The inner circle of Saint Theophan, new information about P.S. Lukomskaya

Annotation. Princess Pelageya Lukomskaya is one of the most mysterious figures from the circle of St. Theophan. Many aspects of her life remain a mystery to researchers. It is known that she was the spiritual daughter and correspondent of the archpastor, as well as a person from his close circle. The author of this article used some genealogical facts about the Lukomsky family, found by priest Georgy Pavlovich, in order to explore the history of this person. The article presents fragments of the princess's letters and correspondence in which she is mentioned. Abstract. Princess Pelageya Lukomskaya is one of the most mysterious figures from the entourage of St. Theophan. Many aspects of her life remain a mystery to researchers. It is known that she was the spiritual daughter and correspondent of the archpastor, as well as a person from his inner circle. The author of this article used some genealogical facts about the Lukomsky family which were found by the priest Georgy Pavlovich in order to investigate the history of this person. The article presents fragments of the Princess' letters and correspondence in which she is mentioned. The spiritual daughter and correspondent of Saint Theophan, Princess Pelageya Sergeevna Lukomskaya, occupied a special place in his circle. The princess (that’s how she signed herself, and that’s what Feofan called her with slight irony in his correspondence with loved ones) herself had an undoubted influence on the life of the saint, and later became his assistant and entered the circle of people close to him. The personality of this woman was of interest to many researchers, but until now the circumstances of her life were completely unknown: who her husband was, how their family life went, when she was widowed, who was Princess Feofania Lukomskaya, buried next to her - just questions! Various sources present her husband either as a court architect or as a military man. Some information flashed in letters, archival files, and the Internet is often erroneous. Previously, we had identified many individuals from the Lukomsky family, but it was not possible to link the princess’s husband to a specific branch of this family. Our message, in turn, does not pretend to be complete, but presents identified biographical information from the life of the princess. We used some genealogical facts about the Lukomsky family, found by priest Georgy Pavlovich (Diveevo village) and kindly shared with us. We express our warm gratitude to Father George. Communication with him inspired us to resume and complete the research we had begun long ago. We also thank the St. Petersburg researchers - archivists Galina Mikhailovna Stepanova and Nina Vyacheslavovna Novikova, who invariably provide information support to our work. Pelageya Sergeevna was exactly a year older than Saint Theophan, practically the same age as him. She was born on January 3, 1814 in the family of the St. Petersburg merchant Sergei Ivanovich Kusov and his wife Khionia Nikolaevna, on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. Two weeks later, on January 18, the baby Pelageya was baptized in the Annunciation Church on Vasilyevsky Island; in this church, before it was converted into a monastery, all the sacraments of the Kusov family were performed. The girl’s adoptive parents were her paternal grandfather, commercial adviser and gentleman Ivan Vasilyevich Kusov, and her maternal grandmother, Natalya Moiseevna, the wife of the St. Petersburg merchant Nikolai Kuvshinnikov [17, l.12; 15 p.117, 126]. Later we found the original metrical record of the Baptism of Pelageya Sergeevna (TsGIA. F.19. Op.111. D.176. Metrical books of churches in St. Petersburg, 1814. L.284). Let us present some information from the history of the Kusov family, published in the reference book by A.V. Krasko and G.K. Olkhina, supplementing with facts we found. Pelageya Sergeevna's ancestors came from peasants from the village. Klementyev, Moscow district, which belonged to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. Her great-great-great-grandfather Grigory Kusov (born no later than 1712) together with his brother sold toys in St. Petersburg. Toy craft is traditional for residents of Troitsky Posad and its environs and continues to this day. Grigory's son - Vasily Grigorievich (01/01/1729, Troitsky Posad, Moscow district - 09/18/1788, St. Petersburg) rose to the rank of St. Petersburg first-class merchant. He conducted extensive foreign trade with Germany, France, and England through the St. Petersburg port. The company he founded occupied significant positions for more than 100 years. After Vasily Grigorievich was removed from business, his son, St. Petersburg first-ranking merchant Ivan Vasilyevich Kusov (01/07/1750–08/18/1819), commerce advisor 1 and holder of the Order of St., became the head of the company. Vladimir 4th degree and St. John of Jerusalem, grandfather of Pelageya Sergeevna. Ivan Vasilyevich was one of the founders of the Russian-American Company, founded sugar, potash, vodka and tanneries in St. Petersburg. In 1800, among the first three St. Petersburg merchants, he received the title of commerce advisor, simultaneously with the establishment of this title. Ivan Vasilyevich lived in his own house on the 1st line of Vasilyevsky Island (now house 58) in the parish of the Catherine Church 2, had numerous offspring from three wives. His first wife Pelageya Ivanovna, ur. Kokushkina (1759–1797), gave birth to 13 children. What is important for us is that among her children were her daughter Alexandra Ivanovna, married to Rostovtsev, the mother of Yakov Ivanovich Rostovtsev, and son Sergei Ivanovich, the princess’s father. Thus, Yakov Ivanovich Rostovtsev and Pelageya Sergeevna Lukomskaya are cousins. The close relationship between their families was never interrupted. Pelageya Sergeevna often resorted to Rostovtsev’s help in difficult moments of her life and the lives of people close to her. Pelageya’s father, Sergei Ivanovich Kusov (October 1, 1884–March 30, 1824), was initially part of his father’s capital, and after his death he conducted business with his brothers; he did not declare capital on his own behalf. He was a Mason. Behind him, inseparably with his brothers, was a family estate: in St. Petersburg, 2 stone houses, a sugar and tannery, 15 stone shops, 6 stone barns and a dacha on Kamenny Island. Sergei Kusov married on February 21, 1812 Khionia Nikolaevna Kuvshinnikova (06/11/1793–6/4/1856), sometimes called Fionia, daughter of the St. Petersburg merchant Nikolai Kuvshinnikov and his wife Natalya Moiseevna. The newlyweds got married in the Annunciation Church on Vasilievsky Island, the guarantors were the groom's brother, the first-ranking St. Petersburg merchant Nikolai Ivanovich Kusov, and the Smolensk merchant Nikolai Klimovich Savelyev. Sergei Ivanovich and Khionia Nikolaevna had four daughters (we give their married names): Pelageya Lukomskaya (01/03/1814–12/07/1877); Natalya Kusova (born January 13, 1816); Maria Olkhina (12/28/1817–6/8/1910); Yulia Kosikovskaya (01/08/1819–12/05/1887). S.I. Kusov died on March 30, 1824, before reaching the age of 40. After the death of her husband, Khionia Nikolaevna declared capital in her own name under the 3rd guild, that is, she became a merchant. Small memories of the widowed Khionia Nikolaevna Kusova were found in the book of Maria Fedorovna Kamenskaya, daughter of Count Fyodor Petrovich Tolstoy, president of the Academy of Arts [11, p. 121–122]. It turns out that Pelageya Sergeevna’s mother was on friendly terms with the family of Count. F.P. Tolstoy, she was their “own man.” Apparently, the roots of this closeness must be sought in the general Masonic activity of the gr. F.P. Tolstoy and S.I. Kusova. In addition, two of Sergei Ivanovich's brothers occupied prominent positions in the lodge, which was headed by Count Fyodor Petrovich Tolstoy. Maria Fedorovna Kamenskaya gives a brief portrait of the "pretty young widow", although she misspelled her maiden name. The description refers to the summer of 1826: “...a Russian plump beauty... Fiona Nikolaevna, having lost her husband, cut her hair with a comb, let go of a huge black flannel train with pleerases, covered herself from head to toe with a widow's crepe blanket and did not stop, sighing deeply, silently, looking somewhere into the distance with her sky-blue eyes... Of course, she did not could enliven our house, but she was so touchingly beautiful that it was impossible to take my eyes off her” [11, p. 121–122]. The author of the memoirs, Mashenka Tolstaya (born 1817), was very friendly with the Kusov girls, “spent... her youth with them” [11, p. 121–122]. Kamenskaya intended to tell more about this happy time for her and about the Kusov family in further sections of the book, but the memoirist’s age and poor health did not allow her to fulfill her plan. However, brief sketches by M.F. Kamenskaya is allowed to imagine not only the appearance of Khionia Nikolaevna, but also the social circle of her daughters. From the fact that the third daughter of the Kusovs, Maria Sergeevna Olkhina, served for many years as the director of the Mariinsky Institute, it is clear that Khionia Nikolaevna gave her daughters an excellent education. The sincere affection of the daughters Pelageya and Yulia for her is also undoubted: she was the constant successor of their children - her grandchildren. On November 27, 1837, Khionia Nikolaevna Kusova and her daughters were included in the family of their father-in-law and included in the 1st part of the noble genealogy book [17]. Undoubtedly, all the daughters had a good dowry. We don’t know how the life of the Kusovs’ second daughter, Natalia Sergeevna, turned out. Judging by her unchanged surname, she never married. The third daughter, Maria Sergeevna, married on January 13, 1839, Alexander Alexandrovich Olkhin (06/20/1812–04/07/1873), the son of the richest manufacturer Alexander Vasilyevich Olkhin. Her father-in-law A.V. Olkhin, like her grandfather I.V. Kusov was one of the first to be awarded the title of commerce advisor, and soon the nobility. Three sons and three daughters were born into Maria Sergeevna’s family. The eldest son became interested in the revolutionary movement and caused his mother a lot of trouble. The youngest daughter Faina Aleksandrovna was married to Alexei Dmitrievich Polenov, brother of the artist V.D. Polenova. He owned the village of Alekseevskoye-Voeikovo, Yelets district, Oryol province. The fourth, youngest daughter of Sergei Ivanovich and Khionia Nikolaevna, Yulia Sergeevna, married on July 6, 1842 Valentin Andreevich Kosikovsky, the son of the St. Petersburg merchant of the 1st guild Andrei Ivanovich Kosikovsky. The family had six children. Later than the sisters, in 1843, the Kusovs’ eldest daughter, Pelageya, got married. “No. 7. 10 Feb. 1843 - in the Catherine Church on Vasilyevsky Island. Groom: naval artillery corps of the 1st brigade, lieutenant Prince Alexander Lukomsky, Orthodox confession, first marriage, 31 years old. Bride: deceased nobleman Sergei Ivanov Kusova, daughter of the maiden Pelageya Sergeeva Kusova, Orthodox confession, first marriage, 25 years old. Catherine's Church priest John Afanasiev Melioransky. Guarantors for the groom's wedding: collegiate registrar Vladimir Mordvin, who is affiliated with the Ministry of Finance, and Lieutenant Sergei Vasilyevich Loshin (Leshin); for the bride: mother, native noblewoman Khionia Kusova, lieutenant of the chief of staff of Felzeichmeister General, staff captain Alexander Alexandrov Olkhin (husband of Maria Sergeevna Kusova) and state councilor Nikolai Kusov” [15 p. 117, 126; 29, l.259]. The wedding record is a mystery, since, contrary to all sorts of rules, the groom’s middle name is not indicated. As a result of the work we did, we were able to establish that Prince Alexander Iosifovich Lukomsky (1811–05/15/1850) became Pelageya Sergeevna’s husband. Strictly speaking, the Lukomskys did not have the right to be called princes, since the title was not confirmed by documents, but the branch to which Alexander Iosifovich belonged persistently used this title, and his brother Dmitry even wrote: “Prince Dmitry Osipov from Olgerds Lukomsky.” Parents of Alexander Iosifovich: Joseph Gilarievich Lukomsky (d. before 1832) and Anna Egorovna, b. von Dreinehacker. In 1817, at the time of the birth of their son Dmitry, the family lived in the Pskov province on the estate of Major General V. M. Mordvinov [16, p. 127–158], at this time Joseph Gilarievich served as the zemstvo police officer of the Novorzhevsky district of the Pskov province. Brothers Alexander and Dmitry Lukomsky never lost contact with the Mordvinov family. Thus, in 1843, during the marriage of Alexander Iosifovich and Pelageya Sergeevna, one of the guarantors for the groom was the collegiate registrar Vladimir Mordvinov; in 1844, Dmitry Mikhailovich Mordvinov became the godfather of Yakov, the first-born of this couple. Alexander Iosifovich Lukomsky served in the Black Sea Fleet in naval artillery for 16 years, participated in the Turkish campaign, and was on several campaigns in the Caucasus [18]. Earlier in May 1845, he retired from service with the rank of staff captain and did not earn his pension. Later, Pelageya Sergeevna wrote about him: “My husband served honestly, but did nothing brilliant or anything special” [18]. After his resignation and until his death, Alexander Lukomsky served as a caretaker of building materials at the St. Petersburg Orphanage. On January 4, 1844, Pelageya Sergeevna’s first child, Yakov, was born, but he died soon after. The baby was baptized in the Church of St. Vmch. Catherine on Vasilievsky Island, in the same place where the Lukomskys were married the year before. A little over a year later, on May 21, 1845, a second son was born, who was also named Yakov (apparently in honor of Yakov Ivanovich Rostovtsev), who also died in infancy. The second Jacob was baptized in the church of the Orphanage, at his father’s place of service. The successor of both sons was their grandmother Khionia Nikolaevna Kusova. It was to this time (1845–1846) that Princess Lukomskaya met Hieromonk Feofan (Govorov), who arrived in St. Petersburg at the beginning of 1845 to serve at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. Pelageya Sergeevna was one of the close people of Stepan Onisimovich Burachk’s family. Undoubtedly, Lukomskaya played a noticeable role in this friendly circle; in any case, she somehow stood out from among the mere acquaintances of the future saint. We find confirmation of this in a short note to S.O. Burachka, written by Hieromonk Feofan in October 1847 on the day of departure on a mission from St. Petersburg to Jerusalem: “...An hour or two - and we’ll leave. I bow to all of you, and to everyone known through you - and to the Princess...” [31, l. 67]. As already mentioned, in correspondence with loved ones, Feofan simply called her “Princess.” On January 13, 1849, Pelageya Sergeevna’s daughter, Maria, died, 4 months old, and was buried in the Smolensk cemetery. No record of her birth has been identified. Perhaps Pelageya Sergeevna had more children, but they all died in infancy. Alexander Iosifovich Lukomsky lived a short life - he died on May 15, 1850 from consumption, 39 years old, before which he had been ill for a long time. His widow turned 36 years old. Apparently, the difficult atmosphere in the family was aggravated by the poor financial situation. Subsequently, Lukomskaya wrote: “My fortune was lost, every last one, due to the unfortunate bankruptcy (of my husband?) and his long-term illness” [18]. The funeral service for A.I. Lukomsky was held in the Novosiltsevskaya Church (the Church of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir at the Orlov-Novosiltsevskaya charitable institution) [21, l. 267]. In 1850, the park of the Forestry Academy, where the Novosiltsevskaya Church was located, belonged to the St. Petersburg district. "No. 107. May 15–18, 1850 Alexander Iosifovich Prince of Lukomsky, who served at the S.P. Burg Educational House 3 as a caretaker of building materials. 39 years old, from consumption. Holy Orlovo-Novosiltsevsky Institution Timofey Valdaisky. (TsGIA. F. 457 Smolensk Cemetery. 03/01/1850–09/16/1850. Op. 1. D. 45. L. 97 vol. – 98. Published for the first time). The GARF (State Archive of the Russian Federation) stores archival file F. 109. Op. 82. D. 213 4, consisting of Pelageya Sergeevna’s requests for assistance. From it we learn some details of the princess’s life after the death of her husband: she lived with her elderly mother-in-law, without any means. Pelageya Sergeevna did not receive any benefits through the Military Ministry, since her husband had not earned his pension. First, the letters are addressed to Emperor Nicholas, Alexander II. Every year Cousin P.S. Lukomskoy - Yakov Ivanovich Rostovtsev through the manager of the Third Department L.V. Dubelta submitted these petitions. The petitioner's return address: on V.O. (Vasilievsky Island) in the 1st building in the apartment of Adjutant General Rostovtsev. It is interesting that not once in these letters was the name of the deceased husband indicated. Two letters are written in French, where the princess signs herself Pauline. to petitions in the same case, she is called Paulina Sergeevna once or twice. Maybe it was her pet name. One-time benefits were issued from various sources: from the untouchable capital and through the valet of the sovereign emperor, from His Imperial Majesty’s own sums, from the office of gr. Orlov, from the amounts of the state treasury and the Board of Trustees. The first amount (600 rubles) was issued in November 1850, then benefits were issued once a year, usually by Easter, in the amount of about 300 rubles [18]. Two years after the death of Alexander Iosifovich Lukomsky, in September 1852, his brother Dmitry Iosifovich Lukomsky died in the Caucasus, forced for some circumstances to serve there since January 1850. Already in December 1849, Dmitry Iosifovich’s family was so in need that his wife Anna Nikitichna (ur. Butyrskaya), having six children, passed the exam for the title of home teacher and She made her living by teaching [16, p. 127–158]. One of their daughters is Princess Feofania (1848–08/04/1852) [23, l. 131] and was buried next to Pelagia Sergeevna Lukomskaya [22, p. 703], which is indicated in the St. Petersburg Necropolis. For a long time it was believed that this was the daughter of Pelageya Sergeevna herself, but we have established that Princess Feofania is her niece, the daughter of Dmitry Lukomsky. Pelageya Sergeevna’s husband and children are buried there, they are just not mentioned in the St. Petersburg necropolis [22, p. 703]. Apparently, Pelageya Sergeevna tried to help her brother-in-law’s family to the best of her ability. In any case, she took care of her elderly mother-in-law. In June 1856, Archimandrite Theophan was appointed rector of the embassy church in Constantinople, where he actually arrived at the very end of 1856. It is believed that during the service in Constantinople, correspondence between Archimandrite Theophan and P.S. began. Lukomskaya [13, p. 49]. Pelageya Sergeevna was a very active person - she promptly petitioned for a change in Feofan’s places of service. In June 1857, Archimandrite Feofan became rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. On this occasion, June 27, 1857. arch. Porfiry (Uspensky) wrote in his diary: “Theophan, who lived with me in Jerusalem, was appointed to the place of the rector of the local academy, His Eminence Macarius. This rectorship was unexpectedly, inadvertently entrusted to Archimandrite Feofan at the insistence of the synodal chief prosecutor Tolstoy, who read his pious letters from someone (perhaps Princess Lukomskaya), and recognized him as worthy of this rectorship” [14, p. 90]. Indeed, Pelageya Sergeevna gave letters from Archimandrite Feofan, written to her, to the Orthodox publicist Alexei Mikhailovich Zagoskin (the writer’s brother) for transfer for a short time to the Chief Prosecutor, Count. Alexander Petrovich Tolstoy so that he would offer Fr. Feofan received a worthy appointment (she herself predicted him to be the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy). To answer possible questions from the Chief Prosecutor, Lukomskaya wrote there a brief summary of the life path of Hieromonk Theophan 5 [19, l. 1–2 vol.]. Alexander Petrovich read the letters and formed a favorable opinion for himself about Feofan’s spiritual qualities, which were fully consistent with the position of rector of the St. Petersburg Academy. In June 1859, the episcopal consecration of rector Feofan as bishop of Tambov took place, and in early July of the same year, bishop. Feofan arrived in Tambov. In 1860, based on correspondence with Lukomskaya, Bishop Feofan prepared the book “Letters on Spiritual Life.” The book also includes some of Theophan's sermons. They are preceded by a letter from the bishop addressed to Pelageya Sergeevna, which says that this is a gift for the day of her Angel: Pelageya Sergeevna heard these sermons in Tambov and wanted to have them in full, and her desire was fulfilled. Among the sermons included in the book, one, delivered on January 31, 1860, retells in detail the princess’s dream 6 [32, pp. 111–117; 12, pp.31–38]. From the above it is clear that in the second half of 1859–1860. Lukomskaya stayed in Tambov for a long time or came there often. There she became closely acquainted with the saint’s family, which at that time consisted of his early orphaned nephews: the young man Ivan Ivanovich Govorov (1842–1892) 7 and the boy Alexei Gavrilovich Govorov (1851–1895) 8 , as well as Ivan Gavrilovich Pereverzev 9 , who graduated in 1859. St. Petersburg Theological Academy and taught at the Tambov Seminary. Subsequently, Pelageya Sergeevna took the most ardent part in the lives of two nephews at once. The process of upbringing turned out to be a very troublesome task, and here Lukomskaya came to the rescue: she took charge of Alexei Gavrilovich Govorov for years. In 1860, Ivan Gavrilovich Pereverzev married, was ordained a priest, and at the very end of 1860 he was assigned to Shatsk. From that time on, his correspondence with his uncle began, which lasted until the last years of the saint’s life. This was Feofan's spiritually closest relative. In letters to him, Bishop Feofan shares family difficulties, almost every one of them contains a mention of the princess. Letter dated October 4 (1862 (?)) “Are you taking your nephew? Good. You will learn to raise children. It’s difficult, brother, extremely difficult. I am sending Alyosha to the Princess in St. Petersburg. Let him hang out for another year, learning not formally, but just in passing. I’ll send him away, I’ll hand Vanya over to the teacher. I want to be alone. I'm tired of the crowd. - The princess is still here. Getting ready to go. But I don’t know why my heart doesn’t feel like letting them go. And we put everything off. “The princess will write to you herself.” She liked your way of life... and you yourself seemed to have changed for the better. I fell in love with the archpriest. How can you not fall in love? [26, p. 767–776]. Letter dated December 13 (?1862) “The princess is still here. Write to me in one letter. I wanted to go now, but Alyosha was sick. I am sending him with her. Let’s chat for a while” [17, 33–34]. Pelageya Sergeevna sometimes carried out complex assignments for the saint, and visited through his eyes where the bishop could not be personally present. During the so-called “Diveyevo Troubles,” she corresponded with the abbess of the Diveyevo community, Seraphim Maria Ushakova, and in May 1861, on behalf of Bishop Feofan, she traveled to Sarov and Nizhny Novgorod to see on the spot what was happening there and inform the bishop. Her letter-report to the saint is kept in the RGIA [20], a copy of it was provided to us by priest Georgy Pavlovich from the village. Diveeva. Lukomskaya’s letters have practically not survived. We present several excerpts from this letter to give an idea of ​​the princess’s outlook, the peculiarities of her writing and spelling. “...L. 50 rev. All this arbitrariness was done in the name of the Empress. At first they talked about it secretly, now publicly, and the piety of the Queen became a scarecrow not only for the monastery, but for the country, for Lukerya Vasilyeva loudly declares that she can do anything, which is why some even from the worldly, for the sake of fear and seeking mercy, become in her ranks. Some asked me, but I answered positively that the Empress was not involved in this. L. 51. Everything that I am writing to you, Vladyka, has probably partially reached your ears, everyone knows it, but the secret springs that I actually know, the spirit of their society, I cannot convey to you otherwise than personally. This requires a lot, a lot of words, and it is very important in moral and religious terms. I'll tell you one thing, the wide plan here is clever. 51 vol./ woven in order to establish Joseph again. The Holy One Nektary gave her Lukerya Vasilyeva a task saying: “Now we need to pacify the Princess against us,” that is, me, as a result of which Lukerya came to me with low bows, asking me to come to their monastery. I answered her, if the Lord has chosen her, then His help will be there, and the machinations of people will be ruined in the end, but I will not go to them, for deception and lies, which I tremble, have become their walking coin. L. 52. It’s hard because of all the rumors... the name of the Bishop is so disgraced, I had difficulty reading it. I think Herzen would have striven (as in the original!) and would have taken better care of not the person, but the dignity. Temptation is strong and great and everywhere L. 52 rev. ...I will repeat to you again, Your Eminence Vladyka, that conscience and grief force me to tell everything to you and you alone, I will not write to anyone else or the Darkness, and you yourself will notify the Count to anyone who took part. I am very unwell, it is difficult to convey such things, and the thought of you - in it I find peace for my spirit. At your feet, Master, sigh in prayer for me at least once and bless those who deeply honor you and are unfailingly devoted to you. Your Eminence the most humble Princess Pelagia Lukomskaya In the summer of 1863, Bishop Feofan was transferred to Vladimir, and his nephews also moved there. Ivan Govorov continued his studies at the Vladimir Seminary. On April 16, 1865, he married Alexandra Nikolaevna Dobrokhotova [3, l. 39 rev. – 40], was a deacon, and then a priest in the Vladimir Princess Convent, had his own house not far from the monastery. The princess, as can be seen from the correspondence, lived constantly in Moscow, often coming to Vladimir, not far from Moscow, took care of the saint’s nephews, and actively participated in the organization of the diocesan women’s school, the subject of the special care of the bishop. Let us turn again to the letters to Ivan Gavrilovich Pereverzev. Winter-spring 1865, Vladimir “We are getting married. Recently the Princess visited. She is recovering, but poorly... due to anxiety, which she sometimes brings on herself. – I opened the girl’s Bursa. I collected such beauties that there is no urine. They play pranks, run, frolic. – Fun” [27, p. 859–870]. Letter dated 4 Sep. 1865 “The princess was here the other day. I remembered you with the usual love and all sorts of good wishes. Your 5 good years reminded her of her 7 bitter years. But past sorrows are not difficult. God save us from the real ones.” [28, p. 413–421]. In the summer of 1866, Saint Theophan received permission to settle in retirement in the Assumption Vyshenskaya hermitage. By this time, Feofan's two eldest nephews were family people. Fourteen-year-old Alexey Govorov, a seminarian at the Vladimir Seminary, remained in Vladimir; he was moving to the second (philosophical) grade 10. Worried about him, the saint asked to find a student in the theological class to help him in his studies; the choice fell on Alexei Pokrovsky. During the Christmas holidays, Alyosha and Pokrovsky visited Pelageya Sergeevna in Moscow, and in the summer Alyosha completely moved in with her. We think he continued to live with Lukomskaya or near her until his marriage. Alexei Gavrilovich wrote in “Memoirs”: “Soon after the bishop’s retirement, he managed to arrange for me in Moscow with one of his admirers, Princess P.S. Lukomskaya, who loved me like her own son” [1, p. 6]. His Grace Theophan, who already lived in the Vyshensky Monastery, tirelessly supervised A. Pokrovsky’s studies with Alyosha. An extensive and meaningful correspondence ensued. To recreate the image of Lukomskaya with maximum completeness, we are especially interested in two letters of the saint, from which we present excerpts. A.P. Pokrovsky. March 1, 1867 “It occurs to me that the princess might have confused you. She has an incorrigible sin - praising to her face. And I think that when you were with her, she made several complimentary phrases to you. This could turn your head and give you an opinion of yourself and self-confidence. These are subtle feelings, they sometimes sit in the soul of one that talks about humility and recognizes itself as humble. In such a mood, it’s not surprising that you could express what they called you proud for. Take care to throw away whatever was inspired by the princess’s speeches. Speeches like this are the most evil thing for you” 11 [2, p. 51–53]. A.P. Pokrovsky. March 24, 1867 “Regarding the influence of the princess’s speeches, I speak from experience. I am older than you, and I experienced their bad effects. I looked at the abyss, that things didn’t go well... I forcibly guessed... and forbade her to smoke. You listen to how you drink honey... and then what inspiration happens! But in the soaring of the mind you will certainly accumulate something. This happened to me, why shouldn’t the same happen to you. It’s hard for you to notice this yourself. You can humble yourself in your thoughts; but pride can pass below thoughts, in the depths of the heart” [2, p. 54–55]. In the letters of the saint from the late 1860s - early 1870s. mentions of the princess and Alyosha go inextricably. She arranged for Alyosha to attend the Moscow seminary, took care of his poor health, bothered about places to work, looked for a bride, etc. To Archpriest I.G. Pereverzev. January 10, 1871 “The princess is sick in Moscow and does not go out. Alyosha 12 is in the clinic..." [25, p. 638]. “The princess writes that she has found a bride for Alyosha - from some holy priest - and things seem to be working out” [24, p. 637–651]. While living in Moscow, Pelageya Sergeevna continued to carry out some of Feofan’s instructions, as evidenced by the letters: Letter to Priest V.P. Nechaev “If you have mercy, I ask you to humbly send your magazine to one of my friends, who is rich in spirit, but not in pocket... her address: on Spiridonovka, near the church in the house of Mrs. Obolonskaya - Princess P.S.L. O. Nikolai Spiridonovsky 13 knows her well” [7, p. 429–430]. Priest V.P. Nechaev. July 26 “From among my copies, take the trouble to send 10 copies to the princess to whom you are sending a copy of the magazine (PSL - on Spiridonovka, in the house of Mrs. Obolonskaya). She will distribute it there to anyone we know who needs it” [7, p. 430–432]. In 1874, Pelageya Sergeevna decided to settle in Diveyevo, but for some reason these plans did not come true. To A.D. Tarbeeva. December 30, 1874 “The princess is definitely going to Diveevo. That’s right, he wants to die” [7, p. 160]. To Archpriest I.G. Pereverzev. January 1, 1875 “The princess was listless and completely prepared to go to N. She will go after Easter. Somehow it will go after her” [25, p. 647]. To the resident of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, Hieromonk Arseny (Minin). July 3, 1875 “The princess needs to send money for one item. I would have sent what you sent, but it occurred to me to ask you - please give her the same amount. She desperately needs this” [4, p. 113–115]. In 1876, Pelageya Sergeevna fell ill and did not recover until her death. To A.D. Tarbeeva. February 9, 1876 “Have you heard about the princess’s illness? A blow to the brain. She walks and understands everything that is said and what is done around her. But he cannot express his thoughts and desires. The tongue pronounces not knowing what words at all. When she needs something, she either knows it or uses words to make it known. Like no one understands anything, he will wave his hand and cry. They say you can’t look at her without tears. This is what God sent. I ask for your prayers" [6, p. 453–454]. To Archpriest V.P. Nechaev. March 21, 1876 “Send books to Princess L. She understands herself and everything around her... but she can’t say anything... her tongue doesn’t serve her” [8, p. 211–212]. “Have you been to Moscow, have you seen the princess and how did you find her? Did they understand something about her condition? Neither the tongue utters nor the hand write what she wants. What a miracle! And she understands everything. Here's the shutter. Whether you like it or not, sit alone with yourself... and with the Lord” [6, p. 443–455]. To Archpriest V.P. Nechaev “...The princess is no longer in Moscow. Due to her illness, her sister, the head of the Mariinsky Institute, took her. Please send “Soulful Reading” there to the following address: in St. Petersburg, to the head of the Mariinsky Institute, Her Excellency Maria Sergeevna Olkhina... for delivery to Princess Lukomskaya” [8, p. 218–219]. “You did well to visit the sick princess. The princess has very high morality and Christian spirit" [5, p. 136–137]. Princess Pelageya Sergeevna Lukomskaya died on December 7, 1877 in St. Petersburg, her funeral service was held in the Church of the Nativity of Christ on Peski, near the Mariinsky Institute and her last apartment. Here is an entry from the registry book of this church. “Church of the Nativity on the Sands. 1877 Part 3: about the dead. She died on December 7, funeral service was held on December 9, 1877. Serving at the St. Petersburg Imperial Orphanage as a caretaker of building materials, titular adviser to Prince Lukomsky, the widow of Pelageya Sergeev. From softening the brain. 63 years old. The funeral service was conducted by Archpriest Nikolai Pariysky. She was buried at the Smolensk cemetery" [30, l. 330 rev. – 331]. HELL. Tarbeeva. December 16, 1877 “What is written about 14 was already expected from day to day... Lord rest the newly departed. She was kind and a sincere believer. Some of the knitting needles were worn out by the last sufferings” [6, p. 592–593]. V.T. Sviridova. January 12, 1878 “The princess will be our prayer book. The Lord will not despise her labors... She received communion in a day. She was always with the Lord. He probably accepted her... with the hands of angels" [9, p. 24–25]. 1. Govorov A.G. Memories of the Right Reverend Theophan the Recluse of a close relative. M., 1894. P. 6. 2. Faith and Reason: a theological and philosophical magazine published at the Kharkov Theological Seminary. 1895. T. I. Part I. Church department. pp. 51–53. 3. GAVLO (State Archives of the Vladimir Region). F. 556. Op. 2. D. 226. L. 39 vol. – 40. No. 2. 4. Soulful reading. 1875. Part 3. pp. 113–115. 5. Soulful reading. 1895. Part 2. pp. 136–137. 6. Soulful reading. 1904. Part 1. pp. 453–454. 7. Soulful reading. 1909. Part 1. P. 160. 8. Soulful reading. 1910. Part 1. pp. 211–212. 9 . A helpful interlocutor. 1908. Issue 1. pp. 24–25. 10. IR NBU (Institute of Manuscripts of the National Library of Ukraine named after V.I. Vernadsky) 160 N1968. Letters from Rev. Feofan's relatives and others. Copy. L. 33–34 vol. 11. Kamenskaya M.F. Memories / Prep. text, comp., intro. Art. and comment. V.M.Bokova. M.: Artist. lit., 1991. pp. 121–122. 12. Kashirina V.V. Interpretation of the spiritual dream of Princess P.S. Lukomskaya Saint Theophan and the Monk Ambrose of Optina // Theophan’s Readings: Sat. scientific Art. Vol. XII. Ryazan, 2019. pp. 31–38. 13. Klyucharyov A. His Eminence Theophan the Recluse and his pastoral activity // Orthodox interlocutor. 1904. Part 2. P. 49. 14. The book of my existence. Diaries and autobiographical notes of Bishop Porfiry Uspensky. Parts I–VIII. St. Petersburg, 1894–1902. Part VII. P. 90. 15. Krasko A.V., Olkhina G.K. St. Petersburg merchants. Vol. 1: Clans elevated to hereditary nobility: genealogical paintings. St. Petersburg: Russian National Library, Genealogy Center, Russian Genealogical Society, 2016. 16. Lisitsyna G.G. Prince Lukomsky and his diary // Zvezda. 1998. No. 7. 1998. pp. 127–158. 17. On inclusion in the noble genealogy book. 1791–1918 Kusova Khiona Nikolaevna. 06.02.1837–01.03.1838 // TsGIASPb. F. 536. Op.6. D. 512. L. 15. 18. Letters from the book Lukomskaya about the most merciful benefit // GARF. F. 109. Op. 82. D. 213. 19. NIOR RSL. F.11/1. K.64. Storage unit 41. Ll.1–2 vol. 20. RGIA. F. 797. Op. 31. D. 11. 21. St. Petersburg district. 1850 // Central State Historical Archive. F.19. Op.124. D. 288. L. 267. 22. Saitov V.I. St. Petersburg necropolis: In 4 volumes / Ed. Vel. book Nikolai Mikhailovich. T.4: D–L. St. Petersburg, 1912. P. 703. 23. Smolensk cemetery. 1852 // TsGIA. F.457 Op.1 D.49. Ll. 131 rev. – 132. 24. Christian. Pisma Christian. 1910. No. 3. pp. 637–651. 25. Christian. Pisma Christian. 1910. No. 3. P. 638. 26. Christian. Pisma Christian. 1910. No. 12. pp. 767–776. 27. Christian. Pisma Christian. 1910. No. 4. pp. 859–870. 28. Christian. Pisma Christian. 1910. No. 7. pp. 413–421. 29. TsGIA. F. 19. Op. 124. D. 660. L. 259 vol. – 260. 30. Church of the Nativity of Christ on Peski. 1877 Part 3 about the dead // Central State Historical Archive. F. 19. Op. 126. D. 17. L. 330 vol. – 331. Published for the first time. 31. CIAM. F. 2355 Theosophical Society Foundation. 1822–1927. Op. 1. D. 262. Letters of Theophan to the Rev. to Burachk S.O. L. 67. Letter from Hieromonk Theophan to S.O. To Burachk, December 14, 1854 32. Chudinov D.A. Materials related to Saint Theophan (Govorov), found in the Research Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library (from January to July 2012) // Feofanov readings: collection. scientific Art. Ryazan, 2013. Issue. VI. pp. 111–117. In 1800, Emperor Paul I established a special distinction for the merchants called “commerce advisor,” equivalent to the 8th class of civil service. In 1829, after reconstruction, the St. Hospital was opened in his mansion. Mary Magdalene, now St. Mary's Hospital for Children. Mary Magdalene. The original spelling and punctuation have been preserved. Thank you for pointing out the matter of St. Georgy Pavlovich. (Letter to A.N. Zagoskin) revealed by the chief archivist of the Scientific Research Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library D.A. Chudinov. Subsequently, at the request of St. Ambrose of Optinsky P.S. Lukomskaya sent him a detailed retelling of her dream. Autograph of Pelageya Sergeevna's letter to St. Ambrose Optinsky is kept in the manuscript department of the RSL (Russian State Library), identified by the chief archivist of the Scientific Research Department of Manuscripts of the RSL D.A. Chudinov. Son of Ivan Vasilyevich Govorov, the elder brother of St. Theophan. Son of Gabriel Vasilyevich Govorov, the younger brother of Saint Theophan. Son of Evdokia Vasilyevna Pereverzeva, middle sister of St. Theophan At that time, each seminary class lasted 2 years. 1st grade - rhetoric, 2nd grade - philosophical, 3rd - theological. From “Memoirs of the Right Reverend Theophan, former Bishop of Vladimir. Teacher of the Simbirsk Cadet Corps A. Pokrovsky.” Alexey Gavrilovich Govorov. Lavrov Nikolai Dmitrievich (1803–12/07/1881).