The special role of the priesthood today consists not only in ministry at the liturgy, but also in the fact that they become mentors of people who have embarked on the narrow path of faith. Alexey Uminsky, which will be discussed in the article, is an image of a priest open to communication. At the same time, he is well aware of all the measure of responsibility that is assigned to him by the Lord himself.
Alexey Uminsky: biography and family
He was born in the family of an ordinary Soviet engineer and teacher, people who are far from religion, but at the same time possessing such moral depth that allowed him to find the right guidelines in life. And like any Soviet person, he tried on all the statuses that were at that time: a schoolboy, a pioneer, a Komsomol member. The latter was to his liking, and for some time Aleksey Uminsky moved quite successfully along this line, becoming the chairman of the Komsomol headquarters, and was even awarded with awards.
My mother, who taught French, instilled in her son a love for him, and therefore the choice of a profession seemed obvious: Alexey Uminsky entered the Nadezhda Krupskaya Pedagogical Institute and successfully graduated from the faculty of Romano-Germanic philology.
Studying at a university was a turning point in the life of a future priest - here he met with believers, began to read the Gospel and embarked on the path of faith. He was baptized in 1980, and by the end of the university he had become stronger in Christianity.
Father Alexy was ordained in 1990, and the first place of his ministry was deaconess in the cemetery church of the city of Klin in the Moscow region. Later he became rector of one of the Kashirsky temples - the Assumption Cathedral, in which he served for three years.
Then he was transferred to Moscow. Here, in addition to serving in the church of St. Prince Vladimir, Father Alexei becomes the director of an Orthodox gymnasium, where he worked for six years. He remains faithful to her today, being a confessor. Since 1994, Aleksey Uminsky has also been performing rectorial duties in another church - the Holy Trinity, which is located in the tract called Khokhlamy today (Khokhlovka).
The personal life of the priest
Very little is known about this side of the life of Father Alexei. He lives with his family in an ordinary nine-story building, like most modern citizens. Mother works as a doctor and also serves people, as Alexei Uminsky (priest) says. His children are already quite old: the eldest son lives independently, and the youngest is a student. He studies at the Faculty of History and while sharing his shelter with his father and mother.
Another son of Alexei Uminsky - Demian - died tragically at a young age. Very little is also known about this. Demian was a very talented young man, he loved the church and everything connected with it. Since childhood, the boy dreamed of being a priest. Apparently, therefore, his track record included singing on the choir, and the altar service, and even the bell ringing. Everything that Dema undertook, he always did creatively, with soul.
Priesthood path
Alexey Uminsky came to him in an amazing way. Once at the age of 18, while serving in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery, I heard a sermon by John Krestyankin. It should be noted that Father John was always very kind to his duty and prepared very diligently. The words spoken in the sermon suddenly revealed the purpose of his life to the young man. She, according to Alexei Uminsky himself, sounded so distinctly in his head and in his heart that there was no doubt that he should be a priest. Surprisingly, his spiritual father reacted to the recognition of the future father of Alexei, saying that he had long expected this decision from him.
Climbing this difficult path began not easy, since Alexey Uminsky at that time had neither the corresponding education, nor experience. However, there was a great desire and blessing.
The first years of service to God
Memories of this time for father Alexy evoke different emotions. The ministry at that time began far from Moscow in the town of Kashira, where they sent a newly ordained priest with his young wife and young child. The situation in the town was simply terrifying. People beat and killed each other, and this became the norm for some, and the priest’s young wife was just scared to live.
But at the same time, Father Alexey recalls this period of his life with gratitude. After all, it was these three years of service that became a difficult test for him. Remembering himself in those years, the priest is grateful to the Kashir parishioners who taught him the main quality - love for people. The first thing the interaction between the shepherd and parishioners begins with is understanding and sympathy, and everything else comes later.
Sermons
In them, the priest addresses the most pressing topics of our time. It should be noted that he does not particularly regret the interlocutors. It is especially severe for those who expect only gifts from the church: health, happiness and all the best in this life. Such a strict and at the same time loving father appears Alexei Uminsky, a priest.
Reviews of him demonstrate that he occupies a rather active social position: he gives sermons and lectures for various audiences, answers the most difficult and sometimes provocative questions.
One of the topics discussed is the situation in Ukraine. And the church is expected to occupy one of the sides. But this is impossible, because on both sides her children. Therefore, the Orthodox of both countries, taking an irreconcilable position, pray and ask the Lord for peace.
Priest Writing
Alexey Uminsky raises his thoughts about finding the path to God, spiritual life, the Divine Liturgy, and many other questions in his books. Here he reveals to the reader the peculiarities of the Divine Liturgy, focusing on the sacrament of the Eucharist that is so important for every Orthodox believer. Considers the Liturgy as preparation for the sacrament, revealing moments of worship that are not always clear to ordinary parishioners.
Fundamentals of Spiritual Life is a book authored by Alexey Uminsky. The priest reveals to the reader the most important moments of Christian life: the concepts of freedom and conscience, which is a prayer and fear of God, why do we need mortal memory and the struggle with our passions.
In addition to books, Alexey Uminsky is also the author of many pedagogical articles - the experience of his work in the gymnasium became useful here. Also, the priest is a member of the editorial board of Orthodox magazines and sites.
TV projects
Here, father Alex realizes himself in a slightly different role. There are many telecasts with the participation of the priest - he takes part in discussions, gives lectures, etc. However, in the role of lead, he was involved in three projects. At first it was a program that was called "Everyday Things." Later on the television screens came out a series telling about the life of the saints - “Close Gates”.
Currently, Father Alexei is conducting another Orthodox television project called the Orthodox Encyclopedia. The program introduces viewers to the basics of Orthodox life. In the programs, well-known cultural figures, historians, writers and representatives of the clergy discuss topics related to Christianity. Each telecast contains the events of the Patriarchal Ministry, news about the news and events of the Orthodox life.
The topics that are raised in the programs are always relevant and allow viewers to find answers to many questions of concern to them.
Who is a modern priest?
Asking this question, Alexey Uminsky also poses others: is he able to answer the most pressing questions of our life, is he ready to meet with doubting people?
Answering journalists' questions about work in the church, the priest draws a peculiar line between what is work and what is ministry. Alexey Uminsky says that the priesthood is not work. Service to the Lord and the church is ongoing and has a special relationship with him. Here journalism, teaching is work, and the rest is service. And so it is given by the Lord himself.
Alexey Uminsky, whose biography is full of various events, from active Komsomol youth to pastoral ministry, is that difficult and contradictory path crowned with the grace of God. He gives the priest a direction and gives strength in order to sanctify the way for other people who are looking for their way to the Lord in the terrible darkness and bustle of worldly life.