Sokoliv icon. Maria Vishnyak and Oleksandr Sokolov: Bachiti Kohannya. What is iconography for you?

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1st week in Moscow, at the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Khokhly, they said goodbye to the talented icon painter Oleksandr Sokolov, who stood at the forefront of the revival of the icon painting tradition in Russia. The fortieth day of my repose fell on the Holy Annunciation.

The names of the icon painters are not mentioned in a wide manner. Their creative people can learn a lot at exhibitions. At the temples, parishioners always show respect for who is the author of the icons to whom they pray. Aleksandr Sokolov’s novel is widely known today, and not only in Russia. This is the image of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”, which is at the Visotsky Monastery in the town of Serpukhov. A new image, painted to replace the old miraculous icon that was spent during the Christian hours, has immediately gained the glory of the miraculous, about which the number of pendants of the icon can be seen. Alexander Sokolov wrote її, if you were over 33 years old. At that time, he was an icon painter with experience, having painted icons for over ten years.

Alexander Sokolov was born in 1959 in Moscow. Since childhood, loving little things, it began at the Moscow Art School at the Academy of Mysteries, then at the specialized restoration of the Moscow House of Arts and Crafts. Stroganov. After completion, we worked at the All-Russian Art and Restoration Center named after. Grabar.
Baptism from childhood, having attended church at the 16th century, and at the 21st century with the blessing of his confessor, Fr. Anatoly Yakovin began to create icons. Persha wrote for the small wooden church of St. Martyr Paraskevi of the village of P'yatnitsa (Velikodvir'ya) Volodymyr region, where he served Fr. Anatoly.

Then he worked at the St. Daniel Monastery at the same time from about. Zion (Theodore), at the Vysotsky Serpukhiv Monastery, in the St. John the Theological Monastery near Ryazan, etc. During his life, not even long ago, Alexander Sokolov painted anonymous icons and created numerous murals in the churches of Moscow, the Moscow region and dozens of places and monasteries in Russia. Taking up mosaics and jewelry. Alexander Sokolov wrote for churches in Siberia, Mari-El, Bashkiria. They often asked for it to other countries, trading with Poland, Japan, America, Germany, Cyprus, Sicily.
Alexander Sokolov often took part in icon-painting exhibitions, starting with the first one, organized in 1989 at the Znamyansky Cathedral of Charge in Moscow, shortly after the anniversary of the Creation of Russia. These robots were exhibited throughout Russia and beyond the cordon. He was the master of God from the first row of modern icon painters.

Icons, frescoes - everything that Oleksandr Sokolov would not have painted is clearly expressed by the author’s style, strong canonicity and incredible spiritual concentration. The master's particular style, always recognized, is a very precise and elegant little thing, a richly warm color scheme, a carefully crafted composition and a deep theological awareness of the skin's subject. His images are always lofty, prayerful, emotionally charged. We did not recognize formally written, soulless icons (unfortunately, there are not so few of these in modern practice), and the spirituality of minds is not like the reality of emotions, but like deep feelings - love, repentance, singing, pain, joy. That’s why the robots are so eager to watch, urging them on to prayer and thinking about the butt.
Oleksandr Sokolov contributed to the status of renowned icon painters and a wealth of artists. He likes to share with his colleagues everything he knows about technology and artistic techniques, the highest image and the creation of simply everyday food. One can proudly say that he was not only a good master, but a wise person, like him, as the saints said. Father, this is the main theological school.

Oleksandr Sokolov to the miracle of his homeland. They knew their friends, talented artists, from art school when they were 15 years old. From that hour onwards, all that was left was tarnished and spoiled. They have four children and three onuks.

Often my friends heard that Sashko is a happy person, generously gifted by God, who gave him everything: talent, love, kind character, incredible efficiency. Alexander Sokolov was no less generous in gifts, and no less generous in sowing and reaping the harvest a hundredfold, knowing how to distribute and share everything that the Lord had rewarded him with. And above all, he served God’s Church with his talent. In the remaining days, there is an illness that has developed rapidly, having painted the icon.

This illness was either severe or not painful. He died having received communion, with prayer on his lips. It was celebrated on the day of the Purity of Orthodoxy, if the Church remembers the veneration of icons. And the fortieth day fell on the Holy Annunciation.

14th Chernya, National Day of the artist Maria Vishnyak, it’s impossible not to remember his squad - the wonderful icon painter Oleksandr Sokolov, who immediately walked before us on the 27th of 2015. He was just 55. We met them in 2012 at the closet of the kindly living room of Margarita Volkova, whose apartment has portraits of her man Oleg Volkov, the author of the novel “Zanorennym y Darkness.” In the fierce 2016 fate of yogo portrait of Maria Vishnyak exhibited at the exhibition “Bachati Kohannya”. How difficult it is for Margarita Sergievna and Maria to get along now without Oleksandr. At the 85th meeting of Margarita Volkova we talked about Lyubov, and therefore about God, Who is Lyubov. Penzlem Oleksandr and Maria drove and drove Lyubov. It was repaired at the skin icon, at the skin painting. Vaughn is the essence of their life, so bright and unusual. Marvel at their photographs, at the way they laugh, embrace one and the same children, bachish, that is, Lyubov. In the book-album “Olexander Sokolov. Bachiti Lyubov ”daughter Nika wrote:“ Vi tata was wearing us, Bachiti Dovkola Beauty Svit, Nature, Bachiti Sky, if you didn’t bang, Bachiti are hollow, it’s not easy to know it, the bachiti of the other at the same time, to value life and love those who, perhaps, have learned to give and give to others... Such a happy, bright, colorful life and for those who we have the brightest, most intelligent, most beautiful and wisest Pope in the world! Be with us forever...” As Maria thinks, “the main pathfinders of the young family may be due, as summed up in three simple words – patience, respect and tenderness.”

Artists are happy people, so there is the most accessible way to understand what a miracle

- Marie, how did you get to know the man?

We met Oleksandr at the academic school at the Surikov Institute. Sasha got lost at 12 rocks, and I at 13. Ale was close to each other, since I was 15 rocks, and you were 16. The two rocks were friends, got to know each other, and then began to laugh. They got together when I was 20 years old and Sashkov was 21. They became fathers behind the river. We have four wonderful grown children. Since we started in the same special school, our entire life was in the known visible beauty of the world. Artists, it seems to me, are the happiest people, because they provide the most accessible way to understand what a miracle it is. When people marvel at the sky, at the reflections by the water, when they quickly see how dead and frozen trees rise from the sky, we see the miracle of renewal, resurrection. And especially for me, the Sunday morning in everyday life is no greater a wonder than a blossoming apple tree in the spring. Because she was dead overnight, she had no life. And as a form of inanimateness for any living organism – this, of course, is the image of death and death itself. And for us it is a clear example of a visible miracle that for millions of years the whole earth has been in spring colors, renewed and everlastingly beautiful. Spend more pain in the future. Although Alexander Pishov, I know that with God everyone is alive... I am already a happy person and I can say that I cannot understand that I am a widow. I was the squad of Oleksandr Sokolov, so I will be her too.

- Yakim buv Oleksandr?

He lives exactly according to the Gospel. On one side, he is like a child, but only a very serious child, like this wonderful world. He followed him like a child. And on the other hand, he will be the heir to whom the Lord endlessly crows in all manifestations: visible and invisible. It’s not for nothing to say that the blessed are pure in heart, because only the stench can spoil God. To cultivate the image of God, being an earthly person, is, of course, to become an image. You just need to learn what you can do and become sensible with a lot of speeches. In Nevipadkovo our small exhibition is called “Bachiti Lyubov”. God is love. Sasha looked up to God... Standing in front of the “Volodimirskaya” icon of the Mother of God he painted, Father Sergius from the village of Pyatnitsa said in tears: “Incredible! Humans - so, understandably. And the axis of this is the depths of mercy, Love without peace... Incredibly! Incredible!

God is love. Sashko bachiv God

It was especially true that God sent us spiritual guides from Sashko very early. Not everyone was blessed by the presence of such spiritual mentors as the priest Anatoly Yakovin, the metropolitan, Archimandrite Zenon, and the writer Oleg Volkov, who have greatly influenced our world view.

- Tell me, kindly, about the song with Metropolitan Anthony Surozky.

Naturally, Vladika Anthony poured a colossal influx into our light. On the one hand, there was a special depth of presence in every moment of service, in every moment of prayer. On the other hand, there was ease in dealing with any life problems and troubles, in one dot. Without giving any significance to everyday difficulties, difficulties, misfortunes - everything was like the clouds that are scattered by the wind. And the firebrand is a heartbreak. Chantly, before the rulers of Anthony, we fell asleep for more than a thousandth part of the hundred. This, of course, was a unique example of the impersonality of the archpriests - deep, marvelous people, united in their kind. In this way, Vladika Anthony of Surozky, who was variously endowed, will be deprived of his family.

We all knew Metropolitan Anthony for his books and articles. In our youth we began to be enchanted by his statues. As a 17- or 18-year-old girl, I first read an article about prayer from the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate (JMP). Everything that Father Anatoly gave us to read before, what we ourselves read from the holy fathers, was very high, unattainable for the sake of simplicity, purity. This was a completely different way of thinking, it seemed, which would never be accessible to a mere mortal. What I read from Vladika Anthony struck me right in the heart, because it was especially important to me. And in that disorganized state in which there are some people, young and old, it appears that one could once again find this warm thread - a connection with the Lord.

I was lucky enough to spend more than 1993 in London. She met me with Vladika Anthony Olena Kozhevnikova, who for 13 years was his secretary and speaker of the program “Not by Bread Alone” on Radio Liberty. She helped me get to London. I’m a very self-righteous girl, I had a second-generation son, I abandoned four children, hoarded two canvases of different sizes, came to a new one and innocently said: “Vladiko, my love, I really want to paint your portrait.” This is the first week of Lent. You can see how with such wonder our great dear Vladik marveled at the divine artist. It was then that the king looked at his slave, as if he had come to ask for mercy. I think that the rulers do not like anyone who is not gifted, financially speaking. I got more than I wanted. For two days they worked with him between services, in whole and in general. In just one hour I was able to outline the shadowy contours and write something with one hand. Having gone home, I didn’t leave the portrait for a month - I finished it from fresh memory, while it was still in me. The other hand remained unfinished, because my energy had already ended.

It seemed that one should marvel not in the eyes, but simply in the heart

Vladika, of course, was an absolutely marvelous person. It always occurred to me that I should be amazed not in my eyes, but simply in my heart. Why should you always be surprised that it throws away all the trifles, everything that is insignificant, everything that changes in us, those in which we commend ourselves and want to change ourselves. Vladika learned to feel the growth that grows in the skin of a person. It was possible to stand next to him in churches, without sitting for long years, and listen to him. And, of course, going from this service was even more painful. More than once, not twice, not three times, we went to Vladika with our children and took friends to the next one. Alas, unfortunately, he is alive far away from us, and it didn’t turn out as richly as we would have liked.

- Who do you confess to at the moment?

We go to different priests - whoever we get to. Our confessor - Father Anatoly Yakovin - gave us the blessing of receiving communion at least once a month, even often going to confession to someone, and to the general confession - to someone else. We all lived our lives before this one, and now that we knew more about our lives, we knew none of them. Father Oleksiy says: “I’ve come about Children to the liturgy, like to a banquet before the king. There are tables standing up to the horizon, everyone is sitting awkwardly, celebrating the holy day, music, joy, and you are sitting and not eating. Get up, tell the Lord “this” and leave the liturgy.” We're so stupid. We do not partake of the liturgy, but we also need to prepare for three days of fasting. Of course, we are all leaders. And this is a living document for us.

– How do you go about finding heroes for your work?

Since Sashko and I had already completed our studies, I thought to myself that I should write like a graduate work, in order to declare myself as an artist, who I want to learn a little bit. And Sashko, having returned from the army, did not at all want to take up easel painting, neither local history, nor portraits. It wasn't deep enough. The soul wanted something different. Naturally, Father Anatoly directed us again - softly, smoothly, and even more accurately. I have given the blessing to write about Russia as I go, the people who carried with them other pre-revolutionary culture, the people who became enlightened and absorbed the atmosphere of Orthodox Russia - those who in the 20th century was impoverished, vitrified, emasculated in people .

One of these diploma portraits was the portrait of 88-year-old Volodymyr Oleksandrovich Zarnitsin. This people belongs to the priestly family. All of his family had priests. In his red box there were icons of the 17th century - the initial icons of his great-great-great-grandparents. This is a truly amazing family, and there is a lot to be said about it. Drinking from it, we took away the wondrous splintering... We ourselves read the lives of the saints, and everyone in the world reads the lives of the saints, and so, as we read, we never knew - neither before nor after. And on the portrait I painted, as when I read to us the lives of the saints: with its own essence, the tenacious word of the skin. It is based on the text, focusing on the whole and on the sense of the word. I think that today’s rage hasn’t just gone away, it’s gone. So, just like in iconography, what is important is absolutely a skinny pencil, there is nothing extravagant, there is nothing specially introduced, but the very hymn to the glory of God, to the glory of the Mother of God, to the glory of light harmony. Kozhen Rukh is full of confusion. This lady showed us the butt, as required bachiti and chitati. And now, of course, speaking in such an astonishing way, which is completely absent today.

Vіn proishov i Pershu, i. All the hills under the Radyan order were thrown into the swamp, because they had stars on them, and not ridges. He worked as a forester in order to be independent and free. It’s a great pity that I was interrupted by the ranks of priests, even now I’m low. This squad was also a priest from the line of priests. This is the world of completely different people, this is our world today.

– Where are the exhibits from this exhibition preserved? How can you get them back?

Probably not. People came out with a lot of icons for the exhibition from the Chervony Kuty. Most of Sasha’s work immediately after the exhibition turned to private gatherings, and now you can see many icons, frescoes and mosaics either in your albums or in Orthodox churches in Russia, Japan, America, Italy, Poland, India, Azerbaijan, Finland, Cyprus.

- Why is the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon depicted on the poster?

In the middle of his work, the most famous icon is that it has become miraculous for many healings through drinking. People from all over Russia go to Serpukhiv to pray, hoping for the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos to overcome this illness. Everyone knows this icon – believers and non-believers. Sasha, giving an interview, first explained that this icon became so popular through the great Russian people - through their love to their dearest drink. Ale, she gave away her name to that which is the canon of icons, de Nemovlya is daubed in the Chalice. It is not because the cup is that it “does not drink”, but because the cup is eternal. The Mysterious Cup, which renews itself and lasts forever, forever as a sacrament, as a sacrament, as the Lord himself gave us. Alas, perhaps the first divas were expecting that people, having received such a symbolic Cup and the Savior of the world in this Cup, fell with their own sorrows. And she became famous for her other practical side - healing from the sin of drunkenness. In 1993, Sasha created this icon only for descriptions, since she did not save photographs of the icon that was wasted, deprived by the Bolsheviks, and nothing was lost. In 1993, following the blessings of our confessor Father Anatoly Yakovin, this icon was donated by Sashko to the Vysotsky Serpukhiv Monastery. From that hour, by the grace of God, she became famous for her miracles.

The whole world, the whole world is touched only by the love of God

In some book-albums you can find not only icons and paintings, but also photographs of your happy homeland. What do you need, children? And what did the stench mean to Sashka?

I don’t want to tell the great truth that love is not a cry, which replaces the meaning of all our lives, all our work, which reveals the hidden chambers of the world. We miraculously understand everything, that the whole world, the whole world, is being touched by God’s love. And the axis of the table is how much people want to understand what it is, how much it has a subordinated heart, fearlessly, for knowledge, for awareness. I think that in order to understand what khanna is, we must always remember the commandment “be like children.” So, don’t be afraid of anything, don’t be afraid of knowledge. Miz Sashkom began to take care of all life. And our most wonderful teacher was, first and foremost, our confessor, until we were very young.

- What kind of dad is Oleksandr? How will creativity become stifled?

No. We all lived together, and the children of the people themselves were always our friends. We have always tried to convey to the children a new knowledge of this world, an endless interest in everything that smells, a passion for people, how they learn to squawk and splutter. This is one of the main pitfalls that all my children have. Ale character in this carnage. Therefore, I order “iskrit”, so it’s quiet and calm, lest there be a greater stench from people.

– At the Minor Exhibition, three of them helped you so amicably. How many of them weren't there?

There was no Agnia. She flew in on the day of her father’s death and was able to sample all the spoils in Moscow, since she lived in Cyprus, where three beautiful girls and daughters looked after her. That's why she flew fast.

If you can’t get enough of tenderness, you will eventually reach the ultimate harmony

- What kind of order can you give to them and other young people once you have established your family?

I think that the most important parting words of the young family may be due, as summed up in three simple words - patience, respect and tenderness, which are not to be blamed for. These are the key words. As if you weren’t angry, as if you didn’t think that your man is wrong, friend, and if you don’t get enough of tenderness, you will soon come to hellish harmony. These are the key concepts in everyday family life, on top of the most common everyday problems and all sorts of troubles, but everything is natural and normal. Another favorite word of mine in life is buried, which does not change with the fate of being buried by another person, by wrinkles, by feathery gray hair, by the brightness of eyes, by a weary figure, by an infinitely deep soul. There are a lot of friends who try to reproach me for the price of endless burial. But you can live without charm. Because the world is full of beauty and enchantment. May it be a gray, gloomy day without being permeated by the love of God, permeated by our respect and that love that we can create in the soul.

Naturally, as in the skin’s homeland, we from Sashko had many differences, sometimes great ones. There were signs and differences in character, differences in training, and differences in knowledge about those who were good and not so good in a given situation. Well, everything was fine. Differences can arise among people, as today one tends to adapt to one another. But in one beautiful book it is written that in the eyes of people the same light shines as the light of distant stars. If you don’t remember this, it’s not scary to have new hairs or wrinkles.

– Who helped organize the exhibition?

Blessing was given to the exhibition by Metropolitan of Ekaterinburz and Verkhotursky Kirilo. I have fully paid for this organization, acted on it and especially supervised it. She was devoted to his prayers, to his material support, to his love for our homeland. Oleksandr worked at Ekaterinburz and held two exhibitions there. Metropolitan Kirilo really encouraged me after Sashka left. He became the leading figure in the creation of the exhibition. We have been friends with him for over 30 years. Other people encourage me. This is what I like.

At the Valaam monastery we are most strongly urged to sanctify God. The masters who create holy images for the chapel and temples of the monastery are selected with special care. The kind that you can write not only with your face, but also with a powerful heart - clean, open, loving. Alexander Sokolov was one of them, reports the press service of the Valaam Monastery.

His cruel fate, after a serious illness, ceased to reach the Lord. The painting of the temple in Cyprus, over which Alexander Mikhailovich performed before his death, was left unfinished. Cold and dry, they now lie in the kitchen in Moscow. However, the ways of the Lord are inconsistent. And it’s not for us to judge whether people have gone to another world. Tim more, that in 55 years of life, Oleksandr Mikhailovich has achieved the greatest...

Zustrich

His soul yearned for creativity from childhood. At first he painted himself, and then his talent and diligence was noticed by his aunt and she helped his nephew enter the Moscow Secondary Mystical School at the Academy of Mysteries, where he successfully graduated.

At that time the school was located in Lavrushinsky Provulk, opposite the Tretyakov Gallery. Her future master has put the icon first. Tse buv Zvenigorodsky Spas Andriya Rublyov. At one glance at the face of the Savior, goosebumps ran down the young artist’s back. And then, throughout my entire life, I remembered how I felt the grace and Divine light that resembled the holy image.

At the 16th day, Oleksandr crossed himself. I immediately thought about it and tried to paint an icon. The axis didn’t get tired for just an hour. The young Mitzi was called to serve in the navy. At the fall of the leaves in 1980, I demobilized and immediately became friends with Maria Vishnyak, at the same time starting art school. And within a month, Oleksandr Mikhailovich painted the first image on the doshta, prepared by him during the hour of military service. This is a list of the icon of St. Paraskevi from the Intercession Cathedral, rebuilt in the Rogozsky District. Unfortunately, the list has not been saved. The family icon of a friend – “Don’t betray me, Mother” – still lives with the Sokolov-Vishnyak family.

Mentors

Alexander Mikhailovich began to paint icons during the Christian hours, if any church activities were under the heavy fence. Based on the article of the Criminal Code about “Virabulation of cult objects”, for iconography they could be charged with a ship’s license. However, people continued to create great things, glorifying God and all His saints. Moreover, the people started from scratch, without readers. Ale Oleksandr Mikhailovich was kindly spared. The Lord sent you wise, knowledgeable mentors.

One of them is the spiritual father of the Sokolov-Vishnyak homeland, Father Anatoly Yakovin, who served in the village of Pyatnitsa in the Volodymyr region. Although he was not an artist himself, the restoration of his wooden church throughout his life became for Oleksandr Mikhailovich the standard of internal improvement of the church.

Father from the beginning helped his spiritual child, encouraging him, not just in word, but in deed. When the young master became the head of the family and sat penniless, Father Anatoly let him write lists of icons and obligingly selected a creative work for him - one that Alexander could think about, the death of the rulers.

Icon painter Boris Andreev used advanced technology. He was a restorer at the Art Science and Restoration Center named after Academician I.E. Grabar, and painted icons in a beautiful manner. This year, Oleksandr Mikhailovich himself began to work at the same center and became acquainted with another mentor there - Adolf Ovchinnikov, who developed the exact technology of icon painting.

All the lives of Oleksandr Mikhailovich from his time in history and Oleksandr Komarov, the author of a hand-drawn monumental painting. The young icon painter learned from Stroganivtsa, where he began restoration, technology and copying.

And, of course, for the Master of the Pochatkivtsi the work with the famous icon painter Father Zinon (Theodor) became very special. Alexander Mikhailovich worked with him shoulder-to-shoulder for a whole river on the renovation of the St. Daniel's Monastery, once this holy monastery was turned over to the Orthodox Church.

If the robot - according to the heart

And so, step by step, Oleksandr Mikhailovich himself became a Master from the great literature and influenced the development of the icon-painting tradition. He often took part in icon painting exhibitions. His robots were exhibited in Russia and behind the cordon. And, of course, Oleksandr Sokolov has worked a lot. During his life, he created a great number of icons and painted many paintings in Moscow churches. He wrote for churches in Siberia, Mari-El, Bashkiria. Traded in Poland, Japan, America, Germany, Sicily.

In this regard, Oleksandr Sokolov’s travels and popularity are not at all important. There was only one goal for us - to work for the glory of God, to develop the power of our soul through work. And the fact that the icon “Inexhaustible Chalice”, painted by Oleksandr Mikhailovich for the Serpukhiv Vysotsky Monastery, became famous as miraculous speaks for itself. According to the evidence of the number of pilgrims who were deprived of their entries in the monastery book of vodguki, the holy image helped hundreds of people to overcome the serious illness of drinking addiction. Adje at the time of his creation maistru was less than 33 years old!

Pratsyuva Oleksandr Sokolov and Valaam Monastery. Since 1991, he has often come here with his family. The first master and his squad, Maria Vishnyak, were enchanted by the wondrous, beautiful beauty of the Russian Pivnocha. And Valaam became for them the pearl of Karelia. Especially at that hour, when the monastery had not yet been restored, and it was similar to the island of confusion, which it was for everyone in the 19th century and much earlier.

Kozhen and his friend took up their right on Valaam. Maria Vishnyak wrote local history. In 1991, she lived in the monastery for a month. Moreover, behind a very strong system. Vranz, a novice of Lord Pankratius, took them deep into the islands and spent a whole day there with a notebook. And in the evening, after the sun had set, I took it back. That's how the stinks settled in. Oleksandr Mikhailovich himself worked for the monastery.

In 2002-2003, Archimandrite Pankratius also passed away and painted an iconostasis for the Church of Our Lady of Valaam. True, right away, marveling at the renovation of the iconostasis of the lower church of the Transfiguration Cathedral, they marveled widely: “What do you need me for, why do you have such icon painters on Valaam?” So modestly the master put himself before his work. If Pankratiy asked him to paint an icon of the Tsar’s martyrs for the Smolensk monastery, he failed. Eagerly taking hold of the right. And with a marvelous trepidation of zooms, convey the subtle portrait likeness of all members of our clear homeland. It’s understandable, it’s not surprising.

Before printing the work on the icon, the master read a lot of books related to the Emperor, leafing through the Tsar’s homeland. And after watching documentaries, they are dedicated to Romanov. Having visited Ekaterinburz, Ganina Yama and other places, however, connected with the life and death of the Emperor and those close to him. And the glances of people closest to him looked at him more clearly. Vivchennya was deep and long. After all, Oleksandr Mikhailovich delivered the created image.

For the riddle about Maistra

Today's icon of the Tsar's martyrs, painted by Oleksandr Sokolov, can be seen on Valaam. As the leaves began to fall at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, a posthumous exhibition of the master appeared. It presents nearly a hundred works from different periods of the icon painter’s creativity, starting from 1980, when he created the image “Don’t give up on Me, Mother” (collection of the Sokolov-Vishnyak homeland) to 2014 – the last fate of his life. Guests of the exhibition can admire panagia, mosaics, reproductions of frescoes from churches and monasteries in Russia and abroad. And, of course, there are a number of icons painted by the master, including the image of the Royal Martyrs from the chapel of the Smolensk monastery of the Valaam Monastery, brought specially to Moscow for the artist’s exhibition.

Often my friends heard that Sashko was a happy person, generously gifted by God, who gave him everything: talent, love, good character, incredible efficiency. Alexander Sokolov was no less generous in gifts, and no less generous in sowing and reaping the harvest a hundredfold, knowing how to distribute and share everything that the Lord had rewarded him with. And above all, he served God’s Church with his talent. In the remaining days, there is an illness that has developed rapidly, having painted the icon.
This illness was either severe or not painful. He died having received communion, with prayer on his lips. It was celebrated on the day of the Purity of Orthodoxy, if the Church remembers the veneration of icons. And the fortieth day fell on the Holy Annunciation.

The famous icon painter Oleksandr Mikhailovich Sokolov died at the age of 54 after a serious illness.

By the will of God, the land of Diyashevska was the remaining Maidan for the mastery of icon painters. In the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord of the Bashkortostan Metropolitanate, the author’s works were once registered, which became a sign of the call of Alexander’s creative life.

Below, we bring you an article from the Internet site about icon painting, and a photo gallery of his paintings, which

Oleksandr Mikhailovich Sokolov

Born 1960 In 1972-1978 years. n. starting at the Moscow Art School at the Academy of Mysteries. Having started at the Moscow State Art and Trade School (Stroganovsky College) - the Moscow State Art and Trade Academy named after S. G. Stroganov. He took his fate at the renovated St. Daniel's Monastery. Taking part in the painting of the temples of the Military Medical Center. Paraskevi near the village Friday of the Vladimir region, St. John the Evangelist near Moscow, wooden church near the village. Sukawa of Japan, as well as temples in the USA and Poland. Included in iconography from Russia and Japan. She lives and works in Moscow. Friendship with the artist Maria Vishnyak, four children.

Let a hundred flowers bloom

“I preach the principle of Mao’s head: let one hundred flowers bloom.” Choose, I respect, not varto: the spirit dies, whatever you want, - confirms the question on the question about how the iconographic style is close to me. – The famous restorer Adolf Ovchinnikov allegedly said: “If we just started to work in restoration, give us the pre-Mongol period, and now we are facing the 18th century.” The relevant images are sharpened at different times. That's just how it is unclear. Once I saw an icon painted by Theophan the Recluse, and I absolutely relished it! The contrast between his high spiritual-asceticism in literature, his life and artistic insensitivity in iconography is striking.

Copies of letters are being made all the time. How to write? How to know the way so as not to go only into “realization of self” and without special copying?

- I think it’s better, of course, for people to sit and copy icons and earn pennies, without writing subjects that are close to the authorities. Still, this somehow reaches the Church.

Behind the great scale of circulation, copying - it’s even worse, and it reduces the level to the very end, and contributes to its understanding.

And they began to burn, the head of the dashing daily church mysticism - the inviolable relish of the zamovniks, the companions. Their brand is size, plot. As far as icons are concerned, no one expects them to be of Divine rank. Rarely important people - priests, bishops - can be handled with one's fingers, but the stench cannot seriously contribute to the overall situation.

The production of cult objects is flourishing, and the ecclesiastical mysticism of the sacred, spiritual is being deprived of a share of marginalized people.

Marginalov - who has sense?

- Church mysticism, on the one hand - the elite: behind the meanings, people can know and understand a lot. On the other hand – more marginal. Tse share are quiet, who will definitely not be “the master of life.” With this ecclesiastical mysticism, reveal it to everyone, but not everyone needs it.

How could icon painters not become a “stamper”?

- Conceal yourself. Read books. І get tired of it as much as possible
There are both products and icons - unknown. As my very good friend, church jeweler Mark Lozinsky said: “People live and die without coming to you.”

When I realized that I needed to be baptized, our family friend, philosopher, descendant of ancient philosophy, called me to himself. After a serious prayer, he said: “Well, baptize yourself!” In my sarcasm, I respected the “duck”: “Don’t laugh. You understand, the situation is such that people who come to the Church think that they bought a ticket and got on before the train, and then they can rest assured that they will take you to the end station. This attitude is unpleasant.”

Divine harmony

When did you consciously paint the icon first?

— I was born around 14-15, I started at the Moscow Secondary Art School at the Academy of Mysteries. That one was also located near Lavrushinsky Provulk, opposite the Tretyakov Gallery. I remember what I felt when I entered the hall and saw the Zvenigorod Spas Rublyov: goosebumps. Without any exaltation, as if, melodiously, not created at all, I felt the light that came out of the icon and perceived it as a Phenomenon.

And not long before this, I read the Bible - in order - first the Old Testament, then the New. The Bible, overlaid on a thin cigarette paper, was brought from behind the border by the aunt.

And at the 16th day - having baptized. There was, perhaps, a youthful tightness, the need to understand the sense of life. What does this have to do with the acute form: if there is no sense, then there is no need to live? This happened not only to me: there was an atmosphere that made people anxious about getting out of absolutely mindless activity. Then I met a lot of people of my generation (less than 52 years), who at that time came to the Church.

Having baptized myself, I began to ponder over the fact that I needed to try to paint an icon. Ale didn’t reach the end of school. Then let's go to the army, or more precisely, to the navy. At the leaf fall of 1980, we demobilized and immediately became friends. And I painted the first icon on the chest (I prepared the icon for her in the service). This is a list of the icon of St. Paraskevi from the Intercession Cathedral on Rogozkyi Central. The icon was not preserved, but the friend - “Don’t cry, Mene, Mother” - is preserved in our home.

What does iconography mean to you?

— I’ll start by seeing the moth with the icon. I wanted to know more, to save myself. It was a long way from understanding what the icon was.

Just in the process of work, after a certain hour, I began to think about how iconography is an internal connection with the life of the Church, with Christian philosophy. And now I only understand what the icon is and what it’s for, but it’s just starting to take shape.

First, when I first started, I felt youthful and primitive: I thought that with my talent I could serve the Church and people. And then the understanding of something completely different appeared, that the Church is not serving people, but simply going. Ascetic practice. People can take up the molding of the powerful soul, concluding as an act.

I don’t want to impersonate anyone, but often people who engage in icon painting create religious objects. With a noble goal - to decorate the temple, to give people something to pray for, and, just as it is for me, to earn a few pennies for living. Ideally, everything may be in order.

And the head meta is the molding of the powerful soul. Whenever a person engages in church mysticism, he tunes in to Divine harmony.

Readers

Where did you learn and who?

— The main teacher is my confessor and confessor of Maria Vishnyak’s squad, Father Anatoly Yakovin, who served in the village of Pyatnitsa, Volodymyr region. He died ten years ago. For me, as well as for the rich icon painters, he was the number one knower of the queen of ancient Russian church mystique, the understanding and value of it.

Moreover, Father Anatoly himself was not an artist. He decorated his wooden church in such a way (before the speech, in 1925, at the time of persecution of the Church), that for me it is at once a standard of internal decoration of the church. There were a lot of modern icon painters working there. I hope I have such a happy year.

Father Anatoly helped and encouraged me in every possible way. Once we got together with our squad, we had nothing: no life, no pennies, no work. And Father Anatoly gave me a job - to write lists of icons - and I’ll do it, I’ll create, or think about those that you’re working on, understand.

With the new technology, the icon painter Boris Andreev helped me in due course. It was my aunt who introduced me to him, the one who brought me the Bible... My aunt played a great role in my life. She took me to art school, and then, when I decided to baptize myself, I made sure that everything was clear and aware. I wanted to be unbaptized myself. Boris Andreev was at the Art Science and Restoration Center named after Academician I.E. The robber was a restorer and he painted icons in a hypnotic manner. At the same time, there was an article in the CC “Viribration of cult objects” (4 years with confiscation of the main), which was lost in the 20s, although in practice in the 70-80s it was not put in place.

I have already begun to work at the center of Grabar. From the beginning of the month, as an agent from the postal service, and then at the library, preserving museum exhibits. Having also helped to organize exhibitions, the project “Lamentations of the First Fifteen Little Ones”. Golovne, I have little opportunity to contribute to the library of the Grabar center, because there were a lot of materials, including those that were not published, in typewritten form, translations of books from the technique of middle-class literature, from icons I'll describe it.

At the center of Grabar, Adolf Ovchinnikov worked and worked, having thoroughly developed the correct technology for icon painting. Even at that time, great respect was given to the fact that in sacred mystique all technological processes must be given special significance.

I crossed the river near the center of Grabar, then entered Strohanivka, where restoration, technology, and copying were introduced. In recent times, I have come to know the wonderful teacher-technologist, monumental artist Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Komarov, the author of a competent guide to monumental painting.

Two years of experience have given me much more. It was possible to continue reading further, but in 1983 the Church turned the St. Daniel Monastery, and the famous icon painter Father Zenon (Theodore) began to establish it as Patriarch of the former directions. And I then interceded with him at the St. Daniel Monastery.

As brothers, readers on the everyday, spiritual plane, who can you name?

- I’ll say it again - Father Anatoly. After his death, we, especially my squad, began to closely associate with Metropolitan Anthony Surozky (Blum). Vaughn painted his portrait - the only one he ever lived in. In this case, he was already German, having ceased to come to Russia, and my family and children had been destroyed several times before.

What is important to say to people is in his books. I really want to know without writing. All I've seen is a conversation recorded from a voice recorder. If you once brought a book to be signed, he said: “You see, I don’t say anything nasty about those in this book.” Vladika repeatedly said: “I cannot vouch for everything that is written in these books.” And in one conversation with us he said: “Be respectful: what I say right away does not need to be spread further. This is my thought, how can you be thoughtful for anyone.” I hung up on theological nutrition.

Likewise, six years later I traveled to America, to Archpriest Viktor Potapov, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Washington, after 30 years of Orthodox broadcasting on the Voice of America. When we and our squad first saw Father Victor, we sensed his first phrases, and we gasped: he seemed very similar to Father Anatoly!

Until the time we knew this temple, we had only noticed that it was important to see what else could be earned there. As a result, I created mosaics on the facades of the temple, mosaics and paintings near the chapel on the parafacial pillar.

We soon become deprived of people who are spiritually close to us. It’s a pity, we rarely see each other. More, less amazing

- What is mysterious is the presence of Divine power, which manifests itself in the hopes, hopes, and sorrows of people.

I can’t say how it turns out. A miracle is not a phenomenon, but it is not unreasonable from a scientific point of view. Miracles are those that flow into the soul, but with a natural path or a supernatural one, it is not so important. If everything goes through without leaving a legacy for human souls, one can only shrug one’s shoulders and state: “Well, the axis has fallen off.”

For people who take part in the rituals of the Church, this is a miracle. Just as we believe in the miracle that bread and wine are transformed into the Flesh and Blood of God, we believe that through the Sacraments themselves we reach the Eternal Life, which is much more than healing any physical infirmity.

What evidence is there that they painted the miraculous icon?

“It’s a shame that I painted the icon myself, but I don’t mind drinking in good company,” the artist says with a laugh. - And if it’s serious - so, the reliability will increase, not through a specific icon, but through a century, realizing that with skin fate less time is lost.

As if my confessor was still alive, I thought about whether I would be good or bad on one promise, since I ended up not having done everything I wanted. Why did Father Anatoly tell me: “How many fates do you have? (and I was over 40). How about wasting an hour on things you don't want to work on? For me, the more important axis is: don’t work on those who are not dubious...

Ulyublene

Do you have any favorite icons, images that you want to write?

— I like the iconography of the icon of the Korsun Mother of God, and it so happened that I wrote it several times. Having written the Image Not Made by Hands many times. If this is a proto-icon, then it has a sense to turn back to it again and again - to help yourself know where you have come and where you have not come. I am gradually writing to St. Nicholas. You will be recognized again and it’s good to write.

I don’t really like to depict saints, without a garish look, because it’s just an abstract exposure, unconsciously, like a saint, looking like a saint, and there’s little information, little evidence... It’s obvious what you’re creating in the mind’s eye. It is richer to write about a saint whose memory has been preserved and conveyed more clearly than photographs.

I have written more than once about photographs of St. John of Kronstadt and the new martyrs. It is important for me to convey the individual rices of the saints, consecrated by the Divine light.

What is it - monumental church painting or iconography?

- I like to try everything, especially those that I don’t know. I often take on things that I have never tried before, out of sporting interest. This gives me strength, strength.

I wish I could humbly and endlessly repeat and repeat the original work, like a musician who endlessly plays the works of Bach and Mozart. That's great.

And there is a need to earn something new, for example, to paint a wall. If you want to do everything physically, it is still important and requires willpower: you need to calm yourself down, get up early, work hard. Discipline and interaction with people are required. Signing the keruvati, signing the team – it’s an important profession. So now I’ll paint one - the Church of Our Lady of Kazan in the village of Puchkovo near Moscow. And there are a lot of speeches about how I love to work: carving wood, stone.

I really love Hellenic and Egyptian mysticism. And I suppose I’m not an icon painter, having started any kind of fun painting...

How does the process of painting an icon differ from the process of painting a picture?

— The process of icon painting is regulated. Through skin action, through the repetition of various formulas and symbols, a person gets to the point where he won’t work. Ideally, the work of the icon painter will be meaningful to the servants, and the skin will be replenished, starting with the choice of material.

I have no evidence if I cut a board from the deck, prepared and wrote an icon. Everything is important, including the preparation of farbi: collecting materials, washing. Just buy farba in a jar - otherwise. You are missing out on so much goodness for your soul. It is very important to take part in the most technological process.

Father Pavel Florensky describes the symbolic significance of the skin result of the icon painter’s work. Material activities are closely connected with spiritual ones. In truth, everything I’m talking about is going out too often.

Two artists in a booth

Two artists in a family: together you criticize each other, are you happy?

“I need encouragement, and I rejoice in everything: with my children, with my friends, with those I know, who understand and don’t understand.” Even though I work for people, I don’t need such a universal look. And by nature I am a conformist, dedicated to compromise.

And the squad, there - create, don’t be shy about their respect. She has no sense: she is self-expressing, how can there be respect here?

We also don’t blame the super creative ones: I write mine, the team writes theirs. Well, I also carry her sketchbook and ready-made tablets (I love writing on tablets). I build all the frames for these paintings.

Does the day begin with the master?

- Frank, I call at the site, then I go to the main building, where we just work with the squad.

The evening begins with a marvelous movie. This is how the remaining five fates are revealed. Previously, there was no television, no video. Then all the children got computers, and we decided to buy a DVD. And the children grew up without a TV. Alas, not to what they categorically defended! The stench could go all the way to the neighbors, and they would marvel at their choice. We ourselves walked to our neighbors and watched the TV. It’s just that it’s impossible for the mother to go home: violence against the individual, the fragments of the wines literally “drags in”, and even if you’re a naughty woman.

Children are not artists?

— The eldest daughter graduated from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, married a sculptor who is engaged in the creation of iconostasis, and helps her. It can be either gilded or painted. There are three small children in it.

Another donka behind the light is a clothing designer. He knows how to gild. The axis now gilds me for the temple - it’s crushing.

Sin Vanya can do anything - mold, paint, and even make cutlets. Vin is a cook. The squad asked: “Van, make some borscht, you’re the cook.” To which there was a reply: “No, I won’t. Kuhar - they are not what you think! The young son also works in my master's department, and also gets a computer from someone else.

I respect that we have done a lot of wrong things with our doctor. But those who have chosen the path themselves and walk it themselves are fine.

Have the children grown up and not stopped going to church?

- It smells like walking to the temple, but it’s not the same as for us. Those that are not bought at a price are not worth the price. And the stench of childhood in church life, for them everything is natural, calm, simple, without revelation. I think that the skin is in front of the right God.

How did they manage to find time for work and children when they were small?

At this moment, Sin Ivan appears at the door.

- Van, tell me, how did we kidnap you? -

“I’m less well-nourished—why didn’t my homeland respect creativity?” - Ivan says.

“I loved it,” Oleksandr Mikhailovich said, smiling. - All hour...

“And there are four of us,” continues Ivan. - You can say that the fathers lived close to us - at the master, turning around every night. And the children are at home. I was vaccinated once before school - in the first grade.

“How many times have I come to Fatherland gatherings,” the mitets guesses, “and I couldn’t recognize the class.” And having decided not to walk anymore. Ivan resolves all his problems from childhood on his own. Now I have to pay my fees at the institute for a few days.

Like a great motherland, there are problems with self-realization: have you often worked to earn money?

— I have a midlife crisis, which has been troubling the axis for 10 years. I really want to get involved with these robots to do business and earn money for myself. The ones I want. But for now it only comes out sporadically. Children are not completely independent. For some reason, the stench simply stopped taking money away. There was also no freedom to earn whatever you wanted. I don’t have where to go, what to die about.

Situations begin to boil over when it seems that everything is going wrong, as required, you give up, you become close to depression?

— There were no fatalities in 16. That and then – especially after active friendly gatherings.

In truth, I am a happy person, I have a wonderful squad, I cannot imagine myself without them. We are one and the same with her. Buva, of course, we can cook. I am a Cossack girl who grew up in the Caucasus, with a unique temperament. What a depression here!

Prepared by Oksana Golovko

Photo by Oleksandr Yulia Makoveychuk

Photo of the painting of the Church of Svetlana Komkova (Ufa)