Father Valerian Krechetov in the village of Akulovo, Odintsovo district, is the rector of the Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin.
Rector of the church, writer, confessor, preacher, comforter of the grieving souls of the Orthodox. And these are not all the titles of Archpriest Krechetov Valerian.
Biography
Archpriest Valerian Krechetov was born on April 14, 1937 in the city of Zaraysk. He had 2 brothers. Valerian graduated from school in 1959.
His mother Lyubov from Korobova was an Old Believer. His father, Mikhail, was an exiled accountant who served time in a camp on Solovki along with clergy and metropolitans. During the war he fought at the front. And after graduation, he studied at the seminary and at 54 he became a priest.
Education
Krechetov Valerian has both secular and spiritual higher education.
1959-1962 - study at MLTI. The father always guided his sons to the true path and prepared them for the priesthood. He said: before ordination, you must acquire a secular education in order to survive in prison. Indeed, before the clergy very often persecuted and imprisoned. The brothers chose the forestry institute, because the convicts were sent to the logging. Then Valerian volunteered to develop virgin soil. He became the navigator of the Air Force, but worked as an engineer in the leshoz. He soon got married. Natalia Konstantinovna Alushkina became the wife of Krechetova Valerian.
1962-1969 - study at the MDS. After some time, Krechetov Valerian transferred to work as an engineer in the Patriarchate, from where he entered the seminary. In one year, he was able to pass exams for four courses of the seminary as an external student.
Consecration
Further events in the life of Krechetov evolved as follows:
- November 21, 1968 - deacon consecration.
- January 12, 1969 - Deacon Valerian ordained to the priest. The sacrament of consecration was performed by Bishop Filaret of Dmitrov.
- 1969-1973 - study at the MDA.
Parishes
The first parish of Valerian’s father is the Transfiguration Church in Peredelkino, where he served 1.5 years.
The second parish is the Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin in s. Akulovo, where it serves to this day.
Rector - since 1970.
July 14 - the day of the patron saint of mch. Valerian of Rome.
Parish Prot. Valerian Krechetova
How to get to father Valerian? The parish of the Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, where the preacher serves, is located in a small village. Akulove. Akulovsky temple has not been closed since 1807. In difficult repressive years, services were conducted in the aisle of St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This temple at that time became a spiritual stronghold, where persecuted clergy and many believing Muscovites found refuge.
Since 1970, Father Valerian has been the rector here. The priest is so disposed to himself that people from different parts of Moscow and Moscow Region come to him for worship. The parish flock is increasing every year, large families appear, which in full force attend the temple. In addition to pastoral work on the nourishment of parishioners, Father Valerian Krechetov carried diocesan obedience for several decades: he was a diocesan confessor. In 2010, he became a member of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Beautification
During the service in the temple of the priest, the church and its territory acquired a well-groomed beautiful appearance. By the works of the abbot, many objects were restored and built. He directed:
- Building a House for Church Workers (parable) . At 200 square meters. m are located prosphora, refectory, kitchen.
- Improvement of the territory belonging to the Sunday school . In addition, the territory was decorated with a flower garden.
- Restoration of the murals of the temple. Exterior and interior walls, domes, belfries, basements were restored.
- The construction of a baptismal baptistery.
- Landscaping Sunday school . In addition to decorating the territory with flower gardens, an exact copy of the Miracle-working Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Inexpressible Chalice” was presented to Sunday school.
- The construction and painting of the church, consecrated in honor of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. The new temple was consecrated on the 200th anniversary of the main temple in 2008. The consecration of the temple was performed by the Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna Juvenal.
- Asphalted parking and church graveyard.
- Holding a Sunday water central school.
Church activity
Father Valerian is not only a “good shepherd of his sheep”, a responsible abbot, a hardworking builder, he is reviving missionary, catechetical activities. With his blessing, parishioners pursue an active social policy, in particular, they took a direct part in the renovation of Sunday school, visit old people in nursing homes.
Sunday School
At Sunday school, various circles and sections are opened, for example, children engage in hand-to-hand combat, felting, art knitting, visual arts, applied needlework, photography, and construction. They sing in a church choir, stage theatrical performances. Pupils with pleasure go on pilgrimage trips.
In 2003, the priest created a Sunday school for adults. They attend Bible and theological courses to them. Sergius of Radonezh.
Sunday school has three children and one adult group. The total number of children is approximately 80 people, and adults - 50 people.
Sunday school hosts Sunday classes according to the Law of God, the Fundamentals of Orthodox morality, and the Catechism. And adult students listen to the course on the Fundamentals of the Orthodox worldview.
Campground "Sun"
In the summer, the pupils of the Higher School of Economics spend their holidays and gain physical and spiritual strength in the Summer Family Camp Tent “The Sun”, which is located in a forest in a picturesque place on Lake Seliger in the Tver Region. Any communications are absent here. While in the camp, children and adults learn in practice the Orthodox way of life based on the Gospel commandments. They pray daily, take part in worship, sing and read at services, observe fasts, participate in health, sports, cultural and educational events.
Priests advocate the regular conduct of missionary and catechetical conversations and lectures, for the organization of pilgrimages to shrines and historical sites.
Bibliography
What do the parishioners say about their spiritual father, what is Archpriest Valerian Krechetov? Reviews are always thankful, kind. In addition to the main service, mitrophoric prot. Valerian is a spiritual writer, whose books are searched with great excitement and read with genuine interest, which can be read in reviews and heard from parishioners. The books of Valerian Krechetov are addressed to a wide circle of Orthodox readers. Some want spiritual comfort, others want advice, and still others want admonition and instruction. Everyone will find what he likes. Presenting annotations of some of the books.
- “Lead my soul out of prison”, 2012
The book is addressed to different categories of people: from novice Christians to church members. The soul of a person needs spiritual growth. Each time, conquering sins and making efforts on ourselves, we rise one notch higher on the path to salvation. At the same time, fasting and sincere regular prayer are the main assistants on the ascent.
- "How do we equip ourselves?", 2013
In the book, Father Valerian teaches us to combine the movement of mind and heart into a single impulse. Our heart and our mind must at the same time want what is asked of God. Then we can get what we ask. The author draws a parallel between our souls and the souls of saints. The souls of the saints are always tuned to the same wave, and all the time we are drifted somewhere: first to the left, now to the right. Parents should take care of their souls and give their children a clean and bright filling. These are the main thoughts presented in the book.
- The Key to the Present is in the Past, 2014
The book includes interviews given to the magazine Pokrov and radio Radonezh. Prot. Valerian, answering questions, explains that all our problems and troubles come from the past. Therefore, the key to a happy life can be found only by correcting the mistakes of the past. Father answers questions about happiness, about joy, about a worthy change, about the right life in the Church, etc.
- "Martha or Maria?", 2006, 2012
The first book with that title was published in 2006 and was recognized by believers as interesting and informative. Therefore, in 2012, the continuation of the first edition of Valerian Krechetov was published. Books cover complex topics. O. Valerian explains complex things in simple terms. At the end of his creation, he recalls about. Nicolae Guryanova.
- "There is our war against blood and flesh ...", 2011
The book sets forth the sermons of Valerian Krechetov. Spiritual struggle is the main theme of this book. The struggle is not on the material, but on the spiritual level, which is waged in the hearts of people and is the most difficult. To defeat spiritual warfare is the main task of a Christian.
- "On the most important", 2011
The title of the book speaks eloquently. It really contains the main conversations of the father. The book addresses important issues: life and death; sin and repentance; fear of God and fear of hostility; family happiness. These and many other topics are raised in this edition.
- "From the bustle of the earth to the true life", 2012
The book contains spiritual discussions that address the most pressing issues. Why fast? What to do with offenders? Frequency of Communions and Unction. Why do we need misfortune? How not to lose spirituality behind social bustle? What is more important - the temple or the presence of good deeds? These and many other questions are highlighted in this book, having read which, the reader will be able to find the physical and spiritual strengths.
- Reflections Before Confession, 2014
The new book is intended for people preparing to confess, as well as for those who doubt the need for repentance. The priest explains in a simple and accessible language the meaning of this great sacrament. Should I confess if I didn’t kill anyone, I didn’t rob? Why repent? What to speak in confession, if you did nothing wrong? To these and many other questions about. Valerian gives clear, lively and soulful answers. Everyone who reads this book will feel the need for repentance.
Awards
For his services to matter by the Church of Fr. Valerian has received many awards. He was awarded:
- Legguard.
- Kamilavka.
- Pectoral Cross.
- Received the title of Archpriest.
- The club.
- Pectoral Cross with decorations.
- Order of 3 degrees St. Daniel of Moscow.
- Order of 3 degrees prep. Sergius of Radonezh.
- Mitra.
- Order of the 2nd degree prep. Sergius of Radonezh.
- The reward, according to which he can serve with open royal doors to the "Our Father".
Interesting Facts
During his years of teaching and pastoral practice, Archpriest Valerian Krechetov communicated with many great spiritual people and gained spiritual and pastoral experience. His interlocutors were also about. Nikolay Guryanov, and about. John Krestyankin.
In 2017, Father Valerian celebrated his 80th birthday. At the moment, the mitrophoric archpriest Valerian is a large father and grandfather: he has 7 children and 34 grandchildren.