Science of canon law at St. Petersburg Theological Academy and its main representatives

The study of church law since ancient times has been associated with practical issues that have arisen in the life of Christian communities. For a long time, this discipline did not have its “place” in the circle of other sciences in our Fatherland, whereas in the West already in the 19th century there is a rapid development of research on canon law, its origin and the definition of sources. This can be explained by the historical conditions in which Catholics and Protestants of Western Europe found themselves. However, it should be recognized that the level of development of spiritual education in Russia itself did not allow, until some time, to achieve great success. In the middle of the 19th century we see the birth and further flourishing of many branches of church science in Russia, including canon study. And St. Petersburg Theological Academy, not only the leading theological school of the Russian Church, but also one of the leading educational institutions of the Russian Empire, made a significant contribution to the treasury of knowledge. Among those who glorified it in the field of studying church jurisprudence are St. Philaret (Drozdov), Bishop Ioann (Sokolov), Timofey Vasilyevich Barsov and Vladimir Nikolaevich Beneshevich. About them and their works on canon law will be discussed in this article.