Archbishop Mikhail (Chub) as a researcher of the theological heritage of Saint Methodius of Olympus

Abstract

The article is devoted to the scientific interests of Archbishop Michael (Chub). Archbishop Michael's favorite church science was patrology, and the main object of research was the theological legacy of Saint Methodius of Olympus. Archbishop Michael's most fundamental work dedicated to Saint Methodius is his master's thesis "The Holy Hieromartyr Methodius and His Theology". To this day, this work remains, in fact, the only domestic fundamental study on the theology of Saint Methodius. Saint Methodius of Olympus was a prominent theologian of the second half of the 3rd - early 4th century A.D. However, soon after his death, the works of this theologian were consigned to oblivion. The article presents the facts that caused the loss of interest in the works of the saint. In conclusion of the article, the author comes to the conclusion that with his scientific works dedicated to Saint Methodius of Olympus, Archbishop Mikhail (Chub) achieved the task set before him - he really managed to bring the name of Saint Methodius out of oblivion. The author expresses the hope that the theological works of Archbishop Mikhail, which have not lost their scientific significance and are at the level of the best patrological works in terms of the depth of research, will eventually be published and become accessible to a wide range of readers.