ANDREY KRISTOV
Businessman. Chairman of the Balkan Mount Athos Association. Member of the Union of Veterans of Russia. Married, with three sons and grandchildren
Interview: Evgeniya Staylovska (exclusive for GOST magazine)
Е.S: In 1994, you arrived in Bulgaria. Why did you choose to come here specifically?
А.К: I didn’t choose it. God made that choice for me. But this is an interesting question that many people ask me, including my former colleagues. They were also surprised by how I chose Bulgaria specifically, considering that prior to that, I had lived and worked in Berlin, Germany, for nearly five years. It all happened very simply. To provide for my family, I was involved in business. I needed an official status, but I realized that without having some level of influence, I couldn’t achieve it.
One day, I went to the Department of Foreign Economic Relations in the city of Chernivtsi, and there I ran into a former colleague who was working as an economist. He told me: ‘Andrey, there is a Bulgarian man coming over here. Do you want to go to Bulgaria with him and see if what he is telling us about this country is true?’ Back then, total idiocy reigned in Ukraine—less than now, but still total. There were rationing coupons, and it was impossible to work with the banks. So, we arrived in Bulgaria with the man in question. Naturally, everything he had told us in Chernivtsi turned out to be untrue, but I was intrigued by how this country was organized.
Bulgaria was in only its fifth year after the ‘silent’ revolution of 1989. And at that moment, there was absolute financial freedom here. That is exactly why I liked the country. And that’s how I ended up staying. Years later, when Mount Athos became a part of my life – which is located just 400 kilometers from Sofia I realized that my choice of country for myself and my family had been sent down by God.
with His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Е.S: Is there a future in living in Bulgaria? People are leaving the country.
А.К: Now, I think there is potential. As to why I think so—it is a very broad question, and one must fully understand what has been happening here over the past 29 years. Where the country stands today and what could happen in the future. Not long ago, I read an article by a Swedish analyst writing about the Balkans, including Bulgaria, who stated that there is a likelihood of economic growth after 2020, provided that the world finds its balance. You say that people are leaving their country. On the other hand, I know people who left 10 to 15 years ago and are now returning. They have lived for a while under Western capitalism, earned their reputation and money, gained knowledge, and are coming back to manage those very same Western companies, with those very same salaries, but they feel much more relaxed and confident here in Bulgaria than they did out there in the West. I know at least ten people of this caliber.
with His Holiness Neofit, Patriarch of Bulgaria
Е.S: The world is currently facing many problems in the fields of economics, politics, and religion. Could this perhaps be due to the fact that we are choosing the wrong leaders?
А.К: Undeniably, life is quite difficult right now. Above all, we must consider that many people find themselves in a state of delusion. It is very hard for them. They are too lazy to discover the Bible for themselves and read it. I consider this to be one of the fundamental problems of modern times. People are too lazy not only to work, but also to think. Open the Bible and read it. Then, read it once more, but with a pencil in hand. Everything will become clear and understandable to you.
For instance, in the Old Testament, Moses leads his people to the Promised Land. Many of them would turn to him with their problems. There, Jethro told Moses, first, that Moses must listen to God (notice that the question of faith is not even up for debate here). What does it mean to listen to God? To listen to God means to commune with Him in prayer; this is the path of the Patriarchs and God’s Anointed Ones. Second, you must teach the people God’s Law. Third, you must show the people the way. And fourth, you must tell the people what to do on that path. That is all. These should be the qualities of leaders—whether of nations, local churches, or major organizations.
Following this pattern, Moses chose his assistants—the commanders of different divisions, consisting of various numbers of people: hundreds, tens, and thousands. They were required to possess four qualities as well. First, to have the fear of God. The fear of God is everything; today, no one possesses it—I have not seen it in a single politician. Both politicians and businessmen, as well as the people they lead, have lost it. Second, they must be capable. This is the Bible, the Old Testament—thousands of years ago! A driver must know how to operate a vehicle; a minister must thoroughly understand their ministry. The third quality is to be truthful. I often wonder what has actually changed in the world—and besides technology, the answer is nothing. And the fourth quality is to hate covetousness! You should not merely avoid being corrupt or just fight against corruption. No. You must hate greed in your very soul.
Name me one politician who possesses these qualities. Point out a single minister who has such virtues. Think about it for a moment, and you will find the answer yourself as to whom and how you should choose.
with the miraculous Mount Athos Icon of the Mother of God ‘Axion Estin’ (It Is Truly Meet) (its exact replica), donated to the main cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, ‘St. Alexander Nevsky’
Е.S: Is there happiness in money, and what does it consist of?
А.К: Today, there are many definitions of happiness. ‘Go to work with joy in the morning, and return home with joy in the evening’ – this is one of them that I really like. The Church’s definition of happiness is the joy of God, being in constant communion with Him. There is no happiness in money as a mere currency. However, it is a matter of something else – a penniless man cannot become a benefactor. It depends on how a person perceives money; whether to them it is a means of production or of accumulation. He buys a Hublot watch and doesn’t want a Vacheron Constantin for a million, or a Patek Philippe. He buys a Mercedes, he doesn’t want a Bentley. He buys a boat, not a yacht, because a boat is entirely sufficient for him.
This brings to mind the communist system. Socialism is ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his work.’ Whereas communism is ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.’ The question is, who determines those needs, and who determines those abilities? Abilities can be defined by the boss, but what about needs? This belongs strictly to the realm of spirituality. The self-control over one’s needs can only be determined by the individual, provided they are spiritual. What does ‘spiritual’ mean? It means possessing no freedom at all, because God has given us no freedom except the right to free choice, which manifests solely in this – either to follow God, or the devil. Period. Beyond that, there is no freedom.
In other words, what matters are your actions – whether they comply with the Bible or go against its guidance. Of course, a starving man will not read the Bible, because he will be focused on how to feed himself. Therefore, you must be a profoundly spiritual person to go into a cave, eat and drink nothing, and contemplate only God. But for now, I do not know any such people on planet Earth; God grant they exist somewhere. I can tell you honestly, though, that if I were left without money, I would think about it only to ensure a minimum amount – just enough to feed myself, my family, and then some… Unfortunately, that is how the physical world is designed.
with the wife Lilia Kristova
Е.S: Which flaw do you forgive most easily in people?
А.К: I forgive them all their flaws.
with His Holiness the Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch Irinej
Е.S: And what do you hate most in a person?
А.К: Lies. Not lying in general, as that can sometimes be driven by circumstances or out of sheer impossibility. But blatant lies, when a person deliberately intends to deceive you. That is exactly what drains and stresses me out the most, both in business and in life.
The miraculous icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, donated to the St. Nicholas Metochion in Sofia
Е.S: What qualities do you value in people?
А.К: Above all, faith in God. Let me share a story with you. A Bulgarian abbot from a monastery near Sofia once told me: ‘Andrey, I help people; even Roma and poor children come to me, and I give them work. They work, but then they steal something small or leave their work unfinished and run away. What should I do? How can I test what kind of people they are?’ I told him: ‘Abbot, forgive me, but it is very simple. Did those who stole anything attend the Liturgy? Did they weep before the icons? Did they receive Holy Communion?’ The clergyman fell silent, reflected on this, and left. You must have been to a church service with a person in order to know whether to trust them afterward or not. I would have no problem working with a Buddhist, a Muslim, or a Jew, provided that the person adheres to their own canonical norms. Every canonical faith stands for family, integrity, and a proper attitude toward one’s own life and the lives of those around them. This is immediately visible. That is why I say—faith in God.
Naturally, it is easier for me to find common ground with Christians, with the Orthodox. It must not be forgotten that the path to salvation for the Orthodox lies in faith in Christ and His Church, in baptism, repentance, receiving communion, and prayer. For people of other faiths to be saved, they must follow the rules of their canonical faith from A to Z throughout their entire lives, which is highly complex. In my opinion, it is almost impossible for both the weak and the strong person. God the Father sent us His Son with the understanding that as civilization advances, temptations and sins increase, making it harder for man to resist them. Therefore, by sending the Savior, He has eased our path to Paradise through faith in Christ and Repentance. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk prays once a year for the return of people to Orthodox Christianity. Once a year, he brings schismatics and sectarians back into Orthodoxy and leads a special service. What exactly is faith in God? It is conscience. If a person has a conscience, it means they believe. They might not even know they believe, but they do.
with director and screenwriter Nikita Mikhalkov
Е.S: Do you have a dream?
Of course. There is no Orthodox person who doesn’t have a dream. I defined mine a long time ago. My dream is for the Mother of God to be my advocate at my judgment before the Lord. A Mount Athos elder once told me this—it was precisely when I was receiving my first church order named after Saint Seraphim of Sarov. I had gone to Mount Athos, completely elated, joyful, proud, and boasting. He called me into his cell and said: ‘Andrey, why are you rejoicing? Just imagine that now, at your judgment, alongside the demon accuser, Saint Seraphim of Sarov will stand too. He will tell you: And what did you do? Even after you were awarded the order bearing my name, you still dared to sin, didn’t you?’ At that moment, I paused and reflected deeply. Therefore, as a believer, this is my great, ultimate dream for the Mother of God to be my advocate. Because everything else on this earth is attainable.
Е.S: Does man have a purpose?
А.К: Of course, otherwise what would be the purpose of mankind? We can trace this back to the first three hours of the creation of the world. Why else would God the Father need Adam and Eve, and so on? I have heard the theological theory that the number of human souls entering Paradise must equal the number of those fallen angels whom the devil enticed to his side. However, the first and fundamental purpose of man, as recorded in the Bible ‘be fruitful and multiply’ is indisputable. That is why, over the millennia, childless families were considered to be punished by God. But we know what the Lord granted Sarah when she was 90 years old; even when Abraham spoke with God (in those times God manifested Himself to people, especially to the prophets), Abraham doubted and said that she could no longer function as a woman, so what kind of child could there even be? But God replied: ‘It will be exactly as I say’ and He gave her a child at the age of 90. And how did the Lord test him later? ‘Go… and offer him there for a burnt offering’ offer your son to Me. The moments in the Old Testament are deeply intriguing. One simply needs to read them and reflect upon them.
Man was created in the image and likeness of God. Just like the Triune Lord, the Holy Trinity. What represents the Holy Trinity within man are the spirit, the soul, and the body. While we are here on Earth, the body is mostly active. During sleep, as science asserts, the spirit is also active—this is the subconscious, and consciousness is the soul and the heart. The saying is very telling in this regard—’he breathed his last’ (izdahna), meaning it is the end, whereas ‘he gave up his soul to God’ means the soul can still return, which refers to clinical death provided that God decides to return the soul to the human body, of course.
If I am triune, I must control my thoughts and feelings, and strive for the balance and peace of my soul, whose ultimate purpose is to enter Paradise. However, by submitting to the given physical laws, we must maintain our body in this life in a state that allows us to pray and make prostrations. This is the true purpose of man. And when you live with God, pray, and lead a God-pleasing life, everything else will be added unto you. When you ask yourself: ‘Where is my family?’, ‘Why is it living poorly?’, ‘What did I do wrong?’ a person begins to reflect, and everything starts to fall into place. Therefore, the purpose of man in this life, based on my deep faith, is persistent spiritual labor so that the human Soul may successfully reach Paradise. My spiritual father, Elder Alexios, tells the new monks he brings to the cell: ‘From this cell, straight to Paradise’ in other words, returning to the world is no longer an option. The task of man is to enter Paradise. In what manner and how, that is already the person’s own choice. This is the PURPOSE of the individual, given to him by God, against which the evil one fights man.
с Генерал-Полковник ВДВ Владимир Шаманов
Е.S: When you meet God, what will you say to Him?
А.К: Nothing. I strongly believe and hope that He will be the one to say a few words to me. I hope that my good deeds will outweigh my sins. It is the relatives who remain on this mortal earth who must speak, as only they will be able to intercede before God for my soul through the words of prayer. Whatever I might say to God the Father would be meaningless. He knows everything.
