Kharkiv is the “true capital of Little Russia,” and “in terms of educational institutions, it surpasses all cities in Russia.”

This is exactly what Innokenty, Archbishop of Kherson and Tavria, wrote in March 1842 in his letters to Gabriel, Archbishop of Ryazan and Zaraysk.

This city was already beautiful before, but now, after seven years, it seemed to me twice as beautiful. It is now the true capital of Little Russia, with 45,000 inhabitants, huge fairs—second only to those in Makaryevka—and a multitude of educational institutions, in which Kharkiv surpasses all other cities in Russia. The hospitality and enthusiasm of the residents fully rewarded me for my long and difficult journey.