Policy of the Russian Orthodox Church after the enthronement of Metropolitan Kirill's patriarchal dignity was marked by large-scale reform of the administration.Large diocesan institutions began to break up into small independent episcopal centers and joins them in the archdiocese.As a result of these actions as part of the Moscow Patriarchate has increased significantly the number of episcopal chairs.One of these newly formed centers - Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya Diocese (photo below).
emergence of episcopal center Yelets
first episcopal Yelets was founded in the early twentieth century, the imperial decree at the request of the Holy Synod.Episcopia wore suffragan status, that is, had the support and dependent position in relation to the main center, which was then to Elets Orel Department.However, its ruling bishop ordered that the vicar instead Yelets where he was determined to abide by the Synod, he lived in the Orel, visiting dace as needed.So in fact the Vicariate did not function, and he played the role of assistant to the vicar Reverend Orlovsky all diocesan matters.There was all this in August 1906, when it was established the Vicariate.Synod to put up with this situation until 1918, when it was determined a second time to the Vicar Eletskii was in his cathedral city, and engaged in the direct management of subordinate parishes.
Eletskaya Regulation Department of the Soviet Union
political events in Russia since 1917, and followed them as a result of unrest destroyed the church-established system of church government.Single hitherto body began to break up into independent currents and factions.So there renovationist structure, supported at first by Soviet power, and reactionary, right-wing promonarhicheskie association, the same authorities harassed.In the middle there was a more or less reasonable (especially after 1927, when the Declaration was published by Metropolitan Sergius of loyalty to the Soviet regime), the Patriarchal church, which was in opposition to a multitude of clergy.Just one of these groups, Eletskoye vicariate in 1922 at the diocesan congregation of the clergy in the face of the clergy decided to establish an independent autocephalous church.It was the Primate Bishop Nicholas (Nicholas).At this step the priests decided to avoid merging with the reformist structures Renovationists whose church organization at that time was occupied by the official and pro-Soviet stance.However, the newly formed church was faced with strong opposition from the Soviet government, which in response to the decision of the diocese to go to self-governing status of the clergy responded to the seizure of assets.Bishop Nicholas was banished to Zadonsk, from which continued to manage the preserved remains of his faithful priests and laity.The final destruction of the diocesan structure in Yelets were in 1937 - the brutal anti-religious persecution in the Soviet Union.
Finding self diocesan status
After the changes in the religious policy of the Soviet Union, especially after the restructuring, the church life in Yelets Lipetsk revived as part of the Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.Cathedral (this time not a suffragan, and private) status of the area was restored by the Holy Synod in May 2013 with the name "Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya diocese."According to the same decision, the revived Diocese was part of the newly formed Lipetsk archdiocese.Diocesan ruling bishop was appointed Bishop Maxim (Dmitry).
Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya Diocese: Deanery parishes and
Today Eletskaya Department is a relatively large pool of parishes.According to official data, in 2015 for eight deaneries of the diocese there are about sixty churches, including the Cathedral of the Ascension, and five monasteries, including one male and four female.Apart from religious buildings, it is located in Yelets office building, which occupies Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya diocese.His address: Lipetsk region, Elec city, Red Square, Building 1, the index 399770.
Theological education
to the defeat of church life in the times of persecution, the need for spiritual education meet the two schools.Today Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya diocese has only Orthodox school in the name of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.As part of this educational institution full program taught secondary school (eleven classes).Plus, in addition to conventional disciplines to choose from a number of electives - church singing, sewing, and other local history.The intention to revive the school or create a seminary at the Department of Lipetsk and Lebedyanskaya diocese is not reported.
Interaction of Church and Society
Orthodox structures in the interaction with the community through five specialized departments that incorporates Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya diocese.News of church life according to Orthodox website and magazine "Diocesan church bells."Also in the department has seven committees dealing with the various issues of church life and society.And in addition, there is the activity of the Metropolitan Center in Lipetsk, which collaborates Eletskaya and Lebedyanskaya diocese.Society of orthodox doctors - a vivid example.
