Father Andrei Mazur is one of the most modest and respected clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church. He served her for an entire era, beginning his diaconal service from the time when the Russian Church was persecuted, and ending his earthly service in the era of its heyday. The voice and manner of service of Archdeacon Andrei Mazur gave the patriarchal services a special solemnity and attracted the attention of believers, motivating them to pray and helping them forget about their worldly problems. All his life he tried to honor the traditions of diaconal service with dignity. But, despite his high status, Father Andrei was a very simple and kind person.
Childhood of Andrei Lazarevich
Being from Ukraine, Andrey grew up in a simple peasant family. He liked to work. And the source of inspiration for Christian worship was the Pochaev Lavra.
Origin
Andrei Lazarevich Mazur was born in 1926 in the village of Novy Kokorev in Western Ukraine, which until 1939 was part of Poland. He grew up in a Christian family. Father Lazar Prokopyevich Mazur was a church elder. Mother, Agafya Filippovna, died when Andrei was four years old. From a young age, he served in a village church and sang in the choir.
Near the village there is the Pochaev Lavra, which was visited by the future archdeacon. The service at the Lavra inspired him with its beauty. Right there, still little boy, the desire to become a deacon arose. A special example was Protodeacon Stratonicus, who had a strong bass voice.
School
For the first five years, in the rural school where Andrei studied, they taught in Polish, and Ukrainian was taught as a foreign language. He began to study Russian only after entering the seminary. He liked to work. Even before school, he helped his father with housework, mowing, herding cows, etc.
Teenage years and early life
His youth Fr. Andrei lived through the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War. But neither the war nor the persecution of the Church by the state hindered its formation.
Military service
Mazur was drafted into the Red Army in 1943. He served in a reserve regiment stationed on the territory of the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In the army he was a company singer. At the beginning of 1945 he was sent to the front. As commander of a mortar squad, he participated in the fighting near Berlin. He did not serve for long because he fell ill.
Army awards:
- Order of the Patriotic War, second degree;
- medal "For the capture of Berlin";
- medal "For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War" Patriotic War 1941-1945";
Admission to the Lavra
When he was drafted into the army, Andrei promised God that if he returned alive, he would serve the Church. After returning from the army, he entered the Pochaev Lavra as a novice, where he sang in the choir for two years and was in charge of a bakery and a refectory church.
Seminar years
In 1948, the future patriarchal protodeacon entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, which at that time was located in the Novodevichy Monastery and had the status of a Theological Institute.
While studying at the seminary, Fr. Andrei also studied at the Moscow Conservatory, but not for long. He left because he was given a choice: either the seminary or the conservatory. The choice, of course, was obvious.
Andrei Lazarevich studied at the seminary for only two years. His early consecration (ordination to the diaconate) was influenced by a vacation trip with a friend to Perm.
Diaconate
At that time, the Perm department was headed by Archbishop John Lavrinenko, who invited the young seminarian to his reception after he had read the apostle at the liturgy. The Bishop invited him to become a deacon, and even gave him money to return to his homeland and get married. Having listened to the bishop, Mazur returned to his native village, where he got married. Arriving in Perm, he was ordained a deacon in 1950. He served with Archbishop John for six years, after which he moved to Leningrad.
In the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra of St. Petersburg, Mazur served as the episcopal deacon of Bishop Alexy Konoplev. There he led the choir.
In 1968, Metropolitan Nikodim Rotov transferred him to Leningrad Cathedral. There until 1990 Fr. Andrey served seven metropolitans. At the time when he was a protodeacon with Metropolitan Nikodim, Patriarch Kirill, still a young seminarian, was a student of Bishop Nikodim. In one of the interviews, Father Andrei recalled that he sometimes told him how to walk with a staff.
In 1990, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy Mazur was elevated to the rank of archdeacon. He served with Patriarch Alexy until his death in 2008.
The archdeacon and the patriarch had trusting relationship. He even recommended to His Holiness two candidates for bishops, his classmates, the future Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Vladimir and Metropolitan Philaret Denisenko (the current schismatic, self-proclaimed Patriarch of Ukraine). The archdeacon worried a lot about the latter after his departure into schism.
Mature age
The Patriarchal Archdeacon continued his service under Patriarch Kirill. Last years During his life, due to poor health, he rarely served at patriarchal services.
Church awards:
- Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, first degree;
- Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, first degree;
- Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy, second degree;
- Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, third degree;
- Order of the Saint St. Seraphim Sarovsky third degree.
The Archdeacon, serving with His Holiness Patriarchs Alexy and Kirill, traveled all over the world, remaining in the memory of thousands of Orthodox Christians with his magnificent voice and his spiritual warmth and kindness. His life was not easy, two of his three children (two boys and a girl) died, but at the same time he managed to fully preserve these rare human qualities these days.
Video
The video shows the call performed by the archdeacon.
The video shows the awarding of the Patriarchal Archdeacon.
Conversation with Archdeacon Andrei Mazur
December 8 is the birthday of Archdeacon Andrei Mazur: he turns 89 years old. For almost 70 years now he has been serving the Church, which began in the Pochaev Lavra as a novice and singer in the Lavra choir, continued as a protodeacon in the Perm Cathedral, and in 1957–1990 in Leningrad: in the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and the Leningrad Cathedral . While serving in the Lavra, Father Andrei also served as director of the everyday choir; later he sang in the clergy choir under the direction of Protodeacon Pavel Gerasimov. Since 1990, Father Andrei has been the Patriarchal Archdeacon.
Archdeacon Andrei's bright and beautiful bass voice and his inspiration gave a special solemnity to the services in which he participated. His life is an example of devoted service to the Church with his God-given talent and following his calling.
Portal “Orthodoxy.Ru", its editors and readers cordially congratulate Archdeacon Andrei Mazur on his birthday and wish him health and strength. Many years!
Archdeacon Andrey Mazur
On the eve of Archdeacon Andrei’s birthday, we talked with him on the phone about what is most often talked about and what is most desired on the holiday: happiness, love, faith.
– Father Andrey, in one of your interviews, when asked whether you consider yourself a happy person, you answered: “Of course, yes.” What is happiness, and how should you live to feel happy?
– Happiness in my life is serving God. To stand at the Throne for 68 years with many bishops and patriarchs. For me, happiness is communion with God. And, of course, family. Not everything was good and smooth in life. My two sons died. One had a malignant tumor; the other was very upset while standing over his brother’s grave, and did not live long after his death - he died suddenly. The rest is fine. And although I am not serving now, there is still no reason to complain. I don’t serve with the patriarch because my legs hurt a lot. My son-in-law, a priest, built the temple. I go there for every service. For my 88 years old, it’s a blessing to still go to church myself.
I already have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, so, thank God, everything is great.
Patriarchal service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the day of memory of St. Philaret. December 2, 2011
– You started talking about family. You and your wife have been together for 65 years...
– More: 68 years. (Laughs.)
– Please give advice to young people, young priests, on how to live in such a way that relationships in the family are good throughout their lives.
– The most important thing is love. I got married in a very hard time in Western Ukraine. While serving in the army, I defended my Motherland, then I was in the Lavra, then in the seminary.
I went to my native village to get married. The daughter of a local priest wanted to marry me, but her parents did not let her: she had to go with me to the Urals. Only one agreed - she voluntarily went so far. Thank God, we’ve been living together for 68 years – we had a silver wedding, a gold wedding, and a diamond wedding. (Laughs.)
After his marriage he was ordained. My dream has come true. Since childhood, I dreamed of serving God. He gave me both a voice and excellent health. Worship is the most great happiness. He traveled and saw the whole world, starting with Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), then under Patriarchs Alexy II and Kirill. Traveled abroad 71 times Soviet time! I had to defend Orthodoxy. The voice attracted people not only Orthodox, but also non-Orthodox - that’s happiness.
– Father Andrey, you said that the main thing in a family is love. What is love? How does it manifest itself?
– Love is peace, prosperity, service to the Church. I loved all this since childhood. I can't add anything more.
– What rules do you follow when raising your children, now grandchildren and great-grandchildren? What is most important for parents?
– My parents taught me the rules – through their example and attitude towards life and each other. I was born into a simple family in Western Ukraine - then it was part of Poland. We didn’t have any persecution of faith there; Soviet power came later - in 1939. I tried everything I could to help my family. What else can I say? As Ukrainians say:
Today in the family, there is peace and silence,
Blessed are the people there, blessed is the side.
God blesses them, grants them goodness
And lives with them forever and gives them happiness.
In Russian:
Where there is harmony in the family, there is peace and silence,
Blessed are the people there, blessed is the side,
God blesses them, sends good things to them
And he lives with them forever and gives them happiness.
Thank God, I don’t complain about life and endure my illnesses and sorrows with love. I love the service. Standing at the throne is the greatest love of my life, and then family.
Patriarchal service at Sretensky Monastery
They built a temple nearby, but only a few people go there. I help get people into church
– You have observed the revival of church life in our country, you have extensive experience in serving Soviet Russia. Over the past 25 years, many churches have opened, new ones are being built, and monastic life has resumed. Everything seems to be outwardly fine. But... So what else is needed for us all to be Orthodox?
– We need to explain to people. In the nine-story building where I live, almost no one goes to church. I am very upset, these people need help. They built a temple nearby, but only a few people go there. My goal is to help get people into church as much as I can.
– Why don’t people go to church, Father Andrey?
- That's how they were brought up. I live in a new area, and all the “naughty” people from the center, from Nevsky, moved here. I think they don’t go to church because that’s how they were raised. In my old age, I have to persuade them, help them, so that they believe in God. This is my task.
– Father, we are now going through a difficult period in relations between Russia and Ukraine. What do you think, what do we think? ordinary people, Russians and Ukrainians, should they behave in this situation? What should we prioritize?
– I am Ukrainian, but I have lived all my life in Russia. I don't know what can be done to make everything go well. This is the most painful question. I studied at the seminary with Filaret (Denisenko). While at the academy, we were on friendly terms with him. He was an excellent bishop, an excellent metropolitan. I did so much! And then what happened?.. When I arrived with Patriarch Alexy II in Kyiv, he, Denisenko, closed the passage to St. Vladimir Cathedral. There were people lying there. But the Patriarch has arrived! I was so upset, this is my Ukraine... True, I was born in Western Ukraine. Although the Orthodox are severely oppressed there too. I'm really rooting for Ukraine. I don’t know how this will all end, it’s very difficult.
– Father, do I understand correctly that the main thing is that there is order in the Church?
The Ukrainian Church is in a very difficult situation. We need to pray to God that everything will be fine
- Yes, sure. I am very worried. The [Ukrainian] authorities are trying to destroy churches and, if necessary, close them. In Russia - in St. Petersburg, in Moscow - thank God, everything is fine now. In Kyiv, it’s scary what will happen. The Patriarch cannot go. The Ukrainian Church is in a very difficult situation. We must pray to God that everything will be fine.
– Father Andrey, how should young shepherds approach their ministry? What should they never forget?
Archdeacon Andrey Mazur
– There are many young pastors in St. Petersburg, there are many new churches. They graduated from the academy. Unfortunately, the service is not treated well. Everyone has bought Mercedes, but they do nothing in the church. Old temples are often in disrepair. It was like this in Soviet times, after perestroika it became better, but now it will be the same as under the USSR. If I take a service, I come to the temple, everyone comes out for the polyeleos, after the polyeleos everyone gets into their cars and leaves. Of course, everything depends on the abbot. My son-in-law is a priest, I tell him, he is silent. He was born into an unbelieving family. I took him to the seminary... I love solemn services, like in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, like in St. Nicholas Cathedral. There is still order there. Not always in simple churches. There is no deanery, and therefore few people go.
– Father Andrey, give advice to us young people on how to live in the Church.
All children must be believers
– For those who are in office, to serve God, this is the main thing! Family too. It is necessary that everything is fine in the family, that all children are believers. Thank God, I have already said that I have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. I'm glad that everything is fine in my family. As long as I'm alive, everything is fine. I'm happy with everything. I'm happy.
December 8 is the birthday of Archdeacon Andrei Mazur: he turns 89 years old. For almost 70 years now he has been serving the Church, which began in the Pochaev Lavra as a novice and singer in the Lavra choir, continued as a protodeacon in the Perm Cathedral, and in 1957-1990 - in Leningrad: in the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and the Leningrad Cathedral . While serving in the Lavra, Father Andrei also served as director of the everyday choir; later he sang in the clergy choir under the direction of Protodeacon Pavel Gerasimov. Since 1990, Father Andrei has been the Patriarchal Archdeacon.
Archdeacon Andrei's bright and beautiful bass voice and his inspiration gave a special solemnity to the services in which he participated. His life is an example of devoted service to the Church with his God-given talent and following his calling.
Thank God, I don’t complain about life and endure my illnesses and sorrows with love. I love the service. Standing at the throne is the greatest love of my life, and then family.
They built a temple nearby, but only a few people go there. I help get people into church
You have observed the revival of church life in our country, you have extensive experience of serving in Soviet Russia. Over the past 25 years, many churches have opened, new ones are being built, and monastic life has resumed. Everything seems to be outwardly fine. But... So what else is needed for us all to be Orthodox?
We need to explain it to people. In the nine-story building where I live, almost no one goes to church. I am very upset, these people need help. They built a temple nearby, but only a few people go there. My goal is to help people get into church as much as I can.
- Why don’t people go to church, Father Andrey?
That's how we were brought up. I live in a new area, and all the “naughty” people from the center, from Nevsky, moved here. I think they don’t go to church because that’s how they were raised. In my old age, I have to persuade them, help them, so that they believe in God. This is my task.
Father, we are now going through a difficult period in relations between Russia and Ukraine. How do you think, how should we, ordinary people, Russians and Ukrainians, behave in this situation? What should we prioritize?
I am Ukrainian, but I have lived all my life in Russia. I don't know what can be done to make everything go well. This is the most painful question. I studied at the seminary with Filaret (Denisenko). While at the academy, we were on friendly terms with him. He was an excellent bishop, an excellent metropolitan. I did so much! And then what happened?.. When I arrived with Patriarch Alexy II in Kyiv, he, Denisenko, closed the passage to St. Vladimir Cathedral. There were people lying there. But the Patriarch has arrived! I was so upset, this is my Ukraine... True, I was born in Western Ukraine. Although the Orthodox are severely oppressed there too. I'm really rooting for Ukraine. I don’t know how this will all end, it’s very difficult.
- Father, do I understand correctly that the main thing is that there is order in the Church?
The Ukrainian Church is in a very difficult situation. We need to pray to God that everything will be fine
Yes, sure. I am very worried. The [Ukrainian] authorities are trying to destroy churches and, if necessary, close them. In Russia - in St. Petersburg, in Moscow - thank God, everything is fine now. In Kyiv, it’s scary what will happen. The Patriarch cannot go. The Ukrainian Church is in a very difficult situation. We must pray to God that everything will be fine.
Father Andrey, how should young shepherds approach their ministry? What should they never forget?
There are many young pastors in St. Petersburg, and there are many new churches. They graduated from the academy. Unfortunately, the service is not treated well. Everyone has bought Mercedes, but they do nothing in the church. Old temples are often in disrepair. It was like this in Soviet times, after perestroika it became better, but now it will be the same as under the USSR. If I take a service, I come to the temple, everyone comes out for the polyeleos, after the polyeleos everyone gets into their cars and leaves. Of course, everything depends on the abbot. My son-in-law is a priest, I tell him, he is silent. He was born into an unbelieving family. I took him to the seminary...
I love solemn services, like in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, like in St. Nicholas Cathedral. There is still order there. In simple churches - not always. There is no deanery, and therefore few people go.
- Father Andrey, give advice to us young people on how to live in the Church.
All children must be believers
For those who are in office, serving God is the main thing! Family too. It is necessary that everything is fine in the family, that all children are believers. Thank God, I have already said that I have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. I'm glad that everything is fine in my family. As long as I'm alive, everything is fine. I'm happy with everything. I'm happy.
Our short but extraordinary conversation with Father Andrei has ended. I thanked him heartily, and just before hanging up, the priest firmly said several times: “Pray, pray, pray.”
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARCHIDEACON
Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate, No. 1, 1996
On December 7, 1996, a remarkable man, Archdeacon Andrei Mazur, celebrated his seventieth birthday. His whole life is connected with the Church, which Father Andrei has faithfully served for almost half a century.
On the day of his anniversary he participated in Divine Liturgy carried out His Holiness Patriarch Alexy in the Church of the Great Martyr Catherine at the metochion of the Orthodox Church of America in Moscow. At the end of the service, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church awarded Archdeacon Andrei Mazur the Order of Prince Vladimir, II degree.
We offer our readers a conversation between our correspondent and Father Andrey.
I was born in Ukraine, in Volyn, near the great shrine - the Pochaev Dormition Lavra. At that time Western Ukraine was part of Poland. My father was an elder in the church, he was a very believer, and so was my mother, although she died early, when I was four years old. At that time, a wonderful protodeacon, Father Stratonic, served in the Pochaev Lavra, a strong bass voice, although his diction was poor, but he buzzed like a bell. I studied at a Polish school, where they taught the Law of God. The teacher, Father Alexy Maslovsky, God rest upon him, loved me and was very demanding. At school we learned troparia, kontakia, and prayers in Church Slavonic. They asked us very strictly, although the training itself was conducted in Polish, so I understand Polish. Everyone went to church, during the first week of Great Lent the whole school went, stood in the church throughout the service, took communion, and also on Holy Week
. At school we were all believers, there were no non-believers. So I studied for only five years, because in 1940 Western Ukraine became part of the USSR, Soviet power came. I worked on the farm, my father was a peasant, we had 8 hectares of land (forest and hayfield). I mowed, plowed, and was a shepherd. As a child, I sang in the church choir; after work in the fields we always sang. My childhood went very well, although the government changed, but nothing - everything was fine. Then for two years I studied at Soviet power
. And when I turned 18, I was drafted into the army, then there was already a war, it was 1943.
-Did you go to the front? - Yes, but first for a long time
was in stock. For some reason, we were kept in dugouts for several months and fed very poorly. In the end, at the beginning of 1945, they took us to Berlin, but as soon as we arrived, the war ended a week later.
- What troops were you in?
- In the artillery. I am a mortarman, I was a squad commander.
- With a voice like that?
- When did you realize that you had such a wonderful voice?
- After the war, I got sick from poor nutrition, and I was released from the army early. I came home and stayed at home for a while. At that time, things were uneasy in Western Ukraine, and I, as a former Soviet soldier, was invited to work in the police. But even earlier I dreamed of the Pochaev Lavra. I went to the monastery and became a novice. The regent auditioned me and assigned me to the Lavra choir. It turned out that I had a bass, I even sang in an octave.
- What kind of obedience did you have?
- I was the head of the bakery, prosphora and refectory church. There were 2000 brethren in the Pochaev Lavra - after all, then the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was closed and all the monks were transferred to us. And I also sang in the choir.
- Did you have any desire to stay in the Lavra?
- I didn’t even think about it at that time. He stayed there for two years, and then entered the Moscow Theological Seminary (then the Theological Institute).
At that time she was in the Novodevichy Convent. It was 1948. I sang in the choir. I studied well. Two years later, my friend invited me to his place in Perm. At that time Archbishop John (Lavrenenko) was there. Once upon a time he was a rector near the Pochaev Lavra, in Kremenets. We came to see him.
Of course, before that there was a service, they gave me the Apostle to read. I see that Vladyka has a cheerful face, then at the reception he says: “Andrey, come to us as a protodeacon.” I say: “Vladyka, I’m not married yet, I need to study.” - "Nothing". They gave me money, I went to my place in Ukraine, got married, and a month later I arrived and on September 17, 1950, was ordained a deacon. And now I have been serving for 46 years.
In 1957, Bishop Alexy (Konoplev), later Metropolitan of Tver, who was then appointed to St. Petersburg to restore the Trinity Cathedral in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, invited me to go with him: “Father Andrey, go to St. Petersburg, there is no one to serve.” That's how I ended up in St. Petersburg.
- I serve with the Patriarch, although I live in St. Petersburg. There is a family there: three children, six grandchildren - three grandchildren and three granddaughters. I probably couldn't live without my grandchildren.
- Not hard?
- Nothing, what should I do? We must serve - obedience is higher than fasting and prayer.
The deacon's ministry is very important - after all, just as the deacon prays, so does the entire church. He must pronounce all exclamations not just loudly and melodiously, but also prayerfully, then he helps everyone who comes to the temple to pray. I always serve without a missal. I know everything by heart, I remember everything.
- You have been to many countries, and probably everyone is surprised: where does such a voice come from? -Where does the voice come from? Mother of God
helps me. I said at the beginning that as a child I listened to Protodeacon Stratonicus at the Pochaev Lavra and I really liked it. I dreamed of being, albeit not like him, but still an archdeacon. Thank God my dream came true. Under His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, I visited many countries, and I was in Jerusalem 3 times.- Seventy years is still a considerable age, most?
life you serve in the Church with full dedication, with love. You
happy man
- Very! Very happy. As Boris Godunov sings in the opera, “I have reached the highest power” - the deacon.
- Do you sing any arias?
- I sing: Susanin’s aria, and Pimen’s monologue, and a lot of things.
- Did you specifically study vocals?
- A little bit. When I entered the seminary, I sang in the choir of the Assumption Church of the Novodevichy Convent, there a woman from the theater invited me to the conservatory, to see Professor Kazakov. He listened to me and said: “We’ll take you to the conservatory.”
I didn’t tell him anything, I went to lectures, then they called me and asked: “Are you studying at the seminary?” - "Yes". - “You can’t do that: either there or here.”
I chose seminary. I always dreamed of being a protodeacon, not even a protodeacon, but a deacon, but now I became an archdeacon. There is such a title for a protodeacon who serves with His Holiness the Patriarch. Saint Tikhon also gave such a title to Konstantin Rozov, after him there was Antonenko, Prokimnov, Stefan Gavshev and I, a sinner.
- Are you continuing their glorious traditions?
- No Unfortunately. I have two sons, but when they were growing up, it was a difficult time; at school they scolded them for being “children of the priest” and forced them to join the Komsomol. They didn't join. One graduated from a trade institute, the other from an art school. There is also a beloved daughter, Larisa, now she is a mother.
I married my classmate, now he is a priest and serves not far from our house, in the Temple of the Prophet Elijah. Very good father, I am very pleased with him. People love him, he is modest and quiet. I have beloved grandchildren, my daughter’s children, three boys: Sasha, Andrey, who was born on my birthday, and Sima, my beloved boy, he is four and a half years old. All hope is now on them. There are girls too, one is 21 years old, another is 16, and the third is still small - in the 2nd grade. This is my whole destiny.
- When you are in the service, everyone knows that the service will be at the highest level.
- That's how it should be. The patriarchal service must be beautiful, solemn, so that the deacons are good, so that the subdeacons sing.
- Father Andrey, I would like to cordially congratulate you on your seventieth birthday and wish that you will decorate divine services for many, many years to come, that you will be the first among the deacon rank and that your voice will always sound as prayerful and beautiful.
- Thank you. Trying. And I will sing to my God, “Till then I am.”
Born in 1926 in the village of New Kokorev in Western Ukraine (until 1939 - part of Poland), located near the Pochaev Lavra. Father, Lazar Prokopievich, is the church warden of the village temple. Mother, Agafya Filippovna, died in 1930.
He studied for about five years at a Polish school (where, among other subjects, he studied the Law of God), then, after the annexation of Western Ukraine in 1939, at a school with Russian language of instruction. He worked on the farm of his father, who had 8 hectares of land: he mowed, plowed, and was a shepherd.
Since childhood, he went to the church where his father worked, sang in the church choir, and also attended services in the Pochaev Lavra.
After the liberation of Belarus from German occupation in 1943, he was drafted into the Red Army. He served in a reserve regiment stationed on the territory of the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In the army he was a company singer. At the beginning of 1945 he was sent to the front. As a commander of a mortar squad, he took part in military operations near Berlin.
Protodeaconry
He sang in the Lavra choir for two years, at the same time he was the head of the bakery and the refectory church.
In 1948, he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, then called the Theological Institute (at that time the seminary was located in the Novodevichy Convent). He studied for some time at the Moscow Conservatory, but then was forced to leave lectures due to his studies at the seminary.
After his marriage and acceptance of the diaconate on September 17, 1950, he served for six years as protodeacon of the Perm Cathedral (bishop's deacon of Archbishop John (Lavrinenko), and later moved to Leningrad.
From 1957 to 1968 he served as protodeacon in the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Leningrad (as a bishop's deacon under Bishop Alexy (Konoplev) and at the same time as regent of the everyday choir).
In 1968, Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod was transferred as a protodeacon to the Leningrad Cathedral. Until 1990, he participated in divine services under Metropolitans Eleutherius, Pitirim, Guria, Nikodim, Anthony, and Alexy. At the same time, he sang in the clergy choir under the direction of Protodeacon Pavel Gerasimov.
Archdeaconry
In 1990, Patriarch Alexy II elevated him to the rank of archdeacon. He served with the Patriarch until his death in 2008. Performing services with Alexy II and accompanying him during all archpastoral trips, Mazur visited many countries, including three times to Jerusalem.
Remains an archdeacon under Patriarch Kirill.
Has three children.
Awards
Recipient of many state and church awards, including:
- Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, 1st degree (December 2, 2011) - “in recognition of the unique contribution to the liturgical life of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the entire Russian Orthodox Church and in connection with the 85th anniversary of his birth”
- Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy, II Art. (December 8, 2006)
- Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, III degree (December 7, 1996)
- Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, III degree (September 17, 2005)
- Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class (1985)
- Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" (1945)
- Medal "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" (1945)
Loading...