On Sunday, January 17, in the Ascension Cathedral of Novosibirsk, the Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Tikhon of Novosibirsk and Berdsk. Concelebrating with him was Bishop Pavel of Kolyvan, vicar of the Novosibirsk Diocese.

Let us recall that the consecration of the cleric of the Novosibirsk diocese, Archimandrite Paul, was performed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' on January 8 in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.

At the end of the liturgy in the Ascension Cathedral, Bishop Tikhon introduced the vicar of the Novosibirsk diocese to the flock.

Bishop Pavel of Kolyvan is 41 years old. After graduating from the Chelyabinsk Technical Institute in 1996, he worked as an engineer at a defense plant in the Urals. In 1998 he entered the brethren of the Archangel Michael Monastery in the village. Kozikha, Novosibirsk region, where he soon took monastic vows. Bishop Pavel received higher theological education at the Tomsk Seminary and the Kyiv Theological Academy.

Many of those present know Bishop Paul as the rector of the Trinity-Vladimir Cathedral in the city of Novosibirsk and the abbot of the Archangel Michael Monastery. He is also the chairman of the commission on monasteries and monasticism of the Novosibirsk diocese.

Metropolitan Tikhon noted that Bishop Pavel became the seventh bishop elected from the Novosibirsk diocese. Six of them attended the school of the Archangel Michael Monastery in the village. Kozikha, having worked diligently on the construction of the monastery, churches in the city and region. Many monks, in addition to higher secular education, have a spiritual education, serve in the monastery's farmsteads.

“This is very important for strengthening spiritual life here, in the center of Siberia, in Novosibirsk. We know how much disorder and troubles have befallen our country, but we rejoice that patriotism among the Russian people is high, and the holy Russian Orthodox Church is being revived. Evidence of this is the decision of His Holiness the Patriarch to strengthen spiritual life here, in Novosibirsk,” Metropolitan Tikhon said in his sermon, wishing Bishop Paul God’s help in serving on Novosibirsk soil.

Bishop Pavel, in turn, thanked Metropolitan Tikhon for his trust and parting words, asking for the prayers of the ruling bishop and all believers in Novosibirsk.

“Just as the 70 apostles, whose memory we honor today, are disciples and associates of the 12 apostles closest to Christ, so the vicar bishop is called to help the ruling bishop,” Bishop Pavel noted.

During the Sunday service, Bishop Paul performed his first consecration. The future cleric of the Archangel Michael Church of the St. John the Baptist Monastery in Novosibirsk, Anthony, was tonsured to the rank of reader, then ordained to the rank of subdeacon and ordained to the rank of deacon.

On this day, the service in the Ascension Cathedral was attended by the Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Vladimir Filippovich Gorodetsky, the Mayor of Novosibirsk Anatoly Evgenievich Lokot, representatives of the regional government and the city administration. At the end of the Liturgy, a meeting took place between the Metropolitan and Bishop Paul with the top officials of the city and region.

Photo by Mikhail Puchkov, radio “Logos”

During a trip to the monasteries of the Novosibirsk Metropolis, we met with Bishop Pavel of Kolyvan, abbot of the Archangel Michael Monastery, vicar of the Novosibirsk diocese.

The once extensive Novosibirsk diocese, which occupied the entire territory of the Novosibirsk region, underwent significant changes in 2011. By the decision of the Holy Synod, three dioceses were separated from its composition: Kainskaya, Karasukskaya, Iskitimskaya. Together with the Novosibirsk diocese, they became part of the newly formed Novosibirsk Metropolis.

Over the past six years, the Novosibirsk Metropolis has raised 8 bishops, of which 2 are archbishops. Seven of the eight were previously residents of the Archangel Michael Monastery, located 80 kilometers from Novosibirsk, in the village of Kozikha, and known as the “forge of bishops.” “MV” talks with Bishop Pavel about this phenomenon, about the monastic path, about how to combine work and prayer in a monastery.

Dreams of Optina

Vladyka, please tell us how you came to monasticism?

I was born and raised in the village of Shchors, Kazakhstan SSR, on virgin lands, where everything was imbued with Soviet thinking. I didn’t hear anything about the Church from my relatives. But as far back as I can remember, I have always been interested in church topics. As a child, I accidentally heard somewhere that in the temple they give Cahors for health and this interested me (smiles). And only in the 10th grade did I find out that my great-grandfather was a priest, served in Stalingrad, was repressed in 1937, his further fate is unknown. Can you imagine how afraid people were in the Soviet years, that until the end of the 80s. my family were silent about it.

After school, I entered the Chelyabinsk State Technical University with a degree in “Design and technology of radio-electronic equipment.” My circle of friends during my student years was wide, I was searching for myself: I talked a little with the Hare Krishnas, read a book about them, Protestants propagated their teachings, I studied various philosophical thoughts. However, all this disgusted me.

For me, three components were important: purity, holiness, wisdom. Church seemed to me then something exclusively ritual - candles, grandmothers, priests. The soul demanded more. But over time, when my mother and aunt were baptized, I began to read the Gospel. First I read the Gospel of Matthew. It seems clear, then I read it again, nothing is clear anymore, the events repeat themselves, but it turned out that I had already read a different Gospel. Then Lopukhin studied the history of the Old and New Testaments. Gradually, Orthodoxy became more understandable and interesting to me.

Already in my second year I was baptized, very consciously. Over time, I came to one of the Chelyabinsk churches to the priest and said that I wanted to learn more about our faith. The priest gave me a good catechist - Olga (she sang in the choir), who became my second godmother. Every Sunday I went to church. After Sunday service, I accompanied Olga home, which is about 10 kilometers. Throughout the journey, I asked her many questions, to which I received important answers. Our conversations were very interesting and useful.

During my student years I read many biographies of the Fathers of the Church. Olga gave me a book about Elder Ambrose of Optina, I read it five times. I began to lean toward monastic life, and even then I discovered that if you meet such a leader as Ambrose of Optina, you can give up everything and go to asceticism. Later I read books about other Optina elders, the collected works of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the works of St. John Chrysostom, the “Teachings” of Abba Dorotheus, the Ladder and much more.

After graduating from university, I went to work as a radio engineer-technologist at a military plant in the city of Trekhgorny in the Chelyabinsk region. This town was supplied by Moscow, culture and sports were at the highest level, there was no crime. Naturally, there was no temple in Trekhgorny; it was located in the mountains. I adapted: on weekdays I worked at a factory, and on weekends I went across the mountains to church in the neighboring city of Yuryuzan. Early in the morning, just before it was light, I left the checkpoint and walked straight up the mountain-wooded road to the temple. It made me delighted, those times are still fresh in my memory: rivers, forests, mountains, birds singing. Beauty!

When did you seriously think about monasticism?

I had a big dream - to see Optina Pustyn. I took a vacation and went to Optina for the Christmas holidays in 1997. This trip evoked a lot of emotions and admiration: I met monks for the first time, prayed at the relics, went to the graves of murdered brethren, and performed my first obediences. But I felt that I was still too weak to take tonsure.

In Optina I was able to communicate with Elder Elijah twice. Already at the second conversation, he asked me a question: “Why did you come to Optina?” I answered: “To the elder.” But Father Eli blessed us to go to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, to Elder Naum.

I worked at the factory for the next six months and in the summer I went to the Troy-Sergius Lavra. Then both Father Naum and Father Kirill received us. It was not possible to get to Father Kirill; he was ill and took little, and Elder Naum was on vacation. Not seeing anyone, I prayed at the relics of St. Sergius and went home. Only six months later I visited Elder Naum for the Christmas holidays. I was worried because I understood that I would have to do what the priest said. The question of marriage periodically arose in my head, but in my heart I wanted more for Elder Naum to bless me for monasticism.

The first question he asked me was: “Where are you from?” “From Chelyabinsk,” I answered. "What is your profession?" - he asked. I answered loudly so that everyone could hear, because I had something to say: “I’m a designer and technologist, I work at a military plant, I graduated from the university with straight A’s.” Father answered: “So, here’s a pen and a piece of paper, write the formula that calculates the frequency of oscillations of the electromagnetic circuit.” Of course, I knew the formula, but I forgot it before the elder, although now, 20 years later, I remember it. An elementary formula, but in front of Father Naum I completely forgot everything. He smiled: “Okay, draw a block diagram of a heterodyne receiver.” And imagine, it also flew out of my memory. I lowered my head and said: “Father, forgive me, I forgot.” Then he publicly says: “Well, he’s a bad student, he probably bought a diploma. It’s clear that science is not your path, you need to study spiritually, bring the level of spiritual education to the level of secular education. Did you pass through Novosibirsk when you came here?” I said that Novosibirsk is on the other side, in Siberia. I myself really wanted to go to Optina, and asked the elder: “Can I go to Optina?” The priest concluded: “Why should I bow to you, go to Novosibirsk.”

Siberian hardening

So you ended up in Siberia?

Immediately upon returning to Trekhgorny, I began to find out about the trip. I took two weeks off in February 1998 and went to Novosibirsk. And here there is a snowstorm, the famous February snowstorms, snowdrifts higher than the rooftops - these were my first impressions of Siberia.

I was sent to the village of Kozikha. I remember the brothers were building something, wearing something, not talking much, and were increasingly silent. I was introduced to Hieromonk Artemy (Snigur, now Archbishop of Petropavlovsk and Kamchatka), noting that he was the eldest here. We talked with Vladyka for an hour and a half. In this conversation, in fact, he gave me a program for the rest of my life, saying: “We are building churches in Siberia, but we still need to build a temple in our hearts.”

In Kozicha I first lived as a pilgrim. The first obediences were difficult. One day my brother and I were given the task of bringing water to the bathhouse. And the pump is one kilometer away from the monastery. They gave us two flasks for each sled. The senior comrade said that we would rest until six in the evening, but I did not listen and decided to carry bricks all day.

Evening came. It's time to go get water, but I don't have the strength. It's dark outside, there's a snowstorm, the roads are swept, the sleds won't move. My partner began to help me: first they carried his sled, then mine, and part of the way they carried the flasks on themselves, and so on several times. I returned to my cell covered in snow, completely exhausted. At that moment I made a discovery for myself that one must show obedience in everything.

Vladyka Artemy began to humble me. One day I was given tarpaulin boots for work, and before putting the boots into the warehouse, I decided to wash and polish them. Father Artemy was going to Novosibirsk at that time and told me the exact time when I should stand by the car. While I was cleaning my boots, I was a few minutes late, and all the way to Novosibirsk I listened to a reprimand about why I was late. And already in the city, the bishop asked me: “Well, will you come back?” I promised.

A couple of years later, I found an entry in the monastery diary: “The pilgrim Alexander came from Chelyabinsk, performed such and such obediences, left, promised to return. Let's see..."

How long did you stay in the monastery as a pilgrim?

Two weeks. And, despite the fact that the conditions were difficult, spartan (the cell had adobe walls, half the space was occupied by a stove, where we slept), I really liked it in Kozikha. I realized that this was what I had read about in patristic literature: the modern brethren lived and labored in remote Siberia, just as it was written about in the monastic lives.

After the morning rule, Liturgy and breakfast, all the brethren went to work - until 20.30. There was not enough sleep, there were no days off. Only twice a week was it possible to rest a little: on Thursday evening (bath day) and on Sunday after the service.

Was there still a convent in Kozicha at that time?

Yes, the brothers helped with the construction there. The men's monastery was located in the village of Maloirmenka, 20 kilometers from Kozikha, where the convent is now located. In Kozikha there is more space, large equipment could enter the territory, but in Maloirmenka everything is very compact. Therefore, as soon as the construction work was more or less completed, in the summer of 1998 the monasteries were swapped.

Vladyka Pavel, how did your parents react to your choice of life path?

I once read that you need to take a blessing from your parents to become a monk, and I went to Kazakhstan to get it. There are several brothers in our family, but only I had a higher education, so I was considered hope for my parents, they thought that I would eventually “raise” the whole family, that we would be able to get out of poverty, but here is the news - monasticism.

Mom agreed almost immediately, but dad was perplexed: “I don’t understand you. You will work for someone. But you’re an adult, decide for yourself.” It was only later that my parents arrived at the monastery, and my dad saw that the governor worked harder than us, that the brethren were all hard workers. Dad himself worked with us (he is a builder by profession), calmed down and went to confession for the first time. This was a great consolation for me. What happened is what they say when a person goes to a monastery: the whole family begs, and the Lord helps the monk’s relatives. So my relatives began to slowly become church members.

It turns out that your tonsure took place in Kozicha?

I arrived at the monastery on March 19, 1998, and in July I was tonsured into the mantle
the abbot of the monastery, Hieromonk Artemy (Snigur) with the name Pavel, in honor of the Apostle Paul.

Construction of the soul

You have seen a period of active construction at the monastery. How do you remember him?

Basically, all my first obediences were related to construction: there was a lot of construction going on in Kozikha at that time. Something was moved from one place to another, bridges were built from sleepers - at night, under flashlights and searchlights. The fact is that often the work did not stop until the morning; this was called “turning on the light bulb.” Those who didn’t know and asked what it was, were told: “You’ll find out in the evening” (smiles).

In winter it reached minus 27 degrees, however, the brothers continued to work in the cold: brick, masonry, concrete, mortar. Wearing mittens and sweatshirts, but they coped with the assigned tasks. This is how they built a wooden house for Father Naum - within a day, when they were expecting him to visit: they started at 9.00 and finished by the next morning.

Vladyka Artemy once served in the army, so he taught us to do everything in a military way - quickly, quickly. Of course, many could not stand the difficult conditions and left, not realizing that this was how it should be. I compared our problems with what I read in books and realized that monks have gone through similar trials at all times.

Later I was appointed cellarer, and during this obedience I was also helped by reading about monasticism, which I was interested in as a student. However, I was at a loss as to what and how to make: pickles, preparations, and so on. I knew that when they give difficult obediences, you cannot refuse, you need to take on any work. Not understanding where to start, I saw an empty flask in the kitchen (and there should be water in it) and went to get water. Vladyka Artemy drove by in a Niva, stopped and asked: “So, did you decide to start with a flask? This is right".

Then I began to build storage facilities for vegetables, warehouses for raw materials, asked advice from knowledgeable people and gradually mastered the obedience of a cellarer.

The construction of temples and monastery buildings was at that time the main task in the monastery. You have a lot of experience in this. Share your thoughts and conclusions obtained over many years of practice - how can a monk combine work and prayer?

For many years, in difficult conditions, we were engaged in construction, not only on the territory of the monastery, but also in nearby villages - we built churches so that every resident had the opportunity to come to God. However, construction did not prevent us from serving the Lord; we prayed, as they say, “on the job.”

The brethren confessed regularly; during construction, the confessor walked around the territory of the monastery with an epitrachelion. This is how we lived for many years. We prayed during the work process and attended Liturgy every day. And when the period of large-scale construction ended, it was decided that all the brethren would attend all monastic services.

Vladyka, have you always been obedient in the monastery?

For almost four years, with the blessing of the monastery’s holy archimandrite, Bishop Tikhon, I served as a full-time priest at the bishop’s metochion in honor of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Quick to Hear” (Mochishche station, Novosibirsk region). Then I was returned to Kozikha as a dean, and again I had to delve into economic issues.

Monks don't discuss orders

How long have you been the abbot of the monastery?

In May 2012, Bishop Tikhon appointed me acting governor, and in October of the same year, by the decision of the Holy Synod, I was appointed to the position of governor (abbot).

And literally four years later you were elevated to the rank of archimandrite and ordained bishop of Kolyvan. I have heard a lot about the phenomenon of “bishops from Kozikha”, please explain what is the point?

It’s not our fault, the bosses know better (smiles). Our diocese was being disaggregated and new candidates were needed. Although we worked a lot in the monastery, all the monastics managed to receive an education by correspondence. We graduated from the Tomsk Theological Academy, then some of the brethren graduated from the Kyiv Academy, and others from the Moscow Academy. In addition, the entire first echelon of monks had already arrived at the monastery with higher secular education. We have a predominance of techies, builders, engineers, there are nuclear physicists, but there are almost no humanities specialists.

Therefore, probably due to the fact that we successfully completed the “young fighter course” at a construction site and received physical and spiritual Siberian training, initially had construction abilities and already had some experience, Bishop Tikhon considered us capable of carrying out hierarchal service. But monks, like soldiers in the army, do not discuss orders. Monks are also warriors, but they are warriors of Christ. And if the soldier who does not dream of becoming a general is bad, then the monks are not looking for the bishopric. The main thing in monasticism is to overcome your passions and thus try to get closer to Christ.

When His Holiness Patriarch Kirill ordained me, he noted that during this time Kozikha gave more bishops than the large monasteries of central Russia. He often wondered: “What kind of Kozikha is this in Siberia?” (smiles).

Do the Kozikha bishops serve in Siberia or are they distributed throughout Russia?

They stayed where they were and dispersed around the country. Our rulers mainly inherited the northeast of Russia - Kamchatka, Chukotka, Salekhard. These are people accustomed to obedience in harsh natural conditions. Of course, it is easier to send a person to the North who is familiar with Siberian winters and frosts first-hand.

If we compare monasteries in the European part of Russia and those in Siberia, do harsh climatic conditions affect monastic life and rules?

I haven’t been to many places and it’s difficult for me to judge, although I heard from Patriarch Kirill and other bishops that the priests of Siberia have a certain hardening, steel; in the North they are hardened for life. In Siberia, a monk works in the summer so as not to die of hunger in the winter: he must have time to prepare coal and firewood, because there are very severe frosts.

The bishops and I often recall our monastic youth, when there was burning and everything was within our reach, where, with God’s help, it seemed we could do anything. Of course, everyone’s health is like after combat: spines, joints, hernias. But, as Elder Ambrose of Optina said, “it is not useful for a monk to be completely healthy, but he can be treated.”

The rules in our monastery have not changed for 20 years. The day begins with a prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her “Iveron” icon; then the morning prayers are read, the midnight office, three canons with an akathist, two chapters from the Apostle, the chapter of the Gospel, the 3rd and 6th hours, the Divine Liturgy is served. At 17.00 Vespers and Matins, 1st hour, evening prayers and the rite of forgiveness, during which the brethren and I ask each other for forgiveness. The brothers try to confess every day.

Several times a week in the evenings, joint readings of the Philokalia and other patristic books about monastic life are held. On Tuesdays we have a fraternal day, when everyone puts aside their affairs and concerns and engages exclusively in soul-helping work. On this day, our confessor, Abbot Seraphim, comes to us and reads an ascetic sermon. After breakfast, we conduct spiritual studies for an hour: we study the ascetic fathers, the works of St. John Chrysostom, and the canonical rules of the Church.

People who often come to Kozicha note that we have a family atmosphere in the monastery, with warm relationships between the brethren. But this is their opinion, I myself cannot compare.

Are you friends with the locals?

Yes, we live together, especially since many in Kozikha remember how the construction of the monastery began. At first no one believed that we could build it, but now sometimes they ask for advice, they come to services, they are already accustomed to us.

How many brethren are there in the monastery now?

About 50 people. In general, over the years of the monastery’s existence, more than a thousand people came to Kozikha. I repeat, many could not withstand the physical exertion and left for other monasteries. Today, our main activity is prayer.

And for what purpose were the farmsteads created?

Farmsteads are, first of all, feeding the local population, a type of missionary work. On Sundays, some of our monks go to churches and farmsteads for obedience. A married priest will not go to a village where the income is 200 rubles a month, not even 1000. What priest can stand this? But feed the monk, and he will go and build a temple.

The Novosibirsk Metropolitanate has a special missionary train and a temple ship. Do monastics take part in these projects?

We send our representatives there if we are asked to do so, but mostly we invite them to us. In Novosibirsk, a low percentage was recorded in the choice of the subject “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture,” so we decided that we needed to work with school principals. We have already had 80 directors visit Kozicha, we greet them with the ringing of bells, take them to the church, where the brethren sing, demonstrate the historical development of church chants, which brings tears to some of their eyes. Then the directors light candles and write notes. In the refectory we feed them monastery borscht, unleavened bread and fish from our pond; we show a Russian stove, and the barn acts as a petting zoo. This is how we become friends, and gradually the situation in schools changes for the better.

Learn silence

After your consecration, how often do you come to Kozicha?

I try to be there twice a week: on Tuesday (Brotherly Day) and on Saturday. These days, the confessor confesses and instructs in the monastery.

Is it difficult to combine positions?

The load is heavy, but with God's help we can cope. I also have a parish in Novosibirsk, a Sunday school, and a gymnasium. There are helpers, but they still need to be trained and raised. The brothers are all good, proven, after 20 years we already know who we can trust. Everyone’s character is different, we have many shortcomings, we are all filled with weaknesses.

What other problems do monastics face?

Silence is not enough for us. Over the years of construction, the brothers have become accustomed to communicating. So, we are learning to remain in hesychia (smiles).

Your parting words to MV readers.

Monasticism is the happiest life. We need to rejoice that the Lord gave us such a life and good mentors. I always remember the words of the Holy Apostle Paul to his young children: “You can get married, get married, but I feel sorry for you, you will have sorrows in the flesh.”

In the world, a person is exhausted, and has nothing in return. He works and works, but vanity eats everything up. In the monastery, at first glance, there is also a lot of work and bustle, but there is a different mood. The monk strives for the glory of God, and understands that while he works and prays, the Lord is working with his soul. Therefore, anyone who wants their soul to be cleansed and beautified should go to a monastery. But first we must read the works of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), the Optina elders and others.

I wish the monks to hold on and pray, and for the laity to read the holy fathers, visit the monasteries as pilgrims, live there, and see. You must understand that the purpose of life in a monastery is the correction of your soul. Let us remember the words of St. John Climacus: “The light of monks are angels, and monks are light for all people; and therefore let them strive to be a good example in everything, “causing no one to stumble in anything,” either in deed or in word (2 Cor. 6:3).”

Birth: 30 June(1974-06-30 ) (45 years)
Shchors village, Enbekshildersky district, Kokchetav region, Kazakh SSR, USSR

Bishop Paul(in the world Alexander Vyacheslavovich Grigoriev; June 30, village of Shchors, Enbekshildersky district, Kokchetav region, Kazakh SSR) - bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, Bishop of Kolyvan, vicar of the Novosibirsk diocese.

Biography

Born on June 30, 1974 in the village of Shchors, Enbekshildersky district, Kazakh SSR. Received baptism in 1992. In 1996 he graduated from Chelyabinsk Technical University.

On July 10, 1998, he was tonsured a monk by the abbot of the Archangel Michael Monastery in the village of Kozikha, Novosibirsk Region, Hieromonk Artemy (Snigur) with the name Pavel in honor of the Apostle Paul. In the monastery he served as a cellarer and dean, and was the rector of the monastery's courtyard in the village of Verkh-Chik.

On September 12, 1998, Bishop Sergius (Sokolov) of Novosibirsk and Berdsk ordained him to the rank of hierodeacon, and on December 26 - to the rank of hieromonk.

From May 2006 to April 2010, he served as a full-time priest of the bishop's metochion in honor of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Quick to Hear" at Mochishche station, Novosibirsk region.

On October 4, 2012, he was appointed abbot (abbot) of the Archangel Michael Monastery in the village of Kozikha, Ordynsky district, Novosibirsk region. On November 4 of the same year, he was elevated to the rank of abbot.

Bishopric

On December 24, 2015, by decision of the Holy Synod, he was elected for ordination as Bishop of Kolyvan, vicar of the Novosibirsk diocese.

On December 25 of the same year, in the Church of All Saints, in the Russian Land, the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery, Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius (Sudakov) was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

On December 26, 2015, in the Throne Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Archimandrite Paul was named Bishop of Kolyvan.

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Excerpt characterizing Pavel (Grigoriev)

In the middle of the road, Nikolai let the coachman hold the horses, ran up to Natasha’s sleigh for a moment and stood on the lead.
“Natasha,” he told her in a whisper in French, “you know, I’ve made up my mind about Sonya.”
-Did you tell her? – Natasha asked, suddenly beaming with joy.
- Oh, how strange you are with those mustaches and eyebrows, Natasha! Are you glad?
– I’m so glad, so glad! I was already angry with you. I didn't tell you, but you treated her badly. This is such a heart, Nicolas. I am so glad! “I can be nasty, but I was ashamed to be the only happy one without Sonya,” Natasha continued. “Now I’m so glad, well, run to her.”
- No, wait, oh, how funny you are! - said Nikolai, still peering at her, and in his sister, too, finding something new, extraordinary and charmingly tender, which he had never seen in her before. - Natasha, something magical. A?
“Yes,” she answered, “you did great.”
“If I had seen her before as she is now,” thought Nikolai, “I would have asked long ago what to do and would have done whatever she ordered, and everything would have been fine.”
“So you’re happy, and I did good?”
- Oh, so good! I recently quarreled with my mother over this. Mom said she's catching you. How can you say this? I almost got into a fight with my mom. And I will never allow anyone to say or think anything bad about her, because there is only good in her.
- So good? - Nikolai said, once again looking for the expression on his sister’s face to find out if it was true, and, squeaking with his boots, he jumped off the slope and ran to his sleigh. The same happy, smiling Circassian, with a mustache and sparkling eyes, looking out from under a sable hood, was sitting there, and this Circassian was Sonya, and this Sonya was probably his future, happy and loving wife.
Arriving home and telling their mother about how they spent time with the Melyukovs, the young ladies went home. Having undressed, but without erasing their cork mustaches, they sat for a long time, talking about their happiness. They talked about how they would live married, how their husbands would be friends and how happy they would be.
On Natasha’s table there were mirrors that Dunyasha had prepared since the evening. - Just when will all this happen? I'm afraid I never... That would be too good! – Natasha said getting up and going to the mirrors.
“Sit down, Natasha, maybe you’ll see him,” said Sonya. Natasha lit the candles and sat down. “I see someone with a mustache,” said Natasha, who saw her face.
“Don’t laugh, young lady,” Dunyasha said.
With the help of Sonya and the maid, Natasha found the position of the mirror; her face took on a serious expression and she fell silent. She sat for a long time, looking at the row of receding candles in the mirrors, assuming (based on the stories she had heard) that she would see the coffin, that she would see him, Prince Andrei, in this last, merging, vague square. But no matter how ready she was to mistake the slightest spot for the image of a person or a coffin, she saw nothing. She began to blink frequently and moved away from the mirror.
- Why do others see, but I don’t see anything? - she said. - Well, sit down, Sonya; “Nowadays you definitely need it,” she said. – Only for me... I’m so scared today!
Sonya sat down at the mirror, adjusted her position, and began to look.
“They’ll definitely see Sofya Alexandrovna,” Dunyasha said in a whisper; - and you keep laughing.
Sonya heard these words, and heard Natasha say in a whisper:
“And I know that she will see; she saw last year too.
For about three minutes everyone was silent. “Certainly!” Natasha whispered and didn’t finish... Suddenly Sonya moved away the mirror she was holding and covered her eyes with her hand.
- Oh, Natasha! - she said.
– Did you see it? Did you see it? What did you see? – Natasha screamed, holding up the mirror.
Sonya didn’t see anything, she just wanted to blink her eyes and get up when she heard Natasha’s voice saying “definitely”... She didn’t want to deceive either Dunyasha or Natasha, and it was hard to sit. She herself did not know how or why a cry escaped her when she covered her eyes with her hand.
– Did you see him? – Natasha asked, grabbing her hand.
- Yes. Wait... I... saw him,” Sonya said involuntarily, not yet knowing who Natasha meant by the word “him”: him - Nikolai or him - Andrey.
“But why shouldn’t I say what I saw? After all, others see! And who can convict me of what I saw or did not see? flashed through Sonya's head.
“Yes, I saw him,” she said.
- How? How? Is it standing or lying down?
- No, I saw... Then there was nothing, suddenly I see that he is lying.
– Andrey is lying down? He is sick? – Natasha asked, looking at her friend with fearful, stopped eyes.
- No, on the contrary, - on the contrary, a cheerful face, and he turned to me - and at that moment as she spoke, it seemed to her that she saw what she was saying.
- Well, then, Sonya?...
– I didn’t notice something blue and red here...
- Sonya! when will he return? When I see him! My God, how I’m afraid for him and for myself, and for everything I’m afraid...” Natasha spoke, and without answering a word to Sonya’s consolations, she went to bed and long after the candle had been put out, with her eyes open, she lay motionless on the bed and looked at the frosty moonlight through the frozen windows.

Soon after Christmas, Nikolai announced to his mother his love for Sonya and his firm decision to marry her. The Countess, who had long noticed what was happening between Sonya and Nikolai and was expecting this explanation, silently listened to his words and told her son that he could marry whomever he wanted; but that neither she nor his father would give him his blessing for such a marriage. For the first time, Nikolai felt that his mother was unhappy with him, that despite all her love for him, she would not give in to him. She, coldly and without looking at her son, sent for her husband; and when he arrived, the countess wanted to briefly and coldly tell him what was the matter in the presence of Nicholas, but she could not resist: she cried tears of frustration and left the room. The old count began to hesitantly admonish Nicholas and ask him to abandon his intention. Nicholas replied that he could not change his word, and the father, sighing and obviously embarrassed, very soon interrupted his speech and went to the countess. In all his clashes with his son, the count was never left with the consciousness of his guilt towards him for the breakdown of affairs, and therefore he could not be angry with his son for refusing to marry a rich bride and for choosing the dowryless Sonya - only in this case did he more vividly remember what, if things weren’t upset, it would be impossible to wish for a better wife for Nikolai than Sonya; and that only he and his Mitenka and his irresistible habits are to blame for the disorder of affairs.

07.07.2017 14:03:00

Bishop Pavel of Kolyvan consecrated the foundation stone for the church under construction in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village. Rock of the Kolyvan region. Concelebrating with Vladyka Pavel was the dean of the Kolyvan diocesan district, Archpriest Vladimir Bobrov, and the rector of the local parish, Priest Dmitry Pasekunov.

The head of the Skalinsky village council, Nina Surdina, and village residents took part in the solemn event.

The village of Skala turns 295 this year, but in its three-century history there has never been a temple here.

Now the St. Nicholas parish operates in the village of Skala. Local residents say that even before its creation, St. Nicholas was especially revered here as a heavenly patron. From archival records and from the recollections of eyewitnesses it is known that the days of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were celebrated along with the day of the village. The Skalinians went to services in the neighboring village of Chaus, where there was a church with an altar in honor of St. Nicholas.

Bishop Pavel congratulated the residents on this significant event and expressed hope that with the construction of the temple, a new life based on moral and spiritual values ​​would begin in the village.

Diocesan Media Center

News

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On September 8, Metropolitan Nikodim led the Divine Liturgy in the church in honor of the Epiphany in Berdsk

On September 11, from 17.00 to 20.00, on the territory of Narymsky Square, the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, with the support of the Novosibirsk City Hall, is holding awareness-raising...

DEC

Archimandrite Pavel was named Bishop of Kolyvan, Vicar of the Novosibirsk Diocese

• Diocesan News
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On December 26, 2015, at the end of the all-night vigil in the Cathedral Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, in the Throne Hall of the cathedral church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' presided over the naming of Archimandrite Paul (Grigoriev), a cleric of the Novosibirsk diocese, as Bishop of Kolyvan, vicar of the Novosibirsk diocese . At the naming, Archimandrite Paul addressed the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the hierarchs who served with His Holiness with an ordained word.

Your Holiness, Most Holy Lord and gracious father! Venerable archpastors!

Now the Divine will is being accomplished, calling me, who is weak, to hierarchical service. Realizing my unworthiness and inexperience, I am ready to cry out with the prophet Jeremiah: “Lord, behold, I know not to say, for I am a child” (Jer. 1:6), but fearing disobedience and with all my heart wanting to serve the Mother Church, I answer the divine call in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Here am I, send me” (Is. 6:8).

Your Holiness! Let me express to you and the Holy Synod my filial, heartfelt gratitude for calling me to the field of hierarchical activity. Your example of selfless service to God and His Holy Church will help me fulfill this difficult obedience.

Remembering my life and seeing the constant care of Divine Providence for me, I exclaim along with the Royal Psalmist: “I will sing to the Lord who has done good to me, and I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High” (Ps. 12:7). I thank the Lord that throughout my life He has sent me zealous and wise mentors, true shepherds.

I sincerely thank my parents, who gave me life, upbringing and education, showed me the first lessons of piety and hard work, and then blessed me on the monastic path.

Having chosen monasticism, I found myself in distant Siberia, in the newly established Michael-Arkhangelsk Monastery. Here, in the Siberian outback, in a difficult time for the entire country, among severe frosts and stormy winds, a young monastic community labored in earnest prayer and hard work, restoring destroyed churches and creating immaterial temples in monastic hearts.

This brotherhood was headed by Hieromonk Artemy, now Bishop of Petropavlovsk and Kamchatka. His teaching about monastic life, told to me at the first meeting, as well as my acquaintance with the brotherhood of the young monastery, rejoiced my heart, because I found here what I had read about in the works of the holy fathers and ascetics, what I had been looking for since my student years. Here I learned from experience the fruits of cutting off my will, and felt the joy of obedience. Father Artemy was always an example in prayer and work, he himself participated in the most difficult work and showed such care for his brothers that we simply called him “father.” The brothers “had one heart and one soul; and no one called anything of his property his own” (Acts 4:32), but we had everything in common. Common rule and common worship, common labors and common meals, common joys and common sorrows.

I thank Bishop Artemy and Abbot Seraphim (Ostroumov), the brotherly confessor, for the great work of creating a truly brotherly spirit in the monastery, I thank them for caring for my sinful soul, for raising me as a monk. I sincerely thank all the brethren of the Archangel Michael Monastery for their joint prayers and selfless labors over many years.

I address words of sincere gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Tikhon of Novosibirsk and Berdsk, who tirelessly mentored me as the abbot of the monastery and at the same time shared his rich experience in organizing church life. Vladyka Tikhon is for me an example of sacrificial and courageous service to the Church of Christ. I thank God that I will continue to work under his direct leadership.

Your Holiness, all-honorable archpastors, I ask for your holy prayers for me at the throne of God on the day of my consecration, so that I may always be accompanied by His all-powerful, gracious help, so that the grace of the Lord constantly transforms my soul and helps me in the upcoming archpastoral service to act worthy of the title to which I am now called , “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).