St. Theophanes the Recluse’ project to publish a new journal ‘The Apologist’

Abstract

The article discusses a project publication of an Orthodox journal called “The Apologist”, proposed by St. Theophanes in 1861 in a letter to K. K. Zederholm (later hieromonk of the Optina Hermitage Clement). St. Theophanes suggested members of the editorial board, the main headings of the journal, described in detail the working methods of the editorial team. Among the closest companions of the saint were A. D. and K. D. Ushinsky, S. O. Burachok, V. I. Askochensky, N. V. Elagin, and others. The project of publishing the journal was approved by the St. Macarius of Optina. The new edition, designed to protect the Orthodox faith and morality, was particularly relevant in an era of weaker censorship and a sharp increase in the periodicals of a liberal-Westernist direction. The project of the magazine with the meaningful name “The Apologist” testified to the active position of St. Theophanes in the field of church and public life in Russia in the second half of the 19th century, it showed his unremitting zeal in protecting Orthodoxy, his readiness to fight various sects and false teachings. Unfortunately, the project for the publication of the journal was never realized.