Live lessons in moral theology. Memories of Saint John of Shanghai

There are articles on Wikipedia about other people with the name Mikhail and the surname Donskov.

Awards

In 1995 he was awarded a silver medal for more than 25 years of service in hospitals[18].

Laureate of the International Prize of St. Andrew the First-Called “For Faith and Fidelity”[19][20]

On June 26, 2008 he was awarded the Order of Sergius of Radonezh (II degree)[21]

On January 23, 2021, Patriarch Kirill at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Geneva awarded him a commemorative panagia made on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the repose of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir[22].

Childhood and teenage years of Mikhail Mudyugin

Born on May 12, 1912, in the family of an official, Nikolai Alekseevich Mudyugin, in the city of St. Petersburg.
Mainly, the seeds of the word of God were planted in his childhood heart by his mother, Vera Nikolaevna, a deeply religious person who loves God and her neighbors. At one time, she took an active part in the activities of the Alexander Nevsky Brotherhood and knew the church service by heart. During the Soviet persecution of the Church, accompanied by terrible repressions and numerous arrests, she found the strength and courage to help the prisoners.

From childhood, Mikhail strove to become like those moral standards that he heard about from his mother or read in edifying books. As an eight-year-old child, he served as a reader in the church (Metropolitan Benjamin ordained him as a reader). In addition, he served at the altar and sang in the choir. At the age of 11, Mikhail began studying Latin. Subsequently, he studied it perfectly. In general, over the years he mastered nine languages.

Notes

1. [www.aeof.fr/site/225/reperes-chronologiques.htm Quelques repères chronologiques de la présence orthodoxe en France] (French)
2. ↑ 1234567891011
   [www.politjournal.ru/index.php?action=Articles&dirid=103&tek=8473&issue=227 Bishop of Geneva and Western Europe Mikhail (Donskov): Unanimity is more important than unanimity The Russian Church has always thought of itself as one body] // “Political Journal”, No. 3 -4 (193—194) / November 15, 2009
3. ↑ 12
   [www.dommuseum.ru/index.php?m=dist&pid=11131 MIKHAIL (Donskov Semyon Vasilyevich)] on the website “Cultural Center House-Museum of Marina Tsvetaeva”
4. [webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:rhCEU8pQylsJ:zarubezhje.narod.ru/mp/m_031.htm Bishop Michael (Donskoff Semyon Vasilyevich) (born 1943)]
5. [vertograd.narod.ru/0700/2000.htm VERTOGRAD-inform No. 7-8, 2000]
6. [listserv.okstate.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0111E&L=ORTHODOX&F=&S=&P=23154 LISTSERV 16.0 – ORTHODOX Archives]
7. [vertograd.narod.ru/0700/2000.htm TOPIC OF THE ISSUE. 10th anniversary of open parishes of the ROCOR in Russia] // VERTOGRAD-inform, No. 7-8, 2000
8. [vishegorod.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=728&Itemid=185 October 17, 2000 in New York. BISHOP COUNCIL OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ABROAD]
9. [www.synod.com/Iz%20Synoda/spring.synod.session.2002.html Spring meeting of the Synod of Bishops 2002]
10. [www.rv.ru/content.php3?id=5598 Russian Messenger – View article]
11. [www.synod.com/01newstucture/pagesru/novosti2004/worlforum.html Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]
12. [synod.com/synod/2006/5sobor.html Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia - Official Page]
13. [synod.com/synod/2006/9geneva.html Patronal feast of the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral in Geneva and the official inauguration of His Grace Bishop Michael]
14. [www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/2007/10print_georgia.html RussianOrthodox Church Abroad-Official Page]
15. [www.diocesedegeneve.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&lang=ru Diocese de Geneve - March - September 2008]
16. [www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/510692.html Bishop of the Russian Church Abroad, Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe, accepted Russian citizenship / News / Patriarchia.ru]
17. [www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/2011/20111214_communique.html The winter meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad took place]
18. [www.synod.com/synod/rocor/bio_bpmichael.html Biography] on the official website of the ROCOR
19. [fap.ru/prem_laur.php?lt=believe&id=14093 Michael, Bishop of Geneva and Western Europe (ROCOR)] on the website of the Foundation of the Holy All-Honorable Apostle Andrew the First-Called
20. [ricolor.org/rus/rz/20/o_mihail/ Bishop of Geneva and Western Europe Mikhail (Donskov): “The world is divided into those who are with Christ and those who are against Christ”]
21. [www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/428568.html His Holiness Patriarch Alexy presented high church awards to a number of bishops]
22. [www.synod.com/synod/2016/20160126_pkgeneva.html Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia - Official Page]

Pastoral and archpastoral ministry

In 1958 he was ordained a deacon, and soon a priest. Leningrad newspapers of that time were full of headlines and articles, the general tone of which was one of libel and bewilderment: why did an accomplished Soviet scientist exchange science for the priest’s cassock?

In the period from 1958 to 1960, Father Mikhail served in the Vologda Cathedral, and then in the Kazan Ustyuzhin Church. He graduated from the Leningrad Theological Seminary in absentia, and then continued his studies at the Leningrad Theological Academy and graduated with a candidate of theology degree. In 1963, he began teaching here: first History, then Latin, and then Basic Theology.

In 1964, Father Mikhail became an archpriest, and in 1966 he was appointed rector of the seminary and academy. In the same year he was elevated to archimandrite, after which he was elevated to bishop of Tikhvin. In 1967, he joined the editorial board of the journal “Theological Works.” In 1968 he became Bishop of Astrakhan and Enotaevsk.

It is noted that in the late 60s, a number of conferences were held between our Church and heterodox “Christians,” at which Bishop Mikhail (Mudyugin) was present (in 1969 he was included in the Commission on Christian Unity).

During the conversations, many questions arose and many differences emerged. The surge of criticism that arose among the clergy at that time also affected Bishop Mikhail. He was accused of being a reformist, although he did not defend the desire to change Orthodoxy: he insisted on transformations related, among other things, to improving the situation in the field of education of parishioners. In addition, he persistently pursued the idea that the Church, despite the pressure, should not resemble a museum or a political club, a sermon should not resemble political information, and a priest should think not only about income, but also about responsibility for his flock.

In 1972, Bishop Mikhail defended his master's thesis at the Leningrad Theological Academy. In September 1977, he was elevated to archbishop, and since 1979 he served as archbishop of Vologda and Veliky Ustyug.

In 1984, Archbishop Michael was awarded a doctorate by the University of Turku.

In the early nineties, his vision began to fail. In February 1993, by decision of the Holy Synod, the bishop was retired. At the same time, he was expressed gratitude. At the same time, he continued his pedagogical and educational activities: he taught at theological schools in St. Petersburg, as well as at catechetical courses in the Novgorod diocese.

According to eyewitnesses, in the last period of the archbishop’s life they seemed to have forgotten about him. The Theological Academy offered him government housing, and his daughter a place in an apartment. It would seem that he had a good choice. But in both the first and second versions he was denied the opportunity to receive visitors at his own discretion, although at that time he really lacked pastoral communication. As a result, he, a world-famous bishop, settled in a tiny rented apartment paid for by Protestants.

In 1999, the archbishop visited the Academy for the last time, with which he had been associated for many years of work, listened to words of gratitude addressed to him and left.

A few months later, on February 28, 2000, his earthly life ended. The reproaches and omissions are over; he appeared before the Supreme and Just Judge.

Links

• Ruling	Gabriel (Chemodakov) · John (Berzin) · Kirill (Dmitriev) · Mark (Arndt) · Mikhail (Donskov) · Peter (Lukyanov)
  Vicars	Agapit (Horacek) · Georgy (Shafer) · Nikolay (Olkhovsky) · Feodosius (Ivashchenko)
  At rest	Alypiy (Gamanovich) · Jonah (Paffhausen) · Hieronymus (Sho) · Nikolai (Soraich)
  Late bishops
  First Hierarchs	Anastasy (Gribanovsky) · Anthony (Khrapovitsky) · Vitaly (Ustinov) · Lavr (Shkurla) · Filaret (Voznesensky)
  Rest	Augustine (Peterson) Averky (Taushev) Agapit (Kryzhanovsky) Alexander (Lovchiy) Alexander (Mileant) Ambrose (Cantacuzene) Ambrose (Merezhko) Andrey (Rymarenko) Anthony (Bartoshevich) Anthony (Dashkevich) Anthony (Medvedev) · Anthony (Sinkevich) · Apollinary (Koshevoy) · Arseny (Chagovtsov) · Afanasy (Martos) · Vasily (Pavlovsky) · Venedikt (Bobkovsky) · Vitaly (Maksimenko) · Gabriel (Chepur) · Grigory (Borishkevich) · Gregory (Grabbe) · Gregory (Ostroumov) · Damian (Govorov) · Daniil (Alexandrov) · Evlogiy (Markovsky) · Hieronymus (Chernov) · Elijah (Abragamov) · Innokenty (Petrov) · Innokenty (Figurovsky) · John (Gevargizov) · John (Easy) · John (Maksimovich) · Joasaph (Skorodumov) · Jonah (Pokrovsky) · Konstantin (Essensky) · Leonty (Bartoshevich) · Leonty (Filippovich) · Methodius (Gerasimov) · Mitrofan (Znosko-Borovsky) · Mikhail (Bogdanov) ) · Mikhail (Kosmodemyansky) · Nathanael (Lvov) · Nektary (Kontsevich) · Nikandr (Paderin) · Nikodim (Nagaev) · Nikon (Rklitsky) · Nikolay (Karpov) · Pavel (Pavlov) · Panteleimon (Rozhnovsky) · Savva (Raevsky ) · Savva (Sarachevich) · Seraphim (Dulgov) · Seraphim (Ivanov) · Seraphim (Lyade) · Seraphim (Svezhevsky) · Sergius (Petrov) · Simon (Vinogradov) · Stefan (Sevbo) · Tikhon (Lyaschenko) · Tikhon (Troitsky ) · Feodor (Rafalsky) · Feodosius (Putilin) ​​· Feodosius (Samoilovich) · Feofan (Bistrov) · Feofan (Gavrilov) · Filofey (Narco)

Excerpt characterizing Mikhail (Donskov)

Makar Alekseich, his lips parted, as if falling asleep, swayed, leaning against the wall. “Brigand, tu me la payeras,” said the Frenchman, removing his hand. – Nous autres nous sommes clements apres la victoire: mais nous ne pardonnons pas aux traitres, [Robber, you will pay me for this. Our brother is merciful after victory, but we do not forgive traitors,” he added with gloomy solemnity in his face and with a beautiful energetic gesture. Pierre continued in French to persuade the officer not to punish this drunken, insane man. The Frenchman listened silently, without changing his gloomy appearance, and suddenly turned to Pierre with a smile. He looked at him silently for several seconds. His handsome face took on a tragically tender expression, and he extended his hand. – Vous m'avez sauve la vie! Vous etes Francais, [You saved my life. “You are French,” he said. For the Frenchman, this conclusion was undeniable. Only a Frenchman could accomplish a great deed, and saving his life, Mr. Ramball's capitaine du 13 me leger [Monsieur Ramball, captain of the 13th light regiment] was, without a doubt, the greatest deed. But no matter how undoubted this conclusion and the officer’s conviction based on it were, Pierre considered it necessary to disappoint him. “Je suis Russe, [I am Russian,”] Pierre said quickly. “Ti ti ti, a d'autres, [tell this to others," said the Frenchman, waving his finger in front of his nose and smiling. “Tout a l'heure vous allez me conter tout ca,” he said. – Charme de rencontrer un compatriote. Eh bien! Qu'allons nous faire de cet homme? [Now you will tell me all this. It's very nice to meet a compatriot. Well! what should we do with this man?] - he added, turning to Pierre, now as his brother. Even if Pierre were not a Frenchman, having once received this highest title in the world, he could not renounce it, said the expression on the face and tone of the French officer. In response to the last question, Pierre once again explained who Makar Alekseich was, explained that just before their arrival this drunken, crazy man stole a loaded pistol, which they did not have time to take away from him, and asked that his act be left unpunished. The Frenchman stuck out his chest and made a royal gesture with his hand. – Vous m'avez sauve la vie. Vous etes Français. Vous me demandez sa grace? Je vous l'accorde. Qu'on emmene cet homme, [You saved my life. Are you French. Do you want me to forgive him? I forgive him. Take this man away,” the French officer said quickly and energetically, taking the arm of Pierre, who had been promoted to the French for saving his life, and went with him into the house. The soldiers who were in the yard, hearing the shot, entered the vestibule, asking what had happened and expressing their readiness to punish those responsible; but the officer strictly stopped them. “On vous demandera quand on aura besoin de vous,” he said. The soldiers left. The orderly, who had meanwhile managed to be in the kitchen, approached the officer. “Capitaine, ils ont de la soupe et du gigot de mouton dans la cuisine,” he said. – Faut il vous l'apporter? [Captain, they have soup and fried lamb in the kitchen. Would you like to bring it?] “Oui, et le vin, [Yes, and wine,” said the captain. The French officer and Pierre entered the house. Pierre considered it his duty to again assure the captain that he was not a Frenchman and wanted to leave, but the French officer did not want to hear about it. He was so polite, kind, good-natured and truly grateful for saving his life that Pierre did not have the spirit to refuse him and sat down with him in the hall, in the first room they entered. In response to Pierre's assertion that he was not a Frenchman, the captain, obviously not understanding how one could refuse such a flattering title, shrugged his shoulders and said that if he certainly wanted to pass for a Russian, then let it be so, but that he, despite then, everyone is still forever connected with him with a feeling of gratitude for saving his life. If this man had been gifted with at least some ability to understand the feelings of others and had guessed about Pierre’s feelings, Pierre would probably have left him; but this man’s animated impenetrability to everything that was not himself defeated Pierre. “Francais ou prince russe incognito, [Frenchman or Russian prince incognito," said the Frenchman, looking at Pierre’s dirty but thin underwear and the ring on his hand. – Je vous dois la vie je vous offre mon amitie. Un Francais n'oublie jamais ni une insulte ni un service. Je vous offre mon amitie. Je ne vous dis que ca. [I owe you my life, and I offer you friendship. The Frenchman never forgets either an insult or a favor. I offer you my friendship. I say nothing more.] There was so much good nature and nobility (in the French sense) in the sounds of the voice, in the facial expression, in the gestures of this officer that Pierre, answering the Frenchman’s smile with an unconscious smile, shook the outstretched hand. “Capitaine Ramball du treizieme leger, decore pour l'affaire du Sept, [Captain Ramball, Thirteenth Light Regiment, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for the cause of the seventh of September," he introduced himself with a smug, irrepressible smile that wrinkled his lips under his mustache. – Voudrez vous bien me dire a present, a qui' j'ai l'honneur de parler aussi agreablement au lieu de rester a l'ambulance avec la balle de ce fou dans le corps. [Will you be so kind as to tell me now with whom I have the honor of talking so pleasantly, instead of being at the dressing station with this madman’s bullet in my body?] Pierre answered that he could not tell his name, and, blushing, began was, trying to think of a name, talking about the reasons why he could not say this, but the Frenchman hastily interrupted him. “De grace,” he said. – Je comprends vos raisons, vous etes officier... officier superieur, peut être. Vous avez porte les armes contre nous. Ce n'est pas mon affaire. Je vous dois la vie. Cela me suffit. Je suis tout a vous. Vous etes gentilhomme? [Complete please. I understand you, you are an officer... a staff officer, perhaps. You served against us. It's none of my business. I owe you my life. This is enough for me, and I am all yours. Are you a nobleman?] – he added with a hint of a question. Pierre bowed his head. – Votre nom de bapteme, s'il vous plait? Je ne demande pas davantage. Monsieur Pierre, dites vous... Parfait. C'est tout ce que je desire savoir. [Your name? I don't ask anything else. Mister Pierre, did you say? Wonderful. That's all I need.] When fried lamb, fried eggs, a samovar, vodka and wine from the Russian cellar, which the French had brought with them, were brought, Rambal asked Pierre to take part in this dinner and immediately, greedily and quickly, like a healthy and The hungry man began to eat, chewing quickly with his strong teeth, constantly smacking his lips and saying excellent, exquis! [wonderful, excellent!] His face was flushed and covered with sweat. Pierre was hungry and gladly took part in the dinner. Morel, the orderly, brought a saucepan with warm water and put a bottle of red wine in it. In addition, he brought a bottle of kvass, which he took from the kitchen for testing. This drink was already known to the French and received its name. They called kvass limonade de cochon (pork lemonade), and Morel praised this limonade de cochon, which he found in the kitchen. But since the captain had wine obtained during the passage through Moscow, he provided kvass to Morel and took up a bottle of Bordeaux. He wrapped the bottle up to the neck in a napkin and poured himself and Pierre some wine. Satisfied hunger and wine revived the captain even more, and he talked incessantly during dinner. - Oui, mon cher monsieur Pierre, je vous dois une fiere chandelle de m'avoir sauve... de cet enrage... J'en ai assez, voyez vous, de balles dans le corps. En voila une (he pointed to his side) a Wagram et de deux a Smolensk,” he showed the scar that was on his cheek. - Et cette jambe, comme vous voyez, qui ne veut pas marcher. C'est a la grande bataille du 7 a la Moskowa que j'ai recu ca. Sacre dieu, c'etait beau. Il fallait voir ca, c'etait un deluge de feu. Vous nous avez taille une rude besogne; vous pouvez vous en vanter, nom d'un petit bonhomme. Et, ma parole, malgre l'atoux que j'y ai gagne, je serais pret a recommencer. Je plains ceux qui n'ont pas vu ca. [Yes, my dear Mr. Pierre, I am obliged to light a good candle for you because you saved me from this madman. You see, I've had enough of the bullets that are in my body. Here is one near Wagram, the other near Smolensk. And this leg, you see, doesn’t want to move. This was during the big battle of the 7th near Moscow. ABOUT! it was wonderful! You should have seen it was a flood of fire. You gave us a difficult job, you can boast about it. And by God, despite this trump card (he pointed to the cross), I would be ready to start all over again. I feel sorry for those who did not see this.] “J'y ai ete, [I was there,” said Pierre. – Bah, vraiment! “Eh bien, tant mieux,” said the Frenchman. – Vous etes de fiers ennemis, tout de meme. La grande redoute a ete tenace, nom d'une pipe. Et vous nous l'avez fait cranement payer. J'y suis alle trois fois, tel que vous me voyez. Trois fois nous etions sur les canons et trois fois on nous a culbute et comme des capucins de cartes. Oh!! c'etait beau, monsieur Pierre. Vos grenadiers ont ete superbes, tonnerre de Dieu. Je les ai vu six fois de suite serrer les rangs, et marcher comme a une revue. Les beaux hommes! Notre roi de Naples, qui s'y connait a crie: bravo! Ah, ah! soldat comme nous autres! - he said, smiling, after a moment of silence. - Tant mieux, tant mieux, monsieur Pierre. Terribles en bataille... galants... - he winked with a smile, - avec les belles, voila les Francais, monsieur Pierre, n'est ce pas? [Bah, really? All the better. You are fierce enemies, I must admit. The big redoubt held up well, damn it. And you made us pay dearly. I've been there three times, as you can see me. Three times we were on the guns, three times we were knocked over like card soldiers. Your grenadiers were magnificent, by God. I saw how their ranks closed six times and how they marched out like a parade. Wonderful people! Our Neapolitan king, who ate the dog in these matters, shouted to them: bravo! - Ha, ha, so you are our brother soldier! - So much the better, so much the better, Mr. Pierre. Terrible in battle, kind to beauties, these are the French, Mr. Pierre. Isn’t that right?] The captain was so naively and good-naturedly cheerful, and whole-hearted, and pleased with himself that Pierre almost winked himself, looking at him cheerfully. Probably the word “galant” made the captain think about the situation in Moscow. - A propos, dites, donc, est ce vrai que toutes les femmes ont quitte Moscow? Une drole d'idee! Qu'avaient elles a craindre? [By the way, please tell me, is it true that all the women left Moscow? A strange thought, what were they afraid of?] – Est ce que les dames francaises ne quitteraient pas Paris si les Russes y entraient? [Wouldn’t the French ladies leave Paris if the Russians entered it?] said Pierre. “Ah, ah, ah!..” The Frenchman laughed cheerfully, sanguineally, patting Pierre on the shoulder. - Ah! “elle est forte celle la,” he said. – Paris? Mais Paris Paris... [Ha, ha, ha!.. But he said something. Paris?.. But Paris... Paris...] - Paris la capitale du monde... [Paris is the capital of the world...] - said Pierre, finishing his speech. The captain looked at Pierre. He had the habit of stopping in the middle of a conversation and looking intently with laughing, affectionate eyes. – Eh bien, si vous ne m'aviez pas dit que vous etes Russe, j'aurai parie que vous etes Parisien. Vous avez ce je ne sais, quoi, ce... [Well, if you hadn’t told me that you were Russian, I would have bet that you were a Parisian. There is something about you, this...] - and, having said this compliment, he again looked silently. “J'ai ete a Paris, j'y ai passe des annees, [I was in Paris, I spent whole years there,” said Pierre. – Oh ca se voit bien. Paris!.. Un homme qui ne connait pas Paris, est un sauvage. Un Parisien, ca se sent a deux lieux. Paris, s'est Talma, la Duschenois, Potier, la Sorbonne, les boulevards,” and noticing that the conclusion was weaker than the previous one, he hastily added: “Il n'y a qu'un Paris au monde.” Vous avez ete a Paris et vous etes reste Busse. Eh bien, je ne vous en estime pas moins. [Oh, it's obvious. Paris!.. A man who does not know Paris is a savage. You can recognize a Parisian two miles away. Paris is Talma, Duchesnoy, Potier, Sorbonne, boulevards... There is only one Paris in the whole world. You were in Paris and remained Russian. Well, I respect you no less for that.] Under the influence of the wine he drank and after days spent in solitude with his gloomy thoughts, Pierre experienced involuntary pleasure in conversation with this cheerful and good-natured man. – Pour en revenir a vos dames, on les dit bien belles. Quelle fichue idee d'aller s'enterrer dans les steppes, quand l'armee francaise est a Moscou. Quelle chance elles ont manque celles la. Vos moujiks c'est autre chose, mais voua autres gens civilises vous devriez nous connaitre mieux que ca. Nous avons pris Vienne, Berlin, Madrid, Naples, Rome, Varsovie, toutes les capitales du monde... On nous craint, mais on nous aime. Nous sommes bons a connaitre. Et puis l'Empereur! [But let’s return to your ladies: they say that they are very beautiful. What a stupid idea to go and bury yourself in the steppe when the French army is in Moscow! They missed a wonderful opportunity. Your men, I understand, but you - educated people - should have known us better than that. We took Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, Naples, Rome, Warsaw, all the capitals of the world. They fear us, but they love us. It doesn't hurt to know us better. And then the emperor...] - he began, but Pierre interrupted him. “L'Empereur,” Pierre repeated, and his face suddenly acquired a sad and embarrassed expression. – Est ce que l'Empereur?.. [Emperor... What is the emperor?..] – L'Empereur? C'est la generosite, la clemence, la justice, l'ordre, le genie, voila l'Empereur! C'est moi, Ram ball, qui vous le dit. Tel que vous me voyez, j'etais son ennemi il ya encore huit ans. Mon pere a ete comte emigre... Mais il m'a vaincu, cet homme. Il m'a empoigne. Je n'ai pas pu resister au spectacle de grandeur et de gloire dont il couvrait la France. Quand j'ai compris ce qu'il voulait, quand j'ai vu qu'il nous faisait une litiere de lauriers, voyez vous, je me suis dit: voila un souverain, et je me suis donne a lui. Eh voila! Oh, oui, mon cher, c'est le plus grand homme des siecles passes et a venir. [Emperor? This is generosity, mercy, justice, order, genius - this is what an emperor is! It is I, Rambal, telling you. The way you see me, I was his enemy eight years ago. My father was a count and an emigrant. But he defeated me, this man. He took possession of me. I could not resist the spectacle of grandeur and glory with which he covered France. When I understood what he wanted, when I saw that he was preparing a bed of laurels for us, I said to myself: here is the sovereign, and I surrendered myself to him. And so! Oh yes, my dear, this is the greatest man of past and future centuries.] – Est il a Moscou? [What, is he in Moscow?] - Pierre said, hesitating and with a criminal face. The Frenchman looked at Pierre's criminal face and grinned. “Non, il fera son entree demain, [No, he will make his entry tomorrow,” he said and continued his stories. Their conversation was interrupted by the cry of several voices at the gate and the arrival of Morel, who came to announce to the captain that the Wirtemberg hussars had arrived and wanted to place their horses in the same yard in which the captain’s horses stood. The difficulty arose mainly because the hussars did not understand what they were told. The captain ordered the senior non-commissioned officer to be called to him and in a stern voice asked him which regiment he belonged to, who their commander was and on what basis he allowed himself to occupy an apartment that was already occupied. In response to the first two questions, the German, who did not understand French well, named his regiment and his commander; but to the last question, without understanding it, inserting broken French words into German speech, he answered that he was a quartermaster of the regiment and that he had been ordered by his superior to occupy all the houses in a row. Pierre, who knew German, translated to the captain what the German was saying, and The captain's answer was conveyed in German to the Wirtemberg hussar. Realizing what he was told, the German surrendered and took his men away. The captain came out onto the porch, giving some orders in a loud voice.

Youth

In 1929, Mikhail made an attempt to enter the Leningrad University at the Faculty of Chemistry, which, however, he failed. His noble origin had an impact (his father received personal nobility on the eve of the revolution). Another “dark spot” in his biography was several months spent in Kresty for participation in the activities of a religious circle, and a suspended sentence.

Since 1930, Mikhail worked at Leningradsky, where he performed the duties of a laborer and grinder. He combined his work with evening studies at the Leningrad Institute of Foreign Languages, from which he graduated in 1933. After that, he moved to the Urals and got a job teaching German and chemistry at one of the local schools.

By that time, Mikhail had united in marriage with Dagmara Schreiber, a Lutheran who came from a German family (later, under the influence of her husband, she converted to Orthodoxy).

Some time later, Mikhail returned to Leningrad, but was expelled from there by local law enforcement agencies. For some time he lived in Novgorod, remained unemployed until he got a job as a heating engineer.

Finally, Mikhail obtained permission to return to his hometown, settled in Pushkin, and worked in a design bureau. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the bureau where he worked was relocated to the Urals. During the war, he worked in the city of Sverdlovsk, then in Novosibirsk, acting as a senior engineer, accepting and installing factory equipment. At the same time, he studied by correspondence at the Institute of Metal Industry, Faculty of Energy, which he graduated shortly after the Great Victory, in 1946.

Mikhail returned to Leningrad only in 1947. In 1953, he successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis, became an associate professor, and until 1957 inclusive, he taught heat engineering at the Mining Institute. At this time, despite all the difficulties that the Church faced, he was increasingly inclined to the decision to devote himself to God, becoming an Orthodox priest.