Valery Balabanov Born April 9, 1939, Valery Balabanov is Russian Orthodox artist, writer and philosopher. Also, he was a medalist, and the main artist of USSR Central Television (1969-1989). Among his awards and titles – People’s Artist of Russia (1995), Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and the Academy of Slavic culture. Born and brought up in Moscow, he was a true patriot and lyoal son of his Motherland. Moscow, famed for its Orthodox churches and holies, has always been an inspiration for the artist. Back in the 70-ies, Balabanov created one of the very first paintings-prayers, entitled “The Swimmer”. He dedicated it to the famous Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This Cathedral was erected in the 19th century to mark the victory of the Russian forces in the war of 1812 against Napoleon.