Published on: 2026-09-11
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On September 10, Father Alexander, the rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, passed away. This is an irreplaceable loss not only for the parishioners but also for the Polytechnic University, on whose grounds the church is located. Father Alexander served there for almost a quarter of a century and became a teacher and mentor, almost like a family member, to many Polytechnic students.
Alexander Sergeyevich Rumyantsev was born on April 18, 1953, in the town of Plyos in the Ivanovo region. He grew up in a devout family, received a spiritual upbringing, and learned Christian values from childhood.
In his youth, he worked as the artistic director of a rural club and wrote notes for the district newspaper. Shortly after entering the Leningrad Theological Seminary, he received a draft notice from the military enlistment office. Alexander Rumyantsev served in the motor vehicle company of a training regiment in Chernihiv, then in Lviv. After the army, he was reinstated at the seminary, graduated in 1977, and continued his studies at the Leningrad Theological Academy.
Six months later, he was ordained a deacon, then a priest. Upon graduating from the academy, he was sent to postgraduate studies at the Moscow Theological Academy. In 1983, he successfully defended his candidate’s dissertation. The diploma of Candidate of Theology was presented to Alexander by Metropolitan Alexy of Tallinn and Estonia — the future His Holiness the Patriarch.
On July 1, 1992, Archpriest Alexander Rumyantsev was appointed rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Under his leadership, the church was restored, its historical appearance was returned, and church life was revived within it. Today, the Intercession Church is one of the architectural and spiritual symbols of the Polytechnic University, and this is largely thanks to Father Alexander.
Over the years of service at the Pokrovsky Church, the rector has nurtured and trained 15 priests, helping them choose their own path. For hundreds of parishioners, he became a spiritual father and support during difficult times in life. Father Alexander devoted considerable effort to awakening interest in Christianity among Polytechnic students and involving them in charitable activities. A Sunday school and the student organization “Polytech under the Protection” were established at the church, and informal meetings between the rector, other clergy, and the youth were held regularly.
Father Alexander actively participated in the life of the Polytechnic University as well. Thus, the Pokrovsky Church, together with the university, became the organizer of events dedicated to the participation of the Orthodox Church in the scientific and technological development of the country.
You can read the interview with Father Alexander on the Polytechnic newspaper’s website.
For invaluable contributions to the development of the Polytechnic University, enlightenment, and education of the student body, Mitroforny Archpriest Alexander was awarded the university’s highest honor — the honorary badge “For Merit.”
The deeds of Father Alexander will remain in the history of the university and the Orthodox Church, and his good memory will be preserved in the hearts of many people.
The Polytechnic University mourns the irreplaceable loss and extends sincere condolences to the family and close ones of Father Alexander.
The funeral service will take place at the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on September 13 after the Divine Liturgy.
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