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The executive secretary of the Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks met with the new ataman of the Central Cossack Armytranslated

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 16, at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Zayaitsky, a working meeting was held between the executive secretary of the Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks, the rector of the church, Priest Timofey Chaikin, and the ataman of the military Cossack society “Central Cossack Army” Andrei Fadyukhin.

Source: Site: Московская епархия · Read the full story →

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Ioana Stoica

Okay, the meeting at the church of St. Nicholas in Zayațki seems practical. I wonder if father Timotei Chaykin and the new ataman Fadyukhin also talked about how the young Cossacks are involved in the life of the parish, that in our parish there is always a lack of help with practical matters.

Bogdan Barbu

Yes, the meeting seems business-oriented, as you say. In our parish, the young Cossacks could help with repairing the fence or with transportation to pilgrimages, because we always lack good hands. Do you think we should invite them to a job and see firsthand what they can do?

Maria Florea

Yes, I wonder the same thing – in our country, young people could help with collecting hay for the animals in the churchyard or cleaning up after the big services. Do you think it would be better to directly propose concrete tasks to them from the beginning, so that they see that it is not just talk?

Andreea Tudor

Yes, the meeting at Zayatski sounds concrete, as you say. Here, the young Cossacks could come and help with watering the flowers in the church yard or carrying wood for the stove in winter, because these chores are always left to the elders. Do you think it would be better to send them an invitation through their ataman or to speak directly to Father Timotei?

Teodora Florea

Yes, Maria, concrete tasks at the beginning would be the best thing - for example, to gather hay in the orchard behind the altar or to sweep the yard after Easter. I would start with two or three boys from the choir, because I know them to be more diligent. Have you already talked to someone from the youth?

Alexandra Rusu

Yes, Teodora, the idea with the choir boys is good, I also know two of them who come regularly and don't stay for nothing. I would also add sweeping after Sunday service, because leaves and dust always collect in the yard. Did you talk to the priest to give them a clear list of tasks?

Radu Gheorghiu

I think it would be better to talk to Father Timotei first, to see what concrete needs he has at the church. I carried wood last year with the football boys and it went well, but without his blessing nothing starts. Have you already talked to him about it?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, Alexandra, a clear list of tasks is essential, otherwise they get lost in discussions. I would also add the watering of the flowers at the entrance, because they dry quickly in the summer. Do you have any idea if Father Timofei wants us to involve some fathers from the parish in the more difficult tasks?

Elena Florea

Yes, Andreea, watering flowers and carrying wood are exactly the kind of practical jobs that suit young Cossacks. However, I would start with a direct discussion with father Timotei, let's see what he says about a meeting with the ataman. Any idea when it would be freer to stop by?

Petru Dumitrescu

Yes, Bogdan, the idea of repairing the fence is a good one, at our parish the back fence keeps falling for two years. If we invite them to Sunday morning service, we can chat over coffee afterwards and see what they can do. Do you think they would come with horses too, or just manual labor?

Ana Tudor

Yes, Maria, concrete tasks from the beginning is the best way, otherwise I just talk. I would also add a good word with the priest to give them a small icon after he finishes the job, to see that it is connected to the church. Do you have any idea how many young people from the parish would come to make hay?

Mihai Nistor

Yes, Teodora, the choir boys are a good choice, I always see them on time. I would also add gathering wood for the stove in the downstairs room, because autumn is coming quickly. Any idea how to motivate them to come regularly without seeming like a chore?

Elena Barbu

Yes, Alexandra, sweeping up after Sunday service would be really helpful, I've seen leaves pile up by the porch too. I would suggest asking Timofei's father to wash the windows in the downstairs room, because they get dirty quickly from the dust. Do you think the choirboys would be willing to do that too?

Elena Barbu

Yes, Teodora, the boys from the choir are really hardworking, I saw them carrying the chairs after vespers without being told. I would also add weeding from the back fence, because it grows fast there in the summer. Did you talk to Father Timofei about this?

Alexandra Ciobanu

Yes, Radu, you are right, first we need to talk to father Timotei and find out exactly what he needs now at the church. Last year with the wood was good, but without his blessing nothing really gets done. Any idea when he would be free to stop by?

Radu Tudor

Yes, the clear list helps a lot, otherwise things get lost. Watering the flowers is a good idea, the summer sun burns them badly at the entrance. Do you think it would be better to ask Father Timofei directly about fathers in hard work, or first see who offers?

Alexandru Radu

Yes, Elena, sweeping after work really helps a lot, especially on the porch. I think the choir boys could take care of the windows, but we'd better ask Father Timofei first if he has other priorities for them. How about we tell them at the next rehearsal?

Gabriela Rusu

Yes, Alexandra, you are right, without Father Timotei's blessing, nothing works. He helped us a lot last year with the wood, but now I think he could use some help painting the porch. Do you know if he is free on Thursday afternoon?

Constantin Tudor

Yes, Elena, watering flowers and carrying wood really sound like concrete jobs that boys can do without sitting around. I would stop by Father Timotei on Tuesday morning after I finish the race to Moscow, do you think it's a good time?

Alexandru Matei

Yes, Alexandru, sweeping after work makes a big difference on the porch, especially in the summer when a lot of dust comes in from the street. I say let's ask Father Timofei before we give the windows to the choir boys, he might want to put them to something else. Are we telling them at rehearsal this week?

Gabriela Stan

Yes, Elena, father Timotei really knows how to set things right with the young people, especially after he finishes reading the clock in the morning. I would also ask him about the bread he bakes himself, maybe he gives the boys a job in the oven too. Do you think you could call him first?

Bogdan Nistor

Yes, Mihai, the boys from the choir are really punctual, I've seen them too. The stack of wood for the stove below is a good idea, especially since autumn is coming quickly to us. Do you think we could give them a hot meal after work so it doesn't just seem like a chore?

Viorica Popa

Yes, Alexandra, that's exactly right, without Father Timotei's blessing we don't move anything. Last year with the wood it went well, but now I think it would be more urgent to ask him also about the roof at the altar, because we saw some traces of moisture. When could you go with me?

Radu Tudor

Yes, Alexander, sweeping after work really changes everything on the porch, especially after so many people come with dusty shoes from the street. I would say to ask Father Timofei on Sunday after the Liturgy, not necessarily at the rehearsal, so as not to mix things up. Have you already talked to him about cleaning?

Bogdan Barbu

Yes, Alexandra, you are right, we must ask father Timotei what priority he has now. I can drop by his place on Thursday morning after the shift at the store, if you want to go together. Do you think we should also take a list of what we have collected so far?

Marius Ciobanu

Yes, the clear list really makes a difference, otherwise we forget half the chores. Watering the flowers is essential, I saw how those petunias dry up in the sun. I say let's ask father Timofei directly, he knows best who is good at hard work, we don't wait for someone to offer his head.

Ioana Stan

Yes, a hot meal after collecting wood would be a good thing, it motivates the boys and shows them that the priest and parishioners value them. At our church, we did the same last year with the cemetery cleaning volunteers, and the next time more came. Do you think we could make them a bean soup or something more hearty?

Bogdan Radu

Yes, a bean soup works well, it's hearty and keeps hunger at bay after work. Last year we did the same after cleaning around the church and more volunteers came the next time. Do you think we should give them a piece of onion toast on the side?