political reasons and a series of events XX-XXI centuries on the territory of modern Ukraine operates several Orthodox jurisdictions.Because describing the life of the Church in a particular diocese, it is necessary to specify, from the standpoint of a church party, it seems.This article focuses on one of the oldest departments of Orthodox Russia, way is undoubtedly the Poltava diocese.Introducing it will be mainly in the person of the Moscow Patriarchate, by virtue of pre-emptive canonical position of the organization in the Orthodox world, and because of its leading position in the field.
ancient history of Orthodoxy in Poltava
notorious 1054, except that marks the great East-West Schism, also interesting because it is a reference point for the life of the Poltava diocese.It was called, however, while Pereiaslav, and its first ruling bishop was Bishop Nicholas.A little more than two hundred years after its foundation, independent of church government in the Poltava region was abolished, and church structures passed directly under the omophorion of the Metropolitan of Kiev.This happened in 1279.
Department of Rehabilitation
decision on restoration of the Pereiaslav diocese was made only in 1700.But even then it was limited to the status of the rights under the Vicariate of the Kyiv Metropolis.Then, repeatedly changed its position, the transition to self-governance, then divided geographically between the surrounding church centers.Eventually, in 1799, by decree of Emperor Paul Vicariate received the status of self-government with the name "Little Russian and Pereyaslavskaya."However, in 1802, in connection with the liquidation of the Little Russian provinces, the system of church government has changed in Poltava: Poltava became the main center of the cathedral (originally only nominally because of the lack of the necessary material base for the dispensation of the administrative apparatus) and Pereyaslavl was the second diocesan center.The official name "Poltava and Pereyaslavl" for the diocese was fixed in 1847.As such it existed until 1937.
Throughout its history Poltava Eparchy had in its composition two vikariantstva.The first of them - Priluksky - was established in 1884 and existed until the dissolution of the diocese in the 30-ies of XX century.The second, called Lubny, operated only for eight years from 1920 to 1928.
Orthodox Church in Poltava in Soviet times
When the territory of Poltava region was established Soviet power, the life of the diocese began to gradually fade.Mass closed churches and monasteries were liquidated.In 1937, the ruling bishop with the subordinate vicar and all the clergy of the diocese were subjected to repression.After this time, the management of the department took the Bishop Mitrofan (Rusinov), which, however, soon died.In fact, in 1939 the Poltava diocese was completely destroyed.
revival of church life were in the Great Patriotic War, when the conditions of the German occupation was opened several temples have been made and some control structure.In 1944, the department was called Poltava and Kremenchug.As such, it exists to this day under the Kiev Patriarchate.As for the Moscow church structures, that in 2007 was renamed the Diocese of Poltava and Myrhorod in connection with the release of an independent center of Kremenchug department.
Poltava Eparchy of the UOC MP
within the jurisdiction of the Kyiv Metropolis Moscow Patriarchate's Department of Poltava has an important strategic and political situation, due to its historical significance, scale and geographical location within the state.
It is run by a missionary seminary bias, and is the title of Primate Metropolitan.Today it is the Reverend Philip (Osadcenco).Poltava Eparchy in its jurisdiction has two cathedrals (St. Macarius, and the Resurrection of Christ) in the town of feast and one (Assumption) in Myrhorod.On the territory of the region there are three monasteries - one male and two female.Ensure fruitful interaction between society and the Church on the part of the latter are engaged in seven diocesan departments and a number of auxiliary facilities, such as a youth club at the Cathedral of St. Makarievskm Cathedral.
Other Orthodox jurisdictions in Poltava
As already mentioned, in addition to the UOC, Poltava diocese still owns a number of independent church structures.Such independent jurisdictions in Ukraine enough.Most of them are numerically small, there are only a few units of the parishes, and the largest, such as the Kiev Patriarchate, is a serious political force, successfully competing with the UOC-MP, and even challenge her right.
Poltava Eparchy of the UOC-KP today is a vast territory, led by Archbishop Theodore (Bubnyukom).In particular, it is, as mentioned above, maintains Kremenchuk as second cathedral city.Apart from the UOC-KP, on the territory of Poltava, there are congregations and communities of different branches of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the CPI and other independent jurisdictions Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
