Today, Hieromonk Photius is the first clergyman to become widely popular “in the world.” Glory came to Hieromonk Photius after his victory in famous project"Voice". To some extent, the clergyman became a pioneer, because the participation of the clergy in commercial musical projects seemed unthinkable to most listeners. Father Photius proved that love for God and devotion to music - quite compatible things. The monk’s songs carry beauty, peace and special warmth, and he himself serves good example for the public.

Biography of Hieromonk Photius

Father's childhood

The following facts are truly known about the life of Hieromonk Photius in childhood:

• After completing 9 years of schooling, Vitaly decided to continue his education at a music school.
• Studying in Russia did not last long, only one year. After that the parents young man decided to move. The choice fell on Kaiserslautern city in Germany. There Vitaly learned to play the organ.
• During these years, the guy began to earn money for the first time by participating in organ concerts, and also did not forget about church services.
• In the city where Vitaly lived with his family there was an Orthodox church, which he often visited and sang in the choir, sometimes working as a sexton.
• Photius never managed to get comfortable in a foreign country; he was always drawn to his homeland and in 2005, he returned to Russia.

Serving God, monasticism

Some time after returning to his native place, the young man visited the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra as a pilgrim.

He was in the monastery for only two weeks, but he was left with a lot of impressions. Memories from childhood returned, questions arose about my true purpose. However, at that moment, Vitaly understood that life in the monastery was very difficult and he was not yet ready for this.

Nevertheless, this time was very fruitful, he read the Gospel again, studied the lives of the saints and saw Orthodox Church in a new light.

Vitaly decided that he needed advice from another person. Schema-Archimandrite Blasius was known as a wise old man, and many religious people went to him for help. Blasius advised him to become a monk. So, Vitaly became the worshiper Photius, an inhabitant St. Pafnutev Borovsky Monastery.

The parents, of course, experienced serious distress when they learned about their son’s decision. Mother blessed Vitaly’s choice, realizing that this was not a blind dream. Although it was very difficult for her. The father tried to convince the young man, but it was impossible and he had no choice but to simply accept it.

Vitaly’s choice was absolutely conscious, following the call of his heart. It's no secret that some people go to a monastery to hide from problems and compensate for their unsettled situation. Few are capable leave worldly well-being, and devote himself to service from now on, living in a small modest cell.

Vitaly has always been very capable in music and a great future was predicted for him. Once in the monastery, he was prepared for the fact that, if necessary, he might have to give up his dream.

How many trials he had to endure as a novice! But he persevered through hard work.

In the monastery, Vitaly made a lot of efforts to make his voice sound better. After some time, he began to attend vocal classes with the honored teacher Viktor Tvardovsky. The hieromonk speaks of him with particular warmth. Then, due to lack of time, Photius practiced singing on his own, using the technique of the same Tvardovsky.

The teacher improved the vocal technique of Father Photius, his repertoire significantly expanded and enriched. The voice became well-trained and well-trained, capable of performing even complex opera roles.

With the consent of the archpriest, together with his brothers from the monastery, Father Photius participated in events, singing songs in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

Apparently, the Lord counted the young man’s talent necessary people, and all creative activity came as a matter of course, without any special ideas.

Hobbies of a priest

Father - very multifaceted and versatile person. He is not only a regent, but also designs a magazine for children and helps the theater Sunday school.

People around me never cease to wonder how such outward softness can hide such strong personality. Photius thinks a lot about others and does his best to help those who need support. It has a very purposeful character and definitely achieves what he wants.

Besides:

Project "Voice"

Hieromonk Photius on social networks

Participation in “The Voice” forced the musician to create accounts on social networks, for example: VK, Instagram, Twitter, and also has a YouTube channel. The pages are constantly updated and contain current information. True, it is not known whether Hieromonk Photius is personally involved in this. Music and creativity in contact can be published by his concert manager or fans of creativity.

On Periscope, the priest conducts broadcasts where he speaks on pressing topics, conducts video walks, talks about preparing the current dinner, or shows how he drives a car. Such activities benefit modern youth. After all, boys and girls associate the Church with something old-fashioned, and the life of a monk seems completely miserable and boring. Thanks to the priest’s activity on the Internet, young people became interested in religious topics.

Previously, people not associated with the church were even confused with the name of the rank of “hieromonk.” Some young people even added the prefix neuromon, probably confusing it with a popular group.

The monk’s subscribers note that Photius has a wonderful sense of humor and his videos are very pleasant to watch. They publish their discussions on forums, but the monk does not have a personal website.

– Father Photius, was the victory expected for you or did it just happen out of the blue?

– Of course, I understood that there was some kind of Providence of God in this. Everything turned out in such a way that the Lord was preparing a gift for me. I perceive my success as a test copper pipes which I must pass with dignity. Moreover, the project involved real professionals, powerful vocalists, whose talent I admire.

– Was winning important to you or was just participation enough?

– At first I had only one desire - to surprise. Parents, friends, spectators.

I was hoping to get into the second season of The Voice, but I wasn't blessed. And this time Channel One interceded for me with the church leadership. My friends supported my decision, and I told my parents only a week before the start. In Germany, where they have lived for a long time, they don’t show “The Voice” - they had to watch it via the Internet.

Everyone was delighted, especially my grandmother, who really wanted me to participate in the show. Mom called her friends (laughs), my music teachers. A few days ago, my piano teacher from the music school, the director, a friend called me - everyone congratulated me.

In the temple

– Did you graduate from music school?

– Yes, in piano class. And after the ninth grade of a regular school I went to School of Music, where I studied for only a year. Then I went to Germany with my parents and learned to play the organ there.

– When did you come to faith?

– I have been a believer since childhood. At the age of seven, he took his mother to be baptized, and at the same time my younger brother and I were baptized. At the age of 12, I ended up in an Orthodox camp from Sunday school, where I first began to sing in the choir. Then the seed of pure faith was sown in my heart.

– Who are your friends you mentioned?

– If I say “friends”, I mean those who are this moment is nearby. These are parishioners, workers of our monastery, as well as lay people: directors, musicians, journalists. We even have a theater at the Borovsky Monastery. Most of my friends are adults; I communicate less with peers.

Vitaly is 3 years old

– By the way, what are the professions of your parents and grandmother?

– Dad is a welder, works in Germany as a specialist. My mother is a housewife, and in addition, she is an elder and a singer in the choir of an Orthodox parish. My grandmother is a former engineer, now retired.

– What did you want to become as a child?

– At one time I really wanted to be a chemist, but my mother dissuaded me, convincing me to take up music seriously. Although I still don’t know if I’m a musician or a priest ( smiling). It is not clear what is more in me.

– Do you write music?

– I wrote before the monastery. I have several of my own compositions, they can be found on the Internet. Sometimes I write for church and children's choir Sunday school.

Photius takes photography seriously

– What else are you interested in?

– For example, photography. I'm interested. I read manuals on photography; there are many tutorials on the Internet. I shoot with a professional camera and post the best photos on Instagram.

– Which genre do you like best – portrait, everyday scenes, landscape?

– Everything that pleases the eye, from architecture to animals. I like to shoot in a reportage style - I am attracted to real emotions.

– Were you familiar with the work of your mentor in the show? Maybe they knew Grigory Leps personally?

– I didn’t know him personally, although I had heard about him as a musician. To be honest, I didn’t judge him, but I wasn’t a fan either. And now he has.

After the show, Photius became a fan of Leps

– Did you know that he is a deeply religious person?

– I found out during the project. I actually found a lot in it interesting qualities, which I didn’t even know existed. In some ways we are similar to him.

– Father Photius, how do you react to the fact that you are being recognized on the streets? Does it bring pleasure or is it still a hindrance?

“Everyone wanted to take a photo with me, they said: “You are so wonderful!” I admit, it makes me happy so far. I hope that later, when the first wave of euphoria subsides, they will perceive me calmly.

– You participated in the project, you use the Internet, you even have a studio in your cell. Doesn’t all this contradict the asceticism befitting church ministers?

– When the Lord gives something, I am glad, but I myself do not seek pleasure. My cell is modest - 20 square meters from the hallway, there is also a studio there. People gave me equipment, I assembled some myself. Little by little I learned to record and process professionally.

- You are watching TV?

– I was recently given a TV, but I won’t connect it to the antenna – it greatly distracts from my spiritual life. I'll keep it as a home theater.

– I use the Internet – it was impossible not to find out about the project.

With vocal teacher Viktor Vitalievich Tvardovsky

– If you have the opportunity to improve your living conditions, will you refuse?

– So far I’m happy with everything. I myself do not strive for luxury, but I accept everything that the Lord gives with gratitude.

– For serious vocal training, you need to maintain good physical shape. Are you doing something?

– Of course, this is necessary for a singer. I have a dumbbell and a gymnastic disc. I do exercises, physical exercises - push-ups, pull-ups.

– You still live in Kaluga. After the show “The Voice” you were given a car. Can you drive?

– I can, I got my license last year.

– Does driving give you pleasure?

– This is an incomparable feeling. The car is like a horse. You have your own horse and you are proud of it.

Interviewed by Marina Zeltser

The secret is that Fotiy Mochalov, whose Periscope often hits the top, became a participant in an absolutely mundane television project - music show"Voice". And - moreover - he won. This shocked the public quite a bit.

In general, the hieromonk is very talented person. He not only sings well and is the regent of the monastery choir, but also does layout work in a church publishing house, and has proven himself in computer design, video editing, photography, and Periscope broadcasts. Excellent command of foreign languages.

Father online: Fotij Mochalov

"Periscope" is an actively developing social network. And this modern priest simply could not ignore her. After all, “live” video broadcasts are a great way to communicate with fans and parishioners. The fact that the page is really popular is confirmed not only by requests like “Hieromonk Photius on Periscope, watch all episodes,” but also by the number of subscribers and hearts. The hieromonk already has about 8 thousand subscribers, which is more than many show business figures who do not disdain the ugliest and immoral PR. Often getting into the top of “Periscope”, Fotiy Molchanov, however, is always modest and restrained in the video. This behavior appeals to adequate viewers: all videos, including the last one, together have already collected almost 800 thousand hearts.

You can watch Father Photius’ “Periscope” both from a smartphone and on a computer (more detailed instructions read on our website). You can find a channel through the search in the application by entering the nickname - photy. Direct link for PC owners: www-periscope-tv/photy (you need to put dots instead of hyphens).

What is the hieromonk talking about?

The priest shows himself in broadcasts as a versatile person. After all, he is an artist. Therefore, he talks about his future concerts, performances, and shares his impressions of past ones. For example, about how emotions remained with him after his performance in Perm. On his channel you can also watch online videos from the bed with chatter on various questions, and quite serious broadcasts with answers from Father Photius to questions from people interested in religion.

Periscope pages of popular people almost always contain interesting content. They allow you to look at the life of stars from a different perspective. You can read about many such accounts on the website pro-periscope-ru.

February 24, 2016

We visited the monastery to visit the priest and found out how his life changed after the victory

We visited the monastery to visit the priest and found out how his life changed after the victory.

Photo: Mikhail FROLOV

Hieromonk Photius is only 30 years old. He is a monk of the St. Paphnutiev Borovsky Monastery, that is, he permanently lives in the monastery and obeys the local charter. This should not be confused with a recluse who has vowed not to leave his cell. But last year, after Father Photius won the fourth season of the show “The Voice,” the Internet burst out with “righteous anger”: since he’s a pop, then why did he go on stage? And if he came out, then why does he need a cassock? And in general this social show. We went to visit Father Photius.

St. Paphnutius Borovsky Monastery is located 120 kilometers from Moscow, on the outskirts of Borovsk ( Kaluga region) - on the banks of the Protva River. Father Photius meets us in the monastery editorial office, where he usually works himself. They even have their own publishing house: the creative priest helps with the design and layout of paper publications - the monastery newspaper “Vestnik”, the children’s magazine “Korablik”, books.

The hieromonk gets up, as is customary in the monastery, before dark, prays in his cell - he doesn’t allow anyone there, then attends the liturgy and meets guests here - in Lately after Father Photius’s victory on the “Voice” show, the number of pilgrims to him almost exceeds the number of tourists and believers. The hieromonk usually invites guests to the teahouse. The monks do not seem to pay attention to the hype around their brother - Photius gives interviews almost every day, and recently even Timur Kizyakov came to the monastery with the program “While everyone is at home.” But a tense or even unusual aura around Father Photius is still felt - even here, seemingly among his own people, he seems to be different. It turns out that it has always been this way.

Father Photius devotes himself to the service most time, but there are a couple of hours left to communicate with friends and fans. Photo: Mikhail FROLOV

“Compliments and flattering reviews are an inoculation”

- Father Photius, two months ago you... Has your life changed after this? At least partially.

— In a global sense, of course not. There is less time left for rest. I began to devote more time to the fans that appeared. I communicate a lot with the press. There are concerts and meetings with people. It's physically tiring. Otherwise everything is the same.

— That is, flattering reviews, gifts, compliments and other temptations do not undermine spiritual work on oneself?

- Let's just say this is exercise for me. There is no need to be afraid of it or cut it off. Otherwise, spiritual immunity will never develop. It's like a flu shot. Every eloquent review flatters me, but I am aware that this is not my merit. And God's will. As a monk, I have almost learned to take praise and criticism evenly. Of course, I can be offended by a comment on the Internet. But I deliberately leave such opinions - angry, sober, often objective. They dilute the molasses that is poured on me in the responses.

- It was a little embarrassing. But I tried not to give anyone the opportunity to confuse me. I just did my job, that's all. Like eating a reed shaken by the wind. Either it touches the ground, then it rises up. If I were to dissipate my attention to the negative, to submit to influence, I would destroy my individuality. I would cease to be a person. But I didn’t want that.

— made complaints to you personally?

“He spoke to me quite gently. On the one hand, he respected me as a clergyman, because he himself is a believer. And he said that he had friends among the clergy - Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov, for example. But, on the other hand, he viewed me as a singer from the height of experience and age. Of course, he talked about shortcomings. But he didn’t insult me ​​or force me to leave the project or change my mind about participating in “The Voice.” This did not happen.

For some it may sound blasphemous, but it was the show “The Voice” that made the priest famous throughout the country. Photo: Ruslan ROSCHUPKIN

“Sometimes I find out that people speak unflatteringly about me behind my back.”

— The Patriarch was one of the first to congratulate you on your victory in “The Voice.” There was no personal conversation after that?

— We didn’t communicate personally. But such a meeting could happen soon.

— The Internet is filled with criticism of you. They call you both a “hierophistic singer” and a “pop artist.” How do the brethren react to your secular popularity? Is there really not a single sidelong glance?

- Anything can happen. So far this is not on a large scale, thank God. Among my acquaintances, brethren and clergy there are people who do not agree with what I am doing. There were even bishops who told me about this during the service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (January 25, Tatiana’s day, after the liturgy, he sang for students in the main church of the country. - Author). But they are one percent of total number of people. Some, on the contrary, want to take a photo with me. There was one priest who honestly said to his face: “I do not protect you and do not support what you are doing.” Perhaps this was an exception. In other cases, I find out from friends that they speak unflatteringly about me. What can you do... this was to be expected. I think that everyone is right: both white and red (smiles).

"I didn't want to be a priest"

— On February 21, you went to. How did you convince the Church leadership that you could do this?

“I didn’t have to convince anyone.” Information about this in the media was misinterpreted. The fear was that they wouldn’t take me into circulation and carry me around the whole country like a monkey: “Look what a singing priest we have.” This is exactly what the metropolitan feared (the spiritual “boss” of the hieromonk, Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk Clement. - Author). And then they explained to him that no one would derive any benefits from the tour, he agreed. Participation in the tour is a condition of the contract with Universal Music, which I signed following my victory in “The Voice”. And the task of the tour is to show a living person, a non-fictional image. You can meet and talk with him, this is not a PR project of Channel One or the Russian Orthodox Church. That's the goal. People need to see that everything is honest and real.

“I have such a sin,” the priest answered the host of “The Voice” Dmitry Nagiyev when asked about his love for selfies. Photo: vk.com

— Do the obligations of the rank of hieromonk contradict such a career?

— This rank implies being in a monastery, taking monastic vows and serving as a priest. Hieromonks and monks are popularly called “black” clergy because they cannot marry. The “white” clergy are ordinary priests, priests with families. There are no other peculiarities - being silent, being unsociable, not leaving the cell, and so on - no.

— I wouldn’t like to transfer the conversation to the level of physiology, but still it’s not easy for a man at a young age without the woman he loves. How did you come to this decision?

“The course of my life dictated this choice to me. There was probably a predisposition towards monasticism. My unconventional worldview set me apart from others. I have always been a black sheep and was very different from my peers - in kindergarten, school. All this led to monasticism. A thoughtful and logical step.

I was called names and teased. I didn't fight. And they didn’t understand how to react to it

— How was the non-standard manifested?

- They called me names, teased me and saw that my reaction was not entirely predictable - I was silent and did not fight. They didn’t understand, didn’t know how to react, they continued to mock - this amused them. The herd effect was at work - the entire class began to be bullied and squeezed out of the team. As a result, even those who were more or less drawn to me turned away under the influence of the majority.

- So, they were persecuted only for humility?

— If you mean relationships with the female sex, then there was and is no unusual behavior here. I have always fallen in love and still see, notice feminine beauty, no matter how strange it may sound for a monk. True, after so many years of living in a monastery, you begin to get used to loneliness. A certain insensitivity develops: it’s already difficult for me to be tempted.

- Isn't it in this? internal contradiction: nature struggles with the weight of the vow? You are a living person.

- Of course have. I am a man of flesh and blood. Various thoughts come to me. Therefore, you need to think and pray all your life. There will never come a moment when a person will live in absolute goodness and sinlessness. Without “extra” thoughts. They say that one demon follows a layman, a hundred follow a monk to lead him astray.

- Ordinary mortals have a plan: plant a tree, build a house, raise a son. And how are you?

— There is room to grow. But I achieved the main thing: I became a hieromonk. When I came to the monastery for the first time, I did not want to be a priest. The confessor told me: go to seminary and become a priest. This is the highest level. I don’t want to hold any positions, because with increasing rank comes more obligations and responsibilities. Perhaps this is not for me. I'm not an organizer. Other people do this very well.

Father Photius is interested in photography, and sometimes he doesn’t mind participating in historical reconstruction. Photo: vk.com

— Did your parents accept your decision right away? It turns out that the masculine gender has ended with you.

“Such a loss was not easy for them. It's hard for any mother to lose her blood. But at the same time, she feels great joy and pride for me. I have a brother, which means I have the opportunity to continue the family line. Dad blessed me on this path.

— You were born in Nizhny Novgorod, and then ended up in Germany with my parents. How long have you lived in Europe?

— We emigrated to Kaiserslautern in 2002, I lived there for three and a half years.

— Was it difficult to adapt?

- I liked everything. At first it was a bit difficult with the language, but then I got better. I made many friends, especially among musicians. The only thing that caused embarrassment was that I didn’t know how to earn money.

— There are good unemployment benefits in Europe.

— Yes, but for this you need to go around many authorities, register, look for a job and show your signature at the labor exchange that you couldn’t get a job. I wanted to be a musician, and it wasn't easy. All that remained was to earn extra money in churches: he played Protestant churches on the organ (Father Photius has been involved in music since childhood and is proficient in instruments. - Author). Then he was going to enter High school music to the organ department, but just at that moment he decided to go to the monastery.

“It would be interesting to give an answer to Conchita Wurst.”

— On your Instagram page you often publish photos with postal boxes and parcels. What do your fans send you?

— Letters, congratulations, drawings, crafts. They are trying to help, help out, take care. Once I mentioned that I went out into the cold without gloves. So they sent gloves. Although I already have them (smiles).

— What is your favorite cheese too?

— If you don’t send it in a parcel, it will get spoiled. Cheese is brought to concerts. And they give it to you after the performance.

The hieromonk often receives guests in the monastery refectory. And he really loves different cheeses. Photo: Mikhail FROLOV

— And recently you photographed your favorite types of perfume...

“I thought for a long time whether it was worth doing this.” Because I assumed it would cause a resonance. But I wasn't afraid. Although I am a priest and can cause confusion among people, we must understand that it is necessary to show the real image of a person. So that people can see: they have the same needs as everyone else. Since I have an Instagram account and I'm trying to, let's say, imitate famous people who post photos about their lives, I don’t see anything reprehensible in this.

— Do monks have ways of worldly relaxation? Take care of the cat, play chess or football.

— Our monastery is located in a picturesque place on the river bank. Almost a nature reserve. IN free time I like to take a walk in the fresh air, wander through the forest. It's calming. You walk as if through a village, there are a lot of wooden houses, a river, woods.

- Invention chemical element Was “Photia”, the image of which you have on Instagram, invented by fans?

- This is my joke. Figured it out myself. And this was prompted by rumors that for Gela Guralia (finalist of the second season of “The Voice” - Author) people remade the periodic table under his name: helium and so on. So I decided to troll a little.

- This year . Next time, when the Russian representative is determined by the Channel One jury, you will have good chances for a business trip. Are you ready to compete?

- Yes. After “The Voice” I’m not afraid of anything. Although, I think the Patriarch will be against it. Although this is a sensitive matter, it would be interesting to give an answer and show that there are singing priests. From a moral point of view, reorient Eurovision.

— Final question in the style of Marcel Proust. What would you like to ask God when you meet?

- From God?

- Yes.

“When you meet God, there are no questions.” They just fall away. Whatever I ask it will be children's question, the answer to which will already be known to me. I would say, “Lord, forgive my sins.” The most important thing is to ask God for mercy. Each of us falls, gets up and moves on. The main thing is not to reject God and stay with him, no matter how life turns out. You need to humble yourself, but not consider yourself hopeless: “Okay, I’m a sinner, I can’t fix it, I’ll continue to drink and have fun.” Such conceit does not lead to repentance, but to the reverse process. There is no need to turn away from God - he never turns away from us. And he loves everyone.

Private bussiness

(Vitaly Mochalov) was born in Gorky on November 11, 1985 in a non-religious family. Studied at music school, sang in the church choir. He entered a music school, but at the age of 17 he moved with his family to Germany. He made money by playing the organ. In 2005 he returned to Russia and was accepted into the brethren of St. Paphnutiev Borovsky Monastery. In the monastery publishing house he is engaged in design and layout. In 2015 he won the show “The Voice”. At the decisive stage, Mikhail Ozerov from the team of Alexander Gradsky won with a stunning margin: 76% to 24%. As a result of “The Voice”, he signed a contract with the recording company Universal Music.

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Saturday/21.30, First

Hieromonk Photius became a fairly famous person after winning the finals of the “Voice” program. After that, he became incredibly active on social networks and even attracted the attention of Internet users from other countries. After completing the project, in which he was the winner, he decided to continue his creative career, while continuing to serve in the temple. As a result, dissonance was created in the minds of users, since many consider the church to be far from worldly hobbies. However, the opposite is proven by the example of Father Photius.

The clergyman shares with fans about his activities on Instagram and also publishes photos taken during his travels. In addition, the winner of “The Voice” tries to entertain his subscribers by posting on his page in social network various jokes. However, this time the hieromonk took aim at the sacred. Through special application and a series of manipulations on his face, he achieved that he began to strongly resemble Jesus Christ.

Not all Internet users appreciated the joke of the clergyman who became a media personality. Although some were enthusiastic about this act of Father Photius, there were also people who spoke critically of the hieromonk. Some subscribers were surprised by the published video, in which Photius not only has the image of Jesus, but also equates himself to him. Many of the hieromonk’s subscribers are sure that he was simply playing too hard. Others don’t see anything terrible in the published video. Many take this as a joke and say that the hieromonk actually looks not like Jesus, but like Peter I in his youth.