| Summary: | The article is devoted to the examination of evidence about Schema-hieromonk Theodosius (Kharitonov; 1869–1937), in the period under consideration — Hieromonk Theofan, during his service as an inspector at the Vologda Theological Seminary (1897–1901). Schema-hieromonk Theodosius, also called Karulsky (after the place of his exploits), was one of the most famous ascetics and confessors of Russian Athos in the early 20th century. Coming from peasants of Saratov province, he received higher spiritual education in Kazan Theological Academy and served first in the Tauride and then in Vologda Theological seminaries. After leaving the seminary, he spent the rest of life on Mount Athos, standing out for his meekness, prayerfulness and ascetic deeds even by the standards of the Holy Mountain. Father Theodosius was also distinguished by his theological knowledge, a really exceptional case with peasant population of the Russian Athonite monasteries: he had to speak on all topical issues — the transition to a new calendar, onomatodoxy, the “catechism” of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky); his opinion was taken into account not only in Russian, but also in Greek monasteries.
Prayer Diary and Biography of Fr. Theodosius were published in the 2000s. However, the biographers of the ascetic had very little information about his life before moving to Athos. This article summarizes a series of publications aimed at clarification of his biography during the Russian period. The immediate task of examining various contemporary testimonies required significant preparatory work. The researcher managed to find the name of Inspector Theofan (Kharitonov) mentioned in individual publications, periodicals, archival documents and works of fiction of the early 20th century. For each source, it was necessary to establish the context of writing, nature of the evidence and extent of its reliability. For anonymous testimonies, it was important to identify the author, on the basis of which one can make judgments about his competence and the reliability of his words. Much of the preparatory work resulted in the specific studies. The performed work led to a reliable reconstruction of spiritual and moral character of the ascetic in his Vologda period. Comparing various testimonies, the researcher has identified how Hieromonk Theodosius was perceived by his contemporaries from different social and public circles.
The evidence presented is also of interest as the factual illustrations of pedagogical approaches adopted in religious educational institutions at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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