Exhibition in the Presidential Library to give an insight into life and righteous deeds of the hieromartyr Filosof Ornatsky

From October 26 to November 26, 2018 the multimedia exhibition “The Feat of Faith and Service. Filosof Nikolayevich Ornatsky: Marking Centenary Anniversary of Repose”, opened on the eve of October 30, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression in Russia and dedicated to the godson of St. John of Kronstadt, a public and government leader.

The photographs presented on plasma panels in the Presidential Library Multimedia Gallery, will cast light on the life of the archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church, who lived in Petrograd during the late 19th – early 20th century. Father Filosof was known for his gift of influential sermons, he contributed to strengthening of religious and moral education in the society, was actively involved in educational activities and charity: he founded homeless shelters, hospitals and poorhouses. During World War I he went to the front to raise the morale of the Russian army, during the October Revolution he organized prayer services and processions against attempts to plunder and close the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and murders of priests.

The archpriest of the Kazan Cathedral was tragically killed in 1918 - Father Filosof and his two sons Boris and Nikolay were murdered not far from Petrograd, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. In 2000 Father Filosof was canonized as a New Martyr and Confessor of Russia.

The exhibition in the Presidential Library is a project which is a part of a whole series of memorial events dedicated to hieromartyr Filosof Ornatsky. They include “Life as a Feat” photo exhibition, which is currently underway by the Kazan Cathedral, publication of articles of Father Filosof’s spiritual legacy, installing a memorial plaque, foundation of Filosof Ornatsky virtual museum and many other events.

The multimedia exhibition is a joint project of the Presidential Library and the Convent of Saints Constantine and Helena of the St. Petersburg Diocese. The Church of St. Andrew of Crete, where Father Filosof had been the archpriest for twenty years, is now part of the convent.

To visit the exhibition please call (812) 334-25-14 or send an email to excursion@prlib.ru.