Interview by Subdeacon Nektarios [of GOC-K, it appears] with Fr Nikita Grigoriev, a well-known opponent of the 2007 union with MP.
We learn among other things that before becoming a Priest, Fr Nikita, who serves at a ROCANA Church of St Nikita in RIchfield Springs NY near Jordanville, was one of the original 6 pilots of Emirates Airline for over a year.
Looking at the history of Emirates, the carrier seems to have been officially founded in 1985, but it must be that there was a predecessor before that. Fr Nikita Grigoriev lists the name as Emirates Air Service and the location as Abu Dhabi on his LinkedIn profile, so I am assuming he was involved as a pilot with an earlier startup. For Emirates from 1985 was based in Dubai. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among the 7 United Arab Emirates, hence the name.
Fr Nikita worked there from June 1981 to September 1982. Before that, he had been a design engineer with De Havilland Aircraft in Toronto, Canada
Emirates today is the world's LARGEST international airline !
In November 2023,
"The Dubai-based megacarrier was crowned ‘Best Airline in the World’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ at the awards ceremony. The world’s largest international airline won the votes of thousands of global travelers, which it put down to its “world-class products, unmatched services, and superb value for money offerings "
It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport. It operates to more than 150 cities in 80 countries across six continents on its fleet of nearly 300 aircraft. -wikipedia
According to other sources, it is one of the most pampering airlines in the world. 2 highlights :
"Those traveling with kids also get extra baggage allowance, access to free strollers, and can request a bassinet. Emirates also gives the option to pre-order special meals for the little ones and provides baby food plus its own milk formulas and bottles. Anybody bringing their own baby meals and milk bottles can even ask for them to be warmed up"
In 1st Class, the amenities are extraordinary. Emirates is one of the 2 airlines in the world which offers HOT SHOWERS aboard the flights !
Here is a full list :
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/trav ... irst-class
Had Fr Nikita stayed with the airline, he would surely have had a marvelous career.
However, his wife Joanne asked for more information about Orthodoxy in the early 1980s.
When he researched the fascinating material, he realized that the Church was the TRUE career for him.
Hear the rest in this 1-1/2 hour interview :