Evolution of the Institution of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod

The article presents an expanded text of the report read at the III Scientific and Practical Conference held on April 14 and 15, 2022 at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The article examines the evolution of the institution of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod from the moment of its creation in 1722 to 1917. According to the original plan of Peter I, the chief prosecutor was supposed to act as a supervisory authority. In this form, this state- confessional institution operated in the XVIII century. In the XIX century there was a gradual expansion of the functions of the Chief Prosecutor’s office. As a result, the influence of the spiritual hierarchy in the system of religious administration decreased, and the chief prosecutor turned into the head of the department of the Orthodox confession. The fall of the influence of the chief prosecutor occurred during the First Russian Revolution, and after the February Revolution, this institution was abolished.