Church and diocesan administration

Moscow Diocese
of the Russian Orthodox Church

• Diocesan administration: Russia, 119034, Moscow, Chisty lane, 5
• Official site:
• Tel. (also fax)
• Canonical territory: Moscow (Moscow region belongs to the Moscow Metropolis)
• Cathedrals: Cathedral of Christ the Savior and Elokhovsky Epiphany in Moscow
• On the map: Yandex.Map, Google map

Moscow first became a bishop's see in 1325, when Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus' St. Peter settled here.
The metropolitans adopted the title of “Moscow” in 1461, in connection with the separation of the Russian Orthodox Church from Constantinople. As a primal see, Moscow became the center of a vast primal region - known as the "Metropolitan," with the establishment of the patriarchate in Rus' in 1589 as the "Patriarchal," and with the suppression of the patriarchate in 1721 as the "Synodal." In the first decades of the Synodal period, Moscow did not have its own bishop, and only on September 1, 1742, the Synodal region was abolished, and instead of it, the Moscow diocese was established in Central Russia as a metropolis. At the same time, the chair of the Moscow diocesan bishop was supposed to be in the Archangel Cathedral, while the Great Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin remained “the first throne, the supreme cathedral of Moscow and All-Russia” [1]. On July 16, 1744, the Vladimir and Kostroma dioceses were separated from the Moscow dioceses.

In 1883, the see of the Moscow diocese was moved from the Archangel Cathedral to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

In 1917, in connection with the restoration of the canonical patriarchal system, Moscow again became the patriarchal capital city, and the Moscow diocese became a patriarchal region, the administration of which, by the authority of the All-Russian Patriarchs, is carried out by patriarchal governors, in the rank of Kolomensky (since 1918), then Krutitsky (since 1919 ).
In the 1920s-1940s, there was a renovation department of the same name.

After the capture of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior by renovationist schismatics, the Patriarchal and Moscow Cathedrals venerated the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Vozdvizhenka, then the Church of the Epiphany in Dorogomilovo, then the Church of the Intercession in Krasnoe Selo and, finally, the Church of the Epiphany in Elokhov.

Since 1977, the manager of the Moscow diocese, its ruling bishop (within the boundaries of the Moscow region, with the exception of the city of Moscow) is the Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna, whose residence is located in the Novodevichy Convent in the city of Moscow.

The Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1988 adopted a new “Charter on the governance of the Russian Orthodox Church”, according to which: “The Patriarch is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow Diocese. To facilitate the Patriarch in his care of general church affairs, the Moscow diocese is governed at the direction of the Patriarch, with the rights of a diocesan bishop, by the Patriarchal Vicar with the title of Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna” and is a permanent member of the Holy Synod by department.

The Anniversary Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000 adopted a new “Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church”, according to which: “The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese, consisting of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' is assisted in the management of the Moscow diocese by the Patriarchal Vicar, with the rights of a diocesan bishop, with the title of Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna.” The territorial boundaries of the administration exercised by the patriarchal governor, Metropolitan of Krutitsky, with the rights of a diocesan bishop, are determined by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and now include the Moscow region excluding Moscow.

In view of the expansion and revitalization of church life in the Moscow diocese, suffragan bishops were appointed to assist the patriarch in managing the Moscow diocese at the end of 2010, transferring to them some of the powers of the ruling bishop. On December 27, 2011, it was decided to divide the city of Moscow into 11 local vicariates: Central (Central Administrative District of Moscow); Yuzhnoye (Southern Autonomous Okrug); Yugo-Zapadnoye (South-Western AO); Western (Western AO); North-Western (North-Western and Zelenograd Autonomous Okrug); Severnoye (Northern AO); North-Eastern (North-Eastern AO); Vostochnoye (Eastern AO); South-East (South-East AO); Vicariate for lands planned to be included in Moscow.

In connection with the inclusion of new territories allocated from the Moscow region into Moscow, according to the patriarchal resolution of February 8, 2012, these territories came under the direct subordination of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

On April 13, 2021, the Balashikha, Kolomna, Odintsovo, Podolsk and Sergiev Posad dioceses were separated from the Moscow regional diocese with the formation of the Moscow Metropolis on the territory of the Moscow region, as a result of which the Moscow diocese was limited to the territory of Moscow [2].

Historical names

• Kiev and All Russia (Rus, Russia) (1325 - May 3, 1461)
• Moscow and All Russia (Rus, Russia) (May 3, 1461 - September 1, 1742)
• Moscow and Vladimir (September 1, 1742 - March 10, 1748)
• Moscow and Sevskaya (March 10, 1748 - January 13, 1764)
• Moscow and Kaluga (January 13, 1764 - October 16, 1799)
• Moscow and Kolomenskaya (October 16, 1799 - November 21, 1917)
• Moscow (November 21, 1917 - ?)
• Moskovskaya and Kolomenskaya (mentioned 1941 - September 8, 1943)
• Moscow (since September 8, 1943)

Statistics

• January 1, 1958 [3] - 212 registered temples/houses of worship.
• 2006 - in the Moscow diocese there were 724 churches and chapels, including: 2 cathedrals, 5 men's and 4 women's monasteries, 296 parishes and 69 monastery churches, 117 patriarchal and 69 monastic farmsteads, 7 baptismal churches and 69 chapels. Divine services are held in 585 churches and chapels, 122 of which are house chapels. In 16 churches, services have not been resumed, and 34 churches have not been vacated by their previous tenants. Moscow is divided into 14 deaneries - church territorial-administrative districts [4].
• March 20, 2006 - 40 deanery districts, 1032 parishes; in addition to this, 3 parishes of the same faith are directly subordinate to the metropolitan; 1143 clergy (1048 priests, 95 deacons); 21 monasteries and 12 monastic farmsteads (9 men’s with 6 farmsteads, 12 women’s with 6 farmsteads); The educational theological institution of the diocese is Kolomna Theological Seminary
• December 28, 2012 (across the city of Moscow) - 894 churches and chapels (of which 6 Kremlin cathedrals, 2 cathedrals, 18 churches and chapels at synodal institutions, 8 churches at representative offices of the Orthodox Churches, 22 baptismal churches, 79 chapels, 82 churches of patriarchal metochions , 84 monastery churches, 2 monastery chapels, 475 parish churches, 90 churches under construction, 26 temporary churches in the areas where churches are being built under Program 200. 383 churches and prayer rooms where services are held regularly and parish communities exist. 23 churches have not yet been vacated by the previous tenants); the number of clergy over the past year increased by 146 people (arrived: 64 from the Moscow regional diocese, 21 from other dioceses, 43 accepted into the clergy, 18 graduates of theological schools; departure: 4 moved to other dioceses, 3 were banned from the priesthood, 2 were deprived of their rank , 12 died) [5]
• December 20, 2013 (in the city of Moscow) - the total number of churches and chapels is 958, of which: Kremlin cathedrals - 6, cathedrals - 2, churches and chapels at synodal institutions - 18, churches at representative offices of the Orthodox Churches - 12, baptismal churches - 20, parish chapels - 48, churches of the Patriarchal metochions - 95, monastery churches - 44, monastery chapels - 4, parish churches - 278, churches under construction - 142, chapels under construction - 4, gate churches - 5, churches at secular institutions - 164, chapels at secular institutions - 29, monastery farmsteads - 10, temporary churches - 43, temporary chapels - 10, 24 churches have not yet been vacated by the previous tenants. In 2013, 166 clergy arrived (of which 32 were graduates of theological schools, 53 were ordained from the clergy, 39 were accepted from other dioceses, 42 were sent for temporary service in Moscow churches and stavropegic monasteries); loss: 36 (14 moved to other dioceses, 6 were counted among the staff, 7 were banned from the priesthood, 1 was defrocked, 8 people died) [6].

Archpastors

Primate's Department

• See the High Hierarchs of the Kyiv Metropolis of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, then the Russian Orthodox Church

Moscow diocese

• Joseph (Volchansky) (September 1, 1742 - June 10, 1745)
• Plato I (Malinovsky) (June 10, 1745 - April 14, 1748) v/u, bishop. Krutitsky

• St. Hilarion (Grigorovich) (June 14, 1754 - January 25, 1758) v/u, bishop. Krutitsky

• Ambrose (Zertis-Kamensky) (April 18, 1767 - January 18, 1768) v/u, bishop. Krutitsky

• Gennady (Dranitsyn) (September 16, 1771 - ?) v/u, bishop. Suzdal
• Samuil (Mislavsky) (? - January 20, 1775) v/u, bishop. Krutitsky

• Augustin (Vinogradsky) (June 13, 1811 - February 19, 1818) v/u, Dmitrovsky

• Lavrenty (Bakshevsky) (March 3 - March 15, 1819) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

• Ambrose (Klyucharyov) (March 31 - April 8, 1879, June 9 - 27, 1882) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

• Ambrose (Klyucharyov) (June 9 - 27, 1882) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

• Alexander (Svetlakov) (August 1 - 9, 1893) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

• Tryfon (Prince Turkestan) (April 26 - June 26, 1910) high school, bishop. Dmitrovsky
• Vasily (Preobrazhensky) (November 1912 - December 23, 1912) high school, bishop. Mozhaisky
• Tryfon (Prince Turkestan) (June 1 - September 1, 1914) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

• Joasaph (Kalistov) (March 20 - June 21, 1917) v/u, bishop. Dmitrovsky

Primate's Department

• See Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church

• Alexy (Gotovtsev) (February - May 1926) high school bishop. Serpukhovsky
• Seraphim (Silichev) (August 28, 1926 - July 1927) v/u, bishop. Podolsky

Governors of the diocese with the exception of the city of Moscow

• Since June 11, 1977 - see the Eminences of the Krutitsa diocese

Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhov

THOMAS, BISHOP OF ODINTSOVO AND KRASNOGORSK , VICAR OF THE HOLY PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA (MOSOLOV NIKOLAY VLADIMIROVICH)

Date of birth: November 30, 1978

Date of ordination: December 6, 2015

Date of tonsure: April 3, 1999

Angel Day: April 3

Country Russia

Short biography:

Born on November 30, 1978 in the village. Secretary of the Orenburg region in a working-class family. In 1985-1995 Studied at secondary school. Secretary.

In 1995-1999 studied at the Samara Theological Seminary.

In 1999-2004 studied at the correspondence department of the Moscow Theological Academy.

On April 3, 1999, Archbishop Sergius of Samara and Syzran tonsured him into a mantle with the name Thomas in honor of St. in the home church of the Samara Theological Seminary. Thomas, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On April 4, 1999, he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon and appointed teacher of the History of Local Orthodox Churches at the Samara Theological Seminary.

On July 1, 1999, he was appointed to the position of duty assistant inspector of the Samara Theological Seminary, on October 1, 2001, he was transferred to the position of senior assistant to the vice-rector for educational work, on January 16, 2001, he was appointed to the post of economist, on September 1, 2006 - to the post of vice-rector for financial and economic part.

On December 29, 2002, he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk.

On April 16, 2004, by decree of Archbishop Sergius of Samara, he was appointed rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Samara.

In 2004 he was elevated to the rank of abbot.

In 2010, he underwent retraining at the Moscow Academy of State and Municipal Administration.

Since September 2011 - rector of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is under construction, in Samara (while retaining the position of rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and vice-rector for financial and economic affairs of the Samara Theological Seminary).

On July 28, 2012, he was appointed acting. rector of the Resurrection Monastery in Samara.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of March 19, 2014 (magazine No. 24), he was appointed abbot of the Resurrection Monastery of the Samara city district.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 22, 2015 (magazine No. 66), he was elected Bishop of Zhigulevsky, Vicar of the Samara Diocese.

On October 26, 2015, in the Iversky Monastery of Samara, Metropolitan Sergius of Samara and Syzran elevated him to the rank of archimandrite.

He was consecrated bishop on December 3, 2015 in the Throne Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Herotonisan on December 6 at the Divine Liturgy in the Borisoglebsk Anosin Stavropegic Monastery. The services were led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of May 4, 2021 (journal No. 31), he was appointed Bishop of Syzran and Zhigulevsky.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of December 28, 2021 (journal No. 135), he was confirmed as the Holy Archimandrite of the Ascension Monastery in Syzran.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of May 30, 2021 (journal No. 48), he was appointed vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' with the title “Pavlovo-Posadsky”, with exemption from the management of the Syzran diocese. Appointed first deputy chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate.

On June 11, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill appointed manager of the Western Vicariate, as well as curator of the Program for the construction of Orthodox churches in Moscow, by decree of June 13 - rector of the Church of the Transfiguration - Patriarchal Metochion in Peredelkino, Moscow.

In July 2021, he was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Commission for Coordination of Exhibition Activities of the Russian Orthodox Church.

By order of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated July 23, 2021, he was appointed head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate.

By order of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated July 24, 2021, he was relieved of his post as curator of the Program for the Construction of Orthodox Churches in Moscow.

By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of July 26, 2021, in addition to the obediences carried out, he was appointed rector of the church of St. Nicholas of Mirliki in Khamovniki, Moscow.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of August 30, 2021, he was relieved of the post of first deputy chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate (journal No. 116), included in the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (magazine No. 114).

By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated April 22, 2021, in addition to his obediences, he was appointed rector of the Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhov, Moscow.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of November 20, 2021 (Journal No. 83), he was appointed as an additional temporary acting member of the Supreme Church Court.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of April 13, 2021 (journal No. 4), he was determined to be the Eminence of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk, while retaining the position of head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Archpriest ALEXANDER ARZHAEV

Date of birth: June 26, 1937

Heavenly patron: Rev. Alexander, founder of the “Unsleeping” monastery, July 16

Short biography:

In 1955 – 1963 entered the Stavropol Theological Seminary.

In 1967 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy, candidate of theology.

On May 10, 1970, he was ordained a deacon in the academic church by Bishop Philaret Dmitrovsky.

On July 14, 1970, he was ordained as a Resbyter by Patriarchal Locum Tenens Pimen in the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

The service took place in the Church of the Sign of the Icon of the Mother of God, on Krestovsky Lane in Moscow, in the Church of All Saints, on Sokol. Since June 1985 he has served in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

ARCHPRIESTER BORIS OBREMBALSKY.

Date of birth: April 20, 1964.

Heavenly patron : Blg. Prince Boris, May 15

Short biography:

1981, high school, 1982 – TU.

1986 – 1990 studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary

1990 – 1994 studied at the Moscow Theological Academy.

On November 18, 1993, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Arseniy of Istra.

On January 30, 1994, he was ordained a presbyter by Bishop Philaret of Dmitrov in the Intercession Church of the MDA.

Since 1994 - full-time priest of the Epiphany Cathedral.

ARCHPRIESTER MICHAEL RAICHINETS

Date of birth: November 16, 1966

Heavenly Patron: Saint Archangel Michael, November 21

Short biography:

1988 – 1991 studied at the Odessa Theological Seminary.

1991 – 1995 studied at the Moscow Theological Academy.

On March 6, 1994, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Mark of Kashira.

On September 10, 1994, he was ordained a presbyter by Bishop Philaret of Dmitrov.

On November 15, 1994, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, as a student at the Moscow Academy of Arts, he was sent to the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow

FRIEST ALEXI ARTAMONOV

Date of birth: June 19, 1980

Heavenly patron: St. Alexy, man of God March 30

Short biography:

On February 8, 2004, he was ordained to the rank of deacon by His Eminence Eugene, Archbishop of Vereisky, at the Moscow Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Since August 11, 2004 he served in the Church of St. VMC. Catherine on Vspolye.

On December 25, 2005, he was ordained as a presbyter by His Eminence Eugene, Archbishop of Vereisky, at the Moscow Academy of Sciences and Sports.

In 2006 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary.

Since June 5, 2006 he has served in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

In 2010 he graduated from the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy of St. Petersburg. (bachelor).

In 2021 he graduated from the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy of St. Petersburg. (master).

In 2021, he graduated from the All-Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies named after Cyril and Methodius (Master).

FRIEST ALEXIY KOZLIVSKOV

Date of birth: May 2, 1965

Heavenly patron: St. Alexy Man of God, March 30

Short biography:

1985 – 1991 studied at the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University. M. V. Lomonosova

2000 – 2003 studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary (correspondence sector).

On June 8, 2000, in the Church of All Saints, Patriarchal Metochion on Sokol, Moscow, he was ordained to the rank of deacon by His Eminence Archbishop Tikhon of Bronnitsy

On October 5, 2003, in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow, he was ordained to the rank of presbyter by His Grace Bishop Alexy of Orekhovo-Zuevsky

Since October 2003 he has served in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

JEREY KONSTANTIN KORNEEV

Date of birth: June 10, 1982

Heavenly patron:

Short biography:

1999 - 2004 State University of Land Management. Faculty of Law. Moscow Theological Academy.

2004-2009 studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary (full-time department)

2009-2012 studied at the Moscow Theological Academy (externship)

On December 2, 2008, he was ordained to the rank of deacon in the Intercession Academic Church by His Eminence Archbishop Evgeniy Vereisky.

On June 8, 2009, he was ordained to the rank of presbyter in the Intercession Academic Church by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'

FRIEST VIKTOR LENOK

Date of birth : July 25, 1983

Heavenly patron : martyr. Victor of Chalcedon, September 29.

Short biography:

In 2006 he graduated from the Russian State University for the Humanities with a degree in Political Science.

In 2006-2007 served in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces.

In 2021, he graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Moscow Theological Academy (MDA).

In 2021 he graduated from the MDA master's program.

Currently studying at the correspondence department of the MDA graduate school.

On June 20, 2021, he was ordained to the rank of deacon at the Intercession Church of the MDA.

January 03, 2021 ordained to the rank of priest in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin

In December 2021, he was sent to serve at the Pokrovsky Stavropegic Convent in Moscow.

On August 20, 2021, he was sent to serve at the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

With the blessing of the Rector of the Epiphany Cathedral, His Eminence Bishop Thomas of Pavlovo-Posad, he leads the missionary center, the volunteer movement “Volunteers of Elohovo” and the youth club “Elohovo”.

PROTODEACON NIKOLAY PLATONOV

Date of birth: August 4, 1968 Heavenly patron: St. Nicholas, Archbishop. Myra of Lycia, miracle worker December 6/19

Short biography:

1983 – 1987 studied at the Zelenodolsk Construction College. 1989 – 1993 studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary

1993 – 1997 studied at the Moscow Theological Academy (candidate of theology) on April 11, 1993, ordained to the rank of deacon in the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God at the MDA by Bishop Philaret of Dmitrov.

1993 – 1998 served as a deacon in the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God at the MDA.

Since September 1, 1998 serves in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

PROTODEACON MIKHAIL GRECHISKIN

Date of birth: October 9, 1959, Tula region

Heavenly patron: November 8/21 Archangel Michael

Short biography:

1967-1977 – rural secondary school in the Tula region.

1977-1979 – service in the ranks of the Armed Forces

1980 – Moscow Institute of Electronic Engineering (MIEM)

1987 – Moscow Mechanical Engineering College

1998-2002 – Moscow Theological Seminary

September 27, 1997 – ordained deacon in the Epiphany Cathedral by Archbishop of Solnechnogorsk Sergius (Fomin)

November 6-December 25, 2012 – completed a refresher course

DEACON ALEXIY KATANIKOV

Date of birth: December 5, 1977

Heavenly patron: St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, February 25

Short biography:

1994 – 1999 studied at the Usman Pedagogical College (primary school teacher, music teacher).

1999 – 2002 Yelets State University named after. I. A. Bunina (teacher of music and cultural studies).

2004 – 2012 studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary in the correspondence sector.

On September 21, 2006, he was ordained to the rank of deacon by His Grace Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov in the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Cherkizovo, Moscow.

On January 22, 2013, he was appointed full-time deacon of the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

Vicar dioceses

• Vicariates of Moscow
• Central
• South
• Southwestern
• Western
• Northwestern
• Northern
• Northeast
• Eastern
• Southeast
• New territories of Moscow

• Balashikha (now independent)
• Bogorodskaya (inactive)
• Bronnitskaya
• Vereiskaya
• Vidnovskaya
• Vladimirskaya (now independent)
• Volokolamsk
• Voskresenskaya
• Vyshegorodskaya (inactive)
• Dmitrovskaya (inactive)
• Domodedovo
• Dubninskaya
• Egoryevskaya
• Zaraiskaya
• Zvenigorodskaya
• Zelenogradskaya
• Istra
• Kashirskaya
• Klinskaya
• Kolomenskaya (now independent)
• Krasnogorskaya (inactive)
• Krutitskaya
• Lukhovitskaya
• Lyuberetskaya (inactive)
• Mozhaiskaya
• Mytishchi
• Naro-Fominsk
• Noginskaya (see Bogorodskaya) (inactive)
• Odintsovskaya (now independent)
• Ozerskaya
• Orekhovo-Zuevskaya (inactive)
• Pavlovo-Posadskaya (inactive)
• Podolskaya (now independent)
• Ramenskaya
• Ruzskaya
• Sevskaya (now Orlovskaya (now independent)
• Sergiev Posad (now independent)
• Sergievskaya (inactive)
• Serpukhovskaya
• Solnechnogorsk
• Trinity
• Shaturskaya (inactive)

Clergy

Date of birth: April 25, 1985 Name – December 8

Episcopal ordination - June 4, 2021 Priestly ordination - June 15, 2008 Deaconal ordination - April 27, 2008 Monastic tonsure - April 22, 2008
Education
• Smolensk Theological Seminary (2004) • Moscow Theological Academy (candidate of theology) (2006) • Smolensk State University (PhD in History) (2009) • Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw (Doctor of Theology) (2017)
Academic degree

• candidate of theology
• Candidate of Historical Sciences
• doctor of theology

Academic title

• assistant professor

Biography
Bishop Seraphim of Istra (Amelchenkov Vladimir Leonidovich) was born on April 25, 1985 in Smolensk. After graduating from school in 2002, he entered the Smolensk Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 2004. In 2003 he entered Smolensk State University, Faculty of History, from which he graduated in 2009. In 2004 he entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated in 2006 with a candidate of theology degree, having defended his dissertation on the topic “The Smolensk Diocese during the Great Patriotic War.”

In 2006 he was appointed teacher at the Smolensk Theological Seminary. He also taught at the Smolensk Interdiocesan Theological School. Over the years, he taught the following disciplines: dogmatic theology, history of the Russian Orthodox Church, history of Local Orthodox Churches, history of Western confessions. In 2007, he was appointed secretary of the Smolensk diocesan administration. He was the secretary of the Diocesan Council of the Smolensk diocese.

On April 22, 2008, in the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Smolensk, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, now His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', was tonsured a monk with the name Seraphim in honor of the holy martyr Seraphim, Archbishop of Smolensk. On April 27, 2008, on the feast of Holy Easter, in the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Smolensk, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk ordained him to the rank of hierodeacon. On June 15, 2008, on the feast of Pentecost, in the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Smolensk, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk ordained him to the rank of hieromonk.

On July 12, 2008, he was appointed rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Smolensk.

On May 5, 2010, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' was awarded the pectoral cross.

In 2010, at Bryansk State University. Academician I.G. Petrovsky defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of historical sciences on the topic “The impact of the Russian Orthodox Church on the social sphere of society during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. (Based on materials from the Smolensk region).”

On April 30, 2012, he was appointed rector of the memorial church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ in Katyn, where he organized parish life. In the same year, for the holiday of Holy Easter, he was awarded the right to carry a club.

Since July 2014 - employee of the Moscow Patriarchate Administration. On March 9, 2015, he was appointed to the position of executive secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate Administration.

On July 25-31, 2021, as part of the official delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in World Youth Days in Krakow.

In 2014-2017, he studied for a doctorate at the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, after which he defended his dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Theology on the topic “Święty męczennik Serafin (Ostroumow), arcybiskup smoleński oraz jego duszpasterstwo w Polsce i Rosji” (“The Hieromartyr Seraphim ( Ostroumov), Archbishop of Smolensk and his pastoral ministry in Poland and Russia”).

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of May 4, 2017 (magazine No. 30), he was elected Bishop of Lyubertsy, Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and appointed to the position of Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

On May 10, 2021, in the church in honor of All Saints, in the Russian land who shone forth, the Patriarchal residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

On June 3, 2021, after the all-night vigil, in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal Chambers of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra he was named bishop. On June 4, 2021, on the Feast of Pentecost, he was ordained bishop during the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius. The naming and consecration was led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.

From May 2021 to July 2021, then from July 9, 2021 - member of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

From May 22, 2021 to July 28, 2021, then from July 16, 2021 - rector of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Patriarchal Metochion on Krutitsy, Moscow.

On July 17, 2021, he was included in the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the commission for church education and diakonia, and from October 15, 2021, transferred to the commission for theology and theological education (Synod Journal No. 80).

Since March 1, 2021, he has been the head of the Department of Theology of the Faculty of Humanities of the Russian State Social University, where he teaches a course in dogmatic theology as an associate professor.

During his work as Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs, the following was accomplished:

• the Coordination Center for Youth Work in the Northwestern Federal District (moved to St. Petersburg, July 6, 2017) and the Coordination Center for Youth Work in the North Caucasus Federal District (moved to Stavropol, October 17, 2017) were reorganized;
• II Orthodox youth workshop “How to talk about your faith or the mission of youth among young people” (Smolensk, August 4-6, 2017), III Orthodox youth workshop “Knowing about God and knowing God: learning to pray and talk about prayer” (agrotourism complex “ Bogdarnya" Vladimir region, 19-22.10.2017), International youth communication forum MediaPost, headed by Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Moscow, RGSU, 10-11.10.2017); All-Russian Festival of Youth Achievements “Grave the Fatherland - 2017” (Moscow, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, November 15, 2017), Congress (the first in five years) of the All-Church Orthodox Youth Movement “Rethinking and Development of Youth Work” (Moscow, RGSU, January 25, 2018);
• a presentation and methodological album “Glorifying the Fatherland” was published, which presents modern and relevant youth projects, describes the best implemented works and gives methodological recommendations for their implementation and dissemination in the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church;
• together with the RGSU, a methodological and practical collection “Theory and practice of working with representatives of youth subcultures” was prepared and published (11/27/2017), the development of the document “Pastoral recommendations for parish work with youth involved in subcultures” began;
• documents have been developed: “Recommended annual plan for diocesan youth events, implemented by youth councils together with diocesan departments for youth affairs” (approved and adopted by the Supreme Church Council on February 28, 2018), “Approximate annual plan for youth events, recommended for implementation by the diocese in higher educational institutions” (approved and adopted by the Supreme Church Council on 03/16/2018), “Recommendations for the interaction of dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church with higher educational institutions” (approved by the Supreme Church Council on 03/16/2018, approved by the Holy Synod on 05/14/2018, magazine No. 30);
• prepared by the III International Orthodox Youth Forum “The Past. The present. The Future”, which took place on August 23, 2018 in Moscow at the VDNKh site.

At the Congress of the All-Church Orthodox Youth Movement on January 25, 2018, he was unanimously elected chairman of this organization.

He took part in the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi on October 14-22, 2017, during which he made a report “Globalism and Religion” at the panel discussion “World Culture: Global Challenges”.

05.11-16.2018 led the youth delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the 39th youth pilgrimage to the holy Mount Grabarka in Poland.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of July 14, 2021 (journal No. 48), he was appointed rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese with the title “Peterhof” and relieved of the post of chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

From July 31, 2021 to July 9, 2021 - member of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

On September 24, 2021, he was elected as a member of the Academic Council of the Military Medical Academy (St. Petersburg), where he served until July 9, 2021.

October 15, 2021 (Synod Journal No. 94) included in the Interdepartmental Coordination Group for the Teaching of Theology in Universities.

On December 8, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' approved the rank of associate professor.

Since January 23, 2021 - member of the Joint Doctoral Dissertation Council of the Moscow Theological Academy, St. Petersburg Theological Academy and Minsk Theological Academy.

From April 4 to August 30, 2021, by decision of the Holy Synod (journals No. 33, 108), he was co-chairman of the Working Group on cooperation of the Russian Orthodox Church with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

During his work as rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, the following was accomplished:

• received state accreditation of the master's program in the field of study on April 48, 2001. – Theology (Rosobrnadzor order No. 1487 of October 31, 2018);
• a package of documents has been prepared for obtaining accreditation of graduate school in the direction 48.06.01 – Theology;
• On November 8, 2018, the Student Council was created as an advisory body under the rector;
• On December 12-14, 2018, a scheduled inspection was completed by the commission of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, as a result of which the St. Petersburg Theological Academy confirmed first place in the ranking of theological educational institutions;
• On January 22, 2019, a new scientific and educational project “Society for the Study of Church Law” began to function on the basis of the Academy;
• On January 24, 2019, the Student Liturgical Society was created at the Academy with the goal of in-depth study of the liturgical life of the Church in theological, historical and practical aspects;
• On 01/25/2019, the “Interuniversity Coordination Center” was created at the Academy, designed to become a platform for organizing joint scientific, educational, educational, cultural and sports activities with universities and academic institutes of St. Petersburg and Russia;
• representatives of the Academy became members of the Scientific and Methodological Council of the Association for the Promotion of Spiritual and Moral Education “Pokrov” - a platform that unites 29 universities in St. Petersburg;
• cooperation agreements were signed with Novgorod State University named after Yaroslav the Wise (11/22/2018), with the North-Western Institute of Management of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation (11/23/2018), a memorandum of mutual cooperation was also concluded with the National Center for Manuscripts Georgia (06/13/2019), an agreement was signed with the Presidential Library. B.N. Yeltsin on the organization of access to the electronic library collection at the Academy;
• The book collections of the late professor Gelian Mikhailovich Prokhorov and associate professor Natalya Yuryevna Sakharova were transferred to the Academy library.

On March 25, 2019, at Moscow State University, he took part in the International Scientific Forum “Universities, Society and the Future of Humanity”, and within its framework, in the meeting of the Congress of the Russian Union of Rectors.

He taught pastoral theology at the Academy at the bachelor's level and a special course on the history of Russian rhetoric at the second year of the master's program. Was a mentor for 1st year undergraduate students. He was the editor-in-chief and member of the editorial board of the scientific journal of St. Petersburg National Academy of Sciences "Christian Reading" (included in the list of journals reviewed by the Higher Attestation Commission), editor-in-chief of the scientific journal of St. Petersburg National Academy of Sciences "Theologia Christiana Academica", as well as a member of the editorial boards of the scientific journals of St. Petersburg National Academy of Sciences "Bulletin of the Historical Society", " Proceedings of the Department of Theology”, “Proceedings and Translations”, “Russian-Byzantine Bulletin”, “Current Issues of Church Science”.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of July 9, 2019 (magazine No. 73), he was appointed chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs, vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' with the title “Istra” and relieved of his post as rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy with an expression of gratitude for the labor incurred.

Since September 9, 2021 - full member of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society.

On September 23, 2021, he was awarded the Makariev Prize for his work “Pastoration of the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Ostroumov), Archbishop of Smolensk in Poland and Russia.”
Main scientific works and publications Monographs:

1. Smolensk diocese during the Great Patriotic War. - Smolensk, 2006. - 192 p.: ill.
2. Theological education in Russia: Smolensk Theological Seminary. Historical sketch. 1728-2008. - Smolensk, 2010. - 352 p.: ill.
3. Russian Orthodox Church and society during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 (based on materials from the Smolensk region). - Smolensk: Scroll, 2012. - 256 p.: ill.
4. Dear faith, love and truth. Historical sketch of the life and ministry of Hieromartyr Seraphim (Ostroumov), Archbishop of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh, 1880-1937. - Smolensk: Scroll, 2012. - 304 p.: ill.
5. Pastoration of the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Ostroumov), Archbishop of Smolensk in Poland and Russia. ― Smolensk: Scroll, 2021. ― 416 p.: ill.
6. Polski i rosyjski wymiar duszpasterstwa świętego męczennika Serafina (Ostroumowa), arcybiskupa smoleńskiego, Warszawska Metropolia Prawosławna, Warszawa 2021, s. 334.

Main articles (over the last five years):

1. Smolensk Theological Seminary in the first half of the 19th century // Religious education in Russia and Europe in the 19th century. - St. Petersburg: Publishing House of the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy, 2014.
2. Religious factor in the development of Polish-Russian cultural relations // Russia and the West: Dialogue of Cultures: collection of articles / Moscow State University. — M.: Center for the Study of Interaction of Cultures, 2015.
3. Pastor counseling experience of saint martyr Seraphin (Ostroumov), archbishop of Smolensk, [w:] “Rocznik Teologiczny”, Warszawa 2021, LVIII (1).
4. Theological education in the Russian seminary in the second half of the 19th century: Smolensk Theological Seminary // Religious education in Russia and in Europe at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. ― St. Petersburg: Publishing House of the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy, 2021.
5. Hieromartyr Archbishop Seraphim (Ostroumov) as the patron of the reconciliation of the peoples of Poland and Russia // Russia and the West: Dialogue of Cultures: collection of articles of the XIX International Conference on March 22-23, 2017, issue 19, part I / Moscow State University. ― M.: Center for the Study of Interaction of Cultures, 2021.
6. Solidarity between pastor and people in an era of change. “Open letter to the Moscow clergy” sschmch. Seraphim (Ostroumov), Bishop of Belsky April 18/May 1, 1917 // Theology: a meeting of East and West. Proceedings of the Department of Theology of the Russian State University of Social Sciences. – St. Petersburg: Aletheia, 2021.
7. Orthodoxy: trajectories of movement of spiritual and moral boundaries // Religious freedoms in the world. The path to dialogue: materials of the international conference. – M.: Lawyer, 2021.
8. Burgomaster B. G. Menshagin and the revival of the Orthodox Church in the Smolensk region during the German occupation of 1941–1943. // Christian reading. 2021. No. 5.

Areas of scientific interest: history of Russia, history of the Russian Orthodox Church, pastoral theology, dogmatic theology.

Monasteries

The following stauropegial monasteries are located within the diocese:

• Moskovsky Alekseevsky (female)
• Moscow Andreevsky (male)
• Moscow Theotokos-Nativity (women's)
• Moscow Vysokopetrovsky (male)
• Moskovsky Danilov (male)
• Moscow Donskoy (male)
• Moskovsky Zaikonospassky (male)
• Moscow Zachatievsky (female)
• Moscow Ioanno-Predtechensky (female)
• Moscow Novodevichy (female)
• Moskovsky Novospassky (male)
• Moskovsky Pokrovsky (women's)
• Moscow Sretensky (male)
• Trinity-Odigitrievskaya Zosimova Hermitage (women's)

Inactive monasteries:

• Moscow Epiphany (closed 1918)
• Moscow Znamensky (closed in 1929)
• Moscow Holy Cross (established in 1814)
• Moscow Simonov (closed in the 1920s)
• Moskovsky Strastnoy (closed in 1919, demolished in 1937)
• Moscow Chudov (closed in 1919, demolished in 1930)

Diocesan Council

Composition of the Diocesan Council of Moscow

The current composition of the Diocesan Council was approved at the Diocesan Assembly of Moscow on December 20, 2021.

Members of the Diocesan Council appointed by His Holiness the Patriarch:

• Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, first vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for Moscow, manager of the Central Vicariate
• Archbishop Theognostus of Kashira, administrator of the Vicariate of the New Territories
• Archbishop Matthew of Yegoryevsk, Administrator of the North-Eastern and South-Eastern Vicariates
• Bishop Theophylact of Dmitrov, Administrator of the South-Western Vicariate
• Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky Panteleimon, administrator of the Eastern Vicariate
• Bishop Paramon of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Northern and Northwestern Vicariates
• Bishop Thomas of Sergiev Posad, Administrator of the Southern Vicariate
• Bishop Thomas of Pavlovo-Posad, Administrator of the Western Vicariate
• Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov, Secretary of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for Moscow - Secretary
• Archpriest Kirill Shevtsov - secretary

Members of the Diocesan Council elected by the Diocesan Assembly:

• Archpriest Mikhail Ryazantsev (Central Vicariate)
• Archpriest Sergius Dikiy (Northern Vicariate)
• Archpriest Georgy Klimov (North-Eastern Vicariate)
• Archpriest Alexy Batanogov (Eastern Vicariate)
• Archimandrite Alexy (Vylazhanin) (South-Eastern Vicariate)
• Archpriest Alexander Farkovets (Southern Vicariate)
• Archpriest Viktor Alipichev (South-Western Vicariate)
• Archpriest Seraphim Nedosekin (Western Vicariate)
• Priest Andrey Shumkin (North-Western Vicariate)
• Archpriest Sergius Gudanov (vicariate of New Territories)

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Departments and commissions under the Diocesan Council of Moscow

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According to the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Diocesan Council, headed by the diocesan bishop, is the governing body of the diocese.

The diocesan council is formed with the blessing of the diocesan bishop and consists of at least four persons in the priestly rank, half of whom are appointed by the bishop, and the rest are elected by the Diocesan Assembly for three years.

If members of the Diocesan Council violate the doctrinal, canonical or moral norms of the Orthodox Church, as well as if they are under ecclesiastical court or investigation, they are removed from their positions by decision of the diocesan bishop.

The Chairman of the Diocesan Council is the diocesan bishop, for the city of Moscow this is His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

The Diocesan Council meets regularly, but at least once every six months. The quorum of the Diocesan Council is a majority of its members. The Diocesan Council works on the basis of an agenda presented by the chairman. The chairman presides over the meeting in accordance with the adopted rules.

The bishop appoints the secretary of the Diocesan Council from among its members. The secretary is responsible for preparing materials necessary for the council and compiling minutes of meetings. If disagreements arise during the consideration of a case, the case is resolved by a majority vote; In case of equality of votes, the chairman's vote has the upper hand. The journals of the meetings of the Diocesan Council are signed by all its members.

The Diocesan Council, in accordance with the instructions of the diocesan bishop:

• carries out decisions of the Diocesan Assembly that fall under the jurisdiction of the council, reports to it on the work done;
• establishes the procedure for electing members of the Diocesan Assembly;
• prepares meetings of the Diocesan Assembly, including proposals for the agenda;
• submits its annual reports to the Diocesan Assembly;
• considers issues related to the opening of parishes, deaneries, monasteries, production and economic activities, governing bodies and other divisions of the diocese;
• takes care of finding funds to satisfy the material needs of the diocese, and, if necessary, parishes;
• determines the boundaries of deaneries and parishes;
• reviews the reports of deans and makes appropriate decisions on them;
• oversees the activities of Parish Councils;
• considers plans for the construction, major repairs and restoration of churches;
• keeps records and takes measures for the safety of the property of the Russian Orthodox Church: churches, houses of worship, chapels, monasteries, Theological educational institutions and other divisions of the diocese, as well as the property of the diocese;
• within the limits of its competence, resolves issues related to the ownership, use and disposal of the property of parishes, monasteries and other canonical units of the diocese; real estate of canonical units included in the diocese, namely buildings, structures, land plots, can be alienated only on the basis of a decision of the Diocesan Council;
• carries out an audit of diocesan institutions;
• takes care of provision for casual clergy and church workers;
• discusses preparatory activities for anniversaries, general diocesan celebrations and other important events;
• resolves any other matters that the diocesan bishop sends to the Diocesan Council for their decision or for study in order to provide it with the necessary recommendations;
• examines issues of liturgical practice and church discipline.

By order of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated December 31, 2011, the managers of the diocesan vicariates of Moscow were included in the Diocesan Council of Moscow ex officio.