Section I. Theology

Secularization as a Subject of Theological Research

V. Yakovleva

Article reference:
Yakovleva V. Sekulyarizatsiya kak predmet teologicheskikh issledovaniy [Secularization as a subject of theological research] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 13–29. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_13

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of understanding of the phenomenon of "secularization" within the framework of theological discourse. The study of the issue includes a variety of opinions of various experts, starting with the use of it by Henry II of Orleans in the context of the rejection of part of church property, and ending with the analysis of the positions of Western and domestic researchers such as Charles Taylor and John Milbank, A.V. Danilov and D.K. Beznyuk. The above-mentioned scientists propose polar directions to understanding secularization in modern society. The difference in approaches to the consideration of this phenomenon indicates the depth of the problem and the need to systematize all approaches to its understanding in a single field, which is what the article suggests. In conclusion, it is summed up that it is necessary to attract specialists in the field of theology to study the phenomenon of secularization.

Keywords:

secularization secularization man and society church and society axiology value approach scientism social theology religious decline exclusive humanism faith and unbelief non-religious metaphysics radical orthodoxy atheistic secularism secularization of Christianity transformation of religiosity secular values

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Author information

Valeria Yakovleva

Position: postgraduate student, Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute for Post-Graduate Studies

Address: 4/2 Pyatnitskaya str., bld. 1, Moscow, 115035, Russian Federation

Email: ya.valeria2001@gmail.com

ORCID: 0009-0001-3303-558X

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Religious Experience of the Special Military Operation Participants in the Pastoral Practice of Military Clergy

G. Sukhanov

Article reference:
Sukhanov G. Religioznyy opyt uchastnikov spetsial'noy voyennoy operatsii v pastyrskoy praktike voyennogo dukhovenstva [Religious experience of the Special military operation participants in the pastoral practice of military clergy] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 30–55. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_30

Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the religious experiences of soldiers in the special military operation. To achieve this goal, a detailed description of the phenomenon of religious experience in the Christian (Orthodox) tradition is given. The phenomenon of war is considered from the point of view of the official position of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the views of modern Russian theologians and philosophers are also presented. The study provides numerous examples of soldiers' religious experiences: participation in the sacraments, prayer, observance of military ethics and the fight against sin. The cases of awakening the religious feelings of soldiers in war in extreme conditions are of the greatest value. Finally, the thesis is put forward about the need for spiritual and moral unity of the entire people to overcome the disease of war.

Keywords:

religious experience special military operation Holy Scripture Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church

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George Sukhanov

Position: postgraduate student, Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies

Address: 4/2 Pyatnitskaya str., bld. 5, Moscow, 115035, Russian Federation

Email: suxanov.georgij@bk.ru

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Section II. Philosophy

Analysis of the Problems of Transhumanism on the Example of the Concept of Digital Immortality

Priest I. Galkin

Article reference:
Galkin I., priest. Analiz problem transgumanizma na primere koncepcii cifrovogo bessmertiya [Analysis of the problems of transhumanism on the example of the concept of digital immortality] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 56–79. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_56

Abstract

Transhumanism is a philosophical and cultural movement whose paradigm is based on the idea of a radical transformation of human nature through technology. Its followers see scientific and technological progress as a tool to overcome biological limitations: aging, disease, death, as well as to expand physical and cognitive capabilities. Transhumanism sees death as a problem that needs to be solved, and digital immortality as one of the possible solutions. Digital immortality is the concept of preserving the consciousness of a person in digital form, which opens the way to "life after death" in a virtual environment. This concept not only reflects the desire for immortality, but also becomes a logical continuation of transhumanist principles such as human betterment, overcoming death and the radical expansion of the possibilities of the mind. This article examines the main provisions of transhumanism through the conceptual and theologically applied prism of digital immortality, followed by a philosophical analysis of the central components of its paradigm.

Keywords:

transhumanism digital immortality modern life extension technologies scientism human personality human consciousness

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Priest Ivan Galkin

Position: Master's student, Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary

Address: 92 Michurina St., Saratov, 410028, Russian Federation

Email: panamar.ru@yandex.ru

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Privatization of Religion: Between T. Luckmann and J. Casanova

K. Markin

Article reference:
Markin K. Privatizatsiya religii: mezhdu T. Lukmanom i KH. Kazanovoy [Privatization of religion: between T. Luckmann and J. Casanova] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 80–106. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_80

Abstract

The article discusses the complexity and relevance of the concept of privatization, which is formulated in different theoretical languages, forming different types. Comparing the deprivatization of J. Casanova and the privatization of T. Luckmann, two types can be distinguished: 1) privatization-marginalization — that is, privatization with a clearly expressed political connotation external to religion, which, as Casanova believes, is based on the positivist theory of the staged development of society as a universal, "natural", progressive movement from religious to secular (modern) consciousness; 2) privatization-deinstitutionalization — trying to trace the internal transformation of religion in the differentiated social spheres, Luckmann excludes religion not from the public sphere, but from the generally accepted understanding of religion as a Church institution. Luckmann's theoretical language provides us with sufficient tools to describe how churches can maintain their public visibility, actualizing the lives of believers who belong to them. Casanova, who writes about deprivatization, has in mind the phenomenon that is the opposite of privatization-marginalization, while Luckmann writes primarily about privatization-deinstitutionalization. Privatization in Luckmann's sense and deprivatization in Casanova's are not contradictory, but rather are parts of a general process of transformation of religion in the contemporary world.

Keywords:

secularization privatization of religion privatization-marginalization privatization-deinstitutionalization public religion Thomas Luckmann José Casanova

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Kirill Markin

Position: Researcher, "Sociology of Religion" research laboratory, St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities

Address: 6, Likhov per., bldg. 1, office 417, Moscow, 127051, Russian Federation

Email: markink20@gmail.com

ORCID: 0000-0001-7766-7469

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Section III. History

Training of Teachers of Theological Educational Institutions at the Alexander Nevsky Theological Academy (1797-1808)

A. Rezepina

Article reference:
Rezepina A. Podgotovka uchitelej duhovnyh uchebnyh zavedenij v Aleksandro-Nevskoj duhovnoj akademii (1797-1808 gg.) [Training of teachers of theological educational institutions at the Alexander Nevsky Theological Academy (1797-1808)] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 107-125. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_107

Abstract

Based on the analysis of unpublished documents from the Russian State Historical Archive (RGIA) and the Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg (CGIA SPb), the article examines the preparation for teaching positions of students of the philosophical and theological classes of the Alexander Nevsky Theological Academy sent from diocesan seminaries. The features of the curriculum of the Alexander Nevsky Theological Academy are analyzed, and the academy's status as a privileged theological educational institution is substantiated. Information about the performance of the seminarians and their behavior is provided. The conclusion is made about the level of preparation of the seminary students for further studies at the metropolitan Academy. Based on the study of the seminarians' petitions, their attitude to studying at the Alexander Nevsky Academy and the prospect of transfer to the St. Petersburg Diocese is reconstructed. Attention is paid to the consideration of the positions of diocesan bishops on the issues presented above. The article considers the future fate of the seminarians after graduating from the Alexander Nevsky Academy (returning to the diocesan seminary as a teacher or staying in the St. Petersburg diocese). Based on the analysis of the legislative acts of the Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire (PSZ RI) and the Complete Collection of resolutions and orders on the Department of the Orthodox Confession of the Russian Empire (PSPiRPVPI RI), conclusions are drawn about the attitude of the autocracy to spiritual education, an important component of which is the preparation of a seminarian for a teaching position.

Keywords:

Alexander Nevsky Theological Academy theological education St. Petersburg Diocese diocesan seminaries teacher training

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Anna Rezepina

Position: Leading specialist, Russian State Archive of Literature and Art; Student of Master's course, Russian State University for the Humanities

Address: 3 Vyborgskaya str., bldg. 2, Moscow, 125212; 6 Miusskaya square, Moscow, 125047, Russian Federation

Email: annrozen07@gmail.com

ORCID: 0009-0007-3366-8794

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Metropolitan Filaret (Drozdov) and His Views on the Shortcomings of the Administrative Component of the Spiritual and Educational System of the Late 1840s

Hegumen Ferapont (P. Shirokov)

Article reference:
Ferapont (Shirokov P.), hegumen. Metropolitan Filaret (Drozdov) and His Views on the Shortcomings of the Administrative Component of the Spiritual and Educational System of the Late 1840s // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 126–140. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_126

Abstract

Today, the personality and works of Metropolitan Filaret (Drozdov) of Moscow and Kolomna are a popular field for research. His activities in preparing the charter of 1808–1814, as well as his attitude to the reform of the theological school of N. A. Protasov and D. A. Tolstoy, are sufficiently covered. This article presents an analysis of Metropolitan Filaret's views on the problems of the theological-educational system, which were subject to wide discussion in the late 40s of the XIX century, especially in the context of the reaction in journalism. At this time, due to the cancellation of the call to the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Filaret focuses on the issues of diocesan administration, but does not abandon active church activities, as evidenced by the Metropolitan's written responses on various issues. The present study is based on an attempt to analyze the response of the Moscow Metropolitan to the project of one of the secular critics in 1849 on theological seminaries and the shortcomings of the administrative component of the theological school. Metropolitan Filaret carefully approached the identified problems and presented his opinion on the identified issues. The sources for the study were archival documents of the Russian State Historical Archive. As additional literature, materials of modern researchers of the life and legacy of Saint Filaret were used, which allows us to approach the most objective view of both the personality of the outstanding saint and his works. Based on the available materials, the author of the article shows the contribution of Metropolitan Filaret to church science and to the resolution of problems of the spiritual and educational system at the time in question.

Keywords:

Metropolitan Filaret (Drozdov) Spiritual and Educational Administration reform of theological education Holy Synod

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Hegumen Ferapont (Pavel Shirokov)

Position: Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector for Educational Work, Secretary of the Academic Council, Associate Professor of the Department of Church Historical Disciplines at Vologda Theological Seminary

Address: Russian Federation, 160901, Vologda, Monastyrskaya str., 2

Email: ierom.ferapont@yandex.ru

ORCID: 0000-0001-5514-9193

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The Dissolution of Marriage in the Nizhny Novgorod Province in the Late XIX — Early XX Centuries

N. Arkhipova

Article reference:
Arkhipova N. Rastorzheniye brachnogo soyuza v Nizhegorodskoy gubernii v kontse XIX – nachale XX veka [The dissolution of marriage in the Nizhny Novgorod province in the late XIX — early XX centuries] // Trudy Saratovskoj Pravoslavnoj Duhovnoj Seminarii [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 141–159. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_141

Abstract

In the article, for the first time, using unpublished archival data of the Nizhny Novgorod Spiritual Consistory, the problem of divorce among the orthodox population of the Nizhny Novgorod province in the late XIX — early XX centuries is studied. The author aims to determine the main causes of divorces and the dynamics of changes in the number of divorce cases in the Nizhny Novgorod province. The author concludes that at the turn of the XIXth and XXth centuries, the number of official divorces among the Orthodox population of the province was insignificant. Legislation, limiting the number of reasons for divorce, gave rise to the practice of unofficial long-term separation of spouses. It has been established that at the end of the XIXth century, the dominant reason for the dissolution of marriage was the exile of one of the spouses to hard labor and to settlement in Siberia. Since 1906, the number of divorce cases had been on the rise. The trend of increasing applications for divorce on the grounds of adultery, which had become the leading reason for the termination of marriage since 1906, has been revealed. It was found that in 1915, compared with 1906, against the background of a decrease in the total number of claims, the proportion of satisfied claims increased by 1,7 times. The appearance of the first Soviet laws that facilitated the divorce process led to a sharp increase in the number of petitions to the Nizhny Novgorod Consistory. The article may be of interest to researchers studying the history of the family.

Keywords:

divorce Nizhny Novgorod Spiritual Consistory claim reasons for divorce adultery

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Natalya Arkhipova

Position: Candidate of Sciences in History, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Social and Law Sciences, Volga State University of Water Transport; Associate Professor of the Department of History, Philology and Church Practical Disciplines, Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary

Address: Russian Federation, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, 5 Nesterova str.; 603001, Nizhny Novgorod, 5 Pokhvalinsky Exit str.

Email: arx78@mail.ru

ORCID: 0000-0002-2770-680X

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Publications

The Church Chronicle of Archpriest Sergiy Samuilov. The Revolutionary Unrest of the Peasants of Samara Province in 1905 Through the Eyes of a Contemporary

Priest E. Vdovin

Reference to publication:
Vdovin E., priest. The Church Chronicle of Archpriest Sergiy Samuilov. The Revolutionary Unrest of the Peasants of Samara Province in 1905 Through the Eyes of a Contemporary // Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary. 2025. No. 2 (29). pp. 160–179. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_160

Abstract

This article is based on the chronicle of Archpriest Sergius Samuilov, rector of the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the village of Bolshaya Tsarevshchyna, Samara district, Samara province. It should be noted that church chronicles themselves are rare documents. The Samara State Archive contains only nine chronicles from the pre-revolutionary period. Father Sergius's chronicle has been preserved better than others. Additionally, this document is interesting because it describes vivid and significant events in the life of the Samara diocese, such as the revolutionary movement of peasants in the villages of Bolshaya Tsarevshchyna and Stary Buyan in Samara district in 1905. This document is also remarkable because its author—a man undoubtedly endowed with literary talent—describes the events he observed very vividly and comprehensively, while remaining a true chronicler, as detached as possible and politically independent. Having a close connection with his flock and being well aware of the moods and needs of the population, Father Sergius shows us how the revolutionary movement of 1905 began, who its initiators were, and how the ideas of the revolution influenced the life of the Church and society. Thanks to the preserved chronicle of Archpriest Sergiy Samuilov, we have the opportunity to view the revolutionary events in the village of Bolshaya Tsarevshchyna through the eyes of a contemporary. On one hand, we see the complete absurdity of the behavior of revolutionarily minded people, ready to kill their neighbors for unclear prospects, not to mention representatives of authority. On the other hand, we see the selfless and honest service of a simple rural priest, faithfully fulfilling his pastoral duty and resisting persecution and harassment by revolutionaries.

Keywords:

Bolshaya Tsarevshchyna Novaya (Malaya) Tsarevshchyna Archpriest Sergiy Samuilov through the eyes of a contemporary church chronicle Stary Buyan Porfiry Soldatov

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Priest Evgeny Vdovin

Position: rector of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the urban-type settlement of Alekseevka, Kinel Diocese of Samara Metropolis; master's student at Minsk Theological Academy named after St. Cyril, Bishop of Turov

Address: Russian Federation, 446441, Samara Region, Kinel, urban-type settlement Alekseevka, Ulyanovskaya St. 1a; Republic of Belarus, 220030, Minsk, Zybitskaya St., 27

Email: vdovin.72@internet.ru

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Reviews

Prolegomena to the Study of St. Paul the Apostle: Comparative Religion and Historical Criticism Versus Theological Tradition?

M. Kovshov

Reference:
Kovshov M. Prolegomeny k izucheniyu svyatogo apostola Pavla: sravnitel'noye religiovedeniye i istoricheskaya kritika protiv bogoslovskoy traditsii? [Prolegomena to the study of St. Paul the apostle: comparative religion and historical criticism versus theological tradition?]. Book review: Patrick Hart. A Prolegomenon to the Study of Paul. (Supplements to Method and Theory in the Study of Religion 15). Leiden: Brill, 2020. 234 p. // Trudy Saratovskoi pravoslavnoi dukhovnoi seminarii. [Proceedings of the Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary]. 2025. No 2 (29). pp.180–189. DOI: 10.56621/27825884_2025_29_180

Reviewed work:

Hart P. A Prolegomenon to the Study of Paul. (Supplements to Method and Theory in the Study of Religion. Vol. 15). Leiden: Brill, 2020. 234 p.

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Mikhail Kovshov

Degree: Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor

Position: Associate Professor of the Department of Biblical Studies

Institution: Moscow Theological Academy

Address: Russian Federation, 141300, Moscow Region, Sergiev Posad, Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra

Additional position: Researcher

Institution: Perervinskaya Orthodox Theological Seminary

Address: Russian Federation, 109383, Moscow, 82 Highway str.

Email: paul.quest@nextmail.ru

ORCID: 0000-0003-0656-1135

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