Ivan Okhlobystin: about the path of acting and priesthood

Russian actor, screenwriter, and public figure Ivan Okhlobystin will turn 59 on July 22. This was reported by Upl.uz.

His life is like a mosaic composed of complex and contradictory circumstances. His life path stretches from the altar of the Orthodox Church to the sets of commercial films, worthy of detailed analysis.

Okhlobystin's career reflects not only personal transformations but also certain trends in Russian cultural and social life over the last three decades. Ivan Okhlobystin stands out with his personality shaped under unique conditions.

He was born in the Tula region. His father, military doctor Ivan Ivanovich Okhlobystin, was 62 years old, and his mother, student Albina Belyaeva, was only 19.

Although this age difference caused the family to separate, the birth of the child was desired by both sides. His father saw Ivan as a continuation of medical traditions.

After his parents divorced and his mother remarried, young Ivan was entrusted to his grandmother's care. His grandmother's upbringing was strict, with physical punishments, including belt whipping, accepted as effective educational methods.

This experience may have influenced his complex and often informal behavior. Ivan decided to connect his life with cinema from childhood.

The film that catalyzed this decision was Mark Zakharov's "A Simple Miracle." He demonstrated his unconventional approach when applying to the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK).

When the admissions committee asked him to surprise them, he firmly refused and stated that his goal was to radically change national cinema. This tactic yielded unexpected results, and although initially rejected, he was admitted to the course.

His first major role was in 1991 in the military drama "Noga," where he sought to clearly separate himself from the characters. He used the pseudonym Ivan Chuzhoy for the role because his character's life path ended in suicide, which did not align with the actor's views.

His personal life was stable for many years; he was married to actress Oksana Arbozova for 30 years. They met while studying at VGIK.

Their relationship faced some difficulties, including criticism from Oksana's parents regarding his career and behavior. One famous incident was when Okhlobystin injured his chest to prove his sincerity to his bride, who doubted his proposal.

In 2001, Okhlobystin unexpectedly was ordained as a priest in the Russian Orthodox Church's Tashkent diocese. His wife Oksana took the name Matushka Ksenia.

For several years, he served in Moscow churches. However, due to the necessity of financially supporting a large family (they have six children: two sons—Vasily and Savva, and four daughters—Anfisa, Yevdokiya, Varvara, and Ioanna), he requested a temporary release from priesthood.

After receiving permission, he resumed his acting career. This decision sparked mixed opinions in social circles.

Additionally, he has over 50 foster children under his care, one of whom is Artur Smolyaninov. To a wide audience, he is known for his role as Andrey Bykov, head of the therapeutic department in the sitcom "Interny."

His filmography also includes many works in various genres. For example, in the comedy "Kholop," he played psychologist Lev Arnoldovich, and in the crime series "Polyarny," he portrayed Bolt, the head of a northern city.

In 2007, "Conspiracy