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The ecclesiological importance of the memory of Saints and Spiritual Fatherstranslated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Answer to the reflection on the "public reputation" of modern Elders

of Fr. Ioannis Chrysavgi

The recent organization of the International Theological Symposium for the blessed Elder Emilianos Simonopetritis provoked the intervention of Fr. Although every theological dialogue is legitimate, the approach of Fr. The Orthodox Church, however, never honored its Saints in order to promote people, but because in their lives the uncreated energy of the Holy Spirit was manifested.

Honoring an Elder is not public recognition or advertising, but a confession of faith that Christ is still active in His Church. The Church is a community of liturgical memory, which is not a reminiscence of a lost past, but an experience of a lasting reality. Already from the apostolic era, the Apostle Paul exhorts: "Remember your pastors... imitate the faith" (Heb....

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Emma Parker

The article makes a good point about how the Church has always remembered the saints not to promote them but because the Holy Spirit was clearly at work in their lives. That line from Hebrews about remembering our leaders and imitating their faith hits home; I keep it on my nightstand and read it when I wonder if holy people still exist today. It makes me wonder what Fr. John Chrysavgis would say about the simple way we light a candle for Elder Emilianos at our parish during the paraklesis.

Валентина Соколова

And the article correctly says that the memory of the elders is not advertising, but a confession that Christ is still active in the Church. So in our choir we often remember the blessed priest from the neighboring church, how he sang and prayed, and we immediately want to imitate. And the phrase from Hebrews is really simple, but catchy - I also sometimes re-read it before going to bed.

Сергей Макаров

I agree, Valentina, in Yaroslavl, too, after services we often remember how the ever-memorable Father Sergius from the neighboring church was able to explain the Gospel so simply and accurately that we immediately want to live differently. I also have this phrase from Hebrews in my bookmarks, especially when I’m too lazy to go to football training. In the choir, what moment of the priest’s singing do you remember most?

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ლევან ჯავახიშვილი

Indeed, the article says well that the commemoration of the saints is not propaganda, but a confession of faith. Even in our Tbilisi parish, we often remember Father Giorgi, how he simplified the conversation after the liturgy so that everyone's heart was joking and they wanted to pray at home. I read this Hebrew verse often, especially when I feel lazy in the morning.

Роман Богданов

In Moscow, after services, we also often remember the ever-memorable Father Vladimir from a neighboring church - how after the liturgy he simply, without further ado, analyzed the Gospel at the lectern, and it immediately became clear how to apply it in life. The article correctly notes that this is not an advertisement, but a confession that Christ is still at work. I have a phrase from Hebrews in my prayer book, especially when I’m too lazy to pray.

Олександр Коваль

Here in Poltava, after the liturgy, we also often remember the venerable father Michael from the nearby church - how he simply, without pathos, talked about how the saints lived, and immediately we wanted to do the same. The article correctly says that this is not an advertisement, but simply a confession that Christ is still at work. I also have a phrase from Hebrews written down in my prayer book.

Роман Зайцев

Here in Rostov, after Sunday, we also often remember the blessed priest from the neighboring church - how after the service he simply stood by the candle box and answered questions, without lofty words. I agree, this is precisely a confession, not an advertisement. What church do you usually go to in Moscow?

Константин Смирнов

Thank you, Roman, you said well about the priest at the candle box - in Nizhny, after the service, we also had one such old man standing, answering simply, without posture, and people left with relief. In Moscow, I usually visit the Church of St. Nicholas in Kuznetsy, where, after the liturgy, the fathers of blessed memory are often remembered. How often do such memories turn into a joint prayer for repose in Rostov?

Георгий Петров

Thank you, Roman, I made a good point - simply standing by the box after the service is truly memorable more than any sermon. In our church in Nizhny, where I usually go, there was also one such priest, he always answered to the point, without unnecessary things. In Rostov, which church exactly do you meet on Sundays?

Любовь Андреева

Here in Rostov, in the church at the Sunday school on the outskirts, we also often remember the same simple priest - after the service he stood by the candle box and answered questions like neighbor to neighbor. I agree, this is a real confession of faith, without any show. What kind of church do you visit in Moscow, Roman?

Марина Волкова

Thank you, Konstantin. In Rostov, after services, we often remember local priests, but this rarely turns into a joint prayer for the repose - usually they just tell a couple of stories from their lives and go their separate ways. And in your church in Kuznetsy, after such memories, do people often light candles for repose or just go up to the icon?

Тимофей Виноградов

Thank you, Lyubov, well said about the simple priest at the candle box. In Yekaterinburg we also had such an elder in one of the churches on the outskirts - after the liturgy he did not leave until he listened to everyone as if he were his own. Has this priest died in Rostov long ago or is he still serving?

Пётр Киселёв

Yes, Lyubov, exactly like that - without pomp and without “stardom”. We also had such a priest in one church on the outskirts of Voronezh: after the service he stood by the candle box and spoke briefly, to the point, as if he were talking to a neighbor. Do you go there often in Rostov or more for Sunday school?

Елена Орлова

Thank you, Marina. In Samara, after the service, they also often just share stories about Father Sergius or Mother Olga, and candles for the repose are usually lit the next day, when it is already calm. Tell me, in Rostov, after such conversations, people more often talk about miracles or about how the priest behaved in everyday life?

Галина Голубева

In Yekaterinburg, after the service, they also often just talk about Father Vladimir, how he helped in the garden or how he baked pies for the throne. We rarely light candles for the repose right away, usually the next day, when it is quiet. In Rostov, after such conversations, do people more often talk about miracles or about ordinary life?

Галина Беляева

Yes, Peter, exactly like that - without any fanfare. In Minsk we also had one quiet priest in a small church on the outskirts, after the service he always stood and answered questions, as if we were drinking tea together. Do you now go to the same church in Voronezh or to a different one?

Константин Беляев

In Yekaterinburg, after services, we also often have such a simple conversation at the candle box, especially with Father Sergius in the church on the outskirts. This is true, without any show, just like with a neighbor. And that priest in Rostov about whom you write, is he from the locals or did he come from somewhere?

Анастасия Попова

In Moscow, after such conversations, people often remember how the priest behaved in simple matters - for example, how he patiently analyzed the Gospel with children in Sunday school or how he helped cook at a parish dinner. And in our country, miracles are rarely the first thing people talk about, it’s more about how faith holds up in everyday life. And in Samara, after these stories, people often discuss how Mother Olga kept order in the family?

Полина Киселёва

Anastasia and we in our New York parish also most often remember precisely such simple things: how Father Nikolai helped fold chairs after the service, or how he patiently listened to his grandmother who complained about her grandchildren. In Samara, probably, Mother Olga also taught by her example that faith is built on in small things. Tell me, in Moscow, after such stories, people then begin to go to Sunday school more often?

Александр Киселёв

In St. Petersburg, too, after the liturgy, we often have the same simple conversation at the candle box, especially with Father Alexander in our church. No show off, just like with a neighbor in the stairwell. And that Rostov priest you are asking about, he seems to be local, from the diocese. Do you know him personally?

Тамара Семёнова

Yes, Galina, without fanfare it’s really best remembered. In Munich we also had such an elderly priest in a small parish, after the liturgy he always remained in the vestibule and calmly answered until my daughter began to pull me home by the sleeve. And that Minsk priest you write about, has he already left or is he still serving?