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→Serving in Chechnya
In December 1994 in Grozny a large-scale war operation began. The temple appeared in epicentre of the fighting; one of the first shells destroyed the second floor of the church building, some shells hit the temple, but divine services were conducted in the church cellar. Fr. Anatoly, in a cassock, went fearlessly among bullets and shells to assist the soldiers, to inhabitants who remained hidden in cellars of houses in the city. He confessed, partook [[communion]], and [[baptism|baptized]]. His cassock was shot through by bullets in several places, but he again and again went to those who waited for him.
Soon after the beginning of war operations protopriest Peter Netsvetayev left the city and his flock. Without questioning, Fr. Anatoly, still a beginning priest, headed the parish. The city was on fire, bullets whished, terrible explosions of aerial bombs sowed destruction, but Fr. Anatoly continued to stay with his flock. He helped both Russians and Chechens as he could, shared the last that he had. Under his management the [[temple]] in baptistery, the only remaining usable part of the church buildingparish home, has been arranged. Services in the newly arranged temple were conducted constantly.
On New Year's Eve of 1995 he was forcibly taken prisoner by bandits to the Grozny railroad station, where he was ordered to appeal to the Russian defense forces to surrender. In response, Fr. Anatoly said nothing and silently blessed the soldiers.