Hieroschemadiacon Stefan (in the world—Bondarevsky Maksim Nikolaevich) was born on May 26, 1976, in Simferopol. After graduating from the seminary in 1993, he entered the Kyiv Theological Academy and was admitted to the brotherhood of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra upon his request.

During his studies, he sang in the monastic choir and held a special love for the divine services of the Lavra. Despite lacking formal musical education, he quickly became a skilled singer and gained a deep understanding of the Church Typicon.

He was tonsured as a riassophore monk named Avenir and served as a singer in the left kliros. Monk Avenir was ordained as a hierodeacon that same year and tonsured into the mantle with the name Aviv in honour of Martyr Aviv.

In 1999, His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr elevated him to the rank of archdeacon.

Diaconal Service
Father Aviv carried out his diaconal service with great and sincere reverence, which inspired fervent prayer. Additionally, he regularly sang on the kliros and was known for his simplicity and straightforwardness in dealing with the brethren.

After being diagnosed with a severe oncological illness, Archdeacon Aviv was tonsured into the schema on July 10, 2001, with the name Stefan, in honour of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and Archdeacon.

Father Stefan remained clear-minded until his final moments. He departed to the Lord in the presence of his parents on January 8, 2002, at the age of 25.

Memories of Archimandrite Polycarp (Linenko) About Hieroschemadiacon Stefan

“Since childhood, he loved the lives of the martyrs.”

“When Father Stefan joined the seminary, he began singing in the monastic choir, where seminarians were often invited to help. He sang there for four years and confessed to me during that time. What always struck me was his deep delight in the lives of the martyrs. I compared myself to him: how hard it is to read about the trials and sufferings of martyrs! I was drawn more to the lives of the venerable ones.”

“After seminary, he decided to join the monastery. I was a bit apprehensive, thinking I couldn’t provide adequate spiritual guidance, and advised him to confess to Lavra’s spiritual father, Father Avraamiy. I also worried that if he joined the monastery, there might be potential conflicts between us as choir director and singer. To ensure he wouldn’t lack a confessor, I sent him to Father Avraamiy. After speaking with the elder, he ran out joyful, saying the elder had blessed him to join the monastery. I was shocked: he was so young! His mother was a ballerina, his father a performer—where did he get such a monastic calling?”

He joined the Lavra, became part of the brotherhood, and lived there for four years. Then he began to fall ill—at first with weakness, then with pain. He did not seek severe treatment, relying instead on simple remedies. No one suspected such a grave illness until he was hospitalized at the instruction of Metropolitan Pavel. During surgery, it was revealed that cancer had spread throughout his body, and nothing could be done.

His parents were informed, and his mother requested his tonsure into the schema. She later also passed away from cancer—may she rest in peace. We struggled with whether to tell him the full gravity of his illness. Father Avraamiy advised us to tell him, as he was an Orthodox Christian who needed to know how to prepare his soul for eternity.

Choosing His Schema Name
When I learned about the tonsure, I reflected on a name for him. I considered naming him in honour of St. Anthony or St. Pimen the Much-Afflicted, but neither felt right. Then the thought came to name him after St. Stephen the Protomartyr and Archdeacon, as both were deacons and bore heavy burdens—one through martyrdom, the other through illness. I shared this with Metropolitan Pavel, and that evening, he was tonsured with the name Stefan.

Father Stefan continued moving as much as he could before becoming bedridden. We cared for him, feeding him, cleaning for him, and taking turns keeping vigil. He was communed daily as blessed by Metropolitan Pavel.

On the eve of his repose, during the Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, he received Holy Communion. The next day, he departed to the Lord. His body was laid in his cell, awaiting burial, and as I sat beside him, I noticed the fragrance of holy oil emanating from his hand—it was profoundly moving.

Father Stefan passed away on the Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, a testimony to the love and protection of the Mother of God for those who serve faithfully. Indeed, his life was an example of devotion and humility, and his death a peaceful passage into eternity.

Archimandrite Polycarp (Linenko)