Tkachev Alexey Petrovich (b.1925), Tkachev Sergey Petrovich (р.1922)
Millennium of Baptism of Russia
1988
83 х 103,5 см
Oil on canvas

Sergey and Alexey Tkachev belong to the generation in whose fate the war left an indelible mark. "As is known, there are no atheists in war», says Sergey Petrovich. A man named Victor served with us, and everyone called him Pops because he never took off a big cross. He actually used to be a psalmist, but we were young guys, we did not understand these details. Before the fight went to him for «blessing». Then he was injured, and we parted ways.

In 1988 my brother and I were on celebration of 1000-anniversary of baptism of Russia in the Epiphany Cathedral in Vyshem Volochka. And we saw there at the presence of Metropolitan Alexey Tversky and Kashinsky. We decided to approach him. The Master looked at my bars and asked where I had fought. It turned out that the lord, the «pop» to whom the soldiers appealed for a blessing. We hugged him, drank for the victory. And then he punished us: «Write a picture of «1000-anniversary of the baptism of Russia». So with the blessing of the Master and our picture was born