On December 27, 2024, Moscow hosted the presentation of two new textbooks for students of state and theological educational institutions studying in the field of Theology: Russian Russian Orthodox Church History: The Synodal Period and Russian Religious Philosophy. The manuals were issued by the Ecclesiastical Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles.
"The History of the Russian Orthodox Church: The Synodal Period" was written by Professor S.L. Firsov, Doctor of Historical Sciences (St. Petersburg Theological Academy). The book is devoted to the period of the church history of Russia — from the reforms of Peter the Great to the events of 1917.
The publication "Russian Religious Philosophy" was prepared by a team of authors led by Professor of Philosophy K.M. Antonov (St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities). The book explores the origins and development of Russian philosophical thought, from the era of Ancient Russia to the 20th century.
In his welcoming speech, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, rector of the General Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, noted the undoubted importance of these textbooks for the educational process and the importance of their publication: "I am very pleased to witness that this long-awaited event has happened. It so happened that the journey of these textbooks from writing to printing turned out to be longer than planned. As chairman of the Academic Committee, I am glad that such textbooks have appeared for our students. The textbook "The History of the Russian Orthodox Church: the Synodal Period" turned out to be objective, correct, and calm, which is inherent in the works of Sergei Lvovich Firsov: historical material for the author is more important than his own emotional, subjective assessments of certain personalities.
The path of the textbook "Russian Religious Philosophy" under the general editorship of Konstantin Mikhailovich Antonov was not easy either. This academic discipline itself has not been present in the curriculum of theologians and theologians for so long. When we studied at the theological school, it was impossible to imagine such a course. Now we have a reputable textbook that our educational institutions can use. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the authors for their work."
At the end of the presentation, informal communication with the authors took place: the guests of the meeting were able to talk with them, ask questions, purchase publications and get autographs.