The special role of the priesthood today is not only in serving at the liturgy, but also in the fact that it is they who become mentors of people who have embarked on the narrow path of faith. Alexey Uminsky, which will be discussed in the article, is an image of a priest open to communication. At the same time, he is well aware of all the measure of responsibility that is entrusted to him by the Lord himself.
Alexey Uminsky: biography and family
He was born in the family of an ordinary Soviet engineer and teacher, people far from religion, but at the same time possessing such moral depth, which allowed him to find the right guidelines in life in the future. And like any Soviet person, he tried on all the statuses that were at that time: a schoolboy, a pioneer, a Komsomol member. The latter was to their liking, and for some time Alexey Uminsky was quite successfully moving along this line, becoming the chairman of the Komsomol headquarters, and was even awarded.
Mom, who taught French, instilledson, love for him, and therefore the choice of profession seemed obvious: Alexei Uminsky entered the Nadezhda Krupskaya Pedagogical Institute and successfully graduated from the Faculty of Romano-Germanic Philology.
Studying at the university was a turning point in the life of the future priest - here he met believers, began to read the Gospel and embarked on the path of faith. He was baptized in 1980 and already by the end of the university he was strengthened in Christianity.
Fr. Alexy was ordained in 1990, and the first place of his service was the deaconry in the cemetery church in the city of Klin in the Moscow region. Later he became the rector of one of the Kashira churches - the Assumption Cathedral, where he served for three years.
Then he was transferred to Moscow. Here, in addition to serving in the church of St. Prince Vladimir, Father Alexei became the director of an Orthodox gymnasium, where he worked for six years. He remains faithful to her today, being a confessor. Since 1994, Alexey Uminsky has also served as a pastor in another church - the Holy Trinity, which is located in the tract, today called Khokhlami (Khokhlovka).
The personal life of a priest
Very little is known about this side of Fr. Alexei's life. He lives with his family in an ordinary nine-story building, like most modern citizens. Matushka works as a doctor and also serves people, as Aleksey Uminsky (priest) says. His children are already quite old: the eldest son lives on his own, and the youngest is a student. He studies at the Faculty of History and so far shares his shelter with his father and mother.
Another son of Alexei Uminsky - Demian - tragically died at a young age. Very little is known about this either. Demian was a very talented young man, he loved the church and everything connected with it. From childhood, the boy dreamed of being a priest. Apparently, therefore, his track record included singing on the kliros, and the altar service, and even the ringing of bells. Everything that Dema undertook, he always did creatively, with soul.
The Path of the Priesthood
Aleksey Uminsky came to him in an amazing way. Once, at the age of 18, while serving in the Pskov-Caves Monastery, I heard the sermon of John Krestyankin. It should be noted that Father John was always very reverent about this duty of his and prepared very diligently. The words spoken at the sermon suddenly revealed to the young man the purpose of his life. She, according to Alexei Uminsky himself, sounded so clearly in my head and heart that there was no doubt that he should be a priest. Surprisingly, his spiritual father reacted to the recognition of the future father Alexei, saying that he had been waiting for this decision from him for a long time.
Climbing this difficult path did not start easy, since Alexei Uminsky at that time had neither the appropriate education nor experience. However, there was a great desire and blessing.
First years of service to God
Memories of this time for Father Alexy evoke different emotions. The ministry at that time began far from Moscow in the town of Kashira, where they sent a newly ordained priest with his youngwife and small child. The situation in the town was simply appalling. People beat and killed each other, and this became the norm for some, and the young priest's wife was simply scared to live.
But at the same time Father Aleksey remembers this period of his life with gratitude. After all, it was these three years of service that became a difficult test for him. Remembering himself in those years, the priest is grateful to the Kashira parishioners, who taught him the main quality - love for people. The first thing the interaction between the shepherd and the parishioners begins with is understanding and sympathy, and everything else comes later.
Sermons
In them, the priest addresses the most topical issues of our time. It should be noted that he does not particularly feel sorry for his interlocutors. He is especially harsh to those who expect only gifts from the church: he alth, happiness and all the best in this life. Alexey Uminsky, a priest, appears as such a strict and at the same time loving father.
Reviews about him demonstrate that he takes a fairly active social position: he delivers sermons and lectures for various audiences, answers the most difficult and sometimes provocative questions.
One of the topics discussed is the situation in Ukraine. And the church is expected to take one side. But this is impossible, because her children are on both sides. Therefore, the Orthodox of both countries, who have taken an uncompromising position, pray and ask the Lord for peace.
Priest writing
My reflections on finding the way to God, spiritual life, Divineliturgy and many other questions Aleksey Uminsky raises in his books. Here he reveals to the reader the peculiarities of the Divine Liturgy, emphasizing the sacrament of the Eucharist, so important for every Orthodox believer. Considers the Liturgy as a preparation for communion, revealing moments of worship that are not always clear to ordinary parishioners.
"Fundamentals of Spiritual Life" is a book also authored by Alexey Uminsky. The priest reveals to the reader the most important moments of the Christian life: the concepts of freedom and conscience, what is prayer and the fear of God, why do we need the memory of death and the struggle with our passions.
In addition to books, Alexey Uminsky is also the author of many pedagogical articles - here his experience in the gymnasium became useful. The priest is also a member of the editorial board of Orthodox magazines and websites.
TV projects
Here, Father Alexei realizes himself in a slightly different role. There are many TV shows with the participation of the priest - he takes part in discussions, gives lectures, etc. However, as a host, he was involved in three projects. At first it was a program called "Everyday Affairs". Later, a series about the life of the saints, Narrow Gates, was released on television.
Currently Father Aleksey is running another Orthodox television project called "Orthodox Encyclopedia". The program introduces viewers to the basics of Orthodox life. In the programs, famous cultural figures, historians, writers andrepresentatives of the clergy discuss topics related to Christianity. Each TV show contains the events of the Patriarchal ministry, reports on news and events of Orthodox life.
The topics that are raised in the programs are always relevant and allow viewers to find answers to many of their questions.
Who is a modern priest?
Asking this question, Alexey Uminsky also raises others: is he able to answer the most pressing questions of our life, is he ready to meet with doubting people?
Answering journalists' questions about work in the church, the priest draws a kind of line between what is work and what is ministry. Alexei Uminsky says that the priesthood is not a job. Serving the Lord and the church is ongoing and has a special attitude towards it. Here is journalism, teaching is work, and the rest is service. And so given by the Lord himself.
Aleksey Uminsky, whose biography is full of a variety of events, from active Komsomol youth to pastoral ministry, is that difficult and contradictory path, crowned with the grace of God. He shows the priest the direction and gives strength to sanctify the path to other people who are looking for their way to the Lord in the terrible darkness and vanity of worldly life.
