Philaret Drozdov

Philaret Drozdov (1782–1867) was a Russian Orthodox theologian and Metropolitan of Moscow whose sermons, biblical translation work, and church leadership shaped nineteenth-century Russian Orthodoxy. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1994.

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Alexander I of Russia: Russian emperor from 1801 to 1825, whose reign included the Napoleonic Wars and reforms to religious education. Philaret served as a prominent church adviser during Alexander's reign.
Philaret's Catechism: A Russian Orthodox instruction in Christian doctrine written by Philaret Drozdov and first published in 1823. It shows how he made Orthodox teaching systematic and accessible to clergy and laypeople.
Russian Synodal Bible: The principal nineteenth-century Russian translation of the Bible, produced under the authority of the Russian Orthodox Church. Philaret's advocacy and editorial involvement helped advance the translation's publication.
Slavophilism: A nineteenth-century Russian intellectual movement that emphasized Russia's Orthodox and communal traditions against Western models. Philaret's church authority intersected with Slavophile debates but was not reducible to the movement.
Nicholas I of Russia: Russian emperor from 1825 to 1855 who strengthened autocratic control and state oversight of public life. Philaret navigated church-state relations during Nicholas's strongly centralized rule.
Russian Bible translation: The work of rendering biblical texts into Russian, including the nineteenth-century Synodal translation. Philaret promoted Scripture in Russian and helped guide the translation's institutional progress.
Russian Orthodox Church: The self-governing Eastern Orthodox church traditionally associated with Russia. Philaret's metropolitan leadership and writings influenced this church's nineteenth-century life.
Western Christianity: The Christian traditions that developed primarily in western Europe, including Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Philaret argued from Eastern Orthodox theology amid disputes with Western Christian doctrines and institutions.
Dmitry Khomyakov: Russian Orthodox theologian and writer associated with nineteenth-century Slavophile thought. Philaret's theological writings and authority formed part of the church world Khomyakov engaged.
Sermon: A speech that interprets religious teaching or scripture for a congregation. Philaret's sermons were a major means of shaping religious and public opinion.