Fr. Eugene Kosolapov of the Church of the Archangel Michel in the city of Noyabrsk died in a car accident on June 21, 2020, together with some of his wife’s relatives.

His wife, Matushka Natalia was left to take care of five young children herself. Noyarbrsk is a small town in the Russian far north, where life is very expensive. Even the simplest fruits and vegetables cost a pretty penny, and the children are constantly in need of vitamins and proper nutrition.

Life is very hard for this widow with five small children. If they don’t get some help, they won’t be able to get by.

All of the children are either in school or kindergarten. Their schools are free, but any additional lessons are expensive, though necessary for the children’s future.

They are growing quickly, and they really need winter clothing right now. Even the most basic needs become heavy burdens when there is no father and provider. Only we can help Matushka Natalia survive in her current situation.

She lost not only her husband, but also her biggest helper—her own mother. Now they will have to pay for hired help. Matushka doesn’t drive, and they don’t even have a car anyways. But the children need to be taken to school, to the doctors, etc.

Matushka must deal with all these cares by herself.

“I’ll be back soon,” was the last thing Fr. Eugene said to his wife when he left. Before he hit the road, they all prayed and Father blessed the children. A few hours later, a terrible accident claimed the lives of all involved. Fr. Eugene was just 33 years old—the victim of a reckless driver going well beyond the speed limit.

Fr. Eugene Kosolapov was born on September 30, 1986. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, his parents moved from Uzbekistan to the Russian arctic. They spent many years in poverty, enduring all kinds of hardships, trying to put down roots in a new place and start a new life.

After moving to Nyagan, the whole family became religious and started going to all the services at the local church. Eugene and his younger sister were regular students at the Sunday School, and seeing his zeal and piety, Eugene was taken to serve in the altar.

Many noticed that he had wisdom and discernment beyond his years, and he grew up an obedient child. His parents had no problems with him, but only rejoiced in their son. Eugene was very reliable and always helped everyone.

He and Natalia met on a train while he was on his way to seminary and she to college. Under the steady clatter of the wheels, they spoke all night as though they’d known each other for ages. They already felt like family, right there on that train, and they never parted. With this wonderful meeting, they realized that they were made for one another.

They got married in 2008, and their first daughter, Anastasia, was born just nine months after their wedding. Eugene was ordained to the diaconate in 2009, and in 2010, he was assigned to the Church of the Archangel Michael in Noyabrsk.

The couple had five children. Fr. Eugene greatly wanted and loved each one long before they were born.

Dcn. Eugene was ordained to the priesthood in 2011, and he led a vibrant priestly ministry. He regularly met and spoke with students, spiritually nourished kindergartens, talked with expectant mothers about familial relationships, and he literally saved a great many children from being killed by abortion.

For several years, the family huddled in rented apartments in Noyabrsk, then they were given an apartment for being a large family. The children were given plenty of attention and they were taken to all kinds of clubs and classes.

Every summer, the whole family would go visit their relatives in a village in the Tula Oblast, to give the children a break from the harsh arctic climate and a chance to regain some strength. So it was in this fateful 2020. Matushka and her children and mother flew to the Tula Oblast, while Father drove down on his vacation. The accident happened during their family vacation there.

“We lived very amicably, happily, rejoicing in every day… until the tragedy occurred. I remember Father every minute,” Matushka Natalia says tearfully.

Священник: Fr. Eugene Kosolapov
Матушка: Matushka Natalia Kosolapova
Место жительства: The city of Noyabrsk, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Russia.