Aristarkh, Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk (Smirnov Vadim Anatolyevich) / Personalities / Patriarchy.ru

Metropolitan Aristarkh (Smirnov) of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk

Aristarkh (Smirnov)
(b. 1959), Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk, head of the Kuzbass Metropolis, rector of the Kuzbass Theological Seminary In the world Vadim Anatolyevich Smirnov, born January 17, 1959 in the city of Kemerovo. After graduating from high school, he entered the Kuzbass Polytechnic Institute, which he graduated in 1981 with a degree in mining engineer. While studying at the institute, he graduated from the special faculty of social professions and defended his diploma as a translator-referent.

After completing his studies at the institute, he worked for several months in the library of the Moscow Theological Academy. In August 1982 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, which he graduated in 1984. In the same year he entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated in 1988 and defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of theology.

After completing his studies at the academy, he remained there as a teacher from October 10, 1988. At the same time, he was appointed to administrative work: first as an assistant inspector of Moscow theological schools (from November 16, 1988), and then as a senior assistant to the vice-rector for educational work there (from January 1, 1991).

On March 27, 1998, he was tonsured a monk by the rector of the MDA, Bishop Eugene of Vereya, and named in honor of the Apostle of the Seventy, Aristarchus, Bishop of Apamea.

On April 4, 1998, he was ordained a reader, on April 7, he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on July 19, a hieromonk.

On the day of Holy Easter 2000, he was elevated to the rank of abbot by Archbishop Eugene of Vereya. He taught and carried out administrative work as a senior assistant to the vice-rector until June 2001.

In June 2001, he was transferred to the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, where he served as the head of the architectural department of the Patriarchal Architectural and Restoration Center, and then as deputy economist of the Lavra. On October 8, 2002, he was appointed cellarer of the united economy of the Lavra and Moscow theological schools.

Bishop Aristarchus (Smirnov)

By resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of July 17, 2006, he was elected Bishop of Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk.
On July 21 of the same year he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite by Patriarch Alexy II, in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square. On August 20, 2006, he was consecrated Bishop of Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk. The ordination in the cathedral Cathedral of Christ the Savior was led by Patriarch Alexy II. Concelebrating with him were Metropolitans of Krutitsa and Kolomna Yuvenaly (Poyarkov), Kaluga and Borovsk Kliment (Kapalin), Riga and All Latvia Alexander (Kudryashov), Archbishops of Istra Arseny (Epifanov), Penza and Kuznetsk Filaret (Karagodin), Tobolsk and Tyumen Dimitri (Kapalin) , Vladimir and Suzdal Evlogy (Smirnov), Sophrony (Budko), Tomsk and Asinovsky Rostislav (Devyatov), Vereisky Evgeny (Reshetnikov), Yaroslavl and Rostov Kirill (Nakonechny), Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy (Danilov), bishops of Philippopolis Niphon (Saikali) (Patriarchate of Antioch), Dmitrov Sergiev Posad ((Feognost (Guzikov), Bronnitsky Ambrose (Ermakov), Serpukhov Roman (Gavrilov) and Daugavpils Alexander (Matrenin).

On July 26, 2012, he was appointed head of the newly formed Kuzbass Metropolis and temporary administrator of the Novokuznetsk diocese [1]. He managed the Novokuznetsk diocese until September 1, 2014.

On August 1, 2012, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan [2].

On October 22, 2015, he was appointed rector of the Kuzbass Theological Seminary [3].

Used materials

Biography on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church:
Biography on the website of the Kuzbass Metropolis:

[1] Journal No. 65 of the meeting of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2012

[2] 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

, official website of the Russian Orthodox Church, August 1, 2012:

[3] Rectors of 33 theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church were appointed and approved // Official website of the Moscow Patriarchate -

Russian Orthodox Church

Born on January 17, 1959 in Kemerovo. After graduating from high school, he entered the Kuzbass Polytechnic Institute, which he graduated in 1981 with a degree in mining engineer. While studying at the institute, he graduated from the special faculty of social professions and defended his diploma as a translator-referent. After completing his studies at the institute, he worked for several months in the MDA library as an employee.

In 1982-1984. studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary, 1984-1988. - at the Moscow Theological Academy, defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of theology.

After completing his studies at the academy, he remained as an MDA teacher (since October 10, 1988). At the same time, he was appointed to administrative work: first as an assistant inspector of Moscow theological schools (from November 16, 1988), then as a senior assistant to the vice-rector for educational work of the Moscow Academy of Sciences and Sports (from January 1, 1991).

On March 27, 1998, the rector of Moscow theological schools, Bishop Eugene of Vereisky, tonsured a monk with the name Aristarchus in honor of the apostle Aristarchus from the age of seventy, bishop. Apamean.

On April 4, 1998, Bishop Eugene of Vereisky ordained him a reader in the Pokrovsky Academic Church, on April 7 he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on July 19 he was ordained a hieromonk.

For Easter 1999, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded a pectoral cross. By Easter 2000, Archbishop Eugene of Vereya, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, elevated him to the rank of hegumen.

He taught and was engaged in administrative work as a senior assistant to the vice-rector of MDAiS until June 2001, when, by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, he was transferred to obedience to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. As a resident of the monastery, he bore the obedience of the head of the architectural department of the Patriarchal Architectural and Restoration Center, and then the deputy housekeeper of the monastery.

On October 8, 2002, by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, he was appointed cellarer of the united economy of the Lavra and Moscow theological schools.

On April 16, 2004, on the day of Holy Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded the club. On April 27, 2006, on the day of Holy Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded the right to wear a cross with decoration.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 17, 2006, he was elected Bishop of Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk.

On July 21, 2006, during a service in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. He was consecrated on August 20 during the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The services were led by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2012 (magazine No. 65), he was awarded the title “Kemerovo and Prokopyevsky” and appointed head of the newly formed Kuzbass Metropolis.

On August 1, 2012 he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

From July 2012 to September 2014, he temporarily ruled the Novokuznetsk diocese.

Your Eminence Aristarchus

His Eminence Aristarchus , Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk (in the world Vadim Anatolyevich Smirnov).

Awards: Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, III degree, anniversary medal “70 years of the city of Kiselevsk”, medal “For Faith and Goodness”, medal “For Merit in the Preservation of Russian Culture”, medal “For Commonwealth in the Name of Salvation”, medal “ For service to Kuzbass", honorary badge "Order of the People's Commissariat" 2nd degree, medal "60 years of Miner's Day", medal "For special contribution to the development of Kuzbass", silver medal "For contribution to the development of the penal system of Russia", medal “65 years of the Kemerovo region”, medal “Skill, Patience, Compassion”, breastplate “FSKN of Russia”, commemorative medal “1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus”, commemorative order of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church “1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus”, anniversary medal “For contribution to the development of the Tashtagol region. Tashtagol 45 years", anniversary medal "15 years of the Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk diocese", title "Honorary Miner of Kuzbass", anniversary medal "60 years of the union of trade unions of Kuzbass", medal "For special contribution to the development of the exhibition movement in Kuzbass", Honorary Badge of the city of Novokuznetsk “For services to the city of Novokuznetsk”, anniversary badge “For achievements and successes in the social, economic, cultural and other spheres of life of the city of Belovo in connection with the 70th anniversary of education”, Order of Kuzbass “Key of Friendship”, commemorative medal “90 years” transport police", anniversary medal "85 years of the Kemerovo region", Order of the Kemerovo region "For valiant miner's labor" III degree, anniversary medal "5 years of the State Educational Institution "Regional Cadet Boarding School of Police", order "For the improvement of the Kuznetsk Land", Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree.

Through the efforts of Bishop Aristarchus in the Kemerovo region, non-profit organizations with a social orientation are being created in parishes. To date, the following has been created and operates:

11 Orthodox sisterhoods in medical institutions;
1 rehabilitation center for drug addicts;
2 monastery shelters for girls;
ANO "Orthodox Patronage Service of Kemerovo";
CROO "Society of Orthodox Doctors";
1 helpline;
6 parish counseling services;
5 parish patronage services at home, 1 almshouse;
17 parish charitable refectories;
5 volunteer movements with a social orientation;
3 Orthodox camps for disadvantaged children;

With the blessing of Metropolitan Aristarchus, the Fund for Assistance to Clergy and Poor Families of Clergy has been operating since 2011. Every month, 8 widows and 4 retired clergy receive benefits from the fund.

During the targeted campaign, funds were collected in the amount of 427,050 rubles for the purchase of 73 sets of books from the “Illustrated Books for Little Blind Children” fund. Sets of books were donated to special preschool institutions for visually impaired children in 10 cities in the region, and were also given to two children who do not attend kindergartens.

For refugees from Ukraine in 2014, more than 5 tons of new things and personal hygiene products were collected and transferred to the Regional Center for Assistance to Citizens Forced to Leave Ukraine.

Collected and transferred to assist Ukrainian refugees:

to the Synodal Department of Charity and Social Service of the Moscow Patriarchate - 392,000 rubles.
to the Rostov diocese - 325,089 rubles.

521,000 rubles were collected for the treatment of Larisa Ushakova in Germany.

His Eminence Aristarchus, Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk (in the world Vadim Anatolyevich Smirnov) was born on January 17, 1959 in the city of Kemerovo. After graduating from high school, he entered the Kuzbass Polytechnic Institute, which he graduated in 1981 with a degree in mining engineer. While studying at the institute, he graduated from the special faculty of social professions and defended his diploma as a translator-referent.

In August 1982 he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1984. In the same year he entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated in 1988 and defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of theology.

After completing his studies at the academy, he remained as an MDA teacher. At the same time, he was appointed to administrative work: first as an assistant to the Inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, and then as a senior assistant to the Vice-Rector for Educational Work at the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary.

On March 27, 1998, he was tonsured a monk with the name Aristarchus (in honor of the Apostle from the age of seventy Aristarchus, Bishop of Apamea, commemoration day 15 Art. Art./April 28 N. Art.) by the Rector of the Moscow Academy of Agricultural Sciences Eugene, Bishop of Vereya.

On the day of Holy Easter 2000, Archbishop Eugene of Vereya, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, was elevated to the rank of abbot. He taught and did administrative work as a senior assistant to the vice-chancellor until June 2001.

By Decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Alexy II was transferred to obedience to the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra in June 2001. As a resident of the Lavra, he bore the obedience of the Head of the Architectural Department of the Patriarchal Architectural and Restoration Center, and then the Deputy Economist of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra.

On October 8, 2002, by Decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, he was appointed cellarer of the united economy of the Lavra and Moscow Theological Schools.

On July 21, 2006, on the feast day in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' elevated him to the rank of archimandrite.

On August 20, 2006, in the cathedral Cathedral of Christ the Savior, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' consecrated Archimandrite Aristarkh (Smirnov) as Bishop of Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2012, he was awarded the title of Kemerovo and Prokopievsky and appointed head of the newly formed Kuzbass Metropolis. On August 1, 2012, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

Metropolitan Aristarkh: “The Lord will help the people of Kuzbass to maintain unity, peace and sobriety”

The head of the Kuzbass Metropolis, Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk Aristarkh (Smirnov) gave an exclusive interview to the Tsargrad TV channel.

The first to offer prayers for the victims on the day of the Kemerovo tragedy were the clergy of the Kuzbass Metropolis. And today, hundreds of priests of Kemerovo and its environs are as if on the front line: they perform funeral services for the dead, pray for the health of the survivors and the strengthening of their relatives and friends, and constantly, hourly, meet with people for whom spiritual support is especially important now. The head of the Kuzbass Metropolis, Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk Aristarkh, a man for whom this Siberian city is his home, and therefore his empathy for his fellow countrymen is especially deep, told Tsargrad about this and much more.

Vladyka, the Orthodox Church in all centuries has helped people in moments of trial. How did the clergy of Kuzbass react when they learned about the tragedy? What did you do first?

In the first minutes after the fire broke out, no one could even think about what all this would lead to. An hour later, information began to appear that could no longer allow anyone to remain indifferent. The footage of people jumping out of the windows of the shopping complex could be shocking.

On Sunday evening, almost all the churches of our metropolis held Lenten services - Passion - therefore, almost all the clergy, having learned about the tragedy, performed the first funeral services and prayed for those who suffered or went missing.

Already on the night of the tragedy, our clergy went to the operational headquarters, where they remained throughout the fire extinguishing and search and rescue operations. There, the clergy performed prayer services, communicated with the relatives of the victims and supported the rescuers, who were devoting not only physical, but also mental strength to their work. Also, the permanent presence of priests was organized in city hospitals where the victims were admitted.

Probably the most difficult thing at such moments is to spiritually help people who have just lost children. What words can you use to console them? How to make sure that the tragedy does not alienate you from the Lord and His Church?

Indeed, it is very difficult to help in this situation. Those who lost their loved ones often closed in on themselves and their grief. In such a situation, imposing communication with a priest is a dangerous thing, which may not only not help, but also harm. That is why the main priority in the actions of the priests was prayer. She was especially passionate after difficult situations when the relatives of the victims of the tragedy could not find a common language with the authorities and rescuers.

The operational headquarters was staffed by professionals in their field. Psychologists from the Serbsky Center, the leading institute in our country, arrived to help their Kuzbass colleagues. Representatives of this center noted that prayer and the presence of priests at the headquarters cleared the atmosphere and relieved excessive tension. In those moments when emotions subsided, the priests were able to talk with the loved ones of the dead and injured. However, they were keen to be careful not to injure people.

It is difficult for me to name mechanisms that are capable of keeping people in the bosom of the Church after a tragedy. This issue is very complex, and I am sure that God Himself can help with this, and therefore the main work of the priests and the need of the victims and their relatives was prayer.

What kind of assistance, in addition to prayer and spiritual assistance, are the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kemerovo Diocese itself providing today to the victims and relatives of the victims?

In the days after the tragedy, all churches in Kemerovo operate in a special mode so that anyone, regardless of their degree of involvement in the tragedy, can come and communicate with the priest. I'm sure there are more topics to talk about these days than ever before.

Speaking about real assistance to the diocese, it should be noted that the work of the headquarters was organized very professionally: there was enough food, places for recreation were equipped, albeit with a minimum amount of comfort, emergency services worked promptly.

When information about any needs appeared at the headquarters, Christians in the regional capital willingly came to the rescue. Many took part in donating blood for the victims, bringing food, warm clothes, and blankets to the headquarters. Today, Orthodox volunteers are in demand at the people's memorial to those killed in the fire: they ensure that order is maintained, control the burning of lamps, and help with flowers and toys, which are increasing in number every day.

With my blessing, the social department of the diocese began collecting funds for the benefit of the relatives of the dead and injured. Yes, it is known that federal and regional authorities, as well as the owners of the shopping center, will allocate money to all victims. However, we started this collection on the initiative of those people who also want to support the victims. Information about the receipt and targeted expenditure of this money will be regularly posted on the official website of our diocese.

In addition, this coming Saturday, March 31, a memorial meeting “With Prayer in the Heart” will be organized on the steps of the cathedral. A funeral service will be held, and representatives of the culture of the regional capital will also speak, who want to express their support for the entire region.

You are a native of Kemerovo, you know your hometown and its people very well. How did Kemerovo residents react to what happened? Did this help them unite?

This tragedy shook the entire city. Kuzbass has experienced disasters before: numerous times, huge numbers of people died in mines, which plunged the region into a state of mourning. However, this case is special. A huge number of children died here. They, along with adults, were at the shopping center to relax and unwind during spring break. They felt absolutely safe. And such a tragedy happened...

The city plunged into a state of mourning and panic. Information constantly appeared about the increasing number of victims, sometimes terrible information was heard about 600 dead. This information, as well as excessive panic, was to some extent a consequence of the swaying of the situation, including from abroad, which has already been confirmed by the competent authorities. Today we especially need prayers so that these information dumps do not have the effect desired by some groups of people.

I hope that the Lord will help the people of Kuzbass to maintain unity and maintain peace and sobriety in their hearts.

What conclusions, including spiritual ones, should we, Orthodox Christians, first of all draw from what happened?

We, as Christians, need to remember after such a tragedy that we must remain in constant tone - not so much in the body, but in the spiritual. Such sobriety will help maintain the integrity of the mind and wisdom in those situations when emotions try to prevail over reason. If this struggle is lost, then a person, and even more so a crowd, can do things that they will regret later. Unfortunately, there are more than enough such examples around.

Photo: mitropolia42.ru

Achilles

The Kemerovo diocese reports: the following message from the diocesan administration was sent to the rectors of parishes:

“Dear fathers! With the blessing of Metropolitan Aristarchus, in the very near future measures should be taken in parishes to optimize the workforce (reduction, dismissal of employees, sending on unpaid leave, etc.). However, these measures should not go beyond the legal framework. If you have questions regarding legal matters, please call the KEU legal adviser, Priest I. Pavlyuk, for advice.”

The scope of the legal field in the Russian Orthodox Church, as is known, is immensely wide - most church workers are registered, at best, as volunteers, and even more often - without any paperwork. So it won't be difficult to optimize them.

Almost 11 years ago, in June 2009, Bishop Aristarchus of Kemerovo thought something different about optimization - then his rebuke to the heads of Kuzbass enterprises and businessmen who delayed workers’ salaries became widely known - the bishop called it a mortal sin.

“The Church considers this situation unacceptable: deception and criminal acts that infringe on legal human rights have no place in economic relations between employers and workers,” the bishop said then.

The head of the diocese referred to Divine revelation and the canons of the Church, which condemn selfish actions during periods of famine, natural disasters and hard times.

“If we begin to support each other and take responsibility for each other, then we will achieve unity that is vital for us in the face of the current crisis,” emphasized the Christian archpastor, who lays down his soul for the sheep.

From the latest video message from Metropolitan Aristarchus regarding the self-isolation regime:

“Through the lips of the Patriarch, the Church obliges you and me to live this way [i.e. do not come out of the desert like Mary of Egypt - approx. ed.]. We need to sit at home with our relatives to understand that communication with family is what each of us really needs, maybe this way we will learn to value human relationships. Maybe this virus makes us remember our parents, the elderly, or maybe someone will think about the meaning of life. ... You will think about how to fill the emptiness, the excess time that was previously spent on idle vanity. ...

A strong state is a union of responsible citizens; it rests primarily on trust and solidarity... Each of us can make our own small contribution to the peace of society.

…We may not be able to hug each other with clean hands, but we can hug each other with a loving heart. Not animal fear, but the fear of God should be in us.”

Metropolitan Aristarkh Smirnov Vadim Anatolyevich

Orthodox clergyman. Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk. Head of the newly formed Kuzbass Metropolis.

Vadim Smirnov was born on January 17, 1959 in the city of Kemerovo. After graduating from high school, the young man entered the Kuzbass Polytechnic Institute, which he graduated in 1981 with the qualification “mining engineer.” While studying at the institute, he graduated from the special faculty of social professions and defended his diploma as a translator-referent.

After completing his studies at the institute, Vadim worked for several months in the library of the Moscow Theological Academy as an employee. In the period from 1982 to 1984, Smirnov studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary, and from 1984 to 1988, he took a course at the Moscow Academy of Arts, where he subsequently defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of theology.

Further, after completing his studies at the academy, Vadim Smirnov remained as a teacher at the above-mentioned university. At the same time assigned to administrative work. He was an assistant inspector of Moscow theological schools, and then took the position of senior assistant to the vice-rector for educational work at the Moscow Academy of Education and Science.

At the end of March 1998, the rector of Moscow theological schools, Bishop Eugene of Vereya, tonsured him into monasticism with the name Aristarchus in honor of the apostle Aristarchus from the age of seventy, Bishop of Apamea. In April of the same year, Bishop Eugene of Vereisky made him a reader at the Pokrovsky Academic Church, and on April 7 he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon. Later, on July 19, the church minister was ordained to the rank of hieromonk.

For the holiday of Great Easter in 1999, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded a pectoral cross. In 2000, Archbishop Eugene of Vereya, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, elevated him to the rank of abbot. He taught and was engaged in administrative work as a senior assistant to the vice-rector of MDAiS until June 2001, when, by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, Aristarkh was transferred to obedience to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

As a resident of the monastery, he bore the obedience of the head of the architectural department of the Patriarchal Architectural and Restoration Center, and then the deputy housekeeper of the monastery. In early October 2002, by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, he was appointed cellarer of the united economy of the Lavra and Moscow theological schools. In mid-April 2004, on the day of Holy Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded the club.

Later, on April 27, 2006, also on the day of Holy Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II was awarded the right to wear a cross with decoration. By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 17, 2006, he was elected Bishop of Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk, and on July 21 of the same year, during a service in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square in the city of Moscow, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

He was consecrated on August 20, 2006, during the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The services were led by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2012, Aristarchus was given the title of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk with the appointment of the head of the newly formed Kuzbass Metropolis. In early August 2012, the religious figure was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. From July 2012 to September 2014 inclusive, he was the temporary administrator of the Novokuznetsk diocese.
02.05.2018