Nowadays Irkutsk and Angarsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church includes monasteries and congregations in the Irkutsk region.However, the Bratsk and Sayan dioceses, too, are on the territory of the district, it is part of the Irkutsk metropolis.
penetration of Orthodoxy in Siberia
History of the diocese is very interesting - as no other branch of the ROC, it changed its borders.First in Siberia, after its accession to Russia, was formed Diocese of Tobolsk.This was in 1620.Irkutsk Region was part of it, but because of its vastness in 1706, it is highlighted in the conventional church-administrative unit of the diocese called "vicariate", and already in 1721 appears self Irkutsk diocese.And it was a good thing, both for the region, and for Russia as a whole.
in plantations of religion in the new place is always a very important role was played by missionaries.He became the first prelate Innocent Kulchytsky, who was a true devotee - he brought with him the first private library, actively conducted educational work.In addition, he has streamlined the church-administrative structure.His beginnings worthy prelate continued Safronov, who had also been active in missionary work.In addition, the diocese was rich members of the clergy, who were engaged in scientific activities and transfers, as well as research in the field of ethnography, linguistics.
Formation Diocese
huge Siberia, Irkutsk diocese continually grow the territories in which it was necessary to carry the "Word of God".So, in 1731 it includes Yakutia, and soon the entire territory of Siberia and the vast expanses of the Far East, belonging to Russia.
More - more.Alaska and the Aleutian Islands in 1796 are part of the Irkutsk diocese.Naturally, to keep the endless territory under the same beginning is difficult, because in those days the area was equal to half of the entire diocese of vast Russia.
In 1840 began a reverse process.The first emerged as an independent Kuril, Kamchatka and the Aleutian diocese.The latter moved in 1856 Yakutia.Then, in 1894, Chita vicariate is formed, which in the same year became an independent church-administrative territorial unit.Thus, the Irkutsk diocese of the beginning of XX century was the border, similar to the present.
Years disbelief
But the era of atheism, huge administrative units of the Orthodox Church became simply abolished, and churches and monasteries - the looting and destruction.To Siberia and the Far East area there was not a spiritual institution.From 1917 to 1930 the Irkutsk diocese, which is not closed, the earth absorbs the abolished structures and its size again reach the shores of the Far East.However, under pressure from the godless government sentiment is closed and the diocese, however, did not last long - in 1943 it is restored.Until the last years of Soviet rule Irkutsk Orthodox diocese extended to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
New Times
comes perestroika, the Orthodox Church begins its epochal revival.The process of resurrection all abolished and destroyed.In 1988, he restored and separate a department of Khabarovsk, in 1993 became an independent diocese of Yakutsk in 1994 - Chita.Again, the time has come when the boundaries coincide Irkutsk region and, indeed, of the diocese.However, already 05.10.2011 emerge from its membership and gain independence diocese Sayan and Bratsk.And on October 6 at the boundaries of the Irkutsk region is formed metropolis, which is becoming the head of the Irkutsk bishop.
Glorious names
During its history Irkutsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church has given three bishops, who became famous for a righteous life and pastoral activity, that is, saints.They were:
- first Bishop Innocent Kulchytsky (1727-1731);
- Safronov Kristallevsky (1754-1771);
- Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna Innocent Benjamin (1868-1879).
Prior to 1917, the number of bishops that control the Irkutsk diocese, was 17. Their selfless work has transformed the region.Through the efforts of the church was organized and included in an active learning process network of educational nature.By the middle of the XIX century in the diocese, there were more than 35 schools in the parish, and five types of schools religious education directly in the Irkutsk region - 14.
Missionary activity
the beginning of the XX century there operated two women's college and seminary, and the number of schools has reached 229. Requirements for the priests, all the time raised the level of their training grew, and by the beginning of the XX century, many of them had higher education.Of course, for the Christianization of the indigenous population and used the carrot and the stick, but the missionary activities yielded positive results.The first book was published under the title "Short Catechism", its main key point was the publication in the Yakut language (1819), a little later for the Russian population of Alaska and the "newly baptized Buryats" were released on their tongues basic liturgical texts.
Even after a significant reduction in area Irkutsk diocese remained the largest religious center.In the diocese there were many churches and monasteries.In this regard, it is impossible not to mention one of the oldest monasteries in Siberia, founded in the late 17th century on the right side of the hangar.She became a monastery dedicated to the banner of the Mother of God, especially now that its territory is situated the management Irkutsk diocese archdiocese.
Znamenskoye abode
monastery buried in the necropolis of famous people such as Princess Catherine Trubetskaya and her children - Sofia, Vladimir and Nikita.Close to the home of Kolchak was shot.In 2004 there was a monument to the glory of this great ruler and the Admiral.At the foot of the wall, looking to the south, in 2015 produced the burial of the writer Valentin Rasputin.Throughout the years of the life of the monastery brought him fame nuns zolotoshveyki and seamstress, their skill was well known and appreciated even in the two Russian capitals.
features of the modern Church is not frozen in its development and even use all the achievements of science and technology.Their sites are all church-administrative territorial units, including the Irkutsk diocese.Regional Orthodox portal, accommodating a plurality edinonaprvlennyh target sites with a common great spiritual thought, word, and domain name carries comprehensive information on Irkutskry diocese, its history and the present day.Absolutely all news are widely available.
