Filming of a documentary about the Ushakov family began in Diveyevo.

      26 August 2025 10:16

      [217]

      Culture and Leisure

      Filming has begun at the Holy Trinity Seraphimo-Diveevo Monastery on the documentary "The Ushakovs Glorify Russia" (12+), dedicated to the outstanding family that brought fame to the country not only on the battlefields but also in spiritual life. The project is being carried out with the support of a grant from the President of the Russian Federation to support creative projects of nationwide significance in the field of culture and the arts and is aimed at popularizing Orthodox and family values.

      As NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" was told by the Holy Trinity Seraphimo-Diveevo Monastery, at the center of the story are three outstanding figures of the Ushakov family: Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, his uncle — the righteous Saint Feodor of Sanaksar, and Abbess Maria, the first head of the Diveevo convent. The film will tell how members of one family, despite different eras and life paths, were united by faith, service and love for people.

      Fyodor Ushakov went down in history as a naval commander who never lost a battle. He created the Russian naval school, developed naval combat tactics and cared for every subordinate, considering service to the Fatherland a continuation of service to God. After his retirement he devoted himself to charity and spiritual education.

      Abbess Maria (born Elizaveta Ushakova) was Fyodor Ushakov's grand-niece. According to a prophecy by Seraphim of Sarov, she was to lead the Diveevo convent. Over more than 40 years of her abbacy she turned it into one of Russia's main spiritual centers. Despite trials, slander and exile, Mother Maria remained faithful to her path, becoming for many an example of a holy life.

      The film will use rare archival video materials, photographs and testimonies that have not been published before. Participating in the filming will be Honored Artist of Russia Tatyana Tashkova and, as expected, television host Andrey Malakhov. The director is Svetlana Tandit (Fedulova), a member of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia.

      According to project author Svetlana Tandit, the film is intended to remind viewers of the importance of family memory and spiritual continuity. She added that past generations knew their genealogy up to the tenth generation and beyond, did not imagine themselves outside the connection with their ancestors and felt a responsibility to live up to their high moral standards. In her words, this tradition was largely lost during the Soviet era.

      "Without a sense of kin, without the memory of people of the past, it is impossible to revive the value of the family," she stressed.

      The director noted that the project became possible thanks to the work of the Diveevo sisters, who collected disparate facts and testimonies about Mother Maria (Ushakova), including contemporary accounts of her miraculous help to people, and wrote her hagiography. According to her, when you come into contact with the personality and deeds of Abbess Maria, you understand that you are facing a person of holy life, and there is no doubt that in time she will be glorified among the ranks of the saints.

      The abbess of the monastery, Abbess Sergia (Konkova), also noted the importance of the project. Films like this are needed so that people know what role Abbess Maria played in the history of the convent and of all Russia.

      "We must not be Ivans who forget their kin, because Rus' is sustained by faith. From ancient times. Therefore, holy Rus', keep the Orthodox faith — in it is your strength. And how will we keep it if we do not know our roots?" she said.

      The film's premiere is scheduled for November 2025 on the Spas TV channel. It will later be shown on the Soyuz, Ratnik and other channels. In addition, the organizers plan to hold special screenings in Moscow, the Nizhny Novgorod and Samara regions, inviting high school students and university students to attend.

      Earlier it was reported that thousands of pilgrims gathered in Diveevo on August 1 for the feast day of Seraphim of Sarov.

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed of the main events, exclusive materials and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain 18+ materials.