About the confession of V.S. Solovyova

M.G.! In view of the story of the former priest N. Tolstoy 1 published in “Russian Word” about how he gave communion to the late Russian philosopher Vladimir Sergeevich Solovyov according to the Uniate rite, do not refuse to publish in “Moskovskie Vedomosti” the story of an Orthodox Russian priest about how he confessed and gave communion to Vladimir Sergeevich before his death. This priest, S. A. Belyaev, is currently a member of the Moscow Sokolniki Hospital, and during the dying illness and death of Vladimir Sergeevich he was a priest in the village of Uzkoye, Moscow district, where the estate of Prince P. N. Trubetskoy is located, and can confirm the story posted. This is what he says: “In the summer of 1900, Prince P.N. Trubetskoy did not live in Uzkoy, but his late brother, Sergei Nikolaevich, later rector of Moscow University, friend Vlad, lived there. Serg. Solovyova. Vladimir Sergeevich, already ill, came here to stay with him in July. Having just left Moscow, behind the Kaluga outpost, Vlad. Serg. felt ill and wanted to go back to Moscow, but changed his mind and went to Uzkoye; but, having arrived there, on the same day, on the advice of the doctor, he went to bed, from which he never got out. And then one evening Trubetskoy’s man comes to me with a request from Sergei Nikolaevich to serve the liturgy the next day and after it to come to commune with the dinner Gifts 2 (Vlad. Serg.’s personal wish) to a sick gentleman who had arrived from Moscow. The next day, at the end of Matins, Trubetskoy’s nanny came with a request to confess the patient before mass (at the same time she also named the patient’s name - Vladimir, but she did not know who he was). After serving Matins, I went to the Trubetskoys’ house. Prince Sergei Nikolaevich himself met me in the hallway and, repeating the patient’s request, asked me: do I know him? I replied that I didn't know. Following this, the prince led me into the office, where Vlad was lying on the sofa. Sergeevich, and introduced him to him (I remember, by the way, that Vlad. Serg.’s hair was cut). Vlad confessed. Serg. with true Christian humility (the confession lasted at least half an hour) and, by the way, said that he had not been to confession for three years, because, having confessed for the last time (in Moscow or St. Petersburg - I don’t remember), he argued with his confessor over a dogmatic issue (on which one, Vlad. Serg. did not say) and was not allowed by him to Holy Communion 2 . “The priest was right,” Vlad added. Serg., - and I argued with him solely out of ardor and pride; after that we corresponded with him on this issue, but I did not want to give in, although I was well aware that I was wrong; Now I am fully aware of my error and sincerely repent of it.” – When the confession ended, I asked Vlad. Serg., will he remember any other sins? “I’ll think about it and try to remember,” he answered. I invited him to think, and I began to get ready to go serve the liturgy, but he stopped me and asked me to read him a prayer of permission, because he was afraid of falling into unconsciousness. I read a prayer of permission over him and went to church to serve mass. After serving mass, I came back to Vlad with the Holy Gifts. Serg. and asked him: would he remember any other sin? “No, father,” he answered. – I prayed about my sins and asked God for forgiveness for them, but I didn’t remember anything new. Then I gave him Holy Communion. Prince Sergei Nikolaevich and his wife Praskovya Vladimirovna were present. On the same day, Vlad. Serg. fell into unconsciousness and did not come to his senses until his death. By the way, I remember that Prince Sergei Nikolaevich, in a conversation with me, energetically refuted the rumor that Vlad. Serg. was an alcoholic. I also remember that Vlad himself. Serg. told me that he is considered a vegetarian - on the grounds that he does not eat meat, but that although he actually does not eat meat, it is not because he adheres to vegetarianism. When Vlad's ashes. Sergeevich was lowered into the grave, I, saying goodbye to the prince. S.N. went out the gates of the monastery and took the first cab he came across. The driver asked me who was being buried? “I answered that they were burying a famous Russian scientist and writer. – Isn’t it Vladimir Sergeevich Solovyov? I answered that it was him, and at the same time asked the cab driver: why does he know him? The cab driver replied that he always stands in the place where Vlad is. Serg. stopped upon arrival in Moscow, that is, at his mother’s apartment. – And as you know, it happened that Vlad arrived. Serg., you always wait for him at the entrance, and as soon as he comes out, you ask: where to go? And you don’t talk about the price, because he himself always paid more than he should have. He was a kind gentleman: there are few like him these days. If he sees a beggar, he will stop you and come down to give alms.” Holy N. Kolosov. October 25, 1910 Published in No. 253 of Moskovskie Vedomosti, Wednesday, November 3 (16), 1910. Republished in the 3rd volume of Solovyov’s Letters, St. Petersburg, 1911, pp. 214–217. Published from this edition. That is, consecrated at the just served liturgy.