Mission of Archimandrite Feofan (Govorov) to the Embassy Church during his mission to Constantinople from 1856 to 1857

Abstract

The article examines one of the little-studied periods of the life of St. Theophan the Recluse (Govorov) from November 1856 to July 1857. During this short time, he held the position of rector of the embassy church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Constantinople, and was at the forefront of the church and political life of the Russian Empire. This important part of the saint's life has not yet been given due attention in scientific works. This article is an attempt to fill this gap. The article examines the saint's activities against the background of the ecclesiastical and political situation in the Ottoman Empire after the Crimean War, as well as the saint's position regarding the Bulgarian national liberation movement, which later led to the Greek-Bulgarian schism. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of archival sources, correspondence of the saint, documents of the Holy Synod and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, and a comparison of these materials with the works of domestic and foreign researchers of the history of the Orthodox Church of the XIX century. The results of the study show that St. Theophan, having experience in foreign ministry and political intuition, was able to assess the spiritual and political situation in the Balkans in a short time. He viewed the Bulgarians' desire for ecclesiastical independence as a politically motivated process potentially dangerous to the unity of the Orthodox Church. At the same time, he showed sympathy for the moderate demands of the Bulgarian faithful regarding the use of their native language during worship and the election of Bulgarians to episcopal sees. The significance of the research lies in clarifying the views of St. Theophan as a church and public figure, which allows for a deeper understanding of the causes and features of the formation of his theological and pastoral attitudes. The findings of the study also contribute to a more objective assessment of the prerequisites of the Greek-Bulgarian Schism and the role of the Russian Church in the Eastern question.