Priest Alexei Uminsky: biography, family, children, photo

The special role of priesthood today is not only in service at the Liturgy, but also in the fact that they are the tutors of people who have embarked on the narrow path of faith. Alexei Uminsky, which will be discussed in the article, is an image of a priest who is open for communication. At the same time, he is perfectly aware of all the measure of responsibility that is assigned to him by the Lord himself.

Alexei Uminsky: biography and family

Born in the family of an ordinary Soviet engineer and teacher, people far from religion, but at the same time possessing such moral depth that allowed him to find the right landmarks in life in the future. And like any Soviet person, he tried on all the statuses that were at that time: a schoolboy, a pioneer, a Komsomol member. The latter fell in love, and for a while Alexei Uminsky successfully advanced along this line, becoming chairman of the Komsomol staff, and even was awarded with awards.

Mom, who taught French, instilled in her son the love for him, and therefore the choice of profession seemed obvious: Alexei Uminsky entered the Pedagogical Institute named after Nadezhda Krupskaya and successfully graduated from the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology.

Studying at the university was a turning point in the life of the future priest - here he met believers, began to read the Gospel and embarked on the path of faith. Baptism took in 1980 and by the end of the university was strengthened in Christianity.

Father Alexy was ordained in 1990, and the first place of his ministry was deaconess in the cemetery church of the city of Klin in the Moscow region. Later he became the rector of one of the Kashira temples - the Assumption Cathedral, in which he served for three years.

Then he was transferred to Moscow. Here, except for the service in the church of St. Prince Vladimir, Father Alexei became the director of the Orthodox Gymnasium, where he worked for six years. Today he remains faithful to her, being a confessor. Since 1994, Alexei Uminsky also performs his duties as a clergyman in another church - the Holy Trinity, which is located in the tract, today called Khokhlov (Khokhlovka).

The personal life of a priest

About this side of the life of Father Alexei is known very little. He lives with his family in the usual nine-story building, like most modern townspeople. Mother works as a doctor and also serves people, as Alexey Uminsky (priest) says. His children are already old enough: the oldest son lives independently, and the youngest is a student. He studies at the Faculty of History and while divides his shelter with his father and mother.

Another son of Alexei Uminsky, Demian, died tragically at a young age. Very little is known about this either. Demian was a very talented young man, he loved the church and everything connected with it. Boy since childhood dreamed of being a priest. Apparently, therefore, his record included singing in the choir, and the altar service, and even the bell ringing. Everything, for which Deme took, he always did creatively, with a soul.

The Way of Priesthood

Alexei Uminsky came to him in an amazing way. Once, at the age of 18, when I was in the service at the Pskov-Caves Monastery, I heard the sermon of John Krestiankin. It should be noted that Father John was always very sensitive to this duty and was preparing very diligently. The words that sounded at the sermon suddenly revealed the purpose of his life to the young man. She, according to Alexei Uminsky himself, sounded so clearly in the head and heart that there was no doubt - he should be a priest. Surprisingly, his spiritual father reacted to the recognition of his father's future father, saying that he had long expected this decision from him.

The ascent to this difficult path began not easy, since Alexei Uminsky at that time had neither the appropriate education nor experience. However, there was a great desire and blessing.

The first years of service to God

Memories of this time for Father Alexis cause different emotions. Service for those times began far from Moscow in the town of Kashira, where a newly ordained priest was sent with his young wife and a small child. The situation in the town was simply terrifying. People beat and killed each other, and this became a norm for some, and the young priest's wife was simply scared to live.

But at the same time, Father Alexey recalls this period of his life with gratitude. After all, it was these three years of service that became a difficult test for him. Recalling himself in those years, the priest is grateful to the Kashir parishioners who taught him the main quality - love of people. The first, from which the interaction of the pastor and parishioners begins, is understanding and sympathy, and everything else comes later.

Sermons

In them, the priest addresses the most burning issues of our time. It should be noted that he does not particularly regret the interlocutors. Especially severe to those who wait for the church only gifts: health, happiness and all the best in this life. Such strict and at the same time loving priest appears Alexei Uminsky, a priest.

The testimonies about him are demonstrated by the fact that he takes a rather active social position: he preaches and lectures for various publics, answers the most difficult and sometimes provocative questions.

One of the topics discussed is the situation in Ukraine. And the church is expected to take one side. But this is impossible, because on both sides of her children. Therefore, the Orthodox of both countries, who have taken an irreconcilable position, pray and ask the Lord for peace.

Writer's activities

His reflections on the search for the path to God, spiritual life, Divine Liturgy and many other questions Alexei Uminsky raises in his books. Here he opens the reader to the features of the Divine Liturgy, placing emphasis on such an important sacrament of the Eucharist for every Orthodox believer. He regards the Liturgy as a preparation for the sacrament, revealing the moments of worship that are not always clear to ordinary parishioners.

"Fundamentals of spiritual life" - a book, the author of which is also Alexei Uminsky. The priest reveals to the reader the most important moments of the Christian life: the concept of freedom and conscience, which is the prayer and fear of God, why the memory of death is needed and the struggle with its passions.

In addition to books, Alexei Uminsky is also the author of many pedagogical articles - his experience of working in the gymnasium became useful here. Also, the priest is a member of the editorial board of Orthodox journals and websites.

Television projects

Here, Father Alexei realizes himself in a somewhat different role. Telecasts with the participation of the priest are many - he takes part in discussions, lectures, etc. However, as a facilitator, he was involved in three projects. At first it was a program called "The Affairs of Life". Later, a TV series appeared on the television screens, telling about the life of the saints - "Close Gate".

At present, Father Alexei is conducting another Orthodox television project called the Orthodox Encyclopedia. The program introduces viewers to the basics of Orthodox life. In the programs known cultural figures, historians, writers and representatives of the clergy discuss topics related to Christianity. Each telecast contains events of the Patriarchal Ministry, news about the news and events of the Orthodox life.

The topics that are raised in the programs are always relevant and allow viewers to find answers to many questions that concern them.

Who is a modern priest?

Asked by this question, Alexei Uminsky also puts others: is he able to answer the most acute questions of our life, is he ready to meet with doubting people?

Answering journalists' questions about work in the church, the priest conducts a distinctive line between what is work and what is service. Alexei Uminsky says that the priesthood is not a job. Service to the Lord and the church is constantly and to him a special relationship. Here is journalism, teaching is work, and the rest is service. And so it is given by the Lord himself.

Alexei Uminsky, whose biography is full of various events, from an active Komsomol youth to a pastoral ministry, is that uneasy and contradictory path crowned with the grace of God. He points the priest to the direction and gives strength to sanctify the path to other people who are looking for their way to the Lord in the terrible darkness and hectic life of the world.