A Russian scientist in Medjugorje tells his story: Here is the solution to all problems

Da Paolo Tessione - August 31, 2019

Sergej Grib, a handsome middle-aged man, married with two children, lives in Leningrad, where he studied physics specializing in the study of atmospheric phenomena and the earth's magnetic field. For years, after that extraordinary mystical experience that led him to faith, he has been interested in religious problems and is a member of an association that deals precisely with problems of science and faith. On June 25, he was interrogated by an editor of Sveta Bastina.

From the atheist college to the dream of the icon and the encounter with the staret that emanates light and joy

D. You are an Orthodox Christian and a scholar. You attended schools where everything speaks against God: how do you explain your faith and its growth?

A. Yes, for me this is a miracle. My father is a professor, he never prayed in my presence. He never spoke against faith or against the church, he never mocked anything, but he didn't even recommend it.
When I was thirteen my father sent me to a school attended only by those who belonged to the upper classes and in which there was hope that they would carry on the new society, the one born from the 1918 revolution. For me this period of my life it was very heavy. I was unable to adapt. Together with me there were young people, there were my superiors, but they were impossible for me. There was no respect for anything or anyone, no love; I found only selfishness, I was sad.
And so one night I was offered a dream, which not only helped me to remain a believer, but it seems to me that it brought me to the joy of an encounter with God, which makes me live deeply in his presence in the world.

D. Can you tell us something about this dream?

R. Of course. In a dream I saw a divine icon. She was alive or showed up, I can't say exactly. Then a light was released with force that penetrated deeply into my soul. In that instant I felt united with the icon, united with Maria. I was fully happy and in deep peace. I don't know how long this dream lasted, but the reality of that dream still continues. Since then I have become another.
Even my stay in the boarding school was easier for me. The joy that I felt no one could understand it, even I could not explain it to me. My parents didn't understand anything either. They only saw a great change in me.

Q. Didn't you find anyone who discovered something about you?

A. Yes, he was a "staret" (spiritual master). My parents had a small property near a convent which, fortunately during that savage fury against the church had not been closed or destroyed. I felt like something that attracted me there and so I entered the church. This did not please my parents, but they did not forbid me because, if they could not understand my joy, however, they realized that it was profoundly true.
And in that church I met a staret. I don't think I exchanged a word with him, but I understood that he understood me and that it was not necessary to talk to him about my experiences or my joy. It was enough for me to sit next to him and be happy, meditating on the experience of that dream.
Something indescribable emanated from this religious, something that was in tune with my joy and I was happy. I have the impression that he understood me, that I had spoken to him many times and that he listened to everything with the same love.

Science helps me believe Without God there is no life

Q. What happened to your faith afterwards? Did your studies later help you understand faith?

R. I must recognize that knowledge helps me believe, it never made me question my faith. It always amazed me that professors could say that God does not exist, however I never condemned anyone because I carried the secret of my dream in my heart and I knew what it meant for me. I have always been convinced that science without faith is perfectly useless, but when man believes it is of great help to him.

Q. What can you tell us about God?

R. Before I remembered my experience with that staret. Looking into his face I felt as if his face was the center of a sun, from which rays struck me. Then I had the certainty that the Christian faith is the true faith. Our God is the true God. The main reality of the world is God. Without God there is nothing. I can't think I can exist, think, work without God. Without God there is no life, there is nothing. And this I repeat it always, continuously. God is the first law, the first matter of all knowledge.

How I came to Medjugorje

Three years ago I heard about Medjugorje for the first time in the house of a friend, professor of biology and specialized in genetics. Together we saw a film about Medjugorje in French. A long discussion ensued between us. The friend was then studying theology; having graduated, I embrace the ecclesiastical state "in order to help people draw closer to God". Now he is happy.
Recently, going to Vienna, I wanted to meet card. Franz Koenig, the primate of Austria. And it was the Cardinal who convinced me to come to Medjugorje "But I am an Orthodox Christian" I objected. And he: “Please go to Medjugorje! You will find it a unique opportunity to see and experience very interesting facts ". And here I am.

D. Today is the 8th anniversary. What is your impression?

R. Wonderful! But I will still have to think a lot about this. However, for now I can say: It seems to me that here is the answer and the solution to all the questions of the world and of the people. I feel a little lonely because I am probably the only Russian who is here today. But as soon as I get back I will talk to many of my friends. Andro da Alessio, patriarch of Moscow. I will try to write about this phenomenon. I think it's easy to talk to the Russians about peace. Our people desire peace, the soul of our people yearns for the divine and knows how to discover it. These events are of great help to all those who seek God.

D. Do you still want to say something?

R. I speak as a man and as a scientist. The first truth of my life is that God is real more than anything else in the world. He is the source of everything and everyone. I am convinced that nobody can live without him. Nobody. For this there are no atheists. God gives us such joy that it cannot be compared to anything in the world.
This is why I want to invite all readers: do not let yourself be tied up by anything in the world and never let go of God! Don't give in to the temptation of alcohol, drugs, sex, materialism. Resist these temptations. It should. I urge everyone to work and pray together for peace.

Source: Echo of Medjugorje nr. 67 - Trad. By Sr. Margherita Makarovi, from Sveta Batina Sept. Oct. 1989