Metropolitan of Chuvash and Cheboksary. Church of St.

Born in the family of a weaving factory locksmith and the daughter of a deacon. Parents, with religious reverence for knowledge, did everything so that their son could receive a serious secular education. Nikolai Belyaev, the grandson of a serf, entered the gymnasium after the village school and graduated with a gold medal. Studied at school with. Ramenskoye, then in the Third Moscow Gymnasium, graduated from it in 1908 with a gold medal. Graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy (1911-1915).

On June 11 (24), 1911, he took monastic vows in the Zosima Hermitage. The tonsure was performed by the rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, Bishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky). In the summer of 1911 he was ordained a hierodeacon, and in 1913 a hieromonk. Hieromonk Barnabas

In the summer of 1914 he traveled to the Holy Land and Athos. In 1915 he received the degree of candidate of theology, his thesis: “Saint Barsanuphius the Great. His Life and Teachings. Appointed teacher of homiletics at the Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary (1915-1918). He was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. He was the rector of the Staro-Golutvinsky monastery of the Moscow diocese.

By a decree of the Holy Synod of February 13, 1920, Archimandrite Varnava was determined to be Bishop of the Vasilsur Vicar of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese. On February 29, 1920, his episcopal consecration took place. In early August 1920, he was appointed senior vicar of the diocese and transferred to the Caves Ascension Monastery.

In the summer of 1922, together with the ruling bishop of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, Archbishop Evdokim (Meshchersky), he signed a resolution recognizing the renovationist Higher Church Administration. However, he soon repented and, explaining his act with cowardice, went to repent to Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky), who lived in the Moscow Danilov Monastery, but was not received by him. In September 1922, he visited the elders of the Zosima Hermitage. Hieroschemamonk Alexy (Soloviev) imposed a penance on him for the transition to renovationism and blessed Barnabas for the feat of foolishness. In 1928 he moved to Kzyl-Orda, created a secret monastery there, and began to write ascetic compositions. There, in 1928, he completed his main work - "The Fundamentals of the Art of Holiness (An Experience of Presenting Orthodox Asceticism)". In it, Bishop Barnabas tried to comprehend the knowledge gained at the Theological Academy and from independent reading of ascetic literature. In his work, he quotes from patristic writings, while Barnabas' own reasoning and comments concern mainly the phenomena of secular culture. Bishop Varnava (photo from the investigation file, 1933)

In autumn 1931 he moved to Moscow. On March 16, 1933, he was arrested by the OGPU for creating a secret monastery and "anti-Soviet propaganda" among young people, and was held in Butyrka prison. On May 10 of the same year, he was condemned by a special meeting at the Collegium of the OGPU under Art. Art. 58.10, 58.11 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR and imprisoned in a forced labor camp for a period of 3 years. He served his sentence in the Oirot Autonomous Region in the village of Topuchaya. In the camp he refused to work, was transferred to a penal ration. He did not talk to anyone, walked all day along the walls of the camp. Because of the foolishness, he was recognized by the camp doctors as crazy and transferred to the Mariinsky camps. Released in 1936.

After his release, he lived in Tomsk, and in 1948 he moved to Kyiv, where he received a residence permit for a bribe. In Kyiv, Barnabas led a quiet, outwardly unremarkable life. For the neighbors, the bishop was simply "Uncle Kolya." He did not perform divine services, with the exception of the great consecration of water for the Epiphany. In Kyiv, he went to pray at local shrines, attended divine services, without revealing his dignity and without participating in the sacraments. From October 1950, he began to keep notebooks. Until the last years of his life, he continued to work on new works.

He died on May 6, 1963. He was buried at the Baikove cemetery in Kyiv, the funeral was performed by the priest Alexei Glagolev.

His Eminence Barnabas

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

Patriarchal letter (1970),

Order of Friendship (1996),

Order of Honor (2011)

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

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

In 1945, Vladimir Kedrov received his secondary education.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the blessing of Metropolitan Varnava, an Orthodox missionary center was created in the Cheboksary-Chuvash diocese, which is actively fighting against numerous sects that have launched their activities on the territory of the Chuvash Republic.

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

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

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

Vladyka Varnava was awarded the following awards:

Patriarchal letter (1970),

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

Consecration as Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash (1976),

Rev. Sergius of Radonezh II degree (1981),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honorary Medal of the Soviet Peace Fund (1984),

Order of Friendship (1996),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov II degree (2006),

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

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

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

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

Order of Honor (2011)

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

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

Order of M. I. Platov (2012)

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

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

In 1953-1955. was a subdeacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Princes Boris and Gleb in the city of Ryazan.

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

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

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

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

In 1965 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In 1945, Vladimir Kedrov received his secondary education.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Over the years, 40 years of service of Vladyka Barnabas at the Cheboksary cathedra, seven monasteries were restored from the ruins: men's - Cheboksary in the name of the Holy Trinity, Alatyrsky in the name of the Holy Trinity, Alexander Nevsky in the village. Karshlykhi; women's - Cheboksary in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Alatyrsky Kiev-Nikolsky Novodevichy, Tsivilsky in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Iversky in the village of Sherauty, more than 210 Parishes were opened, the Cheboksary Theological School was restored.

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

With the blessing of Metropolitan Varnava, an Orthodox missionary center was created in the Cheboksary-Chuvash diocese, which is actively fighting against numerous sects that have launched their activities on the territory of the Chuvash Republic.

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

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

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

Vladyka Varnava was awarded the following awards:

Patriarchal letter (1970),

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

Consecration as Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash (1976),

Rev. Sergius of Radonezh II degree (1981),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honorary Medal of the Soviet Peace Fund (1984),

Order of Friendship (1996),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov II degree (2006),

Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree (2006),

Honorary Citizen of the Chuvash Republic (2010),

medal "450 years. Volga Cossack army" (2010),

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

Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, I degree (2011),

Order of Honor (2011),

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

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

Order of M. I. Platov (2012),

Order of Prince Dmitry Donskoy II degree (2015),

Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, 1st class (2016).

Metropolitan Varnava was ordained Bishop of Chuvash and Cheboksary by Patriarch Pimen in 1976. And since then, he, the son and grandson of the repressed Ryazan priests, a graduate of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, has been living in Chuvashia for almost 40 years. The entire dramatic church history of the 20th century passed before his eyes and with his direct participation. Today, Metropolitan Varnava is one of the oldest bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church. In a brief interview that Vladyka, tired after the service, gave to Pravmir correspondents, he talks about his communion with Patriarch Alexy I, about Khrushchev’s persecution of the Church, about the Russian countryside, and how he sees the relationship between the archpastor and his flock.

Ksenia Luchenko: Vladyka, today it is already difficult for many young people to imagine what the life of believers was like in the Stalin years? Your father and grandfather were arrested. And how did your family live after that?

Metropolitan Barnabas: My grandfather was taken away in the 29th year. In winter. And the people loved him very much. Then there were no cars, they were taken away on sledges - the people began to strike. Those who were taking away started asking questions right there, in the sleigh: “Are you giving up your rank?” And he says: “How can I refuse, I served, well, deceive, or what?” – “Well, then we will let you go if you refuse.” – "No, I won't be a traitor." This was the faith until the end of my life. People went for everything - they suffered, and they were killed, but they did not deviate from their faith.

It is easy to follow Christ - to know your way, not to turn off. When we walked, we were not afraid of anything, and the Lord always helped. And those who were not fortified, who were "by the way", fell away. And now all believers - and believers are few. What are believers today? And then the regime itself held people back. If a believer, he has already gone to the end. Then people were good.

– How was your family treated then?

- They were persecuted all the time.

– But it’s very difficult for a child to experience this when all the peers walk in formation and believe in communism, and how are you? Was it hard?

- I was born without a dad already. They wanted to take my mother. They came to pick me up, evicted me somewhere in uninhabited places, but since my mother was going to give birth to me, they told me to leave her for now. And so it remained. And seven other families were exiled, and only one person returned from there.

Our house was taken away, the garden - everything was taken away. I went to steal apples in my old orchard. The house was small, and there was a garden around the house. Apples were attacked in the summer, but you can’t pick them up: the garden is no longer ours. Wormy apples roll around, rot, but you can’t pick them up. Such a life was, it strengthened. We followed Christ, giving everything, not turning anywhere. The Lord helps. I had two brothers and a sister, my sister is still alive, she is 90 years old this year. And my mother raised us alone and raised us.

– You started your adult church path at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra…

- Before the Lavra, I was still an altar boy in the village of Matveevo, where my uncle served. When I went to the Lavra, I was 23 years old.

– What was Lavra then?

– There were many elders, all the clergy and monks who had served time, many spent thirty years in prison, all passed. I found those elders who were before the closing of the Lavra, and when it was reopened, they returned. These were the ascetics. Now you won't find one like it. It was easy to live in the Lavra, there were many mentors with whom to consult on spiritual topics, they guided on the true path. When the elders began to die, I was already strengthened.

Only the governor had a car in the Lavra, now the monks have plenty of cars. Only the viceroy also had a telephone, there were no televisions at all. And now everyone has a phone, and there are already TVs. Then life was very fertile in the Lavra, very good.

– Did the succession survive over time?

- Everything is lost. Other people have become. Right now, Father Kirill Pavlov is already quite bad, he had a succession. Father Naum and Father Bartholomew found the elders a little. The rest are all new. For 37 years that I spent at the Chuvash department, after leaving the Lavra, everything was renewed, now I am coming there, I don’t know anyone.

– You knew Patriarch Alexy I quite closely. What was he like? They say that his aristocratic origin was very felt?

– Yes, he was a very cultured man, very pious. Never broke a fast, never ate meat. And Pimen too. Patriarch Alexy ordained me deacons, hieromonks, and elevated me to archimandrite. So I knew him.

– Tell us how you had to build relationships with the authorities?

- It was very difficult with power. During the most persecutions under Khrushchev, the Lavra's governor was Archimandrite Pimen (Khmelevsky), a lawyer by education. And he saved Lavra. Lavra has already planned to close.

For example, there were such moments: the monks were taxed: for food, for cells. They wrote reports on how many monks and how much was spent on them. He went to Moscow and bothered, everything was removed. Then they came up with the idea that a monk should be at least thirty years old, they began to write out those who were under thirty.

Again he had to try not to touch anyone. Then the water was turned off. And that's how you want. Taken from the source. They were taken to starvation. And in the Lavra, where books are now sold, there was an office near the gate where foreigners were received. They all definitely went there, their guides were waiting there and there was a toilet there. But there is no water! We did not specifically clean up anything there. Foreigners have come, but they need to go. Well, they immediately made a fuss: what a disgrace! Well, the one who blocked the water was removed. Father Pimen was a wise governor.

But the Pochaev Lavra has almost completely closed. I was vacationing in Odessa, and just at that time Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan Pimen, who was then the manager, were there. And a signal comes that there is trouble in Pochaev: even the kitchen has already been closed, the stove has been broken. Well, they decided that Metropolitan Pimen would go there without warning anyone, and they blessed me to go with him.

They only ordered strictly not to tell anyone that he was going to Pochaev as a manager. Cars were not allowed there. The Metropolitan got into the car in front with the driver, very respectably. And we took them by surprise: as soon as we drive up, everyone scatters, so they let us through.

Bishop Damian was there then, and he did not know that we would come. They came and they were having lunch. There they had meat, but everything immediately disappeared from the table, the bishop was at a loss, he did not put on any hood, he jumped out to meet.

Anti-religious posters stick out all over the Lavra. For example, a large image of the Mother of God hangs, Her tears are flowing and Her purse: “give me, I have nothing to live with.” There were different cartoons. We photographed all these outrages.

They served, the people still came: even though they didn’t let anyone in, there were a lot of people. When we returned to Odessa, the patriarch was already informed, and he went to Moscow, where he showed all our materials, and everything was stopped. Patriarch Alexy helped, but it is impossible to help in everything. He defended the Lavra, Pechory also defended.

There were persecutions, but there were persistent people at the helm, they stood for the monastery, for the brethren, they did not retreat. For example, such a moment was already under Patriarch Pimen. I was in favor of the governor at the Lavra when the governor Augustine was ill and lived in Astrakhan.

They called me and said that the young monks should leave at 24 o'clock. If you don't evict them, we will evict you. What to do? It was already in the evening, I went to the patriarch. It was easy to get to Patriarch Pimen. He received me and listened to me, and said: “Let them not leave the cell anywhere, otherwise they will be taken away immediately.” He gave me such an order.

The next day he calls: "I've settled everything, let them come out." And so they remained. That was the time. And it's good that there were such people. It’s good with God, and the Lord helps and admonishes, and admonishes those people who want to offend.

– You have been leading the Chuvash diocese for almost 40 years. It's hard–come to a foreign land that you need to love? This is a challenge. Do you remember how you arrived?

– I should have fallen in love right away, because I came to love. It's not hard with God. First of all, when you arrive, you must definitely bow to the Commissioner for Religious Affairs. I did not have time, because it was Nikola Zimny, I had to serve. So on Nikolin's day I served, and then the next day I went. Commissioner Pavel Kondratievich was sitting there.

And he began to give me orders: to change the secretary, to appoint that one, to remove the rector, they say, they have corruption. “Come to my reception in secular clothes,” he says, “do not go anywhere in parishes without my permission. Sermon only through me, send seminarians through me. It is impossible to ordain under any circumstances” – these were the instructions he gave me.

I listened and answered: “I don’t have secular clothes and never had, the secretary suits me, he works for me, not for you. I myself know whom to send to the seminary. I will definitely preach. How will you check? You are a non-church person, and in order to check sermons, you need to have a theological education.

Three days later I come to him, I say that if he insists, then I will go to the Synod to the Patriarch and declare that I already have a manager of the diocese - an authorized one, so there is nothing for me to do here. He immediately changed: “Ah, now, you are not a traitor. You tell others, and they immediately close the temple, and you are an honest person.” Although in general, of course, it was in their hands that I agreed.

—A lot of young bishops are being ordained now, perhaps you could give some advice on where they should start in the new diocese?

– They must be prepared, and if they are not ready, then they must refuse the bishopric. After all, they are called and asked, they all agree. When they called me, there was another situation: they decided - and that's it, you have obedience.

–What are your main principles of your administration of the diocese?

- Observe all the canons of the church and divine services, educate the flock. The sermon should not only be in words, but also in life. The most important sermon is when people take an example from you. And if you speak beautifully, and life is not Christian, then this, of course ...

– People don't really see what life is like.

- You can see it right away. By behavior. He visits guests, and maybe even drinks, he is late for the service, he somehow serves the service, he does not preach. People came with bread, and he says, they say, I'm in a hurry, I have no time. And if he is attentive to the people, he himself is neat, then people will go to temples.

Every believer needs special attention. Not only literate, but also abnormal must be caressed. Everyone must be loved. And the sick. Be a real shepherd. And when someone comes, always help. And if the new bishop has closed himself in his cell and sits, does not receive anyone, then what kind of bishop is he? You have to be with the people, and the people will be with you.

–And your Chuvash - what kind of people are they?

- Very kind and hardworking. When I arrived, many more were wearing bast shoes. They ate with wooden spoons from one bowl. But now it’s already clean, there are spoons and forks everywhere. And there are roads everywhere.

And then… Once I came to a village temple, and I was still inexperienced. So there the sheet was never washed at all, as if it had been scraped with a knife. Well, I lay down like that, then I thought: “No, I’ll take my clean one with me.” And there were no roads, I then drove in the evening, otherwise you would not have time for the service in the morning. And in some places it was necessary by plane.

– Did you go to all the churches in the diocese, did you serve?

– Yes, there were 35 churches, I visited them all. Where they will be taken on a cart, where on a tractor. Now paved, thank God, the road.

– Are the villages still the same?

“They die, a lot of them die. The entire Poretsk region is dying out. There used to be a big village, now it's a long walk from house to house. There were 700 households, now 300 are left. They are not even dying, they all disperse to the city. The fields are empty, weeds are growing.

People want to live in the city. They don't want to go to the village. How was it before when I was a teenager? No one was allowed to go to the city, the youth remained in the villages. When I began to work as a subdeacon in Ryazan, I was 18 years old, and it was impossible to get a passport. They didn't. That is, no one could work in Ryazan. I had to get a passport through an acquaintance.

– But you can't force

- Well, as you wish ... The fields were all harvested, nothing was wasted, everything was sown, and there were such grains, taller than a man. There was no grass, there were clean fields, only cornflowers. Rye and cornflowers. They mowed rye with a scythe, sting. Then they knitted sheaves, stacked stacks. They threshed: a stick, a second stick, and beat on the ears. And thatched roofs. There was no iron. Straw did not change for several decades, did not deteriorate. In our house where I lived, the straw was fifty years old, then it began to leak.

– Tell me, right now there are discussions about the connection between confession and communion. If people take communion at every liturgy, live a constant church life, is it possible, in your opinion, to go to confession less often than before each communion?

“I’ll tell you one thing: if you are sinless, you can go a year without going to confession. If your conscience has fallen asleep, calm, confess then - there will be sins. And you can't partake of sins. No sins - please take communion. What's the problem?

–What do you think about the translation of the service into Russian, is it possible to read the Gospel in Russian?

- It is possible, why not? They read Chuvash here, but why not in Russian? Can. But chants in Russian are not sung. Even “Hail, Unmarried Bride” will be “Rejoice, Unmarried Bride,” where does that fit? And the Gospel in Russian is not bad, it is not a crime.

Varnava, Metropolitan of Cheboksary and Chuvash (Kedrov Vladimir Viktorovich).
Born on April 21, 1931 in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazansky District, Ryazan Region (his ancestors were priests and served in the church of the village of Vysokoye since the 17th century; only his father did not become a priest, graduating only from the Ryazan Theological Seminary). In 1945 he graduated from high school.
In 1952-53, he served in the Church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Bakhmacheevo, Ryazan Region.
In 1953-1955 he was a subdeacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Princes Boris and Gleb in the city of Ryazan.
In May 1955, he joined the brotherhood of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and was appointed assistant sacristan.
On December 10 of the same year, the abbot of the Lavra, Archimandrite Pimen (Izvekov), was tonsured a monk and named in honor of the holy Apostle Barnabas.
On January 18, 1956, he was appointed sacristan of the Lavra.
On February 15, 1956, in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral, he was ordained a hierodeacon by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.
On March 9, 1957, in the Cross Church of the Lavra in the name of Philaret the Merciful, he was ordained a hieromonk. In 1958 he was awarded a pectoral cross.
In 1960 he was elevated to the rank of hegumen. In 1963 he was awarded a cross with decorations.
In 1965 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
In 1970 he was appointed Dean of the Lavra. In 1971, from the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was a member of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.
On November 30, 1976, in the Sergius Refectory Church of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was consecrated Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash. The consecration was performed by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen, Metropolitan Seraphim of Krutitsy and Kolomna, Archbishop Pitirim of Volokolamsk, Bishops of Ryazan and Kasimov Simon, Orlovsky and Bryansk Gleb.
In 1983, with a pilgrimage group of the Russian Orthodox Church, he visited Mount Athos.
On September 7, 1984, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.
On October 27-31, 1984, he accompanied His Holiness Patriarch Pimen on his trip to Bulgaria.
In 2001 he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.
By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 4, 2012, he was appointed (magazine No. 91) the head of the Chuvash Metropolis and approved (magazine No. 103) in the position of rector (priest archimandrite) of the Holy Trinity Monastery in the city of Cheboksary of the Republic of Chuvashia.

Photo by Anna Galperina