Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov): Biography
To the name of Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) constantlythe attention of the political press of Russia is riveted. Some consider him to be almost a "gray cardinal" dictating his will to Vladimir Putin, others believe that the President of Russia has enough permanent communication with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, a wise-minded Orthodox confessor.
The history of the appearance of monasticism
Christian monasticism is acommunal life that begins with the moment when a person voluntarily renounces all worldly goods and begins to live according to certain statutes, where a vow of chastity, modesty and complete obedience are always observed.
The first Christian monk was St. Anthony the Great, who lived in Ancient Egypt in 356 BC. e. He was not a poor man, but he sold all his property and gave money to the poor. And then he settled near his home and began to lead a hermitic way of life, spending all the time in tireless prayer to God and reading the Holy Scripture. This served as an example for other hermits who began to settle in their cells near him. Over time, these kinds of communities began to appear practically throughout Mid and Northern Egypt.
The appearance of monasticism in Russia
In Russia, the appearance of monasteries is associated with 988the year, the time of the Baptism of Rus. The Spassky Monastery was founded by the Greek monks near Vyshgorod. Around the same time, the Monk Anthony brings monasticism to Ancient Rus and becomes the founder of the famous Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which later will become the center of all religious life in Russia. Now St.. Antony Pechersky is revered as "the head of all Russian churches."
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov). Biography. The path to monasticism
Before the adoption of monasticism, he was GregoryAleksandrovich Shevkunov. The future archimandrite was born in the family of physicians in Moscow in the summer of 1958. Being already an adult, he enrolled in the VGIK at the script-film science faculty, which he successfully graduated in 1982. After graduating from the institute, he becomes a novice of the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, where later on his fate was most decisively influenced by monastic asceticism and, of course, the most kind and holy confessor of the monastery, Archimandrite John (Krestyankin).
In 1986, Gregory begins his creativeway from work in the Department of Publishing of the Moscow Patriarchate, which was led by Metropolitan Pitirim (Nechaev). It was during these years that he worked on studying all historical facts and documents about the emergence of Christian Orthodoxy and the life of holy people. By the millennium of the Baptism of Rus, Gregory prepared a huge number of films of the religious and educational plan, where he himself acted both as an author and as a consultant. Thus, in the atheistic life of Soviet citizens, a new turn is gaining momentum, leading to the knowledge of the true canons of Christian Orthodoxy. And at the same time, the future archimandrite is busy re-publishing the Ancient Paterik and other patristic books.
Adoption of monasticism
In the summer of 1991, Grigory Shevkunov acceptedmonasticism in the Donskoy monastery of Moscow, where he was christened Tikhon. During his service in the monastery, he takes part in the discovery of the relics of St. Tikhon, who were buried in the Donskoy Cathedral in 1925. And soon becomes the rector of the monastery of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, located in the buildings of the ancient Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. It is worth noting one feature that Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) has: where he serves, there is always felt his true destiny and firmness of convictions.
The Life of Archimandrite
In 1995, the monk was consecrated as a hegumen, and in1998 - in the rank of archimandrite. A year later he became the rector of the Sretensky Higher Orthodox Monastery School, which was later transformed into a theological seminary. About the Sretensky Monastery, Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) always speaks with great love and gratitude.
Further along with the brotherhood from 1998 to 2001 herepeatedly visits the Chechen Republic, where he brings humanitarian aid. And also actively takes part in the reunification process of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) with the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCOR). From 2003 to 2006, Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) was a member of the commission for the preparation of a dialogue and an act on canonical treatment. Then he receives the post of secretary of the Patriarchal Council for Culture and becomes the head of the commission for interaction between the ROC and the museum community.
In 2011, Archimandrite Tikhon is already a member of the SupremeChurch Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund of St. Basil the Great, academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and a permanent member of the Izborsk Club.
Archimandrite has a number of church awards, in theirincluding the Order of Friendship for the preservation of spiritual and cultural values, handed to him in 2007. His creative work can be admired. And conversations with Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) are always very lively, interesting and understandable for any person.
The film "Monastery. Pskovo-Pechersk monastery »
It is impossible to ignore the amazing anda unique work of its kind, which is called "Monastery. Pskov-Pechersky monastery ". This film Grigory Shevkunov took in 1986 an amateur camera when he was not yet Archimandrite Tikhon, but was just a graduate of VGIK. After graduation, he went to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, where he spent 9 years of novitiate to the elder Ion (Krestyankin) and later took monastic vows.
The main theme of the film is dedicated to the Pskov-PecherskyMonastery, which is known to the Russian church in that it retained the eldership. This is the only monastery that has never been closed, even in Soviet times. Until the 1930s, he was in Estonia, so the Bolsheviks did not manage to ruin him, and then the war came. By the way, many of the elders and ministers of this monastery were at the front.
Many collected in his archive then still futureArchimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) photo and video materials of the monastic life of the brethren. In the film, he shows the most expensive and important places for the monk's heart, one of which is a special miracle created by God - caves in which 14 thousand people have been buried for the whole time of the monastery's existence. When you go into these caves, it's surprising that there is absolutely no smell of decay. As soon as a person dies, after three days this smell appears, but after the body is brought into caves, it disappears. Until now, no one can explain this phenomenon, even scientists. This is the spiritual peculiarity of the monastery walls.
Love for the Pskov-Pechersk Brotherhood
The story of the life of the elder Melchizedek,one of the most amazing associates of the monastery, about which tells Gregory Shevkunov. Looking at his eyes, you understand that this is a real ascetic, spiritual confessor and prayer book who was at war, then came to the monastery and worked as a turner. He made his own hands with analogy, kiots and crosses. But one day he had a stroke, and the doctor stated death. But John (Krestiankin), who was the spiritual father of the whole of the brethren and who was also very much written in his stories by Archimandrite Tikhon, began to pray for Melkhisidek's father, and a miracle happened. After a while, the old man revived and cried. After this, he took the rank of tonsure in the schema and began to pray more intensely to God.
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) later recalled thatonce he asked the elder Melchizedek about what he saw when he was dead. He said that he was in a meadow near the moat, in which was everything he did with his own hands - it was kyvoty, analogy and crosses. And then he felt that behind him was the Mother of God, who said to him: "We waited for you to pray and repent, and that's what you brought to us." After this, the Lord again brought him back to life.
In his painting, the future Archimandrite Tikhon(Shevkunov) shows a remarkable old man Theophanes, who was also at war and lost his hand there. He told that he always carried out orders of his commander, but he did not have to kill people, thank God. He has many awards and medals. Now he is mildness, charisma and love.
This kind of stories in the monastery can not be counted. When you look at the modest way of life and the constant work of the monks, everything seems very gloomy and unhappy, but it amazes their kind attitude and concern for every person, sick or healthy, young or old. After the film, there is a very warm and bright feeling of peace and tranquility.
The book "Unholy Saints"
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) "Unholy Saints"dedicated great ascetics, with whom he had to live and communicate in monasteries. With what love and care he writes about all, openly, without lies and without embellishments, with humor and kindness ... Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) especially mentally describes his mentor Jonah. "Unholy Saints" contain a story about how a huge number of parishioners addressed the spiritual father for the healing of the soul and body, and for all he always found words of reassurance, inspired hopes for everyone, many prayed for protection, and warned of danger about some. In the Soviet years, he spent many years in prison and exile, but nothing could break his faith and the joy of life on Earth.
The film "The death of the empire. Byzantine lesson »
Documentary film "The Fall of the Empire" Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) dedicated 555th anniversary of the fall of Byzantium and Constantinople.
This is not just a story of the medieval Byzantineempire, there is an absolutely clear parallel to the problems of Byzantium and modern Russia. Empires can be different, and problems are often the same. What could destroy such a powerful and culturally developed Byzantium? As it turned out, the main global problem was the frequent change of political orientations, the lack of continuity and stability of state power. Frequently changing emperors began to conduct their new policies, which often exhausted the people and weakened the country's economy. In the film, the author describes this simply brilliantly, and in this talent one must give him his due. On this occasion, there are quite interesting sermons by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), which he reads before the young seminarians and parishioners.
About Putin
Whatever it was, but today, according toArchimandrite Tikhon, Russia is experiencing a new rebirth, it may even die, it is possible to create a powerful and prosperous empire, first of all, an empire of spirit and patriotism.
On the one hand, it is constantly threatened by Islamic terrorism, on the other - someone with all the forces tries to impose to it and the whole world total American hegemony with their own laws.
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) about Putin says this: "Anyone who truly loves Russia can only pray to Vladimir Vladimirovich, God's providence put at the head of Russia ..."
</ p>
