Tikhvin Christmas Educational Readings devoted to the personality of Peter I

January 21, 2022 the Presidential Library hosted the XV Tikhvin Christmas Educational Readings “Marking the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I: the secular world and religiosity”.

Every year the Readings bring together representatives of government bodies, civil society institutions and clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church. A meaningful discussion is taking place on this unique platform, topical aspects of the development of education, as well as issues of spiritual, moral and patriotic education of youth are considered.

This year, the Readings are devoted to the personality of Peter I, the first Russian emperor, an outstanding reformer and commander, whose life and career are associated with many historical events and memorable places in Leningrad Region.

The Governor of Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko addressed the participants of the Christmas Readings via videoconference and noted the importance of fruitful cooperation with the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church in order to harmonize society and educate the younger generation.

The participants were also greeted by Tatiana Tyurina, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region and Pavel Tereshchenko, Acting Director General of the Presidential Library. Greetings were delivered by Bishop Mstislav of Tikhvin and Lodeynopol and Rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy Bishop Siluan of Peterhof.

Peter Bukharkin, Doctor of Philology, Professor of St. Petersburg State University and St. Petersburg Theological Academy, spoke about the role of Peter the Great in the transformations that took place during the era of his reign in the Christian world.

Doctor of Theology, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Church History of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Archpriest Georgy Mitrofanov, dwelled on the actions of the Tsar that influenced the emergence of the sprouts of Christian humanism in Russian church life.

The fact that the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky to St. Petersburg was an example of Peter Alekseevich's careful attitude to the Orthodox tradition, was told by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Institute of History and Social Sciences of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia Roman Sokolov.

The discussion was led by the permanent scientific director of the Tikhvin Readings, Candidate of Theology, Chairman of the Education Department of the Tikhvin Diocese, Archpriest Evgeny Goryachev.

The video recording of the event is available on the institution's YouTube channel. The sacred and secular classical music was performed by the Russian Early Music Ensemble.

The participants also attended a festive prayer service, which was held in the Church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, located on Senate Square, 3 in the historic building of the Holy Governing Synod, where the Presidential Library is housed today.