The portrait by Alfia Ponomarenko was so much loved by the Patriarch that he blessed the painter and the whole Saratov Region.
In 2004 in Russia were held festivities dedicated to the 14th anniversary of the inthronization of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Aleksi II. This event coincided with the Patriarchs 75th birthday. All political and artistic elite were invited to the festivities. Among the guests were ex-Governor of the Saratov Region Dmitri Ayatskov and Chairman of the Committee on Public Relations Boris Shinchuk. Before leaving for Moscow Dmitri Ayatkov had an idea of presenting a portrait to Aleksi II, so he commerced a well-known Saratov artist Alfia Ponomarenko to paint the Patriarchs portrait. She immediately took to work.
It was a hard work, - the artist said to Komsomolka. I always take things seriously and all the time I was painting the Patriarch I was keeping the fast. Nobody made these terms for me, it was my own decision. Boris Shinchuk gave me a lot of Aleksis photos and videocassettes. Many times in the process of work I looked in the Patriarchs eyes, listened to his voice. It helped me greatly. I was pressed of time, two weeks were left till the celebration. Last five nights I couldnt sleep. I tormented myself over some details on the portrait I failed to paint. All of a sudden I caught the sight of old photos of the Patriarchs parents and it struck me: Aleksi was born in the Pre-Baltic and has German ancestors. At once I have caught the right shape of the check-bones. I hit the mark! His face is different from the prevailing in our country Russian, Tatar and Mordvinian faces. When the portrait was completed I felt absolutely exhausted. But I did it! I have revealed the Patriarchs character! Of particular difficulty was painting the eyes. At first sight the Patriarch is strict and frowning, but the eyes betray kindness.
Festivities on the occasion of the inthronization were held in Moscow on 11 July in the Hall of the Church Synod in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
It is an interesting coincidence, - Alfia says. 11 June is my birthday! Dmitri Ayatskov congratulated the Patriarch. They had a friendly talk and the Governor presented the portrait to Aleksi. Many artists painted the Patriarch but he distinguished my work of all. He did like it! Happy Ayatskov called me and said: Aleksi blessed you, me and the whole Saratov Region! The Patriarch was moved and said: I will leave this portrait for myself and hang it in my apartment.
