LEBEDEV, ALEKSEJ PETROVIČ. - Russian “Orthodox” theologian and ecclesiastical historian, b. 2 March 1845 at Očacov, d. 14 July 1908 at Moscow. Professor of Church history at the Ecclesiastical Academy in 1879 and at the University of Moscow from 1905 until his death.
L. was the founder of ecclesiastical historiography in Russia and introduced the positive method into research in his discipline, often clashing with the prejudices and traditions of Russian ecclesiastical circles. His interpretations of the history of the “Orthodox” Church incurred the censures of the Holy Synod, which wished to transfer him to Kazan as a punishment; this measure, however, was opposed by the Ministry of Education, which entrusted him with teaching at the University of Moscow. Among his works, all written in Russian, we recall: The ecumenical coun-
