People come to faith in different ways. Some through illness, others through the loss of a loved one, and still others through insight. The last fell to a Moscow youth of 22 years old, whom everyone in Ryazan today calls hegumen Luke. His biography, church ministry and social activities will be discussed in this article.
Biography
The biography of Abbot Luka Stepanov begins on August 4, 1966. True, then he was given the name of Igor Ilyich Stepanov. From childhood, he showed talents in literature and sports. So already in his school years he actively participated and won first places in reading competitions, performed in various radio programs.
In addition, I. I. Stepanov was successfully involved in athletics. And after serving in the army, he entered GITIS, from which he graduated with honors. During his studies, the future abbot taught courses in acting and stage speech.
When I. I. Stepanov was 22 years old, he was baptized. And already in 1994, having finally decided to connect his life with the ministryGod, labored in the courtyard of the Athos Panteleimon Monastery. And two years later he became a monk. All this happened unexpectedly for his relatives and friends, despite the fact that Stepanov had a beautiful bride, whom he had previously planned to marry and even perform a wedding ceremony with her. Subsequently, hegumen Luka (Stepanov) admitted that he had several reasons for such a serious step. One of them was reading the Bible and realizing their moral mistakes. He realized that it would be impossible to serve two gods (Melpomene and Jesus Christ) at the same time. Therefore, I made such a choice.
Stepanov's path as a clergyman began at the Vyshensky Dormition Monastery. He received his second higher education at the Orthodox St. Tikhon Theological Institute at the Faculty of Education. And in 2002 he was accepted as the head of the department of theology at the Russian State University. S. A. Yesenina.
In 2008-2012 Hegumen Luka (Stepanov) headed the Ryazan Orthodox Gymnasium in the name of St. Basil of Ryazan. In parallel with this service, he studied at graduate school. And in 2012, the abbot defended his dissertation on the topic “Social service to the Russian Orthodox Church in the 19th - early 19th century”. 20th century, received a PhD in History.
Church ministry
Hegumen Luka (Stepanov) reached his current rank in Ryazan only in 2013. Until that moment, his “spiritual ladder” included the rank of hierodeacon, to which he was ordained in 2001. Soon he became a hieromonk and rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and St. mts. Tatiana, andtoday operating at the Ryazan State University. And only 12 years later, Luka Stepanov became hegumen (priest) of the Transfiguration Monastery in Pronsk (a village in the Ryazan region), where he continues to serve at the present time.
In addition, the spiritual path led Hegumen Luke to the post of Secretary of the Diocesan Council, dealing with theological education of the Ryazan diocese. Also in 2016, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Diocesan Church Court in Ryazan. And at present, the abbot is also the chairman of the commission for Orthodox education, spiritual enlightenment in the same Ryazan diocese.
Community activities
Despite being busy in the spiritual service, hegumen Luka (Stepanov) has a rich social activity. Although it would be more correct to say church-social activity. After all, all the thoughts and good deeds of Abbot Luke are directed towards the educational channel, towards strengthening the Orthodox faith in Russia. He is the author and host of the television program "Soulful Supper", which is broadcast on the Soyuz TV channel and Ryazan television.
Hegumen Luka (Stepanov) also writes headings in Ryazan newspapers and is the author of three books on Orthodox topics "For a couple of affectionate ones", "Internet - catch …" and "What is not clear, dear ?!". His works have a question-answer format and are aimed at ordinary readers, i.e., the laity. They provide answers to pressing questions about pastoral life, the complexity of choosing a life path, the influence of the Internet,social networks on the consciousness of modern man. Author's books are distributed in periodicals and online publications.
You can meet Abbot Luke (Stepanov) not only in Ryazan, but also on the Internet. He actively participates in the All-Russian project "Father-online", where he always and in detail answers the questions of absolutely everyone.
Publicism
In addition to books, the abbot wrote more than a dozen articles on the Pravoslavie.ru website. In them, he talks about fasting, shepherding, obedience and prayer, answers the burning questions of believers, helps with good advice in overcoming any difficulties associated with a crisis of faith and overcoming fears, sinful temptations. Here, every person, regardless of age and even religion, can find useful information for themselves, understand the complexities of understanding the world around them.
Awards
Hegumen Luke (Stepanov) was awarded the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov III degree. The basis for the award was the special contribution of the clergyman to church and social activities, as well as the revival of monasteries and churches.
