The Department of Church History held a seminar "New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church: History and Issues of Glorification"

On February 18, the Church History Department of the Moscow Theological Academy held a seminar "New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church: History and Issues of Glorification", dedicated to the holy new martyrs feat in the 20th century.

In 1917, revolutionary movement and atheistic ideology evoked religious persecutions. The enemies of the Russian Church put all their strength into the destruction of the Orthodox faith. First years of the Soviet state brought devastation to hundreds of churches, confiscation of church property, imprisonment and execution of clergy, monastics and laity. The memory of those, who suffered for their faith is carefully preserved by the Russian Orthodox Church. Quite recently, we prayerfully recalled new martyrs of the 20th century, including graduates and teachers of the Moscow Theological Academy.

To commemorate a number of holy confessors of the Russian Church, the Department of Church History hold a webinar chaired by Professor A.K. Svetozarsky. The event was attended by teachers, students and guests from other educational institutions. Among them, there was Hegumen Daniel (Mikhailov), Rector of the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Sergius’ Lavra at the Church in honor of the Nativity of Christ in the Priluki village (Uglich District, Yaroslavl Region).

Associate professor G.E. Kolyvanov opened the session by his report on “New Martyrs and Confessors - Teachers and Students of the Bethany Theological Seminary”.

I.Ye. Kozhevnikov gave a second report on “Controversial Issues of New Martyrs Glorification during the Civil War”, in which he focused on the process of glorification the victims for their faith. Professor A.K. Svetozarsky, Head of the Department of Church History, expressed his point of view on this issue.

K.A. Cherepennikov, teacher and research assistant of the Department of Church History, gave a third report on “The life path of Priest Grigory Cherepennikov repressed in the 30s of the XX century”. In his report, he spoke about the confessional feat of his great-grandfather, who served in the Oryol region in the first half of the 20th century.

Each of the reports aroused great interest and lively discussions. At the end, Professor A.K. Svetozarsky thanked the participants for their contribution to the study of the confessional feat done by saints of our Church in the 20th century. 

MThA Press Office