Saint Augustine and Saint Philaret of Moscow on the Participation of the Government in the Conversion of Heretics and Schismatics to Orthodoxy

The article deals with of St. Augustine and St. Filaret’s of Moscow views on state involvement in the conversion of heretics and schismatics to Orthodoxy. The study of St. Augustine and St. Filaret’s views on public authorities involved in the conversion of heretics and schismatics allows to have a fresh look at the value of coercive measures for the mission of the Church. Despite the fact that one of the authors lived at the dawn of the Orthodox Empire, and the other observed its decline, the theological issues of the question of compulsion in matters of faith has not significantly changed. Using measures of the state compulsion does not imply the termination of the church preaching. Without church activity coercion by the state is not generally allowed. These measures, in Saint’s opinion, are necessary to remove obstacles to joining the church unity to those who have already appealed to the Orthodox faith, but because of ingrained habits, are in schism. Of course, the external retaining factors are relevant only for the weak Christians, but it is very difficult for them to overcome external obstacles to the Church without help of the state, and in some cases even impossible