Under the protection of Saint Seraphim: how an artist found God, and a village became a templetranslated

On August 1, the Church celebrates the discovery of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The first temple in the Ulyanovsk region, built in the name of this saint, is located in Kuzovatovo. We talked with its rector, Archpriest Sergius Aristov, who has been serving here for 30 years, and with the parishioners.

— Father Sergius, this year marks the 38th anniversary of your consecration. Please tell us what influenced your choice when you decided to become a priest instead of an artist?

— I was born on August 22, 1960 in the Baryshsky district, not far from Zhadovka, one might say, under the protection of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. For some time our family lived in Kyrgyzstan, then we returned and settled in Izmailovo. I graduated from eight classes and entered the art and graphic department of a pedagogical school. After the army and a short period of work, he left for Leningrad at the invitation of a school friend. It was not possible to get a job according to my profile: I went to the fire department, and at the same time helped, working as a graphic designer at the Society of the Blind.

In Leningrad, I found myself in a different environment: I began to be surrounded by people close to the Church, and my spiritual rebirth began. I decided to enroll in a seminary instead of an art institute thanks to...