Change of fate (from the series “The World of Your Home”)
Once upon a time there lived a talented Moscow avant-garde surrealist artist Sergei Simakov. From the late 1970s until 1991, he successfully exhibited at the famous Malaya Gruzinskaya, was a member of the Union of Artists, had a beloved and loving wife, and empathized with the events taking place in the country at that time. On occasion, he bought an old house for a summer workshop in a picturesque wilderness, in the dying village of Zagainovo not far from Uglich, he came and went, painted pictures. After some time there was a complete change of fate. He finally settled with his wife in a village house. Instead of secular paintings, he began to paint amazing icons. He restored the desolate forest temple of the Archangel Michael, which is “in the forest” three kilometers from the purchased house. He completed his training and was ordained as a deacon and then as a priest. Regular services began, and parishioners gradually arrived from the surrounding villages, Uglich and Moscow.
Sergei Simakov painted his last picture in 1991. Miraculously, he overcame a serious cancer diagnosis in 2000. After the death of his wife Elena in 2004 (towards the end of her life she became a nun, Anna), he also became a monk. Today, Father Superior Raphael is the rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael, “in the forest.” Several documentaries have been made about the fate of Father Rafail himself (formerly Sergei Simakov) - “Pops” (1999), “Rib. Portrait of the artist’s wife against the backdrop of the era” (2006), many articles have been written, and wonderful albums with his paintings have been published. More than a hundred paintings, mostly religious, multi-figured and multi-layered, in a noble and restrained, almost “Rembrandtian” color scheme, eventually settled in the center of Uglich, forming the main fund of the Gallery of Contemporary Orthodox Art and Painting “Under the Blessed Veil”.
The monastery of Father Raphael became a place of attraction for many people who came and came to him again and again. In 2007-2012, sincere friendship and cooperation developed on the set of the last two films (“Morphine” and “I Want Too”) by Father Rafail with director Alexei Balabanov. Now Father Rafail is preparing for publication a memoir about this profound and tragic director, a close friend who passed away so early. Father Raphael is currently working on several manuscripts. He writes in calligraphic handwriting; he is not on friendly terms with the computer. Some of the paintings and graphic works of Father Raphael can be seen in the far corners of a large and old one-story village house with its “splendor of little things” - household utensils, books, manuscripts, icons. The house is full of memories. Photos of dear and loved ones grow like flowers.
The Uglich taxi driver, to my surprise, had not heard of Father Raphael and did not know the way to his village. My navigator led us to a bridge across a narrow river that no longer exists. I had to ask, go back and go the other, “correct” road, past the Church of the Archangel Michael.
Lost among the forests is the tiny village of Zagainovo. Just a few houses, half abandoned. And Father Raphael’s living house is wooden, one-story, with numerous outbuildings, sheds, fenced-off pens for livestock and stables. A curious, pestering goat wanders around, and affectionate cats doze. Nearby is a cemetery of old agricultural machinery, a picturesquely shabby minibus of ancient design. A scratched angel flies on the rusty wall of a former vehicle. In the adjacent meadow, a small wooden “house” church with a separate bell tower, built several years ago with the help of Father Raphael’s parishioners, is striking with its cornflower blue domes. Now, if he feels unwell or has a sudden need, he can conduct services without walking three kilometers along a forest road to the main church of the Archangel Michael, which is “in the forest.” The family of immigrants lives in one of the neighboring abandoned houses, does gardening, helps Father Raphael with housework and caring for animals. Cows, sheep, goats, geese - all require a lot of care.
From the first minute, Father Raphael was naturally hospitable, discreetly laconic and responsive. As we had previously agreed on the phone, he went about his usual chores, prayer and writing, allowing me to be nearby and periodically click the shutter. Occasionally, at my request, he patiently posed for close-up shots. He allowed me to climb the bell tower and ring the bells: “Why so quiet, stronger, stronger!”
I wandered alone outside and inside the house, immersing myself in the splendor of little things and textures. We talked a little. She asked questions that worried me, without hiding her doubts. Before parting in the evening, he unexpectedly gave him a can of milk, two books he had published, and several large-format albums with his paintings from different periods.
With great tenderness and respect, I came into very little contact with the world of this amazing person. Talented, who suffered a lot, who changed his fate so radically, full of calm strength and kind delicacy, tolerance and generosity. Peace to his home, health and joy, tranquility and strength to complete the work begun.