Kaluga. Photo exhibition:
"The Heart of Northern Thebes" by Archbishop Maximilian Automatic translate

April 17 in the exhibition hall of the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts (Lenin St., 103) the grand opening of the photo exhibition: "The Heart of Northern Thebaid"

The Vologda region and this wonderful culture of the Russian North are permeated through with the Orthodox worldview, it is the prayers of the saints of the Vologda region, the world famous Kirillo-Belozersky monastery is the largest in Europe, and the wonderful monastery in Ferapontovo, decorated with frescoes of Dionysius of Moscow, is the Nilo-Sora desert, where The Nile established a new skitic image of monastic life for Russia. Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov was born and grew spiritually in Vologda, in many respects thanks to whose works both Orthodoxy and monasticism were preserved in Russia. The works of a native of Northern Thebes became the encyclopedia of the fathers of Thebes South. He systematized their creations and adapted to the requirements of his time.

Before the revolution, 138 monasteries and 1340 churches existed in the territory of the modern Vologda Oblast, more than 100 reverend fathers shone. The ascetics retreated here in search of severe feats, and after them came men with a plow and an ax in search of spiritual guidance and comfort, arranging weights near the monasteries of the monks. So the development of the Russian North took place and the cities were founded.

Therefore, we can confidently call these lands the Heart of the Russian Thebaids in the North. This name imposes great responsibility on all living, working and laboring in the land of Vologda.

Not wanting to keep the treasure under wraps, we want to share the shrine of the Russian North with you, dear friends, to show how wonderful God’s creation is even distorted by human sin. So the idea of ​​holding a photo exhibition “The Heart of Northern Thebaid” arose, the author of which is Archbishop Maximilian Pesochensky and Yukhnovsky, who managed the Vologda department for more than 20 years.

We hope that the photographs of Vladyka Maximilian, keenly and talented in conveying his love for this holy land, will help you to verify the correctness of the words of the great saint, a native of the Vologda land, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, who wrote: “Earthly nature is like paradise with its beauties and reminds him of a fallen man. ".

Biography of Archbishop Maximilian Pesochensky and Yukhnovsky

Vladyka Maximilian (in the world Lazarenko Alexander Pavlovich) was born on November 9, 1950 in Bishkek (Frunze) of the Kyrgyz SSR in the family of an architect.

In July 1955, he received holy baptism in the city of Balashov, Saratov Region.

In 1966 he graduated from Mytishchi Secondary School No. 18 and entered the Kaliningrad (Moscow region, now the city of Korolev) mechanical college. At the end of the technical school, the qualification of a mechanical engineer was awarded.

In 1970, he worked in distribution at the Central Design Bureau at the experimental engineering plant in Kaliningrad (Moscow Region) as a designer of the III category.

In May 1970 he was drafted into the Armed Forces of the USSR. He served in the missile forces in the ranks of privates and sergeants. Dismissed to the reserve in May 1972 with the rank of senior sergeant.

In 1972 he entered the Central Institute of Physical Culture in Moscow.

In 1976 he graduated with honors from the institute with a degree in physical education and sport, with the qualification of a teacher of physical education. By distribution, he was sent to the Moscow Forestry Institute as a teacher.

In 1979, at the end of the term, he quit of his own free will and entered the second grade of the Moscow Theological Seminary.

In 1982 he was enrolled in the first year of the Moscow Theological Academy, which he graduated in 1986. During his studies, he carried obedience in the student and brotherly choir, as well as obedience to the subdeacon of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen.

In October 1984 he was accepted as a novice in the brotherhood of the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

December 29, 1984 took monastic tonsure.

On February 2, 1985, he was ordained a hierodeacon.

March 10, 1985 - in the rank of Hieromonk Metropolitan Serapion in the Holy Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir.

April 4, 1987 was elevated to the rank of abbot.

March 26, 1988, on the day of the Praise of the Virgin (Saturday Akathist), a club and a cross with decorations were laid.

In the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra, he obeyed the confessor, the manager of the warehouse, the assistant economist, the manager of the household, the assistant dean, the head of the book expedition in the publishing department.

On February 22, 1993, at the meeting of the Holy Synod, he was determined to be bishop of Vologda and Velikoustyuzhsky.

On April 7, 1993, in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

April 10, 1993 on Lazarev Saturday, in the Epiphany Cathedral of Moscow, was ordained bishop of Vologda and Velikoustyuzhsky. The consecration was headed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

On February 24, 2004, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. By decision of the Holy Synod of May 30, 2014, he was appointed Bishop Pesochensky and Yukhnovsky.

For merits to the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Maximilian was awarded: the Order of St. Prince Daniel of Moscow, II degree, the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree, the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, II degree, the Order of St. Macarius of Moscow, II century, the Order of St. Innocent. Rev. Sergius of Radonezh, II century, a medal of the Russian Orthodox Church in memory of the 1000th anniversary of the repose of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, state award - Order of Friendship, the gold medal of the Peace Foundation “For Peacekeeping and Charitable Activities”, the medal of the Academy of Russian Literature “Zealous of Enlightenment” in memory of the 200th anniversary of the birth of A.S. Pushkin.

Archbishop Maximilian’s photographic works were exhibited with great success in Rome, Vienna, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vologda, Veliky Ustyug, Cherepovets, Mozhaysk, Kirillo-Belozersky and Ferapontov Monasteries at the exhibitions: “Holy Land, Vologda”, “Spas-Kamenny”, “ Earthly and Heavenly ”,“ Pokrovskoye - Bryanchaninov family estate ”,“ Heart of Northern Thebaid ”.

The exhibition runs from April 17 to May 17, 2015 at the address: Kaluga, st. Lenin, d.103.

Age limit: 0+