Archpriest Alexander Gorsky as a librarian

Archpriest Alexander Vasilyevich Gorsky Alexander Vasilyevich began his studies with manuscripts in the academic and Lavra libraries. But most of all, he made the most discoveries for Russian and Slavic history in the Moscow Synodal Library, on the description of which he worked for 13 years (1849 to 1862). The Moscow Synodal Library is perhaps the best manuscript collection in Rus' and perhaps the most precious - if not in terms of the number of manuscripts (except for letters, etc., about 1430), then at least in terms of the antiquity and rarity of many of them. About a third of the manuscripts are Greek. This collection is a historical library. The first beginning of this collection was probably made by the ancient Moscow metropolitans. Novgorod, Pskov and various monasteries, without any doubt, also contributed many manuscripts to its composition. It was mainly enriched during the period of the patriarchate, during the era of book correction and in connection with this matter. About 200 manuscripts taken from the East, under Patriarch Nikon Arseny Sukhanov, ended up here. Manuscripts and books also came here after private individuals known for their bookishness or education: after Metropolitan Paul of Sarsk, Sylvester Medvedev, Patriarch Joachim, the learned monk Euthymius and St. Demetrius of Rostov. Many manuscripts were sent from different book depositories according to two imperial decrees - Peter I and Catherine II. The Synodal Library has never suffered significant losses from fires or wars. The idea of ​​entrusting the inventory of the Synodal Library to A.V. Gorsky belonged to Metropolitan Philaret, who was alarmed by the intention of secular writers (Undolsky and Pogodin) to print a description of the library, as well as complaints about its inaccessibility. But Filaret held his sights on the precious book depository. “Incorrect or careless use of ancient manuscripts relating to church dogmas, church legislation, teaching and church history can create temptation and provide food for false teachings. Therefore, for anyone who comes, opening the door to a church library is not as convenient as to a secular one.” Therefore, the description “must be compiled under the closest supervision of the spiritual authorities, by people knowledgeable in church dogmas and legal provisions.” In addition, the church's view will open and introduce new features useful for church scholarship. Filaret, among other things, searched in ancient manuscripts for data to expose “wrong opinions that differ with the Orthodox Church.” And the saint entrusts this important matter to A.V. Gorsky. Alexander Vasilyevich was given the right to choose his own employee, and he chose Kapiton Ivanovich Nevostruev, professor of the Simbirsk Seminary in Holy Scripture, 12th year master of our academy. The result was a description of which, according to scientific reviewers, there are few in European literature. “This is a treasury of critically cleared facts for the history of the language, both Russian and South Slavic,” a work “which forms the basis for the study of ancient Russian literature.” In our literature, next to it, it was then possible to place only the description of the manuscripts of the Rumyantsev Museum, compiled by Vostokov. The appearance in print of “Descriptions of Slavic manuscripts of the Moscow Synodal Library” aroused the surprise of the scientific community. The Academy of Sciences awarded the authors the full Uvarov Prize. The names of Gorsky and Nevostruev became known to foreign scientists. There was one important circumstance that placed Alexander Vasilyevich at the center of the scientific life of the academy: during his professorship, he was a librarian for 20 years (1842–1862). Not to mention the fact that he followed everything that came out on theological and historical sciences in the West and here, and copied everything into the library - he read most of what came in and covered their margins with his notes. In addition, this library owes such acquisitions as rare publications left after Archbishop Athanasius (Protopopov) of Tobolsk, manuscripts of the Volokolamsk Monastery, doublets of early printed books from the library of the Moscow Synodal Printing House, early printed books and manuscripts taken from schismatics and transferred to the academy from the Moscow Synodal Library and Consistory, and finally, his own library, which entered the academy after his death. He was the ideal librarian. At that time, the library had neither printed nor card catalogs, and was very poor in reference materials. The librarian replaced these manuals and catalogs because he knew the books not only by title, but also by content. The duty of a librarian usually spoils his nerves and mood, teaches him to look at the crowd besieging him as enemies and treat visitors accordingly. Alexander Vasilyevich was an extremely complacent and helpful librarian. He did not refuse to go for books either day or night. They even say that in the evening and at night, Alexander Vasilyevich went to the library as a precaution without fire and found the necessary books by touch. He understood his librarian duties somewhat broadly. He not only looked for the required books, but also recommended them on topics in all subjects; and more than what Alexander Vasilyevich would say and point out to the students, they had no need to search or read. The historical organization of teaching theological sciences at the Moscow Academy is primarily the work of Gorsky. In those years when Alexander Vasilyevich studied, philosophy was his favorite subject at the academy. Filaret (Gumilevsky) and A.V. Gorsky made a revolution in the educational setting of the academy and put the history of the Church in the most prominent place. But Filaret’s influence was short-lived: at the end of 1841 he was transferred from the academy, and Alexander Vasilyevich remained the main figure in this direction. The academic journal “Additions to the Works of St. fathers,” was authorized for publication during the rectorship of Philaret, but began to be published AFTER him (since 1843). Alexander Vasilyevich was one of its editors from the very beginning and always the most active employee. But to limit the scientific leadership and influence of Alexander Vasilyevich only to the academy would mean to reduce his merits. He represented an example of amazing scientific selflessness. It seems that he did not consider as his what he had acquired through years of tireless work, did not value those finds that would glorify his name, and willingly, helpfully, and with pleasure shared his knowledge. Alien to the author's pride, he even forgot about his copyright. He helped those scientists who were suitable as his students; shared his knowledge and ideas with people who stood at the same scientific height as him. With his help, A.N. Muravyov, Savva, Archbishop of Tver, Count M.V. Tolstoy, Filaret, Archbishop of Chernigov worked. Such scientists as Pogodin, Sreznevsky, Sukhomlinov, Bodyansky sought his advice. It is no wonder that “some learned societies, without seeking him, as Metropolitan Philaret put it, elected him to their membership.” On the anniversary of the academy, October 1, 1864. he received a diploma from Moscow University for the title of honorary member of the university; the following year - the degree of Doctor of Theology from the Holy Synod, in 1867 he was recognized as a Doctor of Russian History by the Council of St. Petersburg University.