Problems of Relevance and Unity of Terminology in Church Law: a Few Thoughts on the VIII Barsov Readings

The article, written following the VIII Barsov Readings (December 6, 2024, St. Petersburg Theological Academy), examines a number of issues of particular importance for the future activities of the T. V. Barsov Society for the Study of Church Law (Barsov Society). It is noted that of the three scientific platforms available today, only the Barsov Readings study the problems of church legal proceedings in their practical aspect, in connection with which a conclusion is made about the irrelevance of this topic for modern church science. At the same time, the demand for historical and theoretical research is noted. Conclusions are made about the need to: 1) achieve “unity of terminology”, an agreement on the definition of the concept of church law; 2) limit the activities of the Barsov Society to the study of theoretical, historical and judicial aspects of church law; 3) gradual development of new problematic fields (for example, traditional values and church- state relations); 4) in-depth study of the problems of church legal consciousness. The appendices to the article contain the programs of the Barsov, Justinian and Berdnikov readings that took place in 2024.