He traveled to St. Petersburg, and there, thanks to Archimandrite Chrysant (guardian of monasteries within a given diocese), he met with the rector of the Theological Academy and Archimandrite Theophanes, who offered him an apartment in his monastery cell.
In discussions with the clergy, Rasputin delighted his interlocutors with simplicity, depth and sincerity of faith. Soon, however, unflattering opinions about him reached St. Petersburg, depicting him as an impostor and debauchee. He was advised to leave the city for a while.
