Liberation of 1945: As Priest To Kolguta in Stavropol Region
In 1945, the order was issued commanding the liberation of all church clerics. The amnesty order for the church clerics of 1945 did not change the life of father Symeon. Knowing that similar practice means execution, in August 1945, he decided to flee. He walked in the night and at daytime hided from men and dogs. This way he reached Kirgizia and from there flew on "kukuruznik" to Tashkent. In 1946 he got over to Stavropol to the metropolitan Anthony who gave him parish first in Vinodelnoye (lit. Wine-making) and after in 1947 the elder was appointed as parish priest in the big Ukrainian cossack village (stanica) Kolguta, Stavropol Region. The appearance of elder in the village led the local authorities to worries due to the influx of thousands of people to the wonder working monk. He was not only the spiritual teacher of the Orthodox believers but a helper, counsellor, wisely answering on everyday issues, connected with management of economy, agricultural works. Slowly the dancing stages and clubs got empty - the youth went to church.
The new arrest came. In the prison of Baku, Azerbaijan, the elder had to spend the entire year in single cell.
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