In 2015, a video clip for the song “Trample” spread across the Internet. Its performer was a certain Neuromonk Feofan. "Who is this really?" — netizens asked each other. However, there was no accompanying information. Two years have passed, and the musical project is still continuing its work. Who is Neuromonk Feofan really and what is he famous for?
Compound
It is known that behind the pseudonym there is not one, but at least two people. This is the soloist and DJ Nikodim. The first is a tall guy with a fake beard. In public, he always appears in a robe resembling a schema, with patterns along the edging and in bast shoes. His face is hidden by a hood, and in his hands he usually holds a staff in which a laser pointer is hidden. Neuromonk Feofan sings songs with a characteristic voice and the use of Slavic words and outdated words. The musical project comes from St. Petersburg.
Black and white priest - what is the difference?
The name of the black and white priesthood comes from the same thing: whether the priest is a monk or not.
A black priest is a hieromonk (monks have black vestments, which makes them black).
A white priest is a priest, not a monk. That is, a priest who has a family and does not have monastic vows.
This does not mean at all that a priest-monk is in any way better than a white priest. On the contrary, in some cases - for example, in matters of family life and some of its aspects - a priest who has experience in life in the family and in the world - that is, not a monk - will be better able to give advice. Simply because he encountered it firsthand - from the practical side.
Both of them became great ascetics in the history of the Church and were canonized as saints.
Don’t be lazy: find and read about them or their creations - these are amazing examples of spiritual life:
Famous “white” priests in the 20th century:
- holy righteous John of Kronstadt
- holy righteous Alexy Mechev
- Holy Archpriest Sergei Mechev
Famous hieromonks in the 20th century
- Archimandrite John (Peasant)
- Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)
- Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev)
- Schema-abbot Ioann (Alekseev)
Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt (1829-1909) is one of the most famous shepherds in the history of the Russian Church. An example of how you can live a holy life without joining a monastery.
Story
Who is this really - Neuromonk Feofan? The group still maintains anonymity from the intrusive media. But, despite this, Afisha magazine managed to lift the veil a little and interview DJ Nikodim, the second member of the group. He talked about himself and the history of the creation of the group. Nicodemus has a higher education. For a long time he studied music professionally. And when he met Feofan (who is a self-taught musician), he told him many interesting things. The guys became friends based on common interests.
Feofan was actively recording songs even before the formation of the group (since about 2008). The idea to join forces into an original musical project arose during a walk in the forest.
Criticism
Who is this really - Neuromonk Feofan? Critics of the group's work puzzled their brains for a long time and painfully. But they were not interested in the true names of the participants, but in what they wanted to say with their songs. Thus, Sergei Shnurov called the guys “Orthodox atheists” and “believing Komsomol members.” But it was a positive assessment. The leader of the Leningrad group approved the style and creativity in general of the newly minted artists, as well as their active activities on social networks.
Other music critics also noted the freshness and originality of the combination of Russian folk motifs and electronic dance music. They compared the St. Petersburg musical project with the already widely known “MC Vspyshkin” and “Ivan Kupala”. According to experts, the group focuses on the visual component, and the musical part is unpretentious, too simple.
Journalist of the Zvuki.ru portal Victoria Bazoeva dedicated a short article to the group, where she positively assessed the level of stylization of the group. However, she expressed doubts about the mixing of modern words and historicisms and the good perception of this by connoisseurs of historical reconstruction.
On the question of who it really is, “Neuromonk Feofan,” many agreed that the group represents the direction of conceptual postmodernism. Although her work is in many ways opposed to the activities of apologists of modern art, for example, Vladimir Sorokin.
Hieromonk Photius appreciated Vaenga’s “thieves” number in a monastic cassock
06/08/2021 17:01 (Updated: 06/09/2021 07:53)
Show business » Russian show business
The winner of the fourth season of the show “The Voice,” Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov), Elena Vaenga’s performance on the “Three Chords” program. The singer dressed in a monastic robe, went on stage with a pasted-on beard and mustache and performed Vadim Tsyganov’s song “Golden Domes,” which was performed by Mikhail Krug during his lifetime. The artist's performance caused a strong reaction from the public. Some viewers even called for the artist to be held accountable for insulting the feelings of believers.
Hieromonk Photius
At first, many people reacted ambiguously to the appearance of the hieromonk on TV screens in the show “The Voice,” but the representative of the clergy managed to win the love of the public thanks to his performing talent and beautiful voice.
Hieromonk Photius explained why, in his opinion, the number of Elena Vaenga, dressed in a monastic robe, causes disapproval from the public.
Mochalov was also wary of this kind of acting.
“On stage, such numbers with changing clothes, of course, are unacceptable, because not everyone can change into clothes, just as, for example, you cannot change into police clothes, because this is prohibited by law. You can’t just change into the clothes of a monk, because these are the clothes of the angelic order. A person is tonsured, and this clothing symbolizes renunciation and repentance. This is the first thing. Secondly, people also perceive this as an insult, because for them it is sacred,” the hieromonk noted in a conversation with Pravda.Ru.
Hieromonk Photius
The winner of the show “The Voice” spoke about the responsibility with which he approaches the choice of his song repertoire.
“If I go on stage, I go out and represent the church. I know that I have a huge responsibility. Accordingly, therefore, I choose songs in my repertoire that will not run counter to my image of a priest and the image of a monk. I even have double responsibility, because I am not only a monk, but also a priest. Therefore, all my songs must be imbued with meanings that will, one way or another, touch the heart of the listeners and lead them to high things, to moral ideals and to think about something deep, philosophical,” Hieromonk Photius explained his position.
A representative of the clergy, who is familiar with vocal television shows first-hand, believes that dressing Vaenga as a monk is in no way artistically justified.
“Elena Vaenga simply used a monastic cassock as part of her act. But I think she got the show mixed up. Because on “Three Chords”, in principle, no one ever changes clothes. Elements of dressing up are inherent in the show "Exactly". There it could somehow be justified. Because there are such rules, such a transmission format. That is, more theatrical. In the theater, of course, there are also images of priests, kings, and monks in the opera house, but there it is somehow artistically justified,” the hieromonk noted.
Elena Vaenga
According to Mochalov, the thieves' song in no way correlates with the image of a monk.
“And she used a criminal song. That is, these are prison lyrics. There is no way a monk, a monk, can sing it. Just because the words “golden domes” are there, it does not mean that this song is Orthodox and that it conveys all the torment that a monk could experience. No, of course, this is not a song from the monk’s point of view. Then, of course, they violated copyright, because Tsyganova’s husband, who, in my opinion, is also a believer, Vika Tsyganova is a believer, they, too, were probably surprised at the reading of their song. I think it was a shock for them, because no one agreed on this with them,” concluded Hieromonk Photius.
Earlier Pravda.Ru wrote that the author of the song “Golden Domes” angrily attacked the “bearded” Vaenga.
Elena Vaenga - “Golden Domes”. Three chords. Season six. Fragment of the release dated 06/04/2021
Author: Elena Bylkina, Editor: Olga Alekseeva
show voice Mikhail Krug Elena Vaenga Vika Tsyganova Vadim Tsyganov Hieromonk Photius insulting the feelings of believers
Albums
The group has three albums in total. The first “There is drama in the soul, and bright Rus' in the heart” was presented in 2015. According to the musicians themselves, it was the first attempt to combine Russian song, balalaika, the breadth of the Russian soul and the direction of drum and bass. The experiment was a success. The album consisted of 17 tracks, which were positively assessed by music observer Alexey Mazhaev (InterMedia). The word "dram" was often used in the lyrics. However, this did not stop the critic from defining the group's style as electropop with folk elements. The album clearly conveys the propaganda of cultural revival and the accompanying irony about it. The original themes of the compositions about the Old Russian Olympic Games and open airs do not let you get bored.
The second collection, “Great are the forces of good,” was released in 2021. No less success awaited him. Within two weeks, the album entered the iTunes chart as one of the most frequently listened to. Neuromonk Feofan did not change his sound. However, some critics did not appreciate such dedication to style. For example, Stanislav Sorochinsky, a REF News blogger, called the sound of the new record predictable and monotonous. And Alexey Mazhaev, in a review of the album, expressed the opinion that the performer becomes hostage to one image, which has no development. In addition, some tracks (for example, “I’m dancing everywhere”), in their sound, are closer not to drum and bass, but to Soviet music. Critics also noted the lack of a clear style of the collection. Every now and then you can feel the influence of Russian rock and folk.
The second album included 9 compositions. The last of them – “Stepson of the Rules” – is reminiscent in style of the work of the “Technology” group.
At the beginning of 2021, Neuromonk Feofan released his third album “Dance. Sing,” which was immediately highlighted by Stanislav Sorochinsky. According to him, the collection “sounds like one big song.” Although the team’s task now is not to surprise listeners (“the bicycle has already been invented by them”), but to entertain people working hard in stuffy offices.
Six compositions became the group's singles. From the last album, this list included the tracks “And Now the Bear Sings” and “Old Russian Soul”.
Degrees of the priesthood
There are three degrees of priesthood in the Orthodox Church: deacons ; presbyters (or priests, priests ); bishops (or bishops ).
The clergy in the Orthodox Church is divided into white (married) and black (monastic). Sometimes, as an exception, persons who are not married and have not taken monastic vows are ordained to the priesthood; they are called celibates. According to the canons of the Church, only monastics .
Deacon in Greek means servant. This is a clergyman of the first (junior) degree. He is a co-servant with priests and bishops during the celebration of the Sacraments and other sacred rites, but does not perform any divine services independently. The senior deacon is called protodeacon.
The deacon is ordained (ordained) by the bishop during the celebration of the liturgy.
During the service, the deacon wears
a surplice (a long robe with wide sleeves). A long wide ribbon called an orarion . When pronouncing the litanies, the deacon holds the orarion with his right hand, raising it upward as a sign that our prayer should ascend upward to God. The orarion also symbolizes angelic wings, for, according to the interpretation of St. John Chrysostom, deacons represent the image of angelic service in the Church. The deacon puts on his arms - armlets that cover the wrists.
Priest (presbyter) is the second degree of priesthood. He can perform all the Sacraments except the Sacrament of Ordination . Priests are ordained only after ordination to the diaconate. The priest is not only the performer of sacred rites, but also a shepherd, spiritual leader and teacher for his parishioners. He preaches, teaches and instructs his flock.
Details of priest's vestments
To serve the liturgy, the priest dresses in special clothes.
Podsnik is a long shirt that resembles a surplice. The white color of the cassock symbolically indicates the purity of life and the spiritual joy of serving the liturgy. The epitrachelion is a symbol of the grace of the priest.
Therefore, without it, the priest does not perform a single sacred rite. The epitrachelion has the appearance of an orarion folded in half. This means that a priest has greater grace than a deacon. The epitrachelion depicts six crosses - according to the number of six Sacraments that he can perform. The seventh Sacrament—ordination—can only be performed by a bishop. a belt over the epitrachelion - as a sign of his readiness to always serve God. As a reward for services to the Church, a priest can receive a legguard and a club (a symbol of the spiritual sword that crushes all evil).
Like the deacon, the priest wears bridles . They symbolize the bonds by which Jesus Christ was bound. On top of all other vestments, the priest puts on a phelonion , or chasuble . It is a long, wide garment with a cutout for the head and a large opening at the front, reminiscent of a cape. The phelonion symbolizes the scarlet robe of the suffering Savior, and the ribbons sewn on it represent the streams of blood that flowed through His clothes.
On top of the chasuble, the priest puts on a pectoral (that is, pectoral) cross .
For special merits, priests can be awarded a kamilavka - a cylindrical velvet headdress. As a reward, the priest may be given a yellow four-pointed cross instead of a white eight-pointed cross. A priest can also be awarded the degree of archpriest. Some especially honored archpriests are given a cross with decorations and a miter - a special headdress with icons and decorations - as a reward.
Bishop is the third, highest degree of priesthood. The bishop can perform all the Sacraments and sacred rites. Bishops are also called bishops and saints (holy bishops). A bishop is also called a lord .
Bishops have their own degrees. Senior bishops are called archbishops, followed by metropolitans. The most senior bishop - the head, primate of the Church - has the title of patriarch.
A bishop, according to church rules, is ordained by several bishops.
Details of the bishop's vestments
The bishop dresses in all the vestments of a priest, only instead of a phelonion he puts on a sakkos, a garment resembling a short surplice.
The main sign of episcopal power is put on him - the omophorion .
It is a wide ribbon lying on the shoulders - it symbolizes that lost sheep that the Shepherd Christ found and took on His ramen (shoulders). A miter is placed on the bishop's head ; it simultaneously depicts the royal crown and the Savior's crown of thorns.
On his vestments, the bishop, together with the cross, wears the image of the Mother of God, called Panagia (translated from Greek as the All-Holy One). In his hands, as a sign of hierarchal authority, the bishop holds a rod or staff. Orlets are placed under the feet of the bishop during the service .
Outside of worship, all clergy wear a cassock (lower long robe with narrow sleeves) and a cassock (outer robe with wide sleeves). Priests usually wear a skufia (pointed cap) or kamilavka on their heads. Deacons most often wear only a cassock.
Over the cassock, priests wear a pectoral cross, bishops wear a panagia.
A common way to address a priest in everyday settings is: father. For example: “Father Peter”, “Father George”. You can also address the priest simply: “ father ,” but then the name is not given. It is also customary to address the deacon: “Father Nikolai”, “Father Rodion”. The title also applies to him: “ Father Deacon .”
The bishop is addressed as “ Vladyka .” For example: “Lord, bless!”
Blessing
To take a blessing from a bishop or priest, you need to fold your palms in the shape of a boat so that your right hand is on top, and bow to the blessing. When the clergyman makes the sign of the cross and blesses you, you need to kiss his right hand. Kissing the priest's hand, which occurs when he gives a cross or blesses, in contrast to a simple greeting, has a special spiritual and moral meaning. Receiving grace from God through the cross or priestly blessing, a person mentally kisses the invisible right hand of God, which gives him this grace. At the same time, kissing the hand of a priest expresses respect for the rank.
Video clips
The group has only shot two videos so far. The first one, for the song “Trample,” received almost seven million views on the YouTube channel. The second video clip, “The hut is shaking,” is less popular. Today it has only collected about two million views.
In the videos, the musician traditionally, as on stage, appears in his stage schema. Who he really is, Neuromonk Feofan, and what his name is in everyday life, is impossible to understand. And comments from fans and simply curious users remain unanswered.
When asked why he doesn’t reveal himself, the musician himself answers simply. Neuromonk Feofan is the image with which the style and creativity of the group is associated. Its acceptance and approval should not be associated with the identity of the true performer.
Hieromonk - where does he serve?
The hieromonk, like any monk, lives (or, as they say: is a resident) of the monastery - is part of its brethren. That's where he serves.
However, the abbot of the monastery can send any monk (and hieromonk) to live or serve in another place: if it is useful or for the spiritual life of the monk himself.
For example, a hieromonk may be sent to serve and restore a church in some distant village of the country.
One of the most remarkable shepherd-monks in the 20th century is Archimandrite John (Krestyankin).
Concerts
The beginning of 2015 was significant for the group. After all, her debut album was released then. A concert tour was dedicated to this event. The tour took place in cities of Russia and Belarus. The program had the original name “Yadren Zador”, and the collection entered the “golden ten” of iTunes.
Also, the group “Neuromonk Feofan” took part in the festivals “Kubana”, “Invasion”, VK Fest, “Wild Mint” and “Epic Coast”.
Today, musicians often perform in joint concerts with other stars: Basta, Marcel, Noize MC, etc.
Interesting Facts
- The wife of Neuromonk Feofan danced in a bear costume in the video “The Hut Is Shaking.” Her name is unknown.
- In 2021, a musical project from St. Petersburg received the status of a popular Internet meme.
- A year after the release of the debut album, the Yandex. Music" recognized Neuromonk Feofan as an independent performer of the year.
- At a concert in Moscow, one of the fans apparently decided to reveal to everyone who he really is - Neuromonk Feofan. During the mass dancing and fun, he reached out to the musician and wanted to pull off his hood. However, he was stopped in time.
- On September 19, 2021, the mysterious performer of the group gave an interview to Yuri Dudu. The conversation turned out to be very frank for the artist. He talked about how his work began. How did the idea of combining balalaika and drum and bass come about? But, most importantly, the artist answered the question that torments all his fans: “Who is he really - Neuromonk Feofan, what’s his name?” The musician called the name “Oleg” without any hesitation. He also said that he is 30 years old, he grew up in Kupchino (St. Petersburg) and graduated from the State University of Aerospace Instrumentation with honors.
The meaning of the term "hieromonk"
From historical data, almost every Orthodox believer knows that in the initial stages of the development of Orthodoxy, church ministers, that is, monks, did not have the right to accept this holy order. Such prohibitions at that time were associated with the hermit life that monks led. As a consequence of this everyday situation, they did not have the right to engage in any social activities or pastoral activities, with which the priest’s service in the name of the Almighty is in fact very closely connected.
Consequently, if we turn to the sources of historical data and the emergence of Orthodox customs, it becomes clear that in the Christian Orthodox faith the hieromonk could not exist, since this meaning not only sounded contradictory, but was also unthinkable. But subsequently, after years, centuries, that is, time, many monks began to form not only their own communities, but also to build monasteries and temples. As a result of such actions, a certain need arose to choose a leader. Over time, this development gave a new round in Orthodox history, many monks were elected as leaders, as a result of which they were presented for ordination. It was in this way that the very first priests arose, who were previously considered hermits and could not engage in public affairs. It is also worth noting that initially the hieromonk’s sermon was heard only for a limited circle of people, that is, for the monastery brethren; subsequently, on certain days, the hieromonk preached a sermon to all pilgrims who came to the monastery.
It is also worth recalling the fact that the ancient inhabitants of the monastery were often located in deserted and deserted places, so pilgrims and Orthodox believers visited this temple extremely rarely. Years later, namely in the Middle Ages, monasteries began to emerge near cities, and after some time even in the largest centers. Turning to historical sources, you can learn that in the Middle Ages, monasteries were founded only by people who bore some rights, that is, such people were barons, aristocrats, and, of course, monks. As a result of this development, the life of the hieromonk in the temple, unlike his colleagues on the periphery of civilizations, was more connected with politics than with sacred or spiritual service to the Almighty and Orthodox believers.
If you look at the modern world, you can see many differences, because today's monks do not try to seclude themselves, that is, they do not hide from the modern world, as they did before. As a result of this development, many monasteries are now located in the city center or within its boundaries. It is also worth noting that in the Middle Ages only the most spiritual and educated priests could be ordained as a priest, but nowadays on the territory of a monastery you can find a huge number of monks who have the priesthood. Naturally, there are certain restrictions, but most of the monks who have been in the monastery for a long time are awarded this title.
