On November 12, 2026, the premiere of the documentary "Evfimiy Molchanov: I consider it immoral to live without God" took place in Tolyatti. The screening took place within the framework of the project of the Tolyatti Diocese "Bridges of Memory", dedicated to preserving the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The main character of the film is Evfimiy Yakovlevich Molchanov, a participant in the First World War, a father with many children and a church watchman at the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Ivankovo. In December 1937, he was arrested for his religious beliefs, went through imprisonment and the Vyatlag camps, where he died on July 8, 1942.
The film is based on archival documents, investigative case materials, memories of local residents and the results of many years of historical research. Through the fate of one man, the authors tell of thousands of believers who remained faithful to Christ during the years of persecution.
After the screening, the audience met with Bishop Nestor of Tolyatti and Zhiguli, director Kirill Kheifets, and Archpriest Vladimir Teplov, who perpetuates the memory of victims of political repression.
Bishop Nestor emphasized that the main task of the Bridges of Memory project is not only to return forgotten names, but also to preserve historical truth for future generations. The archpastor paid special attention to the need to study archives, establish the fate of those who suffered for their faith, and preserve mass graves.
Director Kirill Kheifets spoke about his work on the film, trips to the Kirov region and Chuvashia, meetings with researchers and relatives of the repressed.
The film became the second work of the Bridges of Memory project. The first painting was dedicated to the Holy Martyr Peter Krestov. Currently, a third film is being created about Archimandrite Pavel (Gruzdev), who also went through imprisonment in Vyatlag.
At the end of the meeting, the participants of the project were presented with commendations, and each viewer received as a gift a book by local historian Alexander Makeev "The Confessional Path of Euphemia Molchanova", containing archival documents, photographs and materials of the investigative case.
Photo: tltepar.ru