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Priest D.V. Rozhdestvensky, professor at the Imperial Moscow Theological Academy. Study Guide to the Holy Scriptures. Part One: Preliminary Information about the Books of the Holy Scriptures. Explanation of selected sections from the Old Testament and from the first three Gospels. – Publication of the School Council under the Holy Synod. Petrograd, 1915. The named book, approved by the Holy Synod as a teaching guide for church teaching schools and for an additional two-year course at second-grade schools, as compiled very expediently in relation to the program of this course, is the fruit of great conscientious work of the professor of the Moscow Theological Academy, Fr. D.V. Rozhdestvensky, who happily managed to overcome the serious difficulties that inevitably arise when compiling this kind of manuals. This necessarily requires the compiler to combine this kind of knowledge and skills, which in their combination in one person are not often found. Along with a broad and deep knowledge of the literature and methodology of the subject, the skill and ability to say a lot in a few words is required, to express sublime thoughts with deep and sublime content in a transparently clear, concise and simple language, however, full of dignity and expressiveness. The difficulties of drawing up a “educational manual” in this case were amplified by the fact that “a thorough study of the Holy Scriptures by reading and explaining it is possible” “in additional courses at second-grade schools designed to prepare candidates for positions in the church clergy and assistants to teachers of the law in primary schools” 1 - should be carried out and achieved within only two years, and for this only two lessons a week could be assigned in both departments. “In the first year, selected passages from the books of the Old Testament should be read, which contain prophecies and foreshadowings about the Savior, His Most Pure Mother and the New Testament Church, and then the first three Gospels, which tell about the fulfillment of these prophecies and foreshadowings... In the second year, the reading of the Holy Gospel of John in full and from the epistles of Sts. The Apostles and the Apocalypse are assigned chosen places"… The venerable author has overcome all the above and below with complete success. difficulties and gave an excellent “teaching manual” for the first year of additional courses at second-grade schools, however, completing - one might say - the most difficult half of the work, exhausting the entire Old Testament and capturing the first three Gospels. The book contains primarily “preliminary information about the books of the Holy Scriptures.” This section concisely but meaningfully conveys “the concept of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Bible; 2 on the division of sacred books according to the time of writing and content"; further - about “the original text of the Holy Scriptures; about translations - Greek 70, Latin, Slavic and Russian"; about “reading the word of God in worship: about parimia, kathisma, gospel, apostle.” Then “the rules that must be observed when reading and explaining the Holy Scriptures” are reported and explained. This is followed by "a general overview of the legal, teaching and prophetic books of the Old Testament with comments on non-canonical books." In this section, the author especially noticeably and successfully demonstrated and proved his ability and skill - in a concise essay to embrace a lot, highlighting and highlighting the most significant and characteristic, directly related to the goal he pursues. The department of explanation of selected passages of Holy Scripture was also handled with great skill and knowledge of the matter. Here the author offers “preliminary remarks” to this or that department, then - “explanations of some words and expressions of the Slavic text” and, finally, “a consistent interpretation” of this or that department. A concise and accessible presentation of all these sections is based on the serious knowledge and extensive erudition of the author, acquired, of course, not ad hoc, but constituting the fruit of a long-standing and thorough special study of the subject. As a purely scholarly dissertation, Fr. D.V. Rozhdestvensky is known for his thorough research: “The Book of the Prophet Zechariah. Isagogical research" 3; as well as works: “Commentary on the book of the prophet Zechariah”; “Instructions and predictions of the book of the prophet Zechariah concerning fasts and holidays, as a lesson for our time” 1911. It is not surprising that the section of the Old Testament is developed in the book with particular thoroughness and depth, especially in the parts related to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. It goes without saying that the teaching aids noted in the “program” were expediently used by the author, and - first of all, what is especially valuable and important - the works of St. fathers and teachers of the Church. O. D. V. Rozhdestvensky also attracts those from the creations of St. fathers and teachers of the Church, who, despite their paramount importance, have hitherto been little and insufficiently studied for such purposes. Such are, for example, the works of St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Ephraim the Syrian, bl. Jerome, etc. This helped the professor to more clearly and definitely, on quite reliable grounds, reveal the essence of the Orthodox Church understanding of many of the passages of St. that he explained. Scriptures. To a sufficient extent and with no less expedient results, Fr. D.V. Rozhdestvensky and church hymns, clarifying the meaning and signification of many events in biblical history and prophetic broadcasts, according to the mind of St. Church, in connection - often - with the liturgical use of certain departments of St. Scriptures. Among the scientific manuals, serious assistance from Prof. D.V. Rozhdestvensky was provided with bishop. Porphyria Psalter in Russian translation from Greek; prof. P. A. Yungerova Books of Proverbs of Solomon, prophet. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others in Russian translation from the Greek text 70; prof. A. A. Olesnitsky Guiding information about the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments from the works of the holy fathers and teachers of the Church; prot. I. Solovyova A Guide to Good Reading of the Holy Bible; Metropolitan Philaret Notes on the Book of Genesis; Ep. Vissarion Interpretation on parimia 4; Ep. Michael Biblical Science; His Explanatory Gospel; Explanatory Bible, published by the magazine “Strannik”; teaching aids about. M. Kheraskova, D. Afanasyeva, A. Hergozerskog h. Hordes of D. Bogolyubov, S. Kokhomsky and others. others. But the author is well aware and, in the necessary cases, draws on, although not explicitly noted, in view of the special nature and special purpose of the book, the most important foreign literature on the subject, which is clear to a specialist in many cases and without special quotations. And here the master of his subject is visible in the author. The author's style is light and clear, precise and definite. The book was edited with outstanding diligence and rare attention, which, of course, increased the dignity and significance of the publication in all respects. Due attention was also paid to the purely external, typographical side of the matter, which at the present time is also everywhere experiencing difficulties due to the circumstances of the moment and therefore needs special care. In general, in the book named we have a serious and valuable acquisition and a significant contribution to educational theological literature. Quite suitable for its immediate and immediate purpose, the book by Prof. O. D.V. Rozhdestvensky can be recommended with a clear conscience for much broader needs and purposes - both for school and for home - in the interests of curiosity and edification - use. And this is especially true since at its price 5 the book is quite accessible and even cheap, despite its considerable volume 6 . see "explanatory instructions" to the "program" From the Old and New Testaments You might be interested in: