Archimandrite Photius (Russian: Архимандрит Фотий, romanized: Arkhimandrit Fotii, secular name Pyotr Nikitich Spassky, Russian: Пётр Никитич Спасский; Julian calendar: 4 June 1792, Novgorodsky Uyezd – 26 February 1838, Novgorod) was an influential and reactionary Russian Orthodox priest and mystic, appointed in 1822 the Archimandrite of Yuriev Monastery in Novgorod.
As in the later reign of Tsar Nicholas II, this was an age of rebellion, dissent and disputed succession, and Photius, a "theatrical and hypnotic character", has been compared to Rasputin.
[4]: 94–95 This impressed powerful sponsors, such as the immensely wealthy Countess Anna Orlova-Chesmenskaya, Arakcheyev, and Speransky's assistant, Magnitsky.
[2]: 228–230 The Tsar hesitated, and Photius then confronted Golitsyn with a curse, later confirmed by Metropolitan Seraphim; 'Anathema!
[citation needed] Pushkin capitalised on the rumours of an affair with Orlova by writing three short satirical poems: Photius was a 'half saintly fool who means no good'; the countess 'pious on the whole/ To God devoted full her soul/ And gave her flesh without a fight/ To Photius, Archimandrite'.