In Ekaterinburg, Pavel Astakhov unveiled a movie about Saint Luke of Crimea.
"Passage" Hosts Special Screening of "Doctor from God. Saint Luka of Crimea"
In the heart of the city, a unique event took place: a special screening of the film "Doctor from God. Saint Luka of Crimea." The show was organized by its concept creator, advocate, television host, and former Commissioner for Children's Rights in Russia, Pavel Astakhov.
According to Astakhov, the date and location were no coincidence. The day before, the "Medical Olympus" award was presented in Yekaterinburg, June 11 marked the saint's memorial day, and June 15 is observed as National Medical Workers' Day in Russia. Therefore, special screening attendees included hospital workers, volunteers, and social service providers.
Among the invited guests were Father Evgeny Popichenko, head of the Social Service Department of the Ekapeterburg Diocese, and Alexander Andrew, director of the Saint Catherine Foundation. Igor and Tatiana Altushkina, who head the council and board of trustees of the foundation, supported the project's realization.
The film is dedicated to Saint Luka (born Valentin Voino-Yasenetsky)—a surgeon, scholar, medical doctor, and archbishop. He worked in over 20 cities across the country. His book, "Essays on Necrotic Surgery," written in exile, remains a staple for surgeons today. Saint Luka's relics now rest at the Holy Trinity Women's Monastery in Simferopol, where thousands of pilgrims visit annually.
"Authorities couldn't stomach a surgeon in robes, blessing patients before surgeries—he was told to remove his robes and cross," explains Astakhov. "But he replied, 'I won't remove my robes—I have no other clothing. And I won't remove my cross—it's my cross that I bear.' For this principled stance, he spent 20 years in exile and prison. He was tortured, humiliated—but never renounced. This film is about a great man."
The screening at "Passage" featured a condensed version of the film, lasting approximately 90 minutes. The full film consists of three episodes. The first centers on Saint Luka's life and modern-day reverence for him, while the second delves into his wife, ordination, arrests, and research in prison. The third episode focuses on later years and miracles attributed to his intercession.
The film crew traveled to Crimea, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and several other regions significant to Saint Luka's life. The production used archival documents, interviews with eyewitnesses, and stories about miraculous healings.
Before the screening, Father Evgeny Popichenko, head of the Social Service Department of the Ekapeterburg Diocese, congratulated the medical workers on their professional day.
"An advocate for the faith, a renowned physician, a monk, and a bishop in the face of persecution—Saint Luka's life is an inspiring testament to the power of faith, medicine, and resilience," says Astakhov. The film aims to celebrate Saint Luka's legacy and remind viewers of the importance of compassion, determination, and spiritual guidance in difficult times.
In light of the screening of "Doctor from God. Saint Luka of Crimea," a discussion on the intersection of faith, medicine, and resilience could be piece in the next day's news section of Science & Health-and-wellness magazine. This film marks the life of Saint Luka, a surgeon, scholar, medical doctor, and archbishop, whose book on necrotic surgery is still widely read in the scientific community. Furthermore, a piece focusing on the impact of spiritual guidance in challenging circumstances, as portrayed in Saint Luka's life, could also appear in the "Inspirational Stories" segment of the same magazine.
