Administrative activities of the Holy Martyr Kirill (Smirnov) in the Tambov diocese from 1911 to 1916

The article continues a series of scientific publications devoted to the activities of Archbishop Kirill (Smirnov) at the Tambov diocese. This study touches upon the administrative aspect of the archpastoral service of Saint Kirill. The relevance of the chosen topic is due to the scientific interest in the legacy of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church, in particular, the demand at the present stage of Russian history for the experience of organizing church life in a situation of socio-political instability. The period under consideration (1911-1916) of the administration of the Tambov diocese by Saint Kirill is characterized by the most active actions of the archpastor, aimed at creating intra-church life and church-public relations.

The material for the study was the Highest Imperial decrees and commands, definitions of the Holy Synod and diocesan administrative and legal documents published in the Church Gazette, Tambov Diocesan Gazette, as well as materials from the State Archive of the Tambov region, which reflect the main personnel and administrative decisions of St. Cyril. The following scientific methods are used in the work: content analysis, historical-chronological, ideographic.

The article draws a conclusion about the main directions of Archbishop Kirill’s administrative activities in the Tambov diocese, including decisions on the establishment of monasteries and monastic life, control over the activities of parishes, strengthening church-public relations and social charity, and intensification of missionary and anti-sectarian work. The facts highlighted in the article allow us to draw certain historical analogies and use the positive experience of Archbishop Kirill’s ministry in the modern life of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Tambov diocese, Saint Kirill (Smirnov), administrative activities, church-state relations