Father Valerian Krechetov in the village of Akulovo, Odintsovo district, is the rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The rector of the temple, writer, confessor, preacher, comforter of the grieving souls of the Orthodox. And these are far from all the titles of Archpriest Valerian Krechetov.
Biography
Archpriest Valerian Krechetov was born on April 14, 1937 in the city of Zaraysk. He had 2 brothers. Valerian graduated from school in 1959
His mother Lyubov from Korobov was an Old Believer. His father Mikhail was an exiled accountant who served time in a camp on Solovki along with clergy and metropolitans. During the war, he fought at the front. And after graduation, he studied at the theological seminary and became a priest at the age of 54.
Education
Krechetov Valerian has both secular and spiritual higher education.
1959-1962 - study at MLTI. The father always instructed his sons on the true path and prepared them for the priesthood. He said: before ordination, one must acquire a secular education in order to survive in prison. After allin the past, clerics were very often persecuted and imprisoned. The brothers chose the forestry institute, because the convicts were sent to logging. Then Valerian volunteered to explore the virgin lands. He became a navigator of the Air Force, but worked as an engineer in a forestry enterprise. Soon he got married. Natalya Konstantinovna Alushkina became the wife of Valerian Krechetov.
1962-1969 - study at MDS. After some time, Krechetov Valerian transferred to work as an engineer in the Patriarchate, from where he entered the seminary. In one year, he was able to pass the exams for four seminary courses as an external student.
Ordering
Further events in the life of Krechetov developed in this way:
- November 21, 1968 - Deacon's consecration.
- January 12, 1969. - Deacon Valerian was ordained a priest. The sacrament of consecration was performed by Bishop Filaret of Dmitrov.
- 1969-1973 – study at MDA.
Arrivals
Fr. Valerian's first parish is the Transfiguration Church in Peredelkino, where he served for 1.5 years.
Second Parish - Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village. Akulovo, where he still serves.
Priestship since 1970
July 14 is the day of the patron saint martyr. Valerian of Rome.
Arrival of Fr. Valeriana Krechetova
How to get to Father Valerian? The parish of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, where the preacher serves, is located in a small village. Akulovo. The Akulovsky temple has not been closed since 1807. During the difficult repressive years, divine services were held in the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This temple became at that timea spiritual stronghold, where persecuted clergymen and many faithful Muscovites found shelter.
Since 1970 Father Valerian has been the rector here. Batiushka is so conducive to himself that people come to him for worship from different parts of Moscow and the Moscow region. The parish flock only increases every year, large families appear, which in full force attend the temple. In addition to pastoral labors in caring for the parishioners, Father Valerian Krechetov carried out diocesan obedience for several decades: he was a diocesan confessor. In 2010, he became a member of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Beautification
During the service in the temple of the priest, the church and its territory acquired a well-groomed beautiful appearance. Through the efforts of the abbot, many objects were restored and built. He led:
- Building a House for Church Workers (parable). For 200 sq. m located prosphora, refectory, kitchen.
- Beautification of the territory belonging to the Sunday School. In addition, the territory was decorated with a flower garden.
- Restoration of the murals of the temple. External and internal walls, domes, bell towers, basements were restored.
- Building a baptistery with a baptistery.
- Sunday school landscaping. In addition to decorating the territory with flower gardens, the Sunday school was presented with an exact copy of the Miraculous Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "The Inexhaustible Chalice".
- Construction and painting of the temple, consecrated in honor of the New Martyrs and ConfessorsRussian. The new temple was consecrated on the 200th anniversary of the main temple in 2008. The church was consecrated by Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna Yuvenaly.
- Paving the parking lot and churchyard.
- Conducting central water supply Sunday school.
General church activities
Father Valerian is not only a "good shepherd of his sheep", a responsible rector, a hard-working builder, he revives missionary, catechetical activity. With his blessing, parishioners are pursuing an active social policy, in particular, they were directly involved in the repair of the Sunday school, visiting the elderly in nursing homes.
Sunday school
Various circles and sections are opened at Sunday school, for example, children are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, felting wool, art knitting, fine arts, applied needlework, photography, design. They sing in the church choir, put on theatrical performances. Pupils are happy to go on pilgrimage trips.
In 2003, the priest created a Sunday school for adults. They attend Biblical-theological courses to them. Sergius of Radonezh.
Sunday school has three children's and one adult group. The total number of children is approximately 80 people, and adults - 50 people.
Sunday school classes are held on Sundays on the Law of God, on the Fundamentals of Orthodox morality, on the Catechism. And adult listeners listen to a course on the Fundamentals of the Orthodoxworldview.
Tent camp "Solnyshko"
In the summer, students of the Higher School spend their holidays and gain physical and spiritual strength in the Summer Family Camp "Solnyshko", which is located in a forest in a picturesque place on Lake Seliger in the Tver region. There are no communications here. While in the camp, children and adults learn in practice the Orthodox way of life on the basis of the gospel commandments. They pray daily, take part in divine services, sing and read at services, observe fasts, and participate in recreational, sports, cultural and educational events.
Priests call for regular missionary and catechetical talks and lectures, for organizing pilgrimages to shrines and historical sites.
Bibliography
What do parishioners say about their spiritual father, what is Archpriest Valerian Krechetov? Reviews are always grateful, kind. In addition to the main service, the miter arch. Valerian is a spiritual writer whose books are sought after with great excitement and read with genuine interest, as can be read in reviews and heard from parishioners. Valerian Krechetov's books are addressed to a wide range of Orthodox readers. Some want to receive spiritual comfort, others want advice, and still others want admonition and instruction. Everyone will find what he likes. Introducing the annotations of some of the books.
"Bring my soul out of prison", 2012
The book is addressed to different categories of people: from beginning Christians tochurched parishioners. The human soul needs spiritual growth. Each time, overcoming sins and making efforts on ourselves, we rise one step higher on the path to salvation. At the same time, fasting and sincere regular prayer are the main helpers on the path of ascent.
"How can we equip ourselves?", 2013
In the book, Father Valerian teaches to combine the movement of the mind and heart into a single impulse. Our heart and our mind must simultaneously want what we ask of God. Then we can get what we ask for. The author draws a parallel between our souls and the souls of saints. The souls of the saints are always tuned to the same wave, and we are always drifting somewhere: either to the left or to the right. Parents themselves must take care of their souls and endow their children with pure and bright filling. These are the main thoughts of the book.
"The key to the present is in the past", 2014
The book includes interviews given to the magazine "Pokrov" and radio "Radonezh". Prot. Valerian, answering questions, explains that all our problems and troubles come from the past. Therefore, the key to a happy life can only be found by correcting the mistakes of the past. Batiushka answers questions about happiness, joy, a worthy change, the right life in the Church, etc.
"Martha or Mary?", 2006, 2012
The first book with this title was published in 2006 and was noted by believers as interesting and informative. Therefore, in 2012, a continuation of the first edition of Valerian Krechetov was published. The books deal with complex topics. O. Valerian explains complex things in simple terms. At the end of his creation, heremembers Fr. Nikolay Guryanov.
"Bear our battle to blood and flesh…", 2011
The book contains the sermons of Valerian Krechetov. Spiritual struggle is the main theme of this book. The struggle is not on the material, but on the spiritual level, which is carried out in the hearts of people and is the most difficult. To overcome spiritual warfare is the main task of a Christian.
"About the most important", 2011
The title of the book speaks eloquently for itself. It really contains the main conversations of the priest. The book touches on important issues: life and death; sin and repentance; the fear of God and the fear of the enemy; family happiness. These and many other topics are covered in this edition.
"From earthly vanity to true life", 2012
The book contains spiritual conversations that touch on the most pressing issues. Why fast? How to deal with offenders? The frequency of communion and unction. Why is unhappiness necessary? How not to lose spirituality behind secular fuss? What is more important - the temple or the presence of good deeds? These and many other questions are consecrated in this book, after reading which, the reader will be able to find physical and spiritual strength in himself.
"Reflections before Confession", 2014
The new book is intended for people preparing to confess, as well as for those who doubt the need for repentance. Batiushka explains the meaning of this great sacrament in a simple and accessible language. Is it necessary to confess if you have not killed or robbed anyone? Why repent? What to say in confession if you haven't done anything wrong? To these and many other questions about. Valeriangives clear, lively and penetrating answers. Everyone who reads this book will feel the need for repentance.
Awards
For his services to the matter of the Church, Fr. Valerian has received numerous awards. He was awarded:
- Gaiter.
- Kamilavka.
- Pectoral Cross.
- Received the title of archpriest.
- Mace.
- Pectoral Cross with decorations.
- Order of the 3rd degree of St. Daniel of Moscow.
- Order of the 3rd degree Rev. Sergius of Radonezh.
- Mitra.
- Order of the 2nd degree Rev. Sergius of Radonezh.
- An award according to which he can serve with the royal doors open until the Lord's Prayer.
Interesting facts
During his years of study and pastoral practice, Archpriest Valerian Krechetov communicated with many great spiritual people and gained spiritual and pastoral experience. His interlocutors were Fr. Nikolay Guryanov, and Fr. John Krestyankin.
In 2017 Father Valerian celebrated his 80th birthday. At the moment, the mitered archpriest Valerian is a father and grandfather of many children: he has 7 children and 34 grandchildren.
