Publishing Council at the Holy Synod: Circumstances of Establishment and Main Directions of Activity

Based on published and archival materials, the article examines the circumstances of the establishment in 1913 of the Publishing Council under the Holy Governing Synod. Archbishop Nikon (Rozhdestvensky), a well-known spiritual writer and churchpublic figure by that time, was appointed chairman of the new synodal institution. Subsequently, he was replaced in this post by Bishop Vasily (Bogoyavlensky). The newlyestablished council was in charge of all matters related to the publication of the Holy Scripture, liturgical and symbolic books, church notes, spiritual chants, sacred images, etc. The Publishing Council, according to the idea of its initiators, was supposed to combine Church educational, missionary and censorship functions.