Archbishop Nicanor (Brovkovich) about the Progress and the End of World History

Abstract

The paper deals with nineteenth century Russian Orthodox Archbishop Nicanor (Brovkovich) (1826-1890) and his views on social and technical progress. Sources include Nicanor's sermon for the New Year of 1860, sermon at the blessing of the train station at Odessa in 1884, selected pages from his treatise “Positivistic Philosophy and Metaphysical Reality”, a draft of Nikanor's Odessa sermon that is found in the archbishop's personal archive, and other sermons and archival materials. The paper shows how Nicanor attempted to respond to the challenge of progress, discovering both meaningful and negative aspects in it.