"The city didn't lose a priest. It lost a Father." A Dagestani resident told NeMoskva about a priest from Derbent who was killed by terrorists.
NeMoskva spoke with a person whose friends helped the 66-year-old priest. To Nikolai Kotelnikov organize services. According to them, he was a "holy man," "not Patriarch Kirill hung with gold."
How many drug addicts and drunkards has he set on the path? — said the interlocutor of "NeMoskva". — He was always ready to receive and listen, day and night. For him, teaching wasn't a job, but the meaning of life—to bring the Orthodox faith to the Islamic Republic and help. This city hasn't lost a priest. It's lost a Father; it's become an orphan.
The interlocutor admitted that he never spoke with Kotelnikov, whom he considers a legend.
— I didn’t have the chance [to communicate], I’m an atheist, and that was an obstacle. — he explained. — I was afraid he would change my mind. And he could. That's why I didn't go to him.
A NeMoskva source lives in Makhachkala. He reported that as of 11:00 PM, shooting was still ongoing on the city streets.
Another Makhachkala resident told the publication that messages are being sent on social media asking people to stay home and not travel anywhere. Distant gunshots are heard outside.
We are concerned about all this, of course, there is uncertainty ahead, - he said.
One Derbent resident told NeMoskva that she is also staying home: judging by the sounds, numerous helicopters are circling above the city.
Let us recall that 66-year-old Archpriest Nikolai Kotelnikov, who served for more than 40 years, was killed today in Derbent during the attack on the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God.
Head of the Public Monitoring Commission of Dagestan Shamil Khadulaev Earlier, he reported that "Father Nikolai was killed, his throat slit." A church security guard was also killed.
Photo: 29.ru