Archpriest Ioann Vostorgov and the development of hagiography in Siberia in the early 20th century (using the materials of celebration on the occasion of the canonisation of Ioann (Maksimovich), metropolitan of Tobolsk)
Abstract
The article examines the hypothesis on a possible participation of Archpriest Ioann Vostorgov, famous missionary, preacher, journalist and publicist, new martyr, in creating the project "Siberian Patericon", which is a collection of Siberian saints’ biographies appeared in Omsk at the early XX century. This possibility is associated with the events of the solemn canonization of Metropolitan of Tobolsk and All Siberia Ioann Maksimovich (1916). The analysis of sermons delivered during the celebrations and other publicistic works of the Archpriest, diary entries, as well as the presence in the missionary's library of unique hagiographic works published in Siberia, made it possible to reconstruct I. Vostorgov's views on the significance and growth of venerating saints in Russia at the early XX century, reveal special attention of Archpriest to the exploits of the Holy Russia Siberian constituent. Ioann Vostorgov emphasized that holiness manifestation in the region was closely related to the missionary activities of the Siberian clergy; noted that missionary work was an important aspect of the asceticism of the Siberian hierarchs. Moreover, the missionary viewed the preaching of Christianity as a historical mission of the Russian people perceived by them in baptism. He confirmed that preaching by Siberian missionaries clearly demonstrated this side of the historical task of the Russian people. The Archpriest considered St. Ioann canonization significance as a continuation of the canonization process, the Synodal period of the Orthodoxy history in Russia, namely, as a guarantee of these saint help in the conditions of coming trials and challenges facing Russia. Tobolsk celebrations turned out to be a convenient platform for all-Siberian discussion of the patericon. St. Ioann sermons included both historiosophical discourses on the Orthodoxy role in forming the peculiarities of Russian history, and formulated tasks of the of hagiography development taking into account developing events. Unpublished "Notes related to the trip to Siberia" by the Archpriest made him during Tobolsk celebrations found lists of Siberian saints including a significant group of missionaries, an aphoristic formulation of the missionary feat - "missionary is being driven primarily by holiness" - and, possibly, mentioning the "Siberian patericon".
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