Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov) (1880-1961)

Benjamin may be spelt Veniamin.

Early life of Ivan Afanasievich Fedchenkov

On 12 September, 1880, Ivan Afanasievich Fedchenkov was born in the village ("selo") Vazhki, in the Tambov Governorate of the Russian Empire.

It is now known as the village Ilyinka in the Tambov Oblast.

Afanasii Fedchenkov, father of Ivan Afanasievich, came from serfs, and his mother was the daughter of a deacon. In the Fedchenkov family, 3 sons went along the spiritual path : one became a priest, the other a metropolitan, and the third graduated from a theological academy. They were all earnestly faithful.

Thus, Ivan Afanasievich and his brothers were formed as Orthodox Christians in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Higher education

Ivan Afanasievich Fedchenkov entered the Tambov Theological Seminary, and he completed all the studies over several years.

Tambov Theological Seminary

Witness of the exhumation of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, 1903

On 11 January, 1903 (his last year of study at the Tambov Seminary), a commission headed by Metropolitan Vladimir (Boboyavlensky) of Moscow arrived in Sarov to unearth and examine the relics of Staretz Seraphim of Sarov.

Ivan Afanasievich, who was an eyewitness, much later recalled that :

 The body of the saint had been subject to corruption, but the bones, which were in a perfect 
 state of preservation, were laid out correctly.  The hairs of the head and beard had also 
 been preserved ; they were of a greyish-ginger colour.  The results of the commission were 
 transmitted to the Most Holy Synod.

In 1903, Ivan Afanasievich graduated from the Tambov Theological Seminary.

In 1907, he graduated from the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy with the “Candidate” degree in theology (Ph.D.).

Saint Petersburg Academy

Monastic tonsure, 1907

On 26 November, 1907, Ivan Afanasievich was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Benjamin.

Diaconal ordination, 1907

On 3 December, 1907, Monk Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

Presbyteral ordination, 1907

On 10 December, 1907, Hierodeacon Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.

Hieromonk Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Pastoral-monastic service

From 1907 to 1908, Hieromonk Benjamin (Fedchenkov) served as a Professorial Fellow in the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy in the Department of Scriptural History.

In 1908, he was assigned to serve as the personal secretary of Archbishop Sergiy (Stragorodsky), Archbishop of the Diocese of Finland.

In 1910, he was assigned to serve as the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Homiletics and Asceticism in the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy.

On 15 November, 1911, Hieromonk Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was assigned to serve as the inspector of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy.

On 21 December, 1911, he was assigned to serve as the rector of the Tavris (Kherson) Theological Seminary.

Hieromonk Benjamin (Fedchenkov) visiting an estate

On 26 December, 1911, Hieromonk Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

On 26 August, 1913, Archimandrite Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was assigned to serve as the rector of the Tver Theological Seminary.

Tver Theological Seminary

In 1914, while still in Tver, he was assigned to serve in the preparation for the uncovering of the relics of Saint Pitirim of Tambov. He participated in the service of the glorification of Saint Pitirim on 28 July, 1914.

During 1917-1918, he served as an elected member of the lower clergy participating in the First Moscow Sobor.

In 1918, he was again assigned to be the rector of the Theological Seminary at Tavris (Kherson) in what had been the Tavris (Tauridia) Governorate.

Tavris Theological Seminary

In the autumn of 1918, he was elected to be a member of the Council of Churches of the Kherson schools and monasteries, and he was also elected by the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate to become a vicar-bishop.

Archimandrite Benjamin

Episcopal ordination, 1919

On 10 February, 1919, Archimandrite Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate. He was ordained by Archbishop Dimitry (Abashidze) of Tavris, and by Bishop Gabriel (Chepur) of Chelyabinsk, Bishop Barlaam (Ryashentsev) of Gomel, Secretary of the Ukrainian Synod of Bishops, by Bishop Nestor (Anisimov) of Kamchatka, and others.

Bishop Benjamin

Episcopal service

Upon his ordination, Bishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was assigned to be the Bishop of Sebastopol, Vicar-Bishop of the Taurian Diocese, by order of Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Autonomous Church, with the consent of Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin).

In 1919, he lectured at the Tauride (Tavride) University in the Department of Theology (Kherson).

From 1919-1920, he served as the bishop of the chaplaincy to the Armed Forces in the south of Russia.

From 1919-1921, he was a member of the provisional Holy Synod in Ukraine.

Bishop Benjamin

Exile in Crimea, 1920

Vladyka Benjamin supported the White Movement of the Russian Civil War and he closely cooperated with General (Baron) Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel's army of the Crimean peninsula.

Bishop Benjamin emigrated in November, 1920, together with the defeated soldiers of the White Army and other fugitives who were evacuated from the region.

Bishop Benjamin

Loyalty to the Moscow Patriarchate

On 7 November, 1920, during the greatly increasing persecution, Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin) took the precaution of issuing "Ukase" No. 362, which provided for the temporary organisation of dioceses cut off from the patriarchate.

Further exile outside Russian territory, 1920

In 1920, Bishop Benjamin was assigned by the Holy Synod to the Government of the South Russia Council of Ministers led by General P N Wrangel. Continuing to be a bishop, he was a member of the "Russian Council" when General Wrangel emigrated and the army scattered to various countries in November. Subsequently, he lived in Constantinople, Bulgaria, Serbia and other Western European countries.

In 1921, he served as chairman of the Pre-Council Meeting (or diocesan assembly) in Constantinople in advance of the Karlovci Council.

In 1921, Vladyka Benjamin prepared for the November Karlovci Sobor (assembly) in Sremski-Karlovtsi, Serbia, which began to organise the spiritual life of the exiled members of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 1922, from the Ecumenical Patriarch Meletios (Metaxakis), he brought to the Karlovtsy bishops notification of the desire for peace between the Greek and Bulgarian Churches, as reported by the Synod (there were many tensions resulting from border-shifts that followed the end of World War I).

In February of 1922, the Soviet government issued a decree about the seizure of ecclesiastical properties.

In March, 1922, the "Living Church" was invented by the Soviets to be an impostor church in opposition to the patriarchate. Patriarch Tikhon was then put under "house-arrest" in the Donskoy Monastery in Moscow. The disgraceful "Trial of the Fifty-four" was conducted on 5 May, 1922. During the trial, and with great self-control and dignity, Patriarch Tikhon declared from the witness stand that

 These people did their duty ; they acted on my orders, so they are not guilty of anything.  
 I accept their guilt myself.  Try me.

Following this sham trial, Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin) issued an "ukase" on 22 April/5 May, which declared the Karlovci group to be illegal, and gave Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky) full authority over the entire church abroad. After this declaration, Bishop Benjamin resigned from the Ukrainian Synod of Bishops, and he settled in the Petkovica monastery founded by him in Serbia. This was in the town of Šabac, where about 25 Russian-speaking brethren gathered.

From 1923 to 1924, Vladyka Benjamin served as the Vicar-Bishop to the Czech Archbishop Savvatii (Vrabets) in Trans-Carpathia.

In 1924, he returned to Serbia and he was assigned to be a religious teacher in the Russian Don Army Cadet Corps, with his residence in the Petkovica Monastery.

In 1925, Vladyka Benjamin was summoned by Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky) to Paris to be an inspector and lecturer at the newly-founded Saint Sergius Theological Institute there.

In 1927, as a consequence of the struggle and differences between the bishops Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) and Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky), and after a failed attempt to return to his homeland, Vladyka Benjamin returned to Serbia. He was assigned to be a religious teacher in the Russian Cadet Corps, the rector of the Temple, and head of the émigré pastoral theological courses.

Return to the Moscow Patriarchate, 1927

On 3 December, 1927, Vladyka Benjamin (Fedchenkov) was enrolled amongst the clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In 1929, he was called back to Paris, to the institute, in view of the fact that Metropolitan Evlogiy was perceived to be a true son of the Mother Church (the Moscow Patriarchate).

However, in 1930, Metropolitan Evlogiy took part in a prayer service in London, England, which supplicated the Lord for the Christians suffering under the Soviets. Because of this, and because of the negative reaction of the Soviet government, Metropolitan Evlogiy was removed from office by Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky) (under pressure to do so), and from communion with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Evlogiy and his flock were received under the protection of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Photius II (Maniatis), in 1931.

Bishop Benjamin remained loyal to the mother Russian Church, and he immediately began to organise the Patriarchal Orthodox Church in Paris and in other cities having a presence of the Patriarchal Russian Orthodox Church abroad.

In 1931, he was assigned to be the rector of the Moscow Patriarchal Church in Paris.

On 19 April, 1932 Bishop Benjamin was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

Visit to USA, 1933

In 1933, Archbishop Benjamin was called to lecture in America on the decree received from Metropolitan Sergius, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, which was to clarify "the position of" Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) in America. Metropolitan Platon rejected the request by Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky) (locum tenens of the Moscow Patriarchate) to pledge "loyalty" to the Soviet government (although that "loyalty" was mainly described by patriarchal representatives in terms of "not engaging in anti-Soviet political activism"). In response to that rejection, the Moscow Patriarchate had declared Metropolitan Platon to be in schism. He was deposed "in absentia" before an ecclesiastical court in Russia.

At that same time, the Russian Exarchate of North America was established, whose bishop was regarded by Russia at that time as being the rightful canonical successor. Archbishop Benjamin therefore remained in the USA, first as the administrator, and then as the ruling bishop.

Archbishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Exarch of North and South America, 1933

On 22 November, 1933, Archbishop Benjamin was assigned to be the Exarch of the Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA, with the title “Archbishop of the Aleutian Islands and North America”.

In 1933, Archbishop Benjamin was given the right to wear a diamond (usually glass) Cross on the klobuk.

 The Russian Exarchate of North and South America
 
 The Russian Exarchate of North and South America was the distinct name of the group of 
 parishes of the Russian mission in America which recognised the canonical authority of the 
 Church of Russia during the period of the declaration of schism by the Patriarchate over the 
 Russian Metropolia.  It existed from 1933, when Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) of New York 
 was dismissed by the Patriarchate, to 1970, when the interdiction was lifted by Moscow and 
 autocephaly granted to the Metropolia.  At that time, the Exarchate was officially dissolved. 
 
 The parishes of the Exarchate which remained under the canonical protection of the 
 Patriarchate after the grant of autocephaly came under the jurisdiction of an auxiliary bishop 
 in what is known as the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA.  There is a similar administration 
 in Canada.
 
 During its existence, the Exarchate participated in the 'Standing Commission of Orthodox 
 Bishops in the Americas', especially in the person of Metropolitan John (Wendland) of New York 
 and the Aleutians.

On 14 July, 1938, Archbishop Benjamin (Fedchenko) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

World War II ; return, 1945

In the course of World War II (1939-1945), during the “Great Patriotic War” (1941-1945) (called in the West the "Eastern Front" or the "Nazi German-Soviet War"), Metropolitan Benjamin worked in favour of assisting Russia (meaning the Soviet Union).

In 1945, Metropolitan Benjamin was summoned to the local council of the patriarchate in Moscow for the election of the patriarch.

Metropolitan Benjamin at the 1945 council

On 30 July, 1946, he received Soviet citizenship.

In August, 1946, he was in Paris, France, in connexion with the repose of Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky). He greeted the arrival of Metropolitan Gregory (Tchukov) of Leningrad on his arrival there.

Greeting Metropolitan Gregory (Chukov) at the Paris aeroport

From 8 to 18 July, 1947, Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov) served as a participant in the Church’s celebrations regarding the 500th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Russian Orthodox Church. He also participated in the meetings of the Patriarchs and representatives to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Moscow and Russia (Moscow Patriarchate) on the proposed topics :

a) the Vatican and the Orthodox Church

b) the ecumenical movement and the Orthodox Church

c) the Anglican church hierarchy

d) the church calendar

Service in Europe : Riga, Latvia, 1947

On 21 August, 1947, Metropolitan Benjamin was released from his responsibilities in North and South America.

He was assigned to the Russian diocese in Latvia with the title Metropolitan of Riga and Latvia.

Return to Russia, 1951

On 27 March, 1951, he was assigned to be the Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk.

On 8 February, 1954, the name of the diocese was changed, and his title became Metropolitan of Rostov and Kamensk.

On 28 November, 1955, he was assigned to be the Metropolitan of Saratov and Balashov. After 26 December, 1957, the diocese was re-named as Saratov and Volsky.

Giving a homily ; ordaining a priest

Retirement, 1958

On 20 February, 1958, Metropolitan Benjamin was released from his responsibilities, and he was sent into retirement in the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery.

Vladyka Benjamin in illness at Pskov

Repose, 1961

On 4 October, 1961, Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenko) reposed in Christ in the "Pskov-Pechersk" Monastery (Pskov Caves Monastery).

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were offered at the Pskov Caves Monastery.

After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of Metropolitan Benjamin was interred in the Monastery of the Pskov Caves.

— Bishop of Sebastopol 1919-1921. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : ___.

— Vicar-Bishop of the Taurian (Tavrin) Diocese 1919-1921.

— Bishop of the Armed Forces in the south of Russia 1919-1920.

— A member of the Holy Synod in Ukraine 1919-1921.

— Vicar-Bishop to the Czech Archbishop Savvatii in Trans-Carpathia 1923-1924.

— Archbishop of the Aleutian Islands and North America 1933-1938. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : ___

— Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA 1933-1938. Exarchate established. Succeded by : ___.

— Metropolitan of the Aleutian Islands and North America 1938-1947. Diocese created. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Makary (Ilyinsky) of New York.

— Metropolitan of Riga and Latvia 1947-1951. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : ___.

— Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk 1951-1954. Preceded by : ___. See name changed

— Metropolitan of Rostov and Kamensk 1954-1955. See name changed. Succeeded by : ___.

— Metropolitan Saratov and Balashov 1955-1957. Preceded by : ___. See name changed.

— Metropolitan of Saratov and Volsky 1957-1958. See name changed. Succeeded by : ___.

— Former Metropolitan of Saratov and Volsky 1958-1961.

Reflections

It is useful to be aware that Metropolitan Benjamin's earlier formation had included the facts that he had met and talked with the Emperor Nicholas II (Romanov) and his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna ; with Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky) (subsequently patriarch) ; with Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) ; with Archbishop Feofan (Bystrov) ; with General P N Wrangel ; Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Surozh. He met 3 times with the holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt, and besides this, he acted as server for Saint John once at the Divine Liturgy. He was spiritually close with the Optina Elder Nectary, and with Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), the Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea.

  Some words of Vladyka Benjamin
 
 • The highest miracle, first of all, is God Himself.  And after God, all miracles are small and insignificant.
 
 • And where the Lord is, there wonders are not only possible, but necessary.
 
 • The wisdom of God is wiser than us !
 
 • Just pray, just ask - and He will arrange everything.
 
 • After all, God only wants to give, to sanctify, to save, to deliver us ! And besides, He does all this Himself, 
 and all we can do is ask Him : to pray ! 
 
 • And even the sinner is not required in prayer to accomplish either something special or
 something reinforced by one's own struggle, but only to ask : leave, forgive, cut !!!  The only 
 condition is - 'as we forgive'.  And in the other petitions, no more of our affairs is put. Just pray, 
 just ask ! And He will arrange everything.

At some time after his repose, a movement began towards a hoped-for glorification of Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenko) as a saint.

Writings

Partial bibliography of writings in Russian

[To find the works in English, click here. The following titles with * are available on this site.]

• «На Северном Афоне». Странник, 1904. * [‘On the “Northern Athos”’ in “Wanderer”, (1904)]

• «О крестном пути пастырства». Слово в день годовщины Академии. [“On the Way of the Cross of the Pastor : A Word on the Anniversary of the Academy”]

• «Христиан. Чтение», 1911, с. 540. [“Christian Reading” (1911), p. 540]

• «Лекции по Пастырскому богословию с аскетикой». СПб., 1911. (на гектографе). [“Lectures on Pastoral Theology and Asceticism”, St Petersburg (1911) (on hectograph paper)]

• «О святом Василии Великом». (Пробная лекция). [“On Saint Basil the Great” (Trial lecture)]

• «Крымские ЕВ» 1912. [“Crimean Diocese Herald” (1912)]

• «Материалы об искуплении». (Выдержки из творений св. Отцов). [“Matters regarding the Redemption” (Excerpts from the works of the Holy Fathers)]

• «О. Иоанн Кронштадский». * [“Father John of Kronstadt”]

• «Объяснение двунадесятых праздников». [“An Explanation of the Great Feasts”]

• «Вера, неверие и сомнение». Саратов, 1956 (машинопись). * [“Faith, Unbelief and Doubt”, Saratov (1956) (typescript)]

• «Письма профессора о вере». [“Professorial Letters about Faith”]

• «Объяснение молитвы Господней». * [“Explanation of the Lord's Prayer”]

• «Беседы в вагоне». * [“Conversations in the Carriage (Car/Wagon)”]

• «Из того мира», I и II части. [“From that World”, Parts 1 and 2]

• «Записки епископа», I-IV части. Саратов, 1955. [“Bishop's Notes”, vols. 1-4, Saratov, (1955)]

• «На рубеже двух эпох». * [“At the Turn of two Epochs”]

• «Их светских писателей». [“Their secular Writers”]

• «И поисках» (о светской жизни). [“The Search” (about the higher life)]

• «Дневники» (об Америке, Канаде, Сербии, Франции и т. д.) [“Diaries” (about America, Canada, Serbia, France, etc.)]

• «Об Евангелиях» (Заметки и беседы). [“On the Gospels” (notes and conversations).]

• «Русско-японская война и архиепископ Николай Японский. Париж, 1932. Православное издательство». [“The Russian-Japanese War and Archbishop Nikolai of Japan” (Paris : Orthodox Publishing House, 1932)]

• «Божьи люди». (Рукопись). [“God's People” (manuscript)]

• «Строй богослужения». * [“The Story of the Divine Services”]

• «Жития святых». [“Lives of the Saints”]

• «Житие Оптинского старца с. Нектария». [“Life of the Optina Elder Saint Nektariy”]

• «Житие Зосимовского старца о. Германа». [“Life of Zosimov's Elder Father Herman”]

• «Мои встречи со святыми». [“My Meetings with the Saints”]

• «Службы святым» (мч. Вениамину, Еп. Иоасафу Белгородскому, акафисты и пр.). [“Services for the Saints (Martyr Benjamin, Bishop Ioasaph of Belgorod, Akathists and Homilies”]

• «О самоубийстве» (два канона и статья). * [“On Suicide” (two canons and an article)]

• «Заметки о войне с немцами». [“Notes about the War with the Germans”]

• «Об имени Божьем». * [“On the Name of God”]

• «Перевод на славянский язык из молитв св. Ефрема Сирина. "Впечатления о войне с немцами». [“Translation into Slavonic of the Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian” ; “Impressions of the War with the Germans”]

• «Еврейский вопрос». [“The Jewish question”]

• «Письма к еврейке». [“Letter to a Jew”]

• «Записки о Латвии». [“Notes about Latvia”]

• «Житие преп. Серафима Саровского». * [“Life of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov”]

• «Небо на земле» (Учение о. Иоанна Кронштадского СПБ. Православное издательство. Париж, 1932. [“Heaven on Earth : Teaching of Father John of Kronstadt of St Petersburg” (Paris : Orthodox Publishing House, 1932)]

• «Житие Божией Матери» (и учение св. отцов о ней). * [“Life of the Mother of God (with Readings from the Holy Fathers about her)”]

• «Беседы преп. Серафима Саровского с Н.А. Мотовиловым». [“Conversations of St Seraphim Sarovsky with N A Motovilov”]

• «Акафист трем святителям». [“Akathist to the Three Saints”]

• «Послание ко всем русским людям в Америке : Призыв к объединению с Православной Церковью», 1942. [“Message to all Russian people in America : Call for unification with the Orthodox Church” (1942)]

• «Правда о религии в России». МП. 1942, с. 282-291. [‘The Truth About Religion in Russia’ in “MP” (1942), p. 282-291]

• «Духовный лик Польши». * [“The Spiritual Face of Poland”]

• «Воспоминание о Патриархе Сергии» (Личного секретаря). [“Memories of Patriarch Sergius” (Personal Secretary)]

• «Мысли о митр. Антонии (Храповицком)». ["Thoughts about Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky)".]

• «Записки о Сербских монастырях». [“Notes about the Serbian Monasteries”]

• «Дневник о посещении Англии и Англиканской Церкви». [“Diary about visiting England and the Anglican Church”]

• «Заметки о католической жизни». [“Notes about Catholic Life”]

• «Подготовительные материалы к Карловацкому Собору в Сербии», 1921. [“Preparations for the Karlovac Cathedral in Serbia” (1921)]

• «Статьи в журнале "Православие"» - «Суд в Париже и Америке». [‘The Court in Paris and America’ in the magazine “Orthodoxy”]

• «Заметки против учения о. Булгакова о ‘Софии’». [“Notes against the Teachings of Bulgakov about ‘Sofia’”]

• «Объяснение Литургии». * [“Explanation of the Liturgy”]

• «Мои впечатления о России». // "ЖМП". 1945. № 3. [‘My Impressions of Russia’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (1945), no. 3]

• «О римско-католической Церквиô». [“On the Roman Catholic Church”]

• «ЖМП» 1945, № 4, с. 7-11. [“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 4 (1945), pp. 7-11]

• «Об англиканстве». (Доклад на Совещании в 1948 г.) [“On Anglicanism” (Report at the Meeting in 1948)]

• «Деян. Совещ. глав и представителей автокефальных Православных Церквей. т. II. Москва, 1949 год, с. 266-272». [“Acts of the Meeting Heads and Representatives of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches”, vol. ii., Moscow (1949), pp. 266-272]

• «100-летний юбилей Рижской епархии». [“100th anniversary of the Riga Diocese”]

• «ЖМП» 1950, № 9, с. 56-57. [“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 9 (1950), pp. 56-57.]

• «Простые речи за мир» ["Simple Speeches for Peace"]

• «ЖМП» 1952, № 4, с. 26-28. [“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 4 (1952), pp. 26-28]

• «Торжества в Псково-Печерском монастыре». [“Celebrations in the Pskov Caves Monastery”]

• «ЖМП» 1958, № 10, с. 11. [“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 10 (1958), p. 11]

• «Молитва Господня. М.: Родник и др., 1998. 224 с. [“The Lord's Prayer : Moscow, Rodnik and Others” (1998), p. 224]

• «Царство Святой Троицы». М.: Правило веры, 2006. 798 с. * [“The Kingdom of the Holy Trinity” (Moscow : Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2006), p. 798]

• «Пасха». М.: «Правило веры», 2007. 240 с. [“Pascha” (Moscow : The Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2007), p. 240.]

• «Троица». М.: Правило веры», 2007. 176 с. [“Holy Trinity”, Мoscow : Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2007), p. 176.]

• «Строй православного богослужения. Несколько слов о молитве. Словарь богослужебных терминов». М.: Правило веры, 2007. 64 с. [‘Build Orthodox Worship : A few words about prayer’ in “Dictionary of liturgical Terms” in Moscow : Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2007), p. 64.]

• «Воздвижение Честного и Животворящего Креста Господня». М.: Правило веры, 2007. 112 с. [“Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord” (Moscow : Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2007), p. 112.]

• «Введение во храм Пресвятой Богородицы». М.: Правило веры, 2007. 80 с. [“Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin” (Moscow : Apostle of Faith Publishing House, 2007), p. 80.]

• «От Богоявления до Вознесения» (II том) "From Theophany to the Ascension : from the Twelve Feasts" (2 vols.)

Partial bibliography of English titles

• “God’s Providence in my Life”

• “Two”

• “Reflections on the Twelve Great Feasts”, vols. 1 & 2.

• “Celebration of the Baptism of the Lord”

• “On the Worship of the Orthodox Church”

• “The Divine Liturgy – Heaven on Earth”

• “The Subject of Suicide”

• “The Day of the Circumcision of the Lord”

• “Our Contribution”

• “New Signs of the Mother of God”

• “Protection of the Queen of Heaven over the Russian Land”

• “Thoughts on the Holy Fathers of the Church”

• “Prayer Wail”

• “Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos”

• “Why is Water consecrated twice”

• “Prayer of the Prayer”

• “Nineteenth Prayer, Rev. Maxim Grek”

• “Twentieth Prayer : Repentant Sinner”

• “Thoughts under the Belfry”

• “The Name”

• “The Teachings of St Theodore the Studite on the Veneration of the Cross of the Lord and the Holy Icons”

• “Correspondence with the Archbishop Theophanes of Poltava”

• “Letters about Monasticism”

• “Letters about the End of the World”

• “God’s Providence in my Life”

In addition to these works, Vladyka Benjamin he wrote many articles in the magazine in the Finnish diocese, deanery reports at congresses, and others.

Partial bibliography of articles from various sources regarding the metropolitan (in Russian)

• «Церкoвные ве́домости» (ЦВ) 1912, № 4, с. 32. [“Church News”, no. 4 (1912), p. 32.]

• «ЦВ» 1913, № 36, с. 451. [“Church News”, no. 36 (1912), p. 451.]

• «Прибавление к Церковные Ведемости» (ЦВ) 1918, № 11-12, с. 411. [Excerpt from “Church News”, nos. 11-12 (1918), p. 411.]

• «Журнал Московского Патриархата» (ЖМП) 1932, № 11-12, с. 4 [“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), nos. 11-12 (1932), p. 4.]

• ЖМП 1933, № 16-17, с. 1. [JMP (1933), nos. 16-17, p. 1.]

• -"- 1934, № 18-19, с. 3. [JMP (1934), no. 18, p. 3.]

• -"- 1943, № 1, с. 19. [JMP (1943), no. 1, p. 19.]

• -"- 1943, № 3, с. 12. [JMP (1943), no. 3, p. 12.]

• -"- 1944, № 12 с. 8-9. [JMP (1944), no. 12, pp. 8-9.]

• -"- 1947, № 11, с. 6. [JMP (1947), no. 11, p. 6.]

• -"- 1948, № 7, с. 67. [JMP (1948), no. 7, p. 67.]

• -"- 1950, № 7, с. 71. [JMP (1950), no. 7, p. 71.]

• -"- 1951, № 4, с. 3. [JMP (1951), no. 4, p. 3.]

• -"- 1955, № 3, с. 72. [JMP (1955), no. 3, p. 72.]

• -"- 1956, № 1 с. 10. [JMP (1956), no. 1, p. 10.]

• -"- 1957, № 3, с. 7. [JMP (1957), no. 3, p. 7.]

• -"- 1957, № 12, с. 41, 43. [JMP (1957), no. 12, pp. 41, 43.]

• -"- 1958, № 3, с. 5. [JMP (1958), no. 3, p. 5.]

• -"- 1961, № 11, с. 47-50 (некролог). [JMP (1961), no. 11, pp. 47-50 (obituary).]

• «Церковний Вестник» (ЦВ) 1908, № 4, с. 123. [“Church Herald”, no. 4 (1908), p. 123.]

• «ЦВ» 1908, № 8, с. 233-234. [Ibid., no. 8, pp. 233-234.]

• -"- 1908, № 9, с. 285-286. [Ibid., no. 9, pp. 285-286.]

• «Русская Православная Церковь» (РПЦ) с.150. [“Russian Orthodox Church”, p. 150]

• «РПЦ» с.155. [Ibid., p. 155.]

• -"- с. 41. [Ibid., p. 41.]

• «Журнал Заседаний Священного Синода» (ЖЗСС) № 23 от 27 XII 1950 г. [“Journal of the Sessions of the Holy Synod”, no. 23 (27 December, 1950).]

• ЖЗСС № 2 от 27 III 1951 г. [Ibid., no. 2 (27 December, 1951.]

• -"- № 13 от 26 XII 1957 г. [Ibid., no. 13 (26 December, 1957).]

• -"- № 3 от 20. 2. 1958 г. [Ibid., no. 3 (20 February, 1958).]

• «Правда о религии в России». МП, 1942, с. 12, 13, 279-281. [“The Truth About Religion in Russia" (MP : 1942), pp. 12, 13, 279-281.]

• Елевферий, Митрополит «Соборность Церкви. Божие и Кесарево». Париж. 1938 год с. 118, 222, 223, 244, 249. Елевферий митр. "Соборность Церкви. Божие и Кесарево". Париж. 1938 год с. 118, 222, 223, 244, 249. [Metropolitan Elevferii, “Sobornost (Conciliarity) of the Church : God and Caesar” (Paris : 1938), pp. 118, 222, 223, 244, 249.]

• ФПС I, № 81 с. 4. [“FPS I”, no. 81, p. 4]

• ФПС II, с. 2. [“FPS II”, p. 2]

• ФПС IV, с. 3. [“FPS IV”, p. 3]

• ФПС V, № 51. [“FPS V”, no. 51]

• «Биография митрополита Вениамина» от 20. XI. 1941 г. [“Biography of Metropolitan Benjamin” (20 November, 1941).]

• «Автобиография митрополита Вениамина» от 17. II. 1947 г. [“Autobiography of Metropolitan Benjamin” (17 February, 1947).]

• Дополнение к автобиографии» от 266. 1. 1956 года. [“Addition to the Autobiography” (26 January, 1956)]

• «Именной список ректор. и инспектор. Дух. Акад. и семинар. на 1917 г.», с. 142. [“List of Names of the Rectors and Inspectors of the Spiritual Academy and Seminary of 1918”, p. 142]

• «Трагедия Русской Церкви, 1917—1945 ; послесл. Иоанна Мейендорфа». — Paris: YMCA-press, Cop. 1977 [Regel'son 488.] [Regelson, L, “Tragedy of the Russian Church, 1917-1945, Afterword by John Meyendorff” (Paris : YMCA Press, 1977), p. 488.]

• Fireside, Harvey, “Icon and Swastika”, (Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 1971), p. 186. ISBN : 9780674333963.

• Joh. Chrysostomus, Kirchengeschichte I, 230, 111, 104, 113, 115, 116, 178, 183, 185, 188, 191. [“John Chrysostom : Church History I”, pp. 230, 111, 104, 113, 115, 116, 178, 183, 185, 188, 191]

• Grigorieff, D, ‘The Historical Background of Orthodoxy in America’ in “St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly”, vol. 5 (1961), nos. 1-2, pp. 29-31, 39.

• Pamjati mitropolita Veniamina (Fedcenkova) in: ЖМП 1981, 7, 10-13. [‘In Memory of Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 7 (1981), pp. 10-13]

• Мануил, архиеп. Каталог русских архиереев, ч. 2, 1959. [Archbishop Manuel, “Catalogue of Russian Bishops, Part 2” (1959)]

• «Библиографический указатель русских духовных писателей из монашествующих за 18-й, 19-й века и половину 20-го столетия». / Составил В. Волков… Загорск, 1961. Ч. 1. [“Bibliography List of spiritual/monastic Writers of the 18th, 19th & 20th Centuries”, Part 1, compiled by V Volkov (Zagorsk : 1961)]

References

Russian Orthodox Parishes in the USA biography (in Russian)

Wikipedia biography

Pravoslavie.ru biography

Pravoslavie.ru biography (in Russian)

Russian Wikipedia biography

Orthodoxwiki biography

Orthodox Encyclopedia biography

Drevo Encyclopaedia biography

ABC of Faith Orthodox Library entry for Metropolitan Benjamin

Academic Dictionary : Life and Works of Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Additional information :

Firsov, Sergey Lvovich, "Time as Judge : Orthodox Churches of Russia and Constantinople in the 20th Century" (Moscow : Department of External Church Relations, 12 December 2018).

Pospielovsky, Dmitry Vladimirovich, “Pravoslavnaia tserkov’ v istorii Rusi, Rossii i SSSR” (Moscow, 1996) ISBN 5-87507-019-6. Translated into English : “The Orthodox Church in the History of Russia” (Crestwood, NY : Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1998). ISBN 0-88141-179-5.

...... “The Russian Church Under the Soviet Regime 1917-1982”, 2 volumes (Crestwood, NY : Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1984), vol. 1. ISBN 0-88141-015-2.

Short biography and a list of Metropolitan Veniamin's works on the site "Russian Orthodoxy" (in Russian).

Pravoslavie.ru books by Vladyka Benjamin

Orthodox World writings of Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenko)

Azbuyka.ru article about Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenko) (in Russian)

Pskov Caves article about Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov) (in Russian)

Krymology.info Article about Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Pravilovery.ru Article about Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Exarchate of North and South America

Metropolitan Benjamin’s Dream about Patriarch Saint Tikhon

Russian Wikipedia article

Antiochian biography of Saint Tikhon

Pskov Caves Monastery biography