There is a certain chronicle that contains information that Metropolitan Leonty of Kiev and All Rus' appointed Bishop Nikita to Belgorod so that he would establish a diocese there.
This diocese was supposed to serve as an educator and disseminator of the Light of Christ's Truth among the local people and the settlements of nomadic tribes nearby Belgorod.
992
this year the Belgorod diocese was founded
One of these dioceses is the Belgorod Diocese, founded back in 992.
However, the diocese was unable to resist the attacks of the pagans. And soon the hordes of Khan Batu wiped out the entire city of Belgorod from the face of the earth. The diocese ceased to exist for a long time, in fact for six long centuries.
Temple of Seraphim of Sarov, belongs to the Belgorod diocese
The formation of the Belgorod diocese occurred in the 17th century
The next stage in the formation of the Belgorod diocese was the 17th century, namely 1657, when, by order of Patriarch Nikon of Moscow and All Rus', the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Pitirim was appointed to the see of Belgorod.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Nikon is the Moscow Patriarch, by the grace of God a great lord and sovereign. It was he who was appointed to the department of Belgorod in 1657
Metropolitan Pitirim, at this time, was at the Krutitsa and Kolomna Sees, in the position of Metropolitan of Sarsk and Podonsk - the oldest episcopal title of Moscow Rus'.
However, Metropolitan Pitirim at that time occupied the position of patriarchal vicar, that is, his deputy, and, refusing to accept the appointment, did not go to his new see.
As a result of this, the diocese of a non-ruling bishop cannot exist, so the department was not opened.
A few days after Metropolitan Pitirim’s refusal to go to the Belgorod See, on paper, it was officially annexed to the Krutitsa Metropolis.
This was officially motivated by the fact that once in the old days, the Sarsk and Podonsk diocese was part of the Sarsko-Golden Horde bishopric, which included many other territories, including the entire southern region of the Belgorod region, among which were the cities of Belgorodchina and Slobozhanshchina.
This is how everything remained until the meetings of the Great Moscow Council of 1666-1667, which, in one of its resolutions, determined that the clergy should nourish the distant outskirts of Rus' with the Light of Christ's Truth.
At the end of 1667, the Belgorod diocese was allocated
In this regard, at the end of 1667, the Belgorod diocese was separated from the Patriarchal Region, uniting within its borders the Kharkov, Belgorod, Kursk, parts of the Oryol and Sumy modern regions, which was to be called a metropolis.
The title of the ruling bishop was to be called Metropolitan of Belgorod and Oboyan. The first bishop of the revived diocese was Metropolitan Theodosius of Belgorod and Oboyan, who came from Serbia.
Metropolitan Feodosius of Belgorod and Oboyan - the first bishop of the newly revived diocese
This was the case until the establishment of the Holy Synod in 1721. From that time on, they were called bishops or archbishops, with the exception of one Anthony of Chernavsky, who was ordained to the rank of metropolitan in his homeland.
From 1667 to 1787, the archpastors were called Belograd and Oboyan, from 1787 to 1799 Belgorod and Kursk, and from 1799 - Kursk and Belgorod.
On the day of its opening, the Belgorod department included a total of 37 cities, 20 of which were ancient, including Belgorod itself, and the remaining 17 were newly rebuilt and newly created, including the city of Kharkov.
542 churches
had the Belgorod Metropolis according to documents of 1679
Documents from 1679 say that the Belgorod Metropolis has 542 churches.
Story
There are 3 dates for the founding of the episcopal see in Belgorod - the first time it was founded in 992, but immediately after that the city was destroyed by the Tatars and all Orthodox life ceased there for 6 long centuries. The second date of foundation is considered to be 1657, when Patriarch Nikon of Rus' established the bishop's chair and appointed Metropolitan Pitirim of Sarsk to it.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of Belgorod
However, he performed the work of the patriarch's assistant and wanted to take his place, so he refused to go to the southern border. The department could not exist without a bishop, so only 10 years later, in 1667, the Moscow Council established the archbishop's department there and the Belgorod diocese began its activities under the leadership of Metropolitan Joachim (Dyakovich).
The importance of the territorial location of the diocese placed it on a par with the metropolis, therefore all its bishops were called metropolitans.
Initially, the territory governed by the metropolitan was 10 times larger than it is today. The borders of the diocese were open to the south (i.e., they had no southern border and extended all the way to Turkey) and included 37 cities and 542 churches by 1669. During the entire existence of the bishop's chair, more than 30 monasteries, 500 churches, and 8 Orthodox schools were opened here.
In 1787, the diocese was renamed Belgorod and Kursk, and in 1905 the vicar department of the Kursk diocese was founded in Belgorod; the archbishop's department was revived here only in 1933, but after 2 years the ruling bishop was arrested and leadership passed to the Kursk bishops. During the USSR, there was no ruling bishop here and the restoration of the department took place after the collapse of the Union in 1995.
Interesting! Since the restoration of the department, the diocese has grown and multiplied so much that in 2012, independent ones were separated from its composition - Valuyskaya and Guba, and the bishop's department was transformed into the metropolitan department.
The boundaries of the clergy began to expand, churches and monasteries began to be built
Thanks to the efforts of local bishops, the boundaries of influence of the clergy expanded, churches and monasteries, schools and almshouses were built, and enormous missionary and educational work was carried out.
In total, during the period of the 16th - 17th centuries, 59 new monasteries appeared on the territory of the Belgorod Metropolis, including those that are famous in our time. Among them we can highlight: the Kharkov Svyatogorsk men's hermitage, consecrated in honor of the great feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Khotmyzhsky Monastery, consecrated in honor of the especially revered icon of the Most Holy Theotokos called “The Sign”. Glinskaya men's hermitage, consecrated in honor of the great feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is important to note that monasteries on the territory of the Belgorod region appeared simultaneously with its annexation to the territory of the Russian state.
During the period of their inception, these monasteries belonged to the outskirts and played a significant role in strengthening the Christian faith and Moscow State power in the newly annexed vast region.
It is for this purpose that in the 16th century, by order of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich, the Root Men's Hermitage was founded in the Kursk district, consecrated in the name of the great feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Holy Trinity Monastery in Belgorod - by order of Boris Godunov.
In 1722, new systematic theological schools were opened on the territory of the metropolis, which at that time had no analogues in Russia in terms of educational level.
According to census records and documents, in 1727 in the Belgorod Metropolis, out of 46 theological schools in Russia that existed in 21 dioceses, there were 8.
By the middle of the 18th century, 31 monasteries operated on the territory of the diocese.
One of the Belgorod schools successfully developed into the Kharkov Collegium, which, according to contemporaries, became “one of the most remarkable theological schools” of the 18th century.
In the middle of the 18th century, 31 monasteries operated on the territory of the diocese, and the diocese itself bordered on the Kyiv metropolis and the diocese within the Kiev province in the west and southwest; in the east, within the Azov province, it was adjacent to the Voronezh diocese in the upper Don basin.
The Belgorod diocese existed in this composition until the last quarter of the 18th century.
1764
this year the Diocese is classified in the third class, a huge number of monasteries and monastics has been reduced
According to the reform of 1764, the Belgorod Diocese was classified as third class. As a result, their estates were taken away from the monasteries, and regular salaries in three classes were assigned for the maintenance of the monasteries.
Patrimony-free monasteries were either abolished or left “at their own expense.” As a result of secularization, the diocese experienced a huge reduction in the number of monasteries and monastics.
As an exception, Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev managed to defend the Bogoroditskaya Tikhvin Hermitage, probably only because it was maintained solely by donations from the count himself.
On May 6, 1788, the Holy Governing Synod issued a general decree on the division of dioceses in accordance with the division of provinces. Thus, in 1799, an independent Sloboda-Ukrainian diocese was separated from the Belgorod diocese, with its center in the city of Kharkov.
The Belgorod diocese itself was renamed Kursk and Belgorod. Until 1833, the diocesan institutions of the diocese remained in Belgorod.
BELGOROD AND STAR OSCOL DIOCESE
Belgorod Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, the territory includes the Belgorod region. Cathedral city - Belgorod. Cathedral - in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The ruling bishop is Metropolitan. John (Popov)
Cathedral in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Belgorod. Photo. 1999 Cathedral in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Belgorod. Photo. 1999 Since the reign of Equal. book Vladimir (after 991) there was a Belgorod cathedral, but most historians believe that the cathedral city was Belgorod of Kiev, 25 km from Kyiv, on the river. Irpen (see Belgorod diocese). In 1667, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Belgorod and Oboyan diocese was established (see Kursk and Oboyan diocese), which included the territories of modern. Kursk, Belgorod, Kharkov, Sumy, parts of the Oryol and Voronezh regions. Since 1787, the diocese was called Belgorod and Kursk. In 1799, an independent Sloboda-Ukrainian diocese with a center in Kharkov was separated from its composition (see Kharkov diocese), and the Belgorod diocese was renamed Kursk and Belgorod, but until 1833 diocesan institutions and administration remained in Belgorod.
Sschmch. Anthony (Pankeev), bishop. Belgorodsky
Sschmch. Anthony (Pankeev), bishop. Belgorod In 1905, the Belgorod Vicariate of the Kursk Diocese was established (the diocese was named Kursk and Oboyansk). On Nov. 1933 The Belgorod vicarage was transformed into the Belgorod diocese, to which a bishop was appointed. sschmch. Anthony (Pankeev). 25 Feb 1935 bishop Anthony was arrested on September 11th. sentenced to 10 years in prison. After 1935, there were no new appointments to the Belgorod department, orthodox. parishes previously subordinated to the Belgorod bishop were later again cared for by the Kursk bishops. During the Great Patriotic War, in the territory occupied by the Germans in the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Belgorod and Grayvoron Sees were created, on June 22, 1942 in Pochaev Pankratiy (Gladkov), formerly the archimandrite of the Pochaev Dormition Lavra, was consecrated. Due to the military actions of Bishop. Pankraty could not come to Belgorod, lived in Ukraine, then emigrated abroad.
July 17, 1995, by the definition of the Holy. Synod, restored in 1993. The Belgorod vicarage of the Kursk diocese was transformed into B. and S. e., vicar bishop. John (Popov; archbishop since February 18, 1999, metropolitan since July 18, 2012) received the status of ruling bishop. Under the diocesan administration, a diocesan council, a spiritual council, a church court, commissions have been created - liturgical, audit, social service, economic, work with the armed forces and relations with law enforcement agencies, youth affairs and catechesis, information, and the study of the spiritual heritage of the diocese.
On Sept. In 1996, the Belgorod DS with a missionary orientation was opened, and there are two-year courses for psalmists at the seminary. In the Belgorod region. There are 2 orthodox ones. gymnasium - in the name of St. Methodius and Cyril in Belgorod and in the name of St. blgv. book Alexander Nevsky in St. Oskol. In 2001, the first graduation of nurses was carried out on the basis of the Belgorod State Medical College. un-ta.
On Sept. 2001 with the active participation of the diocese in the Belgorod state. The university has opened a socio-theological fact, the teaching of a number of disciplines in which is carried out by clergy of the diocese.
According to data as of January 1. 2002, 75 children's Sunday schools operated on the territory of the diocese, in which 1,874 people studied, and 52 catechetical centers for adults, 86 parish Orthodox. The library has a book fund of more than 40 thousand copies.
With the participation of the clergy of the diocese, teachers are trained in the “Fundamentals and Values of Orthodoxy” - an academic discipline introduced in 310 schools in the Belgorod region, since 1998 it has been included as a compulsory one at the Belgorod University of Consumer Cooperation, where it is taught by the clergy diocese. The clergy also teach the history and theory of religions at the Belgorod Institute of Culture.
By a joint decision of the regional administration and the diocese, November 10 was created. 1997 A territorial service center for the elderly and disabled was opened in the name of the blessed one. Xenia of Petersburg in the village. Gorki Krasnensky district. In the beginning. In 2002, more than 50 people were in constant service at the center. 8 Feb. 2002 “Agreement on cooperation between the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese and the Health Department of the Belgorod Region Administration” was signed. Sisterhood of Charity of Belgorod in the name of Saints Martha and Mary. mon-rya (90 people) provides assistance to the medical staff of 20 departments of the regional hospital in caring for seriously ill patients and cleaning premises, and facilitates the invitation of clergy for the spiritual care of the sick. Orthodox sisterhood in the name of St. led the venerable martyrs. Kng. Elizabeth and Mon. Barbarians, organized at the temple in the name of the Great Martyr. Panteleimon 2nd City Hospital of Belgorod, unites 25 sisters of mercy, who provide daily assistance in caring for the sick and carry out catechetical work. In the surgical department of the 1st city hospital, a temple was opened in the name of St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), in which a weekly prayer service is held for St. Luke and the liturgy, the sick receive communion in the wards and the church.
St. Joasaph (Gorlenko), bishop. Belgorodsky. Engraving. 1865
St. Joasaph (Gorlenko), bishop. Belgorodsky. Engraving. 1865. Since 1998, the curriculum of the Belgorod Children's College has included social practice for 3rd year students in regional and oncology hospitals. The priests of the diocese provide care for hospitals, orphanages, homes for veterans and the disabled. Particular attention is paid to the spiritual care of convicts in prison. On March 4, 1996, an agreement was signed “On joint cooperation and interaction between the Belgorod-Starooskol diocese and the regional penal system.” On the initiative of the diocese, annually on January 9. "Day of Compassionate Treatment of Prisoners" is held. There are 3 churches and prayer rooms in correctional labor institutions.
Missionary work among young people is carried out with the support of the Orthodox Church. youth missionary centers, which are organized in Belgorod - at the temple in the name of Equal Apostles. Methodius and Cyril, university church in the name of Arch. Gabriel, in St. Oskol - at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, in Grayvoron - at the spiritual and educational center, in Nov. Oskol - at the Assumption Cathedral. In the city of Shebekino there is an Orthodox children's center at the Tikhvin Church. culture, in the village New Tavolzhanka of Shebekinsky district is a youth rescue group. Summer holidays for children are organized in the children's church. camp "Bee" in the city of Shebekino (since 1993), in the teenage camp "Belgorod Line", the dispensary "Forest Fairy Tale", other children's recreation camps in the deanery districts of the diocese.
Since June 2000 official. print organ of the diocese gas. “Belgorod Diocesan Gazette” is published with the supplement “Seminarsky Bulletin”. From Nov. 1995, a monthly magazine is published on the basis of the Belgorod DS. “Missionary Review” (official publication of the missionary department of the Moscow Patriarchate). Orthodox youth missionary centers publish leaflets and newspapers “Light of Christ” (Belgorod), “Sandwich” (St. Oskol). Belgorod television broadcasts 2 programs about the life of the diocese - “Orthodox Review” (every 2 weeks) and monthly “The Way, Truth and Life”, a weekly Orthodox. TV program in St. Oskol and Nov. Oskol, 2 times a week - the program “Holy Belogorye” on Belgorod radio. The diocese has 3 sites on the Internet computer network (diocesan administration, Belgorod DS, Transfiguration Cathedral).
Shrines
Cancer with the relics of St. Joasaph of Belgorod in the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Zincography. Beginning XX century (GIM)
Cancer with the relics of St. Joasaph of Belgorod in the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Zincography. Beginning XX century (State Historical Museum) In the Transfiguration Cathedral there are the relics of St. Joasafa (Gorlenko), bishop. Belgorodsky (1748-1754), canonized on September 4. 1911 On Dec. 1920 relics of St. Joasaph were publicly opened and sent first to Moscow, and then to Leningrad, to the Museum of Religion and Atheism. In 1970, two museum employees saved the relics from destruction and hid them in an insulating layer in the attic. 28 Feb. 1991 relics of St. Joasaph were found and transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg. After the examination, a ceremonial transfer of the relics took place, first to the Moscow Epiphany Cathedral, then to the Kazan Cathedral in Kursk. From 16 Sep. 1991 The relics are kept in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod, celebrations in honor of the second discovery of the relics of St. Joasaph was headed by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II.
In the Transfiguration Cathedral there is an authentic miraculous icon of St. Nikolai Ratny, thanks to the cut in the beginning. XVIII century saved from ruin Korennaya Nikolaevskaya is empty. (near the village of Ustinka, the modern outskirts of the city of Shebekino), and the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”, wonderfully renewed in the exhibition window of the Belgorod Museum of Local Lore. Among other Orthodox shrines of the diocese - the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” in the Smolensk Cathedral in Belgorod, the miraculous Koshar cross of the 17th century. in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Belgorod, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Trinity Church of St. Oskola, icon “Life-Giving Source” of the 18th century. in the Holy Cross Church of St. Oskola, icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”, 17th century. in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin, icon of the Great Church. Paraskeva Fridays of the 18th century. and revealed in the end. XVIII century martyr icon Panteleimon in the Assumption Cathedral New. Oskol.
Mont-ri
Trinity Monastery in the village. Kholki Chernyansky district (founded in 1620, abolished in 1764, opened in 1999), Belgorod Marfo-Mariinsky women. (established in 1999), Resurrection Convent in the village. Zimovenka Shebekinsky district (established in 1993).
By the decision of the Holy Synod of June 7, 2012, the Valuysk and Gubkin dioceses were separated from the Belgorod diocese. The Belgorod diocese is included in the Belgorod Metropolitanate. The diocese is divided into 8 deaneries: 2 Belgorod, 2 Starooskol, Korochanskoye, Novooskolskoye, Shebekinskoye.
Lit.: Annenkov A. S. Brief historical description of Belgorod // Kursk GV. 1851. No. 18; Bagalei D.I. Essays on the history of colonization of the steppe outskirts of the Moscow State. M., 1887; Drenyakin A. M. Belgorod with the district: Ist.-stat. feature article. H., 1892; Zhevakhov N.D. Saint Joasaph Gorlenko, bishop. Belgorodsky and Oboyansky: 1705-1754. K., 1907-1909. 3 t.; Senatorsky N.P. Upcoming church glorification of Joasaph Gorlenko, bishop. Belgorodsky. Kursk, 1910; Kulegaev I. Guide to Belgorod. Kh., 1911; Nicodemus (Kononov), bishop. Belgorodsky. Saint and Wonderworker Joasaph, bishop. Belgorodsky and Oboyansky, and his veneration as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church: According to the document. data. Kh., 1916; Belgorod: Essay on the past, present and future of the city. Belgorod, 1962; Shramko B. A. Antiquities of the Seversky Donets. Kh., 1962; Zagorovsky V.P. Belgorod trait. Voronezh, 1969; Komarov E. The second discovery of the relics of St. Joasapha // ZhMP. 1991. No. 12; Dyachenko A. G. Ancient Khotmyzhsk. Belgorod, 1996; Krupenkov A. N. Old Belgorod. Belgorod, 1992; In St. Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church // ZhMP. 1995. No. 6/8. P. 15; Krupenkov N., Krupenkov A. St. Joasaph of Belgorod. Belgorod, 2000; Davydov V.I. Spiritual springs of Holy Belogorye. Belgorod, 2001.
Prot. Oleg Kobets
In 1905, the Belgorod Vicariate was established
In 1905, the Belgorod Vicariate of the Kursk Diocese was established. And in November 1933, this vicariate was again transformed into the Belgorod diocese, which remained in this state until the mid-90s.
On July 18, 1995, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to return the territory of the Belgorod see to the Belgorod region, with the appointment of a new diocesan bishop.
3 dioceses
are part of the Belgorod Metropolis: Belgorod, Gubkin and Valuy
On July 7, 2012, by decision of the Synod, the diocese was transformed into a metropolitanate, and two new dioceses were separated from its composition, which, previously under Soviet Power, were vicariates.
Now the Belgorod Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church includes three dioceses: the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese, the Gubkin and Gaivoron diocese, the Valuysk and Alekseevsk diocese.
The territory of these dioceses covers the entire Belgorod region, where about 1,600,000 people live.
The head of the Belgorod Metropolis is a graduate of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Chairman of the Synodal Missionary Department of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan John (Popov) of Belgorod and Stary Oskol.
John Popov - Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, head of the Belgorod Metropolis
Activity
Since the creation of the Belgorod Metropolis, the diocese of the same name includes 161 parishes and unites them on the territory of Belgorod, Korochansky, Chernyansky and 4 other districts of this region. The department has been headed by Metropolitan John (Popov) of Belgorod and Stary Oskol since 1995. The total number of temples on the territory is 65, and the number of clergy is 253 people.
Important! The main social Orthodox institution in Belgorod is the Martha and Mary Sisterhood of Charity - this organization is dedicated to helping people who find themselves in difficult life situations and in need of both material and spiritual help.
Sisters of mercy work at the Belgorod Clinical Hospital, as well as its maternity, pediatric and psychiatric departments. The organization also serves people in prison, home-sick people, disabled children and elderly pensioners.
Metropolitan John heads the Belgorod diocese
Under the leadership of the metropolitan there are several diocesan departments that coordinate the activities of all parishes and social and educational institutions. There are departments:
- social and educational;
- on relations with law enforcement agencies;
- economic;
- prison ministry;
- interaction with the Cossacks;
- youth affairs;
- relationship with society and the media;
- missionary.
The social and educational department operates on the basis of three existing Orthodox educational institutions in Belgorod:
- Theological Seminary;
- gymnasiums;
- Gymnasium of Stary Oskol.
In addition to these institutions, Orthodox kindergartens “Rozhdestvensky” and “Pokrovsky” also operate in the capital of the diocese. The same department oversees the work of the educational Orthodox book center - they publish and distribute book products, as well as materials in video and audio formats.
Marfo-Mariinsky Convent in Belgorod
There is also a spiritual and educational center named after St. Joasaph, which is engaged in cultural and Orthodox education of the population. Printed publications are published, including a monthly newspaper and two monthly magazines (“Missionary Review”, “Virtue”).
The website of the diocese and websites for its departments are actively working. To organize trips, you can contact the pilgrimage center, which organizes individual and group tours to the holy places of the region.
Churches and monasteries
The main cathedral church of the diocese is the Transfiguration Cathedral, which stands in the capital of this administrative unit. It was built in 1807-1813 in the style of Russian classicism, and its interior decoration is of New Russian splendor.
St. Nicholas Church or Joasaph Church was built in the city in 1799 at the local cemetery through the efforts of the townspeople. This is an architectural monument of Russian classicism and one of the main cathedrals of the diocese. Here is the tomb of St. Joasaph and his personal belongings; his relics are transferred here every year for several weeks.
Holy Trinity Kholkovsky underground monastery
The monasteries of the diocese are also subordinate to the bishop. There are only three of them:
- women's - Marfo-Mariinsky and Zimovenkovsky Voskresensky;
- male Kholkovsky Trinity.
Previously, the Belgorod Nikolskoe men's farmstead operated, but it was closed and ceased to exist.
On the official website you can study the decrees and find out news of the Belgorod diocese
The diocese has its own official website, on which any Internet user can find out the news of the diocese in an easy and understandable form, see all the clergy of the diocese, study the decrees of the diocesan bishop and much more.
The Cathedral of the Belgorod Diocese was consecrated in honor of the great twelfth feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The temple was built according to the design of Kharkov architect Evgeniy Alekseevich Vasilyev with money from parishioners
Built on the site of a dilapidated wooden church in the period from 1807 to 1813. It is located on Preobrazhenskaya Street, named after this majestic temple.
The interior decoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral, made in the spirit of “new Russian splendor” at the turn of the 20th - 21st centuries, is in blatant contradiction with the architecture of the temple - a monument of provincial Russian classicism.
On September 17, 1991, the relics of St. Joasaph of Belgorod were solemnly transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral, with the participation of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II.
His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II - with his participation the relics were transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Belgorod diocese
Now, his relics remain in the cathedral 11 months a year: from September 16, the day of the second discovery of the relics, to August 19, the day of the celebration of the bright feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
The rest of the time, from August 19 to September 16, the relics of the saint remain in the St. Joasaph Cathedral in the city of Belgorod.
No. 28 (637) / July 18 '11
Diocese
Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol
Date of birth: September 1, 1960 Date of ordination: April 4, 1993 Date of tonsure: March 30, 1990 Angel Day: June 23.
- Born in Irkutsk into a family of employees. After graduating with honors from secondary school No. 1 in Shelekhov, in September 1977 he entered the history department of Irkutsk State University. A. Zhdanova.
- After graduating from the university, he taught at the institute and entered graduate school at Novosibirsk State University, but in 1983, of his own free will, he left teaching at the institute and was accepted into the church choir of the Znamensky Cathedral in Irkutsk.
- In 1984, he combined the obedience of subdeacon of Archbishop of Irkutsk and Chita Yuvenaly and director of the candle factory of the Irkutsk diocesan administration.
- In 1985, in connection with the transfer of Archbishop Yuvenaly to the Kursk See, he moved to Kursk, where he served as the archbishop’s cell attendant, and then as his personal secretary.
- In September 1985 he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and in 1988 the Leningrad Theological Academy.
- In December 1989, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad and Novgorod, the future Patriarch, he was sent to the Kursk diocese, where on March 30, 1990 he was tonsured a monk with the name John, in honor of Metropolitan John of Tobolsk and All Siberia, the miracle worker.
- On April 4, 1990, he was ordained to the rank of deacon, and on April 7, on the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, he was ordained to the rank of presbyter.
- In June 1990, he was appointed rector of the reviving Kursk Theological School and elevated to the rank of abbot, and in December 1991, in connection with the transformation of the school into a theological seminary, he was appointed rector of the Kursk Theological Seminary.
- In 1993 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
- By the decision of the Holy Synod of February 22-23, 1993, Archimandrite John (Popov), rector of the Kursk Theological Seminary, was appointed Bishop of Belgorod, vicar of the Kursk diocese, while retaining the duties of the rector.
- By the decision of the Holy Synod of April 4, 1993, he was ordained to the rank of bishop with the title of Belgorod.
- By decision of the Council of Bishops in 1994, he was appointed chairman of the working group for planning the revival of the Orthodox mission in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- On July 18, 1995, by determination of the Holy Synod in connection with the formation of the Belgorod-Stary Oskol diocese, he was appointed Bishop of Belgorod and Stary Oskol.
- In December 1995, he created the Missionary Orthodox Charitable Foundation of the Russian Orthodox Church, which included RAO Gazprom, Kremlevsky Bank and others as founders.
- By decision of the Holy Synod of December 26, 1995, he was appointed chairman of the newly formed Missionary Department of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- By decision of the Holy Synod of December 26, 1995, he was relieved of the post of rector. By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 17, 1996, the Belgorod Orthodox Theological Seminary (with a missionary orientation) was formed. His Eminence John, Bishop of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, was appointed rector of the newly formed seminary.
- On February 18, 1999, for his many labors in establishing the Mother Church, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.
- Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol is a full academic member of the Petrine Academy of Sciences, the International Cyril and Methodius Academy of Slavic Education, and an honorary professor of Belgorod State University.
- Since December 2004, he has headed the Commission on Spiritual Security under the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Central Federal District.
- Since March 22, 2011, member of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Education:
- 1982 – Irkutsk State University;
- 1988 – Leningrad Theological Seminary;
- 1992 – Leningrad Theological Academy.
Awards
- church: – 2010 – Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, II degree; – 2008 – Order of St. Blgv. Prince Daniil of Moscow, II degree; - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II degree; - Order of St. Innocent, Met. Moscow.
- secular: – State Order of Friendship; – medal “For services to the land of Belgorod”, 1st degree; – badge of the collegium of editors-in-chief of regional newspapers of Russia “The Fourth Power. For services to the press."
History and modernity
Holy Belogorye
“That same summer, Leontes, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus', installed Nikita in Belgorod,” - this is how the chronicle tells about the establishment of the Belgorod diocese in 992, which enlightened our Russian ancestors with the light of Christ’s truth, and with them the nomadic peoples of the steppes living nearby. However, the diocese did not last long - under the blows of the hordes, Batu disappeared after the destruction of Belgorod. Only by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was the episcopal see restored in Belgorod, and from 1667 Belgorod became the cathedral city of the vast Belgorod diocese, which united within its borders the Kharkov, Belgorod, Kursk, parts of the Oryol and Sumy modern regions. The first bishop of the revived diocese was Metropolitan Theodosius of Belgorod and Oboyan, who came from Serbia. In 1799, the Belgorod diocese was divided into Kharkov and Belgorod. Archbishop of Belgorod, His Eminence Theoktist (Mochulsky), established the Theological Seminary, which from 1791 to 1805 trained more than 1,000 graduates for service in the Church, army, medicine and government. Since 1833, the center of the Belgorod diocese moved to Kursk. Of all the archpastors who served at the Belgorod See during its centuries-old history, Bishop Joasaph of Belgorod and Oboyan was truly noted for national love and unfading glory in the ranks of saints.
The Belgorod land is rightfully called Holy Belogorye: many Orthodox churches, monasteries, chapels, healing springs, miraculous icons and other shrines have long attracted not only pilgrims, but also all famous travelers, scientists, poets and writers who visited Belgorod and the region and left behind this region and its shrines have their own memories. By the end of the 20th century, very little of all this wealth and abundance remained.
Shrines of the diocese
Among the Orthodox Belgorod shrines that have survived to this day or have been acquired recently, the icon of St. Nicholas the Ratnoy, which, according to legend, appeared in the 13th century at a spring in the village of Ustinka and saved the inhabitants from a Tatar raid, is noted for national veneration and worship. According to other sources, the word “military” in the name of the icon appeared under Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich (Grozny) during the battle with the Tatars near Kazan, then it was moved to the Korenskaya Nikolaev Monastery, where it remained until 1765, when, after the abolition of the monastery, it was moved to Belgorod and placed in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. In 1923, after the cathedral was closed by the Bolsheviks, traces of the icon were lost. It was found only in 1993. The image was badly damaged, the board was burned, only the face of St. was visible. Nicholas. After restoration in the icon-painting workshop of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, the restored icon was placed in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod.
On the night of October 15 (2nd Art. Art.), 1703, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Smolensk” (Hodegetria) miraculously shone above the gates of the Belgorod fortress wall. She was transferred to the temple, but was soon found again in the same place. In 1705, a wooden church was built there, and in 1743 the stone Smolensk Cathedral was consecrated, on the second floor of which in 1763 the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was consecrated. During the years of Soviet power, the cathedral was closed and destroyed, the icon disappeared. Through the efforts of clergy and laity, the cathedral was restored and on December 13, 1994, the lower church was consecrated in it, and on July 11, 1996, the upper church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was consecrated.
At the beginning of the 17th century, in a swamp near the village of Koshary, a cross was miraculously found, thrown there on the orders of the wicked landowner Yuri Vyrodov. The cross became famous for numerous healings. At the site where the cross was found, a healing spring appeared (it was filled up during the years of Soviet power and again cleared and consecrated in 1998). In 1863, with donations from wealthy Belgorod residents, the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross was built, in the iconostasis of which a miraculous cross was inserted. There he is currently located.
Among other famous Orthodox shrines of the Belgorod region, it should be noted the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “Life-Giving Source” (Stary Oskol, 18th century), “Helper in Childbirth” (revealed in the 17th century, now located in the Transfiguration Cathedral, Gubkin) , Kazan (XVIII century, located in the Holy Trinity Church in Stary Oskol), icons of the holy great martyr Paraskeva Friday (XVIII century, now located in the Assumption Church in Novy Oskol), holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon (revealed at a spring in the forest near village of Vyazovoe, Prokhorovsky district at the end of the 18th century; now its miraculous list is in the St. Nicholas Church of the same village). In addition to Saint Joasaph (Gorlenko) (1705-1754), the Belgorod land was consecrated by the feet of the confessors and new martyrs Archbishop Onufry (Gagalyuk), Bishop Nikodim (Kononov) and Bishop Anthony (Pankeev).
The light of Christ to people
On May 3, 1995, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II consecrated the temple in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and the Belfry memorial on the third field of glory of Russian weapons - the site of the greatest tank battle of the Great Patriotic War - in the village of Prokhorovka.
On September 29, 1996, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II consecrated the Transfiguration Cathedral, built in the city of Gubkin, the second largest and most beautiful after the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior, as a temple of reconciliation of peoples who bore on their shoulders the tragedy, hardships and sorrows of the Great Patriotic War . And the day before, on September 28, His Holiness the Patriarch solemnly opened the Belgorod Orthodox Theological Seminary with a missionary orientation, the first and so far the only seminary of this profile in Russia.
One of the important areas of the reviving mission of the Orthodox Church is its social service. Clergy, monastics and laity of the diocese, students of the theological seminary provide spiritual care and provide practical assistance to people in hospitals, homes for the elderly and disabled, prisoners serving sentences in places of deprivation of liberty. Through the joint efforts of the regional administration and the diocese, the Territorial Center for Services for the Elderly and Disabled was created and opened on October 10, 1997, consecrated in the name of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in the village of Gorki, Krasnensky district. In accordance with the cooperation agreement concluded between the diocese and the department of social protection of the population, the clergy provide spiritual care for the shelters, nursing homes, boarding schools and orphanages assigned to each parish in the diocese.
Sisterhoods of mercy have been created and operate at the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent and at the Church of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in the 2nd City Hospital of Belgorod. In the surgical department of the 1st city hospital, a temple in the name of St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky) was equipped and consecrated. Divine services there and spiritual care for the sick are performed by the priests of Belgorod churches.
In 1996, a temple in the name of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious was equipped and consecrated in a maximum security colony in the village of Sosnovka (within the city of Belgorod), churches and prayer rooms were equipped in institutions of the criminal correctional system located in the cities of Valuyki, Stary Oskol and Novy Oskol.
The revived diocese brings the light of Christ to people serving in the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies. Cooperation agreements have been concluded with the border control detachment “Belgorod”, the special forces detachment “Sokol”, and with Belgorod customs.
The Orthodox Youth Missionary Center in honor of the Holy Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, created in November 1995 at the St. Michael's Church in Belgorod, is engaged in the spiritual and moral education of youth; the center’s employees give Orthodox programs and talks at universities in the city, hold weekly meetings at the Belgorod Theological Seminary (with a missionary focus), and publish the newspaper “Light of Christ.”
In 1995, the Belgorod Orthodox Gymnasium was opened in honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, and in 1998 - the Stary Oskol Orthodox Gymnasium in the name of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky. Summer holidays for children are organized in the children's Orthodox camp "Pchelka" in Shebekino, the teenage camp "Belgorodskaya Cherta", in the Lebedinsky GOK dispensary "Lesnaya Skazka", and other children's holiday camps in the deanery districts of the diocese. The Children's Orthodox Missionary Center in the name of the Blessed Tsarevich Dimitri, created at the Tikhvin Church in Shebekino, is actively operating.
Brief information
Date of creation: July 17, 1995 Address: 308000, Belgorod, Slavy Ave., 31 Telephone: Fax: E-mail:
The diocese was established in 1667 as Belgorod and Oboyansk. The diocese included modern Kursk, Belgorod, Kharkov, Sumy regions, parts of the Oryol and Voronezh regions. Since 1787 - Belgorod and Kursk. In 1799 the diocese was renamed Kursk and Belgorod, but until 1833 diocesan institutions and administration remained in Belgorod. In 1905, the Belgorod Vicariate of the Kursk Diocese was established, which was named Kursk and Oboyansk. In November 1933, the vicariate was transformed into the Belgorod diocese. After the arrest of the Ruling Bishop in 1935, there were no new appointments to the department; Orthodox parishes were again cared for by the Kursk archpastors. In 1993, the Belgorod Vicariate of the Kursk Diocese was restored. On July 17, 1995, the vicariate was transformed into an independent diocese, called Belgorod and Stary Oskol. The diocese unites parishes located in the Belgorod region.
- Transfiguration Cathedral: 308000, Belgorod, st. Preobrazhenskaya, 63-v; tel.: (4722) 32-01-82; Fax; e-mail; website: favor.csn.ru.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: 309518, Stary Oskol, st. Tokareva, 4/1; tel.: (4725) 25-35-52, 25-35-70; e-mail; website: st-sobor.belnet.ru.
Monasteries
- Holy Trinity Kholkovsky male: 309573, Chernyansky district, village. Withers; tel.: (47232) 4-06-23.
- Marfo-Mariinsky Women's University: 308015, Belgorod, st. Pushkina, 19; tel..
- Voskresensky Women's: 309273, Shebekinsky district, village. Zimovenka, st. Sick leave; tel.: (47248) 7-76-70.
Mass media
Diocesan printed publications:
- Belgorod Diocesan Gazette (monthly newspaper)
- "Missionary Review" (monthly magazine)
- "Virtue" (monthly magazine).
Electronic media:
- official website of the Belgorod diocese;
- diocesan video channel on YouTube;
- website of the Youth Department;
- website of the Valuy deanery;
- website of the I Stary Oskol Deanery;
- website of the Gubkin deanery;
- website of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod;
- Prokhorovsky deanery website.
Educational institutions
Belgorod Orthodox Theological Seminary (with a missionary orientation): 308000, Belgorod, Belgorodsky Ave., 75; tel.: (4722) 27-32-79, 27-32-50, 27-07-78; website: seminaria.bel.ru.
Orthodox gymnasiums:
- In honor of St. Equal App. Methodius and Kirill: 308002, Belgorod, 1st Zavodskoy lane, 12; tel.: (4722) 31-05-37;
- In the name of St. Blgv. Book Alexander Nevsky: 309518, Stary Oskol, microdistrict Zvezdny, 23; tel., 25-36-65.
Orthodox kindergartens:
- “Rozhdestvensky”: Belgorod, st. Budyonny, 15-a; tel..
- "Pokrovsky": Belgorod, st. Studencheskaya, 13; tel..
- "Sretensky": Stroitel, st. Zhukova, 2-a; tel. (47244) 2-13-85.
Saint Joasaph
He was born on September 8 (21st century), 1705 in the village of Zamostye near the town of Priluki, Poltava province, into the eminent and pious family of Colonel Andrei Dmitrievich Gorlenko. In Holy Baptism, the firstborn - the future saint - was named Joachim, in honor of the holy righteous Joachim - the parent of the Most Holy Theotokos. At the age of 9, Joachim was sent to study at the theological school of the Kiev-Brotherly Monastery, then graduated from the Kiev Theological Academy, where he became a monk in a cave church and, having undergone training and undergoing many labors in the field of teaching, abbot and vicar obedience (in Lubensky Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery and the Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius) at the beginning of June 1748, by order of Empress Elisaveta Petrovna, he was, in her presence, ordained Bishop of Belgorod and Oboyan in the Peter and Paul Cathedral of St. Petersburg. Bishop Joasaph arrived in Belgorod on August 19 (6th century), 1748, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Bishop Joasaph performed his holy ministry for six and a half years. He earned the respect and veneration of people of all classes for his strict ascetic life, firm zeal for the truth of God, great works and feats of prayer. In May 1754, foreseeing his imminent death, the saint ordered a crypt to be built for him at the Trinity Cathedral, performed his last Divine Liturgy in Belgorod, said a heartfelt farewell to the people and went to his homeland to visit his parents for the last time. On the way back, the saint became seriously ill and on December 23 (10th century), 1754, he died peacefully in the city of Grayvoron.
On September 17 (4th century), 1911, according to the definition of the Holy Synod, the glorification of St. Joasaph as a saint took place and the discovery of his miraculous relics took place. In December 1920, the relics of the saint were opened and sent to the Museum of Religion and Atheism, located by the Bolsheviks in the Leningrad Kazan Cathedral. The relics, saved by believers from destruction by museum staff, were hidden in the ground in the attic of the cathedral. On February 28, 1991, the relics were found and examined. From the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the relics were delivered to the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow, then to Kursk, and from there to Belgorod (September 16, 1991 - to the Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod), where they remain. In 1997, on the day of the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in 1998 and 1999 - on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the relics of the saint were transferred in a procession to the Cathedral of St. Joasaph, where they remained until September 16, when they again returned in a procession to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration. Thus, a new tradition was established in the veneration of the saint. Two more truly miraculous events that occurred in recent years are connected with the story of the glorification and discovery of the relics of St. Joasaph. The first of them is the transfer to the diocese of priceless relics - skufia, paraman and rosary that belonged to the saint: these things were found in Moscow by the artist G.V. Voronova in the apartment of her friend K.E. Topilina, who died at the end of April 1997. Ownership of the relics to the saint was established by the clergy of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.
The second event is the miraculous renewal of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Sign,” which for many years, together with the icon of St. Joasaph, similar in size and material, was kept in the storerooms of the Belgorod Regional Museum of Local Lore. Both of these icons were placed on a glass display case next to documents testifying to the opening of the relics of the saint at the exhibition “On the Road of Christ’s Love”, which was held in the museum from September 17 to November 17, 1998, dedicated to the memory of the saint. The “Sign” icon, initially completely covered with rust, miraculously brightened during the exhibition (when no human hand touched the icon under the glass): the rust gradually disappeared from the Face and hands of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, from the Face and halo above the head of the Infant God, then from signatures under the icon. The museum staff drew up a corresponding act, certifying it with their signatures and the museum’s seal, and the icon was handed over on December 7, 1998 to the rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral, Archpriest Oleg Kobets.
Website of the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese: www.blagovest.bel.ru
In other rooms:
The Belgorod diocese is developing under the leadership of Metropolitan John
The Belgorod Diocese, under the clear and wise leadership of its archpastor, Metropolitan John, is developing and strengthening.
On the basis of the diocese there is an Orthodox theological seminary, which is designed to train clergy, Orthodox missionaries, teachers of theological educational institutions, and other employees of departments and institutions of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Specialists in the field of teaching the Law of God in non-religious educational institutions and regimental chaplains, and has a missionary bias in teaching.
The building of the theological seminary together with the clergy of the Belgorod diocese
The seminary was founded in 1787 by Archbishop of Belgorod and Oboyansky Feoktist (Mochulsky).
The founder of the theological seminary, Feoktist Mochulsky, is a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Kursk and Belgorod
In 1883, the seminary was transferred to the city of Kursk. In 1918, the Kursk Theological Seminary was closed by the Soviet authorities.
On July 17, 1996, a new history of the Belgorod seminary began: on this day, by definition of the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, a decision was made to open a missionary seminary in Belgorod, which was done on September 28, 1996. In 2000, the first five-year graduation of seminary students took place.
KaviCom.ru Internet portal of Stary Oskol
Great importance is attached to the educational process: the revival of Orthodox traditions, customs, a full perception of spirituality based on Orthodox culture. So in 1995, in Belgorod, an Orthodox gymnasium was opened in the name of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The founders are the Belgorod-Starooskol diocese, the regional department of education and science. Brotherhood of St. Joseph and the regional branch of the Russian Cultural Foundation. This is the first religious public comprehensive secondary school.
In 1997, an Orthodox gymnasium in the name of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky was opened in Stary Oskol. The gymnasium operates according to standard programs recommended by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The Law of God is taught in all grades, and from the second grade - the Church Slavonic language. In the learning process, the tasks of education and spiritual and moral education are solved on the principles of Christian pedagogy and strengthening the traditions of Orthodox culture.
One of the tasks of Christian education is to show children the path to God, put them on this road and teach them not to stray from it. Sunday schools, which operate at almost every church, and Orthodox gymnasiums are called upon to demonstrate this.
On the territory of the Belgorod region, children's centers of Orthodox culture have been created, which occupy an intermediate position between a Sunday school and an Orthodox gymnasium. In the city of Shebekino, in the Titovka microdistrict, a center of Orthodox culture was opened at the Tikhvin Church in the name of the blessed Tsarevich Dmitry.
Works of material culture have a material embodiment and contain a spiritual component. That is why, along with the Old and New Testaments, church singing, and the Church Slavonic language, the center’s Sunday school pays great attention to applied arts: embroidery, beadwork, sewing, wood carving.
Created in November 1995 at the St. Michael's Church in Belgorod, the Orthodox Youth Missionary Center in the name of the holy martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and nun Varvara is engaged in the spiritual and moral education of youth. The employees of this Center give Orthodox programs and talks at universities in the city, hold weekly meetings at the Belgorod Theological Seminary (with a missionary orientation), and publish the newspaper “Light of Christ” (a youth supplement to the newspaper “Belgorod Diocesan Gazette”).
The revival of Orthodoxy in Russia in modern conditions requires the preparation of highly educated personnel for the church, who should truly become spiritual mentors of people.
On September 28, 1996, the Belgorod Orthodox Theological Seminary with a missionary orientation was solemnly opened by His Holiness the Patriarch, the first and so far the only seminary of this profile in Russia. In the seminary, which received the status of a higher educational institution in 1998, in 2000 there were 209 full-time and part-time students, 33 teachers, of whom 22 were clergy.
From November 11 to 14, 1996, the first Congress of Diocesan Missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church since 1917 was held in Belgorod, bringing together more than 150 clergy from 6 CIS republics.
Since 1997, missionary trips have been made annually by priests and students of the Theological Seminary to the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia, where catechesis, baptisms have been carried out, services, meetings and conversations have been held, attracting thousands of people. In October 1997, a missionary trip of a group of clergy led by Bishop John took place to the Republic of Cyprus, and in September 1998 - to the Republic of Kalmykia. In this way, the apostolic tradition of missionary travel is being revived and will continue.
A large delegation of Belgorod residents - clergy, seminarians, laymen and Orthodox journalists took part in the work of the Third All-Church Congress of Diocesan Missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church, held in November 2002. The work was headed by Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Moscow Patriarchate. The congress outlined work on anti-sectarian activities, on the creation of Orthodox holiday camps, sisterhoods and brotherhoods of mercy.
In 2002, clergy and students of the diocese took part in missionary expeditions with a church-car in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Odigiriya” (“Guide”) At the end of 2002, 127 full-time students and 118 part-time students were studying at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, 118 part-time students, 14 preparatory department from 45 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2001, 14 seminarians were ordained (raised to the rank of priests) and 3 seminarians were tonsured as monks.
Other educational institutions in the region also cooperate closely with religious organizations.
Thus, at the Belgorod State University in 1995, the Department of Cultural Studies and Religious Studies was opened, and at the Faculty of History - a second additional specialty “Religious Studies” for the training and retraining of teachers with the aim of sending them to state and non-state (spiritual) educational institutions. Meetings are regularly held with colleagues from other universities, including the Belgorod University of Consumer Cooperatives and the Belgorod Theological Seminary, to exchange experiences. Scientific and educational conferences are held on current problems of religion in the modern world with the participation of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church. With the assistance of the regional administration, the diocese held in 1998 the International Scientific and Theological Conference “Mission of the Church. Freedom of conscience. Civil society" In March 1999, the Belgorod-Starooskol diocese and the Belgorod University of Consumer Cooperatives held the Russian scientific and theological conference "The Nativity of Christ - a new era in the history of mankind." The International Scientific Conference “Literature and Christianity” was dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. In February 2001, the Regional Scientific and Practical Conference “Spiritual Heritage of Russia” was held on the basis of Belgorod State University, in which teachers and students of Belgorod State University, Belgorod University of Consumer Cooperatives, clergy, school teachers, and heads of district administrations of the Belgorod region took part.
On September 21, 2001, the socio-theological faculty of BelSU was opened; graduates of this faculty will receive a bachelor's degree in theology and an additional specialty in social pedagogy.
In our region, targeted work is being carried out to use the capabilities of the church to make up for what has been lost in the spiritual, moral, and patriotic education of the people.
In 1997, a long-term agreement was signed between the Department of Culture of the Belgorod Region Administration and the Belgorod-Starooskol Diocese, which identified priority areas for their interaction.
Vivid events in the field of spiritual culture were the festival of church choirs, the release by the Bishops' Choir of the Transfiguration Cathedral (regent Elena Kravets) of the CD "Songs of Great, Lesser and White Rus'", dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the victory on the Prokhorovsky Field and repeated performances of the Bishops' Male Choir Theological Seminary in Belgorod and beyond during missionary trips. Psalm reading courses are being conducted fruitfully at the Smolensk Cathedral.
The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is widely celebrated. This holiday symbolizes the unity of all Slavic peoples, which contributes to the revival of national traditions.
The joint holding of Orthodox Youth Day by the diocese and the regional administration is becoming a good tradition.
The joint celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ contributed to the deepening of cooperation between cultural institutions and the church. The preparations for the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ involved clergy, public education workers, cultural workers, scientists and teachers, representatives of the creative intelligentsia, journalists from regional and local media. All anniversary events were held under the sign of spiritual, moral and patriotic education of the population.
The Belgorod Encyclopedia dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ was published, and other books, booklets and calendars were published. In 2002, together with the Department of Youth Affairs of the Belgorod Region, the magazine “Kovcheg” was created.
In 2002, on September 15, on the square of the church-chapel of St. Joasaph in the city of Grayvoron, Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol and Governor E.S. Savchenko signed an Agreement between the administration of the Belgorod region and the Belgorod-Starooskol diocese on cooperation in the field of education.
To increase Orthodox literacy in the cities and villages of the Belgorod region, a large number of children's books and books of an Orthodox orientation are transferred to libraries. Libraries are also created at churches. It receives not only literature on religious topics, but also works of Russian and Soviet classics, audio recordings of classical and church (choral) music.
The diocese opens Sunday schools for children and adults to study the Holy Scriptures and the basic dogmas of the Orthodox Church, since it is in these matters that the population’s knowledge is at the level of superstition, which is what representatives of totalitarian sects and Protestant denominations take advantage of.
The spiritual center of the Belgorod-Stary Oskol diocese is the Theological Seminary with a missionary orientation, whose activities have a beneficial effect on the religious state in those regions where Orthodoxy has lost its leading role and representatives of non-national Protestant denominations are active.
The activities of the Belgorod-Starooskol diocese in the matter of spiritual education are highly appreciated by both representatives of the church and secular authorities.
Thus, raising the younger generation in the moral traditions of Orthodoxy becomes the key to the preservation of the national culture and mental health of the nation. The Belgorod-Starooskol diocese is actively working together with the administration of the Belgorod region to implement educational events.
Fruitful interaction between the cultural sector and the Orthodox Church is a fertile basis for the education of moral citizens of the country who have healthy artistic and aesthetic views.
Varfolomeeva M.I.
Pilgrimage is one of the priority areas of the city clergy of the Belgorod diocese
Pilgrimage to the churches of the diocese is one of the priority activities of the entire city clergy.
The pilgrimage center in the Belgorod Diocese was created on April 6, 2007 with the blessing of Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol.
This is what the pilgrimage center of the Belgorod diocese looks like now. There you can find out about travel dates and schedules
As a structural subdivision of the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese, it organizes pilgrimage trips to the shrines of Russia, near and far abroad, both along ready-made routes and individually developed ones.
On these trips, parishioners will be able to venerate the relics of God’s saints and revered icons, pray at Divine services and take part in the sacraments of the Church, as well as get acquainted with the history of the monasteries they visit.
The staff of the Pilgrimage Department are not just specialists with higher education. These are deeply church people.
Some of them improved their skills in organizing pilgrimage activities at advanced training courses at the Pilgrimage Center of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In 2021, the regional media announced a major scandal that occurred on the territory of the Belgorod Metropolis.
The incident occurred at the beginning of the year and continued in November 2021. It was associated with a scandal with the so-called “icon of Stalin”, when one of the pseudo-priests “visitors” to the diocese, a certain A.
Prokhanov, walked through the streets of Belgorod with a painting of Joseph Stalin, painted by artists from the city of Rybinsk, in the style of an Orthodox icon.
The incident was of a resonant nature, so the intervention of officials was necessary.
Representatives of the diocese emphasized that the metropolis had nothing to do with this action, and the action did not find support among the townspeople, who expressed their bewilderment and grief at the imposition of pseudo-religious views on them.
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BELGOROD AND STAROOSKOL DIOCESE OF THE ROC, territory includes the Belgorod region. The diocese is divided into 16 deanery districts. Cathedral city - Belgorod. As of January 1, 2002, the diocese had 236 parishes, 240 churches and three monasteries, the number of clergy was 218 priests and 11 deacons. Starting from the reign of Prince Vladimir (after 991), there was a Belgorod cathedral, but most historians believe that the cathedral city was Belgorod of Kiev, 25 km from Kyiv, on the Irpen River. In 1667, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Belgorod and Oboyan diocese was established, which included the territories of modern Kursk, Belgorod, Kharkov, Sumy, and parts of the Oryol and Voronezh regions. Since 1787, the diocese was called Belgorod and Kursk. In 1799, an independent Sloboda-Ukrainian diocese with a center in Kharkov was separated from its composition, and the Belgorod diocese was renamed Kursk and Belgorod, but until 1833 diocesan institutions and administration remained in Belgorod. In 1905, the Belgorod Viariate of the Kursk Diocese was established (the diocese was named Kursk and Oboyansk). In November 1933, the Belgorod vicariate was transformed into the Belgorod diocese, to which Bishop Anthony (Pankeev) was appointed. On February 25, 1935, Bishop Anthony was arrested and on September 11 he was sentenced to ten years in prison. After 1935, there were no new appointments to the Belgorod see; Orthodox parishes, previously subordinate to the Belgorod bishop, were subsequently again cared for by the Kursk bishops. During the Great Patriotic War, in the territory occupied by the Germans in the jurisdiction of the autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Belgorod and Grayvoron See was created, to which Pankraty (Gladkov), formerly the archimandrite of the Pochaev Dormition Lavra, was consecrated on June 22, 1942 in Pochaev. Due to hostilities, Bishop Pankraty was unable to come to Belgorod, lived in Ukraine, and then emigrated abroad. On July 17, 1995, by the definition of the Holy Synod, the Belgorod vicariate of the Kursk diocese, restored in 1993, was transformed into the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese, Vicar Bishop John (Popov) received the status of ruling bishop. Under the diocesan administration, a diocesan council, a spiritual council, a church court, commissions have been created - liturgical, audit, social service, economic, work with the Armed Forces and relations with law enforcement agencies, youth affairs and catechesis, information, and the study of the spiritual heritage of the diocese. In September 1996, the Belgorod Theological Seminary with a missionary orientation was opened; the seminary offers two-year courses for psalmists. There are two Orthodox gymnasiums in the Belgorod region - in the name of St. Methodius and Cyril in Belgorod and in the name of Prince Alexander Nevsky in Stary Oskol. In 2001, the first graduation of sisters of mercy was carried out on the basis of the medical college of Belgorod State University. In September 2001, with the active participation of the diocese, a socio-theological faculty was opened at Belgorod State University, the teaching of a number of disciplines in which is carried out by clergy of the diocese.
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