On October 30, 2024, in the Elizabeth Hall of the Moscow Theological Academy a scientific and practical conference «Historical necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy: a message from the past» dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the reconstitution of the necropolis of the theological school was held.
In 2014, in preparation for the celebration of the 700th anniversary of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Moscow Theological Academy and the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences began to recreate the historical necropolis. Research was carried out, which allowed to reliably identify the remains of teachers and students and accurately localize the places of their burial, as well as to recreate historical monuments to Professors E.E. Golubinsky and Rectors Archpriests A.V. Gorsky and S.K. Smirnov. The conducted work started the revival of the tradition of burying teachers on the territory of the academic necropolis in the modern times, which was interrupted during the years of revolutionary fever. In 2021 here was buried the honored professor of the Academy K.E. Skurat, in the current year — Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov).
Anatoly (Kuznetsov).
The aim of the conference — to contribute to the intensification of the transfer of experience, The solutions and methods used and developed by the specialists of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Theological Academy. The solutions and methods used and developed by the specialists of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Theological Academy will become accessible and useful for those who will come into contact with similar problems.
The opening of the conference was preceded by the consecration of the memorial complex and a requiem liturgy for the deceased.
The opening of the conference was preceded by the consecration of the memorial complex and a requiem service for the deceased mentors and teachers of the academy, which was performed by the rector of the academy Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov. The service was prayed for by Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia, Bishop Theodorit of Venyev, guests and participants of the conference, as well as teachers and students of the theological school.
Opening the conference, Bishop Kirill addressed a welcoming speech to those present, in which he emphasized that the forum is of special importance not only for the academic family, but also for the Church's scientific community. The necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy — is a symbol of the grateful memory of students and pupils, a symbol of the continuity of generations under the cover of St. Sergius. Vladyka Kirill thanked the deputy rector for administration and economy Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov), Associate Professor of the Department of Church History of the Moscow Theological Academy, as well as all the benefactors and helpers for their hard work in restoring the necropolis of the theological school.
Then the following reports, devoted to the history and research of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy, were presented:
- «Necropolis of Trinity-Sergius Lavra: a review of archaeological research»— A.V. Engovatova, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Deputy Director for Science of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Church History of the Moscow Ecclesiastical Academy;
- «History of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy 1871-1919»— Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov), candidate of theology, deputy rector for administrative and economic work, associate professor of the Department of Church History of the MDA;
- «Memorialization of teachers and students buried in the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy, second half of XX — first quarter of XXI century»— Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov);
- «History and results of archaeological research of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— A.V. Engovatova;
- «Methods of restoration of historical clothes from burials of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— N.P. Sinitsina, artist-restorer of the highest category on fabrics and leather, Head of the workshop «Restoration of leather and archaeological textiles» All-Russian Art Research and Restoration Center named after I.E. Grabar;
- «Application of anthropological methods in establishing the way of life and identification of persons buried on the territory of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— I.K. Reshetova, Candidate of Historical Sciences, 1st category researcher of the Department of Theory and Methodology of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
- «Typological features of wooden funerary structures of burials of the academic necropolis» — E.E. Vasilieva, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Research Associate of the Department of Archaeological Heritage Preservation of the Institute of Archaeology RAS;
- «Methods of geophysical research to localize the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— V.G. Bezdudny, researcher of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
- «Medical and forensic research and reconstruction of the external appearance of persons buried on the territory of the necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— S.A. Nikitin, doctor — forensic medical expert of the Medical and Forensic Department of the Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the Department of Health of Moscow;
- «Project for the reconstruction of the historical necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— A.V. Belavkin, Director of LLC «Arkada», architect-restorer;
- «Restoration of pre-revolutionary monuments and restoration of the 1958 memorial of the historical necropolis of the Moscow Theological Academy»— E.B. Melamed, individual entrepreneur;
MDA Press Service/Patriarchy.ru
