V All-Church Forum Of Biblical Scholars Held At The Academy
From February 4 to 5, 2026, the Moscow Theological Academy hosted the V All-Church Seminar of the Society of Teachers and Researchers of Sacred Scripture, combined with the advanced training program for subject teachers "Biblical Eschatology: Exegesis, Methodology, Apologetics".
Similar meetings of representatives from various fields of theology have been held since 2015 under the auspices of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the participation of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities (PSTGU) and the Federal Educational and Methodological Association for Theology. These events contribute to the professional growth of teachers and the establishment of horizontal links and methodological understanding among researchers.
This year's forum brought together more than 160 teachers, graduate students, and students from theological schools and theological departments of universities, providing opportunities for both in-person and remote participation.
Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, and Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, addressed the members of the Society of Biblical Scholars with welcoming words.
The seminar sessions addressed issues of biblical theology, exegesis, and apologetics, with special attention to the eschatological themes of the Old and New Testaments, as well as problems of textual criticism, hermeneutics, and the methodology of biblical studies.
On the first day, reports were presented by: Archpriest Oleg Mumrikov, Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Moscow Theological Academy; M. V. Kovshov, Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Moscow Theological Academy and researcher at the Pererva Theological Seminary; Priest Alexey Sergeev, Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor of the Department of Biblical Studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; Priest Evgeny Timofeev, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Biblical Studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; Archpriest Boris Timofeev, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Moscow Theological Academy; Archpriest Dimitry Yurevich, Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; A. S. Kashkin, Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Saratov Theological Seminary.
The second day continued with reports from: M. V. Talankina, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Theology of the Faculty of Additional Education at PSTGU; D. G. Dobykin, Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor of the Department of Biblical Studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; Priest Sergius Fufaev, Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Missionary Department for Apologetic Mission, teacher and researcher of the Department of Biblical Studies at the Moscow Theological Academy; Hieromonk Irenaeus (Pikovsky), Candidate of Theology, Acting Pro-rector for Academic Work at the Sretenskaya Theological Academy; Archpriest Alexander Timofeev, Head of the educational programs sector of the Synodal Missionary Department and Head of the Biblical Cabinet of the Moscow Theological Academy; Archpriest Andrey Rakhnovsky, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Biblical Studies at the MThA; and Abbot Ioann (Rubin), Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis.
In conclusion, a round table was held on the problems of scientometrics and the teaching of biblical disciplines.
All participants were offered a guided tour of the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
Study Committee / MThA Press Office
