A booklet with lectures prepared by Archpriest P., who was teacher of Theology of the heir of throne (1826-1835), future Emperor Alexander II. Not refusing the importance of religious feelings, the author makes an accent at the rational approach to the Biblical comments and understanding of its text, coming close to the methods of historical criticism: “Holy authors wrote for those who lived in their times, that is why they wrote adequate to the ideas, morals, and habits of their contemporaries. To understand correctly their texts, we need to put us on the same place, where they stood, on the same point of view, from which they looked at objects. Clearly seeing the place of action, we will listen to the prophetic speeches with proper respect, and in their pictures we will see an unusual liveliness”. The content of the lectures produced irritation and protests of traditionalists, who reproached P. for his ‘neology’ (heresy), and he had to give up the position.