One of the USSR's premier grunge rockstars converted to Holy Orthodoxy in the 1990's after 40 years of being a born and raised atheist caught up in the world of celebrity, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He starred in the film "Ostrov", translation, "The Island", about an Orthodox monk, in 2006. Since his conversion, he has lived a secluded life with his wife very similar to the way monastic hermits live; quietly and far away from people in quiet contemplation of spiritual matters and in prayer.

The following is his speech at the Cannes Film Festival upon the premier of "Ostrov".