Holy Hieromartyr Clement of Rome. Mosaic icon, fragment. The Inkerman Monastery Everything was going as usual in my life. In 1976, as a young boy, I came to Sevastopol from Nizhny Novgorod. It happened when my mother arranged to go on a business trip down south and, by doctors’ recommendation, she decided to improve my health there just as well. Sevastopol met us with the bright sun, calm blue seas and the trees laden with fruit growing right on the side of the streets. Finishing school, vocational school and naval college, and later getting officer’s stars—the joys of growing up and serving in the Navy Pacific Fleet. Then, a return to the city I loved, the challenges of the1990s and hopes for better times, which did finally arrive.
Sevastopol has many historical churches and three famous monasteries, and it is the birthplace of Christian Rus’, the cradle of Orthodoxy. But Soviet atheistic upbringing clearly made this side of life practically invisible for me. Still, I would sometimes observe with curiosity the people who entered churches. I would even occasionally stop by there on major feasts myself—but how or when, I can’t even remember properly now.
But then, there was a new promising position with potentially good financial and career opportunities, which brought a feeling of self-importance as a middle manager. With that, arrogance imperceptibly creeped into my soul, with pride and vanity in tow. But I was only able to realize this much later, when I had already walked the path of trials that God had in store for me out of His immense love for man. Life hit me really hard, and then some. But what mattered was that the people who were with me at the most difficult moment had offered support and lent their shoulders—most particularly, my relatives and friends.
When all the storms had passed, I began to realize, or rather sense, that there was someone guiding me
When all the storms had passed, I began to realize, or rather sense, that there was someone guiding me. I remember how I came to St. Vladimir's Cathedral, the burial place of the admirals, lit a candle and stood on my knees for a long time. That’s when my confession before the Savior and the Mother of God began. Only later, having overcome my embarrassment, I approached the priests...
Over the course of many years, I would discover some minute details, small and large sins, and evil things. Occasionally on my way to church, images of people I might have offended would arise in my mind. I willingly continued to go to confession and receive Communion. I attended services in various city churches, but I particularly enjoyed weekday services at the majestic cathedral in Chersonese, where one would typically see fewer people in the evening.
I reached a turning point in my life when I realized that my spiritual life was ripe for some major changes, and so I began to read Orthodox literature and study the lives of the saints. Once my sinful soul was gradually purged of my sins, I began to see images during light sleep overwhelming my heart with an awe and reverent fear unknown to me before.
One night, I woke up from a bright light. A feeling of immeasurable joy penetrated my whole being. An old man of short stature, engulfed in the golden glow, or rather, radiance, was looking at me… It lasted a few seconds, or maybe minutes, but I know for a fact it wasn’t a dream. I remained silent about this encounter for many years, and the saying, “The Lord set a guard over my mouth,” comes to mind, even though, for the first few months I heard from my acquaintances that my eyes were glowing with a special light, and I would only smile at them in return.
The collection I had built gave an opportunity to find out how great was the veneration of St. Clement in Rus’ and all over the world
Soon I got acquainted with the abbot of the St. Clement Monastery. And it suddenly dawned on me that there was some connection in all this! Some time later, when I embarked on the path of becoming an active Christian, I realized that the appearance happened in early December, on the commemoration day of Holy Hieromartyr Clement. I was certain that, by the grace of God this holy man of God strengthened me in faith
Then, I met a beautiful, yet modest and wise girl—and she became my wife. We had a wedding in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Foros. The sacrament was celebrated by the abbot of the Inkerman Cave Monastery of St. Clement. Our family life has become a source of daily joy, and my wife and I, along with our children, help the parish, attend church and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
For the last ten years, I have been studying the legacy of St. Clement. Thanks to my legal profession and financial capability, I was able to acquire everything connected with his name around the world. Currently, this unique collection has more than a thousand exhibits—icons, ancient books, engravings, lithographs, liturgical books, and postcards, with the most ancient artifacts dating back to the sixteenth century. The collection also includes rare items connected with the legacy of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the veneration of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, and the life of the saints of Taurida.
The Church of the “Softener of Evil Hearts” Icon of the Mother of God, Sevastopol
This collection gave me the opportunity to learn how great was the veneration of St. Clement in Rus’ and elsewhere in the world. In Britain and Germany, for example, more than one hundred and twenty churches were named after him. Almost every country has a church, a parish, a college, a square or a street named after Bishop Clement of Rome. Of particular value are the iconographic images of the saint, which are quite rare, because over time the widespread veneration of the first heavenly patron of ancient Rus’ gradually died away among the people.
A chapel consecrated in honor of the Holy Hieromartyr Clement of Rome All historical exhibits will be donated to the city to found the world’s only museum space. We only need to decide where it will be located.
The legacy of St. Clement holds not only historical, spiritual, and enlightenment value, but also plays an educational role. We have prepared several books and publications, and more than thirty more scientific papers are planned for publishing.
In 2020, I was appointed warden of the Church of the “Softener of Evil Hearts” Icon of the Mother of God. A small prefabricated church was erected on the eve of the one hundredth anniversary of the end of the Civil War in the south of Russia, next to the place of execution of those who were unable to join the “White” exodus and go into exile in November of 1920. Then, a spring was discovered nearby. Our parish arranged to build a beautiful font, and with the blessing of our clergy, it received the name of St. Clement. Glory to God for all things!
