1970-1980 - studied first at the architectural department of the Perm Construction College, then at the architectural department of the Tajik Polytechnic Institute (Dushanbe).

After graduating from the institute, he worked as an artist in a publishing house, then began to live and work at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe.

In 1986 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, and in the fall of the same year he entered the brethren of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.

He was tonsured a monk on July 3, 1987 with the name Pankratiy, in honor of the Venerable Pankratiy, the recluse of the Kiev-Pechersk.

He carried out obediences related to the holding of the Anniversary Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', then he carried out the obediences of an assistant economist, and then an economist of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and supervised the resumption of the Lavra's publishing activities.

Since May 2002 - Chairman of the Board of the Patriarchal Board of Trustees for the revival of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of March 22, 2011, he was appointed chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints.

Awards

Secular

• Order of Friendship (May 26, 2010) - for great contribution to socio-economic, scientific and cultural development and long-term social activities
• Honorable Sir Republic of Karelia (2008) - for special services in the restoration of the cultural historical shrine - the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam stauropegial monastery, great personal contribution to the Orthodox and spiritual-moral education of the population and active participation in the implementation of socially significant programs for the republic

Church

• Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, II degree (2007) - in recognition of archpastoral works
• Order St. Sergius Radonezh II degree (2004) - in consideration of hard work and in connection with the 15th anniversary of the resumption of monastic life in the monastery
• Order of the Saint St. Seraphim Sarovsky II degree (2007) - in consideration of diligent service and in connection with the 20th anniversary of service in the priesthood

From 1970 to 1980, he studied first at the architectural department of the Perm Construction College, then at the architectural department of the Tajik Polytechnic Institute in Dushanbe, where the family moved. After graduating from the institute, he worked as an artist in a publishing house, then began to live and work at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe.

He was tonsured a monk on July 3, 1987 with the name Pankratiy, in honor of the Monk Pankratiy, the recluse of the Kiev-Pechersk.

He carried out obediences related to the holding of the Jubilee Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', then the obedience of an assistant economist, and then the economist of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and supervised the resumption of the Lavra's publishing activities.

Since Archimandrite Pankratius assumed the position of governor of the Valaam monastery, the number of brethren of the monastery has increased significantly. Six monastic farmsteads were opened: in Moscow; the second (historical) on Sinopskaya embankment in St. Petersburg; in Sortavala; in the Kolomensky district in the village of Bortnikovo; in the village Ozerki Leningrad region; in the Adler district of Sochi.

Monastic life was resumed in eight monasteries: in Nikolskoye, Predtechenskoye, in the monastery in the name of St. Alexander Svirsky on the Holy Island, in Gethsemane, in Sergievsky on the island of Putsaari, Konevsky and Ilyinsky, where the lost churches and cell buildings were completely restored. The Church of the Resurrection Skete is being restored. In 2005, the Transfiguration Cathedral was consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.

The temple in the name of the Valaam Icon was restored and painted Mother of God(formerly Nikolsky) in the eastern part of the inner square. In the northern part of the outer square, the hospital temple of the Life-Giving Source and the Life-Giving Trinity is being restored. Restoration of paintings is being carried out in the Church of All Reverend Fathers, who shone through fasting and feat, at the Igumensky cemetery.

All of the above restoration work, which requires significant funds, is being carried out thanks to the creation in 2002 of the Patriarchal Board of Trustees for the restoration of the Valaam Monastery, as well as the infrastructure organized by the monastery, including the monastic fleet of 8 ships. In 2001, a 60-apartment building was built to resettle local residents in Sortavala.

The process of voluntary relocation of local residents to comfortable apartments on the mainland continues. A building was built for the local administration of the village. Valaam, who freed the cell building. The premises of the Outer Square and the Workhouse have been returned to the property of the monastery, and the last untransferred monument - the building of the Winter Inn - is being prepared for transfer. Water supply and sewerage systems for the Central Estate of the monastery and a complex of wastewater treatment facilities were built.

June 2, 2005, on the day of the discovery of the relics of St. Alexy, the wonderworker of Moscow and all Russia, in Epiphany cathedral Moscow His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II Archimandrite Pankratius (Zherdev) as Bishop of Trinity, Vicar of the Moscow Diocese.

Church:

• 2004 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II century;
• 2007 - Order of St. blgv. book Daniel of Moscow II century;
• 2013 - Rev. Seraphim of Sarov, II century;
• 2019 —

Now, I humbly ask Your Holiness and you, God-wise archpastors, to offer a fervent prayer for me and to bless me for the feat ahead of me, so that the grace given to me now can be preserved and warmed up, so that I can perform my service to the Church and the Fatherland without condemnation and without stumbling, so that it will be Pleasant to God, useful to the people and saving to me. June 2, the day of memory of St. Metropolitan Alexy, the Wonderworker of Moscow and All Russia, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow. During the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' consecrated Archimandrite Pankratius (Zherdev), abbot of the Valaam Transfiguration Monastery, as Bishop of Trinity, Vicar of the Moscow Diocese.

Concelebrating with His Holiness were Metropolitans of Minsk and Slutsk Philaret, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus, Krutitsky and Kolomna Juvenaly, Kaluga and Borovsk Clement, Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archbishops of Istra Arseny, Vladimir and Suzdal Evlogiy, Vereisky Evgeniy, Rector of the Moscow Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chairman of the Educational Committee Holy Synod, Orekhovo-Zuevsky Alexy, Khabarovsk and Amursky Mark, bishops of Krasnogorsk Savva, Dmitrovsky Alexander, Sergiev Posad Feognost, Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy, Lyubertsy Veniamin, Yegoryevsky Mark.

The service was attended by the Head of the Republic of Karelia S.L. Katanandov, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation E.M. Primakov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on CIS Affairs of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V.N. Stepanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia V.D. .Boinich, Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation M.V. Baglay, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, founder of the NF "Link of Generations", Chairman of the charitable society "Friends of Valaam" A.I. Kotelkin, Head of the non-profit foundation "Link of Generations" S.V. .Machine

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy bade the newly consecrated Bishop of Trinity Pankratius to his episcopal service and presented him with the archpastoral staff.

Biography of Bishop Pankratius of Trinity

Bishop Pankraty (in the world - Zherdev Vladislav Petrovich) was born on July 21, 1955 in Perm. From 1970 to 1980, he studied first at the architectural department of the Perm Construction College, then at the architectural department of the Tajik Polytechnic Institute in Dushanbe, where the family moved. After graduating from the institute, he worked as an artist in a publishing house, then began to live and work at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe.

In 1986 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, in the fall of the same year after a terrible fire in Moscow. Theological schools he entered the brethren of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. He was tonsured a monk on July 3, 1987 with the name Pankraty, in honor of the Monk Pankraty, the recluse of the Kiev Pechersk, on July 18, 1987 he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on June 8, 1988 - a hieromonk. He carried out obediences related to the holding of the Jubilee Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', then he served as an assistant economist, and then as an economist of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and supervised the resumption of the Lavra's publishing activities. On July 17, 1988, he was elevated to the rank of abbot, and on May 4, 1990, to the rank of archimandrite.

January 18, 1993 By decree of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Alexy II was appointed abbot of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery. Since Archimandrite Pankratius assumed the position of governor of the Valaam monastery, the number of brethren of the monastery has increased significantly. Six monastic farmsteads were opened: in Moscow; the second (historical) on Sinopskaya embankment in St. Petersburg; in Sortavala; in the Kolomensky district in the village of Bortnikovo; in the village Ozerki, Leningrad region; in the Adler district of Sochi. Monastic life was resumed in eight monasteries: in Nikolskoye, Predtechenskoye, in the monastery in the name of St. Alexander Svirsky on the Holy Island, in Gethsemane, in Sergievsky on the island of Putsaari, Konevsky and Ilyinsky, where the lost churches and cell buildings were completely restored. The Church of the Resurrection Skete is being restored. In 2005, the main shrine of the monastery, the Transfiguration Cathedral, is being prepared for consecration. The temple in the name of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God (formerly Nikolsky) in the eastern part of the inner square has been restored and painted. In the northern part of the outer square, the hospital temple of the Life-Giving Source and the Life-Giving Trinity is being restored. Restoration of paintings is being carried out in the Church of All Reverend Fathers, who shone through fasting and feat, at the Igumensky cemetery.

All of the above restoration work, which requires significant funds, is being carried out thanks to the creation in 2002 of the Patriarchal Board of Trustees for the restoration of the Valaam Monastery, as well as the infrastructure organized by the monastery, including the monastic fleet of 8 ships. In 2001, a 60-apartment building was built to resettle local residents in Sortavala. The process of voluntary relocation of local residents to comfortable apartments on the mainland continues. A building was built for local Administration village Valaam, who freed the cell building. The premises of the Outer Square and the Workhouse have been returned to the property of the monastery, and the last untransferred monument, the building of the Winter Inn, is being prepared for transfer. Water supply and sewerage systems for the Central Estate of the monastery and a complex of wastewater treatment facilities were built.

By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' No. 5700 of December 23, 1997, Archimandrite Pankratiy is appointed rector of the monastery, with his commemoration during the service after the name of His Holiness the Patriarch - the holy abbot of the Valaam Monastery: "Our most honorable father, abbot of the holy monastery." In consideration of the hard work and in connection with the 15th anniversary of the resumption of monastic life in the monastery with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, the abbot of the Valaam Monastery, Archimandrite Pankratiy in 2004. awarded the order Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree.

The meaning of PANKRATIY (ZHERDEV) in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree

PANKRATIY (ZHERDEV)

Open Orthodox encyclopedia"TREE".

Pankraty (Zherdev) (born 1955), Bishop of Trinity, vicar of the Moscow diocese, abbot of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky stauropegial Valaam Monastery.

In the world Zherdev Vladislav Petrovich, born on July 21, 1955 in the city of Perm. From 1970 to 1980, he studied first at the architectural department of the Perm Construction College, then at the architectural department of the Tajik Polytechnic Institute in the city of Dushanbe, where the family moved. After graduating from the institute, he worked as an artist in a publishing house, then began to live and work at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe.

In 1986 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, and in the fall of the same year, after a terrible fire in the Moscow theological schools, he entered the brethren of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.

He was tonsured a monk on July 3, 1987, with the name Pankraty, in honor of the Monk Pankraty, the recluse of the Kiev Pechersk, on July 18 of the same year he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on June 8, 1988 - a hieromonk. He carried out obediences related to the holding of the Anniversary Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', then the obedience of an assistant economist, and then the economist of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and supervised the resumption of the Lavra's publishing activities. On July 17, 1988, he was elevated to the rank of abbot, and on May 4, 1990, to the rank of archimandrite.

Viceroy of the Valaam Monastery

On January 18, 1993, by decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Alexy II was appointed vicar of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery. Since Archimandrite Pankratius assumed the position of governor of the Valaam monastery, the number of brethren of the monastery has increased significantly. Six monastic farmsteads were opened: in Moscow; the second (historical) on Sinopskaya embankment in St. Petersburg; in the city of Sortavala; in the Kolomensky district in the village of Bortnikovo; in the village of Ozerki, Leningrad region; in the Adler district of Sochi.

Under him, monastic life was resumed in eight monasteries: in Nikolsky, Predtechenskoye, in the monastery in the name of St. Alexander of Svirsky on the Holy Island, in Gethsemane, in Sergievsky on the island of Putsaari, Konevsky and Ilyinsky, where the lost churches and cell buildings were completely restored. In 2005, Patriarch Alexy consecrated the Transfiguration Cathedral. The temple in the name of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God (formerly Nikolsky) in the eastern part of the inner square was restored and painted. The temple of the Resurrection Skete was restored, and in the northern part of the outer square - the hospital temple of the Life-Giving Source and the Life-Giving Trinity. The restoration of paintings was underway in the Church of All Reverend Fathers, who shone through fasting and heroism, at the Igumenskoe cemetery.

All of the above restoration work, which required significant funds, was carried out thanks to the creation in 2002 of the Patriarchal Board of Trustees for the restoration of the Valaam Monastery, as well as the infrastructure organized by the monastery, including the monastery fleet of 8 ships. In 2001, a 60-apartment building was built to resettle local residents in Sortavala. A building was also built for the local Administration of the village of Valaam, which vacated the cell building. The premises of the Outer Square and the Workhouse were returned to the property of the monastery. Water supply and sewerage systems for the Central Estate of the monastery and a complex of wastewater treatment facilities were built.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on April 20, 2005, Archimandrite Pankraty was elected vicar of the Moscow diocese with the title of Trinity. The consecration to the episcopal rank took place in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow, and the consecration was performed by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' on June 2, 2005.

Church:

Order of the Russian Orthodox Church St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree (with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, in recognition of his hard work and in connection with the 15th anniversary of the resumption of monastic life in the monastery, 2004), Venerable. Seraphim of Sarov, 2nd degree (in consideration of diligent service and in connection with the 20th anniversary of service in the priesthood, 2007), Blgv. book Daniel of Moscow, 2nd degree (from Patriarch Alexy II, in consideration of archpastoral works, September 2007).

Used materials

http://patriarhia.ru/db/text/66484.html

http://ortho-rus.ru/cgi-bin/ps_file.cgi?2_8644

TREE - open Orthodox encyclopedia: http://drevo.pravbeseda.ru

About the project | Timeline | Calendar | Client

Orthodox encyclopedia Tree. 2012

See also interpretations, synonyms, meanings of the word and what PANKRATIY (ZHERDEV) is in Russian in dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference books:

• PANKRATIY
  Pankraty - the monk, hieromonk of the Pechersk Monastery, had the gift of healing the sick. Died peacefully in the 14th century. Memory of February 9 and 28...
• PANKRATIY in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, TSB:
  pancratium, a genus of plants in the amaryllis family. Perennial bulbous herbs with linear or strap-shaped leaves and a leafless flowering stem (arrow). Flowers...
• PANKRATIY in the Russian Synonyms dictionary:
  name, pancratium, ...
• PANKRATIY in Lopatin’s Dictionary of the Russian Language:
  
• PANKRATIY
  Pankratiy, (Pankratievich, Pankratievna and Pankratievich, ...
• PANKRATIY in the Complete Spelling Dictionary of the Russian Language:
  pankratius, -I and pankratium, -a...
• PANKRATIY in the Spelling Dictionary:
  pankr`atiy, -I and pankr`atium, -a...
• TRINITY DIOCESE, MOSCOW VICARIARY
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Trinity diocese, vicariate of the Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Established by the Synodal decision of April 20...
• PANKRATIUS OF TAUROMENIUS in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Pankratius of Tauromenia (1st century), bishop, martyr. Memory 9 February, 9 July. ...
• PANCRATIUS OF ROMAN in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Pancratius of Rome (290 - 304), martyr. Memory 12 May. Came from Phrygia...
• PANKRATY PECHERSKY in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Pankraty Pechersky (XIII century), hieromonk, reverend. Commemorated February 9, in the Cathedral of the Reverends...
• INTERCOUNTER PRESENCE OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". The Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church is an advisory body that assists the highest church authorities in preparing decisions regarding...
• SUMAROKOV PANKRATY PLATONOVICH in the Brief Biographical Encyclopedia:
  Sumarokov (Pankraty Platonovich) - journalist and poet (1763 - 1814), great-nephew famous writer; spent his childhood in the village, where before...
• 
  The monk, hieromonk of the Pechersk monastery, had the gift of healing the sick. Died peacefully in the 14th century. Memory of February 9 and 28...
• V Encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Euphron:
  Bishop of Tauromini (d. about 60). Converted ap. Peter, he was sent by him to Sicily and was the first bishop somewhere...
• PANKRATIY, HIEROMONK OF PECHERSKY MORAL
  ? The monk, hieromonk of the Pechersk monastery, had the gift of healing the sick. He died peacefully in the 14th century. Memory of February 9 and 28...
• PANKRATIY, BISHOP OF TAUROMINIA in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedia:
  ? Bishop of Tauromini (d. about 60). Converted ap. Peter, he was sent by him to Sicily and was the first bishop...
• PANKRATOV
  Orthodox name Pankratiy (translated from Greek - ‘almighty, all-powerful’) and its derivative forms - as part of the Pankratov surnames ...
• PAVLOV in the Encyclopedia of Russian surnames, secrets of origin and meanings:
  
• PANKRATOV in the Dictionary of Russian Surnames:
  Pankratiev. Middle name from male name Pankrat, Pankratius (ancient Greek pankratos, literally - “the strongest of all”). From Russian derivative forms of the same name...
• PANKRATOV in the Encyclopedia of Surnames:
  The Orthodox name Pankratiy (translated from Greek - ‘almighty, all-powerful’) and its derivative forms are part of the Pankratov surnames, ...
• PAVLOV in the Encyclopedia of Surnames:
  One of the most common Russian surnames is in seventeenth place. Comes from the equally common name Pavel (translated from...
• KHMELNYTSKY DIOCESE in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Khmelnitsky and Starokonstantinovsky diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Diocesan administration: Ukraine, 29013, Khmelnitsky, ...
• MAKARIUS (WHISTLING) in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
  Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Macarius (Svistun) (1938 - 2007), Metropolitan of Vinnitsa and Mogilev-Podolsk. In the world Whistler Leonid...

Recently, a meeting of the Geographical Society was held on the famous Valaam with the participation of the president. Our correspondent visited Valaam the day before. Its abbot, the abbot of the monastery, Bishop Pankraty (Zherdev), spoke about the life of the RG monastery.

Vladyka, tell us the most important news about the life of your monastery: how many inhabitants are there, how is the restoration of the monastery and monastic life itself going?

Lord Pankratiy: The best news for a monastery is when there is no news. When there is a calm, measured monastic life, and nothing bothers her.
Events, of course, happen, such as the arrival of the Patriarch, the President, and other distinguished guests. This summer, His Holiness the Patriarch consecrated a house church in a hotel restored after a fire. But these events relate to external life. And the main thing is what all monasticism is aimed at - this is life in Christ.
You can’t really count our inhabitants. Our brotherhood is in different places, the inhabitants live not only on Valaam, but also on farmsteads in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Priozersk, and Sortavala. In total there are about 160-170 people. And on Valaam itself we now have 8 monasteries, a farm on which the brothers carry out obedience. We get together on big holidays, and only then can we see that there is a great brotherhood. And so, about 40 people permanently live in the Central Estate. I think there are twice as many workers - about a hundred.

Lord Pankratiy: Of course not. It is physically impossible to restore in just over 20 years what was built in 200 years. Even if there were all necessary funds for restoration. And if we take into account that restoration work must be combined with the life of the monastery (construction noise, inconvenience - all this affects the human condition), then we do not strive for the maximum pace, we do not force it. We do everything gradually.
The monks came here in the winter of 1989, and restoration began in 1990. Now all the main monasteries have been practically restored, only 2-3 remain on the outer islands. But it is not enough to restore the monastery, it is necessary to restore the monastic life of the monastery. Hermitage life, especially on remote islands, is special; it is impossible to send any brother there; you need an experienced person who knows how to fight temptations and how to pray. A person simply cannot live without prayer on an island, far from the monastery, from the brethren.

Is the desire for solitude rare among monks?

Lord Pankratiy: In principle, monasticism implies solitude. Community life in a monastery is rather the first stage. But for some, this stage can last a lifetime. People achieve a very high spiritual life in the hostel. Both our Valaam elders and our modern ones - the same Father Kirill from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, who lived his whole life in a hostel - is an example of this. That's how God judged them. And for many it is useful to be in solitude, away from temptations, where there are fewer worries of all kinds, and there is more opportunity to devote oneself to God. To live in such a way that your whole life is permeated with communion with God - the monastery was created for this. And in the old days we also had hermitage on Valaam. But this is an exceptional feat; we haven’t had it for 150 years. People don't reach the level to accept this lifestyle.

But in the 70s of the last century there were hermits in the Caucasus mountains.

Lord Pankratiy: I myself spent a year there with my friend Father Simon; he then lived in the mountains for almost another 10 years, writing wonderful spiritual poems in solitude. Now he lives on Athos, he is known as a spiritual writer who writes under the pseudonym Simeon of Athos.

Caucasian hermitism in Soviet times arose mainly because there were few monasteries. Men's - only four for the whole Soviet Union. And you had to go through very large obstacles to get into them. Reception into the monastery of people with higher education was especially difficult.

Therefore, some people striving for monasticism went to hermitage in the Caucasus mountains.

I was invited there at the very beginning of my church journey, when I came to enter the seminary of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. And I was faced with a choice: either go to the theological seminary and then to the Lavra, or go straight to the Caucasus in the “desert”. It was a very difficult choice for me. I really liked life in the monastery, the wonderful Lavra services, obediences, life with experienced elders. In addition, I understood that I was still a beginner, and it was spiritually unsafe for me to go to the Caucasus. And you don’t know who you’ll end up with.

And what did you choose?

Lord Pankratiy: The Lavra confessor said that we should enter the seminary. And if they accept, it means it is God’s will to study at the seminary and enter the Lavra. And if they don’t accept it, then it’s God’s will to go to the Caucasus. I was accepted. But then, anyway, from the Lavra, I went to the Caucasus. And as usually happens, a year later I also had to face considerable temptations.
In the Caucasian "desert", mainly in Abkhazia, lived the most different people: both high spiritual life, and ordinary ones, for whom it would be nice to live in a communal monastery in order to learn humility, obedience, patience, qualities that are necessary for a person in order for real prayer to be born. If a person strives for prayer and even strives a lot in prayer, but it is not dissolved in him by humility, this means that he is on a dangerous path. In addition, prayer must be combined with labor. An ordinary person cannot devote all his time to prayer, only when he is in a state of grace. Prayer and work are two oars, one elder said, you will press evenly, and the boat will float straight. And if you press harder on one oar, the boat will begin to spin in place. In the Caucasus, among the hermits there were, unfortunately, people who were clearly seduced (spiritually damaged).

A year later, I came to my confessor, Father Kirill, for advice, and he told me that I should stay in the Lavra. To be honest, I was very upset. I wanted to go back. But soon a war began there.
A communal monastery is the formation of monastic life, harmonization of the soul and preparation for more complex temptations and higher spiritual states. The most important thing here is the struggle with passions (and they are very well revealed in the community) and growing in humility through obedience. One of the fathers very successfully compared the life of the brothers in the hostel with pebbles on the seashore. They roll around in waves, rub against each other and become smooth, round - even a brick. And the brothers collide with each other and, humbling themselves, “smooth out sharp corners". This does not happen quickly. A person continues to study even at 60 years old. Some people begin to lose heart: how can this be?! Holy ascetics achieved very high spiritual states - real holiness, their life was a grace-filled life with God, and why am I so bad "The main thing is to eliminate despondency. And then this will be the correct view of yourself. If you realize your bad condition, correct yourself. If you are many years old and have not yet corrected yourself, do not despair. If you go to the Lord in the struggle for the Christian life, then He will He will have mercy on you, even if you have not achieved what every Christian is called to - holiness.

Many of my secular acquaintances like to repeat: “If there are elders in the Church, then let them come out and make themselves known. And louder. So that we hear not only official votes".... So you say that the most high level for a monk it is a hermitage, and the world demands them to “come out.” What do you say about this?

Lord Pankratiy: The world needs monks. Because monks are the light of the world. And the light of monks is angels. This is what the holy fathers said.
Of course, serving the world is the duty of a monk. But in order for a person to find something with which he can truly serve the world, he first needs to escape from sin, from the evil with which the world is filled. And most importantly, you need a feat, overcoming sin in yourself. This is why there is asceticism, prayer, fasting, vigil. This is not an end in itself. This is the path to acquiring God's grace.

Seraphim of Sarov, before becoming as we know him, spent many years in a monastery, in solitude and in the desert - in a difficult struggle with himself, with his sins, passions, with the “old” man inside himself. The same can be said about the Rev. Sergius of Radonezh and about other saints. It is difficult to name someone who would immediately become a holy elder among the city noise. Although there are, of course, exceptions. But still, the monastic path primarily involves leaving the “world.” Or even flight, as Arseny the Great said, “run away from people and you will be saved.”

People need elders, so they need conditions for “escape” from the “world.” And today the “world” is invading more and more monasteries. Especially through such convenient modern things as the Internet. It would seem that a person is completely alone on Mount Athos. But if he has the Internet, the whole world is in his cell.

Do pilgrims also bring you “peace”?

Lord Pankratiy: Of course, but to a lesser extent. Moreover, shepherding is useful and necessary for monasticism. But first you need to strengthen yourself, and for this you need solitude. What's good about Valaam? During the winter months we are in a solitary state. I often hear: how do you live here in winter? It's so difficult! But all the difficulties pale in comparison with the benefits we receive. Winter is the time for real monastic life. In the summer we distribute, in the winter we collect...

Let's return to the topic of restoring the monastery.

Lord Pankratiy: Now all of Russia is helping us: from Moscow to the Urals. Most of funds come from philanthropists. This assistance has been going on for a very long time, two decades. But there were also years when we found ourselves on the brink of survival. Imagine, we maintain a large farm, we incur expenses, we pay people salaries every month, we bring in food and fuel for the winter, not to mention construction and restoration, but whether there will be funds or not is unclear, you are in the hands of God.

The federal grid company provided us with enormous help, laying electrical cable along the bottom of Ladoga. We now receive electricity from the unified energy system of Russia, but before we had dilapidated diesel generators that worked intermittently in winter. It was very difficult. In winter, the most popular item on Valaam were hand-held lanterns. Many hours are complete darkness. Now there are no problems with electricity, restoration work is carried out without interruption.

The late Patriarch Alexy II was predicted to become the Patriarchate while still a boy on Valaam. The writer Ivan Shmelev left us a wonderful story “Old Valaam”. How do you pair modern life with the spiritual and cultural history of the island?

Lord Pankratiy: We don't put any special effort into this. Although, of course, we know the history of the holy islands, and each brother has books about Valaam. But the life of the monastery itself - ideally - implies unity with the brothers who lived before us and who will come after. There is a certain Spiritual, Heavenly Balaam, and we can be in it. We can separate, move away from life within this ideal - due to mistakes, personal sins, deviations from the principles of monastic life, or, conversely, get closer. The Valaam elder, regardless of the time in which he lives, is a Valaam elder.

The Valaam Elder - is he special?

Lord Pankratiy: No. The Monk Antipas of Valaam first lived for a long time on Athos, then with us, and essentially nothing in his life changed. Therefore, you should not focus on the place. Although each monastery has its own character, direction, spirit, location features, service and statutory traditions. And what unites us with those who lived before us and who will come after us is prayer and the grace of God.

Yesterday at the service the longest line for confession was to Father Naum. Everyone whispered that he was the most experienced.

Lord Pankratiy: For a priest, the most important thing is participation and love. If this is the case, there will always be a queue for confession.

Monks from different countries?

Lord Pankratiy: Yes, Father Seraphim was originally from France, lived in England, in Essex, and was a cell attendant for Father Sophrony Sakharov. Father Methodius and Father Naum are from Macedonia. An Orthodox monk from any country can come to us.

Is Valaam today a center of spiritual attraction and nourishment for believers and seekers?

Lord Pankratiy: Of course. Although some come and just relax. But he can feel something unusual, come into contact with the inner beauty and harmony of Orthodoxy. And next time he will come with more serious intentions and begin to grow spiritually.

Are there enough workers on Valaam?

Lord Pankratiy: We don't have enough workers. Help is always needed. Thank God, a volunteer movement arose several years ago. Many young people come to us from different countries - Russia, America, European countries and even from Japan. Among them there are both Christians and people completely far from religion. They organize themselves, come and work. The monastery receives free help, labor sacrifice, and the volunteers themselves are spiritually reborn, strengthened, and grow. Someone comes to the Orthodox faith, to the Church.

Are there many pilgrims?

Lord Pankratiy: Yes many. Pilgrimage is also a certain amount of work for a person. The pilgrim has his own difficulties and temptations. But if they are overcome properly, then a person receives considerable spiritual fruit. But pilgrims make up only a fifth of all those who come to Valaam. Previously, we tried to hide from tourists, to perform divine services so that they would not get into them and would not disturb those praying. And now we are going to meet them halfway, because there are many believers among them. It happens that priests also come with groups of tourists.

Is it true that Valaam can be closed to women?

Lord Pankratiy: It is not true. We have monasteries, for example, All Saints, where visits by women are limited to once a year. But completely closing Valaam to women is hardly possible, and even necessary. You can rest assured.

The President of Russia visited Valaam several times. What attracts top officials to monasteries?

Lord Pankratiy: The same as the others. They also feel and experience everything. The need to be in a holy place may be even more important for them than for ordinary person. They have a huge workload, responsibility, and severe stress. And the soul, of course, seeks strengthening. When Putin came to us, he stood in the church and prayed with everyone, confessed and received communion.

Does Valaam have a special status?

Lord Pankratiy: The Valaam archipelago is located in a specially protected natural area. This status is insufficient for the full protection of nature and monuments of Valaam. However, none of the statuses established by law, is not fully suitable for Valaam and Solovki, due to the fact that all the features of these and other territories are not taken into account. This is a problem that needs to be solved at the legislative level.

We do not have such a concept in legislation as Holy place. And there are holy places that are very significant. And not only Christian ones. Perhaps it is worth studying the experience of Athos.

Do all the lands of the island of Valaam belong to the monastery?

Lord Pankratiy: No, what are you talking about! Only part of the Central Estate, land under monasteries and other monuments, everything else is forest or agricultural land.

Historically, the land of the archipelago always belonged to the monastery?

Lord Pankratiy: Before Soviet times - yes.

You head the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints, tell us how it works now. Have the stories of the new martyrs in the twentieth century been adequately studied? Will there be new canonizations of saints from a time distant from us? From close?

Lord Pankratiy: The basic principles of the work of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints remained the same as they were. We work with materials received from dioceses and make a decision based on the extent to which the materials under consideration correspond to the canonization criteria that existed in the Russian Orthodox Church and confirmed by the resolutions of the Councils of Bishops and the Holy Synods. This fully applies to the new martyrs. Naturally, after the release of a number of state laws and regulations regarding access to judicial investigative cases, and they are the main material for studying the confessional feat of the new martyrs, some difficulties arose, and often the materials sent to the Commission do not fully correspond to the recommendations adopted by the Holy Synod. However, it should be noted that over the past 15 years the Russian Orthodox Church glorified more than 1,500 new martyrs and confessors. The volume of materials related to them is so large that we are still making some clarifications.

The Russian Orthodox Church, like the Church in ancient times, does not set itself the task of rewriting everyone from the list of victims into the calendar. It is clear that some diocese or monastery has its own preferences, but now the people of God are faced rather with the task of mastering this enormous heritage - the confessional life and martyrdom of the new martyrs and confessors of Russia, glorified at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. As for our ancient ascetics, the nearest Council of Bishops will, for example, be asked to include in the calendar for general church veneration Venerable Dalmatus of Isetsky, who asceticised in Siberia in the 17th century.

I remember what a breakthrough the canonization in 1988 of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg, Saints Theophan the Recluse and Ignatius Brianchaninov, and Venerable Maxim the Greek seemed like.

Lord Pankratiy: This breakthrough can be explained simply: during the entire Soviet period, canonizations were practically prohibited. But now it cannot be said that there are significant personalities left in the Church who have always been revered, but for some reason were not canonized. Some names are mentioned, but some sound controversial, others have not been sufficiently studied or do not meet accepted criteria. So we cannot expect “breakthroughs” now.

I remember what a sensation the proposal to canonize Fyodor Dostoevsky was for the secular world. The Church gave an explanation: not everything in Dostoevsky’s life can be taken as a model.

Lord Pankratiy: A person is not born a saint. Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir, for example, essentially lived two different lives. One - before turning to Christ, and completely different - after. Therefore, if a person once smoked or played roulette, one should not think that he cannot be canonized. The outcome of his life is important. Saint righteous John Kronstadsky, for example, used to smoke cigars, on the advice of the doctors of that time. But he is revered by the Church, miracles are performed through prayers to him, and his life is impeccable from a Christian point of view.