Patriarch Filaret is the third patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church and a great statesman of the Time of Troubles. His biography is in our article!

When we remember the figures who strengthened the country after the trials of turmoil, we often forget one of the main characters.

Patriarch Philaret. Portrait by Viktor Shilov. drevo-info.ru

There is a wonderful building in the Kremlin - Filaret's extension to the belfry of the bell tower of Ivan the Great. The emerald tent, crowned with a golden cross, attracts attention and etched into memory for a long time. This is the famous stone master Bazhen Ogurtsov, with the blessing of Patriarch Filaret, completed the ensemble of the huge Moscow bell tower. This graceful Kremlin building is like a monument to the third Russian patriarch.

And what do we remember about Patriarch Filaret? Only one thing: he was the father and actual co-ruler of the first tsar from the Romanov dynasty. Today it is difficult to imagine that His Holiness the Patriarch can have a son - the ruler of the state. Yes, and in those days this was a curiosity: the only such case in the history of Russia. The fate of Patriarch Filaret is unique. It seems that only Dumas was capable of such plot twists, and even then with the help of an ensemble of literary blacks.

Once upon a time there was a wealthy Moscow boyar Fyodor Nikitich. Dapper and witty rake. Charming, witty, energetic. By the way, he was the first boyar who bore the surname Romanov. The family was already considered eminent, but his father, Nikita Romanovich, bore the surname Zakharyin-Yuriev. And he was the nephew of Empress Anastasia. The very beloved wife of Ivan the Terrible, whose death so influenced his character and fate. Stop! This fact must be remembered. The ghostly relationship of Fyodor-Filaret Romanov with the great sovereign from the Rurik family will play an important role in the election of the king. The son of the wife's nephew is the seventh water on jelly. But the Romanovs will seize this chance firmly.

So, the young boyar Fyodor Nikitich Romanov lived in Moscow for his pleasure. On Varvarka Street, which in the 20th century for many years - apparently as a warning to the Romanov boyars - was named after Stepan Razin. The Dutch traveler Isaac Massa recalled about him: “a handsome man, very affectionate to everyone and so stately that in Moscow it became a proverb for tailors to say when a dress sat well on someone:“ the second Fedor Nikitich ”” And also that Dutch spy retold the rumor that Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, before his death, literally handed over the scepter to his namesake Romanov. The rumor is stable, which, apparently, the Romanovs themselves disbanded.

When the pious Tsar Fyodor, the last Rurikovich, died, Fyodor Romanov was 44 years old. An advanced, even prohibitive age for those times, but the heyday for a politician, if God endowed him with health. By that time he had become an experienced manager, managed to lead the war. Caused respect in the noble environment with pleasant manners and soft hardness. In a word, a man born to rule. This worried Boris Godunov, the new tsar. He saw dangerous competitors in the Romanovs and not without reason, but he disliked Fyodor Nikitich from the time of Ivan the Terrible. The well-born boyars considered the new autocrat an upstart, he was not a king by birth, he was not natural king. Godunov answered them harshly, showing who was the boss in the house. Fyodor Romanov did not hide his lust for power - and immediately fell under suspicion. He considered himself superior to Godunov! After all, a relative of the natural king, and handsome, and learned Latin. But Boris's political experience was an irresistible weapon. Godunov approached the throne during the time of Ivan the Terrible, learned a lot from the first Russian tsar. And even under Fedor, he ruled like an all-powerful prime minister - and not without benefit for the state. In a word, Fyodor Nikitich had a hard time.

Tsar Boris Fedorovich, as befits an ambitious statesman, appreciated spies and informers. They let him see through walls. For denunciations he generously rewarded with silver, furs and estates. In the retinue of the boyars of the Romanovs, a nobleman by the name of Bartenev staggered. He served as their treasurer. Secretly, he appeared to Semyon Godunov and offered his services. They agreed. Soon Bartenev planted some poisoned roots in the Romanovs' hiding place. A search began, and the rumors went one more terrible.

The Tsar's people took the house of the Romanovs by storm. And then the brothers were interrogated, and their people were brutally tortured. The notorious roots became proof that the Romanovs were preparing a vile atrocity: they wanted to poison the tsar.

Isn't it strange that in an Orthodox kingdom-state, taking the monastic vows was the most common political repression? Perhaps it is not difficult to discern hypocrisy in this practice.

And now, at the age of 46, to the sound of a bell, a recent secular lion becomes a monk and receives the name Filaret. He did not really know the church service either. At the same time, his wife, nee Xenia Ivanovna Shestova, was tonsured as a nun. This imperious, bright (and also no longer young) woman in those days did not at all resemble a servant of God. However, Xenia Ivanovna was no more, and the nun Martha appeared in the light of God.

It seemed that the couple would never see each other again. At first they were separated from their children, including the future king. It seemed that the couple would never see each other again, and Godunov's adherents probably had no doubt that Filaret would meet the sunset of days as a modest monk.

The monk could not claim the throne. Didn't have the right. But Fyodor (sorry, now Filaret) believed in his future rise in exile. In those days, his soul did not lay down for the church service: in general, in comparison with his contemporaries, until his advanced years he was deaf to the Gospel word. He treated Patriarch Job, who supported Godunov, without respect. At first, he did not think about a church career and behaved arrogantly with the monk brothers.

The bailiff Bogdan Voeikov, a diligent spy, reported to the tsar that Filaret lives “not according to the monastic order, always laughs at no one knows what and talks about worldly life, about birds of prey and about dogs, how he lived in the world, and is cruel to the elders.” Voeikov was afraid that Romanov might escape, because "it was ordered to bring the monastery fence to the threshing floor and there is no fence near the monastery." The fence was strengthened, and they watched the prisoner not half-heartedly. Filaret was inspired when he received news about the art of the Pretender - the future False Dmitry the First, who was advancing on Godunov.

When the “thief Grishka Otrepiev” became Tsar Dimitri, without the prefix “false” yet, Romanov was released. By that time, Filaret had become a hieromonk and was aiming for the bishopric. His beard has gone gray. The impostor tried to greet the enemies of Boris Godunov - and Filaret quickly became the Metropolitan of Rostov. It is difficult to say how the real priests of the diocese entrusted to him reacted to this. But Filaret changed, gradually he turned into a real servant of the Church. He became more humble and wiser, and he spared no time for theological self-education.

During the offensive of the "Tushinsky thief", False Dmitry II, Rostov did not submit to the impostor. The position of Metropolitan Filaret was firm. The city was set on fire, plundered, not sparing even the churches, and the metropolitan was captured. The impostor received him with reverence, and they exchanged gifts. The Tushino people declared Filaret the Patriarch of Moscow. He was supposed to send letters to Russia, inclining the flock to the side of False Dmitry. In this situation, Filaret behaved diplomatically and cautiously. Following him, some of his relatives and allies moved to Tushino. Filaret despised Tsar Vasily Shuisky, but he did not consider the Tushinsky thief a sovereign either, although the very presence of “Patriarch Filaret” in Tushino created the appearance of the legitimate power of False Dmitry. Patriarch Hermogenes, a staunch opponent of the impostor, did not get angry at Filaret for involuntarily appropriating the patriarchal dignity. In his letter, Patriarch Hermogenes wrote that he prays to God for those “who are taken prisoner, like Metropolitan Filaret and others, not of their own will, but of need.” The kindness of the holy patriarch helped Filaret to keep his good name after the collapse of False Dmitry...

He had a difficult diplomatic mission ahead of him: Metropolitan Filaret led a large embassy to Poland, to King Sigismund. There he will refuse to recognize the surrender of Smolensk - and will be taken into custody. The metropolitan spent nine years in captivity - although he was kept mainly in comfortable conditions. He did not sell the interests of Russia to the Poles.

Here's a paradox for you: Mikhail Romanov was elected tsar out of respect for his father, and Filaret himself remained in Polish captivity for a long time ... At that time, he was already a very old man - he outlived both Ivan the Terrible and Godunov, and, probably, few in Moscow believed in the return of Filaret. It seemed that he was about to give his soul to God. But Filaret's health was excellent. He will remain in history the main long-liver of the Romanovs: despite the successes of medicine in the 19th century, not a single king of this dynasty will live up to 75 years. And Filaret lived at least 79, and most likely - more than 80. In the thousand-year history of our country, not a single ruler (not counting retirees) even lived to 76!

Father and son met on the Presnya River on June 1, 1619. They loved each other with a strange love: after all, until that summer day, Mikhail and Filaret practically did not communicate. They performed the ritual: they bowed at each other's feet, both cried, hugged and were silent for a long time, dumb with joy. An unprecedented case: the current king embraced his father. It happens that a son kills his father for the sake of Monomakh's hat, and here, with his father alive, the boy became king. Filaret by that time was already and was not yet a patriarch: everything that was done at the court of False Dmitry II, of course, was considered illegal.

Soon Filaret was elected patriarch. Mikhail will breathe a sigh of relief: now you can quite officially shift the responsibility for the country onto the shoulders of his father. The patriarch received the royal title - the great sovereign. All state issues, without exception, were decided by the patriarch. They even received foreign ambassadors together - and, of course, the aged father showed himself to be a much more energetic diplomat than the reigning son. Under the patriarch, there was a government; in those years, he was both prime minister and chancellor. The title "great sovereign" fully corresponded to his position in Russia and in the Orthodox world. It is not for nothing that historians call him the Russian Richelieu. A rare agreement between father and son (discord was much more common in the history of monarchies!) ensured the flourishing of the symphony of Church and State.

Did he have royal ambitions? In 1863, a portrait was found in the Kolomna Palace, where Fyodor Nikitich is depicted in a royal caftan with an expensive belt trimmed with ermines. In the right hand is a scepter, on the portrait there is an inscription: "Tsar Theodore Nikitich." A portrait of Patriarch Filaret was painted on top ... The history of this picture is mysterious. Either Fyodor Nikitich, even under Godunov, flattered his pride, or already during the years of his son’s reign, he wanted to see himself at least in the picture not only as a patriarch, but also as a king.

Domineering? What more! But the passion for luxury remained in a dandy youth. It was remembered about the great sovereign Filaret that he changed the top of his fur coat, gave old boots for repair and, with extraordinary precaution, gave to clean and wash his only white silk knitted hood with a cherub embroidered with gold and silver. A real statesman should treat trinkets with contempt. So is Filaret.

I ate simply, observed fasts. He was constantly bought to the table at the market "bread and kalachik for 4 or 3 money and cranberries for 2 money." The purchase of pewter and wooden utensils, in turn, testified to the simplicity of the everyday needs of this saint.

Archbishop of Astrakhan Pakhomiy stated: “Filaret was of medium height, he knew and understood the Divine Scripture only in part, he was a suspicious person and endowed with such power that the Tsar himself was afraid of him. He was very merciful to the clergy, but was more concerned with royal affairs than with the Church. He cut his hair, beard and mustache short enough, which is why the then satirists called him “man” behind his back. By the way, in the book of financial expenditures for state needs there was an article "8 altyns for cutting the patriarch's hair, beard and mustache"!

As soon as Filaret got down to business, the country started up. In 1620, the government sent out letters in which, under pain of severe punishment, it was forbidden for governors and commandees to take bribes, and for city and county residents to give them. Timely action! An important reform was the land census, as a result of which taxes were distributed more fairly and more accurately.

The ruler tried in every possible way to support the hard-working Russian people, and even then they were not enough. To do this, he boldly introduced protectionist measures: taxes on imported goods. To develop our own production! How else to get out of poverty? But the Russian merchants became impoverished during the war years: foreigners had to be invited for large projects. The Dutch merchant Vinius set up factories near Tula for casting cannons, cannonballs, and making various other things out of iron. The government strictly monitored that foreigners did not hide the secrets of craftsmanship from Russians. At the same time, morals remained strict: for example, they cut their noses for using tobacco - just like in our time. Under Tsar Mikhail, not only military men, not only craftsmen and breeders were summoned from abroad: scientists were needed, and in 1639 the famous Holstein scientist Adam Olearius, an astronomer, geographer and geometer, was summoned to Moscow. Almost a magician, a mysterious foreigner.

A striking clock appeared on the Spasskaya Tower. I remembered the old expression: "Moscow is the third Rome." New cities appeared in Siberia - almost deserted fortresses, from which Krasnoyarsk and Yakutsk would later grow. The Russian people have come far!

He was not so attentive to specific church problems. And the state reforms carried out quite efficient. First of all, he raised his hand against corruption and not without success. Merchants were given special privileges, including permission to travel to other countries, provided they also trade in state-owned goods, monitor the work of customs and taverns to replenish the income of the state treasury. In addition, it was possible to establish a grain trade. Russian bread was bought by the Swedes, Germans, French. And a significant part of the income went to the state treasury: Filaret knew how to count a penny. These measures saved Russia from ruin.

From Polish captivity, Filaret became a staunch enemy of the West. He saw how, as a result of the Reformation, Catholic unity in Europe fell apart and nipped in the bud similar processes in Russia. He defended the right to rebaptize Catholics into the Orthodox faith - this affected thousands of Slavs on the western borders of the empire.

He invited talented foreigners as useful guest performers, but did not like it when eccentrics took root in Russia. There were already enough foreigners in the Russian service in those days. Filaret demanded: either convert to Orthodoxy or go home. Few of the Germans converted to Orthodoxy, and the state needed specialists ... Then the patriarch decided to move them to a comfortable ghetto. So there was a vast German settlement - Kokuy, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe current Baumanskaya street. Let the Gentiles there and brew their own beer! Only one house remained from this cozy town - the estate of the Dutch doctor Van der Gulst. Only one house, and even then rebuilt.

Filaret showed strictness and curbed the main Russian cosmopolitan rebel - Ivan Khvorostinin. Wit, misanthrope, skeptic, he despised everything Russian. How often do we meet such Khvorostinins in the modern creative intelligentsia! These happen in every generation: the family is not without Khvorostinin. And the time of troubles stirred up the elite. Poles, Lithuanians, Germans, Swedes scurried around Russia, played tricks in Moscow. They were looked at. Their customs seemed tempting. Foreigners did not keep strict posts, drank, smoked, wore costumes unusual for the Russian eye. They read more, they had more fun. Some reached out to them, began to imitate. They fell, to use the language of the twentieth century, into servility to the West.

Khvorostinin wrote: "The people of Moscow sow the whole earth with rye, but they all live on lies." In Moscow, “everyone is stupid, to live ... with no one ...”. He declared that he wanted to sell his estates and leave for Lithuania. He was also suspected of heresy. For all this, Filaret ordered Khvorostinin to be exiled to the Kirillov Monastery, kept in a cell without a way out, allowed to read only church books and forced to pray. This was in 1623. Khvorostinin sat there for nine years and was released in 1632, when he made a promise and an oath to observe the statutes of the Greek Church and not to read any heretical books. Looks like he's been re-educated. Or maybe just getting old.

Over the years, the patriarch paid more and more attention to church affairs.

Until the last days, the patriarch worked, this is an example of active old age. Ties with the Eastern churches became more active. There was still not enough money in the treasury, but His Holiness managed to organize the work of the printing house. He considered the correction and printing of liturgical books to be his main task. Monasteries and temples purchased books at a low price: the printing house was not chasing profit. And books were sent to the North and Siberia free of charge. Filaret considered the baptism of the peoples of Siberia to be the mission of the Russian Church; it was he who established the Tobolsk diocese.

Yes, by you, the brightest sovereign, God will glorify and expand your pious kingdom from the sea and to the sea and from the rivers to the end of the Universe, and squandered into your pious kingdom will return and gather together, and on the primitive and joyful will build, to be on the Universe to the king and to the Christian autocrat, and shine like the sun in the midst of the stars!

September 1633 brought bad news to Moscow from near Smolensk. Filaret's henchman and friend, the experienced commander Mikhail Borisovich Shein, fell into the Polish trap, failed to save the army from desertion and apathy. Smolensk remained Polish. And Russia miraculously escaped a more sensitive defeat. For the unsuccessful siege of Smolensk, Shein was executed in public ... If Patriarch Filaret were alive, this would not have happened. But he did not bear the first sad news from near Smolensk. Didn't get sick. After Mass, I talked to my son and fell ill. He died on the same day, pointing to a successor - the future Patriarch Joasaph, Archbishop of Pskov. Filaret understood that the new saint would not receive such extensive power, and chose for this role a pious, strong-willed person, but who did not harbor political ambitions. He left him a transfigured Church, a flock reassured after a series of upheavals.

History knows several cult personalities who are namesakes by name, employed in the same field of activity, and, nevertheless, fundamentally changed the course of history in different ways.

Patriarch Filaret, whose years of life coincided with a period of major social upheaval, is one of the most controversial figures in Russian history, whose actions and historical significance for all of Russia are difficult to assess impartially. Nevertheless, this man significantly changed the course of political and social events, primarily acting in the interests of his family, and providing the Romanov dynasty with a firm position on the throne.

Throughout his life, Patriarch Filaret Romanov - Fyodor Nikitovich in the world - experienced constant career and status ups and downs following them. Being a non-religious person, but who by chance took the post of metropolitan, he continuously maintained contact with the highest Moscow clergy, creating for himself a righteous and venerable image corresponding to the status of the Third Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. This talented, powerful, ambitious man could not but remain in the annals of history.

His namesake by monastic name, Patriarch Filaret of Kiev, self-proclaimed as a result of the split of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the world Mikhail Denisenko, is known to the uninitiated as an ardent supporter of Ukrainian self-identification. The main result of the activities of Patriarch Filaret is the creation of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church and public support for military operations in the south-east of Ukraine. He publicly expressed his negative attitude towards Putin after the annexation of Crimea. Patriarch Filaret, who believes that Ukraine should be independent and autonomous, is also known for his harsh remarks about other officials.

Be that as it may, but speaking out for the independence of Ukraine, Filaret defends the interests, first of all, of the majority of the citizens of this country, therefore, in this text there is no search for sacred truths, but there is a set of facts that allow you to get acquainted with the rich life of this spiritual leader to the maximum extent.

The life of a clergyman was not easy. The biography of Patriarch Filaret is notable for the fact that he was the nephew of Anastasia Zakharyina-Yuryeva, the first wife of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Thus, the Romanov clan joined the dynasty of Russian tsars. The family of Anastasia Zakharyina (they are Yurievs, Koshkins) has been in the service of the Moscow sovereigns since the 14th century. The importance of this family in governing the country increased after 1584, when Ivan the Terrible left, with his young son Theodore, the guardian of the boyar Nikita Romanovich, the brother of the deceased Anastasia, whose good fame became the basis of the popularity of the Romanov family.

Relations between the Godunovs and the Romanovs were not hostile. On the contrary, at the wedding to the kingdom, Boris gave the Romanovs many privileges, however, this could not mitigate the intensifying struggle for the royal throne.

Youth and youth

Fyodor Nikitovich Romanov was born in 1553. Possessing a secular, practical mindset, Fyodor Nikitovich never aspired to take any priestly rank. In his youth, he was one of the most famous Moscow dandies.

Having received an excellent education, perfectly combining a love of books and a love of secular outfits, Fyodor Nikitovich even learned the Latin language, resorting to the help of Latin books specially written for him. According to the memoirs of his contemporaries, he was an inquisitive, handsome, dexterous and friendly young man.

Metropolitan of Rostov

Being one of the main rivals of Boris Godunov, Fyodor Nikitovich, along with the rest of the Romanovs and many other boyar families, was subjected to royal disgrace in 1600. This process was started by a false denunciation. Fedor was forcibly tonsured a monk and exiled to the north of the principality, to the Antoniev-Siysky Monastery, located 90 kilometers from Kholmogor. In former times, monastic tonsure was one of the means of depriving a person of political power. Along with receiving a new name, Filaret Romanov also received the sympathy and support of his compatriots as an exiled royal descendant and the rightful tsar of Russia.

In the monastery, the future metropolitan was under the strictest supervision - bailiffs stopped any of his independent actions, while constantly complaining to Moscow about his tough temper. But most of all, Filaret Romanov missed his family.

On June 30, 1605, after the coup d'état, Filaret was returned with honors to Moscow as a relative of the imaginary Tsar False Dmitry, and in 1606 he became Metropolitan of Rostov. After the overthrow of the impostor in 1606, Filaret, while in Moscow, was sent to Uglich for the body of Tsarevich Dmitry Ioannovich at the direction of the new Tsar Vasily Ivanovich. While Filaret was in Uglich, Shuisky elevated the Moscow Kazan Metropolitan Hermogenes to the post of patriarch, and Fyodor Ivanovich went to the department allocated under his protectorate in Rostov the Great, where he stayed until 1608.

Tushino events

Due to the dislike of the population for Shuisky, and the appearance of a new impostor in the political arena, the military forces of the rebels approached Moscow itself. The Patriarch of Moscow urgently sent letters around the state in which he ordered the archpastors to pray for Tsar Vasily and described the course of events. Patriarch Filaret, whose brief biography was already full of fateful facts, spoke about global state upheavals, the uprising of Bolotnikov, the gangs of the “Tushino thief”, from which he, remaining faithful to the tsar, subsequently suffered himself. In 1608, the troops of False Dmitry II took Rostov, ravaged the city, and Patriarch Filaret was captured and taken to the Tushino camp with mockery.

In Tushino, the impostor and his people began to render appropriate honors to Fedor and gave the title "Filaret, Patriarch of Moscow." There is no doubt that Fyodor Nikitovich himself did not value this position at all - in Tushino he was guarded and held by force. Letters that have come down to us from 1608 - 1610 do not give the right to assert that Filaret (Patriarch of Moscow) had anything to do with church and political affairs - on the contrary, Hermogenes - the legitimate Moscow Patriarch - considered him a victim of the current situation.

In March 1610, after the collapse of the Tushino camp, Filaret was captured by the Poles and taken to the Joseph Volokolamsky Monastery, but soon escaped from there with the support of the detachment of Grigory Voluev, and, returning to Moscow, found himself in the former honor of the Moscow diocese.

dual power

In September 1610, Filaret, as well as Prince Golitsyn, as part of the "great embassy", moved from Moscow near Smolensk to meet with King Sigismund, after which he sent ambassadors to Poland as prisoners. Filaret spent eight whole years in captivity, and was exchanged in 1619, and then immediately taken to Moscow, where his own elected son Mikhail Fedorovich was already sitting on the throne in order to take the empty place of the Moscow Patriarch. In 1619, on June 24, in the Assumption Cathedral, he was named to the dignity - "Filaret, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia." Now Filaret, referred to by the royal title of "Great Sovereign", began to equally rule the church and the state.

Thus, dual power was established in Moscow for a period of 14 years, in which only the tsar and the Zemsky Sobor had the highest government authority, and the letters of the father-patriarch to the son-sovereign reveal the full power of the patriarch's influence on the conduct of public affairs, and fully describe the activities of Patriarch Filaret .

Historians know the conciliar verdict of 1619, on “how to arrange the land”, which was created by the patriarch’s report “articles”. It correctly assessed the uneven material and property situation of the population in different parts of the kingdom, so such measures were taken as:

• proper arrangement of service from the estates;
• drawing up accurate cadastral inventories of land and, on their basis, achieving the correctness of taxation;
• making known both the treasury's cash flow and its future resources in order to determine revenues and expenditures;
• taking real measures to eradicate administrative offenses that hinder the establishment of state and social order in the country.

All these introductions pursued a single goal - an increase in government funds in the easiest and most correct way for the population.

Also, Fedor Nikitovich patronized printing, and also edited Old Russian texts for errors.

Church government reforms

The events of the patriarch's life polished him as a political businessman and subtle diplomat. Interests in strengthening the dynastic power stimulated him to direct all his forces to managing the affairs of the state, in which he was a capable and tactful leader. But, being deprived of a theological education, he was especially restrained and cautious in church affairs. In this area, Filaret took care of the protection of orthodoxy and looked out for the main danger beyond the Polish-Lithuanian border. Otherwise, he followed the immediate needs of the church and never took steps forward. Thus, Filaret's political activity was more fruitful and active than the church one. From 1619 to 1633, state power was strengthened under him, and the Romanov dynasty gained support among the general population, and this is the historical merit of Fyodor Nikitovich.

On all issues related to religion and church dispensation, he preferred to consult with the Moscow clergy, which earned him considerable fame among them.

Family and Children

Fedor Nikitovich married the daughter of a poor nobleman from Kostroma, Xenia Ivanovna Shestova. They had six children. After the disgrace of Boris Godunov on the family of Fyodor Nikitovich, Xenia Ivanovna was forcibly tonsured a nun under the name of Martha and sent to the Zaonezhsky Tolvuysky churchyard. Son Mikhail and daughter Tatyana, together with aunts Nastasya and Martha Nikitichny, were taken to the village of Kliny, located in the Yuryevsky district.

Filaret, the Patriarch of All Russia, immediately after returning home from Polish captivity and campaigning for the enthronement of his son Michael, turned into a prudent and disgraced regent.

The death of Patriarch Filaret on October 1, 1633 put an end to the dual power in the state and finally installed the Romanov family on the throne, who reigned until 1917.

The historical significance of Filaret

Being the regent of the infant Tsar Michael and in fact the ruler of the country, Patriarch Filaret signed state letters on his own behalf and also had the title of Great Sovereign.

Speaking of Patriarch Filaret, historians mostly talk about his patronage of printing. Since 1621, the clerks of the Posolsky Prikaz, especially for the tsar, were engaged in the production of the first Russian newspaper, Vestovye Pistachi.

The patriarch understood the value and favored the development of the arms and metallurgical industries. Therefore, Andrei Vinius in 1632 received permission from Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich to establish the first iron-smelting, iron-working and weapons factories in Russia near Tula.

Patriarch Filaret of Kiev: birth and family

This priest is from Ukraine. Philaret Patriarch of Kiev, in the world Mikhail Antonovich Denisenko, was born into a mining family on January 1, 1929. The place of birth is the village of Blagodatnoe, located in the Amvrosievsky district of the Donetsk region.

Despite the mandatory requirements of a vow of celibacy, according to media reports, Filaret publicly lived openly with his family - his wife Evgenia Petrovna Rodionova, who died in 1998, and three children - daughters Vera and Lyubov, as well as son Andrei are mentioned.

Study, monastery and monasticism

Denisenko graduated from high school in 1946, and in 1948 from the Odessa Theological Seminary and was admitted to the Moscow Theological Academy. In January 1950, being in his second year, he took the monastic vows, taking the name Filaret. In the spring he received the rank of hierodeacon, and in 1952 he was ordained a hieromonk.

Occupied positions and titles

In 1952, Denisenko received a Ph.D. in theology and remained at the Moscow Theological Seminary to teach the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament. At the same time, Filaret was acting dean of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. He received the title of assistant professor in March 1954.

In August 1956, Filaret, being abbot, became an inspector of the Saratov Theological Seminary, then the Kiev Theological Seminary. He began managing the affairs of the Ukrainian Exarchate in 1960, being in the rank of archimandrite.

In 1961, Denisenko was appointed rector of the metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alexandria under the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

In 1962, Filaret received the rank of Bishop of Luga, Vicar of the Leningrad Diocese. At the same time, he was appointed manager of the Riga diocese; in the summer of 1962 - vicar of the Central European Exarchate; in November of the same year he became Bishop of Vienna and Austria.

In 1964, Filaret received the position of vicar in the Moscow diocese and, already as Bishop of Dmitrovsky, became rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary.

A member of the Holy Synod elevated him to the rank of Archbishop of Kiev and Galicia in 1966. In December of the same year, Filaret became head of the Kiev Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. At that time, as part of the delegations of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Exarchate, he repeatedly made trips abroad, participating in congresses, conferences and assemblies. In 1979, Filaret received an award in the form of the Order of Friendship of Peoples, and in 1988 - the Order of the Red Banner of Labor for active peacekeeping.

After the death of Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in the spring of 1990, Filaret became locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne and one of the most likely candidates for patriarch, for whose election a local council was convened. In June 1990, a new head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Alexy II, was elected by the council. However, traditionally, it was Filaret, Patriarch of Kiev and All Ukraine, who was considered the next most important bishop of the Russian Church and the most influential permanent member of the Holy Synod.

Filaret as a spiritual leader of the UOC

During this period, with the support of Leonid Kravchuk, Filaret began active work aimed at autonomizing the Ukrainian Church. The media talk about the beginning of their "friendly" relations during the period of Denisenko's work in the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine. With the declaration of independence of Ukraine in 1991, Kravchuk in every possible way stimulated the process of creating an autonomous church, which has the basis of the canonical UOC - the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) and the Uniates did not have the necessary support from the population to ensure their autonomy. It was understood that the canonical autocephaly, as an independent association of the UOC, would absorb all the Orthodox churches of Ukraine and reduce the level of inter-confessional contradictions.

In January 1992, Filaret gathered the bishops for a meeting and, with the support of the now Ukrainian President Kravchuk, drafted an appeal to the patriarch, all the bishops and the Holy Synod, in which he accused the ROC of deliberately delaying the process of a positive decision on the issue of autocephaly of the UOC. The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church already raised this issue in the spring of 1992 in the absence of Filaret. In response to an appeal by the Moscow Patriarchate, Filaret was charged with using the granted autonomy as a tool to increase his power in the management of the Ukrainian Church, with pressure on local priests to force them to support autocephaly. In the course of this dispute, the Ukrainian Patriarch Filaret was accused of immoral behavior and his gross miscalculations in administration and was obliged to voluntarily resign as head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Filaret himself voluntarily gave the word of the bishop that he would not interfere with the free choice of the Ukrainian Church in the process of electing a new first hierarch, but after a while he refused to part with the post of primate of the UOC. This was followed by his renunciation of the bishop's oath. Thus arose a religious schism, known in the history of Orthodoxy as "Filaret's". Filaret himself substantiates his initial promise by pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church, and therefore considers it forced.

In 1992, the Council of Bishops of the UOC was still able to remove Filaret from the post of the first hierarch of the UOC and the Kiev cathedra. He remained in the state, but did not have the right to conduct divine services, and in June of the same year, by the Judicial Act of the Bishops' Council for human vices, blackmail, diktat, perjury and public slander on the Bishops' Council, inflicting a church schism, and also for conducting in a state of prohibition clergy, Filaret was deposed from his rank and deprived of all degrees of the priesthood and rights related to being in the clergy.

In June 1992, Filaret's supporters assembled the Unification Cathedral in Kiev. This marked the beginning of the creation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate (UOC-KP) as a result of the unification of some representatives of the UOC, belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate, and the UAOC. In 1995, Filaret took the post of patriarch in it.

On February 19, 1997, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated Filaret from the church for conducting schismatic activities in the inter-council period.

Relations with Russia

Filaret took the place of the most likely candidate for the post of primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, but not everyone was satisfied with his candidacy. His faulty moral character, lust for power, demeanor, rudeness and worldly lifestyle caused particular censure and indignation.

During the election of a new patriarch, the struggle of the UOC for its autonomy intensified. And even after the adoption in 1990 by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of a new position and granting the Ukrainian Exarchate more rights in self-government and the manifestation of national traditions in the church sphere, granting independence and autonomy in the management of the UOC, and Filaret - the title of "His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine" - he did not stop fighting for the independence of the Ukrainian religious ideology, now - in the sphere of public and secular life.

Patriarch Filaret considers Russia the main aggressor in the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine, arguing that Russia, as an enemy of the Ukrainian people, is doomed to defeat.

Mutual appeals of Patriarch Kirill of All Russia and Patriarch Filaret of All Ukraine are widely known. In a letter to the Ukrainian bishop, the Moscow Patriarch called for a balanced and methodical approach to the issue of continuing to support the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine, and called for the entire Russian Church to unite against the dark side of the human person in this difficult, anxious time, performing universal Christian prayers. However, in his response to the Moscow Patriarch, Filaret spoke extremely negatively about the position of the Russian Orthodox Church, speaking sharply about the impossibility of uniting these churches, and the arrogant position of the Moscow Patriarch in relation to the Kiev Patriarchate.

Recently, in connection with the frequent trips of the Patriarch of All Russia Kirill to the church halls of Ukraine, Patriarch Filaret maintains a cautious distance in relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, rightly believing that he may be removed from the political arena.

History knows a number of historical figures, people who are namesakes by name, engaged in similar activities in one area, but with different results of their broad actions.

Two Patriarchs

Patriarch Filaret (Romanov) is a political figure of the Time of Troubles of the 17th century. The years of his life were a period of great social upheaval. His Holiness is one of the most controversial figures in Russian history. Many scholars believe that it is difficult to assess his actions and historical role impartially. However, it so happened that it was he who changed the course of political and social events in Russia. Someone believes that he acted in the interests of the family, making the surnames, and then the Romanov dynasty, the position on the throne.

Fyodor Nikitovich, and in monasticism Filaret, experienced regular ups and downs in his career. According to scientists, he was a believer, but not religious. At that time it was possible, because church leaders were often political figures, as in the case of Patriarch Filaret. However, the Moscow clergy loved him, and his righteous image has been preserved in history, describing the character of the Third Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. It is clear that he was a talented person, perhaps a domineering one.

His namesake in tonsure, Patriarch of Kiev “and All Russia” Filaret (Denisenko), self-proclaimed through the schism of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the world Mikhail, is known to most of our contemporaries as a supporter of Ukrainian nationalism, even in the church sphere. He created an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, actively supported the revolution in Ukraine, military operations against the Donetsk Republic. Patriarch Filaret actively accused President Putin and the Russian authorities of the annexation of Crimea.

At the Council of Bishops, held in Moscow in November-December 2017, the Kiev self-proclaimed Patriarch Filaret repented of his deeds and asked the Russian Orthodox Church to enter into liturgical communion with him and his flock. In this regard, many people became interested in who Patriarch Filaret is, what is the history of the schism, and whether the Russian and Ukrainian Churches can unite.

Usually the Church does not interfere in politics, but both Patriarchs Filaret did just that. And yet, Patriarch Filaret (Romanov) was the legitimate head of the Church, unlike Filaret of Kiev.

Who is a Patriarch

The patriarch is the supreme Bishop, which in Greek is the head of the priests. They perform all the Sacraments without exception. Bishops ordain people as deacons and priests, however, only the Patriarch, co-served by several bishops, can ordain as bishops.

Bishops who have distinguished themselves in their ministry and have served for a long time are called archbishops. Also, for even greater merits, they are elevated to the rank of metropolitans. They have a higher rank for services to the Church, and only metropolitans can manage metropolitanates - large dioceses, which include several small ones. An analogy can be drawn: a diocese is a region, a metropolis is a city with a region (Petersburg and the Leningrad Region) or a whole Federal District.

Often other bishops are appointed to assist the metropolitan or archbishop, who are called vicar bishops or, in short, vicars.

The highest spiritual rank in the Orthodox Church is the Patriarch. This rank is elective, and is chosen by the Council of Bishops (a meeting of bishops of the entire regional Church). Most often, he leads the Church together with the Holy Synod (Kinod, in different transcriptions, in different Churches) leads the Church. The dignity of the Primate (Head) of the Church is for life, however, if grave sins are committed, the Bishops' Court may remove the Patriarch from service. Also, at the request of the Patriarch, he can be sent to rest due to illness or advanced age. Until the convening of the Council of Bishops, a Locum Tenens (temporarily acting as the head of the Church) is appointed.

The Patriarch is addressed: "Your Holiness." In a more everyday situation, when talking to all bishops, they turn to “Vladyka (name)”, for example, “Vladyka Pitirim, bless.” The Patriarch is addressed either in the same way or, a little more officially, “His Holiness.”

Patriarch Filaret Romanov: the Romanov family, the family of the future Patriarch

The life of the future clergyman and political leader was not easy. The Zakharyins family (they are Yurievs, Koshkins, Romanovs) served the Moscow tsars since the 14th century. The biography of Patriarch Filaret Romanov is the fate of the nephew of Anastasia Zakharyina, the first and beloved wife of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The Romanov clan merged with the Rurikoviches, the first Russian ruling dynasty.

The influence of the Romanovs was further strengthened in 1584, when Ivan the Terrible made boyar Nikita Romanovich, brother of his deceased wife Anastasia, the guardian of his little son Theodore. It was from that time that the family acquired the famous surname of the Romanovs. The kind and fair character of the boyar Nikita - the father of the future Patriarch Filaret - became the basis for the popularity of the Romanov family.

After the death of Ivan the Terrible and his son, relations between the ascended Tsar Boris Godunov and the Romanovs did not become negative. When he was crowned king, Tsar Boris gave his friends a number of privileges. However, the struggle for the royal throne intensified, the Romanovs were drawn into intrigues.

Youth and youth of Patriarch Filaret (Romanov)

At birth, the name of the Patriarch was Fyodor Nikitovich Romanov. He was born in 1553. Fyodor had a secular, practical and inquisitive mindset, and therefore, in his youth, he did not strive for either tonsure or priestly ordination. Moreover, according to the recollections of that time, he was one of the famous dandies in Moscow, a handsome, benevolent young man with an inquisitive mind. After all, Fedor had an excellent education, he loved books, and not just fashionable clothes. He learned Latin from books specially ordered from abroad and written for him in Russia.

Family and children of Patriarch Filaret

Fedor Nikitovich was married to the daughter of a poor nobleman from Kostroma, Xenia Ivanovna Shestova. He had not yet been tonsured when he married. At the same time, they had six children with Ksenia.

Metropolitan Philaret of Rostov - the future Patriarch

Fedor Nikitovich, along with other Romanovs and a number of boyar families, was disgraced by Boris Godunov in 1600. Fedor was considered one of the rivals of Tsar Boris Godunov. Apparently, the Romanovs were not particularly eager to take the throne, and the beginning of disgrace was laid by a slanderous denunciation, which, perhaps, was created by Godunov himself. Fyodor Romanov was forcibly tonsured a monk and exiled to the territory of the present Arkhangelsk region, to the Antoniev-Siya Monastery. This monastery is located 90 kilometers from the city of Kholmogory and from Arkhangelsk.

Fedor's wife, Ksenia Ivanovna, was also tonsured a nun. She received the new name of Martha and was exiled to Zaonezhye. To this day, there is a source of the nun Marfa and the remains of the Tolvui churchyard, at the church of which she lived. The Romanovs' son Mikhail, the future Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, and their daughter Tatyana, with their aunt Nastasya and Martha Romanovs, went, or rather, were forcibly sent to the village of Kliny in the Yuryevsky district - probably a family estate.

Taking monastic vows in those days was a simple way to deprive a person of political influence. After all, tonsure is a special rite of the Church, when a person gives vows of non-acquisition, obedience (to the abbot of the monastery), celibacy. According to church tradition, a monk must live in a monastery, but a monastic priest - a hierodeacon or hieromonk - can be sent by the ruling bishop of the diocese to the parish, like an ordinary white priest.

However, the newly tonsured Filaret Romanov also gained the support of the Russians: his tonsure was perceived as an unfair disgrace of the royal descendant and even, possibly, the Russian tsar himself.

In the Antoniev-Siysky Monastery, the future patriarch was in custody. The guards followed him and reported to Moscow about every movement of the monk, while, we note, they complained about his rebelliousness and rigidity. It is known that Filaret missed his family.

At the end of June 1605, after the death of Boris Godunov and the overthrow of his son Godunov, Filaret-Theodore was again invited to Moscow, this time by False Dmitry, as his relative.

It is not known how Filaret himself felt about this, but he accepted ordination to the Metropolitan of Rostov in 1606. In the same year, the new Tsar Vasily Shuisky sent Filaret sent to Uglich for the body of Tsarevich Dmitry, who, according to legend, was martyred by Boris Godunov. While Metropolitan Filaret was on his way, Shuisky ordained Metropolitan Germogen of Kazan as Moscow Patriarch. This was probably a cunning political move - after all, Shuisky himself was soon overthrown, he felt dislike and tried to get rid of Romanov as a people's favorite. However, the post of Patriarch in the Church is for life, and Metropolitan Filaret went to the cathedra blessed by the new Patriarch in Rostov the Great. Here he lived until 1608.

The overthrow of Shuisky, Tushinsky thief and Metropolitan Filaret

In 1608, a new false tsar appeared in Russia, the impostor False Dmitry II. Tsar Yeisky was not loved, and the impostor found many adherents. Their troops approached Moscow when the Patriarch of Moscow Hermogenes began to send out requests to the bishops to pray for Tsar Vasily. Metropolitan Filaret of Rostov, in accordance with his rank, was submissive to the legitimate tsar, and joined these appeals.

The troops of False Dmitry II, who ravaged Rostov, also captured his Metropolitan Filaret. At first, they did not show due respect for him, considering him a political opponent, but over time they even began to call him the Patriarch of Moscow. Nevertheless, he tried to escape from the camp of the impostor, and in Tushino he was held by force. In March 1610, with the destruction of the camp in Tushino, Metropolitan Filaret was captured by the Poles and sent to the Volokolamsk Monastery in honor of St. Joasaph. Fortunately, he had already managed to escape from there with the help of Grigory Voluev, the head of the detachment of opponents of the Troubles. Once in Moscow, Patriarch Filaret remained in honor with the Church, his reputation as a prisoner of war was not spoiled.

The dual power of the Romanovs - Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and Patriarch Filaret

In 1610, the Metropolitan began a new round in the fate of Feodor Romanov, Patriarch Filaret. Together with Prince Golitsyn, as part of the "great embassy", he left Moscow near Smolensk to meet with the King of Poland, Sigismund. The situation developed in such a way that the embassy was captured, and Sigismund sent the ambassadors to his country as prisoners.

In Poland, His Eminence spent eight years in captivity. Only after the accession of his son Mikhail Fedorovich, whose election to the kingdom passed through the will of the people, did Metropolitan Filaret return to the country. He was exchanged as a prisoner, under a treaty with Poland, in 1619.

The place of the Moscow Patriarch was free, and it was natural to appoint the tsar's father, who has a monastic order and metropolitan authority, to the Patriarchs.

On June 24, 1619, in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Eminence was named Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Since his son was still very young, Filaret became regent for the minor sovereign and ruled equally the church and the state. Historians call a certain period of the reign of Tsar Mikhail Romanov - 14 years - dual power. At the same time, the tsar and the Zemsky Sobor had the highest authority in government. However, according to the letters of the father-patriarch to the son-king, one can see what was the influence of the patriarch on the conduct of state affairs. It can be said that such a form does not have a pronounced negative assessment, because the Patriarch lasted both in a paternal and pastoral way with his son, directing him to good with his influence. This is proved by the results of the reign of the first tsar from the Romanov family.

For example, the conciliar verdict of 1619 “How to arrange the earth” was completely created by the reports of Patriarch Filaret. In the "verdict", according to historians, the difference in the prosperity of the population of different regions was correctly assessed. In order to correct it, services were organized, accurate inventories of the lands were compiled, and taxes were imposed in accordance with this.

Also, at the initiative of the Patriarch, an audit of the treasury and its resources was carried out, a state budget was drawn up, speaking in a modern way, a number of measures and administrative penalties for offenses were taken, including in the bureaucratic apparatus of state officials (then called clerks).

It was necessary to replenish the treasury, however, this need did not place a heavy burden on the shoulders of the population.

Another sphere of activity of the Patriarch during the period of dual power was printing and editing of liturgical and book texts.

Reforms of the Church by Pariarch Philaret

The life path of the Patriarch made him not only a church figure, a bearer of the spirit, but also a diplomat. It is unlikely that he was a prudent businessman - an intriguer could not win people's love. However, his management skills are highly commendable. He carried the administration of the Church and state with dignity.

Interestingly, the Patriarch of the Russian Church had no theological education. Therefore, he was cautious in reforming the Church and editing liturgical texts.

However, His Holiness was especially concerned about the protection of Orthodoxy, knowing after the Troubles that the Church was in danger from Poland and Lithuania, from the influence of Catholicism in theology and church art. However, here, too, he followed the path of the "golden mean" and caution. Patriarch Filaret was especially loved by the Moscow clergy: he humbly accepted and understood his shortcomings, and in church affairs he resorted to the advice of venerable elderly archpriests. Thus, reasonable conservatism was preserved in the Church.

And yet, secular and church historians note that from 1619 to 1633, that is, during his life under the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, state power became very strong. The Romanov dynasty received great support and love from Russians. The church at that time almost did not change, which indicates that the Patriarch not only did not pay attention to it, but preserved it: the state structure required great care.

Death of Patriarch Filaret

The death of His Holiness Philaret occurred on October 1, 1633. Historians call this date the end of the period of dual power in Russia. However, with his death, there were no noticeable changes in the prestige and order of the Romanov family: everyone knows that the dynasty reigned until 1917 itself.

The role of Patriarch Filaret in the history and life of the Russian state

As a regent during the Dual Power period, Patriarch Filaret issued a number of decrees in his own name. He really had the title of "Great Sovereign".

From 1621, officials of the Posolsky Prikaz began to publish the first newspaper in Russia. It was called "Vestovye letters", intended only for the king.

The patriarch stepped up the progress of the arms and metallurgical industries. So, the industrialist Andrey Vinius in 1632 requested and took from Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich permission to build the first plants in Russia for melting iron and Elena, making weapons near Tula (which is why the person “Tula gunsmith Lefty” appeared in Russian literature - a tradition was preserved near Tula and forging skill).

Kiev Patriarch Filaret Denisenko: birth and family

The self-proclaimed patriarch comes from Ukraine: perhaps that is why he subtly feels the mood of Ukrainians, their love for national self-identification. In the world, his name was Mikhail Antonovich. He was born in the family of a miner Anton Denisenko on January 1, 1929, and according to his passport comes from the village of Blagodatnoye (Amvrosiyevsky district of the Donetsk region), the more incomprehensible is his support for the Ukrainian army storming his homeland.
Alas, regarding the family of the clergyman himself, it must be said that he, according to rumors, violated the ban on celibacy. Every bishop must be a monk. Patriarch Filaret (Romanov) had children and a wife before his tonsure and elevation to the Patriarchal throne. But Mikhail-Filaret had a family after the tonsure - since 1989 he lived with his wife, Evgenia Petrovna Rodionova (she died in 1998), had three children from her: Vera, Lyubov and Andrey.

Where did he study and where was tonsured the Kievan Patriarch Filaret (Denisenko)

Mikhail Denisenko graduated from school in 1946, graduated from the Odessa Theological Seminary in 1948 (according to the documents, but this is doubtful: why did he complete the course in 2 years?), Was admitted to the Moscow Theological Academy at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Here he probably met many future archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1950, in his second year of study, Mikhail took the vows as a monk with the name Filaret, accepted the rank of hierodeacon, and a couple of years later was ordained a priest, receiving the rank of hieromonk in 1952.

Positions and titles of the Kiev Patriarch Filaret

In 1952, the future Patriarch Filaret received a Ph.D. in theology. He teaches at MDS, his home school, New Testament Scripture.

At the same time, he served as dean of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

March 1954 - Filaret received the title of associate professor.

1956 - receiving the rank of abbot and the post of inspector of the Saratov Theological Seminary, then a seminary in Kiev.

Administration of the Ukrainian Exarchate since 1960. At this time he has the rank of archimandrite.

In 1961, he was sent to the farmstead of the Russian Church in Alexandria as a rector.

1962 - Filaret is ordained as a bishop. He becomes the bishop of Luga, vicar of the Leningrad diocese, in the same year the manager of the Riga diocese and vicar of the Central European Exarchate; in November of the same 1962 - Bishop of Vienna and Austria.

In 1964, His Grace became vicar of the Moscow diocese, bishop of Dmitrovsky, rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary.

1966 - Filaret receives a higher rank of archbishop with an appointment to the cathedra of Kiev and Galicia.

December 1966 - head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Kiev Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate. As part of the delegations of the Russian Church, he traveled abroad, representing the Church at congresses and forums.

In 1979, His Eminence received the Order of Friendship of Peoples, in 1988 - the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (for active work in the field of peacekeeping).

Schism into the Kiev Church of the UOC and the Russian Orthodox Church

The final chord of the service of Archbishop Philaret of the Russian Orthodox Church happened like this. After the death of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in 1990, His Eminence Filaret became Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne—that is, the most likely Patriarch of Moscow. To elect the Patriarch, a Local Council of the Church was convened, but Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad, Patriarch Alexy II, was elected by the Council.

Filaret refused to accept such a decision of the Council, but this contradicts the centuries-old history of the Church and only shows that this person at that moment did not have humility. He verbally accepted the decision of the Council, admitted that he had no claims and left for Ukraine, as if returning to his native cathedra. However, there he began splitting actions.

Why Alexy II was elected together with Filaret

They say that Filaret was not elected, knowing his rudeness, vices and even an open life with a woman (which is forbidden for a monk). Patriarch Pimen, who elevated Filaret, might not have known this. The rest of the archpastors were repelled both by Filaret's manners and lust for power.

His Holiness, Patriarch Alexy II, on the contrary, despite his high position, was easy to communicate, and therefore loved by everyone who knew him closely, a principled person of a bright soul. He became the fifteenth Primate of the Church after the restoration of the Patriarchate in Russia.

The name of Alexy II also occupies a fundamental place in the science of Church history and theology. Only before his accession to the primatial throne, he had more than 150 publications on church history and theology of the topic.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II developed activities to spread the missionary service of the Church, work with youth (on which the new, current Patriarch Kirill also places great emphasis), restructuring the Church, and creating new dioceses.

Church and secular historians highlight the following advantages of Alexy II's activities as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia:

• An increase in the number of churches, monasteries and dioceses.
• Active return of the church of historical buildings of temples, their restoration. There were incidents when the Church and cultural organizations found themselves on opposite sides of the barricades. Nevertheless, it was precisely during the period of Patriarch Alexy's activity that the experience of overcoming such confrontation was laid.
• The “increase in the flow of personnel” - priests and places for prayer created space for the further coming to the Church of many, many people. Today begins not only the revival of temples in the historical buildings of churches, but also the construction of new ones.
• The number of educational centers increased, the missionary activity of the Church became more active. Many believed that the Church should not attract new people, but occupy a niche in a certain service sector. Nevertheless, it was Patriarch Alexy who again began the catechizing work of the Church: after all, even Christ commanded the apostles to enlighten all peoples with the light of Christianity, to save the souls of people.
• During the period of the Patriarchal ministry of Alexy II, military conflicts took place in the world and in Russia. This Patriarch is known. by the fact that in 1993 he admonished the State Committee for the State of Emergency by taking the Vladimir icon out of the storerooms of the Tretyakov Gallery and praying before it for peace and God's help with all the people. In addition, he regularly came up with peacekeeping initiatives regarding the wars in the North Caucasus, South Ossetia, during the bombing of the US Air Force in Iraq and Serbia.
• In an interview shortly before his death, His Holiness Bishop Alexy II himself summed up the results of his work, evaluating the fruits of his labors as a completely new relationship between the Church and the state, which he was forced to build. By the will of God, he was able to turn the interaction with society and with the authorities towards the acceptance of the Church.

Patriarch Filaret of Kiev - schismatic Denisenko

Filaret substantiated his initial promise not to aspire to become Patriarchs and to autonomize the Ukrainian Church by pressure from the Russian Church.

In 1992, the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church was able to remove Filaret from the post of First Hierarch of the Church and the Kiev See. He was left in the state by the clergy without the right to conduct worship. In June 1992, according to the Judgment of the Council "for vices, blackmail, diktat, perjury and public slander of the Council of Bishops, causing a church schism, and also for holding sacred services in a state of prohibition", Filaret was deposed from the priesthood and deprived of all the rights of the priesthood.

Instead of humility and repentance, Filaret and his supporters decided to act immediately. They gathered the Unification Council in Kiev, founded the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate and appointed Patriarch Filaret to the post.

He proclaimed himself Patriarch of Kiev "and All Russia". With the support of Leonid Kravchuk, Filaret intensified activities for the autonomization of the Ukrainian Church, that is, the Church of the "Ukrainian Patriarchate". He even sent letters to the Ecumenical (Constantinople) Patriarch, Councils of different Churches, but he is also recognized as a schismatic.

In turn, the Moscow Patriarchate left the "Ukrainian Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate", making it the head of Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) - the kindest person (he died in 2014).

Letter from Patriarch Filaret Denisenko of Kiev to the Council of Bishops

Patriarch Kirill, who headed the Russian Church after the death of Alexy II, actively visited Ukraine. Patriarch Filaret began to observe obvious caution in relations with Russia.
At the end of November 2017, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church was convened, to which, unexpectedly for everyone, the schismatic patriarch turned with a request to “forgive” him and restore communion between the Churches. It was decided to assemble a commission and discuss the possibilities of reconciliation, since a person is ready to admit his mistakes.

Patriarch Filaret is not the most famous historical figure. But its influence on the course of the history of the Russian state and the world is difficult to underestimate.

He is one of those thanks to whom the Time of Troubles ended, and Mikhail Romanov reigned on the Russian throne.

Filaret's years of life

The years of the life of Patriarch Filaret 1553-1632

The years of the Patriarchate of Filaret

Filaret was patriarch from 1619 to 1632

Filaret biography briefly

In the world, Patriarch Filaret bore the name Fedor Nikitich Romanov. He was born in 1553, and was a cousin of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, who was the son of the great Ivan the Terrible.

Fedor Nikitich was a representative, as they would say now - of golden youth. A noble man with an interesting pedigree. He was the son of Nikita Zakharyin-Yuriev, an authoritative boyar, and was the nephew of Tsarina Anastasia. Tsarina Anastasia was the wife of Ivan the Terrible.

At a conscious age, the young man devoted himself to the sovereign service. He was governor in several regiments, the governor of the sovereign in Pskov, participated in diplomatic activities. He took an active part in negotiations with the German ambassadors.

Years passed, the Time of Troubles began in the Russian state. The son of Ivan the Terrible, Fyodor Ioanovich died. There was a fight for the throne. Fedor, was one of the favorites, but Boris Godunov won the battle.

The new king considered the pretenders to the throne as personal enemies. Fedor, along with his family, fell into disgrace, was exiled. In exile, he and his wife Xenia were forcibly tonsured monks. Now Fedor has become Filaret, and Ksenia has become Martha.

The confusion was in full swing. In Russian history, False Dmitry I appears in all its glory. The impostor needs to somehow make himself more legitimate. He captures the Antoniev-Siya Monastery, and frees Filaret and Marfa. Under False Dmitry I, Filaret becomes Metropolitan of Rostov.

Under the rule of Vasily Shuisky, the dignity can be preserved. The Time of Troubles enters the finish line, and False Dmitry II appears on the stage. The new impostor settled in the Tushino camp. Without a relative, it was difficult for him to explain his appearance. Filaret is captured and arrives at the impostor's camp. Here he is called patriarchs. In his power are all the territories controlled by the troops of the impostor.

In 1610, patriotic forces repulsed Filaret from the hands of an impostor. The patriarch himself did not insist on his rank, and told the soldiers who released him that he had been named patriarch, against his will.

A year later, he sent as part of an embassy to Sigismund III. The embassy negotiated with the king of the Commonwealth about the future of the Russian state. Filaret was among those who were not against the fact that the son of Sigismund, Prince Vladislav, would ascend the Moscow throne. But he put forward a condition, the prince had to accept Orthodoxy. The Poles, on the other hand, were unreliable partners. We prepared our version of the contract for the meeting. And when Filaret refused to put his signature on the document, he was arrested.

Patriarch Filaret documentary film

Filaret after the Time of Troubles

The Time of Troubles in Russian history ended in 1613, when the Zemsky Sobor was convened. The result of the Zemsky Sobor was the beginning of the ruling dynasty of the Romanovs. Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov became the new tsar of the Russian state. Michael was the son of Philaret. He treated his father very warmly and reverently, he was the greatest authority for the monarch.

It was not possible to rescue my father from captivity for many years. The Poles deliberately dragged out negotiations, realizing that without a father it would be very difficult for Mikhail to cope with internal and external enemies of the state.

Filaret returned to Russia only in 1619. Russians and Poles exchanged prisoners. Filaret was among the returnees to their homeland. For the Russian people, Filaret became an example of masculinity and resilience. After all, he honorably endured the horrors of Polish captivity, did not break down and remained true to his moral, moral and ethical ideals, did not give the Orthodox faith and the Fatherland.

After returning to Russia, Metropolitans Philaret was named Patriarchs.

Patriarch Filaret and his policy

As a patriarch, Filaret had a huge influence on his son, Tsar Mikhail Romanov, on the entire foreign and domestic policy of the state. On his initiative, a census was conducted, which made it possible to increase the collection of taxes and the filling of the treasury. Contacts were restored with the Byzantine Church.

At the insistence of the patriarch, the first schools and colleges were created in the state. He advocated for the literacy of the population. Actively engaged in the purity of Orthodoxy, eliminated free-thinking, and distortions of church writings.

The Patriarch spent a lot of time and effort on printing. Enlightenment he considered his great task. Under his leadership, the Moscow Printing House resumed its work. The patriarch himself personally monitored the correctness of the texts, corrected mistakes, and suppressed distortions and free-thinking. Books were distributed at cost price, in order to be more accessible to the public.

During the years of Patriarchate Filaret were canonized:

• Macarius Unzhensky
• Abraham Bishop of Galicia

Church reforms of Patriarch Filaret

During the patriarchate of Filaret, a new class of people was formed - patriarchal nobles and children. People were getting paid salaries for their service. In addition, the patriarch was given the right to deal with the court of the clergy and the peasant population, except in cases of theft and robbery. Under Filaret, a patriarchal region developed, which represented a state within a state.

A complete inventory of church property was carried out, and the letters of grant were revised.

Interesting Facts

• In 1625, the Persian Tsar gave the Russian Patriarch a part of the Lord's robe
• The Orthodox shrine was kept in the Assumption Cathedral for a long time. Currently located in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
• The Patriarch had six children. Five sons and a daughter
• Shortly before his death, he appointed the successor of the Archbishop of Pskov Joasaph
• Filaret is buried in the Assumption Cathedral, in Moscow
• He was the initiator of the convocations of Zemsky Sobors

Results

Patriarch Filaret left a huge mark on the history of the Russian state, in its restoration after the devastating Time of Troubles. It was Filaret, together with his son Mikhail, who laid the foundation for that Russian state, which soon became the Empire, with which all European countries reckoned.

(1553-11-12 ) Death: October 1 (11)(1633-10-11 ) (79 years old)
Moscow Buried: Assumption Cathedral Dynasty: Romanovs Father: Nikita Romanovich Zakharyin-Yuriev Spouse: Xenia Shestova Children: Mikhail , Tatyana Acceptance of monasticism: OK. Autograph:

Patriarch Filaret(in the world Fedor Nikitich Romanov; November 12, 1553 [ ] - October 1 (11) - church and political figure of the Time of Troubles and the subsequent era; third Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (-). The first of the Romanov family, who bore this particular surname; cousin of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (son of Ivan IV the Terrible); father of the first tsar from the Romanov family - Mikhail Fedorovich (elected to the throne in 1613).

Biography

In his early years, Fyodor Romanov did not think about monasticism and the spiritual path. Boyarin (since 1586), one of the first dandies in Moscow, son of the influential Nikita Zakharyin-Yuryev, nephew of Tsarina Anastasia, the first wife of Ivan IV the Terrible, he was considered a possible rival of Boris Godunov in the struggle for power after the death of Fyodor Ioannovich in 1598. In the 1590s, he held a number of state and military posts: he was the governor of Pskov, participated in negotiations with the ambassador of Emperor Rudolf II, served as governor in a number of regiments.

Being the parent of the sovereign, until the end of his life he was officially his co-ruler. He used the title "Great Sovereign" and a completely unusual combination of the monastic name "Filaret" with the patronymic "Nikitich"; actually led the Moscow policy.

By upbringing and character he was a man of the world; he was poorly versed in ecclesiastical and theological matters proper and on controversial issues (somehow, a scandalous trial because of the words “and with fire” in a prayer for the blessing of water in the breviary) communicated with the Ecumenical Patriarch and asked for a ruling on this from the Council of the Eastern Patriarchs.

Typography

Filaret paid great attention to printing books and correcting errors in the texts of ancient manuscripts. In 1620, he resumed the work of the Moscow printing house on Nikolskaya Street, founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1553. Established the "correct room" - a special room for spravshchikov (editors of ancient manuscripts). Filaret especially monitored the "purity" of ancient texts, for which the most educated referees were involved, who were obliged to check the texts with ancient Slavic manuscripts, and sometimes resorted to Greek sources. The corrected books were distributed to monasteries, churches and trading shops at cost, without extra charge. Books were sent to Siberia free of charge. In total, the Moscow printing house under Filaret issued many editions of monthly menaias and a number of liturgical books.

Church government reforms

Filaret sought to organize the management of the patriarchal court on the model of the sovereign's court. A new class of patriarchal nobles and boyar children was created, who received local salaries for their service.

On May 20, 1625, Filaret, as a sovereign, issued a royal decree, according to which the patriarch received the right to judge and be in charge of the spiritual and peasant population of the patriarchal region in all matters, except for tatba (theft) and robbery. Thus, under Filaret, the patriarchal region finally took shape as a state within a state. Its management was streamlined, but also much more complicated.

1. Judicial, or discharge - was in charge of court cases;
2. Church - was in charge of the affairs of the church deanery;
3. Treasury - was in charge of fees from the clergy;
4. Palace - led the economy of the patriarchal estates;

In each order sat the patriarchal boyar with clerks and clerks. The Patriarch personally accepted and signed the reports. Filaret also carried out a complete inventory of church and monastic property and a revision of letters of commendation issued to monasteries with lands transferred to their use.

In 1620 a new Diocese of Tobolsk was opened.

In 1625, a part of the Lord's robe was given to the patriarch as a gift from the Persian king, which was placed in an ark in the Assumption Cathedral. This Orthodox shrine is still kept in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Children

1. Tatyana (d. November 4, 1612) - wife of Prince Ivan Mikhailovich Katyrev-Rostovsky;
2. Boris (d. November 20, 1592 in infancy);
3. Nikita (d. November 29, 1593 in infancy);
4. Michael (1596-1645);
5. Leo (d. September 22, 1597 in infancy);
6. Ivan (d. June 7, 1599 in infancy).

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Notes

Literature

• Bogolyubsky M.S., prot. Moscow hierarchy. Patriarchs. M., 1895, p. 16-18.
• Kizevetter A. A.// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• N.S. Filaret Nikitich Romanov. // " Government Bulletin". - March 28 (April 10). - No. 70. - S. 2-3.
• Smirnov A. His Holiness Patriarch Filaret Nikitich of Moscow and All Russia. M., 1874. Part I-2. (in "Readings of the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment", 1873-74).
• S. P - in.// Russian biographical dictionary: in 25 volumes. - St. Petersburg. -M., 1896-1918.
• Chetyrkin F.V. Biography of Patr. Moscow and all Russia. Petrograd, 1893, p. thirty.

Links

• on the site Russian Orthodoxy
• on the Runivers website
• Orthodox Encyclopedia
• Bogdanov A.P.
• Solodkin Ya. G.//Ancient Russia. Medieval Questions. - 2006. - No. 2 (24). - S. 55-60.
• Pervushin M.V.: Some questions of the biography of the fourth Patriarch (to the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty)

Metropolitans of Kiev and all Russia (988-1461) Metropolitans of Moscow and all Russia (1461-1589) Patriarchs of Moscow and all Russia (1589-1721) First Members Holy Synod (1721-1917) Patriarchs of Moscow and all Russia (since 1917)

An excerpt characterizing Filaret (Patriarch of Moscow)

“Well, what to do. If you can't live without it! What to do! So it must be so,” he said to himself, and, hastily undressing, went to bed, happy and excited, but without doubts or indecisions.
“It is necessary, strange as it may seem, no matter how impossible this happiness is, everything must be done in order to be husband and wife with her,” he said to himself.
A few days before this, Pierre had appointed the day of his departure for Petersburg on Friday. When he woke up on Thursday, Savelich came to him for orders to pack things for the journey.
“How to Petersburg? What is Petersburg? Who is in Petersburg? – involuntarily, though to himself, he asked. “Yes, something long, long ago, even before this happened, for some reason I was going to go to Petersburg,” he recalled. - From what? I will go, maybe. What a kind, attentive, how he remembers everything! he thought, looking at Savelich's old face. And what a nice smile! he thought.
“Well, you still don’t want to be free, Savelich?” Pierre asked.
- Why do I need, Your Excellency, will? Under the late count, the kingdom of heaven, we lived and we don’t see any offense with you.
- Well, what about the children?
- And the children will live, your excellency: you can live for such gentlemen.
“Well, what about my heirs?” Pierre said. "Suddenly I'll get married ... It might happen," he added with an involuntary smile.
- And I dare to report: a good thing, Your Excellency.
“How easy he thinks,” thought Pierre. He doesn't know how scary it is, how dangerous it is. Too soon or too late… Scary!”
- How would you like to order? Would you like to go tomorrow? Savelich asked.
- Not; I will postpone a little. I'll tell you then. Excuse me for the trouble, ”said Pierre, and looking at Savelich’s smile, he thought:“ How strange, however, that he does not know that now there is no Petersburg and that first of all it is necessary that this be decided. However, he certainly knows, but only pretends. Talk to him? What does he think? thought Pierre. No, sometime later.
At breakfast, Pierre told the princess that he had been at Princess Mary's yesterday and found him there - can you imagine who? - Natalie Rostov.
The princess pretended that she did not see anything more unusual in this news than in the fact that Pierre saw Anna Semyonovna.
– Do you know her? Pierre asked.
“I saw the princess,” she answered. - I heard that she was married to the young Rostov. This would be very good for the Rostovs; They say they are completely broke.
- No, do you know Rostov?
“I only heard about this story then. Very sorry.
“No, she doesn’t understand or pretends to be,” thought Pierre. "Better not tell her either."
The princess also prepared provisions for Pierre's journey.
“How kind they all are,” thought Pierre, “that now, when it certainly couldn’t be more interesting for them, they are doing all this. And everything for me; that's what's amazing."
On the same day, a police chief came to Pierre with a proposal to send a trustee to the Faceted Chamber to receive the things that were now being distributed to the owners.
“This one too,” thought Pierre, looking into the face of the police chief, “what a glorious, handsome officer and how kind! Now he's dealing with such nonsense. And they say that he is not honest and uses. What nonsense! And yet, why shouldn't he use it? That's how he was brought up. And everyone does it. And such a pleasant, kind face, and smiles, looking at me.
Pierre went to dine with Princess Mary.
Driving through the streets between the conflagrations of houses, he marveled at the beauty of these ruins. Chimneys of houses, fallen off walls, picturesquely reminiscent of the Rhine and the Colosseum, stretched, hiding each other, through the burnt quarters. The cabbies and riders who met, the carpenters who cut the log cabins, the traders and shopkeepers, all with cheerful, beaming faces, looked at Pierre and said as if: “Ah, here he is! Let's see what comes out of it."
At the entrance to the house of Princess Mary, Pierre was doubtful about the fairness of the fact that he was here yesterday, saw Natasha and spoke with her. “Maybe I made it up. Maybe I'll go in and see no one." But before he had time to enter the room, as already in his whole being, by the instant deprivation of his freedom, he felt her presence. She was in the same black dress with soft folds and the same hairdo as yesterday, but she was completely different. If she had been like that yesterday, when he entered the room, he could not have failed to recognize her for a moment.
She was the same as he knew her almost as a child and then the bride of Prince Andrei. A cheerful, inquiring gleam shone in her eyes; there was an affectionate and strangely mischievous expression on his face.
Pierre dined and would have sat out all evening; but Princess Mary was on her way to Vespers, and Pierre left with them.
The next day, Pierre arrived early, dined and sat out the whole evening. Despite the fact that Princess Mary and Natasha were obviously glad to have a guest; despite the fact that all the interest in Pierre's life was now concentrated in this house, by evening they had talked everything over, and the conversation moved incessantly from one insignificant subject to another and was often interrupted. Pierre sat up so late that evening that Princess Mary and Natasha looked at each other, obviously expecting him to leave soon. Pierre saw this and could not leave. It became difficult for him, awkward, but he kept sitting, because he could not get up and leave.
Princess Mary, not foreseeing the end of this, was the first to get up and, complaining of a migraine, began to say goodbye.
- So you are going to Petersburg tomorrow? Oka said.
“No, I’m not going,” Pierre said hastily, with surprise and as if offended. - No, to Petersburg? Tomorrow; I just don't say goodbye. I’ll call for commissions, ”he said, standing in front of Princess Marya, blushing and not leaving.
Natasha gave him her hand and left. Princess Mary, on the contrary, instead of leaving, sank into an armchair and, with her radiant, deep gaze, looked sternly and attentively at Pierre. The weariness that she had obviously shown before was completely gone now. She sighed heavily and long, as if preparing herself for a long conversation.
All the embarrassment and awkwardness of Pierre, when Natasha was removed, instantly disappeared and was replaced by an excited animation. He quickly moved the chair very close to Princess Marya.
“Yes, I wanted to tell you,” he said, answering, as if in words, in her glance. “Princess, help me. What should I do? Can I hope? Princess, my friend, listen to me. I know everything. I know that I'm not worth it; I know it's impossible to talk about it now. But I want to be her brother. No, I don't want... I can't...
He stopped and rubbed his face and eyes with his hands.
“Well, here it is,” he continued, apparently making an effort on himself to speak coherently. I don't know since when I love her. But I have loved her alone, alone in my whole life, and I love her so much that I cannot imagine life without her. Now I do not dare to ask for her hand; but the thought that maybe she could be mine and that I would miss this opportunity ... opportunity ... is terrible. Tell me, can I hope? Tell me what should I do? Dear princess,” he said, after a pause and touching her hand, as she did not answer.
“I am thinking about what you told me,” Princess Mary answered. “I'll tell you what. You are right, what now to tell her about love ... - The princess stopped. She wanted to say: it is now impossible for her to talk about love; but she stopped, because for the third day she saw from the suddenly changed Natasha that not only would Natasha not be offended if Pierre expressed his love to her, but that she only wanted this.
“It’s impossible to tell her now,” Princess Marya said anyway.
“But what am I to do?
“Give it to me,” said Princess Mary. - I know…
Pierre looked into the eyes of Princess Mary.
“Well, well…” he said.
“I know that she loves ... she will love you,” Princess Mary corrected herself.
Before she had time to say these words, Pierre jumped up and, with a frightened face, grabbed Princess Mary by the hand.
- Why do you think? Do you think that I can hope? You think?!
“Yes, I think so,” said Princess Mary, smiling. - Write to your parents. And entrust me. I'll tell her when I can. I wish it. And my heart feels that it will be.
- No, it can't be! How happy I am! But it can't be... How happy I am! No, it can not be! - said Pierre, kissing the hands of Princess Mary.
- You go to St. Petersburg; it is better. I'll write to you, she said.
- To Petersburg? Drive? Okay, yes, let's go. But tomorrow I can come to you?
The next day, Pierre came to say goodbye. Natasha was less lively than in the old days; but on this day, sometimes looking into her eyes, Pierre felt that he was disappearing, that neither he nor she was anymore, but there was one feeling of happiness. “Really? No, it can’t be,” he said to himself at her every look, gesture, word that filled his soul with joy.
When, bidding her farewell, he took her thin, thin hand, he involuntarily held it a little longer in his.
“Is it possible that this hand, this face, these eyes, all this treasure of female charm, alien to me, will this all be forever mine, familiar, the same as I am for myself? No, It is Immpossible!.."
“Farewell, Count,” she said to him loudly. “I will be waiting for you very much,” she added in a whisper.
And these simple words, the look and facial expression that accompanied them, for two months, were the subject of Pierre's inexhaustible memories, explanations and happy dreams. “I will be waiting for you very much ... Yes, yes, as she said? Yes, I will be waiting for you. Ah, how happy I am! What is it, how happy I am!” Pierre said to himself.

In Pierre's soul now nothing similar happened to what happened in her in similar circumstances during his courtship with Helen.
He did not repeat, as then, with painful shame, the words he had spoken, he did not say to himself: “Ah, why didn’t I say this, and why, why did I say “je vous aime” then?” [I love you] Now, on the contrary, he repeated every word of hers, his own, in his imagination with all the details of her face, smile, and did not want to subtract or add anything: he only wanted to repeat. There was no doubt now whether what he had done was good or bad, there was no shadow now. Only one terrible doubt sometimes crossed his mind. Is it all in a dream? Was Princess Mary wrong? Am I too proud and arrogant? I believe; and suddenly, as it should happen, Princess Marya will tell her, and she will smile and answer: “How strange! He was right, wrong. Doesn't he know that he is a man, just a man, and I? .. I am completely different, higher.