Theophan Prokopovich elaborated upon and implemented Peter the Great's reform of the Russian Orthodox Church.
13 Facts About Theophan Prokopovich
2.
Feofan Theophan Prokopovich was the governor of the Kiev Brotherhood Epiphany Monastery, professor, and rector of the Academia Mohileana.
3.
Theophan Prokopovich's uncle sent him to the monastery for primary school.
4.
Theophan Prokopovich lived in the Basilian monastery and was tonsured as a Uniate monk under the name of Elisha or Elisey.
5.
Theophan Prokopovich passed through France, Switzerland, and Germany, before studying in Halle.
6.
Theophan Prokopovich returned to Ukraine in 1704, first to Pochayiv Lavra, then to Kiev, where he renounced the Catholic union as well as his penance and tonsure with the Orthodox monks, taking the name Feofan in memory of his uncle.
7.
Theophan Prokopovich wrote the tragicomedy "Vladimir", dedicating it to Hetman Ivan Mazepa.
8.
In 1711, Theophan Prokopovich gave a sermon on the occasion of the anniversary of the Battle of Poltava.
9.
The Tsar of Russia, Peter I, was struck by the eloquence of this sermon, and upon his return to Kiev, Feofan Theophan Prokopovich was appointed rector of the Kiev-Mogila Academy and a professor of theology.
10.
Theophan Prokopovich entirely reformed the teaching of theology there, substituting the historical method of the German theologians for the Orthodox scholastic system.
11.
From that point, Theophan Prokopovich spent his time explaining the new scholastic system and justifying its most controversial innovations from the pulpit.
12.
Theophan Prokopovich was promoted to bishop of Pskov in 1718, and archbishop of Novgorod in 1725.
13.
Theophan Prokopovich simplified Russian preaching, introducing popular themes and a simple style into Orthodox pulpits.