Even though I had translated various writings of Righteous Alexei Mechev for a private project commissioned by someone who can now no longer use it due to a recent accident and hospitalization, because he was unable to pay for the project he gave me the idea to offer them instead to my readers. Since I put them up for sale last week, there has been more interest than I anticipated, and since I would like to sell all the copies (about 500), I wanted to expand the awareness of this booklet a bit and offer more information. It is also a great time to order this booklet, as it will be excellent reading for Great Lent and would make for a wonderful gift as well. Shipments will begin first week of March. This is not a formal publication, which may happen in the future.
Brief Life
Righteous Alexei Mechev was a famous Archpriest of Moscow in the early 20th century. From March 19, 1893 he was a priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Klenniki, where he served for the rest of his life. It was one of the smallest churches in Moscow, in which there were very few parishioners. Despite this, he introduced daily services in the church, and for eight years he did these services almost in solitude. However, gradually Father Alexei gained fame as a good shepherd, more and more parishioners came to the temple, and over time one of the most famous Orthodox communities in Moscow was formed. According to the memoirs of believers, his sermons were simple, sincere, touched the heart with the depth of faith, truthfulness and understanding of life.
In the lower floor of the temple he opened a parochial school, and arranged a shelter for orphans and the poor. For 13 years he taught the Law of God in the women's gymnasium E. V. Winkler (he was known as a good mentor, who sought to make his students become believers, and not to receive just formal knowledge). He contributed to the revival of ancient Russian icon painting, and was close to the Optina elders. After the death of his wife and meeting with Saint John of Kronstadt, he himself gained fame as a Starets (although he did not accept monasticism, remaining a parish priest in the rank of Archpriest). He was a humble man, who often talked with parishioners on the topics about the lives of the saints. One of those who were spiritually healed and brought back to creativity was the artist Robert Falk.
In Soviet times, he was twice summoned to an “interview” at the OGPU (at the end of 1922 and March 30, 1923), and he was forbidden to accept believers. He was not subjected to repression due to a serious illness. In May 1923 he went to rest in Veria, where he died.
In August 2000, Righteous Alexei was canonized along with his fourth child by the Russian Orthodox Church. His son Hieromartyr Sergey Mechev was his successor priest at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Klenniki, and was shot to death on January 6, 1942 then buried in an unknown common grave by the NKVD after being accused of undermining the Soviet authorities.
About the Booklet
I titled the booklet "A Brief Rule for a Pious Life" and Other Writings of Righteous Alexei Mechev. It includes the following brief texts never fully translated before in English:
- "A Brief Rule for a Pious Life"
- "Confession of the Inner Man Leading to Humility"
- "Excerpts from General Instructions"
- "Advice for a Christian Girl"
- "Advice for the Elderly"
Brief Life
Righteous Alexei Mechev was a famous Archpriest of Moscow in the early 20th century. From March 19, 1893 he was a priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Klenniki, where he served for the rest of his life. It was one of the smallest churches in Moscow, in which there were very few parishioners. Despite this, he introduced daily services in the church, and for eight years he did these services almost in solitude. However, gradually Father Alexei gained fame as a good shepherd, more and more parishioners came to the temple, and over time one of the most famous Orthodox communities in Moscow was formed. According to the memoirs of believers, his sermons were simple, sincere, touched the heart with the depth of faith, truthfulness and understanding of life.
In the lower floor of the temple he opened a parochial school, and arranged a shelter for orphans and the poor. For 13 years he taught the Law of God in the women's gymnasium E. V. Winkler (he was known as a good mentor, who sought to make his students become believers, and not to receive just formal knowledge). He contributed to the revival of ancient Russian icon painting, and was close to the Optina elders. After the death of his wife and meeting with Saint John of Kronstadt, he himself gained fame as a Starets (although he did not accept monasticism, remaining a parish priest in the rank of Archpriest). He was a humble man, who often talked with parishioners on the topics about the lives of the saints. One of those who were spiritually healed and brought back to creativity was the artist Robert Falk.
In Soviet times, he was twice summoned to an “interview” at the OGPU (at the end of 1922 and March 30, 1923), and he was forbidden to accept believers. He was not subjected to repression due to a serious illness. In May 1923 he went to rest in Veria, where he died.
In August 2000, Righteous Alexei was canonized along with his fourth child by the Russian Orthodox Church. His son Hieromartyr Sergey Mechev was his successor priest at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Klenniki, and was shot to death on January 6, 1942 then buried in an unknown common grave by the NKVD after being accused of undermining the Soviet authorities.
About the Booklet
I titled the booklet "A Brief Rule for a Pious Life" and Other Writings of Righteous Alexei Mechev. It includes the following brief texts never fully translated before in English:
- "A Brief Rule for a Pious Life"
- "Confession of the Inner Man Leading to Humility"
- "Excerpts from General Instructions"
- "Advice for a Christian Girl"
- "Advice for the Elderly"
How To Order
Each copy is only $11.95 and will cover shipping and handling in the United States. You can order one copy at a time by clicking on the Paypal or Venmo link at the top of this website. If you are ordering more than one copy or ordering from anywhere outside the United States, please add an additional $5.00 for shipping and use the DONATE button below.
