Theophan the Recluse

Theophan Goworow (Russian Феофан Говоров, real name Георгий Васильевич Говоров / Georgi Vasilyevich Goworow; * 10 Januarjul / January 22 1815greg in Tschernawsk, .. .. † 6 Januarjul / January 18 1894greg in Wyscha ) was from 1859 to 1863 Bishop of Tambov and 1863-1866 bishop in Vladimir.

Life

Georgy was born in Tschernawsk ( circle Yelets, Oryol province ). His father was the priest of the place, Vasily Timofeevich Goworow, his mother's name was Tatyana Ivanovna. He had three sisters and three brothers. From 1823 he studied at the educational establishment clergy in Livny and 1829 at the seminary in Oryol. The Spiritual Academy in Kiev in 1837 took him on as a student. On February 15, 1841, he was named Theophan at the monk ordination. His patron was Theophanes the Confessor in the icon dispute. On 1 July 1841 he was ordained a monk. In 1842 he was inspector and instructor at the seminary in Novgorod. In 1844 he became Bachelor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg. In 1847 he traveled to Jerusalem. In the library of the monastery of St. Sabas, he wrote texts from Greek Fathers, and thus laid the foundation for his subsequent transfer of the monastic fathers theology in Russia. In 1854 he returned to Russia, was appointed archimandrite and was in 1855 rector of the seminary priests in Olonets. In 1856 he was head of the church at the Russian Embassy in Constantinople Opel. In 1857 he became rector of the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg. On 1 June 1859 he was ordained Bishop of Tambov and Shatsk. In 1863 he became bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal. In 1866 he retired to the monastery Wyscha. Here he lived from 1873 as Klausner. Theophan was an extremely prolific writer. His catalog includes 505 titles. Published his sermons, which he had held in St. Petersburg, Tambov and Vladimir, as well as his extensive correspondence. He wrote literary letters, in which he described the path of salvation. From this grew his moral theological masterpiece .. He commented on some Psalms and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. The most widespread was his translation of the Philokalia: Dobrotoljubie. Theophan died 1894.

Commemoration

Since the introduction of the Protestant name calendar in 1969, the Evangelical Church in Germany reminded of Theophan. His evangelical feast day is January 5. In 1988 he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church ( canonized ). His Orthodox feast day is on 10./23. January.