The Quarterly Journal of St. Philaret’s Institute

One of the most significant brotherhoods in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church was the Alexander Nevsky Brotherhood, which existed from 1918 to 1932 in St Petersburg (Leningrad). Founded under the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the Brotherhood brought together both the inhabitants of the monastery and the most devoted to the Church lay people of Russia’s “Northern Capital”. In the years of anti-religious persecution, the Brotherhood was the spiritual core of the diocese life. Its members were engaged into various activities such as worship, spiritual education, charity, theological research, etc. In 1932 the Unified State Political Department (OGPU) put an end to the Brotherhood. Nevertheless, most of its members showed courage and fortitude under investigation and in detention. The Alexander Nevsky Brotherhood left on the Russian Church history an imprint visible over the entire XX century. No other public church organization brought up so many bishops. Several of the Brotherhood members were canonised.