On Commemorators and Non-Commemorators: From the Life of St. Nektary of Optina

On Commemorators and Non-Commemorators: From the Life of St. Nektary of Optina

Fr. Nektary’s position was truly that of an elder. He chose the middle, “royal” path that had been handed down by the Teachers of the Church. While he himself commemorated Metropolitan Sergius, he did not avoid contact with the “non-commemorators.” In accordance with the word of the Lord, Who sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45), the wise shepherd received both the one and the other. Understanding that this division arose not so much from Christian as from political considerations, he did not suffer the loss of joint prayers with the Optina fathers [who had ceased commemoration], one of whom was his confessor, and he received people from Kozelsk and Shamordino.

At the same time he also had spiritual children among the “non-commemorating” Christians from Maroseiko Street. To the secret adherents of the “Mechevians” belonged the clergy of the majority of the churches in Moscow, who, though they did not formally break with Metropolitan Sergius, did not in fact commemorate him, as well as certain other bishops. Fr. Nikon (Belyaev) to whom Elder Nektary, in line of succession, had passed on the authority of eldership that was given him at the council of the Optina fathers, remained in contact with the most zealous of the “non-commemorators,” the head priest of the church of St. Nicholas on Maroseiko Street, Fr. [New Martyr] Sergius Mechev. 

- I.M. Kontzevitch, Elder Nektary of Optina, St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood (Platina: 1998), pp. 224-226.

When Fr. Nektary was asked whom to summon for the last rites, he indicated Fr. [New Martyr and non-commemorator] Sergius Mechev, who before this had signed a protest against the declaration of Metropolitan Sergius.

- Ibid., p. 123.