In memory of Archimandrite German (Chesnokov)
August 16 marks 9 days since the repose of the monk of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite German (Chesnokov), to the Lord. For about forty years, the priest bore the heavy cross of expelling evil spirits and preached repentance to the people coming out of godless captivity. The Sergiev Posad Church of Peter and Paul, the Resurrection courtyard of the Lavra, where Father Herman presided, became a center of healing and enlightenment for many. Hieromonk Pamphilus (Osokin), who worked under him, tells about the newly departed shepherd
How Father Herman became a monk
In the spiritual center of Russia, the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the future archimandrite, the ascetic of our days, Father German, ended up like this.
He was born in the city of Labinsk, in the Kuban. The parents' family was large and religious. He was born on the third day of the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, during the post-feast period - August 30. And the year was 1941... The war had already begun. This year he was christened. The person being baptized was named Alexander - in honor of the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky, who gave many victories to the Russian people.
Alexander went to school in 1948 and graduated in 1959. Then he served in the army, in the border troops. After demobilization, he worked in his hometown at a factory, studying in absentia at the same agricultural technical school.
And then I went to enter the Moscow Theological Seminary. Upon completion of his studies in 1973, he was immediately enrolled as a novice in the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. On August 16, 1976, in the Trinity Cathedral, at the shrine with the holy relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Jerome (Zinoviev), tonsured him with the name German - in honor of St. Herman of Alaska.
This was preceded by an amazing incident, which the priest often talked about...
Like all seminary graduates, Alexander Chesnokov wondered what path in life to choose? And so, returning after the prayer service to St. Sergius in his cell, with the blessing of the Lavra confessor, he said to himself: “If someone comes to me now, I will be a monk.”
A short time later there was a knock on the door:
- Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers...
- Amen.
A novice stands on the threshold and holds out salt... Alexander himself did not ask for anything like that... So he saw in this a clear indication from God - also confirmed by the words of the Gospel: you are the salt of the earth
(Matt. 5:13).
So I chose the monastic path.
World and hometown
The basis of the “Culture Code” clothing line will include jackets, denim jackets, raincoats, windbreakers and bomber jackets. As Samsonova said, some of the clothes will be for exhibition, and some will be given to the very poets who will read poems for the project.
“In addition to QR codes, the design of things will be supplemented with images of poets of the past, for example, Shakespeare, Villon, Petrarch, Sappho,” added Samsonova.
For her idea, Elizaveta received a grant of 100 thousand rubles. As the girl noted, this will help her with the implementation of the project.
– We plan to continue to develop our brand, enter the Russian and then the world market. It is possible to undergo two-year training in a specialty in Belgium, says Samsonova. – I really want to do something for my native Sergiev Posad. If ideas arise, I will definitely try to implement them.
Let us remind you that last year the Tavrida forum was also not left without winners from the Moscow region. Ekaterina Berez from Domodedovo, with a project to create a music laboratory for young people undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for drug addiction, received a grant of 300 thousand rubles.
Father-builder and zealous abbot
In the same 1976, literally six months later, on December 5, Father German received the rank of deacon at the hands of the Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvash Varnava. Another six months later, on April 2, 1977, Archbishop Vladimir of Dmitrov ordained him as a hieromonk.
In the Lavra, Father Herman carried out various obediences. Possessing good hearing, he sang and supervised. Then he served for three years in the Transfiguration Church of the Athos Metochion. This was in the early 1980s, and by the end of this decade, elevated to the rank of abbot, he was appointed rector of the Resurrection Metochion of the Lavra - the Peter and Paul Church near the monastery, where he served for more than 30 years. Over the years, the temple complex was completely restored and new buildings were built, a Sunday school and educational courses for adults were organized.
Father Herman was very jealous of everything that happened in the church. Everything was done as he said - as if he pulled everything in line: service requires reverence, attention to everything, there are no trifles.
For example, a cleaning lady washes the floor, but this will do:
“I washed it here, but why not here?” – even some secluded corners were not hidden from his gaze. Everything in the church had to be clean and shiny. And even more so in the altar he watched everything very strictly.
He also delved into everything that was happening on the choir: how and what they sang - he remembered his first obedience. At the prayer services that he served after the Liturgy, he always presided over it himself.
By the way, he also took part in the painting of the Church of Peter and Paul, which he restored. And then at Christmas he often gave holiday icons to everyone - on them is the same Christmas fresco of his work. At one time, he studied with the outstanding icon painter of the 20th century, nun Juliania (Sokolova), who worked on the restoration of the Lavra upon its return to the Church after the war.
Reprimand with psalms
Also, reprimands with psalms are carried out quite often. Each of them is responsible for a certain area of a person’s life and actions, and therefore for his body and soul. Psalms addressed in the temple during exorcism:
- Against demonic attacks – 45, 67;
- In diseases – 29, 46, 69;
- In mental confusion - 30;
- In emotional distress – 36, 39, 53, 69;
- From damage and sorcerers - 49, 53, 58, 63, 139;
- If the evil one prevails – 142, 67.
A reprimand in church is the most effective help for a person overcome by demons, because its power lies in the Word of the Lord, and it is pure and unshakable. Evil in a person can be defeated if faith and goodness are with him, for they bring light, from which all bad things disappear, and the world around again illuminates with light and peace.
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The image of a merciful monk caring for the salvation of everyone
Father Herman always had many seminarians in his yard.
They get married, ordained, but still have no income. Father attracted them to serve in his church of Peter and Paul. And he called their financial assistance “the widow’s mite.” Despite the fact that he distributed his last funds to the needy, somehow miraculously he did not run out of them - seeing his responsiveness, the people also constantly donated something to him. Just like the righteous John of Kronstadt! Father Herman showed the image of a merciful monk who took part in the material needs of the disadvantaged so that their hearts would not become hardened, but he especially cared about the enlightenment of the laity - about feeding them spiritually and guiding them on the true path.
Moreover, teaching in the Sunday schools and theological courses organized in the courtyard was organized in such a way that both senior seminarians and students of the Moscow Theological Academy gained experience there. That is, Father German was able to somehow solve problems in a “multi-vector” way: everyone was involved, everyone was happy, fed, housed.
But most importantly, there was always a school of prayer next to him. Most of all, the priest himself, with all his labors and cares, still prayed for everyone and for everything. He always strictly observed his monastic rule.
Sergius Lavra, lecture
There has always been a twofold attitude towards scolding in society:
- some are skeptical about them, believing that damage is something unreal, and people simply hide their weaknesses behind it;
- others believe that there are evil forces capable of “consuming” human essence, and salvation from this is only God’s word.
It is these lectures that are carried out in the largest monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. There, Father German, a famous Orthodox archimandrite and simply a very kind and warm-hearted person, reads his prayers to help people who are overcome by demons.
Unity with all the brethren
Father Herman tried to be at the service every day - even when he was not serving, he commemorated, commemorated, commemorated, and then stood behind the curtain where the vestments hung and quietly prayed unnoticed - but this was only if there was time left after the commemoration of many notes. They also gave him notes with requests for special prayer.
At the proskomedia, Father Herman remembered a lot of names - only the core, a small piece, could remain unnoticed in his hands from the prosphora.
In the altar of the Peter and Paul Church, the health and funeral synodics with the names of the entire Lavra brethren were always read. One day he disappeared somewhere, and Father Herman said to the altar boys:
“We won’t start the Liturgy until you find it.”
He treated his brothers who lived within the walls of the Lavra with great trepidation and reverence, felt unity with everyone and always tried to support the brethren, especially young novices, thereby introducing them to the community - rooting them in brotherhood. While serving at the Resurrection Metochion near the Lavra, the priest, whenever possible, always hurried to the Trinity Cathedral to bow to St. Sergius, and at the same time he would always greet and encourage the brethren on duty there.
Lavra traditions
Everything at Father German’s at the Resurrection Metochion took place in accordance with Lavra traditions. For example, just as in the Lavra, after the Sunday Liturgy, the Rite of Panagia is performed, so there – even without the Panagiar, but all the employees gathered, lined up in twos, and in such a procession of the cross, accompanied by the singing of the stichera “Eternal Council...”, went to the refectory. Father German loved this stichera of the Annunciation very much.
Having sung a prayer with everyone before the meal, the priest blessed “food and drink,” and he himself suddenly disappeared. Then he comes running when everyone has already eaten:
- Well, should we thank God?
Again he will pray with everyone, and then he calls the reader:
- And you sit in my place.
This is also, by the way, a monastic tradition: on Mount Athos, for example, this is customary in all monasteries - the abbot, in gratitude for reading, usually treats the reader from his table. So Father Herman himself won’t eat at all, but will show the reader such an honor... With humility,
- as the apostle says, -
giving honor to one another
(Phil. 2:3).
Success code
For the fifth year in a row, the Tavrida Forum has brought together creative youth from all over the country in Crimea. People come here to listen to representatives of the celebrity world and present their own projects. Grants of up to 3 million rubles are awarded for the implementation of the best initiatives. In total, 15 creative sessions are planned this summer, 10 of which have already been completed. Each of them is dedicated to a specific direction of contemporary art. 21-year-old Liza Samsonova from Sergiev Posad surprised everyone by presenting... a collection of clothes at the rap session.
“Yes, the participants were mainly vocalists, producers, beatmakers,” says Elizaveta. “But the organizing committee, when they understood the essence of my project, thought that this was just a new look at the promotion of poetry, and they really liked it.
The idea is to create designer clothes with a QR code, by clicking on which you can see a video: a modern poet reading his works.
“The most interesting thing is that the idea only came to me on the plane on the way to Crimea,” Samsonova said. – I was already thinking on the spot. Past experience helped. I already took part in the forum two years ago.
Cross of Communication
In the morning, the priest attended the Liturgy every day, then his lectures began, and after that he went to the baptismal sanctuary and had his endless conversations with the pilgrims there. His ministry was like this: loving, pastoral. He was not afraid to say an extra word. If it could help someone, I was ready to talk for hours.
The words of St. Seraphim of Sarov are well known: “If you want to upset yourself, talk to a person of a different dispensation.” But the priest carried this cross. And people came to him, often completely internally unsettled and not understanding who a priest was, but simply looking for help somewhere; or those who are scandalous, grumbling and criticizing everyone - try talking with them all day long... But the priest forgot about himself and did not pay attention to fatigue.
In general, he welcomed all people: both those who really needed help, and those who themselves did not know why they came and distracted the elder. I don't remember him rejecting anyone. Although at first he could answer quite harshly, probably exposing some hidden passions and unrepentant sins.
Fulfillment of the commandments, like a fiery shell, protects against dark power
In his sermons, Father Herman could retell almost the entire Bible, list the commandments of the Old and New Testaments, briefly sort out church history according to important semantic milestones, and rearrange all this so as to relate it to the present time and the realities, problems of life of each of those who came to him .
And these were all, as a rule, suffering people - both from the simple and from the prosperous - he did not, according to the instructions of the Apostle, make any distinction (see James 2: 1-6). He accepted everyone. He turned many to fulfill the commandments. Even if a person enslaved by obsession came to him, he suggested that if you learn to gradually apply the commandments in your life, they will free you and, like a fiery shell, will henceforth protect you from demonic invasion (from the words of St. John Chrysostom “On Evil Spirits”) . He babysat everyone and taught them.
He said: “The Lord, according to the expression of the holy fathers, uses demonic power precisely as a scourge to punish sinners.” Now many are worried: Father Herman is gone, and there are no reprimands... But we have been given so many Church Sacraments to cleanse the soul and make it impregnable to demons.
He called on believers to be more active. To achieve, for example, the teaching of the Law of God to children in schools - I was perplexed: how so many people die through ignorance and unreason. The propaganda of sin is highly developed. “Thousand-episode films for the destruction of souls,” he lamented, “are constantly broadcast,” but young men and women do not receive strong foundations of morality from childhood. This is why families fall apart: abortions, drunkenness, adultery - and if children are born in such marriages, then how much grief they will suffer...
He urged me to go to church more often while the time is favorable,
- reminded, -
now is the day of salvation
(2 Cor. 6:2).
Reprimand from damage
Damage makes people sick. Not only their body hurts, but also their soul. The prayers that are performed during such a reprimand have enormous Divine power and destroy all evil inflicted on a person. With their miraculous influence they attract God's Grace, which gives the sick person faith and commands him to fulfill all the commandments.
After all, it is then that his protection from evil demons will be more powerful, when the soul is filled with righteousness and humility. This is a kind of “fiery shell”, touching which the evil spirits simply burn to the ground.
Reprimands
Father German spoke especially impressively about what happens to a person who has fallen away from God in his sermons at the “Rite of expelling evil spirits from people,” which the Spiritual Council of the Lavra entrusted him with with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen back in 1982.
For almost forty years the priest carried out this ministry. At first, for many years he reprimanded the possessed in the gateway Church of the Baptist of the Lavra. By the way, when he was still studying at Moscow theological schools, he somehow came to the Lavra elder, and before that Saint John the Baptist appeared to him and predicted that this child would now come to monasticism and serve in the temple dedicated to him. That's how it all happened.
The Church of the Baptist is adjacent to the fraternal building, and the fathers used to hear the screams and din of the demoniac when Father Herman reprimanded. Then, after 2014, with the deterioration of his health, which in many ways was probably undermined in this arduous field of battles with the dark force, he began to lecture in his courtyard - in the Peter and Paul Church.
It was Father Herman who continued the Lavra tradition of reprimanding, which had been established in the Lavra since its opening, after the blasphemies that occurred under Soviet rule. As one of the fathers joked:
“In the USSR, after everything that happened in it, there are no people possessed by demons,” they also scolded those who accompanied the sick.
Before Father Herman, Archimandrite Adrian (Kirsanov) was responsible for the lectures in the Lavra, who was later transferred away from the capital to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, because one day some commission of high-ranking persons visited Zagorsk, and one of them saw a monk carrying out the feat of expelling evil spirits, he suddenly began to rage...
Who really needs a lecture?
How can you figure out whether a person needs to go to a lecture, or whether he is simply hiding from his own troubles behind an imaginary obsession? Experienced confessors advise paying attention to how a person reacts to sacred objects. Indeed, people possessed by evil spirits (of which, in fact, there are not so many) absolutely cannot stand holy water, the smell of incense, the sign of the cross and any other sacred objects and actions.
Very often people think that performing a ritual is enough to remove evil from their lives. In fact, this is completely not true, even if demonic possession actually occurs. Evil spirits simply cannot settle in a person’s soul, but only if the person himself allows them to penetrate there.
We, through our sins and apostasy from the Lord, free the soul for evil. If Christ does not reign in the soul, there is room for his enemies. But we can get rid of evil spirits in the only effective way - personal repentance. Therefore, reprimand cannot in any way be considered as the only and sufficient tool for healing the soul.
The rite of reprimand is used only for people possessed by evil spirits
A person who is truly possessed by the forces of evil is incapable of repentance, he cannot endure communion, being in the Church, venerating icons or holy relics. Anyone who has ever seen the behavior of a possessed person will remember it for the rest of their lives - such people howl, growl, bark, roll on the floor, scratch and bite. Often, in order to bring a demoniac into the temple, the strength of several strong, healthy men is needed - the demons resist so much. Those possessed by demons have to be tied up and dragged by force into the temple, with difficulty holding them in front of the priest. Of course, this spectacle is not for the faint of heart, so reprimands are always held separately from the main church services.
An important aspect is to be able to determine the difference between demonic possession and insanity, mental illness. People suffering from schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders can behave similarly and very aggressively. But this is not always the influence of evil forces. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical help in a timely manner, visit a psychiatrist, and follow all doctor’s orders if strange manifestations of the mental spectrum are observed.
You should never go to extremes. Yes, evil forces can and do influence a person, but it never happens just like that. On the other hand, there is now a clear unhealthy interest in exorcizing demons, when everyone is willing to undergo this procedure, even those who simply want to “clean up the energy system,” improve their quality of life, and the like. Such an attitude towards rank is unacceptable and must be strictly suppressed by clergy.
Important! The decision to travel and participate in the lecture should never be made independently. Here you definitely need to consult with an experienced confessor who will help you understand the spiritual state of a person.
On Great Days, demons are especially rampant
At Father Herman’s services, even non-believers began to pray. Moreover, if there were those present there who had already gathered for the reprimand, which began after the Liturgy, then you would see enough there that you would pray! Once during Holy Week on Maundy Thursday or Friday in the church, the possessed began to scream so much that their ears were blocked from their roar, but the priest did not pay attention to them. Many people think that usually the so-called “cliques” at Father Herman’s services shouted in order to, supposedly, raise the authority of the priest, but this did not work with him, Father Herman saw such people and immediately kicked them out of the church.
After the reprimands he gave, many of the possessed felt noticeably better: Father Herman would sprinkle holy water, and the sick would come to their senses. Or somehow they brought in some completely relaxed person, and after a lecture he suddenly came to life and began hugging his loved ones with joy.
The Lord, just as He once raised up the paralytic—those who were lowered, for example, before Him through the roof (see Mark 2:2–5)—works through His servants to this day. You recovered; sin no more, lest something worse happen to you
(John 5:14) - Father Herman always, recalling these words of Christ, emphasized why a person is allowed all this weakness and illness, reminded about the spiritual side of life, so that it is not neglected.
Otherwise it is known: the cast out demon will return and take with him seven other spirits more evil than himself
(see Matt. 12:45)…
Reprimand with prayers
When exorcizing demons, special prayers are read in the temple, which were compiled by the holy fathers back in the 4th century. Afterwards the following church procedures take place:
- anointing with holy oil;
- sprinkling with holy water;
- overshadowing with a cross.
During such rituals, demons can manifest themselves by “breaking out” of a person with terrible voices:
- growl and croak;
- howl;
- fight;
- crying;
- shake the possessed, causing them to make rather strange body movements.
Sometimes they even bring patients from other cities, already tied with chains and ropes.
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Rapid reconstruction
At the end of 2010, Archimandrite German, in addition to all the obediences he had carried out, was blessed to restore the Church of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Glinkovo on the outskirts of Sergiev Posad. This was when the documents for the church were received, and before that, for ten years he had been seeking the allocation of land, the release of premises - a chemical plant was located there. How the priest then came after all these litigations, exhausted and exhausted: as if again he had to fight with demons...
Then he still collected money to buy back this ruined church... And the reconstruction itself was absolutely rapid: on Easter 2011 - less than a year later the first Easter Liturgy was already served there.
The people willingly gathered for the services of Father Herman. He had such humility. Once at a prayer service, while sprinkling the people, he touched one woman with the sprinkler and began to sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness before her, just like a guilty child, that she suddenly burst into tears - perhaps he brought this soul to tenderness and helped her herself gain a feeling of repentance.
Preacher of Repentance
The Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius and many children from Moscow and other cities and villages of Russia said goodbye to Archimandrite German (Chesnokov), who for about 40 years carried out the difficult feat of expelling evil spirits. Father went to the Lord right on the eve of his namesake, which, as they say, ascetics and prayer books are worthy of. This Sunday marks 9 days since his death. The newly deceased is remembered by Abbot Philaret (Tambovsky), cleric of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” on Bolshaya Ordynka.
Archimandrite German (Chesnokov)
How the enemy is twisting now, and Father German saved lives from this whirlpool
I have known Father Herman since about 1982 - just then the spiritual council of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius blessed him to perform the “Rite of expelling evil spirits from people” - the so-called “readings of the possessed.” My grandmother's sister Martha was his spiritual child. Father German often stayed with her when he was in Moscow. He lived for several days at a time, receiving people from her, baptizing, confessing, administering unction, and even giving reprimands at home.
I remember his parents too; they also stayed with their grandmother when they came from Kuban to visit their monk son. They went everywhere to worship Moscow shrines. Very pious, deeply religious, modest people.
Father Herman baptized many of the high-ranking party leaders. Often they turned to him with problems that their children had. I always, I know, instructed: “You need to get married. You can't live in an unwed marriage. We need to repent." But the enemy is now pushing so hard that he is killing off children from married marriages, even from priestly families. Often through a meeting with the other half.
I remember this is how one of the priests addressed Father Herman: his son graduated from seminary, and someone advised him to get a second higher secular education - now they are just discussing this pursuit of psychological, for example, knowledge. Yes, in a secular university the boy became corrupted. Some girl seduced him there, he just lost his head, married her, and her mother turned out to be a witch, a practitioner - she had some kind of ball... So in this young family, with such influence, a complete mess was established, a very sick girl was born , lived to be 6 years old and died. Father Herman to this priest’s son, when he had already finished his meal and reached the priest, immediately said:
“You won’t be able to live with her any longer; she follows her mother’s line.”
Then I told him, who had become a monk in one of the distant northern monasteries: “If you had stayed with your wife and mother-in-law, you would no longer be alive.” This young man repented very deeply.
Everything and everyone was attached to him
In the Lavra, Father Herman lived under the stairs in the Baptist building. His cell there was small, unpretentious - a transit point, like a real monk. Father Kirill (Pavlov), from whom I was cared for, said to me, “Don’t go to your cells,” he said. But when Father Herman needed help: “Help, help, help,” he gave his blessing.
I sometimes give them two from my grandmother, who, working as a cleaner at Zagrantorg, could get rare oranges at that time, and brought them.
“Martha the vitamin girl,” Father Herman joked. “It supports, supports my well-being,” he thanked immediately.
“And the crusts,” he noted so zealously, “need to be dried to prevent moths.”
This is the monk’s approach - very thrifty towards everything that God sent: save the crusts and put them into action.
I remember we once arrived at the Lavra, there was a sea of people, we went into the side porch of the Assumption Cathedral. Father Herman had a very good voice, at that time he often sang in the choir, he was the regent, then there were dozens of them - 10 singers each. I see: he quickly rushed somewhere - he was always as fast as an Angel - and suddenly the hood was in my hands... I stand neither alive nor dead.
Archimandrite German (Chesnokov) at farewell to Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov). The elders are leaving
Father Herman quickly rushed somewhere - and the hood suddenly appeared in my hands...
Father Kirill is coming:
-Who trusted you with this? – and I was 10 years old then.
– Father Herman let me hold it.
- Oh, Father Herman. He doesn’t do anything for nothing,” and moved on.
Herman’s father was gone for a long time, and then he returned:
- ABOUT! Did I give it to you?
- Yes, father.
“Okay,” he looks at me cheerfully. - As God wills it. But, probably, you will be a monk.
I didn’t even think about anything like that then. But that’s how it became over the years.
Another “wedding priest”
Then, when I was already studying at the seminary, Father Herman helped me - sometimes he gave me a pretty penny. He would always load up with some kind of food - they would bring it to him, but he gave it all away. Sausage was given to us, he himself does not eat meat, although even there, at his Resurrection courtyard in the Church of Peter and Paul near the Lavra, where he was rector, he always had someone to feed, hundreds of people were seated at the table, so he did us seminarians , also reinforced:
- Well, go ahead and feed the guys.
And he also said once:
“Tell your guys, just slowly: if you need anything, let them contact you.”
But these “investments” have always been used precisely in business - to support those who go out to serve God and people, to strengthen them, to give them a start. Once they told the priest about one such lad that he had “spread out,” as Father Kirill put it (though in relation to his still very young years).
Father will buy someone shoes, a jacket for the winter, give money for a ticket home during the holidays, for a wedding...
“You need to study seriously or not study at all,” Father German then sternly reprimanded our fellow seminarian.
He cared in a fatherly way, but also demanded: you didn’t come here to the Lavra for yourself - you learn, so that you can give to others everything that you absorb here. Father showed this example of complete dedication in service. Always in prayer, but he was also sensitive to the elementary everyday needs that accompany the life of each of us. Then it was the 1990s, who would buy shoes, a jacket for the winter, a ticket home during the holidays, for a wedding...
Oh, weddings are special. Father Herman’s parish hosted so many weddings there; he always provided the premises so that the young couple would not spend an extra penny on rent. He himself will help organize everything. He married many. His Church of Peter and Paul became exactly the second Ilyinsky Church of Sergiev Posad, where before the seminarians were always “wedding priest” Father Tikhon Pelikh.
Of course, the guys always tried to work with gratitude in some way at the priest’s parish, taught in his Sunday school and in theological courses for the laity, then after ordination they served with him - this, again, is often a financially difficult time for a young family, when children are already born... If the parents could not support, the help of Father Herman was very helpful.
From you - only sacrificial service, or what Father Herman rejoiced
Father Herman said about slander: “This is how my sins are removed from me!” And rejoiced
The enemy slandered Father Herman for his zealous service to God and people - they sent some denunciations against him to the Patriarchate. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II came to the Lavra one day soon after his enthronement and ordered Father Herman to be summoned to him.
“Continue the feat that you are carrying out with the blessing of Patriarch Pimen,” he blessed. - Continue as you did. Do not pay attention to any complaints.
Father German did not hide anything from anyone, he always openly reprimanded him, there shouldn’t be any excitement here, but there’s no need to create mystery either. Father Herman himself told His Holiness everything about his practice, and showed the procedure according to which he performs this rite of expelling evil spirits.
There were also some slander against the priest about money. And in this regard, he is just a crystal. Nothing was delayed for him. The governor, Bishop Theognost, always said about him: “Father Herman is unmercenary.”
I remember once about life in the Lavra, Father German answered this way: “There is only one condition - to love St. Sergius very much.” From you - only sacrificial service. Some people live for themselves, but Father Herman lived for the sake of God, for St. Sergius and his Holy Lavra. He also restored three temples nearby and helped everyone.
Father Herman himself waved his hand at all the gossip:
- Yes, let them talk. You can't put a scarf over someone else's mouth. This is how they take away my sins! I am a sinful person, I do this kind of work, I see so many sick people, but I am completely covered with infirmity. And here my sins are absolved. I'm very happy about this.
“We will not be discouraged, we will improve!”
I remember that I once came to the Lavra, and Father German was still giving reprimands at the Gate of the Baptist Church (then after 2014, for health reasons, he was blessed to reprimand in his church of Peter and Paul).
“Help me,” he says.
I became shy:
- Father, what can I do to help?
“Well, give me some water...” he looks, seeing my confusion, and so, narrowing his kind eyes, he clarifies: “Aren’t you afraid?”
“No, father, I’m not afraid,” I immediately perked up. - What will I be afraid of? I'm with you.
He protected me then with a cross. Apparently showing: the main thing is that we are with God.
He practiced with me, and then somehow he said:
“If someone contacts you,” meaning: out of obsession, “you see for yourself... But in general, you can.”
I felt uneasy again.
- You can, you can. Just don't be afraid. The enemy cannot do anything without God's permission. And if something is allowed by the Lord, it is because of our sins. Especially in terms of pride.
Father Herman is a preacher of repentance. Unfortunately, people somehow began to lose the spirit of repentance. And then, it is known, sorrows can be allowed: both personal and general for everyone, if repentance is stopped.
By the way, it was very easy for Father Herman himself to confess. Even hardened sinners were not so afraid to repent in his presence.
“Well, let’s not be discouraged,” he immediately encouraged, “let’s improve!” And I am the first of you who needs correction.
Everything to him at once:
- Father, pray!
And he held on so simply: they say, someone would sigh for me, a sinner.
“Mom, take the tail out of your mouth!” Case on report
I had to see a lot during the reports. One boy was screaming too loudly in front of me. He tore everything on himself and is rolling around naked on the floor. His mother wrapped him in some kind of downy scarf, and he screamed and broke out:
- Mom mom! Get that tail out of your mouth! Get that tail out of your mouth! Mother! Oh, a mouthful of hair. Get that tail out of your mouth! Pull out your tail!
She to him:
- Son, you have nothing...
- Pull out your tail!
So he strained himself. He shouted down everyone.
Father walked around everyone and sprinkled him too. He seems to be silent. Then he starts again. I thought he was going to tear off his ligaments - a child can’t scream like that. Father returned to him. I've already left everyone. Then it turned out, and this is the usual reason for children becoming possessed: the mother did not repent of abortions.
The boy burst into a terrible cry. Then it turned out: the mother did not repent of abortions, and this is a common reason for children becoming possessed.
I asked the priest afterwards about this boy.
“He suffers for the sins of his parents,” he answered; True, that time he stopped, looking ahead, and added: “Maybe something else.” When priests baptize, they shorten the Sacrament and do not read all the prayers. It is very serious. You can quickly baptize only in one case - fear for the sake of a mortal.
Father Herman was against the reduction of unction, any services in general, and against any innovations. Modernists don’t know what they are doing,” he noted, “and what it’s like for people to sort it all out later...
And then the priest took the sprinkler and approached the boy. He began to sprinkle it. He began to calm down. Then the priest began to cross him. After anointing. I definitely forgot about everyone. Everyone stands and prays; there was no idle talk: “Rejoice, Virgin Mary” or the Jesus Prayer. So the priest, having anointed him with oil, began pouring water directly into his mouth - and he didn’t even swallow, it somehow flowed inside him in a continuous stream.
- More! More! - he himself was already begging the priest when Father German paused, and, by the way, it was already the voice of a child, and before that he seemed to be throwing phrases out of himself in some way that was not his bass, and now there was a thin boyish voice: - More, more , more…
Father:
“Come on, come on, come on,” he actually pours holy water into him.
So he fussed with it for about half an hour. The boy was all wet; even before this, when he was struggling and screaming, he was sweating profusely. And then there was such silence.
In the Serapion Tent of the Lavra before the Friday Paraklisis to the Mother of God, the priest says:
“Lift him up,” and he looked about six years old. “They’ll bring a big towel now,” they just brought it, wiped it all off, the boy had already fallen asleep, wrapped him in this towel, put on his socks, and his mother also wrapped her downy scarf on top.
“Put it,” the priest pointed, “over there (on the benches by the windows).
Then Father Herman, having finished his lecture, called his mother over:
-You must repent. Understand that this is all for a reason. And I'm not a wizard. Did you hear the sermon? - and in his sermons the priest explained the fundamentals of spiritual life, explained the Gospel, why people suffer because of their sins, get sick, children are doomed to suffer...
- I heard.
– There were no crosses on you. They gave you crosses here.
- Oh, father, I’ll wear it!
– Wearing is not enough. You must repent.
But the enemy was holding on, not letting go - near the priest it all somehow became visible.
- Ashamed. “I can’t say,” he denies.
- And before God? Do you want to lose your child?
This mother and child were then given lectures for three days in a row. We gathered together. Her father finally confessed and blessed her to take communion - once; and all the days while they were there, he blessed the boy for Communion, told him to be the first to take communion - this was also three times in a row, every day. And the little one already received communion normally, did not fight, did not struggle.
Father Herman then said to his mother:
- If you wear trousers, you will get sick. A woman shouldn't wear trousers. Don’t make excuses that there are women’s trousers. No excuses.
The next days she came in a dress. This is how – both through external and internal awareness – people changed. Father ordered her to come to him in another year, and blessing her on the way, he warned:
“You have a church there,” they were from somewhere in the south, maybe with their native priest Kuban, “so you must take communion once a month.” With deep repentance. And he should receive communion weekly,” he looked at the boy. - Both you and him should fast on Wednesday-Friday, and you should also observe Monday.
“Keep the fast on Monday too!” - Father Herman instructed mothers, if they really care about their children
Both Father Kirill and Father German blessed this: mothers should pay Monday for their children. Especially those who have problems with children. “This is an immutable condition,” Father Herman instructed mothers, if they really care about the children.
A year later I saw this mother and son at Father German’s place. They even came with their father. Father, again, always reminded such people about the wedding, and these husband and wife were married even before their son’s demonic possession, but only in this way, “according to fashion,” without much faith even then. And then they joined the church. The boy was normal later. Although I still remember in my eyes, even a year later, some kind of horror definitely remained in them. And he’s such a cute little boy – bright, cheerful.
I couldn’t pass by the man. His love was boundless
Father German had great love for everyone and prayed for everyone. And he never condemned anyone. And he forbade anyone from saying anything wrong about anyone in front of him. He immediately changed the topic of conversation to something else.
His love was boundless. I couldn’t pass by the man. He welcomed everyone, gave water, fed, helped everyone - some with prayer, some with financial assistance: both with apartments and with mortgages. And he always gives it if he sees someone in need.
- Father, what are you serving him? He'll drink it! – someone once became indignant while following the server.
“Maybe he can only console himself with vodka,” Father German turned around. - What should I do? He lives on the street. Try living on the street. You came home - the bath was warm, the refrigerator was full of food, you ate, steamed, went to bed warm, turned on the TV (Father German grieved that these “thousand-episode films are being created to destroy souls”), and he is on the street... How much life God gave him there ... You won’t just sit there with your hand outstretched. God forbid. How can you not give it to him?..
Father always admonished those who judged:
- Watch yourself. Be vigilant and watch yourself. Behind your behavior, words, thoughts. And repent more often. If you do not have the opportunity to immediately repent in church, stand at home in front of the icon of the Savior and repent. Daily. And when you have sinned, immediately repent before the Lord, and at the end of the day at evening prayers, do not just read the prayer book, but repent with contrition.
Father Herman was spiritual. Helped a lot of people. He was everything to everyone in order to save at least some (cf. 1 Cor. 9:22). He did not let anyone go - this is according to the behest of St. Sergius - inconsolable. I just thought: he has no right not to show love - like all of us, if we are Christians.
Warrior, prayer book for the fallen
The Lavra sacredly preserves the tradition - after the funeral bell is struck, all the brethren must suspend all their obediences and each make twelve prostrations to the ground. And after the newly deceased has been dressed in monastic robes, read the Gospel one by one at the tomb.
Since Father Herman died from the current deadly epidemic, with the blessing of the bishop, the brethren read the Holy Scriptures according to the newly departed in his cell - that is, literally every brother, and this is hundreds of monks, in his cell read the Gospel with funeral prayers for the priest. It is amazing what a host of prayers for the repose of a dear brother were woven into a funeral wreath and ascended to God in the Lavra these days.
Father himself was always very concerned about the memory of the dead, especially those who, due to various circumstances, died without the opportunity to receive Christian parting words. If the Psalter is not read in the Lavra itself, then in the courtyard he installed its reading. All the notes of those who are blessed to be remembered only at the Psalter were carried there.
With the blessing of Father Herman, the Psalter with the remembrance of the dead was read on the territory of the Church of Peter and Paul in the chapel, which was built back in the 90s in memory of the soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Although then the next war was already underway - in Chechnya. Not all of those killed on the battlefields in our days were church people, but prayer for them did not stop here.
On the walls of the chapel there were plates with the names of those who laid down their souls for their friends.
fighters, and inside, in the center, one could venerate a large icon of St. Tsar Nicholas - many reverence this image as miraculous. The New Martyrs are the guardians of the Orthodox faith in our people, which allows us to keep souls alive for eternal life. This is also our combat potential.
Father Herman himself was a real warrior, and on very difficult fronts of church service - demoniacs from all over the country, and even from abroad, came to him, and simply those who were sick flocked throughout the year to the Sacrament of Unction which took place at the Lavra courtyard he headed every day at noon, except perhaps on Sundays and holidays.
Archimandrite Herman reposed on the eve of his namesake. The older fathers say: this happens among prayer books and ascetics.
Prepared by Olga Orlova
Photos provided by the press service of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra
August 15, 2020
History of exorcism
Exorcism is part of church science
. In modern times, it is possible to become a professional exorcist by graduating from a Catholic university.
The expulsion of demons from a person is a very ancient ritual, its origins go back to the emergence of Christian culture. The first exorcist in history was Jesus Christ himself. The Bible tells that the son of God cast out evil spirits from a man and put them in pigs. Then the pigs, bewitched by demons, rushed into the abyss.
Initially, only Jesus Christ had the ability to deliver from evil spirits. This ability was then given to his students. This happened when the Holy Spirit came upon them. It is believed that modern monks, endowed with the gift of exorcism, are followers of Christ and his apostles.
There have always been very few people who know how to cast out the devil. Reprimands from evil spirits were very common in the Middle Ages, when the martyr Marina of Antioch
. There are several known cases of exorcism rituals with a tragic end - the death of the possessed or the priest; they are even used as the basis for films.
In the 14th century, the first literature with advice on exorcizing demons appeared in Rus'. Its author was Metropolitan Peter Mogila
. Centuries later, exorcism is no less relevant than in the past, cases of possession by evil spirits still exist.
Exorcism in modern times
Casting out demons is not a thing of the past. About modern rituals
deliverance from an unclean spirit, the following is known:
- Some critics claim that the work of Father Herman is a real simulation and there are guest actors in the roles of the possessed. This opinion also developed due to the fact that most often several exorcism rituals are necessary to achieve results. And during lectures by Hieromonk German Chesnokov,
people are healed immediately, even those who have been bedridden for a long time; - In Ukraine, the most popular exorcist was Vasily Voronovsky from the Church of St. Michael in the city of Lviv
. Unfortunately, he has already gone to God; - Exorcisms of the devil are carried out in many monasteries in Ukraine. The church in the village of Kolodievka, Ternopil region, is extremely famous. In rural areas there are also local exorcists who work for free. They consider this their sacred duty, but they do not answer questions about the rituals, just like those who were healed by them;
- to the abbot of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Varlaam
, not only from Russia and Ukraine, but also from abroad. For over 30 years, he has been providing personal and group sessions. Father Varlaam believes that reprimand is necessary only for those possessed by demons, but not for those subject to damage and curses; - According to Father Varlaam, there were cases when a child became possessed a week after birth. Thus, children pay for the sins of their parents;
