Orthodox Encyclopedia

[3] The stated objectives of the publication are:[4] At the end of 1990, on the initiative of hegumen Andronik (Trubachov), the publishing house of the Valaam Monastery was established in Moscow.

In February 1991, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia issued a decree on the establishment of the Valaam Publishing House, which consolidated its legal status.

Monuments of early Christian and Old Russian literature were published, classic works of pre-revolutionary church scientists, which had to be returned to the reader of the end of the XX century.

In 1993, it was decided to publish a fundamental "History of the Russian Church" based on the famous work of Metropolitan Macarius (Bulgakov) for the 850th anniversary of Moscow, supplementing it with voluminous scientific commentaries, prefaces and indexes.

As the publication of the History of the Russian Church approached its conclusion, the question arose of how to preserve a team of secular and ecclesiastical scientists numbering about twenty people, who had proven themselves well in terms of research activities.

From the very beginning the Encyclopedia planned to tackle issue that look far beyond the scope of the Orthodox world: it had to be presented basic information on all Christian denominations and other religions, significant material from the fields of philosophy, morality, ethics, art, music.

[5] On 19 February 1998, the first meeting of the Scientific and editorial board for publication of the 25-volume Orthodox Encyclopedia was held under the chairmanship of Patriarch Alexy II in the Throne Room of the Synodal residence in Danilov Monastery.

The Scientific Editorial Board approved the thematic division of the Encyclopedia and determined the time of its creation, based on the need to release the first volume on the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ.

[5] The entire year 1999 was spent on the preparation of the first, non-alphabetic volume of "Русская православная церковь" ("Russian Orthodox Church"), and the completion of the glossary.

[11] On November 23, in the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, Patriarch Alexy II celebrated a thanksgiving prayer on the occasion of the publication of the first alphabetical volume of the encyclopedia.

[21] On November 15, 2005, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia led the presentation of the X volume of the Orthodox Encyclopedia at the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

[25] On March 2, 2007, in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia led the presentation of the XIII alphabetical volume of the Orthodox Encyclopedia.

On March 18, 2009, under the chairmanship of the newly elected Patriarch Kirill, the 20th joint meeting of the public, supervisory and trustee councils for the publication of the Orthodox Encyclopedia was held, at which it was announced that the publication of the encyclopedia would continue, despite economic difficulties.,[32] the XIX volume was presented[33] On March 31 of the same year, the Holy Synod, at its first meeting after the enthronement of Patriarch Kirill, decided: "To draw the attention of the Right Reverend bishops, heads of educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church to the need to purchase an "Orthodox Encyclopedia" for diocesan, parish and monastery libraries, as well as for libraries of educational institutions".

[39] On February 25, 2014, the 26th joint meeting of the supervisory, public and trustee councils and the presentation of the 31-33 volumes of the encyclopedia took place in the Sergiev Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.