“Tatarstan was lucky that Feofan was appointed bishop to Kazan”

Society

00:00, 21.11.2020 18

The shepherd who sincerely believed that Tatarstan is a “laboratory of peace and harmony” has left

Photo:

Metropolitan Theophan of Kazan and Tatarstan, who left this world the day before, cherished the dream of opening the revived Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - and only a little did not wait for this glorious moment. According to the recollections of people who were friends with him for many years, he was a friendly and open person who, nevertheless, was not afraid to enter the captured school in Beslan or challenge a superior opinion. Experts from Realnoe Vremya also recalled the ruler’s warm relations with Muslims, understanding of their mentality; however, he himself repeatedly spoke about “collaboration” with the followers of the Prophet Muhammad. As for Tatarstan, he called it nothing less than “a laboratory of interfaith and interethnic harmony.”

“Co-worker” and participant in the “laboratory”

The day before, Tatarstan learned the sad news - Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan Feofan (Ashurkov) passed away. He was the head of the Orthodox community of the republic for five years, from 2015, and during this time he was remembered by all Tatarstan residents as a sincere supporter of peace and friendship between representatives of different faiths and peoples on this land.

“I would pay attention to collaboration in Tatarstan,” said the bishop. — We are in Bolgar, admiring the monuments of Islamic culture. But there are also Orthodox churches nearby. We have no problems. The museum in Sviyazhsk, which we created together, now delights everyone. Only collaboration, there is no other way to what a person strives for - peace and harmony. This is how humanity can preserve a human face.

Feofan is remembered by all Tatarstan residents as a sincere supporter of peace and friendship between representatives of different faiths and peoples on this land. Photo: Oleg Tikhonov

The word “collaboration” was perhaps one of Feofan’s favorites when he described the situation in the region or paid tribute to the work of the first president of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, and the Revival Foundation.

“Tatarstan is a bird that has two wings: Orthodoxy and Islam,” this is how the Metropolitan spoke about the good neighborliness of the two faiths in the region.

By the way, at all meetings, conferences, he cited Tatarstan as an example, using another word - “laboratory”.

— Tatarstan is a wonderful laboratory that is already having positive results. “A laboratory for building the life of a society of different religious and ethnic affiliations,” he said.

And he told about this not only to “his own people,” but also to guests from other regions and abroad.

— When I talk about the laboratory, this laboratory is located in Tatarstan. And the main weapon that is being developed here is a weapon of peace and harmony, interfaith, interethnic and interstate,” the Metropolitan emphasized.

Moreover, when conflict situations arose involving adherents of Islam, Feofan supported Muslims, noting the peaceful nature of their faith. For example, in October he commented on the high-profile murder of a teacher in France, noting that the roots of extremism should not be sought in religion.

“It is impossible to solve this problem [of extremism] using force, doctrinal and other methods alone,” said the bishop. - We saw the last wild case in France - the murder of a teacher. Where are the roots of this extremism? In this teenager's head? Or a teacher who cruelly provoked young minds by caricaturing the highest values in class. What did this lead to? Towards enlightenment? Or inciting hatred, anger and resentment? This is also our concern.

He also spoke out about the “scarf scandal,” when at the end of 2016 in the Tatar village of Belozerye (Mordovia), the school director and local officials banned teachers and high school students from wearing headscarves within the educational institution. The Metropolitan again took the side of the believers, calling on them to “take into account the traditions of the people.”

When conflict situations arose involving adherents of Islam, Feofan supported Muslims, noting the peaceful nature of their faith. Photo: realnoevremya.ru

pathological speech

Image stamps

: “By recreating the monastery with a pilgrimage center, we will make Kazan even more attractive to believers all over the world, this is
the image of the capital of our Republic
” [20].

Peace and harmony

: “All of us, people of different nationalities, different faiths, Orthodox and Muslims, must do everything possible so that peace and harmony, and not enmity and hatred, become the norm of our lives”[21][22].

Vision, understanding

: Our society, our Orthodox community knows little about St. Ignatius. But his life and works contain incredibly rich material for spiritual life, for understanding today, the Russian soul, the Orthodox vision, the relationship of the Orthodox East with the Protestant and Catholic West[23].

Model

: Here we have a working
model
of how people of different nationalities, different cultures, and different faiths can live as one family[24].

Over the Barriers

: Football is a holiday that unites people across ideological and political barriers. We live on one small Earth and we are beginning to understand this. Sport has always been a symbol of the unity of humanity as a whole[25].

Tension

: In our time, when Russia faces difficult challenges, representatives of various countries gathered here (at the Primakov Readings 2022 - Ed.) to search for and develop directions that would help relieve tension in the world as a whole[26].

Peacemaker and negotiator

According to the official biography of the clergyman, Ivan Andreevich Ashurkov (his secular name) was born on May 21, 1947 in the city of Dmitriev, Kursk region. During his military service in the army, he began to attend church. He carried out obedience for two years, and in 1970 he entered the second class of the Moscow Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1972 and was enrolled in the Moscow Theological Academy.

Having completed his studies, the future metropolitan began serving as a novice at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where he was tonsured a monk. And since 1977, he worked for more than five years at the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem. In 1984-1987 he worked in Latin America, from 1989 to 1993 he was exarch of the Patriarch of Moscow under the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa (Egypt).

He distinguished himself as a peacemaker and negotiator in various conflicts. For example, during the autumn confrontation in 1993 in Moscow, he participated in attempts to establish dialogue between the conflicting parties - he personally held negotiations in the House of Soviets with Alexander Rutsky, Ruslan Khasbulatov and others. I repeatedly recalled how I carried wounded schoolchildren out of school in Beslan in 2004. He also came to South Ossetia during the armed conflict in 2008.

In 2000, Feofan officially became a bishop; a little earlier he became the head of the Magadan and Sinegorsk departments (later - the diocese). During his career, Feofan headed departments and dioceses in different parts of Russia, from the Far East to the Stavropol Territory, and everywhere he successfully built relationships with government officials and leaders of other religious communities. In addition, he was active in returning historical buildings to believers and reconstructing churches.

In July 2015, Feofan was appointed metropolitan of Tatarstan. He combined his pastoral activities with his work as rector of the Kazan Theological Seminary. Moreover, he immediately announced to the Tatarstan public that he was reading the Koran.

In July 2015, Feofan was appointed metropolitan of Tatarstan. Photo: Roman Khasaev

organizations

Since July 14, 1995 - member of the Russian Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of events in connection with memorable events in the military history of the Fatherland and for veterans' affairs[13][14]

Since December 23, 2006 - member of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the voluntary entry of Kabardino-Balkaria into the Russian state[15]

Since 2006 - member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. Head of the working group on international relations through international religious organizations, working group on peacekeeping activities in the North Caucasus, chairman of the subcommittee on freedom of conscience[16].

In 2008, he entered the second convocation of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. Member of the Public Chamber's commission on interethnic relations and freedom of conscience, member of the Intercommission Working Group on International Activities of the Public Chamber and an advisory member of the Public Chamber's commission on affairs of veterans, military personnel and members of their families[17].

Friendship with muftis, revival of temples

In Tatarstan, Feofan became a frequent guest at Muslim events. He did not get off with official congratulations on the holidays of Kurban Bayram and Eid al-Fitr - he personally called muftis Kamil Samigullin and Talgat Tadzhuddin. Almost never missed significant meetings in Bolgar, including “Izge Bolgar Khyeny”. Every year, the Metropolitan also participated in republican iftars, sharing a meal with adherents of Islam, and did not ignore the forums held under the auspices of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Republic of Tatarstan, the strategic vision group “Russia - Islamic World”, APM of the Russian Federation, IAIB, etc. Actually, he did not miss he and the Tatar-Bashkir holiday Sabantuy.

Feofan called the projects of the Renaissance Foundation for the construction of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy and the restoration of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God priority.

Feofan called the projects of the Renaissance Foundation for the construction of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy and the restoration of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God priority. Photo: Dmitry Reznov

On November 20, the Metropolitan left this mortal coil. He is believed to have died from complications caused by the coronavirus. Metropolitan John of Yoshkar-Olinsk and Mari was appointed to act temporarily; a decree on this was signed by Patriarch Kirill. The funeral service for Feofan will take place on November 23 in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin. The funeral service will be led by Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, State Councilor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, Prime Minister Alexey Pesoshin, Speaker of the State Council Farid Mukhametshin, as well as leaders of religious communities in the region expressed their condolences to Feofan’s loved ones and the Orthodox community of the republic.

“During the short five years of his service in our republic, Bishop Feofan became truly close and dear to many Tatarstan residents, gaining the authority and respect of representatives of different nationalities and religions,” Minnikhanov noted in his letter.

According to him, a special monument to Metropolitan Theophan will be the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God of the Theotokos Monastery in the capital of Tatarstan.

“Metropolitan Feofan’s rare personal qualities, versatile knowledge and rich organizational experience have been embodied in many areas of activity - from the construction and revival of churches to participation in the work of international organizations. The Bishop’s contribution to the development of Orthodox-Islamic dialogue and the strengthening of friendly ties between the Tatarstan Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Muslim Ummah of the republic is enormous. In recent years, the main concern of Metropolitan Theophan was the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God of the Theotokos Monastery, to the revival and improvement of which he devoted all his strength, says the official obituary, signed by top officials and representatives of traditional faiths of the region.

events

In the Magadan diocese he conducted Christmas readings with the participation of A.I. Osipov and Deacon Andrei Kuraev. Cooperation agreements were concluded with the education department of the Magadan region, and soon electives “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” began to operate in the city’s schools. [18].

Orthodoxy and the new European reality (conference) (June 30, 1993)
II World Russian Council (February 1, 1995)
VII World Conference "Religions for Peace" (November 27, 1999)
II Festival of Orthodox Media “Faith and Word” (October 30, 2006)
I forum “The Caucasus is our common home” (July 14, 2008)
Local Council 2009 (January 27, 2009)
X meeting of the joint commission on dialogue “Orthodoxy-Islam” (September 26, 2016)
Awarded November 15, 2022 (November 15, 2017)
XI meeting of the joint commission on dialogue “Orthodoxy-Islam” (May 5, 2018)
World Tolerance Summit 2022 (November 15, 2018)
V meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Group (November 28, 2019)

“Vladyka worked in the Caucasus during the most difficult years of the terrorist war. I drove without security"

For the journalist, publicist and politician Maxim Shevchenko, the deceased metropolitan was a close and significant figure.
Their personal acquaintance occurred in the early 1990s. “It’s not that he was my confessor, but when I was in Kazan, I always tried to call him, visit him, and often met with him in the Caucasus,” Shevchenko told a Realnoe Vremya correspondent. — Vladyka, of course, was a very significant figure for me. From the moment he was an archimandrite in Moscow, we met him at the Danilovsky Monastery in the early 90s. He was an exceptional man, he told me about his work in his youth in the Middle East, in Palestine, and his close acquaintance with Yasser Arafat. Vladyka worked in the Caucasus during the most difficult years of the terrorist war, traveled without security, helped defend the interests of Orthodox people, and often negotiated. During the most terrible days he was in Beslan. He was a selfless, brave, amazing man.

Our interlocutor recalled that when Feofan was sent to Kazan, not everyone believed that he would succeed here. But life showed that they were wrong.

“When he was appointed to Tatarstan, many believed that something would be wrong,” the journalist continues. - Like, before this there was a weak Orthodox bishop, everyone knew that a strong one would come, and they were very afraid. And I immediately said that Feofan’s presence would only strengthen Tatarstan, because the Orthodox would speak with a strong voice - and that’s what happened. I said that Tatarstan was lucky that the bishop was appointed bishop in Kazan, that he knows how to talk with Muslims, and understands the mentality of Muslim peoples very well. This is just a huge loss - you don’t even understand what it is yet.

Shevchenko also noted the courage of Feofan, who was not afraid to defend his opinion before the highest church hierarchs.

“He was a big, brave man. For example, he was the only one at the council of bishops who spoke out against the patriarchate of Kirill. He spoke the truth - he stood up and argued why. He was respected and taken into account. He was a builder, creator, peacemaker, shepherd. I’m very sad, to be honest, I have a very serious loss in my soul,” concluded Maxim Shevchenko.

“He was very open. Broad soul"

State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov is also proud of his personal acquaintance with the deceased.

“We have known each other for many years, since the time of his service in North Ossetia. We met in Moscow at various events and talked a lot about the place and role of the church in the modern world. And, of course, in Kazan, when he became Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan. He was a very educated and deep person,” said the parliamentarian.

Morozov noted that he could talk with the bishop for hours on serious topics related to faith and the place of man in the modern world.

— He was very open. As they say, a broad soul. A huge loss for Tatarstan and Russia,” the deputy concluded.

essays

Ashurkov I., MDA student. Patronal feast day and annual act in Moscow theological schools // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. - M. - 1972. - No. 12. - P. 23-24.
Feofan (Ashurkov), hieromonk. On the “Accurate Exposition of the Orthodox Faith” by St. John of Damascus // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. - M. - 1976. - No. 7. - P. 72-76.

interview

The end of globalization. The United States is splitting the world, says Bishop Feofan (Ashurkov) of Magadan // Nezavisimaya Gazeta
Bishop Feofan: I felt close to people // Stavropolskaya Pravda.
Metropolitan Feofan: “The first thing I saw was machine guns with bayonets pointed straight at me.”

“I always warned people about the coronavirus. But I couldn’t protect myself.”

State Duma deputy Fatih Sibagatullin had known Feofan since 2003, when he was appointed to the Stavropol and Vladikavkaz departments.
According to him, the metropolitan was even a candidate for the position of patriarch. The parliamentarian and the Orthodox hierarch met and discussed a lot. — Feofan is a person not only of Tatarstan or Russia, but also of a global scale. He also worked in Israel and in South and Central America. He was a diplomat of the highest level. He did his job, and no one was offended by him. He was not stubborn - some are only drawn towards Orthodoxy. Feofan was politically neutral. He always found a way out of any situation. It’s a pity that he didn’t see the opening of God’s temple,” the deputy said.

He also noted that the bishop very quickly “fit into Tatarstan.”

— Regarding the coronavirus, he always warned people to be careful. And now, you see how it happened... I couldn’t protect myself,” said Sibagatullin.

sources

Naming and consecration of Archimandrite Feofan (Ashurkov) as Bishop of Magadan and Sinegorsk // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. - M. - 2001. - No. 2. - P. 22-30.
Visit of Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz to the Chechen Republic // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. - M. - 2005. - No. 3. - P. 54-55.
Biazarti D., correspondent for the newspaper “Yuzhny Reporter” (Rostov-on-Don). News of the Stavropol diocese: Baptism of Beslan // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. - M. - 2006. - No. 1. - P. 52-53.
Biography on the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate
Biography on the website biografija.ru
Biography on the diocese website
On July 26, the Holy Synod decided to create the Chelyabinsk Metropolis
The end of globalization. The United States is splitting the world, says Bishop Feofan (Ashurkov) of Magadan // Nezavisimaya Gazeta
Bishop Feofan: I felt close to people // Stavropolskaya Pravda
https://www.business-gazeta.ru/article/324535
Biography on the website of the Tatarstan Metropolitanate

Footnotes

Rectors of 33 theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church have been appointed and approved. // Patriarchia.ru
At a meeting of the Academic Council of the Kazan Theological Seminary, heads of departments of the theological school were elected
Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of May 7, 2003. Journal No. 24.
On the name day of His Holiness the Patriarch, a number of bishops received church awards. // Patriarchia.ru
Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of March 22, 2011. Journal No. 12. // Patriarchy.ru
Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2012. Journal No. 63. // Patriarchy.ru
On the day of remembrance of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the Primate of the Russian Church celebrated the Liturgy at the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery and led the consecration of Archimandrite Pitirim (Tvorogov) as Bishop of Dushanbe and Tajikistan
Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of May 30, 2014. // Patriarchia.ru
Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of July 13, 2015. // Patriarchia.ru
Church “castling” // Arguments and facts. — 2015. — July 15. - No. 29.
Feofan (Ashurkov) ortho-rus.tk
A meeting took place between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the leaders of the Iranian delegation at the 10th meeting of the Joint Russian-Iranian Commission on Dialogue “Orthodoxy-Islam”
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 14, 1995 No. 709 “On the formation of the Russian Organizing Committee for the preparation and conduct of events in connection with memorable events of the military history of the Fatherland and for veterans’ affairs” (as amended on September 19, December 12, 1995, 26, 28 February, September 23, 1996)
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 23, 1996 No. 1521 “On the composition of the Russian Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of events in connection with memorable events in the military history of the Fatherland and for veterans’ affairs” (as amended on February 10, March 24, June 20, November 19 1997, February 13, May 15, 1998)
Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 23, 2006 No. 1813-r
Biography on the website of the Public Chamber (about the convocation of 2006)
Biography on the website of the Public Chamber (about the convocation of 2008)
Pravostok.Ru
↑ 19,019.1 Airat Nigmatullin, Valery Beresnev, Ivan Scriabin, Alexander Shagulin Vsevolod Chaplin: “Theophanes is a man with a strong will, a practitioner and a builder of church life” // Business electronic newspaper Business Online, 07.14.2015
A meeting dedicated to the reconstruction of the Kazan Cathedral was held in the capital of Tatarstan // Patriarchy.ru. – 2016. – March 22. – Date of access: 8.11.2017.
Archbishop Feofan of Stavropol made a statement in connection with the assassination attempt on the President of Ingushetia // Patriarchia.ru. – 2009. – June 23. – Date of access: 03/15/2018.
Archbishop Feofan made a statement in connection with the murder of the former mayor of the capital of North Ossetia Kazbek Pagiev // Patriarchy.ru. – 2008. – December 31. – Date of access: 03/15/2018.
Bishop of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Theophan: “Orthodox journalists, writers, directors are also a kind of missionaries” // Patriarchy.ru. – 2007. – October 13. – Date of access: 31.3.2018.
Celebrations were held in Kazan on the occasion of the inclusion of the Assumption Cathedral and the Sviyazhsk Monastery in the UNESCO World Heritage List // Patriarchia.ru. – 2022. – August 22. – Date of access: 6.5.2018.
The head of the Tatarstan Metropolis took part in a press conference held in the city of Kazan // Patriarchy.ru. – 2022. – June 24. – Date of access: 6.5.2018.
The hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church takes part in the International Primakov Readings taking place in Moscow // Patriarchia.ru. – 2022. – June 30. – Access date: 11/16/2018.
Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 18, 2022 No. 215 “On awarding state awards of the Russian Federation”
Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of April 13, 2007 No. 478 “On awarding the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree, to Bishop Feofan (I. A. Ashurkova)”
https://kremlin.ru/acts/bank/15965%7Ctitle=Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of August 11, 2000 No. 1490 “On awarding state awards of the Russian Federation” // Official website of the President of Russia. — 2016. — August 7
Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 28, 1995 No. 1324 “On awarding state awards of the Russian Federation”
Order of the President of the Russian Federation of August 14, 1995 No. 379-rp “On encouraging individuals who made a great contribution to the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945”
The head of North Ossetia awarded the Bishop of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Feofan with the medal “Badge of Glory” for the courage shown in Beslan
Metropolitan Feofan was awarded the Medal of Honor “For Merit in the Protection of Children of Russia” / Website “Orthodoxy in Tatarstan”
Bishop Feofan was presented with a certificate of Honorary Citizen of Stavropol
31.Bishop Feofan became an honorary citizen of Cherkessk
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill awarded a number of bishops celebrating anniversaries high church awards
Extract from the minutes of the IOPS Council on admission to membership of the IOPS and on the awarding of honorary badges and diplomas of the IOPS

“The imams of Tatarstan are shocked by the death of the ruler”

The Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kamil Samigullin, always found mutual understanding with the Metropolitan.

“The imams of Tatarstan are shocked by the death of the ruler, since it is impossible to overestimate his contribution to strengthening interfaith harmony and peace in our society,” commented Kamil Hazrat to Realnoe Vremya. — His speeches and calls brought the peoples of Tatarstan closer together!

The mufti added that the metropolitan has gained the authority of the general public of the republic with his incredible energy, openness, perseverance in achieving his goal and vast work experience. According to the Muslim cleric, Feofan was a man of brilliant mind and rich spiritual world, sympathetic and merciful.

“I thank the Creator for giving me the opportunity to communicate with him. I am grateful to the deceased for their joint work in protecting and strengthening universal human values. With all my heart I wish strength and patience to his family, friends and colleagues to endure the pain of this irreparable loss,” said Kamil Samigullin.

awards

State:

Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree (May 18, 2017) - for great contribution to strengthening interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony in society
[27]
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (April 13, 2007) - for great contribution to the development of spiritual and cultural traditions
[28]
Order of Friendship (August 11, 2000) - for great contribution to the development of spiritual and cultural ties between the foreign public and Russia
[29]
Medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree (December 28, 1995) - for services to the state, successes achieved in the implementation of a comprehensive program of construction, reconstruction and restoration of historical and cultural objects of the city of Moscow
[30]
Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation (August 14, 1995) - for active participation in the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945
[31]
Medal For the Glory of Ossetia (North Ossetia, 2005) - for the courage shown in Beslan and activities to strengthen peace and goodness in the multinational republic
[32]
Honorary Medal “For Merit in the Protection of Children of Russia” (July 24, 2015) - for personal contribution to the protection of children
[33]
Honorary citizen of Stavropol (2006)[34]
Honorary citizen of Cherkessk (2005)[35]
Honorary Citizen of Vladikavkaz (2009)

Church

Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, II degree (1995)
Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, II degree (2012)[36]
Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, II degree (2006)
Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, III degree (1985)
awards of the Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem Orthodox Churches

Public

Honorary memorial sign “Order of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich” (June 4, 2015, Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society)[37].

“Knew how to stand firmly on religious and human principles”

The chief rabbi of Kazan and Tatarstan, Yitzhak Gorelik, also experiences the bitterness of the loss of Feofan.

— The Jewish community of Tatarstan expresses deep condolences in connection with the death of Metropolitan Feofan of Kazan and Tatarstan. The Republic of Tatarstan has lost a high-level religious leader, a wise man who knew how to stand firmly on one’s religious and human principles and at the same time treat everyone attentively, respect the religious and human values of each person,” notes Gorelik.

He added that Feofan “did a lot to create an atmosphere of peace and prosperity for which the Republic of Tatarstan is famous.”

Timur Rakhmatullin, Kristina Ivanova
Society Tatarstan Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan Samigullin Kamil Iskanderovich Kazan Jewish religious community Gorelik Nahum Yitzhak Tatarstan Metropolis of Kazan and Tatarstan Diocese Ashurkov Ivan Andreevich (Metropolitan Feofan) Shaimiev Mintimer Sharipovich Minnikhanov Rustam Nurgaliye hichSibagatullin Fatih Saubanovich Morozov Oleg ViktorovichBulgarian Islamic Academy