In the Russian Orthodox Church, a tradition has been established to rank as saints only those righteous, from the day of whose death a significant period of time has passed. However, there have always been and are saints of God who, by their piety, have earned such ardent love from their contemporaries that the general rumor glorifies them long before the decision of the Holy Synod. Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) is such an unofficial, but revered saint among the people. A book about his life, compiled by nun Natalya (Andronova) and called The Good Shepherd, formed the basis of this article.
Grandson of old woman Pelageya
On January 14, 1949, in the pious Russian family of Nikolai Evgenievich and Nadezhda Vasilievna Novikov, who lived in the village of Rakitino, Tula Region, the first-born was born, named in holy baptism Vasily. After him, the Lord sent his parents three more children - brothers Sergei and Ivan, as well as sister Lydia.
The family in which the future shepherd was born has been closely connected with Orthodoxy since ancient times. Their fellow villagers still keep the memory of his grandmother Pelageya,deservedly acquired the glory of the old woman. Back in the distant pre-revolutionary years, she twice made pilgrimages to Jerusalem on foot. Old-timers said that after the first such trip, the gift of clairvoyance began to manifest itself in her with all obviousness.
So, she predicted events that were yet to happen with amazing accuracy. Having been honored to visit the Holy Land for the second time, the old woman Pelageya (this is how everyone in the district called her since then) showed amazing examples of healing the sick and casting out demons. The future hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) witnessed all this in his early years.
He himself repeatedly recalled how the demoniac, brought to grandmother Pelageya for healing, was torn from the chains with wild cries, and how he suddenly calmed down and spoke in a calm, intelligible voice after she sprinkled him with holy water and read a prayer. Of course, such scenes, of which there were many, left an indelible imprint on the emerging mind of a teenager.
Young years of the future zealot of the faith
An important role in the religious upbringing of their son was played by the parents themselves - deeply pious people who built their lives according to the commandments of God and in accordance with the traditions of Orthodoxy. As a result, while attending a Soviet school as a child, Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) managed to remain a true Christian who did not stain himself with atheistic nihilism. It should be noted that he, like the rest of the children in their family, never joined either the pioneer or the Komsomol organization.
Like most rural children, Vasily was introduced to work from an early age, helping his parents in the garden and in the field, grazing livestock and harvesting firewood. It was especially difficult for him after his father died as a result of a serious illness, and his mother, who worked as a nurse in a district hospital, was left alone with four children.
In their family, the memory of one very unusual circumstance connected with the last days of the life of Nikolai Evgenievich was forever preserved. Subsequently, it was said that shortly before his death, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which was their family shrine, suddenly faded, placed in the red corner. The change in him was so significant that the features imprinted on him became almost indistinguishable. When the soul of the deceased left the body, the icon took on its former form.
A kind word about Nadezhda Vasilievna Novikova
By the way, having been widowed, Nadezhda Vasilievna was even more filled with religious feelings. Despite the extreme employment caused by household chores and daily work, she spent a lot of time in the church of John the Baptist, located eight kilometers from the village, where, in addition to participating in divine services, she helped its rector and her spiritual father, Archpriest Mikhail (Chudakov), as much as she could.
In the last two decades, Nadezhda Vasilievna voluntarily imposed on herself the food restrictions adopted by the monks. She never ate meat, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, her entire daily diet consisted only of prosphora, washed down with holy water. At every opportunity, Nadezhda Vasilievna madepilgrimage to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where she took her children with her.
Later, Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov), whose photo is presented in this article, often recalled how deeply the monks' singing, which he had heard more than once on such trips, sunk deep into his soul. He also spoke about how, thanks to his musical abilities, which manifested itself at an early age, he often stood next to the choristers during church services and sang along with them.
Military service and the beginning of an independent life
After graduating from high school and reaching military age, Vasily went to serve in the army. By the commission of the Military Commissariat, he was sent to the Northern Fleet, where he served on a nuclear submarine for three years. Here the skill for work, developed in him from childhood, came in handy for the young man. Conscientiously performing any work entrusted to him, sailor Novikov deservedly earned universal respect.
Demobilized in 1970, the future hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) went to study at the Uzlovsky railway school and, upon graduation, was assigned to the city of Ershov, where he began working as an assistant locomotive driver. In the same place, the Lord soon sent him a bride, Valentina.
After the wedding, the young couple settled in the city of Uzlovaya, Tula region, where they had three children - sons Alexander and Mikhail, and daughter Natalia. Soon, as an advanced worker, Vasily was promoted to a senior position.
A major turn in life
It would seem, what more could a young man want? However, not about such a fatedreamed of hieromonk Vasily (Novikov), whose biography by that time fit perfectly into Soviet stereotypes. He considered the priesthood to be his true calling, to which he aspired with all his soul, but such a sharp turn in his life required considerable determination from him.
Since Vasily was a man burdened with a family, he, of course, could not make such an important decision without the consent of his wife. Having told Valentina about his intentions, he met a categorical objection from her side, the essence of which boiled down, mainly to the fact that she married “a driver, not a priest.”
Not daring to impose his opinion on his wife, and only earnestly praying to God for the admonition of His servant Valentina, Vasily went to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where, near the shrine with the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, he asked the saint for help and intercession in such an important matter. His prayers were heard and, returning home, the pilgrim found his wife softened in heart and ready to follow him in a new field.
This story ended with the fact that on one of the days of Great Lent in 1993, the servant of God Vasily (Novikov) was ordained a deacon, and a week later - a priest. Thus began his many years of service to God, on the path of which he entered, finding in it the blessing of the great holy Russian land - St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Establishment and the beginning of spiritual achievement
Father Vasily began his pastoral ministry in the village of Spasskoye, Tula Region, where he was sent after his ordination. Since the 90s were the period that ended long decades of persecution of Russian Orthodoxy, many churches, especially those located in rural areas, were in a very deplorable state by that time.
This is exactly what happened to the Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in the village of Spasskoye, whose rector was appointed Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov). The father's fiery sermon, addressed to the hearts of his new fellow villagers, helped him find among them many volunteer helpers in the restoration of the shrine.
When, thanks to their labors, supported by his own diligence, the church was brought into proper shape, and religious life was revived in it, the diocesan authorities transferred under his care another church, located in a neighboring village, and almost completely destroyed. It was once known throughout the district, the temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It also managed to be restored with the help of God-loving fellow villagers and voluntary sponsors, who were found by Father Vasily.
Monastic vows
On the Holy Week of Great Lent in 1997, the Lord called Father Vasily's wife Valentina to His Heavenly Halls, after which the priest finally moved to the village of Spasskoye, Tula Region, where he spent the rest of his life. In April 2006, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop, he received a secret monastic tonsure while retaining his former name.
From that day on, his ministry began in the "rank of the angels", as from time immemorial they spoke of those who, rejecting the transient joys of the vain world, devoted themselves entirelyserving God. It is known that, in addition to Father Vasily, 14 more people were tonsured monks at the same time, who laid the foundation for the creation of a new monastery.
Spiritual pastor of fellow villagers
Remaining, as before, the rector of the village church, Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) Tulsky - as it is customary to call him, tirelessly cared for the deanery and splendor of church life. It was solely thanks to his diligence that wall paintings that had fallen into disrepair were restored, a baptismal and almshouse building were built, a Sunday school was opened for children and their parents, and a choir of choir singing was organized.
Always immersed in parish affairs, Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) did not forget about carrying out monastic deeds, the main of which at that time was unceasing inner prayer, the fulfillment of which he made a vow during tonsure, as well as regular prayerful night vigils. The villagers recalled how often the light in Father Vasily's window did not go out throughout the night.
Starting to make such prayers privately, that is, at home, secluded from everyone, soon the priest transferred them to the temple, where he gathered everyone. He accompanied the liturgical texts with the reading of the Ps alter and akathists. The night vigil ended with a deeply thoughtful and brilliantly executed sermon by Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov).
Hot supporter of monarchism
In terms of his political preferences, Father Vasily was a staunch monarchist, who believed that only autocracy could ensure peace and prosperity for Russia. Being a sincere admirer of the innocently murdered sovereign Nicholas II, he perceived his death as an expiatory sacrifice, brought on the altar of the fatherland.
Having repeatedly visited the village of Taininsky, where the local priest performed the rite of repentance for the crimes of the Bolsheviks in those years, the priest repeated this ceremony many times in his church. This practice contributed greatly to the fame he gained in the 2000s.
An important role in this was played by the fiery sermon of Hieromonk Vasily Novikov (August 2007) about the importance of true faith in a person's life, and the inadmissibility of replacing it with worship of worldly and coming values. A video of this speech has been widely circulated on the Internet.
At the same time, a film appeared in which such prominent representatives of the spiritual life of Russia of those years as Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov), Elder Nikolai (Guryanov) and Hierodeacon Abel (Semyonov) address the Russians with pastoral instruction, accompanying his words as prophecies about the future of the country.
Fighter for the purity of faith
The following year, Father Vasily submitted an application to the leadership of the diocese to withdraw him from the staff, and provide him with the opportunity to continue pastoral activities at the place of residence, which is provided for by one of the articles of the current Church Charter. His request was granted, and since then the sermon of Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) has been heard for everyone who gathered on the appointed days near his house in Spasskoye.
It should be noted that Father Vasilyalways distinguished by high principles and never compromised in matters of faith and many other aspects of modern life. In particular, he publicly expressed his extremely negative attitude towards ecumenism and globalism. In this regard, it is known that Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov), whose fiery sermon sometimes touched on these problems, was repeatedly attacked by the authorities, who saw signs of extremism in his speeches.
Death of a righteous man
The last pious deed of Father Vasily is the erection of a font over the holy spring dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Ivankovo. This building, which was consecrated on November 4, 2010, was built by him with the help of spiritual children, as well as voluntary donors. The work took a lot of strength from the priest, since at the beginning of the same year he fell ill with a cold, and over the next months he tried to endure the ailment on his feet that would not let him go.
Father Vasily did not turn to doctors for help, preferring folk remedies and prayer. However, in November, his condition deteriorated so much that he was able to take unction again and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ only without getting up from his bed. Finally, in the early morning of November 11, 2010, while reading one of the canons, he quietly departed to the Lord.
Uncanonized saint
On this day, many priests and spiritual children visited the house where their brother in Christ and spiritual mentor Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov) offered his last prayer. The cause of death of this ascetic of piety was, withoutdoubts, not only in the illness that befell him, but also in the extreme exhaustion of the forces devoted to the service of the church.
Father Vasily's burial took place at the confluence of a huge number of people who came to the village of Spasskoye from all over the country to see off their spiritual mentor and teacher on their last journey. But even after the days of commemoration of the deceased established by church tradition had passed, the grave of hieromonk Fr. Vasily (Novikov) is regularly visited by his admirers. It always flickers inextinguishable lamp.
They all believe that one day, among other Russian saints, their spiritual mentor, Hieromonk Vasily (Novikov), will be glorified as a saint. A troparion was composed for him shortly after his death, and the day is not far off when, on the next anniversary of his death, he will sound in all Russian churches.
