Publications of St. Theophan the Recluse in the “Shamordino Leaflets”: source study aspect

The genre of monastery leaflets was widespread in Russia at the end of the 19th century. They presented the Gospel and patristic teachings on salvation in a short, accessible form. They were compiled on the basis of various publications, letters, excerpts from patristic writings, and original works by spiritual authors. The leaflets were published over a long period of time and were very popular with readers. The article sets the task of introducing a new publication, Shamordino Leaflets, into scientific circulation, which published the works of Saint Theophan, conducting a source study analysis of the publications and identifying their specific features. To achieve this goal a source study analysis of the publications was conducted using the methods of comparative analysis, systematization, and critical interpretation of sources. In the course of the study, a bibliographic description of the publications of Saint Theophan the Recluse in the Shamordino Leaflets was compiled. It has been revealed that the sources are dominated by the saint’s homiletic works, taken by monastery editors from collections of sermons: “Words to the Vladimir flock of His Grace Theophan” (Vladimir, 1869), “Words of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Rector Archimandrite Theophan” (St. Petersburg, 1859), “Words to the Tambov flock of His Grace Theophan” (Moscow, 1867). The materials published in the article contribute to the expansion of research on the Theophan theme, and are also a source for the history of Orthodox monasticism in the pre-revolutionary period.