There are people in life who have a special mission on Earth. Their main qualities are tremendous fortitude (able to inspire others not to give in to difficulties and easily accept changes), a large supply of vital energy (which is generously shared with others), a sunny smile. And the irrepressible thirst for life, the thirst to help people around them in their difficulties and sincerely share their joys, simply surprise and arouse a feeling of gratitude in the heart.
Mikhail Ovchinnikov was and will remain for many such a person - archpriest, writer, artist, great man of his time.
About life
On September 5, 2017, the earthly journey ended with many beloved and generous clergy, a talented figure and just an incredibly kind person.
In recent years, father Michael lived in the city of Sudak (Crimea) with his wife - mother Lyudmila. The courtyard with a small chapel and a house was located on the outskirts of the city, but was visible from everywhere, since it is located in the central part of the Sudak Valley.
And Father Michael served in the Holy Protection Church. This church with a long history, special energy, many parishioners and beautiful interior decoration (frescoes, icons, lots of light). Father always waited before the beginning of the service, and then went for a blessing - at the end.
Before serving in Sudak, Father Mikhail was in the Toplovsky Convent of St. Paraskeva — he was recovering from a car accident in 1999 ...
People from all over Russia and other countries came here to the priest. Someone wanted to meet, and some wanted to ask for advice in a life situation. And most surprisingly, everyone found the necessary calm and comfort from him, a kind word and wise advice.
And all this despite the fact that Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov himself received a lot of injuries in a car accident, and his well-being at that moment was just beginning to bounce back.
And father Michael began his spiritual journey from the Holy Assumption Church of the city of Verkhnedneprovsk ...
Biography
Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov is an interesting person. In fact, there are very few such people on Earth. To be talented not in one but in several spheres of activity at once, and so brilliantly talented! Truly true are the words: "A talented person is talented in everything."
Before taking the holy dignity, he studied at the Kazan Aviation Institute. And after graduation, he went to Ukrainian lands, to the city of Dnepropetrovsk - to work as a rocket technician in the Design Bureau (Design Bureau) "South" and the company "Southern Machine-Building Plant" (UMZ). He was an excellent master of his craft, a very respected engineer.
The biography of Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov testifies that, in addition to talent in the technical field (work in the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau), he was also well versed in music, sculpture, and fine art. And his paintings were a huge success at solo exhibitions.
Expressed himself, his creativity at the same time through several lines of activity. But there was no true satisfaction - deep, absolute -. And Michael decided to find true depth and joy in serving the Lord.
New stage
According to few data on the life of this remarkable person, in 1991 he moved to Verkhnedneprovsk (Dnepropetrovsk region), where Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov served as the spiritual mentor of the Holy Assumption Church.
At the same time, he enters the Odessa Theological Seminary and successfully ends it.
He also contributes and actively participates in the creation of a monastery in Verkhnodniprovsk, named after the Metropolitan of Kiev and Galitsky - His Holiness Vladimir. Archpriest Michael Ovchinnikov is consecrated to him by the first akathist (laudatory and grateful singing dedicated to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, an angel or a holy man).
Car crash
In 1999, a car accident occurred with Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov. Many fractures and bruises. Resuscitation ... It was a turning point in life: for him, his relatives, parishioners. Three hardest days, two clinical deaths, prayers of the temple servants ... Doctors predicted the worst, but he was miraculously brought back to earthly life. And he lived on Earth for 18 whole fruitful years.
After the hospital, Father Michael went to Toplovsky Monastery (Crimea) - to be treated with the waters of the holy spring, which is located on the territory of the convent, called St. Paraskevievsky.
It was after that tragedy that the book The Secret of Another World. Testimonies from the threshold of Eternity. "
Between life and death
When the father was in a state of clinical death, a real miracle happened to him. He felt separated from the physical body, saw the light of heaven and heard the singing of angels, as well as the prayers of his novices.
The archpriest also said that he saw his mother in the world thin, as well as a spiritual mentor (which by that time was no longer on Earth).
All sensations and visions are reflected in his book "The Secret of the Other ...", which is printed in the publishing house of the Danilov Monastery.
Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov says that when he realized himself in a subtle body, he felt unusual ease and freedom from everything physical. Moreover, the perception of color, light, sound, shape gradually began to appear. And the world was permeated with light-life.
He felt and heard the prayers of his novices, the chants of male voices that prayed for three days and three nights for his beloved spiritual mentor. And his soul responded to the prayers of the parishioners, and returned again to the body, which the doctors here on Earth tried to “bring” to normal.
In view of his natural modesty, after everything he saw and experienced, Father Michael did not dare to assert at all that everything he saw during his clinical death was an experience of Heavenly Life. But he did not undertake to call it a dream or postoperative nonsense.
Everything was by the will of the Lord. Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov was destined to see the subtle world in order to tell people about it. What he did in his book "The Mystery of another world."
Toplovsky monastery
This monastery, which was subsequently moved by Father Michael to heal the flesh, is famous for its sacred sources. Their waters have healing properties, especially the Source of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva, located directly on the territory of the temple.
There is also the Source of St. George, which is located 2 kilometers from the monastery (in the forest). And the Source of the Three Saints, which is 5 kilometers from the monastery (water to the temple is currently supplied through a pipeline).
Many pilgrims and tourists come to these holy places every year. Each source has a chapel and a font.
The name of the temple came from the name of the village - Topolevka (or even earlier - Topla), in whose territory there was at one time a Greek settlement. Now this village is called Educational. And it is located around the Toplovsky monastery.
The monastery was founded in the 60s of the XIX century on the site where a healing spring has been beating for many years. According to popular tradition, Paraskeva accepted the sacred torment in this territory for her faith in the Lord. And a spring appeared in this place with sacred water.
Miraculously, the icon of St. Paraskeva, which the Greeks took to the city of Mariupol, in Ukraine, was given to the temple attendants. This jewel was preserved in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin and at one time saved the city from the disease - cholera.
And about the origin of the Toplovsky Convent, there is information that in the XIX century a hermit Konstantin from the village of Kursky lived in a cave near the future monastery for 7 years. Then she moved to the dugout near the source of St. Paraskeva. And after a while other women came to her. Konstantin got her hair cut as a nun and became the abbess of the newly formed monastery, receiving the name Paraskeva.
Currently there are three temples here:
- Church of St. Paraskeva.
- The Church in the name of the Icon of the Virgin "All Who Sorrow Joy."
- Holy Trinity Cathedral.
It was here that Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov regained his spiritual strength and recovered from physical ailments. The healing properties of air, energy and holy water helped to overcome a deadly disease.
Guests constantly came to him, whom he cordially met with his wife. They talked for a long time and about many things: about life, health, faith, spirituality. We drank herbal tea and ate pies prepared by caring mother Lyudmila.
Books
Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov wrote several serious works in his life. These are books:
- The Crown of Thorns of the Disease (published in 2012 and 2014).
- “Between Life and Death” (2005).
- “The mystery of another world. Testimonies from the threshold of Eternity ”(2014).
- “Return to Paradise Lost. Window view of Mount Athos ”(posthumous).
In his book “Crown of Thorns ...” the father, fully relying on the mercy and love of the Lord, describes his experience in overcoming cancer. Here there are both about the causes, and recommendations for treatment (folk remedies).
Father Michael offers to seriously think about his life, about why such a test was sent. And also about the healing power of sincere prayer and spiritual suffering.
The publication helps sick people easier to bear the news of the disease, survive the shock and accept the situation. Take responsibility for your life while relying on God. The language of the book is sincere and cordial, inspiring for the best and forcing you not to give in to difficulties. The archpriest also talks about the subtle world: about beauty, light and eternity.
The book "Return to Paradise Lost ..." was written by the priest about his trip to Greece - on Mount Athos. Although it was not easy to write this book (in recent years, injuries have made themselves felt more and more often) because of the state of health. The book was being prepared for publication at the publishing house of the Danilov Monastery and was published after the death of the clergyman. But he invested in it a lot of love, warmth and faith in the bright future of mankind.
From the memoirs about Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov, his family and friends: his main dream was that every person who sees the eternal Athos in his window - not in the literal sense, but through contact with the fate of other people - will be able to receive true inspiration, strength and light prayers of Athos clerics. After all, it is precisely such extraordinary, bright and kind souls that illuminate the path of every person living on Earth with Heavenly Light. They truly transform the lives of many people - all over the face of the Earth.
The books of Father Michael tell us about the inner strength of spirit, about love for the Lord and all of His creation. They impress readers with the fact that everything described is experienced by the author in life. And the publication is dedicated to his wife - mother Lyudmila.
Awe for the Secret
It was noted by relatives, many parishioners, admirers and other clergymen that Father Mikhail, after restoring his health and full return to life, began to better understand the Providence of God, but still retained a certain awe before the Mystery that was revealed to him during his stay in the subtle world.
The Lord gave him a second chance to live an earthly life - in order for him to do something great for people - he told about the Highlands, and also helped by his example to remain steadfast and believe in himself, relying on the Divine plan.
Archpriest Vladimir Karpets to the first edition of the book “Between Life and Death” (which was published in the Dnepropetrovsk publishing house) in the preface describes the visions of the subtle world by Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov as “a providential discovery”. And his meeting with the mentor Archpriest Konstantin Ogienko and his mother, during which each of them gives him advice on the rest of his earthly life, is something of the greatest that goes beyond the ordinary understanding of life.
The spiritual mentor strongly recommends keeping in memory everything that Father Michael saw and telling people. And the mother advised her son to continue the earthly life, that so far there is no blessing from the Lord to remain on the subtle plane.
When, during services, someone inadvertently shouted to Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov that the happy person who saw “this” received quite a sharp response from the priest. He said that no one could even imagine what he had to go through and what to experience and experience in order to see it all. But at the same time he remained calm and optimistic.
Of course, only a truly extraordinary strength of mind can a person be so merciful and understanding towards people, even if he hears inappropriate phrases or questions. After the publication of the book “The Secret of the Other ...” a lot of letters began to come to the Toplovsky monastery. And after the publication of the book “Crown of Thorns of Disease ...” pilgrims began to arrive.
And everyone was looking for support, understanding, help in overcoming fears and other internal and external problems. Father gave comfort, help, support. His soul was open to anyone, and heartfelt love warmed every meeting.
Case of life
Friends, representatives from publishing houses, pilgrims who come home to father Mikhail and his wife mother Lyudmila - in Sudak (during his life and active spiritual and educational activities), noted a rich correspondence with people from different parts of Russia and the world, photographs, carefully stored tape recorders records.
He also watched his meetings and conversations with people, parishioners. We realized how many people turned to him for different tips regarding various areas of human life. And Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov patiently answered everyone, listened to everyone. He invested a lot of himself in every meeting, person, communication.
Once the following story happened in the life of a priest and one deeply religious woman from Ukraine. When she was on a pilgrimage trip to the holy places of Crimea, she stopped at the Toplovsky monastery. And so it turned out that she came to confession to Father Michael. She told her sad story (that his father is sick, he is Muslim in faith). The priest listened, asked the woman about communion, and in response received words that stunned him: “I take communion very rarely ... because I consider myself unworthy ...”.
And he explained in detail to the woman how important it is to be “in Christ” through holy communion. After all, it helps to be in a calm and harmonious state, to adequately meet any difficulties and is easy to bear. And that everyone before the Lord is equal and worthy. And communion is necessary at least once a month. The words of Father Michael had a very strong effect on the woman. She reconsidered her views: on herself, on what place God occupies in her life, on her family. And in her heart she realized the importance and deep value of what the priest told her.
She began to confess and receive communion every three weeks, then - once every two weeks, and now - every week. And not because it is an urgent need. But because it became a need of her soul and heart. Her life, as well as loved ones, became easier and soon changed for the better.
Light and bright person ...
And so it happened very often! Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov realized that from his words, from the energy that he will put into communication with this or that person (pilgrim, parishioner, friend and so on), sometimes the whole course of life of the interlocutor depends. This is a huge responsibility: before life, God, before yourself ... It is really difficult for such people to live on this Earth.
When one of the people judges only superficially about such a person, without delving into the deepest feelings and emotions, claiming how lucky he was to experience so many blessings, to see the Great, he will never understand what he is going through and what this blessed person actually feels sometimes . And why sometimes there is a joyful disposition, love, attentiveness and so on.
Father Mikhail, according to the recollections of many people, was really a man of light and light. And he always answered the question about health: “Glory to God!”. And with all my heart I thanked the Lord for the mercies and gifts sent to him.
None of the people around him, as well as parishioners, had ever heard complaints, no matter how difficult it was. Only the most keen-hearted and attentive in the depths of their eyes could notice droplets of quiet sadness, which at times were reflected in them. Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov had the right to be joyful and happy, as he experienced many difficulties and pains, including mental pain. But his bright and joyful inner world, his loving heart helped to overcome all the misfortunes that happened in life.
And this is a man of great courage. Because to experience everything in reality, and then describe it in books, means anew to return to those difficult days and everything lived then. But the father also managed to brilliantly cope with the task set by the front God. All for the sake of others - their children. Some called him "elder", there was a case that they even wanted to come and "bow to his relics" - during the life of Father Michael. Ignoramuses met too. And so he began to warn the pilgrims at once that he was not an old man ...
In the last year of his life, Mikhail Ovchinnikov became increasingly aware of the consequences of the events of 1999. He became more and more dependent on the help of loved ones. Almost ceased to serve in the temple, only in his home chapel. But he took people to the last moment. And he was happy every day, every person who came to him from afar.
... Archpriest Mikhail Ovchinnikov was buried in the Crimea, in the city of Sudak - next to the Source of St. George, under the mountain.
Many tens of thousands of people pray for his soul throughout the Russian Federation, as well as from other countries - who received help, support and blessing from him at one time.
After all, his words of encouragement, inspiration for a beautiful, deep understanding of each person who came to him became so precious and helped many to find Faith, Hope, Love in their heart and life in general.