In Borovsk, Kaluga Region, on Thursday, October 22, a monument to the famous spiritual writer and one of the founders of the new Russian literature, Archpriest Avvakum, was unveiled. Kaluga Governor Vladislav Shapsha, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church Korniliy took part in the opening, the press service of the Kaluga government reports.
“The monument was erected in honor of the 400th anniversary of the birth of the priest. The creator was the artist Oleg Molchanov. The work of the master was originally planned to be installed in Moscow next to the religious school of the Old Believers, but was transferred to one of the ancient centers of the Old Believers – Borovsk,” the press told service.
There used to be a vacant lot at the site of the monument. Now there is a public landscaped area. The erection of the monument thanks to the funds of the patron is also a revival of the tradition of Russian charity and patronage. The monument itself is 3.7 meters high, made of bronze. The height of the Calvary Cross is 5 meters. The pedestal is made of granite of two colors: red and black with a demarcation line, which means the split of the Russian church in the 17th century. The red color is a reminder of the execution of the holy martyr Habakkuk through burning.
“Protopop Avvakum is known not only as a holy martyr, but also as one of the founders of Russian literary literature. And this is a very important and difficult mission – to bring people the word. There is no faith without a word, there is no knowledge without a word. A monument to Avvakum was erected on this holy land, in the spiritual and cultural center of Russia – Borovsk, it is a great honor and historical justice, “Shapsha said.
Oleg Molchanov is a sculptor, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, a corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of Russia, well known in the Old Believer community.
