In memory of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen

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May 3, 2010 marks the 20 anniversary of the death of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen (1910-1990).

Patriarch Pimen (in the world Izvekov Sergei Mikhailovich) was born July 23, 1910 in the city Bogorodsk Moscow province in the family servant.

While still in school, the boy Sergei holidays and free from school days, liked to visit the temple, where he often read and sang in the choir, as well as from bishops ipodiakonstvoval BOGORODSKII Nicanor and Plato.

In 1923, Sergei, had a wonderful voice, was invited to the bishop’s choir of the cathedral. Singing in the choir joined with major theoretical knowledge. Having mastered the skill of vocal and regency arts, he soon tried to force himself into the management of a chorus of their peers in pilgrimages to holy sites of Central Russia.

In 1925, after graduating from high school Sergei moved to Moscow and soon in the Sretensky monastery a monk in ryasofor named Plato. In this period of life the monk Plato managed by church choirs in Moscow churches.

October 4, 1927 in the desert Paraklit (Holy Spirit) near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra17-year-old monk Plato was tonsured a monk named Pimen – in honor of the ancient Christian ascetic Egyptian desert Rev. Pimen the Great (Pimen name means “shepherd”). Rest of his life monk Pimen tried to be not just a pastor, but the good shepherd, who believes his soul for his sheep. After the tonsure and monastic passing probation in Lavra monastery monk Paraklita Pimen continued to lead the chorus in the Moscow church in the name of Reverend Pimen Great. He was regent in the Epiphany Cathedral in Dorogomilovo.

July 16, 1931 Archbishop Philip Zvenigorodsky (Gumilevsky) monk Pimen was ordained a deacon, and in January 1932 – in the priesthood. For several years, monk Pimen held pastoral ministry in Moscow.

The end of World War II caught the monk Pimen priest of the Annunciation Cathedral in the city of Murom, where in 1812, was temporarily moved from Moscow Panagia Theotokos. In the cathedral he served until 1946 then continued his ministry in Odessa diocesea post of Treasurer of the Odessa Elias Monastery, assistant dean of the monasteries the diocese, he taught at the Odessa Theological Seminary, performed other diocesan obedience.

For the tireless work monk Pimen in December 1947, was elevated to the rank of abbot, with the laying of a cross with decorations. Soon Superior Pimen was transferred Rostov diocese, where until 1949 was Secretary of Bishop, a member of the Diocesan Council, the sacristan of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

With its superior ability to bring order and decorum in the church life of the parish, monastery, the diocese, the abbot Pimen was soon called to a more responsible ministry: the decree Patriarch Alexius Iin late 1949 he was appointed governor of the Pskov-Pechora monastery. Almost six months later the abbot Pimen was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite, and from 1954 to 1957. was the governor of Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Just as in the Pskov-Pechora monastery, he spent the major restoration work in cathedrals, cared about the well Laura. With him in the refectory of the church was built two new chapel in the name of Saint Joasaph Belgorod and St. Seraphim of Sarov.

When the Trinity-Sergius Lavra was generally well-developed, His Holiness Patriarch Alexis I and the Holy Synod, taking into account the extensive administrative experience and outstanding spiritual qualities of the governor, called the Archimandrite Pimen to the episcopal ministry. November 17, 1957 at the Assumption Cathedral in Odessa, Archimandrite Pimen was consecrated bishop of the Baltic and in the end of that year became the vicar Moscow diocese- Bishop Dmitrovskoe. In July 1960, Bishop Pimen was appointed manager of the Moscow Patriarchate, in November was elevated to the rank of archbishop and entered into the Holy Synod. On March 16, 1961, Archbishop Pimen was appointed to the chair of Tula leaving behind him the post of Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate. November 14, he was appointed Metropolitan of Leningrad and Ladoga.

During the period from 1959 to 1962. lord Pimen along with the main responsibilities entrusted to the temporary administration Lugano, Smolensk, Kostromaand the Tambovdiocese. Archbishop Pimen was the chairman of the Economic Management of the Moscow Patriarchate, abbot of the Patriarch Epiphany Cathedral. In October 1963 he became Metropolitan Steeps and Kolomna.

Metropolitan Pimen was the closest assistant of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy I. Throughout his life he devoted his zealous service of the Church and the Church recognized his outstanding service. After the blessed death of Patriarch Alexius I in 1970, and Metropolitan Krutitskii Kolomna Pimen entered in accordance with the law of the Russian Orthodox Church “, in the post mestoblyustitel Moscow Patriarchal Throne.

June 3, 1971 at Epiphany Cathedral was enthroned elected Local Councils, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen. In his primatial service Patriarch Pimen showed himself a worthy successor of the church doing His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow Tikhon, Sergiusand the Alexia I.

Patriarch Pimen’s constant concern is entrusted to him a large Orthodox congregation, on the theological schools, church publications. Blagoustraivalis and opened the temples and monasteries. The ministry was devoted to the protection of the First Hierarch of the Church of Christ, the ancient traditions of monastic life, expanding the influence of Orthodox culture in Russia and in the world. One of the most important aspects of the Patriarch Pimen, started from the first days of the Patriarchate, was to strengthen relations between the Orthodox Churches of different countries. Numerous visits by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen and his sister meet both abroad and at home with the Primates of the Orthodox and other Christian Churches, as well as prominent statesmen and public figures of various countries to serve the cause of Holy Orthodoxy.

Through high mission in the field of inter relations, Patriarch Pimen said: “We tried, and, in our opinion, without success, feasible to serve the development of fraternal relations between the Russian Orthodox Church with the lovers unreached populations. Unity in the certificate and serve great Orthodox ecumenical family – this is the holy task to which we dedicate ourselves. ”

During primatial ministry Patriarch Pimen Russia was being decisive historical change. Russian Orthodox Church could not remain aloof from the destiny of the Russian people is performed. In Predyubileynom message of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen and the Holy Synod of the 1000 anniversary of the Baptism of Russia said: “Each of us, children of the church, now called his civic and religious duty to zealously participate in the development and improvement of our society. We are encouraged by the strengthening of spiritual and moral foundations of personal, family and social life of our people, our country’s desire to strengthen the universal moral norms in international relations.

In June 1988, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen led the celebration of the 1000 anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, and the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. In his closing remarks at the ceremonial act, dedicated to the anniversary, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen noted that the changes occurring in our country, had a positive impact on the lives of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is also possible greater involvement of religious figures in public life, and therefore no coincidence that in 1989 the Patriarch Pimen was elected deputy.

Patriarch Pimen participated in the celebration of 400 anniversary of the establishment of the Patriarchate in Russia, visiting the autumn of 1989 Assumption Cathedralthe Moscow Kremlin and committing a memorial service at the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the Russian public prayer novoproslavlennym saints: St. Job, and Tikhon. After a long break believers can openly pray in the main cathedral of the Russian Church and attach to the relics of saints.

3 May 1990 to 80 th year of life, Patriarch Pimen Communion Holy Communion, peacefully reposed.

Patriarch Pimen buried in the crypt of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

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