“With honor for myself and with benefit for the Church.” On the issue of financing theological science at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy at the beginning of the 20th century

The article analyzes the “Note on the issue of special commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy,” compiled on the initiative of Professor N. K. Nikolsky in 1908 and sent by the Council of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy for consideration to the Holy Synod. The Note, firstly, points out the lack of funding for the academic library, due to which the Academy’s mentors could not order the necessary scientific research in the taught disciplines in a timely manner and in the required quantities. Secondly, the issue of the almost complete lack of funding for the preparation and publication of scientific works of the professors themselves is being considered, which put the capital’s theological school at an extremely disadvantageous position in comparison with civilian research institutions. Thirdly, the Academy Council indicated that the salaries of mentors are paid according to the states adopted back in 1869. Of course, 40 years later, life in the capital of the Russian Empire has become significantly more expensive. Unfortunately, despite serious and thorough arguments, the Holy Synod did not allocate the requested annual minimum funds, limiting itself to one-time payments.