Dear friends, the mother of Fr. Kostiantyn Maksymov, a priest imprisoned by the Russians, has passed on to the Sophia Brotherhood a letter from her son—a letter addressed to those who remember him and to those who have forgotten him.
“Greetings, my dear ones!
The year 2026 has arrived. Another year of our separation. Nearly four years have passed since our last meeting. For me, that is a very long time. Apparently, I will still have to spend the coming years in this place. It is painful to watch how some of our lads are losing faith and hope that they will soon return home, to their homeland…
You know that during my time ‘in chains and imprisonment’ I have repeatedly appealed to church hierarchs. However, none of them has responded in any way or supported me in this situation. Only Metropolitan Ephrem found the time and opportunity to contact my mother and to support all of us. At that moment, the bishop’s attention was comparable to the joy of Easter. Hearing how Muslims and Protestants here receive letters of support from all over the world, I watched and hoped to receive at least some response or a brief word from my Primate and from those to whom I appealed from prison. At times, thoughts arise that we truly are not needed and that we have been forgotten, as they try to instill in us here. Yet deep in my soul I cannot come to terms with this or accept it…
In this connection, a question arises for my Primate: Your Beatitude, do you know that I am in prison? All this time I hoped to hear from you words of support and consolation. But in response—silence.
I am very sorry that this has turned out this way. I ask for your prayers.
IK-10, Saratov, January 19, 2026.”
