The Syktyvkar diocese has no claims against Rospotrebnadzor of Komi

Syktyvkar Stefanovo Cathedral. Photo January 8, 2009 from the site sobory.ru

Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryan diocese
of the Russian Orthodox Church

Diocesan administration: Russia, 167000, Syktyvkar, st. Babushkina, 20
Tel/fax (secretary); 04/24/07 (manager's assistant)
Official site:
Canonical territory: Syktyvkar and Ukhta; Knyazhpogostsky, Koygorodsky, Kortkerossky, Priluzsky, Municipal, Sosnogorsk, Syktyvdinsky, Sysolsky, Troitsko-Pechorsky, Udorsky, Ust-Vymsky and Ust-Kulomsky municipal districts of the rep. Komi
Cathedrals: Stefanovsky in Syktyvkar, Voznesensky in Syktyvkar
On the map: Yandex.Map, Google map

The history of Orthodoxy in the land of Komi begins with the preaching and planting of the Word of God in the minds of the pagan Zyryans by St. Stephen, Bishop of Great Perm in the second half of the 14th century.
He compiled the Zyryan alphabet, translated several of the most important liturgical books, and began his preaching in 1376 in the village of Pyras (Kotlas) 20 miles from Solvychegodsk, where many were baptized, but many were indignant at the saint, wanting to kill him. Soon it moved to the mouth of the Vym, to the very center of the Zyryan region, where the first Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was created. On the neighboring hill, the Archangel Michael Church was built, where a monastery was subsequently built in which the Great Perm bishops resided. Saint Stephen established a school at the church where he taught in the Zyryan language, and in a short time he converted all the inhabitants from Pyras to Gam to Christ. In 1383, Saint Stephen was installed as a bishop for the newly enlightened people, which created the Perm diocese with its center in Ust-Vym. During the thirteen years of his asceticism in the rank of bishop, Saint Stephen fully deserved the name of the father and benefactor of the Perm people: he helped in needs, supplied vital supplies, defended the Vogulichs, Novgorod freemen and grand ducal officials from oppression, asked for a reduction in taxes, was their vigilant guardian and peacemaker . He established several churches in his metropolis with a school attached to each and founded five monasteries - two in Yarensky district: Ust-Vymsky and Arkhangelsk; and three in Ust-Sysolsky: Votchinsky, Pechora and Ulyanovsky. After the repose of Saint Stephen in 1396, three saints of the century left an important mark on the history of the Perm diocese - Gerasim (after 1416-1443), Pitirim (after 1444-1455) and Jonah (1456-1470). Their ascetic service and tireless preaching led the peoples of the great Perm and many Voguls to the faith of Christ.

In 1492, the Ust-Vym diocese increased by adding Vologda churches to it. From that time on, the Ust-Vym bishops lived from time to time in Vologda, and in 1564 the see was finally moved there from Ust-Vym, after which the diocese began to be called Vologda and Perm. Over the next half a thousand years, the Komi lands did not have their own diocesan see.

The Komi region was sparsely populated, its population grew slowly, and the number of parishes and churches increased just as slowly. In the 18th century, stone churches appeared in the Komi region. In 1780, Ust-Sysolsk became a city, the center of the district of the same name. The “golden age” of temple construction here was the nineteenth century: if in the second half of the 18th century 33 temples were built, then in the first half of the 19th century - 56 (including 38 stone), and before the end of the century another 90 (27 stone and 63 wooden) [1] due to the almost doubled number of parishes. Finally, in the second half of the 19th century, monasteries appeared again in the Komi region - the male Trinity-Stefano-Ulyanovsky and the female Holy Cross Kyltovo.

After 1917, anti-religious persecution began, church construction was curtailed, and by May 1941 there was not a single functioning church left. It was only after World War II that three churches were allowed to open.

Since the late 1980s, the restoration of Orthodox parishes began. In 1994, the Stefano-Ulyanovsky Monastery was restored.

An independent diocese in the land of Komi was formed by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 6, 1995, being separated from the Arkhangelsk diocese within the Komi Republic.

On April 16, 2021, the Vorkuta diocese was separated from the diocese, after which the Syktyvkar diocese was limited to the urban districts of Syktyvkar and Ukhta, as well as Knyazhpogostsky, Koygorodsky, Kortkerossky, Priluzsky, Municipal, Sosnogorsky, Syktyvdinsky, Sysolsky, Troitsko-Pechora, Udora, Ust-Vymsky and Ust-Kulomsky municipal districts in the south of the Komi Republic. At the same time, a metropolitanate was not created on the territory of the Komi Republic [2].

Historical names

Syktyvkar and Vorkuta (October 6, 1995 - April 16, 2016)
Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryanskaya (since April 16, 2016)

Statistics

con. XVI-early XVII - within the lands inhabited by the Komi: 28 parishes, 48 churches, 8 chapels [1].
OK. 2004 - 57 parishes; 119 clergy (100 priests, 19 deacons); 16 Sunday schools [3].
OK. 2005 (?) - 93 parishes, 66 churches, 39 houses of worship, 16 chapels; 128 clergy (107 priests, 21 deacons) [4].
May 2011 - 345 parishes, 126 clergy [5]
December 2012 - 7 monasteries (of which 4 are women’s); 345 parishes; 126 clerics [6].

Geography of deaneries

Syktyvkar Central - Syktyvkar
Syktyvkarskoe Krasnozatonskoe
Syktyvkarskoe Ezhvinskoe
Knyazhpogostskoe
Koygorodskoe
Kortkerosskoe
Priluzskoe
Sosnogorskoe
Syktyvdinskoe Northern
Syktyvdinskoe South
Sysolskoye
Troitsko-Pechorskoe
Udorskoe
Ust-Vymskoe
Ust-Kulomskoye East
Ust-Kulomskoe Western
Ukhtinskoye
Ukhtinskoye Zarechnoye

Deanery, which includes parishes and communities of correctional institutions of the Main Directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation in the Komi Republic

History of the diocese

Orthodox missionaries reached the pagan Zyryans only in the fourteenth century. The Lord gave them special zeal in spreading the Christian faith in Komi among idolaters; many of the priests went through the difficult path of holy martyrs.

The first abbots

Stefan was a monk in the men's Rostov Grigorievsky monastery when love for the Zyryans, drowning in the darkness of idolatry, literally ignited in his heart. Understanding that it is easier to convey the Word of God in the native language of the inhabitants of Komi, the Messenger of God not only teaches the language of the Zyryans, he compiles the alphabet for them and independently translates inspired books.

Saint Stephen of Perm

In 1376, Moscow Bishop Gerasim blessed Stefan to become a missionary, and Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy issued a safe conduct. Having heard sermons in their native language, the Zyryans of the village of Pyras were baptized en masse, but the shamans and idolaters were filled with hatred and vowed to kill the missionary.

Having preached along the Vychegda River, the saint moved to the mouth of the Vym River, founding the first Annunciation Church in the center of the Zyryansky region, and soon not far from it stood the Church of the Archangel Michael, which over time grew into a monastery.

Interesting! With the blessing of St. Stephen, a school was opened in the monastery, where instruction was in the Zyrian language. Over the course of seven years, many residents of Pyras and Gam were baptized; the region needed the abbot’s guardianship and patronage.

In 1383, Stefan returned to Moscow, where he received consecration from Metropolitan Pimen and the Holy Council. Knowing the apostolic works of the priest, the great princes presented the preacher with rich offerings before returning him to the newly created Perm diocese with its center in Ust-Vym.

Arriving at the place, Bishop Stefan ordained selected local residents as priests and deacons. For 13 years, the bishop and companion of God, possessing the gift of the Creator’s love, became a real benefactor of the Perm people:

helped financially;
organized the supply of products;
protected from oppressors;
petitioned for a reduction in taxes.

Soon new churches and monasteries were consecrated in the estate, many of them, unfortunately, have not survived to this day. In 1396, while visiting Moscow, the bishop fell ill and died; his relics were buried in the Church of the Savior on Bor.

The deceased founder of the Perm diocese was replaced by Bishop Isaac in 1398, who served as the spiritual caretaker of the region for 18 years. At this time, the Holy Trinity Monastery in the village of Myeldino was consecrated.

Saint Gerasim, who headed the Perm Orthodox region in 1416, spared no effort and time for 27 years, cultivating the Christian faith of the Zyryans. Satan used a fanatic to kill him - a Vogul, who strangled his mentor with a homophone.

New prosperity and ruin

A new flourishing of Orthodoxy in this region occurred at the end of the 18th century, when the Sukhanov merchant family, with the blessing of Empress Catherine II, began financing churches in the vicinity of Ust-Sysolsk. The 19th century was called “golden” for Orthodoxy; over a hundred years more than 90 churches were built in the region, 27 of them were stone.

Holy Cross Kyltovo Convent

Only in the second half of the 19th century were monasteries erected in Komi, Trinity men's and Kyltovo women's monasteries. After the revolution, almost all parishes in this region were closed; after the war, the authorities allowed only 3 churches to open.

Recovery period

1994 was the time of restoration of Orthodox shrines in the Zyryansk region, which began with the restoration of the Stefano-Ulyanovsk monastery.

The Holy Synod in 1995 decided to open the Syktyvkar diocese in Ust-Sysolsk, renamed Syktyvkar. Abbot Pitirim was ordained hegumen of the new diocese.

In honor of the 600th anniversary in 1996 after the death of the first abbot Stephen, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus', the foundation of the Stephen Church was laid, which was erected and consecrated 5 years later. In memory of Saints Gerasim, Pitirim and Jonah, a chapel was erected over their grave.

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Syktyvkar, Komi Republic

At the beginning of 2012, the Syktyvkar and Vorkuta regions represented an association of 192 churches and houses of worship, where 150 altars were installed.

In the spring of 2021, the Holy Synod decided to divide the Syktyvkar and Vorkuta diocese into two independent regions. Hegumen Pitirim accepted the rank of Archbishop of Syktyvkar and Zyryansk.

Consequences of separation

The division of the Syktyvkar diocese should entail a significant increase in the number of parishes. One of the questions that worried the public in connection with the division was whether it was advisable to appoint a cleric from the Ivanovo region to the post of head of the Vorkuta diocese. This decision is due to the fact that a manager at this level must have appropriate training. Unfortunately, there was no suitable candidate among the clergy of the Syktyvkar diocese. Therefore, Abbot John (Rudenko), a clergyman of the Shuya diocese, became the new bishop.

Active monasteries

Vazhkursky Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This is a modern monastery built in 1996, converted into a monastery from a men's monastery.

Trinity-Stefano-Ulyanovsky

The ancient monastery is one of the monasteries founded in the 14th century by St. Stephen, which was restored after destruction. The monastery was closed in 1764; in 1860, the monks of the Solovetsky monastery resumed life there, building a magnificent monastery ensemble, crowned with a high bell tower.

Ulyanovsk Trinity-Stefanovsky Monastery

In 1918, the monastery was closed and the inhabitants were shot. Nowadays the Trinity Monastery is open to visitors. At the request of pilgrims, monks conduct excursions.

Ust-Vymsky Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky

The peculiarity of this monastery is not only its foundation by the first abbot of the diocese, but also the place of construction. Previously, on the site of the monastery there was a pagan kuminitsa - a birch tree; it was cut down and a church was built. The restoration of the monastery began in 1996.

Interesting! The holy remains of the Perm saints are kept in the Archangel Michael Monastery. It is especially crowded during water blessing services held at the source of St. Stephen.

Saint Stephen

The Syktyvkar diocese originated about 650 years ago. In the 14th century, on Komi land there were settlements of pagans - Western Permyaks or Zyryans. In one of the cities bordering it - Ustyug - the future Saint Stephen was born. Even as a child, he became acquainted with the language and customs of the people, among whom he later carried out missionary work. The saint did not want to support their Russification along with the baptism of the Zyryans. Therefore, he created Zyryan writing based on local runes and translated liturgical books and the Bible into Zyryan language. That is, Saint Stephen became for Komi what Cyril and Methodius were for Rus'.

The saint began preaching the Gospel from Ust-Vy, the main settlement of the Zyryans. Having won a local sorcerer in a dispute, he began to preach Christianity in the Komi land with great success. The magnificent temple built by Stefan in Ust-Vym became a kind of sermon of beauty. The pagans came simply to admire the church and its decoration. Throughout the Zyryansk land the saint began to build churches and paint icons for them. In addition to his apostolic labors, Stefan was also concerned about the daily bread for the people, who enlightened him, thereby earning the love and trust of the Zyryans.

Result of consideration of the proposal

Based on the results of consideration of Bishop Pitirim's proposal, a decree was made on the formation of the Vorkuta diocese. It was decided to include those allocated from the Syktyvkar diocese:

Ust-Tsilimsky district;
Izhemsky district;
Pechora district;
Vuktylsky urban district;
Inta urban district;
Vorkuta urban district;
Usinsk urban district.

The administration of the Syktyvkar diocese was entrusted to Vladyka Pitirim with the title of Archbishop of Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryan being assigned to him. One of the clergy of the Shuya diocese, Abbot John (Rudenko), became the head of the Vorkuta diocese and was given the title of Bishop of Vorkuta and Usinsk.

Excerpt characterizing the Syktyvkar diocese

“I don’t understand what people are doing,” said the countess, turning to her husband, “they just told me that nothing is ready yet.” After all, someone needs to give orders. You'll regret Mitenka. Will this never end? The Count wanted to say something, but apparently refrained. He stood up from his chair and walked towards the door. Berg at this time, as if to blow his nose, took out a handkerchief and, looking at the bundle, thought, sadly and significantly shaking his head. “And I have a big request to ask you, dad,” he said. “Hm?..” said the count, stopping. “I’m driving past Yusupov’s house now,” Berg said, laughing. “The manager, I know, ran out and asked if you would buy something.” I went in, you know, out of curiosity, and there was just a wardrobe and a toilet. You know how Veruschka wanted this and how we argued about it. (Berg involuntarily switched to a tone of joy about his well-being when he began talking about the wardrobe and toilet.) And such a delight! comes forward with an English secret, you know? But Verochka wanted it for a long time. So I want to surprise her. I saw so many of these guys in your yard. Give me one, please, I’ll pay him well and... The Count frowned and gagged. - Ask the countess, but I don’t give orders. “If it’s difficult, please don’t,” said Berg. “I would really like it for Verushka.” “Oh, go to hell, all of you, to hell, to hell, to hell!” shouted the old count. - My head is spinning. - And he left the room. The Countess began to cry. - Yes, yes, mummy, very difficult times! - said Berg. Natasha went out with her father and, as if having difficulty understanding something, first followed him, and then ran downstairs. Petya stood on the porch, arming the people who were traveling from Moscow. Pawned carts still stood in the yard. Two of them were untied, and an officer, supported by an orderly, climbed onto one of them. - Do you know why? - Petya asked Natasha (Natasha understood that Petya understood why his father and mother quarreled). She didn't answer. “Because daddy wanted to give all the carts to the wounded,” said Petya. - Vasilich told me. In my opinion... “In my opinion,” Natasha almost suddenly screamed, turning her embittered face to Petya, “in my opinion, this is such disgusting, such an abomination, such... I don’t know!” Are we some kind of Germans?.. - Her throat trembled with convulsive sobs, and she, afraid to weaken and release the charge of her anger in vain, turned and quickly rushed up the stairs. Berg sat next to the Countess and comforted her with kindred respect. The Count, pipe in hand, was walking around the room when Natasha, with a face disfigured by anger, burst into the room like a storm and quickly walked up to her mother. - This is disgusting! This is an abomination! - she screamed. - It can’t be that you ordered. Berg and the Countess looked at her in bewilderment and fear. The Count stopped at the window, listening. - Mama, this is impossible; look what's in the yard! - she screamed. – They remain!.. – What’s wrong with you? Who are they? What do you want? - The wounded, that's who! This is impossible, mamma; this doesn’t look like anything... No, Mama, darling, this is not it, please forgive me, darling... Mama, what do we care about what we’re taking away, just look at what’s in the yard... Mama!.. This can’t be !.. The Count stood at the window and, without turning his face, listened to Natasha’s words. Suddenly he sniffed and brought his face closer to the window. The Countess looked at her daughter, saw her face ashamed of her mother, saw her excitement, understood why her husband was now not looking back at her, and looked around her with a confused look. - Oh, do as you want! Am I disturbing anyone? – she said, not yet suddenly giving up. - Mama, my dear, forgive me! But the countess pushed her daughter away and approached the count. “Mon cher, you do the right thing... I don’t know that,” she said, lowering her eyes guiltily. “Eggs... eggs teach a hen...” the count said through happy tears and hugged his wife, who was glad to hide her ashamed face on his chest. - Daddy, mummy! Can I make arrangements? Is it possible?.. – Natasha asked. “We’ll still take everything we need…” Natasha said. The Count nodded his head affirmatively to her, and Natasha, with the same quick run as she used to run to the burners, ran across the hall to the hallway and up the stairs to the courtyard.

Grounds for separation

As can be seen from history, the process of fragmentation of large bishops into smaller ones has been going on almost continuously, from the very beginning of the existence of Orthodoxy in Rus' and the territories it conquered. On April 16, 2016, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held, which also considered Bishop Pitirim’s proposal to separate a new diocese from Syktyvkar, Vorkuta.

The following can be considered as the basis for making such a proposal. The Syktyvkar diocese occupies the entire area of the Komi Republic. The population of Komi is about 856,831 people with a density of 2.06 people per 1 sq. km. The area of the republic is 416,774 square meters. km. From southwest to northeast it extends for 1275 km. All this serves as a serious basis for dividing the territory due to the physical impossibility of one bishop to regularly travel around such a vast territory and fully support the parishes.

Another important aspect of the division and renaming of the diocese is that its name should contain the name of the Komi people. This emphasizes that Russian Orthodoxy enlightens the hearts of non-Russian people as well. Instead of the name “Syktyvkar Diocese”, “Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryan Diocese” was proposed as a new name.