Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Slutsky: I was saved many times by the power of God. These are the prayers of my mother, the prayers of monks, the prayers of priests. And I realized that I could no longer live in an atheistic society. I devoted myself to serving God, went to church.”
Metropolitan Pavel: brief biography, date and place of birth, secular and spiritual education, church service and awards
In December 2013, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church granted the petition of Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk to send him to rest, since he had reached the age of 75 years. Pavel, Metropolitan of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky, became the new Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk.
Metropolitan Pavel, biography
The future Exarch of the Patriarch of All Belarus (G. V. Ponomarev in the civil sphere), was born on February 19, 1952, in the Kazakh SSR, Karaganda. He comes from a simple working-class family. After receiving secondary education, he passed military duty in the Armed Forces of the USSR. After demobilization, he studied at a vocation altechnical school, at the same time he worked as a simple mechanic, and worked as a driver at a construction site.
In 1973 he was admitted to a church educational institution - the Moscow Seminary. He studied there until 1976. After graduation, he continued his Orthodox education at the Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow). From its walls he was released in 1980, received the title of candidate of theological sciences. Upon completion of his studies, he continued his education within the academic walls as a graduate student.
In the autumn of 1977, the brothers of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra were enrolled in their ranks. In the winter of 1977, he was tonsured into the mantle and took on a new name, Pavel, in honor of the Chief Apostle of the same name. In 1978 he successively took the rank of hierodeacon and hieromonk. Since 1979, he began serving in the division of the Russian Orthodox Church. Responsible for external church relations as a referent.
Overseas Ministry
In the autumn of 1981, he left for Jerusalem. As part of the mission there, he continued to serve as a member. Since the summer of 1982, Pavel was appointed deputy head of this structure. Vladyka - Patriarch Diodormus I (Jerusalem Orthodox Church) in 1982 was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. Served as Head of Mission in Jerusalem from summer 1986 to summer 1988.
At the end of the summer of 1988 he returned to Russia and became the abbot of the Assumption Pskov-Caves Monastery. He remained until the spring of 1992.
In accordance with the decree of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the approval of the Holy Synod in the winter of 1992, he was ordered to become the Bishop of Zaraisk, managing the divisions of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA, as well as in Canada. Consecration to the bishopric was held in the Cathedral of the Epiphany (Moscow) in the winter of 1992.
In the autumn of 1993, he received a release in the management of the Canadian structures of the Russian Orthodox Church. Until the end of 1999, he led the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA.
In the winter of 1999, the Synod ordered him to serve as Bishop of Vienna and Austria. In 2000, he acquired the title of Bishop of Vienna and Budapest. The following year he entered the rank of archbishop. He served in this position until the end of spring 2003, when he received an order to become Archbishop of Ryazan and Kasimov.
Return to Russia, appointment as Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsky
By order of the Synod in the fall of 2011, he was awarded the title of "Metropolitan of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky", he is appointed rector of the newly formed Ryazan Metropolis.
In the winter of 2013, he was appointed Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Exarch of the Patriarch of All Belarus. A year later, by decision of the Holy Synod, he was awarded the title "Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl", he was appointed head of the formed Minsk Metropolis.
In the winter of 2017, in honor of the day of the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, in Moscow, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, he was granted the right to wear another panagia.
Metropolitan Awards
Vladyka Pavel was awarded a significant number of awards for services to the Church and the Fatherland:
- Church orders. Sergius of Radonezh 2nd class, St. Daniel of Moscow 2nd class, Seraphim of Sarov 2nd classst.
- Order of Cantacuzenus 1st class. (from the Orthodox Church in Serbia) and the Order of the Chronicler Nestor, 2nd class. (from the Orthodox Church in Ukraine). In addition, he received orders: in the name of the Holy Cross, the Holy Apostle Mark (from the Orthodox Church of Alexandria), the name of Moscow Innokenty the Prelate (a silver order from the Orthodox American Church); named after Metropolitan Innokenty of Kolomna and Moscow 2nd century
- Church medals. Sergius of Radonezh 1st st.
- Other awards. Medal - a commemorative badge "For service" (from the association "Orthodox Russia"), "For participation in university development", a silver order, honorary "Recognition by society". Sign of St. Andrew the First-Called (from the Brotherhood of Saints, the international award Union), the sign "For Good and Faith". Degree of honorary doctor of sciences, arts (assigned by the International Attestation Committee), Order of Oleg Ryazan.
Criticism of the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsky
In his last church position, Bishop Pavel was criticized more than once for his attitude towards Belarus and its people. This is due to the fact that he is a categorical opponent of the formation of a national Church in the Republic of Belarus. He considers such thoughts as devilish temptations. Also, misunderstanding in the Belarusian society was caused by the metropolitan's statements in relation to the Uniates, whom he refers to as "sectarians".
At the same time, Paul's impeccable reputation is emphasized by his contemporaries. Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl has an excellent education and vast experiencework, including through the Department of External Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Relationship with authorities
People who know Metropolitan Pavel, including those from different walks of life and with different religious views, say that Vladyka is a kind person, public and open. He does not avoid public speaking, does not refuse to give interviews to newspapers and television. Very instructive are his arguments about weak and strong people, about faith.
In all the posts entrusted to him, he always found and finds mutual understanding with the authorities. They are diplomatic and balanced. Thus, congratulating the newly elected President of Belarus Lukashenko, he indicated that he sees in him an indispensable national leader. He emphasized that the new presidential term will be a period of stability, during which the positive aspects of life in Belarus will be preserved and developed. Vladyka Pavel, in his congratulatory message to Lukashenka, ranked the latter among the few politicians who clearly and openly defend the values of Christianity.
At the same time, he always warns people against protest actions. He believes that Western intelligence agencies are behind the Maidans. Metropolitan Pavel Minsky is sure that these services should evaluate and weigh everything very well before imposing their conditions on the Russians. The Russian people have very powerful weapons and have nothing to lose.
