Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeev: biography, photos, sermons

From the first minute of communication in the Orthodox clergyman and theologian, Metropolitan Hilarion is attracted by his piercing and very deep look. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand that he is a man of uneasy thinking, he knows something more, true and secret, and tries to bring his knowledge and thoughts to people in every way, and thereby make the world in their soul lighter and kinder.

Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeev (pictured below) is a patrologist and doctor of philosophy at Oxford University and the Theological Institute in Paris. He is also a member of the Synodal Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church , head of the secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate for inter-Christian relations of the Department for External Church Relations and the author of musical epic oratorios and suites for chamber performance. In this article we will trace the life of this person, get acquainted with his biography, in which there are many interesting facts.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: biography

In the world, Alfeev Grigory Valerievich was born on June 24, 1966. He was given a good musical career, as he graduated from the Gnessin Music School and later studied at the Moscow State Conservatory. Then he served two years in the Soviet army, after which he immediately decided to become a novice Vilensky Holy Spirit monastery.

A family

The future metropolitan Hilarion was born in the capital of Russia, in a very intelligent family. The date of his birth is July 24, 1966. His grandfather, Dashevsky Grigory Markovich, was a historian who wrote a number of books about the Spanish Civil War. Unfortunately, he died in 1944 in the war with the fascists. Metropolitan's father, Valery Dashevsky, was a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences and wrote scientific works. He is the author of monographs on organic chemistry. But Valery Grigorievich left the family and then died from an accident. Grigory's mother was a writer, who also got that bitter part - one to raise her son. He was christened in 11 years.

From 1973 to 1984, Hilarion studied at the Moscow Secondary Special Music School named after the Gnesins for violin and composition. At the age of 15 he entered the church of the Resurrection of the Speaker at the Assumption Vrazhka (Moscow) as a reader. After graduation, in 1984, he entered the composer department of the Moscow State Conservatory. In January 1987, he left his education and entered the Vilnius Holy Spirit monastery as a novice.

Priesthood

The biography of Metropolitan Hilarion further indicates that in 1987 he was tonsured into monks, then ordained to the rank of hierodeacon and to the rank of archbishop priest.

In 1990 he became rector of the Annunciation Cathedral in Kaunas (Lithuania). In 1989, Hilarion graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary in absentia, then studied at the Moscow Theological Academy, where she received the degree of candidate of theology. After a while he became a teacher of the St. Tikhon Theological Institute and the University of St. The Apostle John the Theologian.

In 1993 he graduated from the post-graduate school of the Theological Academy, and he is sent to Oxford University, where in 1995 he received a Ph.D. Then six years he works in the department of external church relations. After becoming a clergyman at the Church of St. Catherine at Vspol'e in Moscow.

In 1999, the Orthodox Saint-Sergius Institute in Paris, he was awarded the title of doctor of theology.

In 2002, Archimandrite Hilarion became Bishop of Kerch. And at the beginning of January 2002 in the Smolensk Cathedral he takes the rank of archimandrite and literally a week later he was consecrated Bishop at the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Work abroad

In 2002, he was sent to serve in the Diocese of Sourozh, headed by Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom, ROC of Great Britain and Ireland), but soon the entire episcopate, led by Bishop Basil (Osborn, who in 2010 was deprived of holy dignity and monasticism, because he Will want to marry). All this happened because Hilarion spoke about this diocese in a somewhat accusing manner, and for this he received critical remarks from Bishop Anthony, in which he pointed out that they were unlikely to work together. But Ilarion is still that "tough nut", he made a speech where he filmed all the charges and insisted on the correctness of his opinion.

As a result, he was recalled from this diocese and appointed chief representative of the ROC for working with international European organizations. The Metropolitan has always in his speeches advocated that Europe, tolerant for all religions, should not forget its Christian roots, since it is one of the most important spiritual and moral components that determines the European identity.

Music

Since 2006, he has been actively engaged in music and wrote many musical works: "Divine Liturgy", "All-night Vigil," "Passion for Matthew," "Christmas Oratorio," etc. This creativity was highly appreciated, and with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy His works were performed at many concerts in Europe, the United States, Australia and, of course, Russia. The audience standing, applauded the successful performances.

In 2011, Metropolitan Hilarion and Vladimir Spivakov became the creators and leaders of the Christmas Festival of Sacred Music (Moscow), taking place on the festive January days.

Serving in Conscience

In the period from 2003 to 2009, he was already a bishop of Vienna and Austria. Then he is elected bishop of Volokalam, a permanent member of the Synod, vicar of the Moscow Patriarch and rector of the Church of the Mother of God in Bolshaya Ordynka in the capital.

At the same time, Patriarch Kirill for the faithful and zealous service of the ROC elevates him to the rank of archbishop. A year later, he also elevates him to the rank of Metropolitan.

Metropolitan Hilarion: Orthodoxy

In different years, he always represented the Russian Orthodox Church. Hilarion zealously defended her interests at various inter-Christian conferences, international forums and commissions.

Sermons of Hilarion

The sermons of Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeev are very solid and well-formed. It is very interesting to listen and read, because he has a great experience, which he passes on to us among a huge number of theological literary works that are unusual in their content. They also promote us to the great knowledge of the Christian faith of its followers.

Books on theology

One of his books is "The Sacred Secret of the Church. Introduction ». In it the reader gets acquainted with the thoughts of some fathers and teachers of the church about invoking the name of God in the practice of Jesus' prayer and in worship. Here we are talking about the comprehension of church experience and its correct expression. For this the author was awarded the Makariev Prize in 2005.

In his book "Reverend Simeon the New Theologian and Orthodox Tradition," Metropolitan Hilarion presented the translation of his doctoral dissertation, protected at Oxford University, at the Theological Faculty. In it he explores the attitude of the theologian of the XI century of the Monk Simeon to Orthodox service, Holy Scripture, ascetic and mystical theological literature, etc.

Metropolitan Hilarion did not pass by his attention and Isaac the Syrian and devoted him the book "The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian". This great Syrian saint, like no one could convey the spirit of evangelical love and compassion, so he prayed not only for people, but for animals and demons. According to his teaching, even hell is the love of God, which is perceived by sinners as suffering and pain, because they do not accept it and have a hatred for this love.

Among his books there is also the work "The Life and Teaching of Saint Gregory the Theologian". Here he describes the life of the great father and prelate and his teachings, rapped out the dogma of the Most Holy Trinity.

Awards and titles

His activities did not go unnoticed, and therefore in the arsenal this priest has a huge number of awards - all sorts of letters, medals and titles, among which - the Order of St. Innocent of Moscow II st. (2009, America, ROC), the Order of the Holy Martyr Isidore of Yuryevsky II st. (2010, Estonia, ROC MP), the Order of the Holy Governor Stephen the Great II st. (2010, Moldova, ROC), a gold medal at the University of Bologna (2010, Italy), the Order of the Serbian Falcons (2011) and other awards.

Films of Metropolitan Hilarion

Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeev of Volokolamsk became the author and presenter of the following films: "The Man Before God" - a series of 10 series (2011), introducing the "Path of the Shepherd" into the world of Orthodoxy, dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Patriarch Kirill (2011), " Church in history "- the history of Christianity," Byzantium and Baptism of Russia "- the series (2012)," Unity of the Faithful "- a film dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the unity of the Moscow Patriarch and the ROC abroad (2012)," Journey to Athos "(2012)," Orthodoxy in China "(2013)," Pilgrimage to the Holy Land "(2013)," With the Patriarch on Athos "(2014)," P avoslavie on Mount Athos "(2014)," Orthodoxy in Serbian lands "(2014).

Represent the real base for those who want to learn how to behave in the church, what are icons, how to understand holy works, films, authored by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev. Orthodoxy in them appears as a world that fills the life of man with depth. With his eyes we will see holy pilgrimage places and the way Christianity is preached in other places alien to Orthodox people.