The first mission of Archimandrite Zephaniah (Sokolsky) in Transcaucasia in 1861-1862: the beginning of research into the question of the possibility for the Urmia Assyrian Nestorians to join Orthodoxy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51216/2687-072X_2026_2_68-90Keywords:
Zephaniah (Sokolsky), Urmia mission, Assyrian Nestorians, history of missionary work, Transcaucasia.Abstract
The article examines the first Transcaucasian mission of Archimandrite Zephaniah (Sokolsky) in 1861-1862, a pivotal yet comprehensively unstudied episode in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church’s relations with the Assyrian Nestorians and a crucial precondition for the Urmia Orthodox Mission (1898-1918). The study’s relevance stems from the complete absence of scholarly monographic treatment despite the richness of surviving archival sources. The aim is a thorough investigation of the circumstances, methodology and significance of Archimandrite Zephaniah’s mission in Transcaucasia.
The research employs historical-genetic, source-study, and comparative-theological methods. The source base consists of unpublished materials from the Russian State Historical Archive, official missionary reports, published works by Archimandrite Zephaniah, and a response from Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov). By comparing these sources, the biographical circumstances of Father Sophaniah’s appointment, the background to the conversion of the Chaldean priest Michael, the methodology of the field study of the doctrine, worship, and hierarchical structure of the Assyrian Church of the East, and
the activities of Catholic and Protestant missionaries in Urmia are reconstructed. A critical analysis is provided of the controversy between Archimandrite Zephaniah, who proposed reunification without chrismation, and Metropolitan Philaret, who rejected these conclusions on canonical and political grounds. It is shown that Metropolitan Philaret’s objection was based on an inaccurate translation of Canon 95 of the Council of Trullo at Kormchaia (1650-1653), a fact subsequently proven by V. V. Bolotov.
The research’s scientific novelty lies in its use of little-known archival materials, the reconstruction of the precise chronology of the trip, and the analysis of Saint Philaret’s criticism of Archimandrite Zephaniah.
The findings may be applied in courses on the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, missiology and Oriental Christian studies at theological institutions.
The results of the study can be used in courses on the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, missiology and church oriental studies in theological educational institutions.
For citation: Alexander (Mogolev А. G.), Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan The first mission of Archimandrite Zephaniah (Sokolsky) in Transcaucasia in 1861‑1862: the beginning of research into the question of the possibility for the Urmia Assyrian Nestorians to join Orthodoxy // Theological Collection of Tambov Theological Seminary, 2026, no. 2 (35), pp. 68–90. (In Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.51216/2687-072X_2026_2_68-90. EDN: MPFFSG
Received 24 March 2026.
Accepted for press 28 April 2026.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflict of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
The content is available under a license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
ISSN 2687-072Х
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