Moscow Chrysostom (Filaret of Moscow)

The book is dedicated to one of the outstanding figures of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna Philaret (Drozdov) (1782–1867). For forty-six years he headed the Moscow department, and this time went down in history as the “era of Filaret.” Spiritual mentor of Pushkin. Gogol, Chaadaev, famous Slavophiles, and himself, the first Slavophile, Saint Philaret had a huge influence on the movement of Russian social thought of the 19th century towards national self-identification. The main work of his life is considered to be the translation of the Bible into modern Russian; Equally important for him was constant service to God, performing liturgies, composing and reading sermons, thanks to which his contemporaries called it the Moscow Chrysostom. Saint Philaret participated in the most important state affairs, sovereigns and many remarkable people of Russia turned to him for advice, he became the editor of the Manifesto on the liberation of peasants from serfdom, he actively led the Russian Church, under him new churches were erected and old ones were restored, new dioceses appeared and existing ones were strengthened. It was under his spiritual leadership that the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was built in Moscow, in which the relics of St. Philaret now reside. In terms of the scale of good deeds, one can compare Patriarch Alexy II with Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov), under whom the saint was canonized. Pushkin took me to Filaret. It was a long time ago. Being once again a guest in his poems, I finally matured enough to comprehend the history of three poems: Pushkin’s “A vain gift, an accidental gift...”, Filaret’s “Not in vain, not by chance...” and again Pushkin’s “In hours of fun or idle boredom...”. Then I got a paper reproduction of the icon by the modern isographer Zeno. This is the only icon that depicts Pushkin. Of course, not as a saint, but in proportions equal to Saint Philaret of Moscow. They are depicted sitting side by side, the Metropolitan on the right, the poet on the left. The metropolitan has a Bible on his left knee, and the poet has a lyre on his left knee. The same one to whom he “entrusted the pampered sounds of madness, laziness and passions.” Filaret is depicted in church vestments and stole, with a halo of a saint above his head. Pushkin is in a poetic toga and instead of a halo, he has a laurel crown on his head. Philaret's right hand is raised with a pointing finger. He just gave instructions. Pushkin’s right hand is turned with his palm towards the viewer, which means that, struck by the majestic voice of the preacher, he suddenly interrupted the “ringing of the evil string.” You tame your wild dreams. Your soul is warmed by your fire The poet is in holy horror 1. I framed this paper reproduction of the icon and placed it in a prominent place in my home. It pleased my eyes. And I thought: someday I will write The Shepherd and the Poet... But the years passed, other subjects distracted me. Someone was needed to motivate the lazy and sinful writer to write a book. And he came in the person of Bishop Clement, Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk. On November 6, 2009, I found myself in the Moscow Manege at the church and public exhibition and forum “Orthodox Rus' - for the Day of National Unity.” The awards ceremony for the winners of the “Enlightenment through Books” competition held by the Publishing Council of the Moscow Patriarchate took place in the large conference hall. Bishop Kliment, as the chairman of this competition, presented the awards. I was awarded first place in the Fiction category for the book Pop. As a reward, they received flowers, a beautifully crafted diploma and a heavy glass cube with a rounded top, and inside it, an image of St. Philaret, applied using laser technology. Handing me all this, Metropolitan Clement said quietly: - Well, now you’ll write about St. Philaret. It would be difficult to regard this as anything other than parting words... The second quatrain is presented in one of the author's versions.