Based on the pre-revolutionary book collection of I.Kh. Kolodeev, we examine spiritual literature created by Russian church historians during the first quarter of the 19th century. Their sermons, addresses and speeches delivered not only in monasteries and cathedrals but on the battle fields during Napoleon’s invasion in Russia were of great importance for the revival of the spiritual Russian traditions and helped raising the morale of the Motherland's defenders. They explained to the people the just and liberating nature of the war, tried to support patriotic tendencies and the sense on national unity. In the Great Patriotic war of 1812, Russian Orthodox Church has played not only a spiritual but also a practical role by contributing material means to organize the national militia and by preserving religious valuables.
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