Moscow Theological Academy () is a
higher education
Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education.
The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...
al institution of the
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC; ;), also officially known as the Moscow Patriarchate (), is an autocephaly, autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Orthodox Christian church. It has 194 dioceses inside Russia. The Primate (bishop), p ...
, training clergy, teachers, scholars, and officials.
The Academy traces its origin to the
Slavic Greek Latin Academy
The Slavic Greek Latin Academy () was the first higher education establishment in Moscow.
History
Beginning
The academy's establishment may be viewed as a result of the incorporation of the Left-Bank Ukraine into Muscovy after the Treaty of Perey ...
, which was founded in 1685 by the Greek
Lichud brothers. It was reorganized in 1814 and moved from
Moscow
Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
to the
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius () is a lavra and the most important Russian monastery, being the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. The monastery is situated in the town of Sergiyev Posad, about to the northeast from Moscow ...
in the town of
Sergiyev Posad
Sergiyev Posad ( rus, Сергиев Посад, p=ˈsʲɛrgʲɪ(j)ɪf pɐˈsat) is a city that is the administrative center of Sergiyevo-Posadsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia. Population:
The city contains the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergi ...
,
Moscow Oblast
Moscow Oblast (, , informally known as , ) is a federal subjects of Russia, federal subject of Russia (an oblast). With a population of 8,524,665 (Russian Census (2021), 2021 Census) living in an area of , it is one of the most densely populate ...
. The academy was closed in 1919, and reopened in 1944.
History
Academy in 1814-1917
In 1814, the Moscow
Slavic Greek Latin Academy
The Slavic Greek Latin Academy () was the first higher education establishment in Moscow.
History
Beginning
The academy's establishment may be viewed as a result of the incorporation of the Left-Bank Ukraine into Muscovy after the Treaty of Perey ...
moved from Moscow to the
Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The grand opening of the Academy in the Lavra took place on October 1, 1814. Now it has become known as the Moscow Theological Academy. The training at the Academy consisted of two two-year courses. At the opening of classes in 1814, the following subjects were read: interpretation of the
Holy Scriptures
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They often feature a compilation or discussion of beliefs, ritual practices, moral commandments and l ...
,
philosophy
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
,
world literature
World literature is used to refer to the world's total national literature and the circulation of works into the wider world beyond their country of origin. In the past, it primarily referred to the masterpieces of Western European literature. ...
, general civil history, mathematics, languages:
Hebrew
Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...
,
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...
,
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany, the country of the Germans and German things
**Germania (Roman era)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
,
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
and
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Culture, language and peoples
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
* ''English'', an Amish ter ...
. In 1816, lecturing of
dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology, also called dogmatics, is the part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and God's works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Chu ...
was begun, since 1817
moral theology
Ethics involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy''"Ethics" A central aspect of ethics is "the good life", the life worth living or life that is simply satisfyin ...
and
comparative theology
Comparative theology is a relatively new discipline within theology, which holds together "comparative" and "theology" in creative tension. It represents a particular type of theological practice committed to deep interreligious learning ("comparat ...
added. The program also included other subjects: pastoral theology,
church eloquence,
church history
Church history or ecclesiastical history as an academic discipline studies the history of Christianity and the way the Christian Church has developed since its inception.
Henry Melvill Gwatkin defined church history as "the spiritual side of t ...
,
canon law
Canon law (from , , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical jurisdiction, ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its membe ...
(since 1840),
patristics
Patristics, also known as Patrology, is a branch of theological studies focused on the writings and teachings of the Church Fathers, between the 1st to 8th centuries CE. Scholars analyze texts from both orthodox and heretical authors. Patristics e ...
(since 1841),
metaphysics
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the basic structure of reality. It is traditionally seen as the study of mind-independent features of the world, but some theorists view it as an inquiry into the conceptual framework of ...
(since 1842),
history of philosophy
The history of philosophy is the systematic study of the development of philosophical thought. It focuses on philosophy as rational inquiry based on argumentation, but some theorists also include myth, religious traditions, and proverbial lor ...
(since 1843),
biblical history
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) biblical languages ...
,
Russian civil history,
church archaeology (since 1844). In this form, the program lasted until 1869. Special importance was attached to the study of ancient languages: Greek and Latin, in the study of which students achieved considerable success.
From 1835 to 1841, the position of rector was held by Archimandrite
Philaret (Gumilyevsky), who initiated the publication of the works of the Holy Fathers at the Moscow Theological Academy. In January 1842 first translations of the works of St.
Gregory the Theologian
Gregory of Nazianzus (; ''Liturgy of the Hours'' Volume I, Proper of Saints, 2 January. – 25 January 390), also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, was an early Roman Christian theologian and prelate who served as Archbi ...
was presented. At the same time "Additions to the works of the Holy Fathers" was created. Having begun systematic publishing activity with a series of patristic works, the Academy embarked on the path of revival of Orthodox theology. The "Additions" published articles of church-historical and theological content. This is the first scientific journal of the Academy. The Moscow Theological Academy also took part in the translation of the Bible into Russian.
The years of rectorship of Archpriest Alexander Gorsky, 1862-1875, became one of the most scientifically striking periods in the history of the Moscow Theological Academy. During this time preparation and implementation of the reforms of the 1860s could not but affect the life of religious educational institutions.
George Florovsky wrote: "According to the new Charter, the Theological Academies were given a twofold task. It was supposed to be not only a theological higher school, but also a kind of pedagogical institute of the spiritual department. And the Academies did not so much prepare for pastoral work, as for pedagogical activity. Hence the inevitable multiplicity of subjects and dispersion. Other subjects were taught only then in order to prepare teachers for lower-level schools according to them." The academic Charter came into effect in 1869. The Charter of 1869 generally met the requirements of its time and helped Archpriest Alexander Gorsky to expediently direct the life of the Academy. Under Gorsky leadership, with the support of Metropolitan
Innocent (Veniaminov) of Moscow, a church was built in the academic assembly hall in the building of the Royal Palaces, consecrated on February 12, 1870 in honor of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Following the church, Archpriest Alexander Gorsky achieved the creation of an academic cemetery on the territory of the Academy garden.
In 1884, a new Charter of theological academies was introduced. The Charter eliminated the autonomy of theological academies and seminaries, strengthening supervision of students. New trends in the life of the Academy were introduced by the rector Archimandrite
Anthony (Khrapovitsky)
Metropolitan Anthony (, secular name Aleksey Pavlovich Khrapovitsky, ; 17 March ( O.S.) 1863 – 10 August 1936) was a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Russian Empire, the Metropolitan of Kiev and Galicia, who after the defeat of Gen ...
(1890-1895), formerly the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary. Under Archimandrite Anthony, in 1892, the publication of "Additions to the Works of the Holy Fathers" continued under the new name "Theological Bulletin" (Богословский вестник). Patristic creations have now been published as appendices to the new magazine.
On March 13, 1898, Archimandrite
Arsenius (Stadnitsky)
Metropolitan Arsenius (, secular name Avksenty Georgievich Stadnitsky; 3 February 1862, , Bessarabia – 10 February 1936, Tashkent) was a Soviet Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Orthodox prelate who helped lead the church in the late Imperial a ...
was appointed rector. On February 28, 1899, he was consecrated as titular bishop of
Volokolamsk
Volokolamsk () is a town and the administrative center of Volokolamsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located on the Gorodenka River, not far from its confluence with the Lama River, northwest of Moscow. Population: 25,729 (2024 Estimate ...
, vicar of the
Diocese of Moscow
The Urban Diocese of Moscow () is a conventional name of church administrative institution of Russian Orthodox Church in the city of Moscow. The head of the diocese (eparchy) is the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', Patriarch of Moscow and All R ...
, preserving the post of rector of the Academy. Since that time, the Academy has been regularly headed by a rector in the episcopal rank. In 1909 bishop
Theodore (Pozdeevsky) became rector. In the late 19th — early 20th centuries, the issue of a new reform of theological schools was discussed in church circles. The reform of church education was also discussed in 1906 at the Pre-Council Presence. After an active discussion, the Most Holy Synod worked out a new statute, adopted in 1910 and supplemented in 1912.
From July 7 to July 14, 1917 the All-Russian Congress of Learned Monasticism gathered at the Academy. In September 1917, for the first time in the history of the Academy, the election of the rector took place. Anatoly Orlov, professor of the Department of History and Denunciation of Western Confessions, was elected rector. A month later, the newly elected rector was ordained a priest. The last remarkable event of academic life was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the death of Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov), which took place on November 18 and 19, 1917.
Soviet era
The decree of January 23, 1918
On separation of Church from State and school from Church prohibited "the teaching of religious doctrines in all state and public, as well as private educational institutions," but the decree of the
People's Commissariat of Justice of August 24 of the same year allowed the teaching of religious doctrines in "specially theological" institutions. In 1918, the last set of applicants was held at the Moscow Theological Academy. On August 22, the lectures began. On October 1, the annual act took place, which was attended by Patriarch Tikhon, who celebrated the liturgy in the Academic Church of The Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the
same day. The academic year was difficult, there were only four classrooms at the disposal of the Academy, the number of students was significantly reduced. Serious problems with the financing of the Academy began. March 2, 1919 The Board of the Academy adopted a resolution on the termination of the "Theological Bulletin". In the spring of 1919 the school year was completed ahead of schedule due to lack of funding and the seizure of academic buildings by the state. After the final closure of the classes in Sergiev Posad, the Academy continued its activity at the churches of Moscow until the end of the 1920s. All books, archives and manuscripts from the Academy's book depositories were withdrawn to the vaults or funds of the
Lenin Library
The Russian State Library () is one of the three national libraries of Russia, located in Moscow. It is the largest library in the country, second largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Its holdings crossed over 47 million ...
in the 1930s.
On September 4, 1943, the Kremlin hosted a meeting of the
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Dzhugashvili; 5 March 1953) was a Soviet politician and revolutionary who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until Death and state funeral of Joseph Stalin, his death in 1953. He held power as General Secret ...
, with the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church — Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan
Sergius (Stragorodsky)
Patriarch Sergius (; born Ivan Nikolayevich Stragorodsky, Иван Николаевич Страгородский; – May 15, 1944) was the 12th Patriarch of Moscow and all the Rus', from September 8, 1943 until his death on May 15, 1944. He ...
, Metropolitan
Alexy (Simansky) of Leningrad and Metropolitan
Nicholas (Yarushevich)
Metropolitan Nicholas (, born as Boris Dorofeyevich Yarushevich, ; 12 January 1892 – 13 December 1961), was the Metropolitan of Kiev in the Patriarchate of Moscow.
Biography
Metropolitan Nicholas was born in Kovno (now Kaunas, Lithuania), wh ...
of Kiev and Galicia. One of the most important results of this meeting was an agreement on the revival of theological education. On June 14, 1944, the grand opening of the Orthodox Theological Institute and Theological and Pastoral courses took place in
Novodevichy Convent
Novodevichy Convent, also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery (), is probably the best-known cloister of Moscow. Its name, sometimes translated as the ''New Maidens' Monastery'', was devised to differ from the Ascension Convent, Old Maidens ...
. On August 28, 1944, the Holy Synod appointed Archpriest Tikhon Popov, a graduate of the Kiev Theological Academy (1896-1900), as rector. At the suggestion of the Council for the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church, teachers of theological educational institutions were classified as qualified workers of public education and received ration cards, the same as university teachers. Students received work cards, they were granted a deferral from conscription for mobilization.
On the wave of popular enthusiasm associated with the victorious end of the Second World War, it seemed that the newly opened theological schools were opening up huge prospects in the field of the revival of spiritual education. The teachers hoped that the state would not prevent the publication of scientific and theological periodicals and monographs. The Educational Committee at the Synod at a meeting on August 26, 1946 decided to transform the Orthodox Theological Institute to the Moscow Theological Academy with a four-year course of study. The third and forth courses of the Institute became the first and second courses of the Academy, and the preparatory courses and the first two courses of the Institute became a Seminary with a four-year program. Administratively, the Academy and the Seminary were united. The two-pronged theological school became officially called "Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary". In October 1948 the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary returned to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. By 1957, All historical buildings were returned to the Academy.
After the secret resolution of the
Central Committee of the CPSU
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the Central committee, highest organ of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) between Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Congresses. Elected by the ...
"On the shortcomings of scientific and atheistic propaganda" dated October 4, 1958, state bodies began to actively interfere in the admission process of applicants. Komsomol and party leaders, employees of state security agencies met with young men who applied for admission to the Moscow Theological Seminary and tried in every way to keep them from this step. During the entrance exams, applicants were unexpectedly called to military training, and those who entered were denied registration. The number of students of theological schools began to decline. Soon it was decided not to allow admission to religious educational institutions of persons who had special secondary and higher education. It was forbidden to publish textbooks, to teach general education subjects. Teaching of
classical language
According to the definition by George L. Hart, a classical language is any language with an independent literary tradition and a large body of ancient written literature.
Classical languages are usually extinct languages. Those that are still ...
s was reduced to minimum. In 1969, a regent class was formed at the Academy, which was transformed into a Regent School in 1985. At that time it was the only possible form of women's religious education. In the late 1970s - early 1980s, teachers with university humanities education were accepted to Moscow theological schools, and they received knowledge in the field of church sciences independently.
A great disaster for the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary was a fire on the night of September 27–28, 1986. 5 seminary students died, a dormitory with an assembly hall burned down, the Intercession Church was damaged. Restoration work was completed by 1988.
Since 1991
In the 1990s all the restrictions with which the Soviet government tried to slow down the development of theological schools and theological science were completely lifted, but new difficulties appeared, mainly related to the difficult economic situation in Russia and with limited funding for theological education.
The resumption of the "Theological Bulletin" took place in 1993, when the first episodic issues began to be published.
On July 18, 1995, Bishop
Eugene (Reshetnikov) was appointed rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary. In order to activate the process of reforming the system of theological education in the Russian Orthodox Church, the position of rector was combined with the position of Chairman of the Educational Committee at the Holy Synod. Bishop Eugene granted creative freedom for the initiatives of a number of initiative teachers both in the field of teaching and in the implementation of a number of publishing and spiritual and educational projects. The Academy had its own small publishing house, which for several years was headed by hieromonk
Euthymius (Moiseyev). A number of Cabinets were created: Greek, Pedagogical, Biblical, which initially took over part of the work to improve information support and the quality of teaching in the relevant fields. Thanks to the efforts of a group of teachers, a language reform was carried out on the basis of the Greek Cabinet after which the teaching of classical languages was restored in the Seminary and then in the Academy.
Back in 1994, the Bishops' Council decided to prepare by 2000 a program for the transition to a system of theological education, within which seminaries should become higher schools that train clergymen, while academies should be transformed into research centers that provide theological specialization. On the basis of the Council's definition, a working group was created to develop in detail the concept of a new system of theological education. Proposals were developed to reform the system of theological education, which, with clarifications, were approved by the Holy Synod on December 27, 1996.
Since 2000 language courses and study abroad have become a real opportunity for talented students.
Since 2016, the "Theological Bulletin" has been published on a permanent basis, with four issues a year.
[ In 2019 journals "Theological Questions" (Вопросы богословия) and "Metaphrast" (Метафраст), "The Church Historian" (Церковный историк), "Praxis", "Word and Image. Questions of the Study of Christian Literary Heritage" («Слово и образ. Вопросы изучения христианского литературного наследия») and "Bulletin of Church Art and Archaeology" (Вестник церковного искусства и археологии) has been launched. In 2020 journal "Biblical Scholia" (Библейские схолии) has been launched.
On February 5, 2021, the Postgraduate Department of the Moscow Theological Academy received state accreditation.]
Rectors
References
Literature
* ''Кедров Н. И.'' Московская духовная семинария, 1814—1889 : Краткий исторический очерк с приложением списков начальников, наставников и воспитанников. — М. : типолитогр. т-ва И. Н. Кушнерев и Ко, 1889. — IV, 162, 158 с.
* ''Салтыков А., свящ.'
Краткий очерк истории Московской Духовной Академии
// Богословские труды. — 1986. - Сб.: 300-летие МДА. — С. 73—112.
* ''Голубцов С. А.'' Московская Духовная Академия в революционную эпоху. Академия в социальном движении и служении в начале XX века : по материалам архивов, мемуаров и публикаций. — М. : Мартис, 1999. — 254 с. — ISBN 5-7248-0065-9
*
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External links
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{{authority control
1687 establishments in Russia
Educational institutions disestablished in 1919
1946 establishments in Russia
Educational institutions established in 1946
Christian organizations established in 1946
Moscow Theological Academy
Universities and colleges affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church
Universities in Moscow