he first service - a serving of a dean, which is placed on him by the whole
brotherhood; he is maintained and blessed by an archbishop of the diocese
(*). It isn't
the command of this world. This burden is a light and heavy one. It should be carried
by the debilities of the whole brotherhood. One needs complete oblivion for to carry it
all.
The second service - a serving of a deputy, chosen by the dean and maintained by the
bishop of the diocese (**).
Deputy is the main assistant of the dean in all the fields of
the monastery's administration. The third service - of a treasurer, who controls the
monastery's money; the fourth - of a sacristy holder. Then come the confessors,
among the hieromonks only they can hear the confessions of the brotherhood and
visitors. Just like the deputy, a treasurer, a sacristy holder and confessors maintained
by the bishop of the diocese (***) and form so-called council or senior brotherhood.
Further services are: turn of religious service, made by all the hieromonks except
treasurer, deputy and by hierodeacons. Sextons are chosen from the monks and
novices, who lead the most modest life. Those, who are able to sing in the church
choir, are set for the choir service. Some hieromonks and hierodeacons also take part
in the choir service in their free from religious services time. Let's touch upon these
services in order to introduce the reader with the monastery's organization. Some
brothers sew the church sacristy and clothes for the brotherhood; others make shoes or
work in the kitchen. Some brothers are occupied with joiner's, blacksmith's and
locksmith works, others go fishing or work in the fields and gardens. So one can say
that life on Valaam satisfies almost all needs. Each kind of occupation is called a
service. Judging by the need some services are made by one brother and some - by a
group of them. In the kitchen, in the laundry and all the rest places there are some
brothers: one of them is a master and others are his assistants. There are some general
services: preparation of firewood, harvesting of hay, threshing of bread, some garden
works. In these services brothers who are not able for individual services. When
somebody is accepted into the cloister, he is sent to the general services where they
find out his character, skills and behaviour; if he proved that he's able to do some
individual service he becomes an assistant and after many years of examination he is
allowed to do a certain kind of work. All brotherhood, especially new ones,
communicate with the confessors and moral welfare of the youngest brotherhood is
based on this communication. The most successful ones read also the Holy Writ and
carefully do all the religious services. The librarian gives them books which are
suitable
for the spiritual mood of every brother; it is made under control of the dean. Brothers,
who are involved in some kind of service, are present at all church services; on the
other days they come to the Morning Prayer and after it they begin their works; after
evening meal they take part in the general evening service.
Religious service is performed according to the church regulations: it includes the
Morning Prayer before a holiday, two liturgies - early one and late one; vespers and
services, which are made after supper, are reading of prayers at bedtime, memorial
prayer and a few bows. The used tune is an ancient Russian one. The sounds of that
tune are majestic, slow and mournful; they depict the groans of a repentant soul,
moaning in its banishment about the blessed, desired land; about the land of eternal
joy and pure enjoyment. Only these tones must sound in that cloister, where even
buildings have an image of a dungeon of moaning, of wailing about its captivity; of
deep thoughts and reflections about eternity.
These tones harmonize with wild stern nature, with huge granite masses, with dark
forest, with deep waters. They drift mournfully, like the wind in a desert, now they
disappear gradually, like echo in the rocks and gorges, and now they rumble suddenly.
A fallen man felt his fall through solitude, he found it in himself, became convinced
of it and fell into incessant groaning hoping for forgiveness. The Song ends with the
slow vibrating sound which fades imperceptibly under the archs of the temple. When
brothers sing at the vesper "God, appeal to You, hear me" the sounds first sort of
come from a deep abyss, then they burst out quickly and rush to the sky; they bring
the thoughts and desires, flaming as a lightning. An artist will find many defects in the
Valaam singing but he will also find complete predominance of reverence and piety,
unusual energy touching and brandishing one's soul. Everything should be important
and tremendous here. Everything cheerful, light or playful would seem frightening
and ugly here. Don't be afraid of this true thought. Don't think that misfortune only
can live here. No! There is also consolation: consolation of the weeping ones,
announced in the gospel.
*
Now the Saintest Patriarch.
** Now the Saintest Patriarch.
*** Now the Saintest Patriarch.
