Saratov, January 31, 2018
Photo: Saratov News A paraplegic prisoner in Saratov, Russia, Nikolai Zhilenkov, has been awarded a hierarchical gramota for the Kazan Mother of God icon that he painted. The award came as part of the “Canon” iconography contest that was held in the Patriarchal Hall of Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, reports Saratov News.
Photo: Saratov News The gramota, an official letter of recognition, was bestowed upon Zhilenkov “for his diligent work to the glory of the holy Church” in the form of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
32-year-old Nikolai Zhilenkov from the city of Balakovo is an invalid of the first group, which is the first group. In his case, a “childish prank” resulted in the amputation of his arms from the humeri. However, despite his severe disability, the prisoner has been able to develop various abilities, having received a strict education in the penal colony, including mastering a profession, and sports.
The Federal Penal Ministry has stated that Zhilenkov “found himself” in painting. He began painting landscapes and portraits, and is now mastering the subtleties of iconography.
Photo: Saratov News The gramota was given by Bishop Irinarch of Krasnogorsk, the Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Synodal Department for Prison Ministry to the assistant of the regional head of the Federal Penal Ministry for work with believers Vadim Konyaev, to be given to Zhilenkov.
The gramota will be officially given to the prisoners in a solemn ceremony as an “additional incentive for law-abiding behavior and rebirth into a new life.”
Zhilenkov has only a few months left in his sentence.
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See also the inspiring story of another paralyzed iconographer, Sergei Kolzov in the article “My Disability is an Invaluable Gift From Above.”
