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Hieromonk Photius, who became famous throughout the country after taking first place in television project“The Voice” spoke about life after the show. The clergyman, upon whom the burden of fame had fallen, complained that now fans were pestering him even in the monastery. According to Photius, people come to him strangers who are eager to meet.

ON THE TOPIC

“I know that most people have nothing serious with me. Pilgrims have come and want to give me some song. Or beggars... And at first on the phone such people never say openly: “Give me money.” I’ve already learned all their pretexts, tone. I immediately understand when things are dirty. I tell them, "Wait until the evening service". And then I just leave,” the Interlocutor quotes the hieromonk.

The winner of the “Voice” project emphasizes that among his fans there are such persistent fans who are trying to reach him through his mother. They learn Photius’s taste preferences, and then I feed him cheese or mushrooms.

“If people come here, they definitely want to see me. Some even communicate through Germany - through their mother who lives there. First they ask her what to bring for Father Photius. She tells them what I like – cheese or porcini mushrooms,” the “Voice” winner shared.

Photius also told how his life changed after unexpected fame. “I’ve only been a priest for two and a half years. I don’t have constant contact with parishioners yet. I’m rarely appointed as a confessor. Besides, I’m still quite young and inexperienced. Therefore, I either sing or serve. But not every day. I don’t have enough strength. In connection With my new, as you say, “star” status, I feel some oppression. And so here in the monastery there is no freedom, and also everyone wants you, they invite you somewhere... For an interview, for filming, for a concert,” explained the Priest.

The appearance of the monk on the popular TV show and his victory in it created a lot of noise. Even after several months, talk about this does not subside. And their “culprit” himself, Hieromonk Photius, a resident of the St. Paphnutius Borovsky Monastery, became a welcome guest on many television and radio programs. His tour schedule is scheduled several months in advance. Fans are demanding solo discs.

Photius himself frankly told us whether show business interferes with monastic vows.

A meeting was arranged at the monastery. Its almost meter-thick walls, incredible silence and flocks of pigeons hovering over the domes of the temples are peaceful.

I want to forget about everything, bowing my head in prayer.

Photius appears. The monk has a phone in his hands. The priest moves around the monastery almost without taking his eyes off his screen. Even during the interview, Photius does not part with him. First the phone is on the table. But as soon as it begins to make sounds, announcing the arrival of a message, it ends up in the hands of the monk. Sometimes the clergyman is so immersed in what is happening on the other side of the screen that he loses the thread of the conversation.

- You are quite an advanced father: you actively use social networks, constantly upload photos to Instagram.

For me, social networks are a means of communication and self-expression. There I see an indicator of my usefulness - efficiency: what people like and what they don’t like. This is a certain scale. In real time, you can see the attitude towards one or another of your words.

- Are you ready to change your repertoire for the sake of the public?

Everyone has their own tastes, but there are some general trends. I listen to them. It is very important to me when enough is enough large number fans express their preferences. Based on this, I make some adjustments in the performance and repertoire. Mostly people love good Russian songs, urban romance with deep meaning- something you rarely hear these days. For example, songs by Eduard Khil, Mark Bernes.

- In the generally accepted view, monks are ascetics who pray day and night. Modern monk - who is it? Why did he come to the monastery?

A person goes to a monastery to find special conditions for salvation, because one can be saved in the world. And your posthumous fate will depend on how you spend your life in the monastery. Of course, you need to live with dignity. The way I behave is not an example of an ideal monastic feat.

- Why?

I actively communicate with the world, but in theory, I should completely cut it off and be in a monastery physically, spiritually and mentally. Because walls won't save you. You can communicate, go online. Then what is the point of being in a monastery if you left it via the Internet and found a loophole.

-Have you found such a loophole?

It turns out, yes. I realized that this is not only a temptation for me, a temptation, but namely (sighs. - Author's note) my weakness and own desire somehow find a compromise - a synthesis of staying in the monastery and communicating with the people. Because people, as it turns out, are very interested in precisely this kind of spiritual life. Although there are radical people who believe that there should be no communication with the world. Well, let them think so, the position is more important to me - when people are drawn to monks, when you can give answers to their questions. And say this in their language, and not in the language of the patristic books. You can simply close yourself here and read only spiritual books, but you will not be understandable to young people. And since I’m young, with technical skills, I actively use this tool to show from inside the monastery that we are the same people who know how to enjoy everything. I try to spread a small message of some kindness through a social network.

- The response is important to you. And if he doesn’t exist, will you leave social networks?

Yes, I analyze what is happening there, not for the sake of vanity, not for the sake of the number of likes and reposts. I see what people like and build the content on my page accordingly.

Photo from the dressing room before the performance at the Kaluga Regional Philharmonic.

- As if teasing the audience, you often post photos from dressing rooms with various goodies - cakes and other sweets. And you don’t even hide the fact that you have a weakness for cheese.

These are not provocative photographs. People come up with stereotypes, and then they themselves cannot abandon them. They are simply annoyed, turned inside out if the monk laid out candy. They think it's bad. But they cannot explain why they find this reprehensible. I'm the same person. Therefore, I try to show that monks are people who are not alien to any worldly weaknesses: we also love to eat delicious food, but we do not cultivate gluttony or lust. I don't just show food, I show its aesthetic side. This is a kind of upbringing. I talk about my taste - it is simple, not some kind of sophisticated. Yes, cheeses are my weakness.

- Whether you wanted it or not, you became an idol for many, and the Bible says: “You shall not make for yourself an idol.”

I don't like how reverence turns into fandom. This is, of course, a problem.

Photius receives a huge number of letters and parcels from fans.

- You have a huge number of subscribers on social networks, you receive dozens of letters. What are they writing to you about?

Basically these are words of gratitude, appreciation for the fact that I appeared on television, on stage in general. They write, congratulate, and ask, of course, for prayer help. I perform not just as a singer, but also as a priest, which is why people are drawn to me, including as a person who understands spiritual issues and can suggest something: how to behave in a certain religious sense, how to live. An interesting situation: kind of like an artist and at the same time - like a spiritual therapist.

- Do you try to answer all letters?

I don't have time to answer yet. Frankly speaking, I don’t even have time to read them or open them, because I’m always traveling and doing something. Of course, I open the parcels right away, it’s interesting (smiles). And there’s some little thing, some sweets... They usually find out what I need on social networks. I once said that I was standing in the cold and I didn’t even have gloves. And people immediately start to worry and send me gloves...

The monk was sent a scarf and a volume of poetry.

Gingerbread.

Parcel from Switzerland.

- How do you feel about your popularity?

I am not flattered by the sappy comments and praise that come my way. The main thing is to see what brings people joy.

- Popularity is fleeting; in 2-3 years they may not even remember about you as a participant in the project. Are you ready for this?

So much the better - only loyal fans will remain. I was initially disadvantageous to Channel One. I can’t continue to cooperate with him, it’s all very difficult. So that I once again to go on air, there are so many permits that need to be obtained, documents approved, signatures... This is very responsible. Anything I say at First can be used against me.

- The main question, which many ask: “Why did the monk go to the project, why does he need such a wide audience, so much attention?”

In fact, of course, it is not needed. It turned out she needed me. Even before participating in “The Voice,” I analyzed people’s responses to my performances. The public wanted to hear me, to receive the discs that I recorded myself. The idea arose that it would be nice to speak to the whole country so that people would hear me and somehow be happy.

- Do you think you would have become a winner without being a monk, but only thanks to your vocal abilities?

Maybe not. I am an unusual person, and the public’s attention was immediately drawn to me. Everyone at this competition shines with their vocal abilities, there are no unworthy ones - all are professionals, even those who dropped out during the first broadcasts. They're great. People vote for a whole complex - they see the image, they see the message, they see some kind of sincerity. I often hear that they voted for me not because I Orthodox monk, but because they were deeply touched and hooked by my performance.

- More than once in your interviews you said: if you are invited to participate in Eurovision, you are ready to give a worthy answer to Conchita Wurst. How did you hear about it? Have you seen her performance?

It's hard not to know about her. Moreover, after her victory, Eurovision is considered a hotbed of debauchery. They say it’s better not to go there at all, and not just for a priest, a clergyman, or even lay people. But I have a different opinion. If there is such a platform, you need to perform on it. If people love shocking things, surprises, something unusual, we need to strike back - to show that not only depraved things can be popular, but also something pure and bright, coming from that part of our humanity that preaches only goodness and morality.

With Timur Kizyakov on the set of the program “While everyone is at home.”

- It seemed to me that you were tired of attention and fame.

I would gladly rest for a week. Constantly some calls, business, personal communication with people. I would like to somehow maintain life on social networks, respond, make some updates. A little bit of everything - and you go to bed at three o'clock in the morning. I would like everyone to forget about me.

- And even concerts don’t bring you pleasure?

At first you get pleasure, but it gets boring and burdensome very quickly. I want to bury myself somewhere. I am a person of a different temperament - I am embarrassed on stage, I don’t know how to behave correctly. I sing as I sing - that’s all. People see my kind of detachment - I seem to be singing, but I’m not with them, but as if I’m in my own world.

Television center "Ostankino". Hieromonk with Ivan Okhlobystin and Garik Sukachev.

- I know that, in addition to professional singing, you composed music before coming to the monastery. Why did you stop doing this?

It was no longer necessary, although it was not needed in the world - just a hobby. I wrote “on the table”, no one heard it. I am waiting for the moment when there will be such a turn in my destiny that I will be able to realize this ability. She is perhaps even more significant to me than her voice. Self-realization is very important for a person, especially when he feels potential in himself, but it does not bear fruit. The music I write is not that popular. It is not electronic and does not suit the tastes of the masses. And in general, now it’s difficult to occupy a niche on the Internet, there’s already so much music posted there. You just need to mind your own business, your own direction. And for me it’s film music. It is clear that as a monk I will no longer be able to write music - only if it somehow happens that they offer it.

- After winning the project, you were presented with gifts - a trip to France, a car.

I can go at any time, I just need to get a blessing. But the car has not yet left the assembly line. By the way, I passed my license the year before last; I really wanted to have a car. Maybe for me this was additional motivation to go to “The Voice”. I knew that the winner gets the car. Of course, I wasn’t saving up for a Lada; I wanted a slightly different car. Although the first car should be simpler - domestic.

- What kind of car would you like? How can a monk save up for it?

I wanted a Toyota. Yes, there’s really nothing to save up for. These are all just some kind of benefactors. No one will give you a large sum. If you cut yourself short in some way, you won’t be able to eat sushi or pizza one more time. So, quietly, penny by penny - and you know that you already have money for the engine.

- Aren't you afraid that fame can break you?

There is nothing positive in it, but nothing negative either. The most important thing is to justify it so that it is not empty. Achieving fame and becoming popular doesn't cost anything. In fact, a butt shown several times on television will also become popular. The most important thing is to earn this fame with dignity in order to live up to it.

Now Photius, together with other participants of “The Voice”, is preparing for a tour throughout the country. Father will give and solo concerts. So, tickets in Kaluga for his March performance are selling like hot cakes. What the monk would spend the money on, he could not say. Stating that these are not such big funds. When we approached the temple, a woman ran up to us.

- Father Photius, can I take a photo with you? When I tell my people in the village that I saw you, no one will believe it!

After the photo shoot, pilgrims literally flocked to the monk, asking for a blessing. Without looking at them, trying to make his way through the crowd, Photius complied with their request and disappeared. Obedience to the priest - singing in the choir in the choir. The rest of the time he is almost always online.

Photo: Svetlana TARASOVA and from Photius’s personal page “VKontakte”.

Hieromonk Photius - organizing the concert, ordering artists on the official website of the agency. To organize performances, tours, invitations to corporate events call +7-499-343-53-23, +7-964-647-20-40

Welcome to the official website of agent Hieromonk Photius, a priest who became famous for his victory in the fourth season music project"Voice". The tenor, who before his tonsure bore the name Vitaly Mochalov, was born on November 11, 1985 in Nizhny Novgorod. Piano playing and vocals future monk studied in city music school. As a child, Vitaly sang in school and church choirs and dreamed of being a professional composer.

Creative achievements

At the age of 15, the guy entered the Nizhny Novgorod Music College, but studied there for only a year, as he moved to Germany with his family. While living in Kaiserslautern, Mochalov continued to study music: he sang and mastered playing the organ. At the age of 20, the young man decided to become an Orthodox priest. For this purpose, in the mid-2000s he returned to Russia. Vitaly’s place of service was St. Paphnutius Borovsky monastery, located in the Kaluga region.

After tonsure, the monastery minister was named Photius. Despite the renunciation of everything worldly, the order to study music did not disappear in the monk’s life. For some time, the priest was taught vocal skills by Viktor Tvardovsky, a Moscow teacher and soloist. opera houses. Then Photius continued to study independently, adopting the unique methodology of the former teacher. Over time, he became the best monastery singer, and then the regent (leader) of the church choir.

In September 2015, Hieromonk Photius made his first appearance on television as part of the “Voice” program. The participation of a priest in the show was controversial, but ultimately the church organization gave the go-ahead. At a blind audition, the monk performed an excerpt from the opera “Eugene Onegin” (Lensky’s aria) and ended up on the team of producer Grigory Leps. In the final music competition Three quarters of TV viewers voted for Photius. Thus, the hieromonk became the winner of the “Voice-4” project. Called the result of participation positive Orthodox priest Patriarch Kirill himself is also in the competition.

These days

At the beginning of 2016, all finalists of the project took part in the all-Russian tour. Photius also received a blessing for his touring activities. The first concert with the participation of the hieromonk took place on February 21 in Krasnodar. Now Vitaly Mochalov performs a lot, donating the proceeds for the construction of churches. More information about the work of Hieromonk Photius can be found on his official website.

Order ONLINE

Hieromonk Photius ordering concerts, contacts, organizing performances of artists. To invite a star to a wedding, corporate party, anniversary - you can contact us by phone in Moscow +7-499-343-53-23, +7-964-647-20-40, on the official website of the agent, write to the mail, contacts menu.

Hieromonk Photius is 29 years old, he is a resident of the Borovsky Monastery, he has been in the monastery for 10 years. He is the regent of the monastery choir.

“Born in Gorky. Since childhood I loved singing, but they didn’t want to take me to music school because of my crooked fingers, but in the end they took me - I graduated from school with a degree in piano. I did not finish my studies at music school due to moving to Germany. At the age of 20, he decided to join a monastery, for which he moved to Borovsk,” Father Photius.

Original Interviewed by Alexander Zaitsev, Lenta.Ru – lenta.ru 12/23/2015 00:04

Hieromonk Photius about his participation in the show “The Voice”

Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov) - star fourth season TV show “The Voice” and a contender to win the final, which will take place on Friday, December 25. Lenta.ru talked to the singing priest about participation in the competition, fans, monasticism, spiritual gifts and inner peace.

“Lenta.ru”: In the minds of many people, a monk and a TV show are incompatible things. Some people think that your appearance in “The Voice” is a missionary project of the church. How did you get into this competition?

I wanted to take part in “The Voice” from the very beginning - from the time it appeared. It was interesting for me to watch the competition, how the mentors react, how and who they select. I imagined myself in their place, I also wanted to be a critic and a judge, at least behind the scenes: would I or would I not turn to this or that participant? I for a long time I didn't dare send the application. Before that, I had already performed a lot, but not on television, of course. And my friends finally encouraged me to try. I told them: it won’t work, no one will let me go. But I sent the application, I thought - it wasn’t there, why not try. Moreover, people have never seen anything like this before; they will be interested.

And Channel One sent me an invitation to the casting. Then I said that this already needs to be agreed upon with our church authorities. They sent an official letter to our ruling bishop, Metropolitan Clement. And he approved and gave his blessing to it. That's how I got to the casting. I was received very well there. The producer of the show, Yuri Aksyuta, treated me with great respect. He said: “We will try to ensure that your performance on the channel is as harmonious as possible, and that nothing tarnishes your priestly dignity.”

How did you feel about your idea of ​​going on “The Voice”? spiritual father, mentor - Schema-Archimandrite Vlasiy (Peregontsev), who is considered a modern elder, a perspicacious person?

I approached him and asked. He, of course, was surprised, but said that yes, you can participate. And when I had already passed the first audition, he asked me how it was going and what. He is aware of all events and is glad that I am with Mr. Leps.

Does he know Leps?

He heard about it. He said that he is a good, great musician.

What is it like to be the spiritual son of such a person, who is considered a perspicacious old man, a miracle worker who can see a person’s thoughts and predict the future?

I don’t perceive him as some kind of seer, I go to him as a spiritual to a wise man, which has a huge life experience, which can help on the monastic path. When there were fateful questions, I asked him and relied on the will of God in everything. But I don’t like to specifically find out the future - as, you know, they approach clairvoyants - and I don’t recommend it to anyone. You cannot use someone’s gifts for personal gain. On Father Vlasiya God's grace- maybe he himself does not suspect that he is perspicacious, but the Lord does this so that through him people receive clear answers to their questions. I just listen to him - that's all. If he says “no,” that means no; if he says “yes,” that means yes. If he had told me: you don’t need to go to this “Voice”, then, of course, I would not have gone.

What are your feelings about the competition itself, from the inside? This is the same place where people come with what is called vanity - the desire to become famous. There is such a tangle of ambitions there. How does a monk feel in this atmosphere?

Well, there is generally calm among the participants. I haven’t seen anyone become “star-struck” or become vain. There are already established stars there, for whom this competition is just another PR campaign. Well, those who were unknown, with the exception of a few, do not make this competition some kind of super event, after which you can become proud and proclaim yourself a star. The competition provides a springboard for ascension, but for this you need to work a lot, and then work a lot in other genres and projects to prove to the public your skill and ability to bring joy to people with your singing.

What are your plans in case of victory - or in case of non-win?

They asked me a lot what I would do if I won, and Mr. Leps also asked the question at the audition: “You will win. And what next? I don’t find anything to answer to this, because I always rely on the will of God - as will be, so will be. I see God’s guidance in this matter: every step here is providential, and I don’t need to do anything at all - everything seems to be done for me. Even regarding the repertoire: I try not to interfere and agree to any song that is given to me. After all, even in this there is God’s providence: if they offer me such a song, it means that it is the one that will hook people.

Hieromonk Photius performs Lensky's aria at the blind audition of “The Voice”

How do other competition participants and studio staff react to you? How do they feel in the presence of a priest and a monk?

At first, not everyone understood that I was a participant. We saw that the priest was flashing among the contestants, but did not know what his role was until the last moment, when there were blind auditions. And to this day, if I walk around in a pavilion somewhere, they ask me: “Who are you going to?”

Does your monastic obedience involve singing?

Yes, directly. I lead the choir on certain days. On others, I serve as a priest, according to the schedule.

Tell us how you came to monasticism. Now you are 30 years old, and at what age did you enter the monastery?

I came to the monastery at the age of 20 with one simple thought: to devote myself to serving God, leaving music behind as a sacrifice. I didn’t go to the monastery because of something, because of some kind of instability or personal problems. On the contrary, he came with a burning heart, wanting to give everything to God and be with Him in the monastery, serve only Him, without exchanging for anything.

I'm in the monastery miraculously I immediately went to a vocal teacher and, having taken a double course of lessons, began to sing with a completely new voice, with new production. For ten years the voice was constantly being improved, brought into new uniform. The teacher and I learned pop songs and opera arias. It was in these courses that I developed my voice to a form that allows me to perform and record.

I recorded two of my own discs in the monastery, performed at different venues - in cultural centers in the region, once at the Kaluga Philharmonic.

With classical, spiritual repertoire?

Sometimes classical, sometimes pop. This is a crossover style - at the border of classic and pop. Like Andrea Bocelli, for example.

So before the monastery, you were involved in music?

Yes, I wanted to be a musician, to compose music. When my parents and I moved to Germany, I started playing the organ and wanted to enroll in High school music by organ class. But then a reassessment of values ​​occurred, and I decided that serving God was higher than music.

Was it a sudden transition, or have you been a believer since childhood?

Yes, I was a believer. And I just remembered how good it was for me in the children's Orthodox camp, in Sunday school. This memory of grace - virgin, immaculate - also influenced me. I wanted to return to the fold of the church and be in service, in obedience.

What modern music do you listen to?

I listen to a lot of things, except frivolous ones. I can listen to something club music if it is of high quality - house, for example. Although this is rare, it is only if I like a particular song that I leave it on my playlist. And I like many genres, except rock and rap. Mylene Farmer, Josh Groban, Irina Bogushevskaya and Alla Pugacheva, but this is natural. Zoya Yashchenko and the White Guard.

Surely you have fans and admirers. Are they overpowering you?

Maybe they come to your monastery?

So far, people do not specifically come to my monastery, but it happens that, having arrived at the monastery, they recognize me, are happy to meet me, take pictures, and say that they are rooting for me.

Do you manage to remain calm in this new reality of show business?

I know how to abstract myself from this. Of course, there are some periods when you need to tense up and be in this hustle and bustle, but then you return to the monastery - to silence and calm. You wake up in the morning, and it’s even somehow unusual. Do you think: am I really participating in “The Voice”? Am I really there? All the same, the silt - once - settles, and the water becomes clear again.

Interviewed by Alexander Zaitsev

– Grigory Leps is here to see you. Did this surprise you?

– I expected that it would be Alexander Borisovich Gradsky and counted on it. But when I saw that Grigory Leps turned around, I realized that I needed to change my strategy, my vision of myself in this competition. That is, it’s not easy to follow a well-trodden path, as we know, people come to Gradsky with academic vocals, but try yourself in something else.

Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov) sings

Good Friday, 2014, sung by Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov)

Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov) sings at the Good Friday service in the Holy Paphnute Monastery

Hieromonk Photius - Believe & Little Drummer (Josh Groban covers)

Performed by Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov).
Hieromonk Photios (Photy) (Mochalov) sings.

Official VK group:
Christmas meetings at the MOC St. Paphnutiev Borovsky Monastery. January 16, 2015.

I see Your palace, my Savior, decorated

Singing (in the middle): Hieromonk Photius, Stefan Genich, Hieromonk Macarius; Schema-Archimandrite Vlasiy sings along

In memoria di Caruso, performed by Hieromonk Photius at the Easter meeting

Official VK group:

"Fly away on the wings of the wind" Hieromonk Photius

performed by Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov) at the Easter meeting
Official VK group:

Rus', always be holy! (Hieromonk Photius, Sati Movsesyan, Svetlana Seregina)

A fragment of the musical and theatrical production “Our Fatherland - Holy Rus'” at the opening of the Mother of God and Nativity educational readings of the Kaluga Metropolis. Kaluzhskaya regional philharmonic society. 18.09.2013
Director and music composer: Oksana Naboychenko
Trio: Satenik Movsesyan, Svetlana Seregina, Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov).
Choral theater "Blagozvuchie", Kaluga
Official VK group:
Don't forget to give a thumbs up ;)

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. It even has its own publishing house: the creative priest helps with the design and layout of paper publications - the monastery newspaper “Vestnik”, children's magazine"Ship", 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 of 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. A 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 sideways glance?

- Everything happens. 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 the 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 there an internal contradiction in this: nature struggles with the weight of the vow? You are a living person.

- Of course there is. 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. What about 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 you and your parents ended up in Germany. 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 the Higher School of Music to the department of organ, 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 real image 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 my free time I like to go for a walk 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. I came up with it 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 a childish question, the answer to which I will already know. 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.

Personal matter

(Vitaly Mochalov) was born in Gorky on November 11, 1985 in a non-religious family. He studied at a music school and sang in a church choir. Entered 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 the 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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