MThA Honors Archimandrite Vladimir (Kucheryavy) with Book Presentation
In the Elizaveta Hall of the Royal Chambers, on the eve of the feast of the uncovering of the relics of St. Sergius, numerous guests gathered to honor the memory of a long-time laborer of the Moscow theological schools, Archimandrite Vladimir (Kucheryavy).
The evening was timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of Father Vladimir's birth and the 15th anniversary of his repose, and it was marked by the release of his autobiographical book, "Church Ministry in Line".
Before the book presentation began, Metropolitan Evgeny of Tallinn and All Estonia served a litany for Father Vladimir in the Intercession Academic Church.
The book presentation was attended by: Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra; Metropolitan Evgeny of Tallinn and All Estonia; Metropolitan Platon (Udovenko); Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church and Rector of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Pan-Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies School; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations; Igumen Dionysius (Shlyonov), Abbot of the Stauropegial St. Andrew's Monastery in Moscow; Igumen Ioann (Samoilov), Dean of the Sergiev Posad District and member of the Synodal Liturgical Commission; Protodeacon Pavel (Troshinkin); Nun Leonida (Shelegova); Natalia Grigorieva, assistant professor of the MThA Department of History and Theory of Church Art; Maria Sinyuk, Press Secretary of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church; as well as numerous colleagues, students of Father Vladimir, and parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral in Sergiev Posad.
The moderator for the evening was Olga Vladimirovna Sinyuk (Kucheryavaya), a professor at the Moscow Theological Academy's Faculty of Church Music.
Father Vladimir Kucheryavy worked in various fields: as a professor, head librarian, assistant to the rector for representational work at the Moscow Theological Academy, dean of the Intercession Academic Church, singer and soloist in the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra choir, a member of the Synodal Liturgical Commission, and rector of the Dormition Cathedral in Sergiev Posad.
All of this was reflected in the commemorative speeches of the invited guests.
Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, opened the evening of remembrance and spoke about the importance of publishing books that tell the history of the Moscow Theological Academy and about how Archimandrite Vladimir labored for the good of the Moscow theological schools for a long time, leaving a significant mark.
Metropolitan Evgeny of Tallinn and All Estonia shared memories of his time studying under Father Vladimir and working under his guidance as a guide in the Academy's Church-Archaeological Cabinet. He also spoke about his trips to visit Father Vladimir at the Nikolo-Babaevsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Diocese: “We would remember academic life, and it was clear that for him, the Academy was for life. It was a very significant period of his life, and he gave a lot of his personal strength, energy, knowledge, and experience to the Academy and its students. 'Remember your mentors,' and for that reason, I am sure that many people remember and pray for Father Vladimir…”
Metropolitan Platon (Udovenko) spoke about his long-standing friendship with Father Vladimir, recalling their youth and their meetings. Having met in the mid-1950s at the Kyiv Theological Seminary, they carried their friendship throughout their lives, even though their meetings were infrequent. Speaking about Father Vladimir, Metropolitan Platon noted that he could be described in one word — "genuine".
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church and Rector of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Pan-Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies School, shared his memories of Protodeacon Vladimir's work as Vice-Rector for Representational Work at the Academy: "As the head of the Academy's representational activities, Father Vladimir was brilliant, always capable of communicating with a wide variety of delegations, which in those years were 90 percent foreign, who visited the MThA and the Church-Archaeological Cabinet. But with the passage of time, it became clear that the most important and valuable thing for Father Vladimir was standing before the Throne of God, and his entire life culminated in the restoration of the Dormition Church".
Igumen Dionysius (Shlyonov), Abbot of the Stauropegial St. Andrew's Monastery in Moscow, noted the special significance of Archimandrite Vladimir in the history of the Moscow Theological Academy library: "I am especially happy about the long-awaited release of this book, in part because at different times, Father Vladimir and I were called to serve in the same capacity—as head of the library of the Moscow Theological Academy, the center of spiritual knowledge. We both held this position for more than 10 years — each in his own time — and both contributed to the reconstruction and transformation of the library's external and internal life."
Igumen Ioann (Samoilov), Dean of the Sergiev Posad District and member of the Synodal Liturgical Commission, spoke about Father Vladimir's work in restoring the Dormition Cathedral in Sergiev Posad and their collaborative hymnographic work as part of the Synodal Liturgical Commission. Father Ioann's talk concluded with a video about the early years of the Dormition Cathedral's restoration.
Protodeacon Pavel (Troshinkin) recalled Archimandrite Vladimir's singing ministry in the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra choir under the direction of Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl), noting Father Vladimir's special talent in performing solo parts. After Father Pavel's speech, those present had the opportunity to listen to audio recordings of Father Vladimir singing the "Trisagion" and "Magnification" to St. Sergius.
Nun Leonida (Shelegova) highlighted the last period of Father Vladimir's life—his time at the Nikolo-Babaevsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Diocese, where he was blessed to go by Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov). In the early 2000s, the former Metropolitan Simon (Novikov) of Ryazan was living there in retirement. "'Go to Vladyka Simon, he will comfort you,' Father Kirill told the grieving Father Vladimir after the death of his matushka".
Natalia Grigorieva, an assistant professor in the Department of History and Theory of Church Art at the Moscow Theological Academy, touched on the history of the Academy, mentioning the diaries of Archpriest Alexey Ostapov, a professor and teacher at MThA, and their mention of Father Vladimir. In her speech, she also presented a congratulatory address written by Father Vladimir, which is a model of high poetics. The organizers of the book presentation prepared and showed a large volume of archival photos and videos illustrating different periods of Archimandrite Vladimir's life. A large number of photographs are also featured in the book itself. The photos show Father Vladimir's life, from the humble hut where he spent his childhood years to meetings with famous world figures within the walls of the Academy, the restoration of the Dormition Church in Sergiev Posad, and finally, the culmination of his life — the Nikolo-Babaevsky Monastery of the Yaroslavl Diocese.
Father Vladimir's co-workers and students shared their impressions of the evening.
Archpriest Vladimir Yangicher:
"Everything was very representative and harmonious. To my memory, it was the most memorable evening dedicated to the veterans of MThA. If I could sum up all my impressions of the evening in two words, it would be: 'Father Vladimir — a Man of the Church!' May God save those who labor in the Fifth Commandment!"
Archpriest Mikhail Vakhrushev:
"I sincerely thank you for this memorable evening! Unfortunately, we now less frequently turn to the memory of our former mentors and educators. The speakers were very interesting, and the memories were wonderful. It gave me a lot to think about. Thank you very much, and my deepest respects for organizing this evening! With gratitude, Archpriest Mikhail Vakhrushev"
The book by Archimandrite Vladimir (Kucheryavy), "Church Ministry in Line," was recommended for publication by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church and was published through the efforts of the publishing houses of the Stauropegial St. Andrew's Monastery in Moscow and the Moscow Theological Academy.
The book can be purchased at the following locations:
- Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra bookstore
- Moscow Theological Academy church shop
- Dormition Cathedral church shop in Sergiev Posad
MThA Press Office
