Fr. Michael Bondarchik reposed in the Lord on November 10, 2019, following a long and difficult illness. His wife, Matushka Irina was left to take care of their three children by herself.

Fr. Michael was born on June 10, 1987, in the city of Elets in the Lipetsk Oblast. His childhood was not easy. Without a father, he was the man of the house and so he was responsible for his mother and sister. He had to start working early to help his already exhausted mother who worked two jobs to feed him and his older sister.

The Bondarchik family has priestly, spiritual roots, and is closely connected with St. Tikhon of Zadonsk. Elets and Zadonsk are neighboring cities—two quiet provincial towns with a rich history and spiritual life. In all crucial decisions, Fr. Michael and his family always resorted to the prayerful help of the great St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, whose relics repose in the famous Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Zadonsk.

From childhood, the future priest often went to church with his mother. People observed that the boy showed a keen interest in worship and enjoyed attending Sunday School, and when he was a bit older, he traveled to the Ascension Cathedral in Elets by himself and asked to sing in the church choir. They were glad to have him, as he had a good voice. It was there in the cathedral that Fr. Michael met his future wife, Matushka Irina.

By the time he graduated from college in June 2010, he and Irina had known one another several years, and they were married on August 29. Their wedding was held at the Church of Sts. Alexander Nevsky and Michael of Tver in Elets.

Their wedding day was also notable in that immediately after the service, Archpriest Vasily Romanov, the dean at that time, proposed that Michael be ordained, and he gladly agreed without any hesitation, accepting the proposal as from the hands of the Lord Himself. Matushka Irina completely supported her husband’s decision, although she realized that this path would not be without its difficulties.

The young couple knew what they were agreeing to. Difficulties and sorrows did not scare them, because they had fervent faith and a desire to serve God with all their might.

On October 10, 2010, Michael was ordained as a deacon, and that December 4, on the feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos Into the Temple, he was ordained as a priest in the Ascension Cathedral in Elets.

Thus began the nine difficult years of Fr. Michael’s thorny priestly path.

Father greatly loved his children and always dreamed of having a large, strong family with many children. Having never experienced fatherly love himself, he dreamed of giving it doubly to his own children. He hoped to see his children grow into adulthood and to always being a good example for them.

On August 13, 2012, the Lord gave the young couple a son, Iliya.

However, a terrible disaster befell the family in December 2015, when Father’s greatly beloved older sister, Olga, still a young woman, suddenly died in her sleep. Fr. Michael was very worried for his sick, elderly mother who had lost her daughter, and comforted her as much as he could. The family took this loss very hard, and it seems these terrible days greatly affected Fr. Michael’s health.

On June 18, 2016, a daughter, Barbara, was born, which was a great comfort for Father and Matushka, but they still weren’t free from troubles. Father’s sorrowful, final journey—to eternity—had begun.

Fr. Michael bore the cross of sickness with great humility.

On July 12, 2018, their younger daughter Anastasia was born. There was hope that the situation would change, but Father’s pancreatic disease continued to progress, and the doctors’ efforts proved futile. Nevertheless, Fr. Michael continued serving until the very end, overcoming the constant and unbearable pain and seizures.

On November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the parish’s patronal feast, he celebrated his last Liturgy.

On April 10, 2019, at 4:30 in the morning, Fr. Michael left this world, departing to the Lord at the age of 32.

Father was survived by Matushka Irina and his three young children and his retired mother, who has lost both the beloved children whom she lived for. It was very difficult for Matushka. The loss of a beloved husband and having to care for young children is a heavy cross for a young woman.

This family with three small children really needs our help. The youngest daughter is not yet two years old, and the older son only just began first grade.

Священник: Fr. Michael Bondarchik
Матушка: Matushka Irina Bondarchik
Место жительства: Lipetsk region, Yelets city, Russia.