Here is a selection of articles devoted to the so-called “Mikhailovsky Monastery” or the community of “Elder Alexy” in the village of Pobeda, Penza region. Members of the community sometimes declare themselves the “True Orthodox Church,” sometimes the “Catacomb Church.” In most cases, pilgrims are presented with the monastery as a subject of the Penza diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, while the names of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the ruling bishop of the Penza diocese are raised during the service. The community has no real canonical communication with the Russian Orthodox Church.

In the village of Pobeda, which is now part of the city of Penza, there is the so-called “Mikhailovskaya Monastery” or the community of “Elder Alexy”. It is located next to the current Church of the Assumption Mother of God Penza diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The community has a newly built church in honor of the Archangel Michael, as well as living quarters in which community members - men and women - live. The church is served by a number of clergy who are not members of the clergy of the Penza diocese; there is no exact information about the canonical affiliation of this community; members of the community carefully hide this, sometimes declaring themselves the “True Orthodox Church”, sometimes “catacomb”. In most cases, pilgrims are presented with the monastery as a subject of the Penza diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, while the names of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the ruling bishop of the Penza diocese are raised during the service. The community has no real canonical communication with the Russian Orthodox Church.
To the question: “Who blessed the construction of the temple, who consecrated the temple, where does the antimension come from, who ordained the clergy serving in the community’s temple?” the inhabitants of the monastery do not give an answer, and representatives of the diocese are not allowed into the altar of the temple. At the center of the spiritual life of the “St. Michael’s Monastery” is the veneration of the personality of “Schigumen Alexy,” who died on January 8, 2005.
About this “elder,” who, like the members of the community, was not a member of the clergy of the Penza diocese, 6 books have now been published, some of which have already been published. One of the authors of the books is priest Gennady Emelyanov, who previously, with the blessing of “Elder Alexy,” was the distributor of the cult of the “Chebarkul youth Vyacheslav.”
The first book - “The Road to the Elder” - was published during the life of “Scheme-Abbot Alexy”, and was falsely signed with the blessing of Bishop Nikon of Lipetsk and Yeletsky.
The books “Come to me, all you who labor…”, “According to your faith, may it be done to you” are also falsely signed with the blessing of Archbishop Philaret of Penza and Kuznetsk.
Several books on “old age blessing” have been published. All this allowed the community to distribute books in large quantities in almost all parts of the world. Russian Federation, and neighboring countries.
As follows from the biography, very chaotically presented in books about the “elder” - “Schigumen Alexy” - in the world Mikhail Ivanovich Shumilin was born on November 10, 1930 in the village. Lomovka, Luninsky district, Penza region.
Mikhail was born with a severe physical disability, and throughout his life he was unable to use his arms and legs, and was practically unable to speak clearly. He moved on wheelchair with the help of other people. (It is quite obvious that, being in such a state, Mikhail, of course, had no opportunity to be ordained to the priesthood, which was later attributed to him. Books about him are replete with photographs where “Schiema-Abbot Alexy” appears in a wheelchair in priestly vestments with an abbot’s staff in hand.)
At the age of 22, the future “elder” was transported to Penza, where, having no permanent place residence, lived in the apartments of believers who paid attention to him, and some even then began to consider him a visionary. Later, his mother, Anna, came to see her son and became his main “translator,” since Mikhail’s speech was extremely illegible.
In 1982, under unclear circumstances, she accepted the schema with the name Angelina. After the death of his mother, a certain Zinaida, later the nun Zinovia, becomes the elder’s “translator.”
For a long time the community was silent about the circumstances of the tonsure and consecration of the “elder” himself, only in 2007 in the book “According to your faith be it done to you...” the first information on this topic appears. According to this version, Mikhail received the blessing for tonsure from the Monk Amphilochius of Pochaev in the early 60s. The rite of tonsure, as well as, apparently, consecration to the priesthood according to Gennady Emelyanov, was performed by Archbishop Zinovy ​​(Mazhuga) of Tetritskaro in the Preobrazhenskaya Hermitage of Riga in the presence of the ruling bishop - Metropolitan of Riga and Latvia Leonid (Polyakov), the successor of the "elder" - archimandrite Tavrion (Batozsky), and the famous elder Archimandrite Seraphim (Tyapochkon). Thus, “Elder Alexy” receives the spiritual succession of the Glinsky elders.
According to the version of the same book, he was tonsured into the schema in 1992 with the blessing of the late Archbishop of Penza and Kuznetsk Seraphim by Archimandrite Basilid of the Pochaev Lavra. It is known for certain that Archbishop Seraphim never gave such a blessing, and also categorically did not bless the construction of St. Michael’s Church and the monastery attached to it.
During the Soviet years, the community was underground due to the authorities' persecution of wandering monks and illegal communities. With the advent of the 90s of the XX century. the personality of “Mishenka” gains great popularity, at this time he and members of the community that had already formed around him visit Orthodox churches, partake of the Holy Mysteries with a secular name, at the same time conducting his secret “priestly sermon”, and in the late 90s they are already building their temple and creating a self-made “abode”. IN recent years members of the community completely separated themselves from the canonical Church, leaving only the appearance of communication with it.

The “elder” died already as “schema-abbot Alexy” on January 8, 2005.
Books about the “elder” are collections of memories of him from various people who ever communicated with him and received any help. These memories are sometimes interrupted by comments from the author, who gives the desired direction to the reader’s thoughts. As a result, ideas are often formed that contradict the teaching Orthodox Church. In the teachings of “Elder Alexy” the following points can be highlighted:
– the doctrine of the Taxpayer Identification Number as the seal of the Antichrist
- the doctrine that salvation is impossible without an elder
– the idea that miracles are an indicator of the truth of the “elder”, in contrast to the canonical Church, whose clergy, being legally appointed, cannot perform such miracles
– a ban on commemorating the “elder” at his repose, since he is clearly a saint.

In the book “The Road to the Elder” there is an episode that tells how the “elder” turned the demon living in a possessed woman to repentance, and he became an angel.
In the book “According to your faith may it be unto you...” at the end there is an akathist “To our Reverend Father Schema-Hegumen Alexy, Elder of Penza,” written in verse. The books contain small laminated photographs with the image of the “elder” and the troparion and kontakion on the reverse side.
In general, the cult of “Elder Alexy” is a movement of sectarian and schismatic spirit, operating under the guise of the canonical Church. The “elder” community operates under an unknown jurisdiction, does not have state registration, and members of the community have been accused of fraud.

Trouble of Victory
We were invited to visit the small village of Pobeda near Penza - an ordinary rural parish with one and a half hundred households - as a unique spiritual center, which has no equal in today's Russia. “An old man lived there,” “a great ascetic is buried there,” “there are constant healings there,” Penza church acquaintances tell us in a half-whisper. And then they diplomatically avoid specifics. Go and you will see.
In the fence of the Assumption Church, the only Orthodox church in Pobeda, there is a gazebo with a tombstone and a huge cross. A considerable number of admirers come to visit the man who is buried here, calling him “Scheme-Abbot Alexy”, “Elder Alexy of Penza”. To say that his “schema-abbot” raises, to put it mildly, great doubts both among the official church authorities and Orthodox clergy is not enough. Mikhail Ivanovich Shumilin (that was the name of the “elder” according to his passport) was a severely disabled child. Confined to a wheelchair, pronouncing words with great difficulty, he simply could not be ordained to the priesthood - ordaining people with severe physical ailments as priests is strictly prohibited according to church canons.
A whole series of memoirs of spiritual children has already been published about the “great ascetic of the land of Penza”. They are designed (judging by the capital phone numbers of distributors given at the end) not only for the Penza reader. Two books were published allegedly with the blessing of Archbishop Philaret of Penza and Kuznetsk (representatives of the diocese have repeatedly denied the fact of such a blessing in the media); on the later “folio,” without further ado, it is written “with the blessing of an old man.” As it later becomes clear from the text, memoirs about the life of Elder Alexy were written (contrary to unshakable church practice) even before his death and exclusively with his blessing...
In the laudatory words of spiritual children and followers, from the numerous stories about miracles given in books, it is almost impossible to understand what kind of person the “elder” was and what he taught. However, even from those small fragments of the book “Come to Me, All You Who Work”, which can be considered “instructions”, an impressive picture emerges.
“Look at me. Catch my every word and every letter.” “After me there will be many more clergy. They will wear gilded hats on their heads (the priest called miters that way), they will have honor and respect, and there will be no one like me on earth. None of you even guess or know who I am or what I really am, it’s hidden from everyone.”
“Sche-abbot Alexy” also prophesied about future times.
“Father told many how they would be tortured.
He said to Tyumen Natasha:
- They will cut you. Will you bear it? Do you know what you're getting into?
Lilke said that they would cut out her tongue.
“Father said about me that they would gouge out my eyes...”
And he told many others how they would suffer.
It is hardly worth talking in detail about the fact that such things do not fit not only into the senile, but also simply into the healthy Christian image. But the elements of a lifetime cult are evident.
In the memoirs, the “nuances” of venerating the spiritual father are given with special tenderness. For example, a story about one happy woman who was honored to wash herself with the water left over from washing her father’s linen.
Or an even more “nostalgic” detail:
“All of Father’s things were sanctified because he wore or touched them. Often the priest gave away his hairs, which remained on the cassock after washing:
“Take care of them, they can always be useful to you.”
This is, God forgive me, old man Hottabych.
By the same “old man’s blessing” the mysterious St. Michael’s Monastery was founded in Pobeda. From the Assumption Church it is literally across the path. A large private yard, fenced with an impressive brick fence with a gate with a combination lock. From the street you can see the dome of the bell tower with an Orthodox cross.
In addition to two dozen cars, there are three pilgrim buses near the gate, as well as two gazelles - with Saratov and Volgograd license plates. The prayer house is crowded. The external course of the service does not differ from the usual, canonical one. However, a guest unfamiliar with local customs does not feel very comfortable here. When entering the temple, you need to leave your bags, check your watch (the monastery has its own, “non-transferable” time) and hide your cell phone as far as possible.
There is no end to the line for confession. It becomes clear that the liturgy here will end only after noon.
“I already confessed today, at the grave,” one granny whispers somewhere nearby.
“What, can we not stand here, but go straight to the old man?” – we ask one of the “mothers”.
“Yes, but he needs a general confession,” she says, looking critically at the “newcomers.”
We were recommended to write down the sins committed throughout our lives (this is what is called general confession) and read them at the old man’s tombstone. Then come with the notebook to the abbot, but only for a prayer of permission.
The question of how a non-living person can accept penitents froze in mid-sentence. After all, the “old man” cannot die...

The “Mikhailovites” are no less interested in the rite of blessing of water. It is poured into plastic bottles and placed around the grave: “it will sit for just a little while and you can drink it...”. Vegetable oil, scarves, rosaries, children's caps are consecrated here without any prayer, just from contact with the “priest’s power.”
The word “monastery” is used here as a kind of reassuring term, emphasizing “Orthodoxy” and at the same time completely vague. What it really is - a monastery, a monastery, a private farm - even those who come to “live and work” for the third or fourth time will not explain to you. People flock here from different corners Russia. Vladikavkaz, Krasnodar region, Moscow, Vladimir, Tula region... Elegant secular coats coexist with quilted jackets and frowning scarves. Theoretically, anyone, even a stranger and non-church person, can come to the monastery for obedience. However, you gradually become convinced - random people there is practically none here.
“We came as a group, ten of us,” several women from North Ossetia. – We get together ourselves, in church people give each other advice.
– So such informal groups are formed constantly?
– Yes, we have those who are here for the sixth time.
People who come to Pobeda for “gracious communication” with the deceased elder continue to consider themselves Orthodox and go to an Orthodox church at home. And here they are “healed from sorrows” - in particular, through “sand from the grave”, which is applied to sore spots, and “healing” water from the well of the monastery. The fact that parish priests view such trips, to put it mildly, with chagrin, is perceived as an unfortunate misunderstanding, a misunderstanding on the part of the church authorities.
“Yes, they don’t bless me, many people here have this situation,” complains one of the pilgrims. “At my last confession, the priest asked me: what prayers did I read the day before, specifically?” She said that the akathist to the elder did not allow him to receive Communion!
“And you answer that you read the rule for Communion, and that’s all,” they immediately prompt her from the side. - They may demand this from you. And akathists are a personal matter.
The “canonicity” of St. Michael’s Church is not a subject for discussion here. Few people care about her formal affiliation.
“We do not belong to the diocese, we belong to the elder,” explains the nun caring for the grave. – The Assumption Church in Pobeda was also built with his blessing, but it was taken from us, and the monastery is ours and only the priest’s.
– What about legally?
– These are private houses, and people live in them.

In the official comment of the head of the department domestic policy By the government of the Penza region Alexander Elatontsev (which appeared in connection with the hype around the famous Penza recluses and disseminated in the local media), the inhabitants who settled in Pobeda were called an “unregistered religious group.” The “Mikhailovsky” priests, hieromonks Raphael and Gabriel, also belong to some unknown diocese. They categorically do not communicate with the press: “Journalists won’t write anything good about us anyway.”

There is also a service in the Assumption Church on Sunday. About twenty people are standing on it very quietly. We turn to the young clergyman, Father Alexander:
- Father, would you bless me to visit the monastery across the road?
“I don’t communicate with them, for various reasons,” the priest answers softly. “And I can’t bless anyone for this.”
- But do you honor the elder in the parish?
“We honor him as a Christian.” Sometimes lithiums are served.
“But from there, in the fence, they constantly come to you.” Why can't we go to them?
– There are legitimate temples, and pray in them. Although, of course, you are free people and can go anywhere...
The last thing we saw in this strange place – religious procession. “Mikhailovites” go to the grave every day, in any bad weather, “to see their father.” The crowd leaving the monastery enthusiastically and singing pours into the fence of the Dormition Church, which is alien to it - only to then leave without crossing its threshold. The victorious Easter song “Christ is risen from the dead” sounds, but there is no joy in the soul. Because this is not Victory. There is trouble here.

Elena Timakova, Anna Perevozchikova
Newspaper “Orthodox Faith” No. 11 (391) for 2009

“How to distinguish real highly spiritual ascetics from false elders? At one time, Blessed Matrona of Moscow was an old woman, a disabled person, a “grandmother” to whom people came from all over Russia. And why now can’t this happen in the case of Elder Alexy of Penza and others? By what criteria should we define holiness?
Answered by Hegumen Nektary (Morozov), rector of the temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows” in the city of Saratov
For the salvation of all people who seek salvation, the Lord founded His Church on earth, which, according to the expression of the Apostle Paul, is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). And many things that are incomprehensible “theoretically” become completely clear when you live in the Church, being its cell, quickened by the same Spirit by which everything is created in it, whose vessels and temples were those saints whom we venerate today. We have the Holy Scriptures, which are the most perfect source of knowledge of the truth about God, man and spiritual life. There is a huge patristic heritage - the creations of ascetics who left us their precious experience for edification and guidance to salvation. And a person who knows the real well will certainly recognize the false. Trying to live according to the Gospel, reading the Holy Fathers and perceiving their “science of the ascent of the mountain”, being in obedience to the Church and its canons, a Christian will most often be able to distinguish a true ascetic from one who has fallen into delusion or, in the words of one church writer, from an “actor of virtue” .
In the story about Fr. Alexy Penza has too many facts that do not directly correspond to the truth; there is nothing in his “instructions” that would make them similar to the patristic instructions.
To a question posed to a representative of the Penza diocesan administration, we received the answer that “there was no such cleric in the diocese” (in other words, there was such a person, but he was not a clergyman). Therefore, we can directly say that we're talking about about some ill-intentioned mythologization of a sick and unhappy person. Most likely, he did not even understand what his “admirers” were doing to him and from him.
Unfortunately, the same thing can be seen in the situation with some other similar “ascetics,” both deceased and living. What is the explanation for this? On the one hand, the fact is that the Russian people even today, to paraphrase a well-known thought, although they are baptized, are not churched. On the other hand, almost every such “cult” is commercial in nature and brings material benefits to its creators.

Why did they torture him so much...
Quackery is always a terrible thing: you hope for healing, but in the end the disease worsens. But it is especially scary to encounter spiritual quackery: here it is not the body that suffers harm, but the immortal soul...
We have already addressed the “book” topic more than once on the pages of “Orthodox Faith”. Our newspaper tries to keep its readers up to date with the most interesting new products in Orthodox book publishing and publishes reviews of recently published books. But a few days ago, two religious women contacted the information and publishing department of the diocese about a “new product” of a completely different kind. The content of the book they read made them doubt: will it really bring benefit to those who take it into their hands?
“According to your faith, may it be done to you...” (Matthew 9:29) - such evangelical words are the title of the biography, as stated in it, of the “Penza elder schema-abbot Alexy (Shumilin),” published in St. Petersburg in 2006. The very cover itself, which depicts an elderly monk in a wheelchair, raises the question. The expression on his face is confusing, because when looking at him it is difficult to get rid of the thought that this man’s ill health is not only physical, but also mental. However, in such cases one cannot trust the first feeling, since appearances are sometimes very deceptive. Naturally, there was a desire to get to know the book better, especially since we had never heard of such an ascetic as Schema-Hegumen Alexy (Shumilin) ​​(this is especially surprising, considering that he died quite recently, on January 8, 2005, and lived like this not far from us, in a neighboring diocese).
And this is the feeling that I couldn’t get rid of when reading this biography: the book is about nothing. Endless pouring from empty to empty, abstract reasoning - and practically no facts. And those facts that are nevertheless presented are striking with some kind of internal illogicality, inconsistency with each other.
It is obvious that Mikhail Ivanovich Shumilin, born in 1930, was a disabled person from childhood: “He was born with a serious physical illness: completely sick, he could neither walk nor take care of himself at all. He was the eldest, but he, helpless and weak, had to be spoon-fed, watered, washed...”
And this is the first thing that leads to an inevitable “conflict of perception”: wait, but how, and by whom, was he tonsured a monk and ordained to the priesthood? After all, he would not have been able to perform priestly service, or even serve, even walk around the throne at consecration.
All the more amazing and incredible is the story about who performed the consecration. According to the authors, Mikhail (Shumilin) ​​was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Zinovy ​​(Mazhuga) of Tetritskaro. And also present were Metropolitan Leonid (Polyakov) of Riga and Latvia, Archimandrite Tavrion (Batozsky) and Archimandrite Seraphim (Tyapochkin). It is worthy of attention that Bishop Zinovy ​​lived in Tbilisi, Metropolitan Leonid and Father Tavrion lived in Riga, Archimandrite Seraphim lived in Belgorod. Where and why they came together for the ordination of God's servant Michael is completely unclear.
It is even more incomprehensible how Metropolitan Zinovy, a former Glinsky monk, a bishop accustomed to sacredly honoring church canons, could ordain a person whose ordination according to church canons due to his inability to perform sacred functions was absolutely impossible.
What finally confuses everything is the story of how the ordination took place in practice, since from the description it becomes clear that it was not an ordination, but a monastic tonsure.
What follows is a story about the life of Fr. Mikhail and about his spiritual and then senile activities. The story, however, is extremely vague. Where did Fr. serve (and did he serve at all)? Mikhail, it’s almost impossible to understand from him. Which, again, is very strange: after all, a priest is always ordained not “just like that,” but to a specific temple or monastery.
It also talks about the prayerful exploits of Fr. Michael, but what they were, what they consisted of, is again unknown. When it comes to the inherent practice of spiritual nurturing, stories about miracles that are not entirely clear from a spiritual point of view and about cases of witchcraft and opposition to evil spirits prevail.
The photographic material widely presented in the book is also puzzling. For example: a photograph of a large red cow, thoughtfully looking into the lens, and the caption under it: “The elder’s prayerful help saved the nursing cow more than once.” Or a photo of Fr. himself. Mikhail (more precisely, Alexy - in the schema), whose face is distorted by a grimace or a smile, a nun leaning on his hand and another signature: “It is impossible to compare the blessing received from the elder with anything.”
As an appendix to the biography, “Akathist to our venerable schema-abbot Alexy, Elder of Penza” was given. This is a kind of “apotheosis” of the absurdity and absurdity that characterizes the book as a whole. First of all, the publishers explain that “usually an akathist is compiled for saints before church canonization.” And then comes the akathist himself, individual stanzas of which, with their simple rhymes reminiscent of ditties, I would like to quote. For example:
“Rejoice, friend of the Trinity, do not let us rest in sin.”
Or:
“Rejoice, mighty in battle, who quickens us with prayer.”
More:
“Rejoice, great schema-monk, a lamp for us in the darkness of doubt.”
And a few more:
“Rejoice, schema-abbot, shame on the bookish wise men.” “Rejoice, kind heart, unlike anyone else in the world.” “Rejoice, God’s worker, who is very necessary for our salvation.”

If we summarize the impressions of the book we read, we can say this: it reeks of some kind of terrible spiritual illness; moreover, it is all imbued with not only a charming, but also a sectarian spirit in the full sense of the word.
Naturally, since the book bears the blessing of the ruling Bishop of the Penza diocese, Archbishop Philaret of Penza and Kuznetsk, employees of the information and publishing department of the Saratov diocesan administration turned to the diocesan administration in Penza for clarification. There the following answer was received: Vladyka Philaret did not give his blessing for the publication of this book. And moreover, there are no documents for such a cleric as Schema-Abbot Alexy (Shumilin) ​​in the Penza diocese.
Meanwhile, the book we are talking about is only one of five that have already been published in this “series”. And these publications are actively distributed not only in the Penza, but, in particular, in the Saratov diocese. Serious “propaganda” (there is no other way to say it) work is underway. Funds are collected for a “chapel at the elder’s grave,” for a “monastery,” and for other, perhaps less specific, purposes. And people who had encountered the pressure of admirers of “Elder Alexy” and were embarrassed and discouraged by this pressure had already called and contacted the diocesan administration. And someone has already managed to donate money and is now mourning the fact that they could have spent it more usefully, however, there is no turning back.
Who was “Father Alexy”? It's hard to say. The only feeling that arises towards him after reading his biography is acute pity.
One priest, looking through the photographs published in the book, saw a photograph in which the “elder” was lying, literally strapped with seat belts to the back seat of a Gazelle. And he could only say one thing: “Why did they torture him so much, poor thing!..”. It really is cruel. But here we can’t do anything.
Another is no less cruel: for people seeking spiritual food to place a “stone” in the form of such a biography, “miracles” and an akathist into an outstretched hand. That is why we warn all potential readers of this book: “According to your faith it will be done for you.” Therefore, do not believe lies, believe only the truth.

Hegumen Nektary (Morozov)
According to your faith, so be it unto you. St. Petersburg, 2006. P. 21.

Penza law enforcement agencies became interested in another sect - the St. Michael's Monastery in the village of Pobeda. The religious group has existed for several years, but recently elderly fraudsters were discovered among the parishioners of the monastery. Pensioners, hiding behind a “holy cause,” robbed an old woman. The case of the St. Michael's Monastery promises to be a continuation of the history of Bekov's sectarians led by Pyotr Kuznetsov.

Another religious group that settled on the outskirts of Penza attracted the attention of local law enforcement agencies. St. Michael's Monastery, which appeared in the village of Pobeda near Penza a few years ago, still existed quite quietly and was famous mainly among people of deep faith. It is led by 52-year-old Alexander Zhukov, who calls himself Father Rafail. The members of the monastery call themselves “followers of Elder Alexy.” Alexy at one time worked on the construction of a temple in the village, for which he was later buried on the territory Orthodox parish. The fame of the pious old man attracted believers to him. Then Alexy's followers elevated him to the rank of hieromonk and canonized him for themselves. His house and neighboring plots of land were bought by members of the community, where they established their monastery.
The community quickly became popular, especially among residents of Moscow and other big cities - St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd.
Very wealthy people holding high positions in various fields of activity come here to spend their holidays and perform obedience. However, as recent events have shown, swindlers of various stripes also find refuge in the monastery. Recently, two women were detained in Penza for stealing 60 thousand rubles from a 78-year-old woman. As it later turned out, both were parishioners of the St. Michael’s Monastery. According to senior investigator of the Oktyabrsky Department of Internal Affairs of Penza, Vladimir Klishin, the women, wearing clothes similar to monastic ones, persuaded the grandmother to give them her savings to remove the damage from them, then replaced the bag of money with napkins and bandages and disappeared. Based on their location, they were detained in one of the banks in Penza, where the “nuns” transferred money to Germany for weight loss drugs.
Both women came to St. Michael’s Convent from other regions, both are pensioners, one of them once taught martial arts to special forces soldiers. The eldest of the women had been involved in extortion before - in other cities.
The detainees were charged under Part 2 of Art. 156 (fraud), and law enforcement agencies became seriously interested in St. Michael’s Monastery. According to a source from the Interfax agency, law enforcement agencies Penza, in the monastery, hidden behind a fence and with security, there are constantly about 20 people. “These are mostly women 45-50 years old, both residents of the Penza region and visitors from other regions,” the agency’s interlocutor said. According to the agency's source, members of the sect reject the official church. “Among those who have taken refuge in the monastery there are people who oppose the INN, bar codes, and support Bishop Diomede. According to some reports, he visited the monastery before the organization of the underground retreat. former leader“Penza sectarians” Pyotr Kuznetsov, who came here in search of like-minded people,” said the agency’s source.
“According to the teachings of Elder Alexy, a global war is coming, marking the end of the world. In this war, everyone will die, except those who will stay in the St. Michael’s Monastery,” said the agency’s interlocutor.
The Penza diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church told Interfax that the activities of the sect are of great concern to the official church. “Our clergy tried to make contact with members of this religious group, but were rudely expelled,” said a representative of the diocesan administration. He also noted that the books written by the inhabitants of the St. Michael’s Monastery about Elder Alexy and the miracles he performed do not correspond to the basics Orthodox faith and mislead the believers. At the same time, these books, published in Moscow, are actively distributed throughout the dioceses.
It is still unknown what the local authorities plan to do in relation to the St. Michael’s Monastery.
In the meantime, the trial of the leader of Bekov’s sectarians, Pyotr Kuznetsov, continues in the Penza region. The main person involved in the case has been in the regional psychiatric hospital named after Evgrafov all this time. He attended the trial only once. Moreover, at the insistence of the attending doctors, the meeting was held in the hospital building. During the trial, relatives and closest associates of Kuznetsov have already been interrogated, but nothing has been reported about the details of the case. It is only known that witnesses from among the former underground inmates flatly refuse to appear in court. Some of them, for example, the Nedogon family, the most influential followers of Kuznetsov, had to be led to the meeting in handcuffs. They told investigators they wanted to be left alone.
Kuznetsov himself, after long-term treatment, significantly softened his attitude on many issues related to public relations. So, before he claimed that the Russian passport contains the number of the devil and called on everyone to burn documents. Now Kuznetsov accepted the passport from the hands of the employees of the Bekovsky Federal Migration Service and was very pleased with it. According to eyewitnesses, upon receiving the newly issued document, he said that he had never burned his passport. Just traveling around Belarus, I dropped the document in the mud and did not restore it afterwards.
The former sectarian leader was very tired from the shocks he suffered. In addition, he had not fully recovered from the trauma he inflicted on himself when he tried to commit suicide in April of this year. All the former community leader dreams of now is to return home to his family. The vicissitudes of the trial do not bother him.

Lydia Verkhovina (Penza), Semyon Stolyarov.
© "Gazeta.Ru", 07.29.08.

Another sect has settled on the outskirts of Penza, waiting for the end of the world.
It seems that the Penza region has become a fertile land for the spread of near-religious teachings of various kinds. The other day the head gardening partnership contacted the police with a message that another religious group had settled on the outskirts of Penza and was waiting for the “end of the world.” The police immediately went to check the indicated place.
It turned out that the gardeners, against the backdrop of the general hype around the Penza recluses, did not imagine the new sect. On the outskirts of the city, law enforcement officers discovered a certain “St. Michael’s Monastery”, which is hidden from prying eyes high fence. Getting there is not so easy - there are guards posted at the gates of the monastery. About 20 people live behind the fence - mostly women 45-50 years old. Some of them are residents of the Penza region, and some came from other regions. The sectarians are led by Alexander Zhukov, 52 years old, who calls himself Father Rafail.
According to Interfax, sectarians reject the official church. They call themselves followers of “Elder Alexy”, oppose tax identification numbers, bar codes, and also support the rebellious Bishop Diomede, who recently had a strong quarrel with the official church.
According to some reports, this monastery was previously visited by the former leader of the Penza Hermits, Pyotr Kuznetsov. They say that he came to the Mikhailovtsy for recruiting purposes - he was looking for like-minded people. Law enforcement officers learned that the inhabitants of this settlement worshiped Elder Alexy, who was buried nearby on the territory of an Orthodox parish.
Sectarians have already written several books about this elder and the miracles he performed, but the official church refused to recognize them. The hermits are confident that very soon a global war will break out on earth, signaling the end of the world. In this war, all earthly inhabitants will die, except those who are in the St. Michael’s Monastery.
Note that everything that happens in lately in the Penza region the Russian Orthodox Church is of great concern. And the new sect is no exception. Read also on our website materials about Penza hermits.

AKATHIST

ELDER SCHEIGUMEN ALEXIY PENZASKY

KONDAC 1 CHOSEN OF THE LORD, THE BLESSED ALEXIE, WE ARE PROTECTED BY YOUR INTERCESSION AND REPRESENTATION, NOW CELEBRATING YOUR ALL-HONORABLE MEMORY, WE PRAY YOU DEFINITELY: GUIDE US ON THE PATH OF SALVATION, DELIVER US FROM ALL TROUBLES AND THE MOUTH, WITH LOVE CALLING TY: REJOICE, OUR VERY FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESSOR THE LAST CHRISTIANS. IKOS 1 THE EARTHLY ANGEL AND THE HEAVENLY MAN APPEARED, O REVEREND ALEXIE, WHO HAVE SPENT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE IN SUFFERING, AND HAVE REACHED PARADISE WITH THE Blessed One, WHERE NOW REJOINING THE HEARS OF US, ON THE EARTH SINGING THIS: CHOSEN BY GOD FROM INFINITY. REJOICE, O LOVELY ANGEL OF YOUR COUNTER. REJOICE, GLORIOUS DECORATION FOR THE CITY OF PENZA. REJOICE, MOTHER OF GOD, FAITHFUL AND BELOVED CHILDREN. REJOICE, THOSE WHO SUFFERED MUCH ON THE EARTH. Rejoice, like a meek lamb, all patient. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BETRAYED ALL YOURSELF TO GOD. REJOICE, YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONSOLIATION WITH THE BRIDE. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS. KONDAC 2 HAVING YOUR PARENTS HAVE SEEN AND KNOWED THE GRACE OF GOD FOR YOU, O BLESSED ONE, I REJOICE IN THE HOLY JOY AND OF CHRIST FOR THIS, GLORYING GOD: ALLELUIAH. ICOS 2 FILLED WITH DIVINE REASON, HAVING NO THEOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE, CALLED BY GOD TO PREACH CHRIST, FROM THE WEIGHT OF BREAKING TO THE CITY OF PENZA, GLORIFYING THE GLORIFIED THY, WE AMAZING AT THIS ONE OF GOD TO PROVIDENCE WE CRY TO THEE: REJOICE, O GOOD MOTHER, THY GOOD MOTHER IS A CONTRACTION AND CONSOLIATION. REJOICE, Thou who art worthy of indescribable gifts. REJOICE, AUTHOR OF THE TRUE ORTHODOX FAITH. REJOICE, FRAGMENT OF CHRIST. REJOICE, PILLAR OF FIRE, Amidst the darkness of godlessness, SHOWING THE WAY OF SALVATION. REJOICE, HEAVENLY INTERCESS FOR THE CITY OF PENZA. REJOICE, Thou who delightest the hearts of men who come to thee. REJOICE, TEACHER OF PGODNESS. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS. KONDAC 3 BY THE POWER OF ABOVE IMMEASURE SORRY AND ILLNESS, HAVING SUFFERED THE WHOLE DEVOTION TO THE ALL-HOLY WILL OF GOD, THE LIVING IMAGE OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS APPEARED TO HIS, FATHER ALEXIE. O GREAT LONG-SuffERING OF THE GREAT SUFFERER! WE CRY TO GOD: ALLELUIAH. ICOS 3 HAVING THEE IS SIMPLE, AS I HAVE NOT KNOWN THE BOOK, BORN OF HUMAN WISDOM, YOU HAVE SHAMED THE WISE OF THIS AGE. HAVING THE SCIENTIFIC WISE CONVICTED INTEGRATINGLY, HIS INDUSTRIED ON THE TRUE PATH. WE GLORIFY GOD, WONDERFUL IN HIS SAINTS, WE CRY: REJOICE, O FULL OF THE WISDOM OF GOD. REJOICE HER, NO ONE CAN RESIST THE MAN. REJOICE, FOR YOU HAVE SHAMED THOSE WHO THOUGHT TO BE WISE. REJOICE, TRUE LIGHT, ENLIGHTENING AND ILLUMINATING EVERYONE. REJOICE, YOU HAVE BEEN SHAMED BY YOUR IMPACT OF THE POWERS OF THIS WORLD. REJOICE, HUMBLE GOD-WISE SUFFERER. REJOICE, YOU HAVE NEVER given yourself over to dejection in your hardest troubles. REJOICE, FOR I HATE YOU AND FOOL PEOPLE RISE AGAINST YOU. REJOICE, TEACHER OF CHRIST'S FORGIVENESS. REJOICE, FOR IN PATIENCE AND HARD SUFFERING YOU HAVE RELIED UPON THE LONG-SUFFERING JOB. REJOICE, OUR REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESS OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS. KONDAC 4 FOR THE MANIFEST TROUBLES AND TEMPTATIONS OF THE FAITH, FOR THE SAKE OF THE ORTHODOX AND A PURE LIFE, YOU HAVE ENDURED AND ONLY SEEKING HOW TO PLEASE GOD, ESTABLISHED A HOUSE BY THE COMMAND OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, IN IT, FROM THE FACES OF THE NONATIVES, YOU CRIED TO GOD: HALLELUIAH. ICOS 4 SEEING THE MOTHER OF GOD, LIKE A STAR SHINING UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE AND ILLUMINATING THE PATH OF OUR EARTHLY LIFE WITH HEAVENLY SHINES, WE GLORIZE THE WORKS AND PRAYERS OF THY GLORIOUS OLD ONE, WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE CONSTRUCTING OF THIS monastery, AND GRATEFULLY IEM: HAIL, NEW NOAH, THE LAST CHRISTIAN BUILDER OF THE ARK OF SALVATION. REjoice, and to us a quiet haven of salvation has been shown. REJOICE, O HOLY TEMPLES CREATED IN THE MONSTER. Rejoice, you who have endured dishonor, slander, and reproach for this without murmuring. REJOICE, YOU HAVE LOVED THE HOUSE OF GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. REJOICE, O MONAS OF GREAT BEAUTY. REJOICE, GOOD SHEPHERD, IMITATE OF CHRIST. REJOICE, GARDEN OF GOODNESS. REJOICE, ETERNAL GUARDIAN OF THE monastery. REJOICE, O Mother of God, WHO PROVIDED THE INTERCESS AND PROTECTION OF YOUR ABUSE. REJOICE, OUR REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESS OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS. KONDAC 5 YOU WERE LIKE THE GOOD STAR, O ALL-BLESSED THOUGH, YOU WERE A WORTHY OF THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY CHILD, AND YOU SHINED WITH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST BEFORE MEN. SEEING YOUR GOOD AND WONDERFUL DEEDS, THE MANY FOOT ARE FOLLOWING YOU, DRIVING HIS FOOT FROM THE DRAININGS OF SIN, HOVIY HE BRINGING TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR ABSOLUTION FROM YOUR NAMES, AND MOSTLY YOU HAVE BECOME A SPIRITUAL FATHER. FOR SUCH GOD'S MERCY TO US WE SING TO GOD: HALLELUIAH.

ICOS 5 SEEING YOUR EXECUTIONS, FATHER, WE SING PRAISE TO GOD, IN YOU, THE MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY OF THE SLAVE, HAS BEEN WONDERFULLY GLORIFIED, REVEALING YOU TO A FALLEN AND DECORATE WORLD, OVERWHELMED BY THE ALL-EVICIOUS REMINDY OF PERISHING IN THE MADNESS OF SIN; WE, IN THE DARKNESS OF THE DROWNING PASSIONS, TEARLY CRY TO YOU: REJOICE, TORCH THAT ILLUMINATES OUR SINNINESS. REJOICE, BELL THAT AWAKENS OUR CONSCIENCE. REJOICE, THOSE WHO LIFT OUR EYES FROM THE EARTH TO THE IGNORANCE. REJOICE, YOU HEALING FROM THE PASSION OF DRUNKENNESS. REJOICE, THOSE WHO REMOVE THE PASSION OF DRUG ADDICTION. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HELP US IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST PRODICTIVE PASSION. Rejoice, Thou who awakenest contrite hearts and tears of repentance. REJOICE, FOR IN THIS WORLD WE HAVE MANY SALVATION HAS APPEARED BY YOU. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS. KONDAC 6 PREACH YOUR WORKS AND ILLNESSES, O HUMBLY WISE ALEXIE, AND FOR THE SAKE OF WONDERFULLY GLORY YOU THE LORD, BY RUNNING OUT TO US THE AWESOME STREAMS OF HEALING BY YOU, SO THAT I MAY SING TO HIM: HALLELUJAH.

ICOS 6 YOU HAVE ACQUIRED EVERY MIRACULOUS POWER BY THE WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD IN YOUR SAINTS, FATHER ALEXIE, NOT ONLY WITH YOUR PRAYERS HAVE YOU TERRIFIED THE DEMONS, BUT ALSO WITH THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE YOU HAVE COMPLETELY CHANGED ME, TRANSFORMING A DEMONS INTO AN ANGEL. REMEMBERING THIS VICTORY OVER THE EVIL SPIRITS, O REVEREND, WE TEACH EVERYONE TO CRY TO YOU: REJOICE, FOR YOU HAVE POWER OVER THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS. REJOICE, FOR THE DEMONS OPEN THE SEVEN AT THE SEE OF YOU AND DO NOT WANT TO. REJOICE, THOSE WHO ARE FURIOUS FROM THE VIOLENCE OF THE DEVIL'S LIBERER. REJOICE, THOSE WHO RELAXED THE STRENGTHENER. REJOICE, YOU ERADICATE PASSIONS IN OUR SOULS. Rejoice, you who drive away despondency from our hearts. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT KNOWN SPIRITUAL JOY, SUDDENLY FILLING THEIR HEARTS WITH JOY. REJOICE, O GOOD CONSOLIATION FOR THOSE SUFFERING. REJOICE, OUR REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESS OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 7 ALTHOUGH THE ALL-BLESSING LORD WILL SHOW YOU A LAMP TO THE WORLD, AND NOT UNDER A CLOSET, BUT PUT ON A HIGH STORY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHALL BE ILLUMINATED BEFORE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO GLORY THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. THE ORTHODOX PEOPLE, HAVING FOUND THE VELAKAGO PROTECTOR, LIKE MUCH PRECIOUS BEADS, REJOICE UNSUBLOCKLY AND SAY A SING OF THANKS TO GOD: HALLELUIAH.

ICOS 7 THY PRAYERS, GOD-LOVING FATHER ALEXIE, LIKE THURSELS, OIL AND FLAVORABLE MYRRH, ASCEND TO THE THRONE OF THE PANTOCRANT AND BY THE POWER OF THY BLESSING, HIS MERCY BROWS TO US; WE ALSO STRENGTHEN WITH LOVE CALL YOU: REJOICE, FOR BY YOUR BLESSING GOOD INTENTIONS ARE SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED. REJOICE, FOR BY YOUR BLESSING THE PLEASURES OF THE DEMONIC ARE DESTROYED. REJOICE FOR BY YOUR BLESSING, GREAT THINGS FROM GOD ARE SUPPLIED. REJOICE FOR THE DEMONS TRAMBLE AT YOUR BLESSING. REJOICE, PRAYER FRAGRANCE TO GOD. REJOICE, YOU CREATE THE PRAYER ON YOUR MOUTH CONTINUALLY AND KEEP IT IN YOUR MIND. REJOICE, THOSE WHO SANCTIFY THE AIR BY YOUR PRAYER. REJOICE, OUR GREAT PRAYER. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 8 A GREAT AND GLORIOUS MIRACLE IS SEEN TO ALL WHO COME TO THE TEVE, FATHER ALEXIE, AS THE WATER FROM YOUR THUMB, DRAPPED WITH FAITH, HEALS BODY AND SPIRITUAL ILLNESSES, TEACHING THE MIRACLE-WORKING GOD TO SING: HALLELUIAH.

ICOS 8 YOU WAS ALL LOVE, OUR GOD-BEARING FATHER ALEXIE, YOU KNEW NO REST UNTIL THE END OF YOUR LONG LIFE, YOU SERVED YOUR CHILDREN AND NEIGHBOR WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND HOLY LOVE. WE SEE THEE, GREAT FATHER, REJOYING WITH THEM WHO REJOICE AND WEEPING WITH THEM WEEPING THEY CHANT: REJOICE, GREAT CONTAINER OF LOVE. REJOICE, FOR FOR EVERYONE YOU HAVE OPENED THE ENTRANCES OF YOUR HOUSE. REJOICE, THOSE WHO HAVE WARMED THE ORGANIZED AND THE POOR WITH HIS LOVE. REJOICE, YOU HAVE CONSOLIDATED THOSE WHO CRY. REJOICE, IN TROUBLES AND CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU ARE A FAST HELP. REJOICE, THOSE WHO CALL UPON YOU, O DIFFERENT INTERCESSOR. REJOICE, YOU LEAVE AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND PATIENCE TO US ALL. REJOICE, O Thou who kindles LOVE IN OUR HEARTS. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 9 EVERY HUMAN NATURE WAS SURPRISED BY THE GIFT OF CLEARANCE FROM GOD, O REVEREND, AS YOU WITH SPIRITUAL POINTS FORECASTED THE FUTURE AS THE PRESENT. PEOPLE WHO HEAR THIS FROM ALL SIDES FLOW TO YOU WITH THEIR PERSUASIONS, SORRISONS AND SORDS AND, CONSOLIATION AND ADVICE ARE GREATLY RECEIVED, THANKING GOD: HALLELUIAH. ICOS 9 THE VETHIAS OF MUCH THINGS, LIKE THE MOUNTAIN FISHES, CANNOT UNDERSTAND THAT ANOTHER PRIEST HAS ARISEN IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK, ALSO NOT ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF THE COMMANDMENT OF THE FLESH TO BE, BUT ACCORDING TO THE POWER OF THE LIFE INDESTRUCTIBLE. ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS FATHER ALEXIY, THE SANCTUARY OF THE INPRESSABLE GOD! OH THE WONDERFUL APPEARANCE OF GOD IN OUR UNFAITH TIME! WE HAVE SEEN THIS, AND SING YOUR PRAISE: REJOICE, THOSE WORTHY PRIMATER OF THE ALTAR OF THE LORD. REJOICE, PRECIOUS VESSEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TREASURE OF THE GOOD. REJOICE, SMALL AND WEAK CONTAINER, ACCEPTING THE UNCONTAINABLE ANGELIC POWERS. REJOICE, O MYSTERIOUS SEED OF HUMAN SOULS. REJOICE, FOR WITH YOUR WISDOM YOU STAND HIGH ABOVE ALL. REJOICE, O FULL OF BLESSED COMMUNICATION WITH GOD. REJOICE, BRIGHT RAY OF THE ETERNAL SUN OF TRUTH. REJOICE, O SAINTS OF THE CHURCH, UNFADING LAMP. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 10 ALTHOUGH TO SAVE ALL, THE LORD GOD HAS SENT US A NEW HOLY THY, THROUGH YOU FROM THE DARK DEPTHS OF SIN HAS CALLED US FROM THE LIFE OF SINNERS TO THE LIFE OF THE SAINTS, SINGING TO HIM: HALLELUIAH.

ICOS 10 THE WALL OF THE ESHI AND THE PROTECTION FROM THE HERETICAL DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD WAS ESHI, OUR FATHER ALEXIE, YOU FOUGHT AGAINST Psychics AND OTHER SERVANTS OF SATAN; AND HAVING CONVICTED THE HERETIC TO THE WISDOM, He expelled ESI FROM THE CHURCH. PROTECT US THE WEAK AND INDEPENDENT FROM DEMONIC CORRESPONDENCE AND ENLIGHTEN THE BLINDED EYES OF OUR HEARTS, CRYING WITH FAITH TO YOU: REJOICE, O BLINDED ENLIGHTENER OF OUR SOULS. Rejoice, Thou who leadest thee out of the destruction of seduction. REJOICE, TEACHER OF MUCH FRUIT OF THE RAVING WOLVES, THE CHECKER. REJOICE, GREAT MASTER OF THE WAY OF SALVATION. REJOICE, YOU SHOW US THE TRUE JOY IN CHRIST. REJOICE, UNSHOWING PILLAR, WHO FIRMLY CONTAINS THOSE IN THE FAITH. REJOICE, SPIRITUAL COVER, COVER YOUR PEOPLE FROM TROUBLES AND ADVICES. REJOICE, INVISIBLE ENCLOSING WALL, BETTER THAN STONE WALLS. REJOICE, OUR REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESS OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 11 A SINGING OF THANKS TO THE LORD WE Bring You Who Worship You, HOLY FATHER ALEXIE, FOR THE LORD IS A GIFT THY INCORPOSIBLE BODY OF THE LAND OF PENZA FOR CONSOLIATION AND PROTECTION, TO THE CITY OF PENZA FOR GLORY AND PROTECTION, TO THE MOURNING IN CONSOLE FOR THE TROUBLED, FOR COMFORT AND HELP, FOR THE SICK, FOR A SOURCE OF HEALING, AND TO ALL WHO FLOW TO YOU IN FAITH FOR SALVATION. THEN WE CRY TO GOD: ALLELUIAH.

IKOS 11 BRIGHT SUN, A COMPANIONATE AN ANGEL, YOU WAS ON EARTH, LIKE OUR FATHER ALEXIE, WITH A PRAYER ON YOUR HISTORY, HAVING YOUR HOLY SOUL IN THE HAND OF GOD, YOU SETTLED INTO A MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, AND PRAYING FOR THE WHOLE WORLD BEFORE THE THRONE OF ALL SHNYAGO. WE WHO LIVE ON EARTH CRY TO YOU: REJOICE, LAMP OF THE DIVINE SHINE. REJOICE, O BEAUTIFUL BLOWER OF INCORPOSIBILITY. REJOICE, O MYSTERIOUS GOD IS STILL ON EARTH THE TASTY GOOD OF THE INNOCENT. REJOICE, GIVEER OF SPIRITUAL SWEETS. REJOICE, STAR GUIDING WAY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHOWING US. REJOICE, FOR YOU WILL BE WITH US AFTER THY REST. REJOICE, BEING YOUR CHILDREN IN DREAMS AND VISIONS. REJOICE, GOD IS A WARM REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR US. REJOICE, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE, PROTECTOR OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 12 THE COVER AND REFUGE WAS FOR ALL WHO COMING TO YOU STILL IN YOUR LIFE YOU, FATHER, HAVE NOT LEAVED US THE ORPHAN, AND AFTER YOUR DORMPTION YOU HIMSELF HAVE SPEAKED FOR THE CONSOLIATION OF ALL: I AM DEAD, BUT I AM ALIVE. GOD KEEP YOUR HOLY RECORDS INCORPORATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE ORTHODOX FAITH AND PHONY, AS A SIGN OF IMMORTALITY. WE CRY HIS GLORIFICATION: HALLELUIAH.

ICOS 12 LET'S CELEBRATE THEE, O REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, FOR YOU HAVE SURPRISED THE WORLD WITH MIRACLES FROM YOUR HOLY RECENTS AND ALL WHO COMING WITH FAITH AND THOSE LOBBING THEM RECEIVE EVERYTHING YOU ASK FOR. AND WE GLORIFY GOD, WHO GAVE YOU STRENGTH, WHO CROWNED YOU WITH THE CROWN OF INcorruptibility, AND WHO WORKS WITH YOU, WE CRY TO YOU: REJOICE, GLORY TO THE ORTHODOX AND THE CHURCH'S UNSHAKEABLE CONFIRMATION. REJOICE, LAND OF PENZA SACRED DECORATION. REJOICE, OUR HEAVENLY PATRONER AND QUICK HELPER. REJOICE, Thou who has ascended to the height of impassivity. REJOICE, JOY THE APOSTLES AT THE THRONE OF THE KING OF GLORY REJOICE. REJOICE, COMPASSIONATE MARTYRS. REJOICE, STAR SHINING IN THE HOST OF THE RECENTS. REJOICE, CITIZENS OF JERUSALEM MOUNTAIN. REJOICE, HOLY HOLY OF GOD WITH ALL THE SAINTS. REJOICE, OUR LAMP, ALL-BRIGHT AND ALL-LOVED. REJOICE, OUR REVEREND FATHER ALEXIE, INTERCESS OF THE LAST CHRISTIANS.

KONDAC 13 OH ALL-HOLY AND GLORIOUS PLEASE OF GOD, REVEREND OUR FATHER ALEXIE! ACCEPT THE AUTHATION OF OUR GRATEFUL HEARTS, BROUGHT TO YOU WITH LOVE. WE BOW OUR KNEES BEFORE YOUR MANY YEARS OF HEAVY SUFFERING. BY YOUR ALL-POWERFUL PRAYERS AT THE THRONE OF GOD, GIVE US, THE WEAK, STRONG IN TEMPTATIONS AND SUFFERINGS. WE FIRMLY HOPE TO BE SALVED BY THE ORTHODOX FAITH, AND YOU AND I AND ALL THE SAINTS WILL BE LIKELY IN THE MOUNTAIN JERUSALEM TO SING TO OUR ALL-GREAT GOD ETERNALLY SILENTLY: HALLELUIAH.

(THIS KONDAK IS READ THREE TIMES; THEN THE 1ST IKOS AND THE 1ST KONDAK)

PRAYER

ABOUT THE PRECIOUS AND GOD-BEARING OUR FATHER ALEXIY, THE HOPE OF CHRISTIANS, OUR FORTRESS, BY THE HOLINESS OF YOUR LIFE AND WONDERS IN THE LAND OF PENZA, AND AFTER YOUR DESERT, THE HOST OF THE SAINTS REPLENED, WHERE THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN WITH ALL THE SAINTS OF JOY BUT THEY REJOICE HAVING THY PURE SOUL INTO THE HOUSE OF PARADISE, FLYING TO HEAVEN IS LIKE THE HEAVENLY EAGLE, AND WE SINNERS ON EARTH JOYFULLY GLORIFY THEE WITH ALL THE MIGHTY POWERS AND DEFINITELY ASK: TO OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, TO THE WISE TEACHER, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT VESSEL OF THE CHOSEN, WONDERFUL IN THE SAINTS OF GOD, THY LIGHTING ANGEL, GREAT MIRACLE WORKER AND OUR WARM MAN OF PRAYER, TO THE WHOLE WORLD LIGHT, TO TEACHING THE SOULS AND CONTRIBILITY OF OUR HEARTS, WE FLY GREATLY AND CRY DIFFERENTLY ASK FOR YOUR HELP AND WARMTH TO THE GREAT GOD OF INTERCEPTION, AND WITH YOUR TOUCHING PRAYERS ASK US FROM HIM FOR HUMANILY MIL AWAY, FORGIVING OF MANY OUR SINS, HEALTH OF SOUL AND BODY, WITH SALVATION ; AND AS IT IS GOOD AND THE LOVER OF HUMANITY, MAY IT BLESS US TO WALK IN THIS WORLD UNTIL THE END OF OUR LIFE. LET WHEN THE HOUR FOUND US TO TEST, IT WILL STRENGTHEN US IN FAITH FOR THE SAKE OF THE ORTHODOX TO STRUGGLE UNTIL DEATH, AND THE HOLY CHURCH WILL ESTABLISH ORTHODIC BELIEF. FROM THE TONGUE OF THE BLINDED, FROM THE Apostates AND FROM HERETS BY THE BLINDED BLINDED HERETS. THE CITY OF PENZA AND ALL THE CITIES AND VESI, WILL KEEP YOUR ABUSE FROM NATURAL TROUBLES AND DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS PLACE WILL SHOW ALMIGHTY PROTECTION AND WILL NOT ALLOW THIS PLACE TO REJOICE THE ENEMY WHO WANTS TO DESTROY THE SACRED OF THE LORD. AND LET ALL WHO COME HERE WITH FAITH RECEIVE DELIVERANCE FROM ALL EVIL HERE! LET THE NAME OF THE LORD BE GLORIFIED IN THIS PLACE AND LET YOUR INTERCESS BE MAgnified, O PLEASER OF CHRIST. DURING THE SEPARATION FROM LIFE OF THIS SOUL, IN REPENTANCE AND PEACE, HIS HOLY ANGEL WILL GRACEFULLY COMMAND, AND FROM THE Gloomy, Evil, and Fierce DEMONIC SPIRITS IN THE AIR, WILL PASS WITHOUT RESPONSE TO HIM SHAMELESSLY TO PRESENT, AND YOU WILL TASTE THE IMMEASURE JOY OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM, AND WILL PROVIDE A BLESSED LIFE WITH ALL THE SAINTS FOREVER. AMEN.

, save and protect us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, ask us from above for help during our despondency and helplessness, so that we do not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach those blessed abodes of paradise, where you now reside and have fun. And just as through your prayer you resurrected the dead soul of the youth, so also ask our souls from the Lord for a zealous appeal, so that, having escaped through your prayers the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce ruler of the world, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. . Amen.

Akathist to the holy righteous Alexy, Bortsurman miracle worker

Chosen from the King of Powers, the Lord Jesus Christ, you have appeared as a mighty conqueror of invisible enemies, superior to Alexis. In humility, you undertook many labors and deeds, and for this reason, having acquired great boldness before God, you appeared as a healer of mental and physical ailments; and now we stand before the Throne of the Holy Trinity in joy, freeing us from all troubles, calling: Rejoice, righteous Alexis, wonderful miracle worker.

Decorated with angelic virtues, you became like a celestial being on earth, and like a bright star you shone in the Russian lands. In the same way, remembering your humble life and marveling at the greatness of your feat, you say: Rejoice, glorious chosen one of God; Rejoice, great ascetic. Rejoice, loving the Lord with all your soul; Rejoice, you who have quenched the furnace of passions with love for Christ. Rejoice, having rejected carnal temptations through repentance; Rejoice, constantly glorifying God in your heart. Rejoice, image of meekness and humility; Rejoice, zealous adherent of fasting and abstinence. Rejoice, touching seer of the spiritual world; Rejoice, life of the virtuous teacher. Rejoice, send us wonderful help from the Lord; Rejoice, grant quick consolation to those in sorrow. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Seeing the Lord, how the evil one had raised up great malice against you, wanting to catch you with worldly temptations, forbid this to happen, and with the vision of an Angel with a cup, turned you away from the path of destruction, and from here, Holy Father, you labored in unceasing prayer, good deeds Serving people who are suffering. Glorifying your prayerful deeds and virtues, let us sing to the faithful God who saves sinners: Hallelujah.

Having a mind enlightened by grace, you have imputed all corruptible blessings into nothing, and through zeal for God we are liquefied, you have revealed to yourself the doer of God’s commandments, who is not lazy, Our Father Alexie. Looking at your glorious deeds, let us praise you like this: Rejoice, honorable vessel of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, possessor of a meek, godly disposition. Rejoice, most excellent faster for the Lord’s sake; Rejoice, warmest prayer book for our race. Rejoice, teacher of those overwhelmed in the sea of ​​life; Rejoice, representative of those who are sick in all circumstances. Rejoice, quick intercessor in the troubles of those who exist; Rejoice, generous giver of alms to the poor. Rejoice, blessed fortress of the weak; Rejoice, indescribable joy for the sorrowful. Rejoice, healer of our ailments: Rejoice, ascetic of true piety. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

The power of the Most High autumn, you have endured great temptations from demons, and you have been granted the gift of driving away all kinds of sadness from the souls of the afflicted. And thus, fulfilling the path of your life in serving people, you became like a resident of the abodes of paradise, where you now cry out to the love of God: Hallelujah.

Having a heart burning with love for the Lord, you only thought about how to be saved and stay with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven, through fasting and good deeds, and especially through prayer you tried to serve Him, Father Alexie; Saint Seraphim, who knows you in spirit, proclaims you a great prayer book. In the same way we glorify you: Rejoice, most luminous, flaming in prayer to God; Rejoice, star shining for the faithful. Rejoice, fragrant censer of prayer; Rejoice, for through you the Lord is glorified. Rejoice, diligent in the world of monastic life; Rejoice, having listened with trepidation to the voice of the Divine. Rejoice, perfect obedient of Christ; Rejoice, diligent performer of God's service. Rejoice, loving image and likeness of God in your neighbor; Rejoice, thou who hast strengthened faith with works of love. Rejoice, treasure of spiritual and physical purity; Rejoice, abyss of mercy. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

You endured a storm of demonic attacks, always an enemy of the human race, an envious person from time immemorial, intent on destroying you, father, and many unclean spirits descended, so that they would frighten you. But you, we strengthen you with the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ you resisted this, and the Most Holy Theotokos Herself interceded for you with the Angels singing: Hallelujah.

Hearing your holy life, righteous father, people marveled at your virtue, and they flowed into your whole life, so that they would see you in reality. He then proceeds, giving thanks to the Lord, as he raises up His servants to comfort the faithful. We will cry out to you with them: Rejoice, you who strive with all your heart to the house of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, you who have ascended to the heights of dispassion on earth. Rejoice, thou vouchsafed the joy of the Divine in the vale of sorrow; Rejoice, you who have been honored with a vision of the face of Christ and the Most Pure Mother of God. Rejoice, lover of spiritual treasures; Rejoice, thou who subdued the flesh to the spirit. Rejoice, wonderful one who is not possessive; Rejoice, man of God and worthy warrior of Christ. Rejoice, partaker of the Never-Evening Light; Rejoice, imitator and heir of the saints. Rejoice, for you bravely endured great temptations; Rejoice, for you have abundantly acquired gifts of grace. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

More like a godly star, showing the luminous path of salvation, you have shown the right path to those wandering in sinful darkness through your life, Father Alexis, so that through your salvation they cry out to God: Hallelujah.

Having seen the glorious people of the miracles that you did through the grace of God, all of them in the sorrow of your intercession, you strengthened them with prayer and meek admonition, for this reason we sing to you: Rejoice, praise and joy to the holy Church; Rejoice, thou who glorify Christ with the virtues. Rejoice, filled with grace-filled gifts; Rejoice, chosen one of Christ, glorified by miracles. Rejoice, reverent admirer of the Most Holy Theotokos; Rejoice, guardian of purity of mind and heart. Rejoice, glorious preacher of repentance; Rejoice, having learned the grace-filled power of humility. Rejoice, you who served God and your neighbors without hypocrisy; Rejoice, before the Holy Throne you sighed tearfully for all the people. Rejoice, righteous father, cover our weaknesses with your love; Rejoice, protector of the needy. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

You have appeared as a preacher of God's miracles, perfect love, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, lifting the infirmities of the weak. People of faith, having received healing from various ailments, gratefully cry out to God: Hallelujah.

Through you, God's mercy appeared to the Russian people, when twenty tongues took up arms against our Fatherland, burned our cities and villages, desecrated holy churches, and killed many. But you, father, like all the righteous women of the Russian land, prayed to the Lord for the salvation of our Fatherland, and the Angel proclaimed to you the glorious victory of the Orthodox army, aided by heavenly warriors. In the same way, we bless you: Rejoice, holy servant of God, beauty and glory of the Russian land; Rejoice, thou who art near the intercessor of the Christ-loving army. Rejoice, the Russian powers have been strong taken away; Rejoice, her indestructible shield as a good warrior. Rejoice, well equipped with spiritual weapons; Rejoice, covered with the veil of the Mother of God. Rejoice, warrior, who fought against the spirits of evil; Rejoice, victorious in the name of Christ. Rejoice, for your prayer attracts the mercy of God; Rejoice, for your intercession delivers you from great adversity. Rejoice, treasure of God's bounties; Rejoice, abundance of His grace. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Although the Omniscient Lord may show mercy to sinners, He will be pleased to hearken to your humble prayer, and resurrect the youth who died before all people. We, marveling at your boldness, sing to the Lord who glorified you: Hallelujah.

The Lord, Father Alexy, revealed you to be a new and wondrous miracle worker in the Russian lands, having shown yourself to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ and having endured great temptations, for this reason you were honored to receive great gifts from the Lord, and you gave all this to the service of your neighbors. In praise of your glorious miracles, we sing to you: Rejoice, health of the sick and walking of the lame; Rejoice, restoration of the weakened. Rejoice, having cast out unclean spirits from many demons; Rejoice, for no one will be ashamed of faith, having shown it. Rejoice, you who have denied yourself and served this little people, according to the commandment of God; Rejoice, having placed all your trust in the Lord. Rejoice, do not abandon teaching patience and hope in God to your flock; Rejoice, thou who callest fidelity to Him in temptations. Rejoice, foreseeing the future as the present; Rejoice, thou who knowest the farthest as the nearest. Rejoice, for you have exposed the hidden reality; Rejoice, for the name of Christ, by which you have worked miracles and magnified it. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

A strange thing has appeared to you, righteous father, as an angel and a man: having been a man, you bore a body, you directed your spirit, as if incorporeal, into the things above, you despised all decay, becoming rich in God: you poured out the bounty of your mercy on all who flowed to you with faith. Glorifying the Lord, who has given you this grace, let us sing: Hallelujah.

You have directed everything for yourself to serve God, Father, doing the will of God and abiding in heaven with your mind; for this reason, for the sake of the spiritual world, the contemplator was honored to be, and you secretly betrayed this vision in writing, only telling a small something to the blessed abbess Mary. Marveling at this and being afraid, let us cry out with faith: Rejoice, you who have beheld the wonderful face of Christ; Rejoice, having listened to the most sweet voice of the Divine. Rejoice, for the Lord has named you a guardian of the Church; Rejoice, for the sheep have entrusted their words to you. Rejoice, raised up from the bed of illness by the Most Holy Theotokos; Rejoice, thou honored by Her intercession. Rejoice, blessed peace acquired in your heart; Rejoice, you have poured out your mercy to all who suffer without envy. Rejoice, having seen the angelic radiance with your bodily eyes; Rejoice, enjoying the heavenly singing of the bodiless. Rejoice, forerunner of the Kingdom of God on earth; Rejoice, earthly Angel and heavenly man. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Every angelic nature rejoiced when one angel announced to you at the altar the beginning of your angelic service. But you, father, having become like your incorporeal life, you sang to God: Hallelujah.

The branches of multi-proclamation fall silent, seeing the abundance of your miracles, O righteous Alexis, but we, who have an unskilled tongue, are overcome by the desire to glorify you, and cry out to you with love: Rejoice, dwelling adorned with the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, a kind refuge from troubles and sorrows. Rejoice, great and humble father; Rejoice, bring human souls to Christ. Rejoice, you who have inscribed the words of God on your heart; Rejoice, thou who seekest the only truth of God. Rejoice, you who love God’s justifications more than all perishable blessings; Rejoice, forever abiding in obedience to God. Rejoice, doer of hidden deeds for Christ’s sake; Rejoice, giver of secret alms. Rejoice, for you are the victorious demon driver; Rejoice, for you are the instiller of virtues in your children. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Though you may save your soul and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, Father Alexis, through a great feat from the Lord you have been honored to receive forgiveness of sins, thereby also receiving eternal life, with the Angels glorifying God: Hallelujah.

An indestructible wall was your prayer to the Orthodox people, when the Lord called you to the heavenly abode, with great sorrow for your orphanhood, all your spiritual children lamented and wept; Moreover, with joy about your eternal bliss, weeping dissolves, I cry to you: Rejoice, removed father, alive with us on earth; Rejoice, our kinsman, pleasing to God. Rejoice, pray for us before the Throne of God, always promising; Rejoice, you who instruct us will be established in a God-pleasing stomach. Rejoice, for the land that received your relics has been sanctified; Rejoice, for with this many ailments you were healed. Rejoice, after your dormition, remain in spirit with those who love you; Rejoice, turning away those who ask with faith and nothing less than vain. Rejoice, true shepherd of the flock of Christ; Rejoice, rule of pious life. Rejoice, our God-given intercessor; Rejoice, our God-enlightened mentor. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Accept all-contrite singing from us, O righteous Father, before the Throne of the All-Holy Trinity, continually praying for us; We, with the Angels and all the saints, rejoicing in your glory, sing to God: Hallelujah.

You have become like a luminous lamp, Father, exuding the radiance of holiness, and being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We, looking at you with our mental eyes and warmed by the rays emanating from you, are wounded by love for you and cry out to you like this: Rejoice, imitating your ancient great father in labors: Rejoice, filled with those zeal for God. Rejoice, illuminated by immaterial fire; Rejoice, you who prayed in the air. Rejoice, for through you the surrounding land has been blessed; Rejoice, for through you Novgrad Nizhny has become famous. Rejoice, our Russian country has wondrous kindness; Rejoice, fragrant blossom of the Ecumenical Church. Rejoice, heavenly creature, who has prospered on earth; Rejoice, resplendent in the flesh with angelic purity. Rejoice, you who have shown the power of the right faith, renewing people, to everyone; Rejoice, you who have shown the glory of Christ the Lover of Mankind. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

By abundantly pouring out grace from your holy relics, you make all the sick who flow to you healthy with faith, Father Alexie. Glorifying the Lord, who has granted us such mercies for you, let us sing a song of praise to Him: Hallelujah.

Singing your life equal to the angels and your glorious miracles, O righteous Alexis, marveling at your virtue, we please you as a marvelous prayer book for us before God, and we also cry out to you with tenderness: Rejoice, source of grace-filled healings; Rejoice, compassionate of the orphaned and suffering. Rejoice, merciful helper to those who mourn; Rejoice, teacher of those seeking salvation. Rejoice, citizen of the Heavenly Fatherland; Rejoice, resident of the Mountain of Jerusalem. Rejoice, thou who hast acquired the bright robe of virtue; Rejoice, you who have been awarded eternal joy. Rejoice, for you are enjoying yourself in the abodes of heaven; Rejoice, for you stand before the Lord in joy. Rejoice, the crown minister prays for all those who ask for your help; Rejoice, intercessor for all who are faithful to Christ and the Mother of God. Rejoice, righteous Alexie, wonderful miracle worker.

Oh, most praiseworthy servant of Christ and great wonderworker, righteous Father Alexis, accept this small offering of ours, beg the Lord Jesus Christ to grant us zeal in repentance, firm will to do God’s commandments, affirmation in the right faith, good haste in all our deeds even after death salvation of our souls, and together with you we will sing to God: Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Preface

Seven books have already been published about Father Alexy of Penza; they were written by Hieromonk Gabriel, who served in the priest’s monastery and communicated directly with him for ten years. The books are called: "Come to me, all you who labor..."

Gabriel writes that when reading about the ascetics of the last century, you wonder why during the lives of these ascetics no one knew anything about them, and we learn about their gifts, abilities and help to people only when they have already completed their life’s journey, and almost there were eyewitnesses of their virtuous life.

Now, as everyone has almost heard, time is compressing; according to Japanese researchers, there are no longer twenty-four hours in a day, but seventeen, and at the time of writing this material it seems that there are even fewer. And the rhythm of life is naturally accelerating even compared to the last century. And life is becoming more and more difficult, not only materially and physically, but also spiritually. People don’t know how to live; there is so much immorality, lies and deception around both at the private and state levels. Therefore, books about pious, perspicacious elders, of whom there are not so many in our time, are simply as necessary as air.

Therefore, Hieromonk Gabriel decided to write about Schema-Abbot Alexy, who lived in our time and passed away to the Lord on January 8, 2005. And many of the elder’s admirers asked to tell about cases of the elder’s gracious help, although they were often many thousands of kilometers away from the elder, but they prayed, asked for help, and the priest helped them.

The Penza elder schema-abbot Alexy was God's chosen one; in his life he endured a lot of torment, reproach and persecution, and the Lord endowed him with many grace-filled gifts - knowledge of God's will, insight, casting out demons. He helped everyone who turned to him, did not refuse anyone, but he could not do anything for himself. The elder cared for and helped thousands of people, took upon himself the infirmities and sins of people, suffered and suffered for them.

The history of the beginning of writing books about the elder

Hieromonk Gabriel, performing various obediences with the blessing of the elder, often told many about the priest and showed photographs. The priest often scolded him for this, since he did not want fame, so Gabriel was surprised when he learned that the elder blessed Mother Lydia to write a book about him.

Books about elders are usually written after their death, so Father Gabriel began to have thoughts that the priest was preparing to leave this world, but he did not want to believe it.

In October 2004, the book “The Path to the Elder” was published, it came out unexpectedly quickly and already on Michael’s Day (the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael on November 21), the priest distributed it to his spiritual children who were present at the holiday.

The next day, Gabriel went on a business trip and confessed to the priest; at the end of the confession, he asked the priest for his blessing to write a book about him. He said that he has many cases of the priest helping his spiritual children, and he wants to write about this in simple, living language. Father blessed it to write and publish it in five hundred copies. Gabriel asked if someone’s blessing was needed or if an old man’s blessing was enough, and the priest replied that an old man’s blessing was enough. Gabriel asked the priest to pray so that the book would be published by February 25 in memory of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow. Father said: “I bless you, you will write.”

The book was written by Hieromonk Gabriel in one breath. By January 6, the manuscript was completed. It was necessary to print the handwritten text and negotiate with the publisher.

May God rest with the saints the elder schema-abbot Alexy.

To date, seven books about the elder have been published. The books contain descriptions of cases of the elder’s gracious help and his foresight according to eyewitness accounts. The dialogues are presented quite accurately, from which anyone who reads carefully and with faith can acquire much that is useful for their soul.

It should be noted that the books do not cover even a hundredth part of the elder’s ascetic life. They list only a small number of cases of helping spiritual children. Nothing is said about the elder’s inner life, since it was not open to others.

The childhood of an old man (According to the stories of his sister Catherine)

Penza elder Alexy was born on November 10, 1930 in the village of Lomovka, Penza region, Luninsky district. His parents, Ivan Grigorievich and Anna Alekseevna Shumilin, were deeply religious people. When baptized in the church, he was given the name Michael, in honor of the Archangel Michael, whose memory is celebrated on November 21.

After Mikhail, the family had three more children - Ilya, born in 1934, Ekaterina, born in 1938, and Galina, born in 1941. Father was taken to the Great Patriotic War, and the mother was left alone with four children. Soon the father died, and there was no hope for help; I had to decide and do everything myself, and feed the children.

Mishenka was born with severe physical impairments, he could not walk and his hands did not obey, he spent all his time in strollers, he had to be looked after and fed from a spoon. His mother tried to take him to doctors, but no one could help. One believing doctor told her not to go anywhere, nothing would help, he would remain like this for the rest of his life. And his mother never took him anywhere else.

Mishenka sat in a small stroller, and his sisters often ran off to play, left him alone, and the older guys often offended him: they poked him in the mouth, then in the eyes with sticks, he could not defend himself.

The family often went hungry, especially during the war, and only potatoes and quinoa bread saved them.

Mom had three sisters, and among them mother was the strongest in faith and tried to teach her children to believe. Nothing was done in the house without prayer. If a sign happened in a village, everyone went there on foot to pray and get holy water. Mom took Mishenka in her arms or around her neck and carried her, they didn’t take her in a stroller, she moved very poorly. Mishenka really loved going to such places, but the other children often didn’t go. He was always with his mother and the children were often jealous that she was with him more. It seemed to them that she loved him more. He grew up in his mother's arms.

Mishenka showed early spiritual gifts, a constant striving for God, and a love of prayer. One day he called his mother to light the lamp, and when she came up, she saw that the lamp was already burning; he was then seven years old. Even then, he gave advice to people who came to him with questions. Instead of becoming a burden, he became a support for the family.

After the war, Mishenka was about fifteen years old and many came to him to get help. They asked for prayer and advice. They also came from the regional city. At that time it was dangerous, and Mishenka decided to move to the regional city.The young years of the old man according to the stories of Nina from Ternovka

Father Mikhail with his mother

Nina met Elder Alexy a long time ago, about 50 years ago, he was not even thirty then and already lived in Penza. Everyone affectionately called him Mishenka, that’s what Mother Angelina called him. She called all her children affectionately and also affectionately addressed everyone who came to them.

Mother Angelina came to Penza later, when her son Ilya came from the army. This happened in 1958. Before that there were priests around different people. Mostly sick and elderly. All his life he himself needed outside help. It was hard for him, but he never complained about anything.

Many who came to him complained of various infirmities, and he prayed for them.
When the priest moved to Penza, he had nowhere to live. From the church he was invited to stay by one or the other, some for a month, some for a week. The priest did not have a permanent place where he could pray and rest. He slept on benches, in other people's beds, and sometimes sitting in his own chair.
The chair at that time was heavy with small wheels that got stuck and constantly broke.

Father was worried that he had to ask for help.

After one visit to the priest, Nina’s mother began to ask her father to allow him to build a cell for the priest on their estate. Then everyone lived hard, there was enough money for the basic necessities, but they began to build the priest’s cell.

At that time, mostly locals lived in Ternivka, whose great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers were born there. Everyone was believers, there were icons in every house. Many helped in the construction of the cell. The priest did not have the money to buy better material. They pulled grass at the bottom of the lake, dried it, it replaced tow. The walls were coated with clay, the roof was covered with roofing felt. The windows were small. Father sat next to him and they consulted with him. He tried to feed everyone who built, there was cabbage soup and porridge, very tasty.

The cell consisted of one room and a vestibule. In the room there was a Russian stove, a small table at which they ate and prepared food, two stools and a bench near the stove. There was a small iron bed with a straw mattress; later he was given a cotton one.

Father was very happy when the cell was built; it was his first cell after living in different corners.

He began to improve the cell by arranging the icons. There were few of them, but then the priest took icons from his house in Lomovka, and they began to bring them to him. He did not refuse any, he asked knowledgeable people to restore them and they acquired a good appearance. After some time, there were many icons in the cell, and lamps hung.

Father got up early. I prayed almost all the time. There was no water or electricity in the cell; we had to go to the water pump. The food they prepared was modest: porridge, cabbage soup, peas, potatoes. During fasting, food was very meager. The priest often had stomach pain, but he did not take medicine and always fasted.

Different people visited Father, he did not greet everyone equally, and did not accept some.

With the priest, the days passed quickly, easily and carefree. Father listened to everyone carefully and patiently, taught them to fight their passions and do good deeds. Later, Nina realized that this was the most beneficial time for her soul.

Local girls often came, sang spiritual songs, said that they would not get married, but the priest smiled and said: “You will, you will.”

Nina’s mother was weak, she was often in the hospital, but when the priest moved in, she began to get better through his prayers. She was getting better and better every month.

Father was carried in a large stroller with large wheels; it was cumbersome. They placed a chair on it, strengthened it with ropes, and then seated the priest. It was high, and it was hard for everyone. In winter, the priest was carried on a sled with long runners. A chair was installed on them. We always went out in snowstorms and frost.

In Penza at that time they served in two churches. Father most often went to Mitrofanievskaya. He loved church services very much. But sometimes there was no one to take him. The road to the church was uphill, and four people were needed. Nina was often asked to help, but she then reluctantly agreed. She was in high school, she had to take her with her grandmothers and past the school, and they laughed at her.

Young people were embarrassed to go to church then; if they came, they hid behind the backs of adults so that some grandmother would not see them and set them as an example for her grandchildren. And those at school tried to play evil jokes on them.

The road to the church also passed by the building where the district party committee was located. The authorities in those years did not recognize the church, and the priest irritated them. At first it was calm, but then the district police officer began to come to Nina’s house more and more often and make comments to dad about why he had placed the priest there. People began to go to church rarely, but the persecution did not stop.

A lot of people came to the priest, but sometimes he had to refuse, asking them to come closer to the evening. Father endured all the hardships patiently and never took offense at anyone. Over time, the priest was categorically forbidden to leave his cell. It was necessary to look for a new place of residence and the priest left for Saransk.

Nina had to live with him in his cell there too. She was sent to practice in Saransk. There the priest lived in a small cell, but in the same house, across the wall, lived an unbelieving man, and as he passed by the window, he grumbled something all the time. Father was not offended by him, he just smiled. The room was old, the walls were covered with mold. In her free time, Nina helped the priest get to church; no one knew her there and she was not shy.

There was also unrest in Saransk, and the priest returned to Penza.

After Saransk, the priest had to change his place of residence several times, but there were kind people who always helped him and gave him shelter. As soon as the priest settled in a new place, people again began to come to him with their sorrows and illnesses. The local authorities did not like this, and they forced the owners to evict the priest. According to the elder, he had to start all over again seven times.

Kontakion 1

The chosen servant of Christ, the man of God named from above, Saint Alexis, we offer praise to you, who honor your deeds, patience and long-suffering with love, in whose image you pleased God and appeared equal to the angels on earth; You, as if you have boldness towards the Lord, free us from all troubles with your prayers, and let us call to you: Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Ikos 1

You were an earthly angel and a heavenly man, blessed Alexie, from your youth you preserved the purity of your soul and body and you followed Christ with zealous love. Seeking Him, you left all the red of this world and achieved spiritual perfection. For this reason, hear from us this praise due to you: Rejoice, birth of ancient Rome; Rejoice, permission for childless parents of infertility. Rejoice, fervent prayers are God-given fruit; Rejoice, from infancy you were chosen from above to please God. Rejoice, brought up in the passion of God for goodness; Rejoice, you who were faithfully taught the Law of the Lord. Rejoice, thinking about heavenly things rather than earthly things; Rejoice, you who showed wonderful self-sacrifice. Rejoice, having preserved the virgin purity of Christ immaculately; Rejoice, O betrothed, who blossomed with beauty, forsaken for Jesus' sake. Rejoice, wise wanderer, seeking the high Fatherland; Rejoice, God's chosen one, conqueror of all the evils of the world, the flesh and the devil. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the impermanence of the beauties of this world, those involved in corruption, Alexie, the wise God, loved the incorruptible and eternal blessings promised by Christ in the Gospel to His faithful servant; For this reason, you left your parents’ house and all their wealth, but you chose free poverty, so that you may please Christ and be able to sing to Him without restraint: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You understood well, blessed Alexis, as if living in the world, in marriage and wealth, you have found salvation inconveniently; Having arrived at the wedding celebration, you suddenly turned away from marriage, preferring to please God in virgin purity. We marvel at this and call you in praise: Rejoice, lover of Christ, uncaught in the depths of love for this world; Rejoice, follower of Jesus, who has avoided pleasing the flesh. Rejoice, you astonished the Angels with the height of your feat; Rejoice, you have put to shame the demons by the strength of your will. Rejoice, thou who has left the city of thy fatherland, that thou mayest find the inheritance of the Highest City; Rejoice, you who have flown on a long and sorrowful journey, so that you will be a partaker of the path of salvation. Rejoice, you who have internalized self-imposed poverty; Rejoice, many times tormented by hunger and thirst. Rejoice, thou who persevere in day-and-night prayers; Rejoice, with tears of tenderness your face irrigating. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of patience; Rejoice, strong adamante of faith. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by the power of God, you completed a long journey and reached the city of Edes, Alexia, who is worthy of praise, in whom, as one of the poor, you remained in suffering and poverty, rushing to the temple of God and offering fervent prayers with many tears to Christ, the King and God, call: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

You, holy of God, had the sky as a covering and the earth as a bed of repose, but the rags and shabby clothes of your much-moving body, scorched by the heat and frozen by the frost, you did not allow the least to please, lest your flesh prevail over your spirit, flaming with love for the Lord. In such a labor of yours, you alone had the consolation of Christ, who also inspires us to cry out to you: Rejoice, you who came from west to east to seek the Sun of Truth, the Everlasting Light; Rejoice, having found Him in the depths of your God-loving heart. Rejoice, lamp of the Divine radiance, illuminating the ends of the world; Rejoice, having sanctified Edes with your Christ-following feet. Rejoice, rule of true faith; Rejoice, image of spiritual poverty. Rejoice, thou who hast grown in high virtue in thy soul; Rejoice, thou who has preserved the precious treasure of chastity. Rejoice, good guardian of the Gospel of Christ; Rejoice, zealous fulfiller of the commandments of Jesus. Rejoice, living in heaven on earth; Rejoice, completely pleasing to God. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 4

You tamed the storm of youthful passions with abstinence, Saint Alexis, and with intense fasting you withered the beauty of your face; In the same way, the imperishable beauty of grace-filled dispassion has risen into your soul, pleasing to Christ, who is more beautiful than the sons of men, to whom in his mortified body you sang a sweet song of praise and thanksgiving: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard the cleric of the Church of Edessa in a vision, a voice from the icon of the Mother of God, calling you a man of God, worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, whose prayer, like a fragrant censer, rises before the Face of God, and commands you to be brought inside the church from the vestibule, where you dwelt in misery, greatly marveling at such holiness yours, blessed Alexie, and leading you into the Church of the Lord, pleasing you with these titles: Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, adorned with purity; Rejoice, friend of God's grace, shining with virtues and beauty. Rejoice, praised by the Mother of God; Rejoice, thou art called the Queen of heaven and earth, the man of God. Rejoice, you who received a new and mysterious name from the Lady of the world; Rejoice, high in humility, acquisitive. Rejoice, thou who through poverty hath gained imperishable wealth; Rejoice, having received the honor of the highest title worthily. Rejoice, auspicious censer of prayers; Rejoice, zealous seeker of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, you who prayerfully accompanied your days and nights in the church vestibule; Rejoice, you were honestly brought inside the temple of God by the command of the Mother of God. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 5

You became like a more godly star, holy Alexie, when, always avoiding the glory of man, you withdrew from Edes to other countries, both by God’s Providence the ship on which you sailed, bringing you to your native city of Rome. But you, having recognized the will of the Lord in this place for you to strive, you came to the house of your parents, and as one from the poor, you settled at its gates, washing your face with tears and crying out to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing you, your God-loving parent, Saint Alexis, strange and poor in a way, merciful for you, and commanded you to build a small hut at the gates of your house, feeding you in it for Christ’s sake, not at all recognizing your son in you; But you, living in poverty in your parents’ house, endured every wandering need and beggarly reproach, striving for us to praise you: Rejoice, you who showed great courage; Rejoice, you who have abounded in patience in many ways. Rejoice, thou who art unknown in the house of thy parents; Rejoice, you who always contemplated their grief over your deprivation. Rejoice, you who heard your father’s lamentations; Rejoice, you who saw your mother's tears. Rejoice, having recognized the cry of your betrothed; Rejoice, your heart is so painfully wounded. Rejoice, you who accepted reproaches and reproaches from your parents’ servants kindly; Rejoice, you who silently endured the beatings and strangulations from them. Rejoice, you who constantly begged God for those who offended you; Rejoice, self-willed true martyr. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 6

You were a preacher of evangelical meekness, Saint Alexie, by the image of your long-suffering life, show everyone that everything is possible for man through the strengthening God, by whose power in weak flesh you accomplished great feats and endured many sufferings for the love of Christ, chanting worthily and righteously Holy Trinity Seraphim's Hymn: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Thou shalt shine in ancient Rome with your extraordinary deeds, blessed Alexie, and with these you have gracefully illuminated the entire Church of Christ: who will not be touched, hearing your unnatural patience and much suffering, in the house of your parents, voluntarily accepted, and how, the heir of that house, from the servants of his reproaches and wounds You brought it joyfully. For this reason, from our zeal we offer you this hymn: Rejoice, great servant of Christ, living most peacefully in the world; Rejoice, equal-angelic servant of the Lord, who spent your life through much pain. Rejoice, thou who countest dishonor as glory unto thyself; Rejoice, you who patiently bore the wounds on your body. Rejoice, you who do not shy away from blowing your cheeks; Rejoice, thou who betrayest thy lashes to stress. Rejoice, thou who Christ-like accepts spitting; Rejoice, you who respond to reproaches with silence. Rejoice, having found only consolation in Christ; Rejoice, you are delighted by the memory of the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. Rejoice, generous and long-suffering one; Rejoice, good-victorious ascetic. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 7

You, O man of God, had one desire, to please God; Moreover, you imputed all temporary things to your minds, and having become the heir of many riches, you left this, being poor and strange, in your parents’ house, unrecognizable and greatly humiliated, always sighing to the Lord and tearfully praying that in the land of eternal bliss you may be worthy to sing to Him with the saints : Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You have made a new and unusual course in your life, Saint Alexis, in the midst of the world, alien to worldly addictions and all kinds of sinful filth; In the same way, you received the perfect gift of knowledge of God in your soul and you were an animated temple of the Trisian Divinity, in which Christ with the Father and the Spirit created an abode for Himself, and taught us to call you: Rejoice, beauty like angels and men; Rejoice, thou who hast whitened the robe of the soul of virginity with purity. Rejoice, thou who has entered into the joy of thy Lord; Rejoice, exalted by voluntary poverty. Rejoice, for your patience has become comparable to the long-suffering Job; Rejoice, thou who by thy humiliation imitated Lazarus of the Gospel. Rejoice, thou who through many illnesses obtained health of the soul; Rejoice, having acquired the Kingdom of Christ through countless sufferings. Rejoice, gracious renewal of ancient Rome; Rejoice, Divine fertilizer for the Church of Christ. Rejoice, heir of the promises of Jesus; Rejoice, Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 8

A stranger and a stranger, you were in the city of your fatherland, holy, seeking the Most High City, Heavenly Jerusalem; When the time had come for your departure to God, you wrote out the secret of your life on the charter, so that your parents would know it, and you continued unremittingly in the labors of fasting and prayer, preparing for the exodus with a tender song to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Being completely in God, O holy Alexis, the prayer that was on your lips, you gave up your righteous soul in the hand of God, peacefully and serenely, as if you had fallen asleep; Death is truly your repose from suffering and unceasing exploits, and your passage from worse to better. We rejoice in this blessed dormition of yours, and we bring you these applied verbs: Rejoice, holy one of God, having completed your earthly life holy and righteously; Rejoice, thou who rested in the sleep of death in the fragrance of the holy thing. Rejoice, angels carried to Abraham's bosom; Rejoice, met with unearthly singing from the holy Celestials. Rejoice, thou crowned with the crown of immortal life from the Lord; Rejoice, received with glory in the abode of paradise. Rejoice, let me contemplate the Most Bright Face of the Lord Christ; Rejoice, thou who silently proclaim the Trisagion hymn to the Most Holy Trinity. Rejoice, propitiate the Creator of things above and below with your prayers; Rejoice, embrace the whole Christian world with your intercession. Rejoice, joy of angels and men; Rejoice, faithful intercessor to those who honor your holy memory. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 9

All people came to trembling, hearing a voice in the cathedral church of their city, during the Divine Liturgy, speaking from above from the altar and commanding them to look for you, man of God, so that your prayers may be worthy. Moreover, in surprise and horror, they cried out in prayer to the Lord, that He might reveal to them His chosen one, calling to the Lord wondrous in His saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Human flamboyance does not suffice to praise you, Saint Alexis, praised from above by the Divine Voice, by His notification people found you lying dead on a bed, with a charter on your face, shining with sun-like rays, and a great fragrance emanating from your many-moving body. The king, the saint and all the people rejoiced at your discovery: Rejoice, bright ray of the Trisolar Light, animating the whole world; Rejoice, O Lucifer, who has risen to enlighten the Church of Christ with many miracles. Rejoice, fragrant tree of holiness and purity; Rejoice, treasure of Divine gifts. Rejoice, thou who by thy parent hath manifested the charter unto thyself; Rejoice, their sorrowful cry turned into sweet one. Rejoice, thou who glorified the gray hairs of thy father by thy glorification; Rejoice, you who rewarded your mother’s tears with grace. Rejoice, thy honest betrothed, who has remained faithful to you, spiritually comforting; Rejoice, all the Roman people greatly rejoiced at your gain. Rejoice, wonderful healing from your holy relics abundantly flowing; Rejoice, having deservedly received posthumous honor in heaven and on earth. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 10

For those who want to be saved, your good life is an example, Saint Alexis, by which you taught us all to renounce the vanities of the world, and seek the one thing that is necessary, which is pleasing to God. Help us, man of God, to imitate you in this, strengthen our weak will, breathe into us spiritual courage, decorate us with virtues and become heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that with you on the land of the living we will sing to our Creator: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You were a faithful follower of the Heavenly King Christ, O blessed Alexis, Who now stands before His Terrible Throne in heavenly glory, about which we, earthly and earthly, can think less; In addition, we are compelled by zealous love for you, we mentally contemplate you, praying for us in grief before the face of God, and with mortal lips we send up to you the following song: Rejoice, faithfully present help to those who honor you; Rejoice, you who prayerfully call upon you as your zealous intercessor. Rejoice, O righteous One of the Lord, whose Truth has risen unwaveringly; Rejoice, salt of the earth, never before. Rejoice, thou who glorified God with thy good deeds and astonished men; Rejoice, through your life you have made the angels rejoice and the spirits of darkness have been put to shame. Rejoice, decoration of the Mountain of the World; Rejoice, protection of the world below. Rejoice, glory and praise to Rome; Rejoice, exaltation of the Christian kind. Rejoice, you who shone forth in miracles; Rejoice, inexhaustible in mercy. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 11

Having performed the funeral hymn with glory for you, Saint Alexis, the king, the saint and all the Roman people, your parent and your betrothed, who followed your honorable coffin, carried splendidly into the cathedral church, from whom you wrought many miracles: blindness in sight, weakness strengthened, sickness in health When I touched your holy relics, everyone who saw it cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Your burial was light and joyful, O man of God, you reclined with a bright face in the tomb and you released a sweet fragrance from your incorruptible body, thereby signifying the unshimmering lightness of your holy soul, into the stench of the fragrance of Christ flowing and filled with the Divine world, from its fullness and into Give our souls a gift of grace, and with spiritual consolation we cry to you: Rejoice, unquenchable light, kindled in prayers to God; Rejoice, golden lamp, anointing the living with the oil of mercy. Rejoice, dear Alavaster, who flows healing myrrh to the sick; Rejoice, river full of miracles. Rejoice, teacher of good deeds to those who monk; Rejoice, thou who live in the world as an image of pleasing God. Rejoice, pure mirror of righteous life; Rejoice, blessed refuge for those who have placed their hope in you according to God. Rejoice, strong opponent of invisible enemies; Rejoice, good haste for those who seek spiritual salvation. Rejoice, mercifully descend from the heavenly heights to the earthly; Rejoice, you will soon fulfill the requests of those who honor you. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 12

Ask us for grace and mercy from Christ, our King and God, O most worthy of praise; We know that your prayer can do much before His Face, and He graciously bows to your prayer. We also earnestly resort to you and humbly ask: feed us through your intercession into the quiet refuge of Christ and make us worthy to enjoy the incorruptible joy of the saints who continually cry out the praises of the Triune God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing the exploits of your long-suffering and wonderful life, O man of God, we praise, glorify and please you with zealous love, as our heavenly, powerful representative; But you, holy one, by the grace given to you from above, sinners and dark ones, sanctify, enlighten and instruct us to cry out to you without condemnation: Rejoice, you who bring forth the dawn of the endless east; Rejoice, having filled the universe with your miracles. Rejoice, you gloriously work wonders with your relics; Rejoice, create your wonderful likeness. Rejoice, free doctor for those who are sick; Rejoice, good comforter of those who mourn. Rejoice, gracious encouragement to those who are discouraged; Rejoice, sudden strengthening of those who are weary. Rejoice, hasten to help those in need; Rejoice, show your powerful intercession to those who depart from life. Rejoice, giver of spiritual joy to God-loving souls; Rejoice, for the blessings of the Lord, both temporal and eternal, are our zealous supplicants. Rejoice, man of God Alexie, prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 13

O holy and God-glorified man of God Alexy! To you, woe to you who pray for us before the Throne of the Lord of Glory, we are sinners, living in the depths, this little song brings us, we pray with all our souls and with all our thoughts: with your prayers ask us from Christ God for forgiveness of sins and, at the end of our lives, acceptance into the blessed abode of the Heavenly One Kingdom, may we sing to Him with you forever: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)