Altai Metropolitan Sergius spoke about the divine nature of power. Bishop of Barnaul and Altai Sergius: “The Church is the only force that can raise the level of morality of the people”

To the Bankfax news agency, talking about his attitude towards people who insult the church with their creativity, and recognizing the divine nature of any government. Barnaul.fm publishes the most interesting sayings clergyman.

Metropolitan Sergius:

— Every clergyman and bishop, including, is a novice of God and the leaders appointed by him, therefore he carries out his service where it is assigned to him. The relationship of the Church with the authorities is determined by the divinely established principle: there is no authority that is not from God. That is why the Church strives to support those initiatives of the state that are aimed at the benefit of society and serve high moral ideals.

The relationship of the Church with the authorities in the Altai Territory is primarily evidenced by examples of active cooperation in such areas as providing assistance to victims of natural disasters, implementing joint projects in the field of education and work with youth. With the active support of the regional and city administrations, the buildings that historically belonged to the Church are being returned: the Barnaul Theological School, the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, etc.

The Church does not influence politics in any way, since it has a completely different nature and, accordingly, different tasks. However, the Church cannot help but respond to those challenges of our time that contradict the commandments of God, which are the basis of Christian morality.

No matter how much we want it or not, the human soul is by nature Christian, and it longs for God. Church and society are closely interconnected, since believers make up a more or less significant part of it. Nevertheless, the Church, testifying to the world about the Truth, does not force anyone in matters of faith and morals. There is no need to be afraid that faith will enslave us; it only gives freedom of spirit, exhorts, reminding a person absorbed in the vanity of life about eternal life and the values ​​of Christianity.

Like all Russian Orthodox Church, The Altai Metropolis negatively perceives all attempts by some citizens, under the guise of freedom of creativity, to openly mock symbols sacred to Christians.

The Church hierarchy has already spoken out on this issue several times. The main idea is the thesis that the enemy of the Church is the devil, who sows enmity between people, turning them against each other. Let's not give joy to this murderer.

The process of returning to one's spiritual roots after decades of militant atheism cannot be so fast. A significant change in the situation in positive side contributes to the intensification of spiritual, educational and missionary activities at the level of parishes and dioceses.

Photo - Barnaul.fm

Here's more on the trail of previous publications. I just had a chance to praise the new bishop: "...this one seems to deserve respect. He says what he thinks and cares not about career and money, but about faith. This is what a real priest should be". ().

And he has already, as they say, renounced. They probably also frightened him along the church party line with the label of “foreign agent” (see below). It's a pity...

Here's what they write about it on Bankfax (provided along with comments):

Bishop Sergius of Barnaul renounced his assessment of the “trial of Pussy Riot»?

04.10.2013 13:05

Publicist and head of the Association of Orthodox Experts Kirill Frolov published on his blog a comment that he allegedly received during a conversation with Bishop Sergius of Barnaul. The clergyman in it renounces the assessment that he gave to the story of the punk prayer group Pussy Riot in an interview with the newspaper “Evening Barnaul”.

Kirill Frolov, publicist:

Today at the Novospassky Monastery I spoke with Bishop Sergius (Ivannikov) of Barnaul and Altai, who told me that he did not speak for Tolokonnikova and is not going to comment on this topic.

Thus, it is obvious that we are dealing with a “Kredinsky canard” designed to discredit the bishop. Sergius. Probably, both adherents of the anti-church, anti-Russian website “creed” and the “Missophobic anti-patriarchal underground”, who do not want the success of the Patriarchal policy so much, are involved in organizing this provocation. necessary creation new metropolises and dioceses. The remarkable Russian church historian Vladimir Makhnach wrote that 400 new dioceses are needed in Russia, that the huge, unsupported size of Russian dioceses became a key factor in secularization, departure from the faith and, as a consequence, the national catastrophe of February and October 1917. It is obvious that in Siberia and the Altai Territory there is a huge need for the development of church life - in the Republic of Gorny Altai (Altai Republic - editor's note "BF") neopaganism and associated separatism are being implanted, therefore the Orthodox mission is especially relevant here, however, as and everywhere. But the process of the emergence of new metropolises, dioceses and vicariates cannot be stopped; it has become irreversible, whether anyone likes it or not. Today a suffragan bishop for Altai was ordained. Ruling Bishop Sergius (Ivannikov) responded to those who wanted to frame both him and the Patriarchal diocesan missionary policy and thereby confirmed that he is a worthy bishop, a missionary, a faithful novice of His Holiness.

Let us remember that the publication in which the bishop said that he did not approve of the “trial of the girls from the punk group Pussy Riot” appeared on the website of the city newspaper “Evening Barnaul”, but it soon disappeared from the feed. A quote from the interview was also posted on the blog of the famous theologian, Deacon Andrei Kuraev, it is accompanied by his personal assessment of Bishop Sergius’ statement.

Andrey Kuraev, deacon:

Today in our Church there are many clergy who have gained experience in studying and serving in Europe. But not so many of them, as life shows, have seriously absorbed the humanistic axioms of modern European culture (by this axiom I mean the conviction that it is not good to ride over a person with an asphalt paver).

I am glad that Bishop Sergius was able to combine his deep Orthodox faith and sincere experience of Christian humanistic ethics. By the way, he is an Estonian citizen, honorable Sir Narva, served in Prague for many years.

From his interview it follows that he would soon become Metropolitan of Altai (subject to its division into several dioceses). By the way, they didn’t specifically ask him about the puss. But, apparently, it was boiling inside...

COMMENTS

Nurtured

04.10.2013 13:31

Merged...
It’s a pity, there is already hope that the shepherd is independent :(
And Frolov has an exacerbation, apparently in the autumn.

04.10.2013 13:35

A complete analogy to papism. The bishop of the Orthodox Church, where the patriarch is only, according to the canons, “first among equals,” suddenly demonstrates that “At my age I should not dare to have my own judgment.” If this is indeed the case, then nothing fundamentally has changed in the Barnaul diocese. And, of course, it couldn’t change, since she is part of a sick organism.

04.10.2013 14:03

They have become attached to the girls, and yet what they are doing is contrary to the laws of God. There are no servants devoted to God and obedient. Everything is bought and sold.

In whose service? Who pays more?!

04.10.2013 14:11

Having gained experience of studying and serving in Europe...

...
Albertych

04.10.2013 14:57

Well well. The clergyman turned out to be a true master of his word. First he gave it, then he took it away. Father weighed the pros and cons - the parish is more expensive. Haven't you asked yourself the question - WHO WILL GO TO YOUR CHURCH, WHICH YOU AND YOUR PATRIARCH HAVE SO SUCCESSFULLY DESIGNED?

Uncle He

04.10.2013 15:24

It’s nothing like this pretzel-publicist labels: “adherents of the anti-church, anti-Russian site “creed””, and “missiophobic anti-patriarchal underground”. Where paranoia and fascism nestled just right. Well, what about the bishop? If you kick him in the kidneys, he will renounce the wrong thing. Although of course it turned out to be a bit runny. This paragraph “Ruling Bishop Sergius (Ivannikov) responded to those who wanted to frame both him and the Patriarchal diocesan missionary policy and thereby confirmed that he is a worthy bishop, a missionary, a faithful novice of His Holiness” completely touched me. All that remains, indeed, is to pray that all this riffraff will be washed away from our land as soon as possible.

Yarovchane

04.10.2013 16:12

Oh, I can, it’s unclear what nationality and it’s clear what faith (a fan of stolen money) Albertych opened his mouth about the church! They won't let you in there!

Sharikov Strangler

04.10.2013 20:23

They deny the Truth 3 times, following the example of the Apostle Peter. He still has 2 more times left.

***
END QUOTE
One hope is that the “refutators” have again misrepresented everything. Otherwise, who is there left to believe?

Today, August 29, Metropolitan of Barnaul and Altai Sergius celebrates anniversary. He turns 60 years old. Among the first to congratulate Bishop were the clergy and parishioners of the Barnaul diocese, employees of the diocesan administration, teachers and students of the Barnaul Theological Seminary and the Regency School.

“You have dedicated your life to serving His Holy Church and for more than 30 years you have been zealously cultivating the vineyard of Christ. At every place of service, with great responsibility and diligence, fulfill the obediences assigned by the Lord and the hierarchy,” the text of the congratulations says.

It is also noted that the head of the Altai Metropolis pays great attention to the construction of new churches and the restoration of churches destroyed during the years of atheism, the creation of new parishes, while developing fruitful relations with other dioceses of the Siberian region. The territory of the Holy Trinity Church in the mountainous part of Barnaul has been returned to the Church, where restoration work is already underway. Recently, for the first time in many decades, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the site of the destroyed Peter and Paul Cathedral. We believe and hope that this temple will be revived!

“You have created a special atmosphere of fatherly and brotherly love in the Altai Metropolis. The doors of your office are always open to those seeking good parting words and archpastoral blessing. Your work as rector of the Barnaul Theological Seminary - the highest educational institution, engaged in training highly educated ministers of the Church of Christ,” the Altai Metropolis emphasizes.

As Altaiskaya Pravda already reported, Governor Alexander Karlin signed a decree awarding the medal “For Services to Society” to Metropolitan of Barnaul and Altai, head of the Altai Metropolitan Sergius. He was awarded this award for many years of conscientious work, active socially significant activities, great contribution to social service to people, strengthening of basic spiritual, moral, social, civil values, security and stability of society.

Reference:

Metropolitan Sergius (Ivannikov Sergei Ivanovich) was born on August 29, 1957 in the Oryol region, baptized in infancy. After graduating from school in 1975-1977, he served in the Armed Forces, then worked as a driver at an automobile company and at the St. Sergius Church in the city of Livny. In 1979-1982 he studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary, then for four years at the Moscow Theological Academy. Candidate of Theology in the Department of Homiletics.

In November 1985, in the Intercession Church, MDA was ordained a deacon, and a little later - a priest, after which he was sent to serve in the Estonian diocese. Served in the Pukhtitsa Monastery, as rector of the Resurrection Cathedral in Narva, supervised the construction of a new church in honor of the icon Mother of God“Narvskaya”, then was appointed rector of the temple in the name of the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Tallinn.

In November 2003, he was transferred to Moscow, served in the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, was tonsured a monk with the name Sergius, appointed a member of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem, and later - rector of the Church of St. George the Victorious at the Russian Embassy in Prague (Czech Republic). Then he was confirmed as rector of the Transfiguration Monastery in the city of Kamensk-Uralsky, Sverdlovsk region. By the decision of the Holy Synod of May 29, 2013, he was appointed His Eminence of Barnaul and Altai.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of May 5, 2015, he was appointed head of the newly formed Altai Metropolis. On May 24 of the same year in Moscow he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

He has many church awards.

Outwardly it seems that this is so. There are a lot of newcomers in the Church who have not yet learned the true essence of church life of people, and they naturally make mistakes and sometimes act differently from what is customary. But they are gradually transforming, so you need to look at the results, and not at the process. There are sometimes shortcomings in the church organization: to be honest, sometimes we ourselves cause confusion, but we repent, correct ourselves and return to the true path.

In our diocese in Altai, the previous bishops put everything in order, according to the rules. My predecessors, Bishops Anthony and Maxim, did a lot to ensure that Orthodoxy and true spiritual life were established here. Many parishes and monasteries were opened. Considering that the diocese is only 20 years old, and a large church structure has been created practically from scratch, from which the independent Gorno-Altai diocese was already separated last fall. This is an indicator of the spiritual growth of the Church in Altai.

- In the diocese Altai Territory Are there tasks that you need to solve first?

There are shortcomings, but we need them to maintain the dynamics and strength of growth. It still needs to be brought to normal condition separate parishes, churches. The construction of the monasteries has not been completed - we have six of them. It is necessary that both the material base and spiritual life be established. This requires titanic work by those people who are called to build church communities.

- Do you plan to build new churches and if so, where?

The construction of temples is not only planned, but is also underway full swing! First of all, this concerns Barnaul. We have plans to build a cathedral, which, unfortunately, does not exist yet. The processes of approval, allocation, and registration of a plot of land are still underway. Each capital of the diocese must have such a central cathedral, in which the chair of the ruling bishop and the diocesan administration are located. Unfortunately, the issue in this direction has not yet been resolved, but we find support and full approval from the governor and the regional administration. We hope for success.

In addition, we have 8 more registered communities in Barnaul, in which the construction of churches has been partially agreed upon and documentation has been drawn up. In particular, we are talking about the restoration of the temple at the Nagorny cemetery, already forgotten and abandoned. We want to draw the attention of the population of the region to the fact that there should be a temple in the cemetery as a place of prayer for those who have passed on to another world. This issue is being resolved, and in the near future, God willing, construction will resume. You know that there were certain obstacles, including a lack of understanding of the true reasons on the part of people who were outraged by the very idea of ​​​​building a temple. Now the cemetery, together with the temple, will be restored and landscaped both by believers, and by the city administration and the public.

The issue of transferring to us another cemetery church - the Exaltation of the Cross, where the planetarium is now located - is being resolved positively. A decision has already been made to transfer this building to the Church. I hope that in the near future the issue of moving the planetarium to a more suitable building will be positively resolved. As soon as this problem is resolved, the temple will immediately begin to function. There was also a cemetery there, and now it is a park, but the functioning temple will remind residents that they are at the resting place of our ancestors, which should be revered.

- Vladyka, will anything be built on the territory of the districts and other cities of the region?

Within the region, we currently have about 30 temples under construction. It is interesting that sometimes in regional centers there are no churches and there is no one willing to build them, but in remote villages there are. Now the construction of the temple in Trinity is being completed, the foundation of the temple has been laid in the homeland of Robert Rozhdestvensky - in the village of Kosikha. Now a temple is being built under the “Cossack Frontiers of Russia” program on the border with Kazakhstan - in the village of Malinovoye Ozero. Temples are being built in Starobelokurikha and Zarinsk, there is a project to restore the temple in Solonovka, Blagoveshchenko, Stepnoe Ozero. Soon we will illuminate another temple near Biysk, and in Biysk itself the Sretensky Church is being restored. They planned to build a temple in the village of Verkh-Obskoye, but so far there are no initiators there. However, the homeland of Mikhail Evdokimov is under the close attention of the regional administration, and I think that as part of some regional program, a temple will appear there along with a memorial in memory of our governor and the great, talented artist. We have a Club of Orthodox patrons of the arts, and on its initiative we have already begun the construction of a temple in the regional center of Topchikha. The construction of temples is underway in Mamontovo, Volchikha, where a magnificent temple is being built using a unique monolithic technology. Two churches are being founded in Slavgorod - Alexander Nevsky and the Cathedral. The magnificent temple in Kamen-on-Obi is being restored, two temples have been founded in the village of Firsova Sloboda and in a newly built village not far from it. Construction is underway in the village of Bobrovka. However, the most difficult thing is to coordinate and build a temple in Barnaul itself, because there are many conflicting moments, misunderstandings on the part of the local population, accustomed to thinking in the cliches of atheistic times, and on the part of officials who are not always able to take on such responsibility.

- Yes, large-scale construction has begun in the region...

Yes. There are a lot of plans, and I am very happy when I see their implementation, but I am upset if somewhere there is inhibition or misunderstanding. Eg, similar case I was in Antonyevka, where the territory of the former temple is occupied by a school. A group of teachers opposed it with concerns like, “What if children go to church?” As a result of explanatory work, they changed their minds and will not interfere - the temple will be built there. I am especially pleased that people come to me with requests to open new parishes and build churches in other areas. Our task is for each regional center to have its own temple. It is gradually being resolved, since most regional centers already have churches or are ready to build them.

IN different time In our diocese, questions were raised about the return to the Church of buildings that previously belonged to it - we are talking not only about churches directly, but also about former administrative church buildings. How relevant is this issue now, and what will be done in this direction?

Of course this is the most actual question, because according to church rules everything that was once dedicated to God cannot be used for any other purpose. Our task is to carefully monitor this and help so that the buildings again move on to serving the spiritual education and development of people. Thanks to the policy of our government, Law N327 was adopted, providing for the return of all church buildings to religious organizations, regardless of their denominational affiliation. Now we are working on resolving these issues and, having found certain historical documents, we submit applications to the authorities for return. On the basis of this law, the building of the former religious school in Barnaul at 17 Lenin Avenue, which was occupied by the city administration, has already been returned to us. This is a very important step, which indicates that the laws are being implemented, that our officials are turning to the spiritual needs and tasks that our Orthodox Church solves. A resolution was adopted to return the temple, in the premises of which, as I already said, there is a planetarium.

- Are there many buildings in Altai that need to be returned to the Church?

In the Altai Territory, in fact, there are not many objects that need to be returned. This is a consequence of the fact that Altai was settled relatively late, and there were not as many stone temples here as, for example, in the Urals. The main buildings that are subject to return are located in Barnaul, Zmeinogorsk and Biysk, where the most historical buildings. By the way, in Biysk we have a problem with the return of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which for unknown reasons was sold into private ownership, and the owner does not want to release it. I hope that the authorities and the law will help solve this problem. In Barnaul, the buildings of the Kazan Monastery, which now belong to the pre-trial detention center of the penal system, must be returned. This is a historical church building, and all the documents are there. There are buildings of the former hotel and school of the Odigitrievskaya Church in Barnaul, not far from the Dimitrievsky Church. We have submitted an application for these buildings, and we may be given compensation for them or simply returned. According to the law, the return of property can be carried out within six years from the date of acceptance of the relevant application.

- Demetrius Cathedral was also returned to the Church?

Yes, it was returned and restored at federal expense. Dmitrievsky parish has existed for a long time, but work is still underway on the restored church. We are grateful that this temple was returned and restored at the expense of the state because it is the only architectural monument of federal significance in the region. By the way, with monuments of federal significance the procedures for return and restoration are much easier, but with monuments of local significance it is more difficult. This is due to the fact that the budget of our region is subsidized, and we do not have enough funds to restore these monuments.

- Vladyka, recently a club of mothers was created in the diocese. What are his tasks, what will he do?

The Mothers' Club is a voluntary organization, and they will decide for themselves what to do. I participated in its creation only through blessing. I think this is a good initiative, because the mothers are not only companions, but also collaborators of our clergy, they are always in the shadows, it is difficult for them to even establish communication with each other. It was necessary to somehow collect them and show them to each other, thereby giving a kind of impetus to their communication and interaction. They will learn how to properly organize a home church, what a family of a clergyman, and indeed of every Christian, should be like. Mothers will act as examples of a true Christian wife.

How do you assess the situation in the Altai Territory with religious sects? According to your data, are there many of them, and do these sects have many followers?

In the Altai Territory there are many religious communities, but we, the Orthodox, are in the majority - 80%. There are representatives of ancient, traditional faiths: Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, and a small community of Jews. It is easier to negotiate with representatives of traditional religion; we meet with their leaders at public events, find mutual understanding and are tolerant of each other. Another thing is that sometimes some extremist-minded sectarian formations emerge from our midst. They were formed, apparently, on the basis of personal ambitions or mental deviations. They are few in number, but very counterproductive and active in their incomprehensible ideology.

- Do you have any fear that their number will increase?

No, I have no such fear. The Jehovah's Witnesses sect is now actively developing, last years Neo-Pentecostal sects are spreading especially actively - " New life", etc. Our task is to lead an open spiritual life, and then people will see our good deeds. Our task is not to be afraid of their spread and not to look after them, but to engage in positive spiritual work, and people themselves will figure out who is right. There are nine main non-Orthodox large religious organizations in Altai. We do not conduct counter-propaganda or confrontation, because faith should first of all be demonstrable, not provable.

Vladyka, in recent years there has been a lot of talk about the fact that the country needs a national idea, that we need to defend our traditional values. At the same time, sociologists, political scientists, philosophers are breaking their spears, trying to formulate these very ideas and values. What is the Church’s point of view on this matter?

What is the national idea? You can take the famous triad - Orthodoxy, autocracy, nationality, which is expressed in the formula Russian Empire"For Faith, Tsar and Fatherland." It was easy to formulate this in the 19th century, but in post-Soviet times everything was trampled underfoot and nothing new was created. The root is religiosity, faith, which is inherent in all peoples of the earth. I think we should have a traditional Orthodox faith into one God. However, there must also be an earthly principle that unites the nation - power in the form of a president or God's anointed one. Now the idea of ​​​​restoring the monarchy has been abandoned, and returning to it is very difficult, because many will not agree, this threatens the weakening and fall of the throne. Government is a constant without which no nation exists, and we need a national leader whom the majority of the nation will trust. The national idea must include complete trust in national leaders. It’s difficult for us, but still such an attitude is created.

- Is patriotism such a value?

Certainly! Patriotism should be the cornerstone of the national idea. All efforts should be directed towards this, including education system. We, in turn, have always been devoted to love for our Fatherland, and the Church in difficult times stood on the side of the defense of the Fatherland and our sacred borders. Love for the Fatherland contributes to the development and strengthening of the spiritual strength of the people, and all kinds of unrest lead to hatred and destruction, rejection from God.

Vladyka, the need to translate divine services into modern Russian has long been talked about. Do you think this measure is capable of attracting new believers to the Church?

I am opposed to translations of liturgical texts into any modern spoken languages. Languages ​​are being vulgarized with terrible force! What language should I translate into? Slang? This is absurd! There's actually another problem here - accessibility. We need to give people who come to us the opportunity to adapt to the language environment - there are manuals and courses for this. Some kind of concessions, indulgences, beautiful packaging, with designs in an accessible and understandable language, you can attract believers endlessly, but there is little use, because the external effects quickly pass. And if this attracts someone, then only shallow people who very quickly go back. Why exaggerate the topic of how to attract new believers? What attracts is the spirit of God and the high ideals of Christianity, not the ease of form and accessibility. Apart from harm, language reform has never brought anything good to any people. The Western Church has transferred its services to modern languages, but still secularization has befallen Western society in an even more contagious way. Our Church Slavonic language is the language of interethnic communication of all Slavs. I think that for a church-oriented person this will not only be unattractive, but also repulsive. If we take away the power that connects us Church Slavonic language, then we will break all Slavic unity.

Vladyka, there is a lot of talk now about the general decline of morality in our country. Is it possible to stop him, or has the point of no return already been passed?

There is always a point of return, and it is located in the human heart. I do not believe in universal corruption, it cannot exist, because a person is born with the same set of moral qualities in all generations. In fact, the new generation gives us a lot of highly moral people. I want to emphasize that everyone will not be able to be highly moral, but in general the situation is the same at all times. I don’t think that the level of morality is lower than it once was; it is approximately at the same level. It’s just that our categories of morality are changing. We present assessments of Soviet morality to post-Soviet people, and this is wrong. It is encouraging to see, for example, that alcohol consumption has now decreased and the number of people wanting to quit smoking has increased. This means that the majority of young people are for healthy image life, for a healthy family. We judge morality on talk shows, but this is not so, everything there is fake, but in real life- vice versa. And there is no need to be afraid of the Church, because this is the only force that can raise the level of morality of the people.