A year ago, one of the most revered Orthodox priests of our time, Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Kerchatov) passed away to God.
He devoted more than half a century to pastoral service. For several decades he served as confessor of the regional dioceses of Moscow and then Odintsevo, and was the honorary rector of the Church of the Intercession in Ekolov, Moscow region. People came to him from all over Russia for spiritual advice, blessings, comfort and prayerful help.
For our movement, the pastor was a particularly close person. Back in 2014, at the invitation of Andrey Kormokin, he participated in the first "Sorochinsky Meetings" at the Novospasky Monastery. After that there were new meetings, deep conversations, spiritual instructions and personal communication, which remained forever in the memory of our brothers.
Father had vast spiritual and worldly experience. Elder Nikolai Guryanov himself trusted him to participate in the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
He was not only a spiritual father to many people, but also the head of a large Orthodox family. Together with their mother Natalia, they raised seven children, two of whom became priests, and they had 35 grandchildren.
On October 25, 2025, shortly before his rest, the priest received the great scheme with the name Michael in honor of the Archangel Michael.
A year has passed, but the feeling of loss remains. It is no longer possible to come to the priest, hear his wise words or ask for a blessing. But his books, sermons, instructions and memories worthless from meetings with a man who devoted his whole life to the service of God and people remained.
Brothers and sisters, let us remember our dear father in our prayers! Kingdom of Heaven and eternal memory of Schema-Archimandrite Michael!