The academician’s father Pyotr Dmitriyevich Pavlov graduated from the seminary and carried on as a dutiful clergyman. Unlike his brothers, Pyotr Pavlov was an honest and strong-willed man. Both of them were named Ivan. One of them was a church minister but was fond of fistfights. Once he was ambushed by envious people on the sly and killed with a fist-load weapon. The second Ivan did not stay a clergyman for long and soon became a vagabond. Pyotr Dmitriyevich Pavlov took the upbringing of the children of both Ivans — his nephews — into his own hands. He became a pillar of strength and a father figure for the whole big family.

In Ryazan, Father Pyotr was known as an extremely decent, educated, and generous person. He was elected dean for twenty years in a row and oversaw most of the Ryazan churches and clergy: the Dukhovskaya Church, the Church of the Savior on Yar, as well as the Seminarskaya, Borisoglebsky, Nikolo-Dolgosheevskaya churches, and others. Pyotr Dmitriyevich supervised the exterior and interior of the buildings and was responsible for the proper procedures of service. Pyotr Pavlov was also a member of the board of the Ryazan Theological Seminary. He received the title of archpriest and many awards: the Order of St. Anna of the 2nd and 3rd class and the Order of St. Vladimir of the 3rd and 4th class.

The great-nephew of Pyotr Pavlov, Alexander Fyodorovich, recalled that “morality and strong will, combined with worldly wisdom and tactfulness, helped Pyotr Dmitriyevich achieve recognition from the Ryazan clergy.” Alexander described his appearance as follows,

Pyotr Dmitriyevich Pavlov managed a large household and did a lot of gardening. He set up a vast fruit and berry garden near the houses on Nikolskaya Street in Ryazan. An assiduous owner, Pyotr Pavlov kept his estate in exemplary order. He taught the importance of labor, physical activity and morality to five children, the eldest being the future academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov. All his brothers and sisters were enthusiastic and educated people, who inherited the craving for knowledge and respect for books from their father.