table and listen to the reading.
They are not late for divine services, unless they are busy with obedience.

Insults encountered during general obediences are endured humbly, thereby gaining experience in spiritual life and love for the brethren.

GOVERNOR OF THE MONASTERY

a clergyman (abbot or archimandrite) appointed by a bishop to manage the monastery subordinate to him.

Dictionary of church terms. 2012

See what “Vicar of a monastery” is in other dictionaries:

Abbot of the monastery- archimandrite, abbot, that is, a clergyman appointed by a bishop to manage a monastery within his diocese... Orthodox Encyclopedia

GOVERNOR- [governor], governor, husband. 1. Deputy, a person who has certain powers from someone (book obsolete). “All my people, the entire northern church, recognize the authority of the governor Peter.” Pushkin. 2. In Tsarist Russia, the ruler of the outlying... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Viceroy- Viceroy (from “on the spot”) a historical position in Russia, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and other countries, the head of a large administrative-territorial unit. Rus' and Russia Viceroy is an official in Rus' who headed ... ... Wikipedia

Viceroy- I m. 1. The manager of the feudal region, representing the power of the prince; posadnik (in Rus' 9th-13th centuries). 2. Military commander of a province or several provinces (in the Russian state under Catherine II). 3. The ruler of the outlying region, who possessed... ... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

Aaron, abbot of the Chudov Monastery- in 1822, abbot of the Chudov Monastery, abbot of the Ugrezh Monastery in 1825-1833; † 1840 (Polovtsov) ...

Leonid Governor of the Sergius Lavra- (in the world Lev Aleksandrovich Kavelin, born in 1822) archimandrite, studied in the 1st Moscow Cadet Corps, served in the Volyn Guards Regiment. In 1852 he entered the number of novices at Optina Pustyn; in 1857 he was tonsured a monk; in 1863... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

Anthony, hieromonk of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery- Anthony is the hieromonk of the Yaroslavl Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the author of one of the editions of the Life of Fyodor Rostislavich, Prince of Smolensk and Yaroslavl, nicknamed Cherny (or according to other sources - Chermny). Name of the author and place of writing of the Life... ... Dictionary of scribes and bookishness of Ancient Rus'

Isaiah, abbot of the Slutsk Trinity Monastery- archimandrite, son of a priest, b. around 1750, died on August 18, 1814. In 1773 he entered the Kiev Golden Verkhovsky St. Michael's Monastery, took monastic vows in 1780 and held the position of treasurer from 1787. In 1787, Isaiah, already in the rank of hieromonk, was taken into... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Pechersky Ascension Monastery- Pechersky Monastery Ascension Monastery ... Wikipedia

Pavel (Gorshkov)- Hegumen Pavel (in the world Pyotr Mikhailovich Gorshkov; August 20, 1867, the village of Dedinovo, Zaraisky district, Ryazan province July 6, 1950, near Taishet) abbot of the Russian Orthodox Church, abbot of the Pskov Caves Monastery. Contents 1... ...Wikipedia

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