ACADEMIC AND EDUCATIONAL WORK OF HIS GRACE IRINEY FALKOVSKY,BISHOP OF CHYHYRYN, VICAR OF THE METROPOLITAN OF KYIV,RECTOR OF THE KYIV THEOLOGICAL ACADEMY ANDABBOT OF THE HOLY MICHAEL’S GOLDEN-DOMED MONASTERY(1807–1811, 1813–1823)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the academic and educational work of His Eminence Irenaeus Falkovsky, a well-known Kyiv intellectual, Bishop of Chyhyryn, who was vicar to the Metropolitan of Kyiv and, for a certain period of time, held the positions of rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and abbot of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery (1807–1811, 1813–1823). Information is provided about the theological and church-historical works, sermons, and diaries of Bishop of Chyhyryn, His Eminence Irenaeus Falkovsky, who worked hard to fulfill his ministry with dignity as vicar bishop, rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy, and abbot of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. The biographical milestones of the future archpastor’s life are briefly outlined, in particular his parents, upbringing and education, and stages of development. His educational work is described, both at the academy and at the monastery, where free schools were opened, in which students received not only knowledge, but also accommodation, food and even, if necessary, clothing. The important issue of organising the monastery’s treasure trove of knowledge, or library, is analysed. Thanks to the efforts of His Eminence Bishop Irenaeus, the library received a properly organised catalogue, which was repeatedly rewritten by the archpastor himself, and beautiful premises. The peculiarities of venerating the greatest shrine of the Golden-Domed Monastery – the relics of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr – are explained. Attention is focused on the archpastor’s great love for the written word, for he had an extremely clear and at the same time quite beautiful handwriting, which was similar to printed type, loved solitude and work, and adhered to the smallest details, the bishop wrote so many of his own works and copied those of others that even a dedicated scholar would not be able to read all of his manuscripts in a lifetime. Partial mention is made of the efforts of Bishop Irenaeus, as abbot of the Golden-Domed Monastery, to renovate the exterior and interior of the main monastery church and other buildings.