To the biography of Moscow Metropolitan Philaret

The letter given below reveals one feature, which until now seems to have not become known, in the nature of the relationship of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret to the teachers of the theological schools subordinate to him. It turns out that the saint endured for several months without a place those teachers who wanted to leave teaching and take over the parish... This feature could go unnoticed by historians because Metropolitan Philaret, who adhered to it from the day he assumed the Moscow see, then, apparently, abandoned it. At least, from the “Materials on the history of the Moscow diocese under the direction of Metropolitan Philaret” (M. 1883) it is not clear that it was reflected in even one resolution of the bishop on the petition of a candidate for the priesthood from the teachers of the seminary or academy. On the contrary, Metropolitan Philaret’s first concern was that teaching would not suffer damage until the end of the school year (see, for example, 77. - dated 1830). The author of the letter is Iv. Iv. Petrov, bachelor of French at the Moscow Academy in 1822–1827. The historian of the academy, S.K. Smirnov, reports about him that in 1827 he went to Moscow to become a priest and in 1838 died at the Church of St. Nikita the Martyr in Tatarskaya (History of the Moscow Theological Academy before its transformation (1814–1870), M. 1879). But it turns out that before his ordination Petrov had to endure the long-term temptation of a man without a place, but with a family in his arms... The addressee of the letter is Archpriest of the Nizhny Novgorod Archangel Cathedral V. G. Vladimirov, a former student of the Moscow Academy. At the time when Petrov graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod seminary (1818), he was an economist there with the rank of priest of the same cathedral. (See Tikhov I.I., Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary in 1818–1840 (Nizhny Novgorod, 1905), 22. 125). Whether he was a seminary teacher is not clear from history. But from other letters from Petrov to Fr. Vladimirov, letters sent from the Lavra upon his arrival there and admission to the academy, and under one of them there are signatures of Petrov’s other comrades, sent with him from the Nizhny Novgorod seminary (Efim Lebedev and Iv. Blagoobrazov), it is revealed that to the latter’s students Fr. Vladimirov had closer and ideological relations than those determined by the administration of an economic post. All the letters mentioned, as well as the one given below in the interests of illuminating the personality of Metropolitan Philaret, are in the collection of papers of Archpriest. Vladimirov, owned by his grandson K.V. Lavrsky and placed at our disposal with his permission by M.I. Lopatkin. Your High Blessing Dear Sovereign Vasily Grigorievich! I most humbly thank you for your gracious visit to me in my wandering home. I extremely regret that I cannot provide the most venerable Father Archpriest with the proper service, not living with St. monastery, ever-memorable to you and me. The will of the local Lord regarding those serving at the Academy and seminaries with the intention of entering the white clergy is such that they leave the school service before appearing before the face of His Holiness with a request for assignment to any priestly position. According to this, for a long time, that is, from the very accession of the Rev. Philaret in the administration of the Moscow Diocese - the established verbal law, contrary to the written and the highest signing of the approved rules for theological schools - our brethren, whom the monastic fathers are ashamed to call their brethren, are subjected to a six-month, a year, and if the conscience does not blind the Bishop, and a long-term trial. For six months I and another stranger, my companion in study and service, were tempted. Places were opened and closed, juniors were identified, sometimes unlearned, but with famous intercessors, or especially loved by the Bishop. Finally, my employee calms down, receiving a position, although not the one he rightfully asked for. And my coming still continues. With joy and most zealous gratitude, I am confident in your fatherly prayers, sent for me to the God of patience and consolation. With all my heart I rejoice with you over your dear children; I have the honor to recommend to your favor my two daughters, one of whom is learning to walk and talk, and the other to smile. I wish you unshakable health and both family and all consolation as constant as this desire of mine and the deepest respect with which I have the honor to remain for you The original is inscribed in the addressee's hand: “It’s a pity that this kind and intelligent Priest Ivan Ivan Petrov, a former Master and Bachelor, did not live long - direct and excellent.”