Ministry of Archbishop Bartholomew (Gondarovsky) in Central Asia in 1972–1987

Abstract

The article is devoted to the activities of Archbishop Bartholomew (Gondarovsky) of Tashkent and Central Asia (1972–1987) in Central Asia. The study highlights the problems of church-state relations in the Tashkent diocese during the period of Archbishop Bartholomew's administration, his relations with Muslims, his charitable and peacemaking activities (for which he is called "Vladyka the Peacemaker"). The article is the first attempt to provide detailed information from the biography of this bishop and his church activities, mostly during the Tashkent period of his ministry. The study uses chronological, historical, analytical, biographical, statistical methods. Some materials from the Archives of the Moscow Theological Academy, the Archives of the Tashkent Diocesan Administration, the State Archive of the Russian Federation (Fund R-6991), used in the study and reflecting the life and work of Archbishop Bartholomew, have not been published before. The analysis of these and other materials, in addition to clarifying certain information from the biography of the vladyka, allows us to draw conclusions that the latter carried out great charitable activities in the diocese entrusted to him. He possessed rare spiritual qualities, such as meekness, humility and charity. The main purpose of the study is to draw attention to the activities of Archbishop Bartholomew (Gondarovsky) during his tenure at the Tashkent and Central Asian cathedra.