The abbot is a priesthood in the clergy, which is assigned to the abbot in an Orthodox monastery. The word itself is translated from the Greek language as leading, going in front. In ancient times, the abbot designated the head of any monastery, and from the second half of the 18th century - only if the monastery was considered third-class.
He had exactly the same rights and obligations as any other abbot. Its main difference from the archimandrite (the main one in the monastery of the first and second class) is only that during the service he is dressed in a simple mantle of a monk and a leg gait. Archimandrite is dressed in a mantle with "tablets", a
pectoral cross, a club and a miter.
Hegumen in Soviet society
In the world known as Nikolai Nikolaevich Vorobyov, the future abbot of the monastery was born at the end of the 19th century in the Tver region in a large and friendly family of peasants. From a young age, he was very serious, honest and kind, pitied everyone and tried to comprehend the meaning of life. The family was only superficially religious, so little Kolya soon completely lost faith.
Search for yourself
Then he rushed to study science, philosophy in search of true knowledge, but very quickly realized that they were not there. He entered the psychoneurological institute in Petrograd, but did not finish his studies, realizing that the educational institution has nothing to do with the study of a person as a person, but only considers the physiological processes that occur in the body.
At the age of 20, completely desperate from useless wanderings in search of knowledge, he suddenly remembered the childhood faith and first turned to God with a request to give him a sign if it really exists. He received it, and from that moment his life has changed a lot. Nikolai became an ascetic. He entrusted the role of a life guide with the patristic writings, upon reading of which his soul was filled with joy and light.
From Nicholas to Nikon
At 36 years old, having passed serious tests, he takes monastic tonsure and becomes Nikon. Soon he receives the rank of hieromonk. In the 30s he was exiled to Siberia for 5 years. Upon returning from the camps, not being able to return to religion, he becomes an assistant physician. With the start of World War II, many churches began to work again, and Nikon immediately returned to the work of a clergyman.
In 1944, Kaluga Bishop Vasily approved the hieromonk to the post of rector of the church in the city of Kozelsk. Then there were several transfers from one temple to another. As a result, being in the outback, in a seedy church, the abbot regarded this as another link. It was very difficult for him at the new place, since there was nowhere to wait for material assistance. His property was holy books and personal necessities.
Shortly before his death, hegumen Nikon fell another difficult test in the form of a disease. For three months he was allowed to drink only milk, but this did not upset him. Until the last day of his life, he helped people, instructed them on the true path. He called to obey the biblical commandments and to follow the paths that do not lead away from God. Hegumen Nikon died in 63 of the 20th century on September 7.
Rector of modern society
Hegumen Evmeniy is the only person of his kind who combines religion, psychology and spiritual practices. He came to this world in 1969. 30 years later, in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, he received the priesthood and was appointed minister of the Orthodox Church, since 92 he has been rector of a man’s monastery located in the village of Remsha, Ivanovo Region. Here he created a rehabilitation center for drug addicts.
Active abbot is an object for conviction
Because of his loyal attitude to various manifestations of Christianity, Mother Superior Eumenius was repeatedly condemned and harsh. As a result, in 2006 he was accused of living a wrong monastic life and was removed from the post of rector of the monastery.
Since then, he has been an employee of the Mission Department at the Moscow Patriarchate, and has been managing the Path program. He continues to operate a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. Despite his positive work, Father Eumenius is still criticized, the main reason for which was the Alpha Course program. The Abbot borrowed this religious direction from the British, its meaning is to introduce young people to the foundations of faith. Changed to the characteristics of Orthodoxy, the course received a blessing from Archbishop John and to this day gathers students in various metropolitan areas.
The role of psychology in the Orthodox faith
The Abbot believes that every shepherd should own the basics of psychology. Indeed, his main task is to help people with conversation, practical advice or parting words, taken from their own life experience or professional knowledge. Father Eumenius focuses on the fact that psychology allows you to find an individual approach to each person who comes to repent. The main reasons for condemning psychological techniques are the conservative views of clergy, especially in relation to neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
The role of abbot in modern society is great, but also very controversial. His activity is subject to persecution. Only a strong-willed person can not lose his supply of energy and continue the missionary work to save not only drug addicts, but also other lost souls.