Childhood
Metropolitan Varnava (in the world - Vladimir Viktorovich Kedrov) was born on April 21, 1931 in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazan district, Ryazan region, into a deeply religious, pious family.
His paternal grandfather, Archpriest John, was the last priest in this village, in the church in which his ancestors served as priests for about three hundred years. In 1929, when there was a second wave of repressions against the ministers of the Church and believers in general, Archpriest John was arrested and shot. In 1931, the father of the future Bishop Varnava, Viktor Kedrov, was appointed to serve in the same village of Vysokoye, and on Forgiveness Sunday he was to be ordained as a deacon, and subsequently as a priest. But a few days before, on the Thursday of Pancake week, he was also arrested, taken to Ryazan and given a sentence of 10 years. Despite many inquiries, his further fate is unknown.
The house and all its property were taken over by the collective farm, and the mother of the future ruler, Evdokia, who was soon to give birth, and her three young children were settled in a small temporary house. The families of those convicted were usually subject to immediate deportation, and a month later, on Holy Saturday of the same year, they came to them to send them to Siberia. But at this time the mother began having contractions, and soon she gave birth to a boy, whom she named Vladimir. Volodya was the fourth child. The authorities postponed the arrest and promised to return in a few days, but for some reason they did not return. Thus, the birth of the future ruler saved his family.
Bishop Varnava recalls: “During the war, we went to church in the city of Ryazan, to the cemetery church “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” There was nowhere to spend the night; we slept in the cemetery, inside the high fences of the graves, so that the evil stray dogs would not attack us. There were constant military alarms and bombings in the city. Once we left the house, looked back - and the house was no longer there, it had been blown up. During the war I was 10-14 years old. We dug trenches because the front line passed through our village.
In 1946, a temple was opened in the village of Bakhmacheevo, eight kilometers from us. Archpriest Pyotr Smirnov served there - my cousin, very pious, a great man of prayer. He helped people a lot, healed the sick, and had the gift of insight. I was his sexton. At the same time, through believers, I met Blessed Pelageya of Ryazan, a blind old woman, and began to sometimes go to her. A lot of people came to her for help and advice. The authorities did not allow it, some of those who came to her were arrested, but people still came because her insight was known.
As a child, I loved to pray, even at night. One day I heard a squeal, as if someone was dancing in the attic. But when I began to pray harder, everything disappeared.”
Excerpt characterizing Barnabas (Kedrov)
- Under the bottom pillow. - No, no. Denisov threw both pillows onto the floor. There was no wallet. - What a miracle! - Wait, didn’t you drop it? - said Rostov, lifting the pillows one by one and shaking them out. He threw off and shook off the blanket. There was no wallet. - Have I forgotten? No, I also thought that you were definitely putting a treasure under your head,” said Rostov. - I put my wallet here. Where is he? – he turned to Lavrushka. - I didn’t go in. Where they put it is where it should be. - No... - You just throw it somewhere and forget. Look in your pockets. “No, if only I hadn’t thought about the treasure,” said Rostov, “otherwise I remember what I put in.” Lavrushka rummaged through the entire bed, looked under it, under the table, rummaged through the entire room and stopped in the middle of the room. Denisov silently followed Lavrushka’s movements and, when Lavrushka threw up his hands in surprise, saying that he was nowhere, he looked back at Rostov. - G'ostov, you are not a schoolboy... Rostov felt Denisov's gaze on him, raised his eyes and at the same moment lowered them. All his blood, which was trapped somewhere below his throat, poured into his face and eyes. He couldn't catch his breath. “And there was no one in the room except the lieutenant and yourself.” Here somewhere,” said Lavrushka. “Well, you little doll, move around, look,” Denisov suddenly shouted, turning purple and rushing at the footman with a threatening gesture. - Make sure you have a wallet, otherwise I’ll burn it. I'll kill everyone! Rostov, looking around Denisov, began to button up his jacket, strapped on his saber and put on his cap. “I tell you to have a wallet,” Denisov shouted, shaking the orderly by the shoulders and pushing him against the wall. - Denisov, leave him alone; “I know who took it,” Rostov said, approaching the door and not raising his eyes. Denisov stopped, thought and, apparently understanding what Rostov was hinting at, grabbed his hand. – Gasp! - he shouted so that the veins, like ropes, swelled on his neck and forehead. “I’m telling you, you’re crazy, I won’t allow it.” The wallet is here; I'll take the shit out of this mega-dealer, and it will be here. “I know who took it,” Rostov repeated in a trembling voice and went to the door. “And I’m telling you, don’t you dare do this,” Denisov shouted, rushing to the cadet to hold him back. But Rostov snatched his hand away and with such malice, as if Denisov were his greatest enemy, directly and firmly fixed his eyes on him. - Do you understand what you are saying? - he said in a trembling voice, - there was no one in the room except me. Therefore, if not this, then... He could not finish and ran out of the room. “Oh, what’s wrong with you and with everyone,” were the last words that Rostov heard. Rostov came to Telyanin’s apartment. “The master is not at home, they have left for headquarters,” Telyanin’s orderly told him. - Or what happened? - added the orderly, surprised at the upset face of the cadet. - There is nothing. “We missed it a little,” said the orderly. The headquarters was located three miles from Salzenek. Rostov, without going home, took a horse and rode to headquarters. In the village occupied by the headquarters there was a tavern frequented by officers. Rostov arrived at the tavern; at the porch he saw Telyanin's horse. In the second room of the tavern the lieutenant was sitting with a plate of sausages and a bottle of wine. “Oh, and you’ve stopped by, young man,” he said, smiling and raising his eyebrows high. “Yes,” said Rostov, as if it took a lot of effort to pronounce this word, and sat down at the next table. Both were silent; There were two Germans and one Russian officer sitting in the room. Everyone was silent, and the sounds of knives on plates and the lieutenant’s slurping could be heard. When Telyanin finished breakfast, he took a double wallet out of his pocket, pulled apart the rings with his small white fingers curved upward, took out a gold one and, raising his eyebrows, gave the money to the servant. “Please hurry,” he said. The gold one was new. Rostov stood up and approached Telyanin. “Let me see your wallet,” he said in a quiet, barely audible voice. With darting eyes, but still raised eyebrows, Telyanin handed over the wallet. “Yes, a nice wallet... Yes... yes...” he said and suddenly turned pale. “Look, young man,” he added. Rostov took the wallet in his hands and looked at it, and at the money that was in it, and at Telyanin. The lieutenant looked around, as was his habit, and suddenly seemed to become very cheerful. “If we’re in Vienna, I’ll leave everything there, but now there’s nowhere to put it in these crappy little towns,” he said. - Well, come on, young man, I’ll go. Rostov was silent. - What about you? Should I have breakfast too? “They feed me decently,” Telyanin continued. - Come on. He reached out and grabbed the wallet. Rostov released him. Telyanin took the wallet and began to put it in the pocket of his leggings, and his eyebrows rose casually, and his mouth opened slightly, as if he was saying: “yes, yes, I’m putting my wallet in my pocket, and it’s very simple, and no one cares about it.” . - Well, what, young man? - he said, sighing and looking into Rostov’s eyes from under raised eyebrows. Some kind of light from the eyes, with the speed of an electric spark, ran from Telyanin’s eyes to Rostov’s eyes and back, back and back, all in an instant. “Come here,” Rostov said, grabbing Telyanin by the hand. He almost dragged him to the window. “This is Denisov’s money, you took it...” he whispered in his ear. – What?... What?... How dare you? What?...” said Telyanin. But these words sounded like a plaintive, desperate cry and a plea for forgiveness. As soon as Rostov heard this sound of the voice, a huge stone of doubt fell from his soul. He felt joy and at the same moment he felt sorry for the unfortunate man standing in front of him; but it was necessary to complete the work begun. “People here, God knows what they might think,” Telyanin muttered, grabbing his cap and heading into a small empty room, “we need to explain ourselves...” “I know this, and I will prove it,” said Rostov. “I... Telyanin’s frightened, pale face began to tremble with all its muscles; the eyes were still running, but somewhere below, not rising to Rostov’s face, sobs were heard. “Count!... don’t ruin the young man... this poor money, take it...” He threw it on the table. - My father is an old man, my mother!... Rostov took the money, avoiding Telyanin’s gaze, and, without saying a word, left the room. But he stopped at the door and turned back. “My God,” he said with tears in his eyes, “how could you do this?” “Count,” said Telyanin, approaching the cadet. “Don’t touch me,” Rostov said, pulling away. - If you need it, take this money. “He threw his wallet at him and ran out of the tavern. In the evening of the same day, there was a lively conversation between the squadron officers at Denisov’s apartment. “And I’m telling you, Rostov, that you need to apologize to the regimental commander,” said a tall staff captain with graying hair, a huge mustache and large features of a wrinkled face, turning to the crimson, excited Rostov. Staff captain Kirsten was demoted to soldier twice for matters of honor and served twice. – I won’t allow anyone to tell me that I’m lying! - Rostov screamed. “He told me I was lying, and I told him he was lying.” It will remain so. He can assign me to duty every day and put me under arrest, but no one will force me to apologize, because if he, as a regimental commander, considers himself unworthy of giving me satisfaction, then... - Just wait, father; “Listen to me,” the captain interrupted the headquarters in his bass voice, calmly smoothing his long mustache. - You tell the regimental commander in front of other officers that the officer stole... - It’s not my fault that the conversation started in front of other officers. Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken in front of them, but I’m not a diplomat. Then I joined the hussars, I thought that there was no need for subtleties, but he tells me that I’m lying... so let him give me satisfaction... - That’s all good, no one thinks that you’re a coward, but that’s not the point. Ask Denisov, does this look like something for a cadet to demand satisfaction from the regimental commander? Denisov, biting his mustache, listened to the conversation with a gloomy look, apparently not wanting to engage in it. When asked by the captain's staff, he shook his head negatively. “You tell the regimental commander about this dirty trick in front of the officers,” the captain continued. - Bogdanych (the regimental commander was called Bogdanych) besieged you. - He didn’t besiege him, but said that I was telling a lie. - Well, yes, and you said something stupid to him, and you need to apologize. - Never! - Rostov shouted. “I didn’t think this from you,” the captain said seriously and sternly. “You don’t want to apologize, but you, father, not only before him, but before the entire regiment, before all of us, you are completely to blame.” Here's how: if only you had thought and consulted on how to deal with this matter, otherwise you would have drunk right in front of the officers. What should the regimental commander do now? Should the officer be put on trial and the entire regiment be soiled? Because of one scoundrel, the whole regiment is disgraced? So, what do you think? But in our opinion, not so. And Bogdanich is great, he told you that you are telling lies. It’s unpleasant, but what can you do, father, they attacked you yourself. And now, as they want to hush up the matter, because of some kind of fanaticism you don’t want to apologize, but want to tell everything. You are offended that you are on duty, but why should you apologize to an old and honest officer! No matter what Bogdanich is, he’s still an honest and brave old colonel, it’s such a shame for you; Is it okay for you to dirty the regiment? – The captain’s voice began to tremble. - You, father, have been in the regiment for a week; today here, tomorrow transferred to adjutants somewhere; you don’t care what they say: “there are thieves among the Pavlograd officers!” But we care. So, what, Denisov? Not all the same? Denisov remained silent and did not move, occasionally glancing at Rostov with his shiny black eyes. “You value your own fanabery, you don’t want to apologize,” the headquarters captain continued, “but for us old men, how we grew up, and even if we die, God willing, we will be brought into the regiment, so the honor of the regiment is dear to us, and Bogdanich knows this.” Oh, what a road, father! And this is not good, not good! Be offended or not, I will always tell the truth. Not good! And the headquarters captain stood up and turned away from Rostov. - Pg'avda, why don't you take it! - Denisov shouted, jumping up. - Well, G'ostov! Well! Rostov, blushing and turning pale, looked first at one officer, then at the other. - No, gentlemen, no... don’t think... I really understand, you’re wrong to think about me like that... I... for me... I’m for the honor of the regiment. So what? I will show this in practice, and for me the honor of the banner... well, it’s all the same, really, I’m to blame!.. - Tears stood in his eyes. - I’m guilty, I’m guilty all around!... Well, what else do you need?...
Beginning of church service
“When the Boris and Gleb Cathedral was opened in Ryazan,” recalls Metropolitan Varnava, “I helped with its renovation, first as a laborer. Then the bishop's secretary, Archpriest Simeon of Gratiansky, invited him to become a subdeacon to the Ryazan bishop. That’s how I became a subdeacon.”
Bishop Varnava told how once, in the early fifties, on the feast of the Annunciation, which coincided that year with Good Friday of Holy Week, after service he was forcibly taken to the police station and demanded to sign a document renouncing his faith. Volodya didn’t sign anything. They began to beat him severely, but here’s what’s surprising: “For some reason I didn’t feel pain,” says the bishop, “I just thought that today was Good Friday, that is, the day when the Lord was crucified and tortured, and it was as if I was suffering with Him. And there was one more thought - that’s why the martyrs endured such severe torture without losing courage. The Lord gave them strength to endure all this. I was released in the evening. The next day I took communion, and I probably never experienced such joy after communion.
Lavra
On May 22, 1955, Vladimir entered the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra as a novice. On December 10, 1955, the abbot of the Lavra, Archimandrite Pimen (later His Holiness the Patriarch), in the Refectory Church, novice Vladimir was tonsured a monk with a name in honor of the holy Apostle Barnabas, and already in January 1956 he was appointed sacristan of the Lavra. “My monastic life began,” says the bishop, “everything happened – both difficult and bitter. But I endured everything without reproach, completely relying on the will of God, always repeating the words of St. John Chrysostom: “Glory to God for everything.” For 15 years he did not leave the gates of the monastery; I never forgot that there is no turning back. When it was hard, I locked myself in my cell, knelt in front of the icons with prayer and immediately felt relief.”
Cheboksary department
By the time Bishop Varnava arrived, there were 35 parishes in Chuvashia. Over the 35 years of bishop's service at the Cheboksary See, seven monasteries were restored from ruins, more than 200 parishes and the Cheboksary Theological School were opened. With the active participation and enormous contribution of Bishop Varnava, the historical part of the city of Cheboksary was revived, the “Road to the Temple” was opened, connecting the center with the historical part of the city.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Varnava, an Orthodox missionary center was created in the diocese. In the parishes, houses of mercy have been opened for the elderly and disadvantaged parishioners, and a charitable service has been organized to help the poor population. For many parishioners and clergy of Chuvashia, the Bishop became like a father. In line for an appointment with Metropolitan Varnava, and he constantly receives people, there is a rural worker, a university scientist, a doctor, and a teacher - for everyone there is a kind word and wise advice. Vladyka constantly serves, travels around the diocese, and meets with many people. The name of the ruler - Barnabas - translated means “son of consolation.” This is truly true - by name and life.
I have known Vladyka Barnabas for 20 years. Metropolitan Barnabas is for me, and for many, many who know him, an example of a zealous servant of the Church of Christ, a wise archpastor. I will always remember the command of Bishop Barnabas: “Be with Christ!” Metropolitan Barnabas himself spends his entire life with Christ and His Holy Church.
BARNAVA (CEDAROV)
In the world, Vladimir Viktorovich Kedrov, was born on April 21, 1931 in the village of Vysokoye, Ryazan district, Ryazan region. His ancestors were priests and served in the temple of the village of Vysokoye since the 17th century. Grandfather - Archpriest John Kedrov served in the Vysokovsky Church of the Apostle John the Theologian, in 1929 he was arrested and repressed. Father - Viktor Kedrov was arrested in 1931, repressed, and there was no information about him. When they came to arrest the mother, she began having prenatal contractions, but the arrest did not take place, which saved both her and her son Vladimir. Mother Evdokia Petrovna raised four children alone, who attended churches from childhood.
Bishop-prayer book
Today is the funeral service for Metropolitan Barnabas of Chuvash and Cheboksary. For 300 years, generation after generation in his family served at the throne of God. The grandfather-priest was repressed by the Soviet government; he died in the Gulag. My father was arrested just four days before his already scheduled consecration. They came for mom too. “But they couldn’t arrest her,” Bishop Varnava later said, “because my mother was giving birth to me at that moment.” The father, like the grandfather, disappeared - there was no more news from him. The widow was left with four children in her arms. We lived from hand to mouth. I had to beg. Only faith saved. And also prayer.
Bishop Barnabas reposed in the 90th year. How many have he saved over these decades with his prayer and example for eternal life! The clergy of his diocese remember their archpastor-father.
Lord Varnava (Kedrov)
“I remembered how the Lord suffered, and it didn’t hurt me at all.”
Archpriest Nikolai Ivanov , secretary of the Diocesan Administration, rector of the Intercession-Tatianin Cathedral in Cheboksary:
– I have known Vladyka Varnava for more than 25 years. He was a cell attendant, then a secretary. During all this time, Vladyka has never been on vacation to rest, as we are accustomed to. I only went to Jerusalem, but served on this pilgrimage every day if possible.
He loved the Holy City of Jerusalem very much. All the Patriarchs and bishops there knew him and loved him. Wherever he asked to serve, they allowed him everywhere. Although not all the doors are opened to all bishops everywhere in the Holy Land.
The Lord is a prayer book. I always read the morning and evening rule. He accepted everyone who came to him. He did not look at rank, title, or position in society. He accepted anyone. I was at work every day. Literally until the last days, until I fell ill.
In the Gornensky Monastery. Jerusalem
He did not look at rank, title, or position in society. Accepted anyone
Starting from Lazarus Saturday, every year, he served in the morning and evening throughout Holy Week, then in the same way throughout Bright Week, and ended this unceasing service only for Radonitsa. But even so I tried not to miss any of the services.
The Lord was very wise. Always found something to say. Gave a lot of interesting comments. One day a lady minister comes to us. And he asked her about the most pressing thing at that moment:
Monk Barnabas, resident of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - If only they had laid asphalt for the holiday, otherwise it was impossible to drive up or walk to the temple in rainy weather.
As a child, the bishop was accustomed to running barefoot, through mud and frost, to church, and to put on his shoes right before entering the church, so as not to break them or get dirty. All his life, when he was already a bishop, he wore a thin satin cassock and tarpaulin boots. And in any frost it was not additionally insulated. But which of us can achieve such feats now? He didn’t care about others like he did about himself.
So, the lady minister listened to the archpastor, and went their separate ways:
- There is no opportunity now! Where can I get the equipment for you?
And he told her:
“I thought you were so kind and friendly.” You always smile. And you, it turns out, are evil... I don’t even know what to do with you...
And because he told her all this so simply, like a child, out of nowhere suddenly the equipment arrived almost 15 minutes later, some people immediately began to fuss, they began to rake something there, and now steam comes from the spread asphalt... Such miracles happened.
He could find a way out of any situation. He approached everything with humor. He was a good bishop. Loving. Father to everyone.
He had virtually nothing of his own. Only some church supplies. And so he gave everything, even his pension, to the needs of the churches under construction. One day the head of the city came to him, we got to talking, told him everything as it was: the ruler does not save anything, he gives everything to the needs of the churches.
He had virtually nothing of his own. He donated everything, even his pension, to the needs of churches under construction.
“Yes, I don’t have any relatives,” His Eminence immediately responded and added jokingly: “And if I save money, then relatives will appear.”
Bishop Barnabas always had one instruction to the priests:
- Fathers, the Lord always sees everything. Our every action, every thought. If you want to serve without reading the rules the day before, or doing something else wrong... Remember: God cannot be mocked. He will punish.
Hieromonk Barnabas, a resident of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the ruler left God to act. And he loved each priest as if he were his own son. When he scolds a little, it’s in a fatherly way. Only if, of course, someone seriously committed a crime, then he would impose penalties. And so - I tried to get the person to correct himself. I prayed for everyone, especially the clergy. Guardian. I felt sorry for everyone. He usually didn't pay attention to himself.
Vladyka took his first medicine when he was closer to 70 years old. Before that I asked him, he answered:
– I don’t know what medicine is.
It’s us now, as soon as we grab something, we immediately say, oh, martyrs. And his childhood was like this: no food, no clothing, oppression, beatings. Once, I recalled, I ran to church for service in the evening on Great Friday. They caught him and started beating him with batons for going to Church. And he says: “I remembered how the Lord suffered, and it didn’t hurt me at all.” They approach him:
Archpriest Nikolai Ivanov - Give up the temple, don’t go anymore.
And he answers:
- No, I won’t refuse.
A pure child, he could not lie. So these warriors left him behind and no longer prevented him from going to church. “They beat me with these clubs,” he recalled, “but I felt good.”
In the monastery, already being a monk, Father Barnabas went to services every day. I never missed a brotherly prayer service. I wasn't late. We traveled with him everywhere and then to parishes here, already in the Chuvash diocese. I never remember that the bishop was late for a service and someone had to wait for him. Although it happened: one day the car broke down. But this is only one time - in all 25 years while I was with him. And so - he always arrived at the service on time. At the all-night vigil, the bishop himself made sure to anoint everyone. And after the liturgy, he personally blessed each parishioner.
He never broke fast days. He was very strict in observing the Charter
Before the liturgy, the bishop and I always read the rule for Communion. He never broke fast days. He was very strict in observing the Charter. He had even started to develop diabetes, but before the liturgy he still didn’t eat anything and didn’t even take medicine.
He treated himself very strictly. He lived his entire life as a monk. His house was old, nothing special. He did not recognize either dachas or expensive means of transportation. I loved my Zhiguli car, a seven. Only to very distant parishes they took him in something more serious. And so, he lived very modestly.
I never broke the established rule to omit morning or evening prayers. This was a must for him. Until the last day. Even when he was given Communion for the last time in the hospital, he insisted that the cell attendants read the rule for Communion. Although, in general, in such a state and without any prayers, they usually take communion. But for him it was important. All my life - in prayer.
He never bound man's freedom
Archpriest Mikhail Pavlov Archpriest Mikhail Pavlov , Chairman of the Diocesan Department for Church Charity and Social Service, rector of the Church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Cheboksary:
– I have known Vladyka Varnava since childhood, since preschool years. My father is a priest. So I served as a subdeacon with the Bishop at one time and read at his services. He is a father to all of us. He could, of course, scold him. But somehow, kindly. Fatherly. He will immediately forget. He will smile.
He always accepted everyone. Even on Holy Week, on Bright Week. Although at that time he served in the morning and in the evening, and the services were long and prescribed. He never shortened anything in his services, and did not bless other priests to force anything.
Such reverence was always preserved in the altar. This seems to be elementary. But we often miss the simple things. And the bishop somehow knew how to arrange everything so that they would not tremble before him, but would fear and love God. Everything else is fragile.
You could always turn to him, come to the diocesan administration for advice. And receive instruction in spiritual life, and even in everyday life. And he spoke everything from the experience of communion with God and prayer. In the morning he serves, then he goes to the diocese to receive people, and in the evening he serves again. And so every day. This is the bishop. And always with the people. The sermons were so intelligible to everyone he spoke. Something simple, vital, that everyone needs. “Love everyone. Both enemies and benefactors. To be kind to everyone - this is how a person is called to be. Then everyone will love you too.”
“To be kind to everyone - this is how a person is called to be”
The people themselves always felt the support of their bishop. Kind. Responsive.
I revered the Mother of God very much. He always instructed polyeleos to serve all-night vigils - to especially honor her memory. Akathists to read. Once they asked him for his blessing to bring the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “The Tsarina of All,” and he said the following words:
- Certainly! How can I not bless? He will punish me again. He'll be offended.
He loved St. Seraphim of Sarov very much. His memory was celebrated with special solemnity in winter and summer. He said that when his relics had just been found for the second time after the Soviet devastation, he was overcome by doubts: “Are these really the relics of the monk? You never know whose remains were found in the museum’s storerooms...” I began to pray. But I still can’t calm down internally.” And so, he says, the monk appeared to him in a dream:
Bishop Varnava (Kedrov) - These are my relics. Believe, don’t doubt, pray to me, and he became invisible.
But he saw him in a dream exactly in the place where, it turns out - on the left side chapel in the Epiphany Cathedral of Yelokhovsky - his relics stood until they were transferred back to Diveevo. Subsequently, he came to venerate the relics and was amazed.
And the Lord in general had many such prophetic dreams. And when he was still an archimandrite in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he somehow dreamed that the bishop in Cheboksary had died, and Patriarch Pimen was sending him there. I got up in the morning, hurried to the fraternal prayer service, and there, at the relics of St. Sergius, I actually learned about the death of this bishop... And then it turned out that he was appointed to our department.
By the way, this year I looked up documents in the archives - surprisingly, even the local commissioners for religious affairs wrote some respectful characteristics about Bishop Varnava. Although at first, of course, there were still battles. As soon as the bishop arrived here at the pulpit, the commissioner told him to come to him only in secular clothes, not to go to parishes, approved candidates for study at the seminary, sermons also - only with approval, and also demanded that the secretary of the diocese and the rector be removed Vvedensky Cathedral and install those whom they indicate. But the bishop rebuffed on all counts: he is not going to fire anyone - “They don’t work for you, but for me”; sermon edit: “You have no theological education”; just like “it’s not your business to decide who goes to seminary”; he must travel to parishes like a bishop: “This is my direct responsibility”; and he hasn’t had secular clothes for a long time: “Then come to me yourself.” He also added: in Moscow he will say that there is already a “diocese manager” here. That's how they respected him.
Christmas tree at the Opera and Ballet Theater. year 2000
The Bishop enjoyed authority among the authorities even in our time. And the people loved him so much. He always gave everything to everyone in need. So recently I called:
- Come and pick it up, I don’t need so much. Give it away.
We loaded some bags of potatoes from his pantry and something else. But it turned out that he really didn’t need all this anymore. Was it revealed to him, or what? He always delved into all the problems of those who came to him.
I remember such an incident. One of our priests and his mother all the doctors unanimously demanded to terminate the pregnancy: they say, the child is sick, you can’t give birth. She came to the bishop:
- What to do?
And he:
– You don’t need to do anything. Everything will be fine. Give birth.
Almost a police report has already been filed against her. The doctors simply went berserk: under your responsibility.
And she, as Vladyka blessed, gave birth to a healthy child. Already grown: 20 years old. She still gave birth later. What if I went for an abortion?..
As the Bishop says, that’s what you need to do. If you do it your way, you'll regret it
It has always been like this: as the bishop says, that’s what you have to do. If you do it your way, you will regret it. Remember, even in the book “Unholy Saints” it is written how the Lord could reveal everything to Lord Barnabas. He never forced anything on anyone. They will simply ask him for advice, and he will answer:
- I think we should do it this way.
And then it’s up to you - what you do. Didn't press. Just as my father advises. He never bound human freedom. Elder-bishop. But there was never any dictate: they say, listen to me. In no case. He did not rule over people. This is the lowest thing - to enslave at the expense of any resource of power, especially spiritual.
Prayer book. He has priests in his family since the 17th century. And what other shepherds he himself found! There were no cars then. We walked for many kilometers in any weather and gave communion to the people. Of course, when there are examples of such sacrificial love, then people respond with a burning of faith, real reverence. This is what Vladyka instructed: be ready to respond at any time of the day.
He simply became the spiritual father of the entire Chuvash people
Now Bishop Barnabas has reposed, and his death touched the hearts of even people who seemed completely secular, far from the Church. For everyone, he is a significant person, dear in his own way.
When the bishop arrived in Cheboksary almost 45 years ago, there were only more than three dozen parishes in the whole of Chuvashia. Now there are more than 10 times more of them. 7 monasteries have been restored, people are drawn to monasticism. The Cheboksary Diocesan Theological School opened. Young people, as far as I remember, were drawn to the bishop; they were completely different people, with different specialties, but he could give everyone a comprehensive answer to their request. In the 1990s, the Bishop ordained someone as a deacon or presbyter almost every weekend at services. The Bible was translated into Chuvash during the years of his leadership of the diocese. He simply became the spiritual father of the entire Chuvash people.
“It’s always easy with God”
Archpriest Alexander Panzin , rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the urban village of Vurnary:
“I have known Vladyka for more than a quarter of a century. He was a subdeacon. After my ordination, I remember asking my confessor:
- How can I live now, father, so that I can always act like a priest?
“You,” he says, “always look at our ruler Barnabas, you won’t be mistaken.”
He simply sets the trajectory of spiritual development by his example. Like a tuning fork: everything that is with his blessing is in accordance with the will of God. How many times have I had to verify this? Just look at the ruler - and act as he teaches with your life, in a word.
With my mother and brother at home in the village of Vysokoye
Over the years, before my eyes there were many examples of the Bishop’s life with Christ. Our diocese recently published a book that describes his life path. Its name for us (especially in these troubled times) is exactly the motto: “It’s always easy with God.”
He simply sets by his example the trajectory of spiritual development
For all of us priests whom he ordained, Vladyka Barnabas is a dear father. He loved all of us, his clergy, his flock, and admonished us as best he could. It happens that even someone is guilty, but there was no such priest whom the bishop would completely reject. He will give penance for correction - having fulfilled it, those who, of course, wanted to, returned. We are all, of course, different. Thoughtless, disobedient at times. But everything in our diocese was like a big family. With trust and love for each other.
When two years ago I became seriously ill and then my confessor passed away, I approached the bishop for a blessing:
- What do i do?
And he immediately responded:
- Come to me.
It was a very blessed time of nourishment for him. Everything could always be asked directly. All his life stories that he told were always very edifying and useful.
Archpriest Alexander Panzin I remember when we were with the parish on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, they asked us:
- Where are you from?
“From Chuvashia,” we say.
People somehow perceive everything so detachedly: it doesn’t tell them anything. And when we say:
“We have Vladyka Varnava there,” everyone immediately begins to smile and nod.
I remember I once met a Jew, he was not even baptized, although he had already traveled to many Christian shrines around the world. And so, he comes out after the service, which our Bishop led, all shocked, and he looks as if he is very hot.
“What else should we look for,” he says. - Here is the old man.
People, even non-church people, seeing him for the first time, recognized his charisma and the grace of God.
People, even non-church people, seeing him for the first time, recognized his charisma and the grace of God
Or, I remember, when I was just going to the seminary in Kazan, I met some grandmothers-pilgrims at the station, and we started talking. Again, the question is:
- Where are you from?
- From Cheboksary.
- We don’t know.
- We have Vladyka Varnava there.
- ABOUT! We know Vladika Barnabas! - they still remembered him, it turns out, from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
When he first arrived in Cheboksary, he was met on the platform by two bearded men in secular clothes. And the bishop came out in a cassock, with a staff. He looked at them... Then they got it. Still, for him, secular clothing on a priest was unacceptable. And this is by no means a formal question.
We, the Chuvash people, have a strong faith: our bishop is a man of holy life. Many testify to his foresight. I remember that after five years of my priesthood, the bishop gave me obedience, which changed my whole life. I won’t say that I strongly resisted - I, of course, could not disobey, but I grumbled internally: I didn’t want to take it on. Of course, I didn’t tell him anything, but it was impossible to hide anything from the bishop. So he immediately encouraged me:
“Wait, wait, in a few years you’ll still thank me.”
And indeed, several years passed, Vladyka even reminded me from time to time:
– Do you remember when you wanted to disobey me? – I didn’t tell him anything about this... – And now you’re happy.
Our Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious was built very difficultly - over the course of 14 years. There were several abbots there before me. When Vladyka transferred me here, I immediately told him: “I’m inexperienced.” And he blessed us to read the akathist to St. Spyridon of Trimifunt every week. Vladyka revered him very much. So, all these last 6 years, since his arrival, we have been reading him. So, with God’s help, the temple was completed. Other akathists have already begun to read.
The bishop had a childlike, straightforward faith in God. You trusted him, and everything worked out with his blessing.
Vladyka served until the last. I invited him to our throne feast, and this was literally two days before Vladyka fell ill. He apparently didn't feel very well anymore. But he didn’t refuse, he said: “I’ll think about it.” And then they called from him and said that he couldn’t. Now the Bishop at the Throne of God is praying for everyone.
Awards
Church:
- pectoral cross (1958)
- pectoral cross with decorations (1963)
- Order of St. equal to book Vladimir 2nd degree (1971);
- Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree;
- Order of St. blgv. book Daniil of Moscow, 2nd degree;
- Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan Moscow and Kolomna 2nd degree;
- Order of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, 1st (with the Cross of the Holy Sepulcher), 2nd and 3rd degree (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)
Secular:
- Russian State Order of Friendship
- Russian State Prize in the field of construction and architecture
- Honorary Citizen of the City of Cheboksary
Notes
- [www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/126436.html Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod dated July 17, 2006. Journal No. 60]
- [www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/2507811.html Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod dated October 4, 2012. Journal No. 91]
- [www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/2507811.html Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of October 4, 2012. Journal No. 103]
- Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 20, 2006 No. 728
- [graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1567465 Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 20, 2011 No. 971 “On awarding state awards of the Russian Federation”]
- Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 27, 1996 No. 1106
- [gov.cap.ru/list4/law/rec.aspx?gov_id=49&link=49&preurl=.&FKey=F_JURL_ID&id=33840 Decree of the President of the Chuvash Republic dated April 25, 2006 No. 32 “On awarding the Order “For Merit to the Chuvash Republic” to the Metropolitan Barnabas (Kedrova V.V.)"]
- Decree of the President of the Chuvash Republic No. 100 of August 25, 2010 - [g[gov.cap.ru/laws.aspx?gov_id=49&id=85721&page=2&size=20 Metropolitan Varnava of Cheboksary and Chuvashia was awarded the honorary title “Honorary Citizen of the Chuvash Republic”]li >
- [w[www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/1456328.html Patriarchal congratulations to Metropolitan Barnabas of Cheboksary on his 80th birthday]li>
- [w[www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/102491.html Patriarchal congratulations to Metropolitan Varnava of Cheboksary and Chuvashia on the occasion of his 75th birthday]li>
- [m[mospat.ru/archive/2003/10/nr310315/ Metropolitan Varnava of Cheboksary and Chuvashia was awarded the highest award of the Jerusalem Patriarchate: Russian Orthodox Church]li>
Essays
- Speech at the consecration of the Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvashia on November 29, 1976. // ZhMP. 1977, No. 2, p. 18-19.
- “On the day of memory of St. Nicholas, the miracle worker” (December 19, 1976 in the Cathedral of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cheboksary). // ZhMP. 1977, No. 7, p. thirty.
- "Animated Temple" // ZhMP. 1980, No. 5, p. 32.
- “The importance of the temple in the life of a Christian” (July 9, 1980 in the village of Kozlovka). // ZhMP. 1981, No. 5, p. 36.
- “On the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas, the miracle worker” (Sermon delivered in the Church of St. Nicholas in Kanash. December 19, 1981). // ZhMP. 1983, No. 12, p. thirty.
Biography
Born on April 21, 1931 in the village.
Vysokoye, Ryazan district, Ryazan region. His ancestors were priests and served in the temple of the village. High from the 17th century. Only my father was not a priest, he only graduated from the Ryazan Theological Seminary. In 1945 he graduated from high school. In 1952-53 served in the church in the name of the Holy Trinity in the village. Bakhmacheevo, Ryazan region. From 1953 to 1955 was a subdeacon in the cathedral in honor of St. passion-bearers princes Boris and Gleb in Ryazan. In May 1955, he joined the brotherhood of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and was appointed assistant sacristan. On December 10 of the same year, the governor of the Lavra, Archimandrite. Pimen (Izvekov) was tonsured a monk and named in honor of St. ap. Barnabas. 18 Jan 1956 appointed sacristan of the Lavra. 15 Feb 1956 in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Patriarch Alexy ordained him a hierodeacon. On March 9, 1957, in the Lavra Cross Church in the name of Philaret the Merciful, he was ordained hieromonk. In 1958 he was awarded the pectoral cross. In 1960 he was elevated to the rank of abbot. In 1963 he was awarded a cross with decorations. In 1965 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In 1970 he was appointed dean of the Lavra. In 1971, from the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was a member of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the same year he was awarded the Order of St. equal to Prince Vladimir 2nd degree. On November 30, 1976, in the Sergius Refectory Church of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he was consecrated Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvashia. The ordination was performed by: St. Patriarch Pimen, Met. Krutitsky and Kolomna Seraphim, Archbishop. Volokolamsk Pitirim, bishops of Ryazan and Kasimov Simon, Oryol and Bryansk Gleb. In 1983, with a pilgrim group of the Russian Orthodox Church, he visited Mount Athos. 7 Sep. In 1984 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. From October 27 to October 31, 1984 he accompanied St. Patriarch Pimen on his trip to Bulgaria. In 2001 he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. Proceedings: Speech at the naming of Bishop of Cheboksary and Chuvashia, November 29. 1976 ZhMP. 1977, no. 2, p. 18-19. “On the day of remembrance it is holy. Nicholas" (December 19, 1976 in the Vvedensky Cathedral in Cheboksary). JMP. 1977, no. 7, p. 30. “Animated Temple.” JMP. 1980, No. 5, p. 32. “The significance of the temple in the life of a Christian” (said on July 9, 1980 in the village of Kozlovka) ZhMP. 1981, No. 5, p. 36. “On the day of remembrance of St. and the Wonderworker Nicholas": (Sermon delivered at the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Knash, December 19, 1981) ZhMP. 1983, No. 12, p. thirty.
Literature: ZhMP. 1977, No. 1, p. 10; No. 2, p. 18-20, 22; No. 7, p. 20; No. 10, p. 9. -“-, 1978, No. 1, p. 29; No. 10, p. 7; No. 12, p. 10. -“-, 1979, No. 8, p. 6, 41; No. 9, p. 8, 25; No. 12, p. 6. -“-, 1980, No. 3, p. 25; No. 4, p. 17; No. 5, p. 25, 28; No. 9, p. 13, 34; No. 12, p. 23, 30. -“-, 1981, No. 5, p. thirty; No. 11, p. 17, 20; No. 12, p. 24. -“-, 1982, No. 1, p. 20; No. 3, p. 33; No. 8, p. 11, 25; No. 12, p. 8, 34, 36. -“-, 1983, No. 1, p. eleven; No. 2, p. 44, 47; No. 4, p. 27; No. 6, p. 35; No. 8, p. 9; No. 9, p. 5, 26; No. 11, p. 4; No. 12, p. 9. -“-, 1984, No. 3, p. 15; No. 5, p. 35; No. 7, p. 33; No. 9, p. 7; No. 11, p. eleven; No. 12, p. 18. -“-, 1985, No. 1, p. 8; No. 3, p. 27, 55; No. 4, p. 22; No. 5, p. 24; No. 10, p. 13; No. 11, p. 28, No. 12, p. 10.
