Today at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy
entrance exams are held
and at the very time to listen to the words of its rector,
expressed by him on June 30, 2016:
So, a few quotes from this archpastoral speech,
addressed to graduates:
Archbishop Ambrose: “Think that, being within these walls, you, without noticing it, were endowed by God with something that the vast majority of people on our planet are absolutely deprived of, for, according to statistics, you did not belong to those 80 out of every 100 people who live in extreme poverty, and those 70 who are regularly malnourished. But you had the opportunity to belong to that lucky one hundredth of humanity that has access to higher education and access to the Internet. Agree, these seem like simple numbers, but how “They are capable of radically changing our attitude towards ourselves and the years spent at the Academy.”
P.S. Instead of reciting a mantra
"Thank God I'm not Zimbabwean
and I belong to the golden billion!"
I would be in the place of His Eminence
I would wonder:
"Why are SPbDA graduates
for the rest of my life
end up bruised
higher spiritual education
and experience a great feeling of inferiority
in front of the same graduates of St. Petersburg University?"
Archbishop Ambrose: “Accept as a fact that you will teach people many times older than you in age and life experience. But it is in your word that they will discover for themselves the depth of God’s eternal mysteries.”
P.S. How familiar this is: twenty-year-old and still beardless boys
with priestly crosses on the necks,
ordained by His Eminence Ambrose Ermakov
in violation of all canons
and generally without any life experience,
"they will reveal the depth of God's eternal secrets"
those who are old enough to be grandchildren themselves.
Archbishop Ambrose: “And one of the main issues that you will face in your ministry will be the question of unity. The well-known events associated with the organization and conduct of the 2016 Assembly in Crete clearly exposed a whole range of problems that Orthodoxy faces in the world. Each turned out to be right in its own way, and the position of each Church was logical and justified in its own way, but the fact remains: with pain in the heart we have to admit that over the past centuries we have forgotten how to think with a single collective mind, have forgotten how to feel the beat of a single heart and have forgotten how to live as one life. This is the task of theologians of future generations - to understand all the intricacies of the current ecclesiological crisis..."
P.S. What theological helplessness and arch stupidity:
assign the task to understand
"in the current ecclesiological crisis"
to “theologians of future generations”?!
This is the same for the rector of the Theological Academy
recognition of one's own professional incompetence,
and complete theological incompetence,
SPBDA headed by him.
Archbishop Ambrose: “Be attentive and wise to all manifestations of the destructive division that is being introduced into the church fence before our eyes. Slander and gossip are a genuine cancer that has found a favorable environment for development on the uncontrolled expanses of the Internet. Do not succumb to the provocations of other madmen, who decided to try on the mantle of prophets and believe that the condemnation of everything and everyone, with or without reason, can be worthy and effective way solutions to the problems of the Church. Always remember that “there are two ways: one is life and one is death; great is the difference between the two ways” (Didache 1:1). He who chooses the path of life is aware that all the troubles of the Church on earth lie not in the abuses of bishops or in the mistakes of patriarchs, but in the fact that I am today in no way better than I was yesterday; that's mine inner man did not take a single decisive step to reach a different level of existence and relationship with God; Finally, the Fifth Gospel, which I am called to write on the pages of my earthly journey, should speak not at all about the vices and shortcomings of others, but about my personal journey side by side with Christ to Emmaus.
P.S. Oh yes, let the "bishops abuse"
and the patriarchs make mistakes and even fall into heresy,
for me, a church conformist and opportunist
with higher theological education,
earthly problems of the earthly Church
are not subject to discussion even in the kitchen:
“Holy lord, spit in my eyes—it’s God’s dew!
Drive me around like a gypsy throughout the diocese, spread rot, continue to abuse me!”
Archbishop Ambrose: “But the unity and like-mindedness of each Church, where everyone lives with common interests and common aspirations, is based on an even more important unity - parish. Each of you will have to make every effort in your parish to become an earthly father for the community of believers, indicating the path to the chamber of the Heavenly Father."
P.S. The only thing that the bishop did not mention was
that in SPbDA there is a compulsory
descended from above, distribution of graduates.
And before “his arrival,” the 22-year-old “shepherd the sheep”
There are 11-12 time zones to travel:
this is both the Arctic Circle and Chukotka,
and Aleut camps in the Far North.
Students are distributed according to positions comparable
with graduates of military schools.
However, the junior lieutenant
finding himself on the shores of the Bering Strait,
receives a guaranteed “social package”:
a separate apartment equipped with amenities,
good health insurance,
stable salary,
doubled by the “northern allowances”,
and retirement at 45 years old.
The young priest, finding himself
at the same hour and in the same place,
of all the benefits listed above
acquires only one grandiose “donut hole”...
Biography
Ambrose (in the world Klyucharyov Alexey Iosifovich, born in the city of Alexandrov, Vladimir province), Archbishop of Kharkov and Akhtyrsky, a famous improvisational preacher, theorist of church preaching.
Born into the family of the priest of the Transfiguration Church in the city of Alexandrov, Joseph Petrovich Klyucharev. In 1834 he graduated from Pereslavl religious school. In 1834-1840 he studied at the Bethany Theological Seminary, from which he graduated with the first category and, among the five best graduates, he was sent to continue his studies at the Moscow Theological Academy for a government fee. In 1844 he graduated from the Academy with a master's degree in theology, awarded to him for his dissertation “The Most Reverend Tikhon, Bishop of Voronezh and Yelets.” His dissertation was recognized as one of the best and, with the blessing of St. Philaret (Drozdov), was published at the expense of the Academy. In 1844-1848 - teacher of logic, Latin language and psychology at Bethany Seminary. In 1845 he was confirmed with the rank of professor. In the same year, he married the daughter of the Moscow archpriest and teacher of the Academy Sergius Alekseevich Vladimirsky. In 1848 he took holy orders and was assigned to a priestly place in the Moscow Nativity Convent. At the beginning of March 1849, his father-in-law died, and Klyucharyov was assigned to his place - to the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at the Kaluga Gate (on Bolshaya Yakimanka Street). In the Kazan Church, Father Alexy took the first steps towards mastering the art of preaching improvisation. He abandoned delivering pre-written and memorized sermons (which was common during the Synodal era) and began offering impromptu teachings to the people. In 1860 he founded the magazine “Soulful Reading” and was in charge of its editorial office from 1860-1866. In the first half of the 1860s, he gained fame as one of the best domestic preachers of the journalistic trend. At the New Year's service in 1864 in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, with the blessing and in the presence of St. Philaret (Drozdov), he preached a sermon “On character education.” After this, the saint petitioned the Holy Synod for the elevation of Klyucharev to the rank of archpriest. The petition was granted that same year.
The first collection of his sermons was published in Moscow in 1873 by Father Alexy (“Several Sermons of Archpriest A. Klyucharev”). The collection includes twenty-four sermons preached between 1864 and 1872. This book was met with rave reviews. For example, the famous homilet, professor of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy N.I. Barsov considered it one of the best preaching collections of the 19th century.
Back in 1860, his father’s wife, Alexy, died. Since then, Saint Philaret and his successor at the Moscow See, Saint Innocent, have repeatedly offered Klyucharev to accept monasticism, but he refused. Only on November 7, 1877, Archpriest Alexy took monastic vows with the name Ambrose. The very next day he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and on January 15, 1878 he was ordained Bishop of Mozhaisk, vicar of the Moscow diocese. On April 6 of the same year, His Grace Ambrose was renamed Bishop of Dmitrovsky and appointed the first Moscow vicar. From that time until the death of Saint Innocent, he performed divine services everywhere where the Moscow Metropolitan himself was supposed to be present. Having become a bishop, he continued to deliver fiery sermons, which often had a wide public response.
On September 22, 1882, His Grace Ambrose was appointed Bishop of Kharkov and Akhtyrka. In this department he served as archpastor until his death. In 1884, on his initiative, the Kharkov Diocesan Gazette was transformed into the theological journal Faith and Reason. A school of psalm-readers was also opened at the bishop's house.
In 1883 he took part in the consecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where he delivered a welcoming speech to the Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna. In 1886 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. In 1892, after suffering an illness, Bishop Ambrose’s voice noticeably weakened. From that time on, he practically did not preach. Nevertheless, on especially significant celebrations, he still wrote sermons, which he instructed Archpriest Timofey Butkevich to read from the pulpit. In 1898, Emperor Nicholas granted him a diamond cross to wear on his hood.
Archbishop Ambrose is buried in the Intercession Monastery in Kharkov.
While at the Kharkov see, Archbishop Ambrose undertook work to comprehend his preaching experience. He wrote the book “The Living Word”, dedicated to the theory of preaching improvisation. It first saw the light of day on the pages of the magazine “Faith and Reason” (in 1884-85). This book is fundamentally different from domestic homiletics manuals published in the 19th century. In it, the author shares with the reader his rich preaching experience. The Reverend Ambrose illustrates all the theoretical positions put forward in the book with examples taken from his own life. It can be said that “The Living Word” anticipated the overcoming of the scholastic heritage in Russian homiletical science that began at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Author's works
- Living word. Kharkov, 1892. (Republished in: Archbishop Ambrose (Klyucharyov).
- The art of preaching. M., 2006. P. 23-108.) Complete collection sermons with applications. T. 1-5. Kharkov, 1902-1903.
Works about the author
- Butkevich T.I., prot. Your Eminence Ambrose, Archbishop of Kharkov. Biographical sketch. Kharkov, 1902.
- Mitisov I. Pedagogical views of His Eminence Ambrose, Archbishop of Kharkov. Kazan, 1902.
- Vinogradov V. “The Last of the Mohicans” from the era of reforms (In memory of His Eminence Ambrose, Archbishop of Kharkov). Sergiev Posad, 1912.
- Burega V.V. Servant of the Living Word / Archbishop Ambrose (Klyucharyov). The art of preaching. M., 2006. P. 5-22.
The Holy Synod appointed Archbishop Ambrose of Peterhof as rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.
Vladyka Ambrose was born on June 15, 1970 in the village. Luzhki, Zheleznogorsk district, Kursk region. in a working-class family.
He entered the Moscow Theological Academy after the army. He was tonsured a monk at the age of 23.
By the decision of the Holy Synod of December 24, 2004, he was elected Bishop of Prokopyevsk, vicar of the Kemerovo diocese.
On December 28, 2004, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II in the cathedral church of the Sretensky Monastery elevated him to the rank of archimandrite.
By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 6, 2008, he was appointed Bishop of Gatchina, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, and rector of St. Petersburg theological schools.
On April 2, 2011, he was appointed chairman of the department of religious education and catechesis of the St. Petersburg diocese.
Candidate of Theology. Has two secular educations. Graduated Russian Academy civil services under the program “Fundamentals of State-Church Relations” and the Institute of Friendship of the Peoples of the Caucasus (Stavropol) with a specialty in “Psychology”.
The Fontanka newspaper writes that Archbishop Ambrose was remembered by the St. Petersburg flock for his exceptionally peace-loving style. In the midst of a conflict between museum workers and Orthodox Christians claiming sole use of St. Isaac's Cathedral, Ambrose was able to calm the tension by apologizing for “those who were not restrained in words and emotions,” and also called not to erect walls “between themselves and others.”
Events related to the transfer of St. Isaac's Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church continue to develop in St. Petersburg. And again we see the heterogeneity of the church environment and the disunity of people on an issue that should, on the contrary, unite them.
Press dossier:
On the day of the procession around Isaac, believers listened to the sermons of two dignitaries. Archbishop Ambrose apologized for the church aggression. Metropolitan Barsanuphius, meanwhile, threatened punishment for blasphemers. Fontanka compared the texts.
Preparations for the second religious procession were carried out with the help of diocesan circulars and aggressive PR on social networks. The rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop Ambrose, speaking in front of thousands, relieved the tension with a peaceful sermon. At the same time, the head of the St. Petersburg priests, Metropolitan Barsanuphius, delivered his speech.
On Sunday, February 19th, Orthodox calendar Meat week has started. Tradition prescribes speaking from the pulpit about the terrible (last) judgment. But each clergyman independently decides in what way to convey his thoughts to the flock.
Coincided with the beginning of the meat-eating procession around Isaac - a kind of response of the diocese to civil protests. By that time, it was already known in St. Petersburg that the Kremlin was skeptical about the willfulness of the city and church authorities, and public speaking Each cleric had a theme color by default.
In Isaac, the sermon was read by the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose. Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, considered the main proponent of the transfer of Isaac to the church, was also not left without an audience. Several dozen people listened to him in the church at the Seraphim cemetery.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose. In the world Vitaly Ermakov, 46 years old. Born in the Kursk region. He became a novice in 1982. He entered the Moscow Theological Academy after the army. He was tonsured a monk at the age of 23.
Candidate of Theology. Has two secular educations. He graduated from the Russian Academy of Civil Service under the program “Fundamentals of State-Church Relations” and the Institute of Friendship of the Peoples of the Caucasus (Stavropol) with a degree in Psychology. Before St. Petersburg, he served in the Kemerovo and Moscow dioceses. Rector of St. Petersburg Theological Schools since 2008. He was elevated to the rank of archbishop in February 2014.
Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius. In the world Anatoly Sudakov, 56 years old. Born in the Saratov region. He was tonsured a monk at the age of 22. In 1986 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy. While studying at Moscow theological schools, he spent his vacation time annually in the Pyukhtitsa convent in Estonia, where he more than once helped the future Patriarch Alexy II. Before St. Petersburg, he served in the Penza and Saransk dioceses, as a manager of the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Mordovian Metropolis. Metropolitan since February 2010. He moved to St. Petersburg in March 2014.
Barsanuphius, speaking about the days of judgment, recalled the inevitability of punishment:
“We heard in the Gospel that the Lord revealed how the final judgment would take place. When atrocities happen, many ask why the Lord does not punish them. Everything has its time".
The words of Ambrose were heard throughout Isaac:
“I want to talk about Christ and love. The Last Judgment is a court of love. Without love for a person, justice and law are impossible. The Last Judgment is the question of whether you loved anyone.”
Barsanuphius chose a different tone:
“When we hear the Gospel, we must do it... It will be finished Last Judgment. Some try to associate life in half with sin - it seems that the Second Coming is far away, there are no signs indicated in the Gospel yet, the Antichrist has not yet come. But death is on our heels. You have to be prepared every day."
Ambrose did not separate himself from the flock:
“We are trying in vain to improve the world, to find justice, we want to win politically and socially, and in this game we do not compromise anything, not even faith and shrines. We spend hours arguing about the correctness of other people's actions, dividing people into our own, who must have our views, and strangers, whom we must crush. And we do not do anything that will save us in the hour of the Last Judgment.”
Barsanuphius hurried:
"Today we must make a choice: to the right or left side from the Judge of the Universe we want to stand up. Those who have corrected their lives through repentance, tears, and cleansed their souls will stand on the right. And on the left will stand those who did everything contrary to the commandments of God and so stained their souls that they appear in rags and all wounded by sins.”
Ambrose tried to project the Gospel onto civic values:
“Be careful that your freedom does not cause you to fall,” the Apostle Paul warned the Christians of his time. These words were spoken to us too. Freedom without love in Christ very quickly becomes freedom for one and compulsion for another. The limit of a Christian’s freedom lies where the personal freedom of his neighbor, the freedom of another person, begins.”
Barsanuphius shared his personal experience:
“I witnessed punishments when the Lord punished blasphemers. These people died naturally. They held high positions in Soviet times, were school directors, and something else. But they opposed God. They received their punishment while they were alive.”
Ambrose called for mercy:
“Don’t put up walls between yourself and others. Do not look for dividing differences between people, try not to classify them according to characteristics and treat everyone with the same benevolence. Do not draw an identity between a person and his sins, mistakes and weaknesses. Know how to forgive."
Barsanuphius assured that the Lord’s choice would be simple:
“Just as it is easy to distinguish a sheep from a goat, so it will be easy for the Lord to distinguish a holy soul from a lost one, corrupted during life in sins.”
According to Ambrose, not everything is so simple:
“After all, it was not the atheists who crucified Christ, but precisely those people who spoke most about God and prayed in church and on the street more than others.”
Barsanuphius did not speak about the broadcast of Isaac on February 19 for obvious reasons - the audience was not the same. He expressed his position very clearly in a letter to Dmitry Medvedev in March 2016:
“It is absolutely obvious that historical churches... need to be returned to their original and only possible liturgical purpose.”
Ambrose, in turn, could not help but say:
“Taking this God-given opportunity, I want to ask for forgiveness from all of you. And for those who in the past weeks were unrestrained in words and emotions, spoke unworthily about people, and gave temptations. And thinking that by defending his position and even the church, he was harming both the church and all of us.”
Ambrose became the first church dignitary to apologize and express gratitude to the director of the St. Isaac's Cathedral State Historical Museum Nikolai Burov and his employees for “many years of cooperation and maintaining the cathedral in a majestic condition.”
The word “love” was heard more than thirty times in Ambrose’s sermon. In Barsanuphius’s speech, judging by the transcript on the website of the St. Petersburg diocese, there was not a single one.
Our guest was the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose.
On the eve of the day of remembrance of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, we talked about this saint, about his sermon, as well as about the history of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and about the life of teachers and students today.
________________________________________
A. Pichugin
- “Bright Evening” on radio “Vera”. Hello, dear listeners! Here, in this studio, Liza Gorskaya...
L. Gorskaya
- ... and Alexey Pichugin.
A. Pichugin
I remember that in Soviet times there was a seminar saying that, they say, in Moscow students pray, in Odessa they work, and in Leningrad they study. Today our guest is the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop of Peterhof, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, Bishop Ambrose. Hello, lord!
Good evening! Christ is Risen!
A. Pichugin
Truly He is Risen! So I think that we will dedicate part of the program to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.
But, first of all, tomorrow is the day of remembrance of the holy Apostle-Evangelist John the Theologian. Here, too, we can draw some parallels, probably because we know that of the four evangelists, it is the Apostle John and his Gospel that is considered the most, well, as we usually say, theological... Hence John the Theologian, probably. Therefore, let's first talk about who John the Theologian is and what place he occupies in the modern church life of man.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
You know, the holy Apostle-Evangelist Theologian is often called the “apostle of love.” And this is precisely what the emphasis is on. He is also called Christ’s beloved disciple. So I often had to communicate with the inhabitants of the holy Mount Athos and ask them why Christ chose one of his disciples as his beloved. And they corrected it. They said that love always arises in response to love. And that Saint John the Theologian was loved precisely because he loved Christ more than anyone else. This is probably why he became a Theologian. Because theology is not about words, not about writing master's and doctoral dissertations. Theology is in life. And life must necessarily be based on love, because this love is creative. Although that which suffers too. And everything else that is without love is destructive. That is why he became Christ’s favorite disciple, namely the Theologian.
When we talk about teaching our students, we want them not just to receive diplomas, not just some qualifying work defended, but so that they become those people who could continue the apostolic ministry - not pathetically, not historically, but precisely in spirit, in essence. And the essence is in that very love that we constantly talk about when we celebrate the day of remembrance of the holy Apostle-Evangelist John the Theologian.
A. Pichugin
At your Academy, even the main Academic Church is dedicated to John the Theologian, right?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I'll correct it a little. There are several temples in the Theological Academy. The Temple of the Theological Academy is dedicated to the Twelve Apostles - in a historical building. The Temple of the Theological Seminary, which no longer exists... Oh, yes, now we already call it the St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church. Dot. There is no longer such a name as St. Petersburg or Leningrad - formerly the Theological Academy and Seminary or theological schools.
A. Pichugin
Also the Moscow ones too.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Also the Moscow ones - this is already wrong. We really are a Theological Academy that implements relevant programs - bachelor's, master's, we have graduate school, we have programs that prepare church choir directors, we have an icon painting department, there are foreigners who study, but all this is part of one educational institution, takes place on the site of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.
And in the building of the then Theological Seminary, which now houses part of our Academy, a temple was naturally built in honor of the holy Apostle-Evangelist John the Theologian. He was sanctified. And 40 years later another extension was made. Why? Because in this temple there was also an assembly hall, and it was very inconvenient to combine both the temple service and the events that should take place in the assembly hall. Therefore, an assembly hall was left in the temple premises, and a special three-story extension was built for the temple, on the third floor of which the current Church of the Holy Apostle-Evangelist John the Theologian is now located.
A. Pichugin
Was this done recently?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
This was done... It was consecrated in 1888.
A. Pichugin
Ah, back then?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Then again, yes.
A. Pichugin
But now on the Internet you can find a number of amateur - well, maybe not amateur - videos, a chronicle like this: this is the beginning of the 80s, when the current holy patriarch was the rector, and for some reason there are now a lot of videos from the services of then Bishop Kirill, who was tonsured a reader - this all happens inside academic churches. What temple is this shown there?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
This is the Church of St. John the Evangelist.
A. Pichugin
Oh, is this what it is?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
At that time, in fact, the only temple, because, of course, the Twelve Apostles were not there. But the second one has already been postponed.
By the way, it just so happened that the first one was built into the building and, naturally, its altar was directed to the East, but the current church, which was consecrated in 1888, faces the North with its altar. And in our North-West region we pray to the North.
A. Pichugin
You emphasize the status of the North-West region.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Although in this building we also have one small church - in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which was created under Metropolitan Nikodim Rotov and for him, and as a home church for the Leningrad metropolitans, since the historical building of the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary also housed the chambers of the Leningrad metropolitans . And the building, by the way, after the war, in 1946, was not completely transferred. Therefore, imagine the conditions in which the Leningrad diocese, the Leningrad Metropolitan and the Theological Academy were then. They were all in one place. There was also prosphora here, candles were made here, coal was made here...
A. Pichugin
Both the office and the reception area.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
There was also an office, a reception room, a metropolitan, and an Academy. And all this was located in half of the building transferred in 1946.
A. Pichugin
But I just have a bad idea, I’ve never been to your place - is it really so crowded there?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Welcome! It's not crowded now.
A. Pichugin
With pleasure! I'll come to St. Petersburg next time.
In this room, as I understand it, Metropolitan Nikodim served. You said that he served every day?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I, of course, am a young man and have never seen Metropolitan Nicodemus...
A. Pichugin
- ...but some kind of traditions?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
- ...but, of course, I learn about him from the old priests. It must be said that it is no secret that the name of Metropolitan Nikodim has always been so controversial. Some were delighted with him, others...
A. Pichugin
- …vice versa.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
- …vice versa. When I arrived in St. Petersburg, I, of course, essentially knew nothing about it. I only knew about the attitude that was formed in Moscow. When I became the rector of the Theological Academy, of course, I began to get acquainted with the clergy, I began to get acquainted with the bishops, and those of the clergy who really became very authoritative for me, and the opinion that is very important and of great value to me, they told about the life of Metropolitan Nikodim. And for me, of course, it was a discovery that he really either served every day himself, or when he was sick (and he really was very often sick), first the Divine Liturgy was served for him right in the bedroom (and he always received communion daily), and then the Assumption Church was built, in which he also often served or hieromonks from among the students of the Theological Academy served, with whom he very often directly communicated in a fatherly way. As far as possible, very often indeed.
A. Pichugin
And also about the altar, before we go too far from this topic. About the altar that faces the North. We have this – well, popular, of course – idea that the altar should strictly face the East. Although there are many examples of temples, when they are deployed in different sides light - well, for various reasons. And I know more than one. Is there any canonical prescription at all?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Of course, there is a tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and we call the East the East and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Of course, this is an ancient tradition - to pray to the East, but it is not so absolute that if such an opportunity does not present itself, then the prayer will be invalid or some sacraments will be defective. Of course not. The Lord is everywhere, the Lord is everywhere. And it so happened architecturally in our Theological Academy that the temple was located as part of an already existing complex.
By the way, the first temple was consecrated by Saint Philaret of Kyiv Amphitheater. For me this also somehow has a very great importance, since the same Saint Philaret of Kiev Amphitheaters was a very great trustee of Optina Pustyn, which is also famous for the names of St. Ambrose of Optina and other Optina elders. These are the parallels that exist for me personally in my now second native Theological Academy.
L. Gorskaya
It's your 70th birthday this year.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Absolutely right.
L. Gorskaya
This is what we see when we go to the site, and what you said just now. You have something dedicated to this date - some events, some... Well, to be honest, I’m just amazed at the overall scale of your activities. While you were talking with Alexey, I studied the site in more detail. In particular, social service at the Academy. The list is, of course, impressive - ministry to the disabled, hospital ministry, children's ministry, prison ministry, ministry to people in difficult situations. life situation, rehabilitation centers for addictions, youth ministry, social service to military personnel and members of their families, social service to the deaf and hard of hearing. And, of course, it’s stupid to ask about any formal events in this regard - I want to talk: what are you expecting this year?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Traditionally, of course, on the assembly day, October 9, the second day of remembrance... (for us this is the first day of remembrance of the holy Apostle-Evangelist John the Theologian), of course, there will be a solemn service, of course, a solemn act, which is a feast of theological science . Of course, this is a conference that will take place in November, and it will be international, and it will bring together participants not only from theological faculties and spiritual educational institutions various local Orthodox churches, but also from universities, including from abroad.
But that's not the main thing. The main thing is that life lives on. The main thing is that the Theological Academy today is aimed at giving our Church, well, so to speak, clergy of a new format - those people who could find themselves precisely in some kind of service to God through people. Indeed, a number of our students have learned sign language and can now teach sign language themselves. A number of our students participate in the liturgy for the hearing impaired in St. Petersburg churches. These same guys continue to teach a sign language course, and usually about 15-20 of our students sign up for it.
Every day after lunch, maybe even sometimes at the expense of lunch, our students are necessarily sent to those sites of social practice, which they undergo not because it should be, but because many students are no longer within the framework of this practice, well, just like their second wind they realize this service of theirs.
And I am very pleased that this is not being done under pressure, not by administrative means, and not even within the framework of educational process, although this should also exist. certainly, and exists within the framework of the educational process at the church-practical department, namely thanks to the initiative of our students. They themselves are involved in everything that you just listed, and they are constantly trying to involve me in this.
L. Gorskaya
How? (Laughs.)
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
They simply say: “For example, in prison we have never had a bishop’s service in such and such a church, in such and such a colony. Come on, we’ll serve.” If we find time, we will serve. It is possible for wheelchair users - you need to invite them, you need to lift them, you need to offer holy unction - at what time? Naturally, they take blessings for this. We need to give them a concert. We need to take them, bring them - is it possible to take transport? Naturally, such things always have to be decided. And I see how people themselves change, how our students change.
Young people are different. Most often, of course, you can rely more on those guys. who served in the army. They already get some idea of what this life is worth. But those who just came from home, especially if everything was completely fine at home, for some reason they think that everything, including the Theological Academy, everything is very easy for everyone, and everyone owes everyone. This is present, unfortunately, in our environment too, for the time being. But when people begin to encounter the pain of others, with those who require attention, help, a kind word, participation in life, when they see that there is back side the truth of life, and it can be very sad, they, by participating in the lives of other people and trying to make this side at least a little brighter and more joyful, actually get something that they would never get in the most comfortable conditions. And then they talk about it themselves.
A. Pichugin
Friends, let us remind you that this “Bright Evening” is being held with us by Archbishop Ambrose of Peterhof, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.
Here we missed, it seems to me, very important point. Many may have this question - now we will definitely return to the life of the Academy. Why 70 years? If you even open the brief history on the Academy’s website that is posted there, well, the St. Petersburg Theological School dates back to the 18th century. It is clear that in Soviet times it did not exist for several decades, and then, in 1946, it was resumed. But why do you count 70 years, and not since the 18th century?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
70 years of the resumption of celebration.
L. Gorskaya
Spiritual life.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Certainly. Recovery after closure. 295 years of general spiritual education. In 2009, we had 200 years of the reformed Theological Academy, well, in 2021, if we are alive...
A. Pichugin
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
- ...we are going to celebrate the 300th anniversary.
But why is this period so important for us? You know, what is associated with the last decades of life is always more vividly perceived and has a huge, well, if I may say so, educational influence on those who study today. After all, in Soviet times, and especially in Leningrad, it was very difficult. And the efforts that Metropolitan Grigory Chukov made then, resuscitating the Theological School in 1946, and those colossal efforts that the same Metropolitan Nikodim made, when they tried to strangle the Theological Academy, which was just beginning to breathe again, he resumed, it is possible to say, gave her again another new breath. All this is very important for modern man. As important as Victory Day for our society. This is also important for students and teachers. And the teachers of the Theological Academy too, especially the young ones.
Therefore, this year we are placing special emphasis on the 70th anniversary of the revival.
L. Gorskaya
Well, maybe then it’s worth talking in more detail about why it was opened in 1946? It would seem that the country has a lot of pressing tasks - the country is in ruins, vital industries have been destroyed, and so on. And suddenly the Academy opens.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
We very often use this phrase - “the role of the individual in history.” Now, of course, the opening of the Theological Academy probably became possible precisely thanks to the personality of Metropolitan Grigory Chukov. And, of course, it was supported by the hierarchy of our Church.
A. Pichugin
And here, Vladyka, forgive me, we probably need to dwell in more detail on the personality of Metropolitan Gregory. This is a St. Petersburg priest who went through the camps, about whom many generally thought that he had been shot.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Absolutely right, yes. This is a man who was deeply educated. And who was not just educated - this is a person who was breathing with the task of giving knowledge to a new generation, breathing with the task of giving new breath to the Church with the help of precisely the resumption of the activities of the Theological Academy. It seems to me that he found the most correct point - he put all his efforts, like the Metropolitan of Leningrad later, on the most important thing - education. We often have this expression, including in secular society: “education on a residual basis.” Well, it’s no secret that in many places of our large, vast Motherland this often happens. For Metropolitan Gregory, such a residual principle did not exist. For him, this was the most important activity as Metropolitan of Leningrad. And then - everything else. Then there are parish activities, divine services, and so on. And that’s probably why he succeeded in 1946. He first began to gather those people who still remained at the pre-revolutionary school. He began to gather those professors who, according to the words of the late His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, then sang their swan song, and from whom the generation of the now deceased Patriarch Alexy, the now retired Metropolitan Vladimir and other venerable clergymen, of whom there are few left in St. Petersburg, studied. but who remember this with tears in their eyes. And it’s amazing how they loved their theological school.
And, of course, celebrating the 70th anniversary of our Theological Academy, the first name we call is the name of Metropolitan Gregory. Thanks to him. Thanks to him. If he had not moved, if he had not taken this initiative, if he had not used the means for this, including the material resources that he had at that time, probably nothing would have happened.
A. Pichugin
Here’s another thing, if we’re talking about Soviet times, a very important milestone in the life of the Leningrad Academy and Seminary... After all, it is known that in the 60s, in the 50s and 70s too, people were very reluctant to go to the seminary, or rather, not at all they accepted people from intelligent families, from families where parents had higher education, they did not accept people after higher education, especially candidates of science.
L. Gorskaya
Are you talking about a specific seminary now or in general?
A. Pichugin
In the country as a whole, especially after 1861, after the reform. There was a separate story at the Leningrad Seminary and Academy when, thanks to the efforts of Metropolitan Nikodim, professors from European universities were brought from abroad to give lectures to the seminarian.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
That was later.
A. Pichugin
Well, it was later, yes, it was much later.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Well, at first there were several other steps he took in order to simply preserve the Theological Academy.
Yes, what you said, of course, took place. There were few seminaries then. Well, in fact, you could list everything on the fingers of one hand.
But, probably, there were no problems such as in Leningrad, perhaps not even in any diocese. Because in Leningrad the Commissioner for Religious Affairs was Grigory Semenovich Zharinov, a well-known person - it seems, even a former special officer, who acted in the same way, quite cruelly, towards the clergy. We recently published the first volume, and the second volume of “History of the Theological Academy” by Mikhail Vitalievich Shkarovsky, our professor, is being prepared for publication...
A. Pichugin
Yes, sure…
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
And in it, when I leafed through these materials, I became acquainted with such amazing documents and facts. One of them was sent to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from a certain respectable person who signed himself as a veteran, who said that everything is fine with us in Leningrad, but there is one place where there is such obscurantism, and these obscurantists are doing something else they demand for themselves. A mental hospital was built next to them. In fact, we need to remove them from here altogether. If they want to carry out their activities, let them carry them out somewhere at the North Pole, and we will see how they survive there. Strange to hear about this, right?
A. Pichugin
Well, why... Knowing the history of the country for 70 years - why...
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
And, taking into account the powerful pressure exerted by the Commissioner, and how he really dealt quite harshly and even cruelly with those who did not want to agree with him, one can imagine the situation in Leningrad. The mechanisms of how applicants who wanted to enroll were not allowed in, how they were removed from trains, how they were arrested, how they were sent to psychiatric hospitals, how they were suddenly drafted into the army, they are known. And, probably, they are known, first of all, through the example of the Leningrad Theological Academy, since most often this happened there.
Moreover, when the order was given, practically no one would come from Russia there. Let's get Western Ukraine instead. Thus, the status was lowered precisely because some difference in language, some difference in education - all led to the fact that in the end the Theological School was discredited and then closed.
A. Pichugin
Here, in fairness, it should be noted that in Western Ukraine there were simply still enough unclosed churches to somehow supply bishops and parishioners to the Theological School.
L. Gorskaya
But you must admit that in the cultural capital, a priest with Ukrainian rural roots is in an obviously losing position.
A. Pichugin
Well, by the way, in my opinion, there weren’t really any of them in Leningrad?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
There was just a lot. And it must be said that, well, to be honest, some of them are now in schism - some among the Greek Catholics, some among the (nrzb.). But the most interesting thing is that when they remember and tell - bishops from Ukraine - their studies at the Leningrad Theological Academy, they remember it with gratitude and with tears in their eyes. Still, there is nostalgia, and conscience awakens somewhere.
And Metropolitan Nikodim was indeed the only bishop, probably, who at that time agreed to go to the Leningrad See. It would seem that the Leningrad department!
A. Pichugin
Well, these are still the traditions of the St. Petersburg metropolitans.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Imagine, the old clergy said that the bishops did not want to go there, because they were there in such cramped circumstances and under such pressure from the Commissioner that no city and no cultural capital attracted anyone.
And then Metropolitan Nikodim, realizing that if not he, then the Theological School will be closed, accepts this invitation, proposal and becomes the Metropolitan of Leningrad.
Well, the first thing he does is, of course, try to attract foreign students. But I must say that this was also such a step... Now we are saying: FIS was created, and as a result the Academy was not closed. And the opposition was terrible. And the majority of the first set of students did not stay. Local authorities began to do everything to work with these students, with these Africans who came in order to transfer them to our secular universities, to promise them the benefits that our guys very often promised. You could say, tempting in this way - tempting with the future, career, and so on, and forcing them to turn away from the path on which these people have taken.
A. Pichugin
Well, it was probably more difficult with them than with Soviet students?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Well, I can say that now, getting acquainted with the archives, I understand that such attempts on the part of the secular authorities of that time did not always end without success. They did have some success. But Metropolitan Nikodim did not stop. He recruited again, more, more. He immediately responded by acting even more firmly and taking more decisive action. And then, of course, he began to invite, including from abroad, from Europe, professors from other fields.
A. Pichugin
We'll continue this conversation in a minute. Let me remind you that today Archbishop Ambrose of Peterhof, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, is visiting radio “Vera” in the “Bright Evening” program. Liza Gorskaya, I’m Alexey Pichugin, here again in a minute.
And so we return again to our studio, where today we are talking with Archbishop Ambrose, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop of Peterhof. We talk about the life of the Academy, its past, its present. Let's…
L. Gorskaya
We just wanted to return to the present.
A. Pichugin
Let's go back, yes, yes, yes, about life.
L. Gorskaya
Liturgy for the hearing impaired - we once said something about them in passing, but it really is amazing phenomenon for modern times. Actually, how long have they been?.. Have they been in service with you for a long time, and how often?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Such liturgies have been celebrated at our Theological Academy several times in recent years. But there is a temple at the Herzen University (we have such a pedagogical university in St. Petersburg) in honor of the apostles Peter and Paul. And in this temple a community has already formed, part of which, a fairly large part of which, consists precisely of deaf-mute and hard-of-hearing people. It is on the site of this church that one of our graduate students is now carrying out his deaconal ministry and at the same time such translation activities - he serves in sign language. I recently learned that, it turns out, somewhere in Moscow there is even a priest and a deacon who themselves are already deaf and mute.
A. Pichugin
Yes, the Tikhvin Church of the Simonov Monastery community - it was created especially for the hearing impaired and has existed for many years. There, every week a liturgy is celebrated in sign language in St. Petersburg.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes, and it is very important that these are the people who are now receiving the opportunity for such full-fledged churching, full participation in the Eucharistic life of the community. After all, this didn’t happen before. Just a few decades ago, these people were sitting in apartments, each - well, maybe communicating with each other, but each with his own misfortune. And they could recognize God either from books or from some television programs. Of course, some of them went to church, but most often they did not hear, did not understand anything. This is truly a very important matter, the value of which can probably only be measured by the heart.
A. Pichugin
And also, probably, such a tradition arose due to the fact that in Pavlovsk there is a huge complex, the so-called VC, where for the last, probably, four decades there have been educational institutions for the hearing impaired and the deaf. They somehow, apparently, migrated to the walls of the Academy - these are these traditions? Well, did this really have an impact?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
You know, this is connected not only with the Theological Academy, it is connected in general with the church life of St. Petersburg. You said that Metropolitan Nikodim at one time invited professors from Europe, someone perceived this negatively - “here, some kind of Western influence.” But in fact, in those Soviet times, when the clergy limited themselves only to the walls of the temple, they, of course, did not know about such an experience. And when a new generation of clergy began to visit Christian communities in the West, they began to get acquainted with the experience of Christians in Europe. There are so many social activities there! And it was the St. Petersburg clergy who most often assimilated this experience and transferred church life to the Orthodox dioceses of St. Petersburg. And in this regard I would like just a lot kind words to say to our St. Petersburg clergy. Because everything that was done in the 90s, in the early 2000s, was all done most often on the personal initiative of individual clergy, and then communities were created, and then entire movements began. And thus, in our Theological Academy, these programs have also practically begun to be implemented. Because it is necessary to speak further than the successors in order for such activities to be carried out.
L. Gorskaya
When you spoke about the 70th anniversary of spiritual life, you, in particular, said that you now have a new generation of seminarians, a new model.
A. Pichugin
Already students - there are no longer seminarians, academicians.
L. Gorskaya
Sorry, yes.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Students of the Theological Academy.
L. Gorskaya
Yes, a new model. But what is most important for a modern student of a new model Academy, for a person who has connected his life with serving the Church, with serving his neighbor? What is the most important thing for him now?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
It seems to me that the task remains the same as Christ did - yesterday and today, and the same and forever. Another thing is that these tasks can be implemented different ways. AND modern life, which poses more and more new challenges to both the Church and the clergy, and the world and society in general, it is precisely what is pushing them towards this. to look for new forms of this sacrificial service. And the most important thing I would like is, of course, that our students, and our future, and current young clergymen would be not only educated, not only deeply decent people, honest, fair, truthful, intelligent people, but also people with a kind heart and with this intention to give your love. including with the help of the victim. You can sacrifice in different ways - your talents, your education...
L. Gorskaya
-...with your lunch...
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes. By the way, we even have this practice: when we run out of food, if, say, there are a few extra servings left or someone is missing from the meal, then our students collect it all, pack it and bring it to the people we call homeless people, without a fixed place of residence. Several people do this every day.
A. Pichugin
Tell me, who are more numerous among the students now - are they young people from St. Petersburg and the region, or are they from some other cities in the country?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I will now tell you the first two positions. First of all, of course, we receive students from St. Petersburg and the region; the second diocese, which gives us the largest number of students, is the Pyatigorsk and Circassian diocese...
A. Pichugin
I wonder why?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
The bishop and his clergy work well. But, in general, of course, not from St. Petersburg - they come to us from completely different regions, and, among other things, from different countries.
A. Pichugin
Can you somehow... Do you see changes in general in the lives of students, in their interests? These are the years when you yourself studied at the Moscow Academy-Seminary (this, as I understand it, was the beginning of the 90s) ... And the students - they are probably, in general, similar, both in St. Petersburg and in Moscow? How have the seminarians themselves changed over the years? Now you are watching them from the position of a leader!
L. Gorskaya
Our favorite question! Young people now are not what they were then! (Laughs.)
A. Pichugin
Or maybe it's the other way around!
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
- (Laughs.) You are very difficult question you ask, which, indeed, from the position of the rector, is somehow not always convenient to answer. This is true. It's not like then, it's true. But this does not mean that she is worse, by no means. Young people are different, they are a different generation, that’s true. But it seems to me that today’s youth simply have a much more difficult time than we do. We had fewer temptations. There were more difficulties, there were more obstacles, but fewer temptations. Today there are more temptations. Today, seemingly in external freedom, a person is actually bound hand and foot by everything that comes to him in the form of passions in his life. And today a whole powerful industry is simply working on this. And our students, naturally, do not live in a vacuum space either. Moreover, we have the Filevskaya (?) Theological Academy - they do not live in a monastery. They directly go out into the world, communicate, they see, especially the Internet, the space is open for themselves. Young people are very talented, creative, interesting, but it seems to me that a lot depends on us, on us, on our generation, what will come of them, what guideline these guys will choose in the end. And will they go in the chosen direction throughout their lives? For this we need an example.
How were we good, how were we lucky? For example, I studied at the Moscow Theological Academy. It is located in the space of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
A. Pichugin
In the monastery.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
And what was the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the 80s and 90s? These are the elders - Father Kirill, the other elders of the Lavra. This is the atmosphere that they created, this is the communication that we had with them.
And today - this, of course, I don’t even feel comfortable talking about this - all those who teach, we should be the same example for them. I understand perfectly well that this heaven and earth are the example of those elders whom we saw, and we today. But we must be such an example, because behind us is the generation we are talking about today. And here we are together. There is no need to divide us - then and now. We were then, and now we are too, together with them.
A. Pichugin
No, but the question, rather, was that the people who entered the seminary in the early 90s were those who were raised in late Soviet times. This, well, in general, their early childhood was during the Brezhnev era, and their youth during perestroika. So they entered the seminary in the early 90s. This is a completely different perception of the world. And young people who, most likely, are children of church families... Even though these are not priestly families, they grew up in the atmosphere of the Church. Or I'm wrong?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I would not say that the majority of our students who come to us are to the same degree as churchgoers as we were in the 90s, although they did not come from church families. Both then and now, parents often come to Church for their children. This also exists, including in the life stories of our students. We had one student - there is one student, he is now in the priesthood, in the monastic rank. His grandfather and great-grandfather were rabbis.
A. Pichugin
Well, why not?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Then... Well, naturally, everyone is a Soviet family and so on, so on. And he becomes a believer, he is baptized. His mother was not baptized, his mother was even against it. He takes monasticism and becomes a priest. And then a miracle happens - mom becomes Orthodox person, truly, having come through his son to the Church. And now he is already churching all his other surroundings. This may be one of the most striking stories, and there are many such stories.
And the fact that today we have Sunday schools, the fact that today there is accessible information in terms of knowledge, this does not mean that a person is truly a church member. Very often this churching, this cutting - well, this is probably how it should be - happens to a greater extent in the Theological Academy. But this cutting is always a very difficult process. And someone can’t stand this difficult process, and someone understands that this is not their path. And sometimes we understand that this is not his way. Therefore, this is truly a daily and annual process, starting again from point zero, in which, of course, both teachers and students participate.
L. Gorskaya
But, by the way, are there a lot of deductions at the Academy? Is it easy to “fly out”, in modern student parlance? It’s easy to “fly out”, isn’t it?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I wouldn't say there are many of them, but they exist. Because of discipline, because a person does not want to study and simply does not pass the exam. But we try to approach each person very individually. Once - well, this is probably already such a textbook example - one of the students (not our students) at one theological school wrote a sermon and gave it to a homiletics teacher for checking. The teacher gave this sermon a C and said that it was very weak. Then the student was indignant and said: “How can this be? This is the sermon of the holy righteous John of Kronstadt, I copied it!” - “In order for you to get an A for this sermon, you need to be a saint.” righteous John Kronstadt,” the teacher answered him. (Laughs.)
A. Pichugin
Vladyka, I will object to you here. There is also such a famous example. Paustovsky - our famous, famous writer Paustovsky and our famous Soviet critic Shklovsky were housemates on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment. They had late children, they studied in the same class. The teacher assigned them an essay for homework, and Shklovsky and Paustovsky decided to write an essay for their children. So Paustovsky received a C for him, and Shklovsky received a D.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
- (Laughs.)
L. Gorskaya
A. Pichugin
L. Gorskaya
Well, because to get an A for it, you need to be Paustovsky and Shklovsky.
A. Pichugin
Well, that’s what Shklovsky and Paustovsky wrote!
L. Gorskaya
Well, and John of Kronstadt.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
But these works were published under other names! (Laughs.)
L. Gorskaya
I don’t see a contradiction here, that’s what I mean! And I have this question, probably purely feminine. Vladyka, when you spoke about the significance of the fact that people with disabilities got the chance to fully participate in the liturgy, they said that the significance of this can, perhaps, be measured only by the heart. Speaking about what is most important for a clergyman, including a modern one, you said that it is important to have a kind, living heart. That's why it's so important, and why it's so unique, and how in short supply maybe it is right now?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
But the heart is generally the center of a Christian’s life. It is clear that this is not the physical heart on which operations are performed. This is something that cannot be felt in oneself with the help of physical sensations. This is what people talk about when they talk to each other and understand what spiritual life is and what life in God is, they understand it well without additional words.
If a person does not live this heartfelt, spiritual life, if he does not have a connection with God, he will have neither sacrifice nor love. And sometimes, maybe, there will be some feelings - really, very soulful beautiful impulses, but they may have roots in completely different sources. And the main source for us, the source of love, is the Lord. Therefore, everything is here, of course. Here is asceticism, here is prayer, here is constant work on oneself, on one’s own passions. Because we can never give another person what we don’t have ourselves. This is not transmitted at the verbal level, it is not transmitted at the level of knowledge. Knowledge can be obtained - well, and it will remain somewhere in some box...
L. Gorskaya
In the stash.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes, in the stash. This knowledge - it must come to life, it must work. This is the most important task - and probably the most difficult task.
A. Pichugin
Archbishop Ambrose of Peterhof, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy is our guest today in the “Bright Evening” program.
Let's talk about the present, really about the present. You have announced recruitment for a new academic year. What requirements do you place on your future students? Who can come to you?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
I would like to highlight the most important thing this year, which is very important for us. This year we will, probably for the first time, contrary to the traditions of previous years, take exams earlier. Usually they always took place in the second half of August. This year we take exams in the first half of July. Well, let's say, in the first half - mid-July. And I would like to draw the attention of our future potential applicants to this, if they are listening to us. But it is best to submit documents in the month of June.
A. Pichugin
So very soon?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Very soon. Please visit our website and look specifically at the deadlines indicated there.
A. Pichugin
An important question: do you take the Unified State Exam? I understand that there are some additional...
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
And now further: who can really come to us? This year we will have two undergraduate programs. The first program - the so-called direction 4803-01 - is theology. It is under this program that those who entered and studied, perhaps with further accreditation, can receive a state-issued diploma, and they must have the Unified State Examination in the Russian language and the Unified State Examination in history. Entrance exams are taken - biblical story(oral examination), catechism and Orthodox worship. And also an interview. But if suddenly someone has a Unified State Examination score lower than what is required, we have this indicated on our website, you can see if someone, for example, does not have an Unified State Examination, he graduated from school, say, three years ago, something was engaged in something else, worked or, for example, has a secondary education professional education, or, for example, has a higher education and enters our bachelor’s program, then this person writes an essay on the Russian language - an impromptu essay on a given topic, takes written history, passes the same oral entrance exams that I mentioned, and also passes interview. This applies to bachelor's degrees.
That is, we will have two directions. In the first direction, a person upon leaving has the opportunity to receive a state-issued diploma, in the second direction - a church diploma.
Well, and, naturally, enrollment in the master’s program will be carried out in the same way.
A. Pichugin
Yes, this is probably even more important. Because there are a huge number of people who have completed their bachelor’s degrees at completely different universities... For example, a person who has completed a bachelor’s degree at a secular university wants to enroll in a master’s program at the Theological Academy...
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Well, if, for example, he completed his bachelor’s degree and became an agronomist or some kind of gardener, of course...
A. Pichugin
-...it won’t work.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
It won't work, yes. Here we will look at what undergraduate degree he completed. Of course, if it’s theology, but even then not always. After all, those who graduated from a bachelor's degree in theology at some secular university still have to pass exams. And the corresponding master's exams will reveal the level of knowledge of this person. He will be encouraged to possibly return for an undergraduate degree. We also had such cases.
A. Pichugin
L. Gorskaya
Tell us more about the life of the Academy. We heard that you had your first wedding liturgy this year, for example. And in general, what does this student life consist of? After all, it’s like a state within a state - people not only study within the Academy’s walls, they live there and in general...
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Absolutely right, this is life. The most real life. And the Theological Academy, from the student to the rector, is our home, because we live there, we teach and study there, we pray there, we eat there, we communicate there and...
L. Gorskaya
-...some people get married.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes. And many, especially this year - our students even note this themselves - have either already gotten married after Easter or will get married in the near future. And they also take blessings for marriage.
Yes, indeed, on Antipascha, for the first time in my life, I myself performed the so-called wedding liturgy. That is, this is an exact sequence of the wedding, which takes place during the service of the Divine Liturgy. This was a new service experience for me, and it left some extraordinary mark in my memory, in my heart. And those two couples of our students who got married talk about the same thing. And when they came after the wedding and I talked to them, they said that it was something extraordinary. Time flew by so quickly that we didn’t even have time to understand what it was. And, of course, it really was some kind of special prayer.
It is very important that this happened in the family itself. Imagine: the entire Academy, three huge choirs. The students are the guys on the right, the girls from the icon-painting Irininsky (?) are on the left. Our parishioners, our friends, our guests - all those who know each other directly. And they participate in this celebration - in the celebration of the birth from this huge organism of a large academic family of two small churches, two small families. It truly was a miracle of birth. This is probably how you can characterize it.
Yes, there are a lot in our lives interesting moments, and it is very important that these moments appear precisely thanks to the initiative of our students. After all, the same wedding liturgy took place precisely on the initiative of the students. They themselves came up and asked: “We heard that such wedding liturgies are already being celebrated. But let us do the same.” “Come on,” I said. “Find the rites(?), we will study, prepare and serve.”
IN Lent, following the example of the Moscow Theological Academy for many years, we also served a statutory service this year on the day of memory of Andrei Climacus. Our students, who are well versed in the charter and fully prepared the service, they also checked with the choirs, they also drew up a whole diagram - when the statutory readings are read, when you need to sit down, when you need to get up, where the bishop prays, where he participates, where he does not participate .
A. Pichugin
Are we talking about the All-Night Vigil?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
We are talking about the All-Night Vigil.
A. Pichugin
And the bishop doesn’t participate there?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
That's the thing, he... But he also participates in reading, for example...
A. Pichugin
Well, yes, is he a priest, for example?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes Yes. Absolutely right. And he sits or stands in one hundred seats.
And you know, it's many, many hours of worship. It really reminded us - me personally - of Holy Mount Athos. For those who could not visit Mount Athos or can never visit, it also reminded the holy Mount Athos... (Laughs.)
L. Gorskaya
- (Laughs.) A kind glance was thrown in my direction! (Laughs.)
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
But it just passed in one breath. And our students talked about this too.
L. Gorskaya
Since you, Vladyka, remembered Athos, I have a question for you from the beginning of the program. And since we remembered it, I’ll still ask this question. You, when we talked about the holy Apostle John the Theologian, and you said that during your trips to Athos the elders told you that love is always born in response to love. But please explain. After all, what about such a common expression in the Russian language as “unrequited love”, “unhappy love” and so on? Or are these different loves? Or how in general?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Of course there are different examples in life, but love is attracted by love, like is drawn to like. If another person does not have love, this does not mean that this love cannot be given to him. He still needs to give, despite the fact that it will be unrequited. That is why the value of love will lie in this - that we do not want to receive something in return. When we want to receive something in response to our supposed love, it is no longer love. “Love does not seek its own,” the apostle said very well about this. Doesn't look for his own. Then it is quite possible that this love is mixed with some specks of selfishness that make this love less bright or, conversely, duller. Or maybe, in general, its value is reduced to the most minimal level.
L. Gorskaya
Yes. Alexei?
A. Pichugin
I have another question. I would really like... We don't have much time left, so I would like to talk more about the life of the Academy. We touched on some very important aspects- this includes working with people with disabilities, this also includes wedding liturgy. This is life in all its manifestations, academic. But, for sure, many different programs are being implemented. Now, when you go to the website of absolutely any university, including the website of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, you open the “Activities” section - so many completely different evidence of scientific, social work, publishing activities, journalistic activities, and much more immediately pops up. much more. Let's briefly devote the remaining five to seven minutes to what you are doing in this direction.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Our Academy's publishing house is developing quite actively, which was created quite recently, literally a few years ago, and has already published quite a large number teaching aids. At a time when the entire Church is still faced with the task of publishing manuals for all educational institutions, we are solving this task for ourselves. Our teachers write these manuals, we are trying to find funds and publish these manuals. Every year we publish several such manuals. This is a lot.
Maybe, special attention deserves the activity of our, as we call it, press service. In fact, this press service includes not only statements on some various occasions. This is our website that you mentioned, which, by the way, is made by our same students.
A. Pichugin
And the press service is staffed by students?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
And the press service is staffed by students. This is, of course, the magazine “Nevsky Theologian,” which is also published by students and is trying to find grants for it.
L. Gorskaya
Can I ask such a daring question? Why do you need a press service?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
The press service - well, strictly speaking, is the face of the Academy, it is simply necessary for the educational institution. It is called differently - “information department”, for example. It is called differently in different establishments. We, too, used to call it “press service”, this is the working name, now we call it the same thing - “information department”. But there are still students working in the information department, but, practically, they are already on the verge of graduation. And these students literally become our full-time employees in just a couple of months. That is, we grow our own personnel for ourselves.
L. Gorskaya
What kind of requests do this press service mostly receive? Where do people ask?
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Our information department deals not only with information related to the activities of the Academy itself, but also sets itself the task of providing, in particular, that information food for modern young man, which would allow him to better understand and accept the Church. To achieve this, our students go out into various social media and quite actively, they have been present for a long time. On VKontakte, for example, our group now numbers more than 15 thousand people, on Instagram...
A. Pichugin
In Flivlen - I see the Instagram icon on the site.
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Yes, in Flickle. Further, we had this experience, one might say... Not quite, perhaps, an unambiguous experience, but, nevertheless, live broadcasts on various kinds of social networks, including youth ones. Including youth, who, we already understand, may be hostile to our topic. But, nevertheless, young guys boldly go there anyway, take this blow, often very critical, sometimes even very daring, and still try to answer those questions or those complaints that modern young people have about Christianity and the Church . Some of our students argue with representatives of other religions on social networks.
And I will emphasize once again: it is very important that thanks, probably, to the life that is present today at the Theological Academy, all this is happening largely thanks to the initiative of the students themselves. These projects are born on the initiative of students, most often.
A. Pichugin
Thank you! Our time has already come to an end. Let us remind listeners that today, as a guest of the “Bright Evening” program, Archbishop Ambrose, Archbishop of Peterhof, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, spent this “Bright Evening” with us. Thank you very much, sir!
Archbishop of Peterhof Ambrose
Thank you.
A. Pichugin
Lisa Gorskaya...
L. Gorskaya
-...Alexey Pichugin...
A. Pichugin
All the best, stay healthy!
