The Theological Education Reform of the 1860s–1870s and Moral Image of the Orthodox Clergy in the Seminary Community Members’ Representations

The article examines the problem of relations between the Holy Synod and the parish clergy of the Russian Empire through the prism of discussions of the moral norms of seminarians during the reform of theological education in the 1860s–1870s. Conclusions about the peculiarities of the Synod requirements for seminarians and the reaction of seminary community members to them are based on the analysis of legislative documents, reports on expulsion from theological seminaries for 1868–1876 and petitions of the disciples’ fathers. The Statute of theological seminaries of 1867 proclaimed the training of highly moral clergy as the main task of seminary education. Another goal of the reform was to include theological seminaries in the general educational system of the Russian Empire. A decree of the chief prosecutor of the Synod
No. 6877 of December 23, 1867 contained a requirement for seminary boards to report all seminarians expelled for reprehensible behavior to notify diocesan authorities and heads of other ministries. On the one hand, it was supposed to raise general moral level of students. On the other hand, it deprived young men expelled from theological educational institutions of the future not only in the spiritual field, but also outside the clerical estate. The dual nature of the reform caused disagreement between the Synod, the seminary authorities and the parents of seminarians. Misunderstandings were escalated by the divergence in ideas about the moral norms of a seminarian and hindered a successful implementation of the reform.