Tver is one of the oldest cities in Russia.Its creation dates back to the year 1135, and by the middle of the XIII century the region has been significantly increased and was able to dissociate itself an independent principality.Cathedral of the Transfiguration Cathedral, located in Tver, was erected by the end of the XIII century.He was the earliest monumental buildings built in Suzdal region after the invasion of the Tatars.What evolved Tver Diocese - one of the oldest in the Orthodox Church?To answer this question, we should start with the history of its occurrence.
Diocese of Tver and Kashin as a part of the Russian Orthodox Church
history of the Orthodox Church in Russia has more than a thousand years.Created back in the tenth century and now has about 150 million believers.It is considered the largest of the local Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the world.Its basic territorial unit is a diocese.It is noteworthy that at the beginning of this century as a part of the Russian Orthodox Church there were 132. The diocese is headed by a bishop, who shall be appointed to assist the vicar bishops.It brings together on this earth are the monasteries, the monastery and the parishes.One of the oldest is the Diocese of Tver and Kashin.
emergence of Tver diocese
Diocese is part of the Archdiocese of Tver.It was spun off into an independent diocese of Polotsk during the reign of Grand Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavich.This happened not later than 1271 in surviving sources this year is celebrated as the time of the burial of the Grand Duke of Tver Bishop Simeon.Initially the territory of the diocese covered all the Tver principality.In 1589 it established the Archdiocese.In 1681 was the decision of the chair lift up to the status of metropolis, but soon it was abolished.
History of the Diocese of XVII-XIX centuries
The existing hierarchy of Tver diocese was following the Ryazan, and from the middle of the XVII century - after the Vologda.From the beginning of the XIX century was the eleventh.She followed the Department of Ryazan.In winter 1836 in her adopted Staritskogo vicariate.It is worth noting that since the emergence of the diocese changed each other seventy-eight bishops.It is headed by the now Archbishop of Tver and Kashin Victor seventy-ninth in their list.
Diocese of Tver and Kashin in the twentieth century
century ago Tver diocese was one of the most important in the structure of the Russian Orthodox Church.In 1917, it included 36 religious organizations.And in more convents were Tver diocese - there were 19. Then there were more than half a million Orthodox believers.The total number of temples was 1204.
history of the Orthodox Church in Russia in the 20-30-ies of the last century marked by the continuous persecution of the clergy and devout parishioners.This bitter fate is not spared and the Tver diocese.Over the two decades before the war the number of priests it dropped almost four thousand to less than fifty.Then close all the holy abode of the diocese.
Diocese Now
For a century the diocese several times changed its name, and for 15 years it is called Tver and Kashin.In 1940, the cathedral has been recognized by Trinity Cathedral Tver.Diocese connects all parishes and monasteries that are located in its territory.Three and a half years ago from the Tver Diocese identified Bezhetskaya and Rzhev, and within the boundaries of metropolitan area have formed.Now it is headed by the Metropolitan of Tver and Kashin - Victor.
Office is located in the heart of the regional center.It has a complex structure, including a plurality of units.Among them, a library, office of Public Relations, Department of Youth Affairs, as well as religious education and others.On the territory of the diocesan offices are located, in addition, the school choir singing, sewing shop, shop of church utensils and religious literature, and other areas.
Metropolitan Tver and Kashin Victor
worth to pay attention to the individual chapters of the diocese.So, Metropolitan Tver and Kashin Victor came into the world on 21 September 1940 in Pochaev Kremenets district, Ternopil region.
He was the son of a worker.At school he was expelled because he attended church and forced to leave their religious beliefs.
In 1966 he became a graduate of the Leningrad Theological Academy as a candidate of theology.At the age of 26 years, he took vows as a monk.The new name of his named in honor of martyr Victor.In 1988, we determined the bishop Kalinin, and two years later - Tver and Kashin.In late 2011, the head of the Tver was determined archdiocese.It has several high church awards and medals.He inspired and selfless work for the benefit of the Archdiocese
activities of the diocese today
Currently Tver diocese has been active in social and educational work.It contributes to the spread of Orthodoxy among young people, actively cooperating with educational institutions in the area.Special departments of the diocese involved using socially vulnerable people - the distribution of food, clothing and other necessities.The active opposition of drug addiction and alcoholism, holds regular meetings and educational talks with young people.
church organization to render all assistance to orphanages of Tver region.It runs a number of soup kitchens and orphanages.Under the auspices of the Diocese out a large number of media, the activities covered and some secular media.
Help for pensioners and the disabled, support for the poor, education and religious education of the younger generation - all these diligently and enthusiastically engaged in Tver diocese clergy which regularly holds general meetings to determine further work.
temples and monasteries of Tver diocese
On the territory there are 15 monasteries, including 10 women.Of these, 12 - active.The oldest of them - Staritsky Holy Assumption - already more than 900 years.On the territory of the diocese is also Episcopal Skit-Martha and Mary Convent.It stauropegic nunnery with a special order of existence.Now it operates a shelter for orphaned girls, as well as the soup kitchen.
At the beginning of the last century, Tver was located about fifty churches.However, most of them were destroyed in the 30's, when there is an active construction of the regional center.Tver Diocese Parishes are located throughout the area.Chief among them is the Resurrection Cathedral, built in 1913 by the royal family for money and investments of the monastery to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Romanov dynasty.
worth mentioning as Trinity Church in Zatmache - the old and the surviving stone buildings and the oldest operating temple city of Tver.It contains the reliquary of Saint Makarios-miracle worker.Also subordinate to the diocese are numerous monasteries and episcopal monastery.
Devotees and wonderful place diocese
Among the bishops who ruled the Department of Tver, were holy ascetics and preachers of the Christian faith.First of all, it's a miracle worker Saint Arseny, founder of many monasteries and churches of the Tver region.Total canonized were referred more than 150 devotees of these places.Over the past few years - even more than 90 martyrs Tver land.For sixteen years, the festival held on September 19, dedicated to their memory.
Tver Diocese steadily and reverently preserves precious relics of the Orthodox Christian faith.They have for centuries kept in its churches, monasteries and cathedrals.And now they attracted believers from different cities and are the subject of reverent worship area residents.
Among these relics of holy Duchess Anna of Kashin, an icon of the Holy Prince Michael and many others.Now held in the Tver earth pilgrimage.In this blessed region has many wonderful corners.People with severe and incurable ailments come to the village of Maslovo Staritsa district of Tver region.There are two miraculous source.The locals respectfully call them alive and dead water and believe that one of them contributes to the healing of serious diseases, and the second helps eyesight.
Thus, Tver Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church remains a reliable stronghold of Orthodox Christianity.
