The name of Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) is constantly riveted to the attention of the Russian political press. Some consider him almost a “gray eminence”, dictating his will to Vladimir Putin, others believe that constant communication with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, a wisely thinking Orthodox confessor, is enough for the President of the Russian Federation.
However, returning to the name of the Orthodox preacher Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), I would certainly like to note that this is a very smart and perspicacious modern man who acutely feels responsible for the fate of his people and Fatherland, a monk who took on very serious obligations to God.
History of monasticism
Christian monasticism is a communal life that begins from the moment when a person voluntarily renounces all worldly goods and begins to live according to certain charters, where the vow of chastity, modesty and fullobedience.
The first Christian monk was St. Anthony the Great, who lived in ancient Egypt in 356 BC. e. He was not a poor man, but he sold all his property and distributed money to the poor. And then he settled not far from his home and began to lead a hermit life, spending all his time in tireless prayer to God and reading the Holy Scriptures. This served as an example for other hermits who began to settle in their cells near him. Over time, this kind of community began to appear in almost all of Central and Northern Egypt.
The emergence of monasticism in Russia
In Russia, the appearance of monasteries is associated with the year 988, the time of the Baptism of Russia. The Spassky Monastery was founded by the Greek monks near the city of Vyshgorod. Around the same time, Saint Anthony brought Athos monasticism to Ancient Russia and became the founder of the famous Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which later became the center of all religious life in Russia. Now St. Anthony Pechersky is revered as "the head of all Russian churches."
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov). Biography. Path to monasticism
Before becoming a monk, he was Grigory Aleksandrovich Shevkunov. The future archimandrite was born into a family of doctors in Moscow in the summer of 1958. As an adult, he entered VGIK at the screenwriting and film studies department, which he successfully graduated in 1982. After graduating from the institute, he became a novice of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Caves Monastery, where later on his fate was most decisively influenced by ascetic monks and, of course,the kindest and most holy confessor of the monastery, Archimandrite John (Krestyankin).
In 1986, Grigory began his career with work in the department of the Moscow Patriarchate Publishing House, led by Metropolitan Pitirim (Nechaev). It was during these years that he worked on the study of all historical facts and documents about the emergence of Christian Orthodoxy and the life of holy people. For the millennium of the Baptism of Russia, Gregory prepared a huge number of films of a religious and educational plan, where he himself acted both as an author and as a consultant. Thus, in the atheistic life of Soviet citizens, a new round is gaining momentum, leading to the knowledge of the true canons of Christian Orthodoxy. And at the same time, the future archimandrite is reprinting the Ancient Patericon and other patristic books.
Acceptance of monasticism
In the summer of 1991, Grigory Shevkunov takes monastic vows at the Donskoy Monastery in Moscow, where he was christened Tikhon. During his service in the monastery, he takes part in the uncovering of the relics of St. Tikhon, which were buried in the Donskoy Cathedral in 1925. And soon he became the rector of the courtyard of the Pskov-Caves Monastery, located in the buildings of the ancient Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. It is definitely worth noting one feature that Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) has: where he serves, his true purpose and firmness of convictions are always felt.
The life of the archimandrite
In 1995, the monk was ordained to the rank of abbot, and in 1998 - to the rank of archimandrite. In a yearhe becomes the rector of the Sretensky Higher Orthodox Monastery School, which was later transformed into a theological seminary. Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) always speaks about Sretensky Monastery with great love and gratitude.
Further, together with the brethren from 1998 to 2001, he repeatedly visits the Chechen Republic, where he brings humanitarian aid. And also actively participates in the reunification process of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). From 2003 to 2006, Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) was a member of the commission for the preparation of the dialogue and the act of canonical conversion. Then he receives the post of secretary of the Patriarchal Council for Culture and becomes the head of the commission for interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the museum community.
In 2011, Archimandrite Tikhon is already a member of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Basil the Great Charitable Foundation, an academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and a permanent member of the Izborsk Club.
Archimandrite has a number of church awards, including the Order of Friendship for the preservation of spiritual and cultural values, presented to him in 2007. His creative work can be admired. And conversations with Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) are always very lively, interesting and understandable for any person.
Film “Monastery. Pskov-Caves monastery"
It is impossible to ignore the amazing and unique work of its kind, which is called “Monastery. Pskov-Pechersk monastery. Grigory Shevkunov shot this film in 1986 with an amateur camera, when he was not yet Archimandrite Tikhon, but was just a graduate of VGIK. After graduation, he went to the Pskov-Caves Monastery, where he spent a 9-year novitiate with Elder Jon (Krestyankin) and later took monastic vows.
The main theme of the film is dedicated to the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery, which is known to the Russian Church for having preserved the eldership. This is the only monastery that has never been closed, even in Soviet times. Until the 1930s, it was located on the territory of Estonia, so the Bolsheviks did not have time to ruin it, and then the war broke out. By the way, many elders and ministers of this monastery were at the front.
The then-future Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) accumulated a lot of photo and video materials of the monastic life of the brethren in his archive. In the film, he shows the most precious and significant places for the monk's heart, one of which is a special miracle created by God - caves in which 14 thousand people were buried during the entire existence of the monastery. When you enter these caves, it is surprising that there is absolutely no smell of decay. As soon as a person dies, after three days this smell appears, but after the body is carried into the caves, it disappears. This phenomenon still no one can explain, even scientists. This feels the spiritual peculiarity of the monastery walls.
Love for the Pskov-Pechersk brotherhood
The story of the life of Elder Melchisidek, oneone of the most amazing associates of the monastery, about which Grigory Shevkunov tells. Looking into his eyes, you understand that this is a real ascetic, confessor and prayer book, who was in the war, then came to the monastery and worked as a turner. He made lecterns, kivots and crosses with his own hands. But one day he had a stroke, and the doctor pronounced him dead. But John (Krestyankin), who was the spiritual father of all the brethren and about whom Archimandrite Tikhon also wrote a lot in his stories, began to pray for Father Melchisidek, and a miracle happened. After a while, the old man came to life and wept. After that, he took the rank of tonsure into the schema and began to pray to God even more intensely.
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) later recalled that he once asked Elder Melchisidek about what he had seen when he was dead. He said that he was in a meadow near the moat, in which there was everything that he did with his own hands - these were kivots, lecterns and crosses. And then he felt that the Mother of God was standing behind him, who told him: “We expected prayer and repentance from you, and this is what you brought us.” After that, the Lord brought him back to life again.
In his picture, the future Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) also shows the wonderful old man Feofan, who was also in the war and lost his arm there. He said that he always followed the orders of his commander, but, thank God, he did not have to kill people. He has many awards and orders. Now he is meekness, charm and love itself.
This kind of stories in the monastery is notcount. When you look at the modest life and constant work of the monks, everything seems very gloomy and gloomy, but their kind attitude and concern for every person, sick or he althy, young or old, is striking. After the film, there is a very warm and bright feeling of peace and tranquility.
The Unholy Saints Book
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) dedicated "Unholy Saints" to the great ascetics with whom he had to live and communicate in monasteries. With what love and care he writes about everyone, openly, without lies and without embellishments, with humor and kindness … Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) describes his mentor Ion especially touchingly. “Unholy Saints” contains a story about how a huge number of parishioners turned to the confessor for the healing of the soul and body, and for everyone he always found words of reassurance, instilled hope in everyone, begged many to take care, and warned some of the dangers. During the Soviet years, he spent many years in prison and exile, but nothing could break his faith in God and the joy of life on Earth.
Film “Death of the Empire. Byzantine Lesson"
Documentary film "Death of the Empire" Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) dedicated to the 555th anniversary of the fall of Byzantium and Constantinople.
This is not just the history of the medieval Byzantine Empire, there is an absolutely clear parallel between the problems of Byzantium and modern Russia. Empires can be different, but the problems are often the same. What could destroy such a powerful and culturally developed Byzantium? As it turned out, the main glob althe problem was the frequent change of political orientations, the lack of continuity and stability of state power. Frequently changing emperors began to pursue their new policies, which often exhausted the people and weakened the country's economy. In the film, the author describes it simply brilliantly, and in such a talent one must give him credit. On this occasion, there are quite interesting sermons by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), which he reads to young seminarians and parishioners.
About Putin
Be that as it may, but today, according to Archimandrite Tikhon, Russia is experiencing its new rebirth, it may even die, it is quite possible to create a powerful prosperous empire, above all, an empire of spirit and patriotism.
On the one hand, it is constantly threatened by Islamic terrorism, on the other hand, someone is trying with all their might to impose total American hegemony with their own laws on it and the whole world.
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) says this about Putin: “He who truly loves Russia can only pray for Vladimir Vladimirovich, who has been placed at the head of Russia by the Providence of God…”
