The Longer Catechism of The Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church

Our father among the saints Philaret (Drozdov; 1782-1867) was Metropolitan of Moscow from 1821 to 1867. He was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995. His feast day is celebrated on November 19/December 2. As metropolitan, Philaret believed that it was his duty to educate and enlighten his flock about the Church's teachings and traditions. Therefore, he preached and wrote about how to live a Christian life, basing his words on the wisdom of the Holy Fathers. The reforms of Tsar Peter the Great had abolished the patriarchate and severely restricted the Church, placing many aspects of its life under governmental control. Metropolitan Philaret tried to regain some of the Church's freedom to administer its own affairs, regarding Church and State as two separate entities working in harmony. Not everyone shared his views, and he certainly made his share of enemies. Still, he did achieve some degree of success in effecting changes. The Longer Catechism of The Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church, also known as the Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow (1823) has been an influential book in Russia and in other countries for two hundred years. It was examined and approved by the Most Holy Governing Synod, and published for the use of schools, and of all Orthodox Christians. The following English version is a facsimile from The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical notes, Volume II (1876) by Philip Schaff, pages 445-542, now in the Public Domain.