I remember Slava as a great companion in Christ. Always humble, always serving and helping. I am grateful for inspiring conversations with him; his way of asking questions, often questions which seemed simple in the beginning, led us to deeper understanding of who we are and what our calling is in our lives and as a Christian community in Mimico.
He had a unique way of touching people's hearts, especially with his music. May God surround him now with all his love and light and may all who miss him be comforted by God`s presence.

Coming to Martin Luther Church on a Sunday I met a young man sitting at the piano playing beautiful music. We introduced ourselves and spoke about his ability to play so well. He was modest. Many times after that I would meet Slava in some capacity or another and always somehow related to music. Beautiful memories indoors and out.

Slava, a friend I met at Martin Luther Church

I vaguely remember a young man coming to Dinner Church two years ago and asking to come back to practice on the church’s keyboard. I more clearly remember him coming to Music and Marshmallows in the church backyard with his guitar. He quickly became a kind church neighbour who made me tea and brought me cherries while I worked in the office. As we went for walks at the lake, ate and biked together, we got to know each other. He was open and trusting and slowly I learned to be, too. We shared stories of losing our mothers. He often shared a specially chosen song or photo. I sometimes took care of his precious Siberian cat, Tisha, when he was away.

Slava became a faithful friend who joined us in fellowship at Camp Lutherlyn. He shared his music and even began playing his guitar at Dinner Church. Slava was not a stranger to volunteering and serving. He helped at a camp for children with cerebral palsy when he was younger.

He got his MBA in England. He came to Canada on his own and worked from home as a stock trader. Over the past couple years, he traveled to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Slava found freedom and happiness biking long distances on his own. It was on one of these invigorating bike rides just over a year ago that Slava fell off his bike and broke his collarbone. And so began his journey back to health. He recovered enough to visit his grandfather and friends in Russia last winter. He returned to Toronto with the hope of becoming a Canadian citizen and getting his Canadian driver’s license.

Slava suffered a serious medical emergency in the spring which showed his will to live and the power of prayer. Dear Slava dealt with the challenges he faced with honesty, grace and patience. He continued to love and inspire those around him despite his pain. He strived to thrive, not just survive. He asked for help and coped with complications. And so friends from different circles, including Long Branch Baptist Church, Martin Luther Church and C3 Church, brought him home-cooked meals, helped around his apartment, drove him to appointments and had caring conversations.

We all wanted him to get better but he is in God’s hands. When faced with his roommate’s death during his last hospital stay, Slava reassured the man’s mother. He said he was in peace after his struggle. And so we pray that Slava is at peace as we mourn the loss of his physical presence. We will survive and thrive with his love, honesty, creativity and compassion. He lives on in his grandfather, his cat Tisha, his music and each of us.