MEDIA MONITORING, "The City": Interview with a ROAC priest
Several Orthodox religious organizations coexist on the territory of Russia. Besides ROC MP there are ROCA parishes, those two Churches being in permanent contradiction to each other. This is one of the reasons why our interlocutor who became a ROCA priest a year and half ago asked not to mention his name and to be referred to as "father N".
How does your life differ from the life ROC MP priests and of laymen?
It seems that I have less parishioners. But unlike many MP followers they are not "farther-worshippers", they should be considered conscious believers (we do not have the so called "guruism"). Although in other respects that’s all the same: services, molebens, panikhidas. Well, as a rule married priests have some secular work. Yet there is a sharp difference in the life of a priest and of a layman. We have much more restrictions.
What can be the secular work of a married priest?
It varies from that of a driver to that of a specialist on spaceship jet-engines. One should support the family.
Does the Church give you any benefits to compensate the so called "harmful conditions of work"?
The hope of salvation is the only benefit for a Christian. As for the "conditions", they are quite acceptable. I am sure they are much more difficult in a coal pit-face.
Are there any official punishments in your sphere?
Church lives according to rules since the times of Apostles. There are rules concerning the clergy. When a priest breaks those rules, he can be punished either through ecclesiastic courts (in more serious cases) or by his bishop.
And what for a hypothetical priest may be punished?
For certain sins. You see, there are many various sins: heresy, split, fornication, hard drinking… In case of repentance one should bear a penance. Although it is a remedy rather than a punishment. A penance may help to overcome the consequences of sin. It happens that the unrepentant are not admitted to Eucharist or which is worse – are excommunicated. A priest may lose the right to conduct services or be unfrocked.
The priests-to-be are not educated in the same theological seminaries with ROC MP followers, are they?
The future ROCA clergymen don’t study in MP educational establishments. In Suzdal there is a spiritual school which is under the guidance of Hieromonk Theophan (Areskin), the nicest person, he studied astronomy in the past. Also we have priests who came from MP. As a rule, they suffer persecutions from the official Church. We have also newly ordained priests and catacomb priests keeping their succession since 1920-s.
How did you become a priest in the "alternative" religious organization?
I didn’t study anywhere to become an "alternative" priest. Long ago I had a talk with Metropolitan, I had some time to think everything over, he gave his blessing and I was ordained. It seems that it happens on God’s will. A priest has to bear heavy responsibility. If I had been proposed to become priest at present, I should have done everything to escape from this responsibility.
Why?
A priest has to suffer much from demons, only a few can stand that. It is much easier to be a layman.
How do ROCA priests get their parishes?
Catacomb priests serve in flats and houses, afield and so on -- because they are catacomb ones. There is a parish, there is a priest (who is consecrated legally with the succession of hierarchy), thus there is Eucharist. And where, in church or not, – it doesn’t matter.
What are the relations between ROCA and civil authorities?
We have registered parishes and dioceses in Russia, in Latvia, in the USA, besides we have catacomb parishes which are in illegal position.
Who is making vestment for you?
Our vestment may be bought in MP stores or made to order. Sometimes the vestment is brought from abroad, from Greece in particular.
Greek vestment is better?
No. In addition, Greek vestments differ from those made in Russia. We often use Greek cloth (which is better), but the vestment is made mostly in Russia.
You have four children. Is your salary sufficient to support the family?
As for me, I earn money at my secular work. Usually a priest’s salary depends on the profit of his church, that is on the frequency of molebens and other services, on the amount of donations, on the profit of the candle store and of the book store.
What is the essence of your job as a priest?
I don’t consider it a job as I don’t get money for it. I simply serve and do everithing that is needed. Baptisms, panikhidas, visiting those who are ill, giving them Holy Communion, confession. The same as in MP. Almost the same.
Why don’t you get salary?
I don’t take money for the sacrament. In case people donate money, those sums go for the needs of the church. As for me, I earn money through my secular work. For example, some time ago I used to make page layouts…
Where do you serve at present?
Mainly in the so called house-church.
What is it?
It is a flat or a house where people gather to pray and to commune. Parishioners themselves prepare everything for the service. A priest brings all necessary sacred pieces and serves.
Whom are you immediately subordinate to?
To Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladymir, the First-Hierarch of our Church. In case of necessity I ask him for advice or help. He is an affable person – not the " Prince of Church ".
Katya Scherbakova
№ 31 (2003), August 18
http://portal-credo.ru/site/?act=english&id=37
