The honorary rector of the Pokrov Church in Akulovo, Archimandrite Seraphim (Krechetov), releases a dove on the feast of the Annunciation. Photo: pokrov-akulovo.ru
On November fourteenth, our beloved father, batiushka Valerian Krechetov, departed this earthly life. Shortly before his repose he accepted the schema with the name Michael. We recently remembered the fortieth day since his departure from us. He is always near. Not, of course, in the earthly sense, but in spirit.
Father Valerian was an apostle, a “fisher of men.” More than half a century he preached the Word of God, the Word of Life. Up to his very repose, sitting in a chair in the Royal Doors, he shared with us priceless experience of life in Christ. How many people met God through our batiushka! How many souls did the Lord revive through him! And I, a sinner, was vouchsafed to be among them, for which I am immeasurably grateful to God.
It was a providential “accident”—batiushka came to vespers at the church near my home, where he was substituting for the rector who was on vacation. I remember how the choir director excitedly told us that batiushka serves without abbreviations, and we need to be ready. But when vespers began, the excitement quickly disappeared. The service flew by in one breath, batiushka was as if dissolved in prayer, drawing us after him. In my soul I felt somehow tremulous and joyful.
The service flew by in one breath, batiushka was as if dissolved in prayer, drawing us after him.
The next day at liturgy father Valerian gave a sermon which made a great impression on me. It was a word “with authority.” I stood as if spellbound, fearing to miss something. I wanted to ponder over each phrase. But it was difficult, because, in the words of one acquaintance of mine, a film director, in batiushka’s speech there is no “connective tissue”; everything is very dense and saturated. I recalled the diaries of Fr. John of Kronstadt, in which the saint often after some entry added: “Verified by experience.” So batiushka spoke what he lived and experienced himself, therefore he knows how to help. It seemed to me that he knew my thoughts and unasked questions—I unexpectedly for myself received answers to many of them during the sermon.
I remember, after the service I asked for prayers for my spouse, who was not baptized. Father Valerian for some reason was surprised that he was not baptized, and said: “It would be interesting to talk with him.” I received his blessing, and he suddenly said: “Come to us!”
I myself came to faith already at a conscious age. Before that there was the thorny path of searching for the meaning of life. And where only I did not search for it: with yogis and Buddhists, with Sufis and even with psychoanalysts. The last attempt was with Catholics—I loved the organ music. Therefore, while I trudged along towards the Orthodox Church, my soul got quite frayed. Trying to quench spiritual thirst, after Baptism I immediately rushed to catch up on what I had missed with the energy natural to a neophyte—I went through a yearly catechism course, signed up for prayer groups and various theological seminars, read everything in a row, and even went to a singing school. But for some reason peace in the heart and confidence that I am going the right way did not arise. On the contrary—anxiety and even despondency possessed me. At home there were problems with my children, misunderstanding, discontent: “Here, you go to church, but it does not help you….” There was a feeling that something was wrong with me. I prayed to the Lord to send me a spiritual father who would help to affirm my faith and sort everything out. And when I heard batiushka, the thought came to me: “This is the one!” I understood that it was him I was searching for all this time! And it turned out that batiushka himself found me! He took me by the hand and led me out of the thicket onto a sunny path. And still leads me along it.
At first I came to Otradnoe village rarely—during fasts, for Confession. And each time batiushka smiled and said: “You haven’t been here for a long time!” I was surprised—how could he remember me, he has hundreds of people. And as we parted he would add: “You come to us, come!”
After some time, batiushka had a conversation with my husband. I was hoping that Fr. Valerian would persuade him to accept Baptism, but they talked on other topics. My husband is an avid fisherman, and batiushka also catches fish in rare moments of rest. And it turned out, as with apostle Paul: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22).
The wedding of Vladimir and Svetlana. 2011.
Further there were many different wonderful events in my life, about which one could write a whole volume. A few years later, Batiushka Valerian baptized my stubborn spouse and married us. It was a great joy! Then my parents, after talking with Fr. Valerian, also decided to get a church wedding. But they did not do it immediately—two years after us. I remember how the enemy did not want to allow this sacrament to take place. The excuses were silly: Either there was no suit, or the ring wouldn’t come off the finger anymore, or the usual talk in such cases—“we’ve lived all our life like this, and we’re fine….” And I ran to Fr. Valerian. “Batiushka, pray! They’re again talking about not coming!!!”
Now our older son got married, and batiushka baptized our grandchildren. And, glory to God, the younger son with his wife and their newborn little son managed to receive a blessing from batiushka shortly before his departure to God. From my parents—to our grandchildren, four generations! Just think!
By the prayers of our spiritual father gradually everything began to come into proper order, life was somehow renewed—as if a long-dead tree suddenly bloomed.
By the prayers of our spiritual father gradually everything began to come into proper order, life somehow renewed—as if a long-dead tree suddenly bloomed. My heart rejoices when I see my whole family in the church. Batiushka gathered us, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (Mt. 23:37). Our whole life is a continuous miracle! And we will write many more stories about this …
Now, when someone asks me about Fr. Valerian, the first thing I say is that batiushka was a pillar of Orthodox faith and boundless love. Father Valerian taught Christian life by his example. He absorbed this spirit from infancy thanks to his pious parents and holy mentors, and constantly kindled it through his beloved divine service, prayer and reverent attitude to holy things. And we, glory to God, had the opportunity to partake of this spirit through our good shepherd.
I am boundlessly grateful to you, batiushka, for your love! I pray the Lord receive you into eternal mansions and place you at His right hand. With love and gratitude!
