In Pereslavl-Zalessky Father Superior of St. Trinity Danilov Monastery was killed
July 7, 2016 hegumen Daniel (Sokolov), Father Superior of St. Trinity Danilov Monastery in Pereslavl, was killed in his cell, as reports pravoslavie.ru. As reported by TASS with reference to the press service of Pereslavl eparchy, “the body of the monastery prior Daniel (Sokolov) was found after the morning service in his cell. St. Trinity Danilov monastery is small in number and poor enough to assume that the prior was killed for profit”. The 42-year-old hegumen Daniel was buried by the altar in the monastery on
July 10, 2016.
Metropolitan of Yaroslavl and Rostov Panteleimon presented his condolences: “Having chosen the monastic way, Father Daniel came to beloved St. Trinity Danilov monastery. He rebuilt the monastery; his prayers were among the first prayers that were made in the walls of the monastery after the return of the Church shrines. Several years later, Father Daniel was given the obedience to work as a Father Superior of St. Trinity Danilov Monastery, to minister the parishioners, revive and build up the monastic life. And this obedience Father Daniel carried with love and humility. We trust in the mercy of God and believe that the prayers and works of Father Daniel will be taken by Merciful Lord, and the Lord will give him rest in Heaven. Eternal memory to the deceased servant of God hegumen Daniel!”
The Criminal Investigation Division of Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under part 1 of article 105 of the Criminal Code of Russia (murder). Shortly after, on July 10, 2016 the police detained the murderer, as pravda.ru reports.
As noted by the police, the arrest did not raise any difficulties. The criminal was found walking along the highway M – 7 and made no resistance to the police.
The identity of the criminal was confirmed. The murderer is a 27-year-old Alexander Shuleshov, who was earlier suspected of committing the crime. Shuleshov is one of the novices of the monastery, where he was working as a cook. According to the parishioners, shortly before the murder he had a conflict with the prior. The man asked Father Daniel’s permission to go home. However, his request was turned down and Shuleshov may have harbored a grudge against the priest. According to the novices of the monastery, Alexander was previously convicted and appeared in the monastery about a month ago.
During the interrogation it was found out that the parishioners’ assumptions were absolutely correct. Shuleshov killed abbot Daniel because he didn’t let him out of the monastery – the priest feared that the novice would again fall under the influence of his old friends. Father Daniel helped him put an end to his criminal past.
After committing the crime the men left the monastery. The criminal was carrying a backpack with all the necessary things for staying overnight in the woods.
The murderer was taken into custody and is waiting for preventive measures.