Projects implemented by the Smolensk and Vyazemsk diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church

Vyazemsk and Gagarin diocese

Smolensk Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church

Diocesan administration: Russia, Smolensk region, Vyazma, Nagorny lane, 1.
Tel: +7 (48131) 4-17-30
Official site:
Canonical territory: Vyazma, Vyazemsky, Gagarinsky, Novoduginsky, Safonovsky, Sychevsky, Temkinsky, Ugransky and Kholm-Zhirkovsky districts of the Smolensk region.
Cathedral: Trinity in Vyazma
On the map: Yandex.Map, Google map

The project for the creation of the Vyazma Vicariate was put forward by Tsar Feodor Alekseevich at the Council in November 1681. The Tsar proposed to establish 2 episcopal sees under the subordination of the Smolensk Metropolitan (the Smolensk See was elevated to the degree of metropolitan in 1679) - in Bryansk and in Vyazma. To support the Vyazemsky bishop, the tsar intended to appoint a Vyazemsky monastery in the name of St. John the Baptist with 128 courtyards, to which, in connection with this, the “Maly Tikhon’s Monastery of the Yaroslavets district” with 90 courtyards should be assigned [1]. Apparently this project was not implemented. The participants in the Council of 1681-1682 refused to establish subordinate episcopal sees, so that “there would be no ecclesiastical disagreement in the rank of bishops” [2].

In addition, according to documents, by 1686 there was no bishopric in Vyazma. In the 2nd half. XVIII century the city and the district were in the Vyazemsky district of the Moscow diocese under the administration. bishops of Sarsk and Podonsk (Krutitsky). From the Krutitsa diocese to Smolensk, Vyazma was transferred in 1764 [3].

The decision to establish the Vyazma Vicariate was made at an extraordinary diocesan congress of clergy and laity of the Smolensk province, chaired by Bishop Theodosius of Smolensk, held on May 16, 1917 in Smolensk. The congress decided to increase the number of episcopal sees by creating vicariates in large centers of the province (in the Smolensk diocese, according to data given at the congress, there were 740 parishes at that time). The Vyazma vicariate was opened according to the decree of Patriarch Tikhon and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on June 19, 1918. On August 12, the former Oryol bishop sschmch was appointed Vyazma bishop. Macarius (Gnevushev), from the beginning of 1918, was the rector of the Vyazemsky St. John the Baptist Monastery.

In 1930 - 1937, a bishop belonging to the Gregorian schism served in the upper church of the Vyazemsky Vvedensky Church. Pavel (Troitsky). In 1930 - 1933 there was a renovationist Vyazma Vicariate.

Since November 1936 the department has not been replaced. It existed as the Smolensk Vicariate in 1955 and from 2005 to 2009.

On May 5, 2015, it was revived as an independent diocese by separating from the Smolensk diocese within the Vyazemsky, Gagarinsky, Novoduginsky, Safonovsky, Sychevsky, Temkinsky, Ugransky and Kholm-Zhirkovsky districts of the Smolensk region. At the same time, it was included in the newly formed Smolensk Metropolis.

Historical names

Vyazemskaya (vicariate; from August 12, 1918)
Vyazemskaya and Gagarinskaya (since May 5, 2015)

Bishops

Vicariate of Smolensk

sschmch. Makariy (Gnevushev) (August 12 - September 4, 1918) [4]
Pavel (Ivanovsky) (September 17, 1918 - 1919)
Venedikt (Alentov) (March 27, 1921 - 1927) [5]
Vladimir (Gorkovsky) (1929 - August 11, 1932)
Nikon (Purlevsky) (April 3 - August 1933) v/u, bishop. Rzhevsky
Modest (Nikitin) (August 24, 1933 - November 1936)
Mikhail (Chub) (February 1 - April 5, 1955)
Ignatius (Punin) (July 7, 2005 - March 31, 2009)

Independent diocese

Sergiy (Zyatkov) (from May 21, 2015)

Monasteries

Bizyukov Holy Cross (male; abolished in 1803)
Boldinsky Troitsky (male)
Dorogobuzhsky Dimitrievsky (female)
New Horde Porechskaya Mother of God-Nativity Hermitage (male)
Smolensky Voznesensky (female)
Smolensky Spaso-Avraamiev (male)
Smolensky Trinity (women's)

Previously subordinate dioceses

Roslavl Preobrazhensky (male, now within the Roslavl diocese)

PUBLICATIONS

SYCHYOVKA

Church of the Annunciation

Sychevka, Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Address: 215430, Smolensk region, Sychevka, st. Pushkina, 7.

A stone church in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with chapels in the name of the Baptism of the Lord and St. Mitrophan of Voronezh, on the high left bank of the Vazuza River (a tributary of the Volga River), was built in 1824-1830 at the expense of the merchant Kosma Nikolaevich Rogutin. The temple was closed in the early thirties of the 20th century. In 1935, a city cinema was opened there. The temple was dismantled in 1953-1954.

The parish in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was created in November 1994. The purchased stone building was converted into a house of worship. In 1997, the building was renovated and the area was improved. His Eminence Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the prayer house on May 16, 1998. (1.1)

In 1999-2000, the parish conducted excavations of the ruins of the Annunciation Church. The architectural and construction department of the diocese drew up a preliminary design for the reconstruction of the temple. In June 2000, the Divine service at the ruins of the temple was conducted by His Eminence Mercury (Ivanov), Bishop of Zaraisk. (1) (1.2.)

The new stone church was built in 2000-2005 through the efforts of mitred archpriest Anatoly Chaikin, dean of the Sychevsky district. He was ordained to the priesthood in April 1981. (2)

Divine services have been held regularly in the church since the spring of 2005.

On May 16, 2010, the rite of great consecration of the Annunciation throne of the temple was performed by His Grace Theophylact (Kuryanov), Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky. (1.3)

At the temple there is a library of Orthodox literature and a Sunday school for children “Rainbow”. (3)

On June 21, 2021, the Divine Liturgy in the church was performed by His Grace Sergius (Zyatkov), Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (4) (1.4)

On November 14, 2021, Bishop Sergius performed the great consecration of the southern chapel of the Annunciation Church in the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The Annunciation parish takes care of the revered Kazan spring on the left bank of the Vazuza River, which previously belonged to the Sychevsky Kazan Monastery, which stood on the right bank of the river. There is a small bathhouse. Every year there is a religious procession to the source.

Literature:

Smolensk Diocesan Gazette (SEV). No. 3 (28), July-September. 2000. P. 2.
Rising from the ruins. / NORTH No. 1 (36), January-March. 2003. pp. 24-25.
Vyazma Diocesan Gazette (VEV). No. 1 (6), February. 2021. pp. 14-16.
VEV. No. 3 (4), August. 2021. P. 13.

Notes:

His Eminence Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad - since 2009 - His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
His Eminence Mercury (Ivanov), in 2000 Bishop of Zaraisk, vicar of the Moscow diocese, administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA. Since 2011 - Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk, at the department since 2011.
His Eminence Theophylact (Kuryanov), Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsk - from March 22, 2009 at the Pyatigorsk See; now in the rank of archbishop; temporary manager of the Patriarchal parishes in Turkmenistan.
His Eminence Sergius (Zyatkov), Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin - on the cathedra since May 21, 2015.

In Sychevka in 1892, the holy martyr and presbyter Vyacheslav Zankov (October 13, 2011). Shot in 1937 in Butovo. Canonized as a saint in 2000. (1)

In 1933-1935. In the village of Ilinskoye-Yarygino, Sychevsky district, the holy martyr, Presbyter John Derzhavin (December 15, according to the present day) served. Born in 1878 in the Moscow province. In 1935 he was transferred to the village. Novo-Alexandrovka, Shakhovsky district, Moscow region. Shot in 1937 (2)

Yakov (Iakov) Anikeevich Dobrotvorsky , priest. Born in 1905 in Sychevka. Arrested 13.08. 37, UGB UNKVD, Smolensk region, was held in prison in the city of Vyazma. By decision of October 18, 1937 Troika UNKVD of the Smolensk region. according to Art. 58-7, 10, punishment – 10 years in labor camp. Rehabilitated on March 22, 1956 by the Military Tribunal of the Moscow Military District. Archival investigative file No. 8858-s. (3)

Tikhon Davidovich Lvov , priest. Born in 1883 in Sychevka. He served in Sychevka. Arrested on January 30, 1933 by the Vyazemsky OGPU operational sector. He was kept in the Vyazemsky ITU. By decision of 06/07/33 Troika PP OGPU Western Region under Art. 58-7,8,10,11, punishment – 5 years in labor camp. Rehabilitated on July 5, 1989 by the Prosecutor's Office of the Smolensk Region. Archival investigative file No. 24452-s. (4)

Simeon Krapukhin , priest. He served in the city of Sychevka. Archpriest, dean of the district. In 1938 Fr. Simeon was arrested and disappeared without a trace. (5)

Pavel Grigorievich Volkov , priest. Born in 1888 in the Saratov region. He served in Sychevka. Arrested 05.11.37, sentenced 01.11.37 Troika UNKVD Smolensk region. according to Art. 58-10, 11. Shot on November 20, 1937 (6)

Gavriil Vasilievich Shiryaev , priest. In 1873 he was born in Sychevka. Served in the village. Vlasovo, Temkinsky district. Arrested on 11/14/37, sentenced on 11/20/37, Troika UNKVD, Smolensk region. according to Art. 58-10, 11. Shot on 12/02/37 (7)

Notes:

Vyacheslav Sergeevich Zankov (+ 1937), martyr. Born in 1892 in Sychevka, in the family of a nobleman, an inspector of public schools in Moscow and the Moscow province. In 1914 he entered Moscow University, from which he graduated in 1918. He worked as a school teacher. No. 11 Rogozhsko-Simonovsky district of Moscow. In 1920-1921 he worked in the department of public education of the Rogozhsko-Simonovsky district; in 1921-1923 - employee of the department of higher educational institutions of the People's Commissariat of Education. In 1920, he was ordained a priest at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Zubov in Moscow. In the 1920s, his wife died. In 1932 Fr. Vyacheslav was transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki. He was elevated to the rank of archpriest. In 1934 he was transferred to the Intercession Church in Cherkizovo; in 1936 he was appointed to serve in the Kazan Church in the village. Kotelniki (Ukhtomsky district). September 17, 1937 Fr. Vyacheslav was arrested on charges of counter-revolutionary activities. He was kept in Taganskaya prison. On October 9, 1937, the NKVD troika sentenced him to death. October 13, 1937 Fr. Vyacheslav was buried in an unknown common grave at the Butovo training ground near Moscow. On October 11, 1960, he was rehabilitated. They canonized the new martyrs and confessors of Russia by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in August 2000 for church-wide veneration. / Lives of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian twentieth century of the Moscow diocese. September October. Comp. St. Oleg Mitrov. Tver, 2003. pp. 94-97.
Lives of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in the 20th Century. Moscow diocese. December. "Bulat". Tver, 2004. pp. 20-24.
Book of memory of victims of illegal political repression. Smolensk martyrology. T. 3. Smolensk, 2004. P. 60.
Book of memory of victims. T. 4. Smolensk, 2004. P. 129.
Those who suffered for Christ. Persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church. 1917-1956. Book 1 (A-K). PSTBI. M, 1997. P.638.
Book of memory of victims. T. 1. Smolensk, 2002. P. 110.

Book of memory of victims. T. 1. Smolensk, 2002. P. 567.

Church of St. Nicholas

Sychevka, St. Nicholas Church

Address: 215280, Smolensk region, Sychevka, st. Free, 15.

A stone church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in the late fifties of the 20th century by parishioners of the former St. Nicholas Church, which stood in the center of Sychevka. The parishioners carried bricks from the destroyed church by hand to a new location. Construction was carried out under the leadership of Archpriest Viktor Nikitsky. (1.1)

The temple was consecrated on January 1, 1961 under the authority of His Grace Innokenty (Sokal), Bishop of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh. A wooden house was built next to the temple, with a room for performing the Sacrament of baptism. In the second half of the eighties of the XX century, for the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', repair work was carried out in the temple. The parish was visited several times by the ruling archpastors.

On September 20, 2021, Bishop Sergius visited the parish. He congratulated Mitred Archpriest Bogdan Gaiduk, who has been serving in St. Nicholas Church for more than twenty years, on his 60th birthday. He was ordained to the priesthood in October 1976. (1)

Literature:

VEV. No. 4 (5), November. 2021. P. 12.

Notes:

Archpriest Viktor Nikitsky. He died in 1983 and was buried in the Sychevka cemetery, located south of St. Nicholas Church.

Temple of the Martyr Tryphon

Address: Smolensk region, Sychevka.

A temple in the name of the martyr Tryphon was created at the prison hospital.

Chapel on the "Field of Memory"

Sychevka, chapel on the Field of Memory

Address: 215430, Smolensk region, Sychevka.

Stone chapel in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.” It was built in 2013 on the “Field of Memory”, located at the entrance to Sychevka, on the right bank of the Vazuza River. The chapel was consecrated on June 21, 2013 by His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh. (1)

Notes:

His Grace Panteleimon (Shatov), Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky - since March 12, 2013, Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky, Vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, member of the Supreme Church Council.

SYCHEVSKY DISTRICT

BORISOGLEBSKOE

Temple of Martyrs Boris and Gleb

Sychevsky district, Borisoglebskoye, temple of the holy princes Boris and Gleb (vyazmaeparh.ru)

Address: 215280, Smolensk region, Sychevsky district, Dmitrovskoe village, village. Borisoglebsk.

The first wooden church in honor of the holy noble princes Boris and Gleb was built at the expense of parishioners in 1691. In 1782, instead of it, a wooden church was erected with the same main altar and chapel in the name of St. Neil of Stolbensky, which burned down in 1883. The wooden Kazan Church of 1771 was transported to this place from the village of Ilyinsky, Sychevsky district, consecrated in honor of Saints Boris and Gleb, which burned down in 1997. A new wooden church in honor of Saints Boris and Gleb was built in 1999-2001. The great consecration of the temple on August 8, 2001 was performed by Metropolitan Kirill. (1)

On August 6, 2005, the Divine Liturgy in the Boris and Gleb Church was performed by His Eminence Ignatius (Punin), Bishop of Vyazemsky, vicar of the Smolensk diocese. (2) (1.1.)

In 1897, next to the Boris and Gleb Church, a wooden church was built in the name of St. Neil of Stolbensky and Neil of Sinai. (3)

At the Boris and Gleb Church there is a wooden chapel in the name of St. Neil of Stolbensky and a bathhouse.

Since 1988, the rector of the parish is Abbot Abraham (Zhukov). He was ordained to the priesthood in November 1988.

Literature:

NORTH No. 3 (31), July-September. 2001. P. 12.
NORTH No. 3 (46), July-September. 2005. P. 17.
Collection of architectural monuments and monumental art of Russia. Smolensk region. "The science". M., 2001. S. 566-567.

Notes:

His Grace Ignatius (Punin), Bishop of Vyazemsky, vicar of the Smolensk diocese - since March 12, 2013, Bishop of Vyborg and Priozersk.

DUGINO

Trinity Church

Dugino, Trinity Church

Address: Smolensk region, Sychevsky district, village. Dugino.

On the left bank of the Vazuza River is the former Panin estate, which was formed in the second quarter - the end of the 19th century. (1)

A stone church in honor of the Holy Trinity with two bell towers on the Dugino estate was built in 1780-1781 at the expense of Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin. Consecrated on August 4, 1781. By 1924 the temple was closed and later destroyed.

Since 2021, a small stone church in honor of the Holy Trinity has been built in the village of Dugino.

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. P. 567.

SOKOLINO

Church of the Epiphany

Sokolino, Church of the Epiphany

Address: Smolensk region, Sychevsky district, village. Sokolino.

A stone church in honor of the Epiphany of the Lord with chapels in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Sergius of Radonezh was built on the banks of the Vazuza River in 1847-1848 at the expense of the captain of the guard, landowner Ivan Yakovlevich Demyanov. A two-tier bell tower adjoins the temple from the west. The second temple, a wooden one in the name of the blessed prince Alexander Nevsky, was rebuilt for the first time in 1785, the second - in 1885. (1)

The great consecration of the northern chapel of the Epiphany Church in the name of Righteous John of Kronstadt on August 25, 2012 was performed by His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky.

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 570-571.

MOUTH

Temple of the Iveron Mother of God

Address: 215283, Smolensk region, Sychevsky district, Ustye village.

The stone church in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was built in 2012-2016 through the efforts of Alexei Evgenievich Dubovsky. A wooden house was erected nearby in 2011, where services are held temporarily until finishing work on the temple is completed.

SLAP

Temple of Transfiguration

Address: Smolensk region, Sychevsky district, village. Bread.

A wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, with a separate belfry, was built in 2001 through the efforts of Vladimir Antonovich Nikolenko (+ 2021) on the high left bank of the Vazuza. On December 24, 2004 the parish was registered. With the blessing of Bishop Panteleimon, the consecration of the temple (by the priestly rite) in 2013 was performed by Archpriest Valery Kalinin, rector of the Vyazemsky Trinity Cathedral.

On November 18, 2015, the parish was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (1)

Literature:

VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

NOVODUGINO

Temple of the Vladimir Mother of God

Novodugino, Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God (vyazmaeparh.ru)

Address: 215236, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, Bolshevo village, st. Sadovaya, 1.

The first wooden church in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the left bank of the Dnieper River was built in the thirties of the 17th century at the expense of parishioners. Stone Church of the Intercession at the expense of Lieutenant S.M. Nakhimov was installed in 1782. (1)

On November 18, 2015, the village was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarinsky and inspected the new stone church under construction. (2)

On October 14, 2021, Bishop Sergius performed the great consecration of the Intercession Church. A house for the priest was built and a rector was appointed. (3)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 489-490.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.
VEV. No. 4 (5), November. 2021. P. 9.

NOVODUGINSKY DISTRICT

BOLSHEVO

Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. High.

The stone church in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was built at the expense of Countess A.G. Sheremetyeva in 1867-1871, according to the design of the famous architect Nikolai Leontyevich Benois. (1)

The parish was registered in 2014. On July 9, 2021, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated there after the revival of the parish. On February 11, 2021, the patronal feast day was celebrated in the village of Vysokoye, and the first Divine Liturgy took place in the lower aisle in honor of the three Ecumenical Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. (2)

On July 9, 2021, the Divine Liturgy in the church was performed by His Eminence Sergius.

The rector of the temple is priest Sergiy Pervushin.

Hegumen Evmeniy is buried in the old cemetery in the village of Vysokoe . Schema nun Natalia and nun Ksenia were buried next to him. The years of their burial are unknown. (1.1.)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments and monumental art of Russia. Smolensk region. "The science". M., 2001. P. 493.
Vyazma diocesan bulletins. No. 1 (6), February. 2021. P. 11.

Notes:

Hegumen Evmeniy (in the world Peter Alekseevich). Born in 1874. In 1895 he was in Kyiv on a pilgrimage. On April 14, 1898, he entered obedience at the Spaso-Bethans Monastery at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. On June 19, 1911, he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. On November 17, 1919, he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk at the Trinity Metochion in Moscow by Archbishop Seleuki. On August 11, 1929, Hieromonk Evmeniy was awarded the pectoral cross. On May 16, 1932, in the city of Vyazma, His Eminence Vladimir (Gorkovsky), Bishop of Vyazemsky, vicar of the Smolensk diocese, elevated him to the rank of abbot. The year of death of Father Evmeniy is unknown.

Mikhail Nikolaevich Sokolov , priest. Served in the village. High in 1886-1889. (Born in the village of Akhtyrka (Pigulino), Belsky district, Smolensk province. In 1843 he studied at the Smolensk Theological Seminary. He studied at the Moscow Theological Academy. From 1845 he served in the church in the village of Akhtyrka. From 1856 to 1862 - confessor of the deanery district of Belsky district. In 1862, senior priest of the Vyazemsky Arkadyevsky Monastery, “but at the request of the parishioners he was returned" to the village of Akhtyrka in 1862. From the same year - dean of the 3rd district of Belsky district. From 1874 until 1886 - senior priest. From 1875 - archpriest of the cathedral church in Sychevka, dean of Sychevka. From 1886 he served in the village of Vysokoe. Died on July 13, 1889 in the village of Vysokoye at the age of 66 years. (1)

Literature:

Smirnov N., priest. Archpriest Mikhail Nikolaevich Sokolov. (Obituary). / NORTH No. 19. 1889. pp. 861-867.

HIGH

Temple of the Tikhvin Mother of God

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. High.

On July 9, 2021, Bishop Sergius performed the Divine Liturgy in the church.

Hegumen Evmeniy is buried in the old cemetery in the village of Vysokoe . Schema nun Natalia and nun Ksenia were buried next to him. The years of their burial are unknown. (1.1.)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments and monumental art of Russia. Smolensk region. "The science". M., 2001. P. 493.
Vyazma diocesan bulletins. No. 1 (6), February. 2021. P. 11.

Notes:

Hegumen Evmeniy (in the world Peter Alekseevich). Born in 1874. In 1895 he was in Kyiv on a pilgrimage. On April 14, 1898, he entered obedience at the Spaso-Bethans Monastery at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. On June 19, 1911, he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. On November 17, 1919, he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk at the Trinity Metochion in Moscow by Archbishop Seleuki. On August 11, 1929, Hieromonk Evmeniy was awarded the pectoral cross. On May 16, 1932, in the city of Vyazma, His Eminence Vladimir (Gorkovsky), Bishop of Vyazemsky, vicar of the Smolensk diocese, elevated him to the rank of abbot. The year of death of Father Evmeniy is unknown.

Literature:

Smirnov N., priest. Archpriest Mikhail Nikolaevich Sokolov. (Obituary). / NORTH No. 19. 1889. pp. 861-867.

Former VILLAGE GRIVA

Chapel of St. Nicholas

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village of Zamoshye.

The cemetery stone chapel in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, in the Griva tract (former village), located near the villages of Zamoshye and Gorki, was built in 2010 at the expense of Alexander Pavlovich Novikov, a native of the neighboring village of Ershovo. The chapel was decorated and equipped with the necessary utensils with his participation and the efforts of Pyotr Nikolaevich Naumenko.

Feodor Samsonovich Andrievsky , priest. Born in 1867 in the village. Vorgof, Glukhov district, Chernigov province. Ukrainian. Served in the church with. Griva, Mysovsky s/s., Novoduginsky district. Arrested on December 3, 1937 by Novoduginsky RO UNKVD. He was held in prison in the city of Vyazma. By decision of 08.12.37 Troika UNKVD of the Smolensk region under article 58-10. The punishment is acquittal. Archival investigative file No. 2875-s. (1)

Literature:

Book of memory of victims of illegal political repression: Smolensk martyrology. T.2. Smolensk, 2003. P. 84.

DNIPROVO

Temple of the Mother of God Hodegetria

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Dneprovo.

A wooden church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God, called “Hodegetria,” was built in 1715, on the left bank of the Dnieper River, at the expense of the Smolensk nobleman Ioann Mikhailovich Kashentsev. The stone Odigitrievsky Church was built in the second quarter of the 19th century. (1)

On November 18, 2015, the village was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

On January 20, 2021, Bishop Sergius performed the great consecration of the newly built stone Odigitrievsky Church. A three-tier bell tower is attached to the temple from the west. (3)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. P. 502.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.
VEV. No. 2 (3), May. 2021. P. 6.

IZVEKOVO

Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Address: 215214, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Forever.

A wooden church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was built on the banks of the Sluya River in 1785 by landowner Vasily Brovitsin. Instead, in 1913, a stone church was erected in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God with a refectory and a three-tier bell tower. (1)

During the Soviet period, the temple was not closed.

Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 15, 1998.

In 2013, the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the construction of the stone church.

On November 18, 2015, the temple was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 501-502.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

Grigory Dmitrievich Dmitriev , priest. Born in 1885 in the village. Izvekovo, Smolensk province. Russian. Arrested on July 31, 1937 by the Novoduginsky district police department. He was held in prison in the city of Vyazma. By decision of September 16, 1937 Troika UNKVD of the Smolensk region under Art. 58-10. Punishment: 10 years in forced labor camps. Rehabilitated on May 31, 1989 by the Prosecutor's Office of the Smolensk Region. Archival investigative file No. 5726-s. (1)

Literature:

Book of memory of victims. Smolensk martyrology. P. 52.

KNYAZHINO

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Address: 215240, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Knyazhino.

A wooden cemetery church in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Knyazhino, Sychevsky district (Novoduginsky district) was built in 1758 at the expense of Count Pyotr Ivanovich Panin (+ 1789), a military commander who participated in the Seven Years and Turkish (1769) wars. The existing wooden Intercession Church with a bell tower was erected in 1883. (1)

In 1888, the roof was painted, about which there is an inscription in the southern part of the bell tower basement.

The white stone base of the throne has been preserved.

The temple was not closed during the Soviet period.

The parish was visited by ruling archpastors over the years. Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 16, 1998. The Church of the Intercession is assigned to the Vladimir parish of the village of Novodugino.

On November 18, 2015, the temple was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. P. 503.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

LIPETSY

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Address: 215210, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Lipetsk.

A wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord with a chapel in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in 1600 at the expense of the Griboyedovs, who owned an estate in the village. Divine services were held in the temple until 1796. After the construction of the new temple, the wooden one was dismantled in 1817. A stone church, with two bell towers, in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord with chapels in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archdeacon Stephen was built in 1789 at the expense of Alexei Fedorovich Khomyakov. In the Nikolsky chapel, the white stone base of the throne has been preserved. (1)

During the Soviet period, the temple was not closed.

Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 15, 1998.

In 1998-2000, repair and restoration work was carried out in the temple.

On November 18, 2015, the temple was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

Not far from the village there is a revered spring in honor of the “Three-Handed” icon of the Mother of God. Every year, on July 25, a procession of the cross takes place there.

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 504-506.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

MILYUKOVO

Church of St. Nicholas

Address: 215244, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Milyukovo.

A stone church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with a chapel in the name of the Apostle John the Theologian in the village of Milyukovo, Sychevsky district (Novoduginsky district) was built in 1761 at the expense of Prince Saltykov and the patrimonial people, on the left elevated bank of the Kasni River. The stone five-tier bell tower was erected in 1790 at the expense of the nobleman Olonkin. At the end of the 19th century, five bells hung on the bell tower, the largest of which was poured in 1866 in Vyazma at the Alexey Shcherbinin factory. In 1883, major renovation work was carried out in the temple.

During the Soviet period, the temple was not closed. The temple stands in the northern part of the rural cemetery.

Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 15, 1998.

St. Nicholas Church is assigned to the Spassky parish in the village of Tesovo.

Every year, since 2008, on July 12, on the day of remembrance of Saints Peter and Paul, festivities and a folk song festival dedicated to the memory of V.V. are held near the St. Nicholas Church. Dokuchaev, organized by the administration of the Novoduginsky district, with the participation of rural settlements. On this day, a festive prayer service is held on the platform behind the temple altar.

On November 18, 2015, the village was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (1)

In 1846, Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev , a famous soil scientist, was born into the family of the priest of the St. Nicholas Church. (1.1.)

Literature:

VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

Notes:

Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev (1846-1903), naturalist, professor at St. Petersburg University (since 1883). In the classic work “Russian Chernozem” (1883), he laid the foundations of genetic soil science. Created the doctrine of geographical zones. Gave a scientific classification of soils (1886). In the book “Our Steppes Before and Now” (1892), he outlined a set of measures to combat drought. Founded the first department of soil science in Russia (1895). Dokuchaev’s ideas influenced the development of physical geography, forestry, land reclamation, etc. / Biographical Encyclopedic Dictionary. "Great Russian Encyclopedia". M., 2000. P. 216. // Code of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. P. 507.

MOLGINO

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Address: 215225, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, Molgino village.

A wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built in the village of Molgino at the expense of parishioners in 1621. The stone Transfiguration Church was built in 1820 at the expense of the landowner who owned the Dugino estate, Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin. (1)

A new stone temple was built in 2014. The great consecration of the Transfiguration Church in 2014 was performed by His Grace Isidore, Bishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky.

On December 21, 2021, Bishop Sergius consecrated a new boarding school for gifted children “Phoenix” in Molgino. (2)

In Molgino there is a revered spring with a wooden chapel in the name of the blessed Matrona of Moscow and a bathhouse.

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 508-509.
VEV. No. 1 (6), February. 2021. P. 6.

In 1866, the Most Reverend Dosifei (Protopopov) , Archbishop of Saratov and Tsaritsyn, was born in the village of Molgino. He graduated from the Smolensk Theological Seminary and the Moscow Theological Academy. Died on March 25, 1942 in Saratov. (1.1.)

Notes:

Dosifey (Protopopov) - in the rank of bishop at the Saratov See in 1917-1927. / History of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church. PSTGU. M., 2006. P. 434.

NIKOLSKOYE

Temple-chapel of Prince Vladimir

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, Nikolskoye village.

In the village of Nikolskoye, near the village of Torbeevo, through the efforts of Vladimir Vladimirovach Klimov and Anatoly Vasilyevich Karapotkin, a stone church-chapel was built in 2010 in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir. A wooden belfry was erected to the northwest of it. The church-chapel was painted in 2010 by icon painters “Vasily Kh. and Andrey M. with the brethren,” about which there is a corresponding inscription. Upon completion of all work, the temple-chapel was transferred to the ownership of the Smolensk diocese.

On November 26, 2021, the great consecration of the Vladimir church-chapel was performed by Bishop Sergius.

, Hieromartyr Vasily Protopopov (July 8 n.st.) worked as a teacher Born in 1886 in the village. Izvolsky, Yukhnovsky district, Smolensk province. Since 1915 he served in the village. Novopokrov, Gzhatsky district (Mozhaisky district, Moscow region). In 1940 he died in Mordovia. (12)

Literature:

Lives of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian twentieth century of the Moscow diocese. Add. T. 3. Tver, 2005. pp. 59-61.
Those who suffered for Christ. Persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church. 1917-1956. Biographical reference book. Book 3. V. Ed. PSTGU. M, 2021. P. 129.

NIKOLSKAYA SLOBODA (formerly SPAS)

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Address: 215247, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Nikolskaya Sloboda.

In the village of Spassky (Bogoyavlensky), Sychevsky district (Novoduginsky district), in 1804 there were two wooden churches: in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord with a chapel in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and a cemetery in the name of the Resurrection of Lazarus. The stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord with chapels in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was built in 1833. (1)

During the Soviet period, the temple was not closed and was assigned to the Spassky parish of the village of Tesovo. Regular worship was restored in 1996.

Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 15, 1998. Repair work was carried out in 1998-2000.

On November 18, 2015, the Transfiguration parish was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 510-511.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

TESOVO

Temple of the All-Merciful Savior

Address: 215244, Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, village. Tesovo.

A stone temple in honor of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (the All-Merciful Savior, according to an archival source of 1804 - in the name of the Savior Not Made by Hands) was built in the village of Tesovo, Sychevsky district (Novoduginsky district) in 1758 at the expense of Privy Councilor Peter Ivanovich Saltykov. At the end of the 18th century, a five-tier bell tower was erected to the west of the temple. In 1829, the temple and bell tower, at the expense of the landowner Anna Ivanovna Logginova, were connected by a refectory with the side chapels. The southern aisle is in the name of the Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop, the enlightener of Great Armenia; in the north - in the name of the righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess, no service is held. In the main church, a two-tier iconostasis from the late 18th century has been preserved. (1)

During the Soviet period, the temple was not closed. The parish was visited several times by the ruling archpastors. Metropolitan Kirill visited the parish on May 15, 1998.

On November 18, 2015, the temple was visited by His Grace Sergius, Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarin. (2)

The rector of the parish since 1980 is Mitred Archpriest John Belyak. He was ordained to the priesthood in October 1980.

Literature:

Collection of architectural monuments. Smolensk region. pp. 511-513.
VEV. No. 1 (2), January. 2021. P. 12.

, priest Alexy Petrovich Afanasyev served in the village of Tesovo . Born in 1892 in Novogrudok district, Minsk province. Arrested on October 27, 1937 by the Novoduginsky RO UNKVD. He was held in prison in the city of Vyazma. By decision of November 13, 1937, the troika of the NKVD of the Smolensk region was convicted under the article “anti-Soviet agitation” (No article specified). The punishment is execution. The sentence was carried out on December 2, 1937. Rehabilitated on October 23, 1961 by the decision of the Smolensk Regional Court. Archival investigative file No. 18068-s. (1)

In 1959, priest Igor Petrovich Balabushevich . Born on June 1, 1923 in the village. Bulya, Slonim district, Grodno province in the family of a priest. He graduated from 5 classes of the classical gymnasium in Pruzhany. In May 1941, he passed the exams for the secondary school course (9 years). He performed the duties of a psalm-reader in the Simonovsky Church in the village. Malech, under the leadership of Archpriest Peter Balabushevich. In 1942-1944. - employee of the Maletsky volost administration (during the German occupation). In April 1945, he was mobilized into the Red Army. Discharged due to illness. In November 1945, he was mobilized into the Labor Army for the restoration of Minsk. Archbishop of Minsk and Belarus Vasily (Ratmirov) ordained him to the rank of deacon on May 6, 1946. On May 9, 1946, he was ordained to the rank of priest. Appointed rector of the Peter and Paul Church in the village. Mokroe, now Pruzhany district, Brest region. On February 28, 1947, Father Igor was moved to the Elias Church in the village. Khorev, Pruzhany deanery. On October 24, 1951, he was arrested. Until October 10, 1954, he was imprisoned in the Omsk camp. Released with conviction expunged. Since November 15, 1955 - rector of the Holy Cross Church in the village. Omelyanets, Kamenets district, Brest region. In January 1956, Father Igor was transferred to the Smolensk diocese. Served in the church with. Tereshok, now Pochinkovsky district, Smolensk region. Since August 1957 - second priest of the Trinity Cathedral in Vyazma. In January 1959 he was moved to the village. Tesovo, Novoduginsky district. In March 1959 he was transferred to the Chelyabinsk diocese. Since March 25, 1959 - rector of the Kazan-Bogoroditsky Church in Katav-Ivanovsk. (2)

Literature:

Book of memory of victims. T.1. Book 1. A-K. Smolensk, 2006. P. 55.
Those who suffered for Christ. Persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church. 1917-1956. Book 2 (B). PSTGU. M, 2021. P. 39.

Shchegolevo

Source of the Holy Cross

Address: Smolensk region, Novoduginsky district, Shchegolevo village.

Near the village of Shchegolevo, Torbeevsky rural administration, there is an ancient revered source. On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord on September 27, a prayer service for water is held here every year. The source is tended by the priest of the village of Novodugino.

Prepared by Hieromonk Daniil (Sychev)

History[ | ]

The project for the creation of the Vyazma Vicariate was put forward by Tsar Feodor Alekseevich at the Council in November 1681. The Tsar proposed to establish 2 episcopal sees under the subordination of the Smolensk Metropolitan - in Bryansk and in Vyazma. The participants in the Council of 1681-1682 refused to establish subordinate episcopal sees, so that “there would be no ecclesiastical discord in the rank of bishops”[2].

In the second half of the 18th century, the city and the district were part of the Vyazemsky district of the Moscow diocese under the control of the bishops of Sarsk and Podonsk (Krutitsky). From the Krutitsa diocese to Smolensk, Vyazma was transferred in 1764[2].

The decision to establish the Vyazma Vicariate was made at an extraordinary diocesan congress of clergy and laity of the Smolensk province, chaired by Bishop Theodosius (Feodosiev) of Smolensk, held on May 16, 1917 in Smolensk. The congress decided to increase the number of episcopal sees by creating vicariates in large centers of the province[2].

The Vyazma vicariate was opened according to the decree of Patriarch Tikhon and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on June 19, 1918. On August 12, the former Oryol bishop sschmch was appointed Vyazma bishop. Macarius (Gnevushev), from the beginning of 1918, was the rector of the Vyazemsky St. John the Baptist Monastery. In 1936 the department was discontinued[2].

After this, the vicariate in Vyazma existed in 1955 and in 2005-2009.

On May 5, 2015, by decision of the Holy Synod, an independent Vyazemsk diocese was formed by separating it from the Smolensk diocese and incorporating it into the newly formed Smolensk Metropolis[1].

Notes[ | ]

↑ 12
JOURNALS of the meeting of the Holy Synod of May 5, 2015 / Official documents / Patriarchy.ru
↑ 1 2 3 4 Daniil (Sychev), priest.
Vyazma Vicariate // Orthodox Encyclopedia. - M.: Church Scientific, 2005. - T. X: “Deuteronomy - George.” — pp. 142-143. — 752 p. — 39,000 copies. — ISBN 5-89572-016-1.