Congratulatory Message from the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on the 80th Anniversary of the Revival of the St. Petersburg Theological Schools

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the revival of the St. Petersburg Theological Schools:

To His Grace,

The Right Reverend Silouan,

Bishop of Peterhof, Vicar of the Diocese of St. Petersburg,

Rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy

Your Grace, Vladyka Rector!

I cordially congratulate the administration, faculty, and students of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy on the significant occasion of the 80th anniversary of the resumption of its activities.

The long history of the theological schools of the city on the Neva, filled with many fruitful labours and difficult trials, confirms the immutable truth of the words of Holy Scripture: the Lord Himself gives wisdom which all adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist (Luke 21:15).

During the difficult period of post-war devastation, through the efforts of the outstanding hierarch and confessor of the faith, Metropolitan Gregory (Chukov), the Academy was revived from oblivion and continued to uphold the finest traditions of pre-revolutionary theological education.

The St. Petersburg Theological Academy is a renowned educational institution in Russia, distinguished by its scholarly achievements, outstanding professors and graduates, and holy hierarchs who served as its rectors. I had the opportunity to study within the walls of the theological school of the Northern Capital during the 1970s, a period commonly referred to as the “Era of Stagnation.” Yet here, at the Academy, there was no stagnation whatsoever. On the contrary, spiritual and intellectual life flourished.

This was despite the administrative pressure exerted by the secular authorities, who sought in every possible way to restrict the dissemination of religious knowledge in society. Like an oasis, the Academy flourished amid the spiritual desert into which the ideologues of godlessness sought to transform the city of St. Peter. I thank God for the years I spent within its walls, for the opportunity to attend profound and enlightening lectures, read rare books, and participate in magnificent divine services.

At that time, the theological schools of the city on the Neva lived and developed primarily thanks to the selfless labours of their rector, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, as he is known today. He devoted all his energy, intellect, and determination to defending the Orthodox Church. The years during which Archbishop Kirill of Vyborg served as rector constituted a particularly remarkable and distinguished era in the history of the Theological Academy. Through his sacrificial labours, he made an outstanding contribution to the revival and strengthening of Orthodox education.

It is well known that the atheist authorities never abandoned their attempts to destroy the Church and close its educational institutions. Yet, by God’s mercy, they did not succeed. Thanks to the tremendous efforts, tireless care, and profound wisdom of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), the theological schools were preserved.

Despite all the difficulties and opposition, it was during this period that the Choir Directors’ Department was established, where, for the first time in the history of the Russian Church, Orthodox young women began receiving musical and theological education. Some time later, an Icon-Painting School was also established at the Academy.

It is gratifying that the St. Petersburg Theological Schools remain today among the leading theological educational institutions of the Moscow Patriarchate. Preserving the finest traditions of the past, they strive to improve their work so as to bear convincing witness, both to those near and those far away, to the true Light, “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9).

On this solemn day, I wish the Vladyka Rector, the academic faculty, staff, and students the unfailing help of God and blessed success in all their labours and undertakings.

Through the prayers of the holy Apostle of Love, John the Theologian, and the numerous assembly of the Academy’s graduates — the New Martyrs and Confessors of the twentieth century — may the Lord preserve our beloved Academy and lead it to new glory.

With love in the Lord,

HEAD OF THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

METROPOLITAN ALEXANDER OF ASTANA AND KAZAKHSTAN