Andrey Grigorievich Lebedev

Background

Andrey Grigorievich Lebedev (Theognostus) was born on November 30, 1801, in Yeski, Bezhetsky District, Tver Oblast, Russian Federation. He was the son of Grigory Grigoryevich, who was the priest in Yeski.

Education

Theognostus graduated from the Tver Theological Seminary in 1823, the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy in 1827.

Career

Theognostus was a lecturer in Church Literature at the Moscow Theological Academy (1827-1833). In 1832 he became a monk. He was a rector of the Vologda Theological Seminary (1833-1841), at the same time rector of the Spasoprilutsky Monastery. Theognostus was a rector of the Saint Petersburg Theological Seminary (1841-1848), bishop of Ostrogozhsky, vicar of the Voronezh diocese (1848-1852), at the same time rector of Akatov Alekseevsky Monastery. He was a bishop of Vologda (1852-1856), Tobolsk (1856-1862). Archbishop of Pskov and Porkhov (since 1862).

Theognostus is the author and editor of several historical and theological works, including the first attempt to codify Russian church law, "A Collection of Materials for the Science of Canon Law of the Russian Church" (1841-1846, manuscript).

Personality

Theognostus distinguished himself by a restrained and chaste life. Everywhere he wanted to see brotherly love and the peace of Christ.

Quotes from others about the person

• According to the characteristics of contemporaries, Theognostus, both in private life and in official activity, "always showed kindness, nobleness of the soul, meekness, gentleness, and kindness, combined at the same time with firmness in actions and beliefs. According to his spiritual disposition, it was a benevolent contemplative ascetic, however, not devoid of interest in current reality and energy in practical activities."