Archbishop Pavel (Podlipsky). Biographical essay

Abstract

The biography of Archbishop Pavel of Chernigov (1788–1861) was known before the revolution, mainly from the writings of the venerable Archpriest A. Svirelin. However, the study of the archival material of the Kostroma consistory, the correspondence of Pavel himself with Archbishop Arkady (Fedorov) (†1870) (published in this article for the first time), memories of graduates of the Vladimir Theological Seminary as well as other documents and memoirs, led to the need to compile a full-fledged biography of the famous Russian bishop. Archbishop Pavel himself, to the best of his ability and time, created historical monographs on those monasteries that were under his jurisdiction, for which he was rewarded with high awards, including the title of honorary member of the Imperial Society of History and Antiquities. Being a younger contemporary of Mitr. Filaret (Drozdov) and his student, ordained bishop by him, Pavel sometimes provoked disapproving statements from the saint. At the same time, most of those who knew Archbishop Pavel spoke about him very kindly, with sympathy, as did Paul himself about the people around him. Occupying prominent church positions: rector of the Vladimir Seminary, rector of a number of monasteries, Bishop of Kostroma and Chernigov, Vladyka Pavel was a multifaceted, active personality who struggled with numerous serious ailments until the last days of his life.