Elder of Our Time: Northerners Recall Priest Yevgeny Sokolov

In Arkhangelsk, Archpriest Yevgeny Sokolov has died — he was the head of the missionary department of the Arkhangelsk diocese and led the Church of Saint Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian at the Northern Arctic Federal University (SAFU). He was one of the most famous priests in the city, known even to non-believing residents of Pomorye. Several northerners shared their memories of him with 29.RU.

«The ideas and projects of this active pastor are countless»

Metropolitan Kornily of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory

— Thirty years Father Yevgeny carried out spiritual service; he was ordained as a deacon in 1996, and two years later — as a presbyter. Initially, he served at the Intercession Church in the city of Novodvinsk. In 2001, he was transferred to the Konosha district to the village of Yertsevo as rector of the Church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. In the autumn of 2003, Archpriest Yevgeny was appointed rector of the house church in honor of Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt at Pomor State University, and also appointed head of the missionary department of the Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory diocese. When the church in honor of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian was revived within the walls of the Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Father Yevgeny became its rector. The now deceased until his last days stood before the throne of God.

Through Father Yevgeny«s efforts, theological courses began their work in the Arkhangelsk diocese, as did the John Readings, Orthodox bard song festivals, balls were held, the Orthodox cafe »Three Candles« opened, and channels and sermons by priests appeared on social networks. One cannot count all the ideas and projects of this diligent pastor, so that the flock entrusted to his care might grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Through the labors of the deceased, much was done for the spiritual and moral education of the sheep of the verbal flock both on native soil and far beyond the Arkhangelsk diocese.

«His modesty was astonishing»

Alexey Morozov, journalist

— He began his path as a software engineer at the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill, but all his conscious life he dreamed of becoming a priest, since there was clergy in his family. In the 90s, he left the plant, although even Vladimir Kruppchak tried to dissuade such a valuable specialist. Since then, Father Yevgeny has been engaged in spiritual service, was rector of the House Church of Pomor University, then — of the Northern Arctic Federal University. Thanks to him, the church became a favorite place for parishioners. Father Yevgeny headed the missionary department of the Arkhangelsk diocese and did a great deal for enlightenment and helping people.

Father Yevgeny was an amazing person, not at all a typical priest. He was disinterested and did not take money for baptisms, weddings. He said: «The main thing for me is that you are ready for the sacraments.» But he prepared strictly: he confessed and gave communion more than once. His modesty was astonishing — for many years he traveled to service from Novodvinsk on minibuses, and slept in the church.

I did not agree with Father Yevgeny in everything, we differed in views on recent events in the country and the world, but I always noted his sincerity. He did not know how to lie or be insincere, he was sometimes sharp, but this sharpness also came from the heart. Because he loved people. And in 2019, he went to Shiyes to support those who were defending the North from a global dump.

«He was not a «church official,» but a true pastor»

Andrey Dorofeichev, rector of the Church in honor of Saint Nicholas the Wonderer in Solombala

— This week, on Tuesday, Father Yevgeny Sokolov passed away to the Lord — a missionary, priest, laborer, disinterested person, a beacon of our city and region.

He did not have robust health and did not impress with external strength, but he was endowed with worthy upbringing and a rare gift — to speak from the heart. Father Yevgeny was deeply concerned for the Motherland, for the Fatherland, for us to move forward, having a clear national idea — «the preservation of the Orthodox faith in Rus».« He often repeated the same thoughts — about love, justice, about the need to find a spiritual guideline for Russia. Some priests smiled or let his words go in one ear and out the other: »Again the same thing…«. But in this constancy was a deep truth: we know that we need to love and be just, but in practice we often are deceitful and retreat, we seek variety, but have not determined the foundations.

I met Father Yevgeny when, still a schoolboy, I decided to attend theological courses — a kind of preparation for the theological seminary. It was a serious overcoming: fear, shyness, uncertainty. But inside burned a thirst to serve God and acquire knowledge. At the courses, I was impressed by his lectures — they had a huge influence on me. Even in school essays after the priest«s lectures, I already tried to comprehend ideas about the national idea, that the state lives not only by the efforts of the ruler, but thanks to the participation of every person in the fate of the country.

When it was time to study at the seminary, and then to search for a spiritual father, Bishop Daniil blessed me to turn to Father Yevgeny. Although I already had mentors, circumstances developed in such a way and several times the bishop persistently pointed to Father Yevgeny — and I followed this blessing.

Since then, Father Yevgeny became my spiritual father. He married me to my matushka in January (on the 20th), supporting our family in the difficult time of initial arrangement of joint life, and he also received the ordination confession before my ordination as a deacon and priest. Many questions of church-parish life could be resolved with him, talked over, spoken out, opened up.

For my family, he was that «third judge» to whom we turned in moments of doubt, sorrows, disagreements. He always found time to listen, help, support — even when he was busy, on vacation, or unwell. Especially memorable is my visit to him after the death of my matushka. Seeing me, he said: «I was waiting for you very much.» We talked for a long time, and parted with light hearts.

Father Yevgeny was not afraid to share personal experience, especially in matters of family life. He said that he came to the priesthood with difficulty: three times he felt the calling, and only after the third special circumstances did he decide on ordination. At the same time, he admitted that on the way to the diocese he dreamed that the car would break down — so great was the inner fear and awe before the upcoming service.

His family life was not cloudless. He told me: «We, Father Andrey, educate our matushkas.» For 14–15 years, he patiently helped Matushka Natalya to open up as an ideal companion for a priest. And then, when she was passing into Eternity, he had to anoint, give communion, and see her off before her death from cancer.

Now, when not even forty days have passed after the death of my wife-matushka, Father Yevgeny has also passed away to the Lord. But in the soul — not grief, but quiet confidence: God arranged it so that he would meet her in heaven, help her pass through the toll-houses. We here in Arkhangelsk serve God daily and perform prayers for them.

Not long before his death, I managed to visit him in the hospital — thanks to parishioners from Novodvinsk who, empathizing with my sorrow, came with their sorrow into my life, and by some miracle offered to visit Father Yevgeny and organized this meeting. We walked along the hospital corridor, I held his hand. We talked enough, it was very important for me to see him, and at the meeting he said that he just wanted to call me. This was our last communication.

What was especially striking about Father Yevgeny — his life by the spirit, not by the letter of the law. He was not a «church official,» but a true pastor, living with care for people. I was even sometimes irritated by his disinterestedness — he could have solved many problems of his children, taken care of his health, but invariably put serving people above his own needs.

At the same time, he supported me in the desire to take care of health: when I cautiously asked for blessings for certain relaxations in fasting or sports, he invariably answered: «No, father, do it. It»s too late for me, but you need to take care of yourself.«

Father Yevgeny grew up in the era of Soviet upbringing — honest, fair, ashamed to ask for himself. He could only fuss about the church and people, forgetting his own needs. Parishioners tried to take care of him, but his modesty was truly boundless. He was a missionary striving to bring everyone into the church — from simple parishioners to officials, bosses, military. And until the last day, he remained faithful to his service.

In his last days and hours, as relatives write, he was preparing for the service, planning to go to the church. This is the true example of a pastor — to live by the church, think about the church, strive to appear before God in service.

May the memory of eternity, of death always abide with us. May the reverent memory of Father Yevgeny, a worthy servant of God, be preserved in our hearts. Today we offer prayers for his blessed memory.

Amen.

«He had a gift — his words reached hearts and souls»

Roman Ivanov, native of Arkhangelsk

— I met Father Yevgeny about 10 years ago at theological courses that he taught at the Northern State Medical University. I took a blessing and asked where he serves. The first time I came to him just for advice, and then I started going to confession and worship. He could confess up to 200 people, among them were many well-known people of Arkhangelsk, Arkhangelsk region, and other cities.

Father Yevgeny became my spiritual father, as he instructed me a lot, gave life advice and advice in spiritual life. He empathized with very many people who came to him, with their pain and grief. He prayed for people and by his prayers many problems were solved. And of course, he rejoiced for people when everything was fine with them.

We began to communicate less, as I moved to Nizhny Novgorod, but we communicated on social networks, where I asked for his advice and his prayers. I come to Arkhangelsk every year, and each time I visited him in the church.

You know, I know very many priests in different dioceses — Moscow, Kurgan, Nizhny Novgorod, and so on. But such priests as Father Yevgeny I have not met. He had a gift of speech, his words reached hearts and souls. I would call him a «comforter» — he always comforted people. He was very kind, loved to pray very much, often walked around the SAFU library and prayed the Jesus Prayer for peace, the region, and people who communicated with him. For his spiritual children.

In Orthodoxy, there is the concept of «starets» (spiritual elder). Father Yevgeny — is a starets of our time.

«Questions about raising a true Human»

Elena Dotsenko, deputy of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly

— Grievous news. Yesterday evening, the heart of a glorious, respected, wise man, priest Father Yevgeny Sokolov, stopped beating. His earthly path is finished…

I will always remember how we together created an Orthodox cafe in our native university, how soulfully Orthodox songs and poems about the Motherland sounded at competitions, which were a good tradition in Pomor University. How we together with Father Yevgeny«s daughter organized glorious student balls, laying the foundation for the tradition of the big university.

I will remember our conversations and always return to the main questions about raising a true Human, which the wise mentor asked me at every meeting.

29.RU also communicated with Yevgeny Sokolov. For example, he commented in his column on the celebration of Halloween, and also criticized local deputies. And also told, how to meet Easter and bless eggs and kulichi.