“I lost all things, but one thing I have maintained — my faith in God”. The Archpastoral and Educational Work of Metropolitan Sergius (Tikhomirov). On Occasion of the Semisesquicentennial of His Repose

The personality of Metropolitan Sergius (Tikhomirov), who was a symbolic figure in the history of the Russian and Japanese Orthodox Churches, the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological schools (first the Seminary, then the Academy), organizer of church life, missionary, patriot and scholar, today, it seems, is undeservedly forgotten. The article, timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the repose of this outstanding church hierarch, chronologically presents information about the Metropolitan’s family, the seminary and academic period of his life, as well as what difficulties the Metropolitan had to face in fulfilling the post of inspector and rector of St. Petersburg Theological Seminary and Academy. Particular attention is paid to the period of his administration of the Japanese Orthodox Church in 1912–1940. The research and homiletic heritage of Metropolitan Sergius is considered separately. The article was written with the use of both published and archival materials, introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.