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http://www.rusrep.ru/article/2012/05/22/verechagin

7 questions to Andrei Vereshchagin

priest

About the thunder among the clear sky

Father Andrei is the abbot of the Catherine Church in Petrozavodsk, the same person who, a year ago, together with his father Grigory Mikhnevich and parishioners, risking his life, saved people from the burning Tu-134, who broke up at the local airport Besovets. Last week, it became known that as a result of arson, a church burned in which both priests serve. A local madman is suspected of a crime, but many took this event as a result of anticleric sentiment, which were growing in a society. The rector of the Catherine Church told the Russian Reporter about his vision of what happened.

1. How did you find out about the fire?

From the first seconds. There was an explosion, we immediately jumped, ran - all a year ago in a demon. The family was with me. They could not extinguish themselves-due to the fact that it was a chemical arson. As the investigation found out, almost ten liters of incendiary mixture. Well, there we could do it with a fire extinguisher ... But the shrines of the temple managed to save everything absolutely.

2. When it became known about the fact of arson, you suggested who did this?

There were no options at all. We had arson before, there were attempts to vandalism, but we live very peacefully and calmly with all people. People of different faiths help the arrival - youth, old people, adults ... not threats, nothing. Like a thunder among a clear sky.

3. A person suspected of arson admitted to his deed. What feelings do you experience in relation to him?

I know who this man, he stood here, ate from the temple, helped him, because he is sick - both sincerely and bodily. Once he cut his hands and, bleeding, went into the temple. Our ministers carefully brought him out, bandaged and called an ambulance. But it’s still hard for me to believe that he himself went to such a crime. It seems to me that someone directed it, but it is unlikely that they will get to be dug up.

4. How did the public and representatives of other faiths react to the tragedy?

Muslims-many guys with whom we just live in a neighborly way-first of all asked how we can support us. Well, it's just on the human level. If the same Muslim will burn the mosque tomorrow - what, will I rejoice? The reaction in society, of course, is different, someone just shrugged, passed by, but basically everyone offered help. They call from educational institutions, from public organizations, people are constantly coming. Not everyone has crazy earnings, but there are hands and desire to help. I'm not afraid to say that the city rushed to the rescue. True, we cannot accept this help yet. There are certain difficulties in restoring architectural monuments. We are limited by law and cannot even approach the temple.

5. Do you feel the rejection of the Church Institute that has recently strengthened?

In Petrozavodsk, this trend is imperceptible. There are some public figures who are simply not friends with their heads.

6. How do you regard the incident: accident, God's punishment, the machinations of enemies?

These are very alarming calls that our shrines are burning in the state ... If we do not change our minds now, we will find complete destruction. When the people lose their spiritual rod, they cease to be a people.

7. Do you have anger feelings?

I understand that it will be all over the country, so I will refrain from commenting. God gave me obedience that I must fulfill. We are believers and understand that there is nothing accidental. We all dream of some sweet sweets, but any sweetness spoils the body. And pills that are good for health - they are always bitter. We will swallow it, make it more healthy. We will look for people, organize, consolidate with those good forces, which are many in society.