{"id":435,"date":"2021-03-01T12:05:58","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T10:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inyazoro.info\/?p=435"},"modified":"2021-03-01T12:05:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T10:05:59","slug":"founder-of-lutheran-church-in-erzyan-mastor-dies-aged-62","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inyazoro.info\/?p=435&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Founder of Lutheran church in Erzyan Mastor dies aged 62"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/span>

Andrei Alyoshkin,<\/span> a well-known Erzyan activist,<\/span> has died on February 27,<\/span> aged 62.<\/span> Although Russian newspapers are full of headlines like <\/span>“Author of <\/span> the state flag of Republic of Mordovia dies aged 62&<\/span>#8221;<\/span>, he is famous among Erzya people not just for this work.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span><\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>

Alyoshkin\u2019s painting appeals to Erya traditions and beliefs,<\/span> his works are full of mysticism.<\/span> At the end of 1980s Alyoshkin,<\/span> who was already known as talented Erzya ethno-futurist,<\/span> moves to Leningrad <\/span>(now StPetersburg)<\/span>. Here he creates series of paintings intended to demonstrate the very essence of ancient beliefs of Erzya and Moksha peoples.<\/span> His works were noticed by Arvo Survo,<\/span> lutheran pastor and leader of religious revival among Finnish peoples in Ingria.<\/span> Survo converts Alyoshkin into Lutheranism.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>

Shortly after his return from Leningrad to Saransk Andrei becomes national-wide popular artist.<\/span> He was elected as chairman of Union of artists of Mordovia,<\/span> he was also known as a leader of Society of Finno-Ugric culture.<\/span> As well-known artist,<\/span> Alyoshkin convinces a few activists of Saransk intelligentsia that future of Christianity in Mordovia lies in Lutheranism.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>

In 1991 Alyoshkin becomes one of founing members of small community of believers known as Mordovian Christian church according to teachings of Dr.<\/span> Martin Luther.<\/span> Church activists struggle for a lot land to erect Christian temple there,<\/span> Arvo Survo serves the very first divine services,<\/span> and lutherans of Finland promise some financial help.<\/span> Aleksei Alyoshkin,<\/span> Andrei\u2019s brothern,<\/span> becomes first cleric of the new church.<\/span> However this new church face numerous challenges very soon after its official registration:<\/span> Russian Orthodox Church starts an aggressive informational campaign against so-called <\/span>“Finno-Ugric sectarianism&<\/span>#8221;<\/span>, and pretty soon Finnish Lutherans,<\/span> unhappy with independent actions of Erzyan and Mokshan brothers,<\/span> stop their financial support.<\/span> The immediate cause of the conflict with Finns was the fundamentally different approach to church community life as well as to sermons and prayers.<\/span> Alyoshkin brothers refused to support secularized,<\/span> formal Lutheran understanding of the community and Christianity at all.<\/span> They tried to make life of the new church more sacred,<\/span> and on the other hand to become closer to common people via combining both elements of Orthodoxy <\/span>(in particular icons)<\/span> and folk customs <\/span>(Erzyan and Mokshan national costumes,<\/span> songs,<\/span> paintings etc.<\/span>) in church services.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>

Last decades of Andrei Alyoshkin\u2019s life were focused on paintings and teaching.<\/span> He distanced from active Erzyan national movement,<\/span> retired from church community building.<\/span> At the same time Alyoshkin\u2019s role in awakening of national consciousness among Erzya and Moksha people is quite difficult to be hidden under bureaucratic,<\/span> official obituaries.<\/span> Andrei not just <\/span>“designed a flag&<\/span>#8221;<\/span> \u2013 in early 1990s he had rang a bell that is still calling Erzyan lutherans to prayers at Velmema church.<\/span> <\/span><\/p><\/span>\n