In accordance with the historical tradition and modern instruments, under the diocese meant the local church, which is headed by a bishop.In the diocese together various church institutions - from farmsteads to monasteries and churches, as well as the mission of brotherhood, educational institutions, and others. The bishop in this structure occupies a leading position on the basis of succession of power from themselves the Holy Apostles, and manages the participation of the clergy and secularcommunity.
boundaries between dioceses these days often coincide with administrative boundaries.They are installed in such a body as the Holy Synod.Although there are exceptions to the rule.For example, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Archdiocese in Belarus dioceses have more than regions in these countries.
When the diocese was established in Nizhny Novgorod?
Nizhny Novgorod diocese has a long and interesting history of the origin and existence.It is going to establish another in the middle of the XVII century, when the "Nizovskaya land" from the European part of the Russian Empire began to move numerous Old Believers and followers of Stepan Razin.This created the preconditions for the formation of pockets of unrest in the region, which could later be turned against the state.Therefore, in 1672 to strengthen the Orthodox faith and the world was created Nizhny Novgorod Orthodox diocese headed by Archimandrite Filaret, who is head of the Caves Monastery.He ruled the diocese for 10 years and sat in the Novgorod Kremlin, which was regarded as the seat of the church unity at that time.
Like destroyed and revived the Nizhny Novgorod diocese in the twentieth century
In the Soviet years the diocese, renamed Gorky, was almost completely destroyed.In 1918, many ordinary monks, rector of the church, the bishops, Archpriest were shot or drowned with their hands tied in the Volga.Similar atrocities were repeated in 1938, the center of crimes against priests became Mochalny island.Last diocese temple was closed just before the start of the Great Patriotic War.
However, the unfavorable situation on the fronts forced the Soviet leadership to begin the revival of the Orthodox faith in August 1941.Then reopened Trinity-Vysokovsk church parishioners who donated to the military about one million Soviet rubles.In the future, the number of open and restored churches grew, and today the Nizhny Novgorod diocese is composed of about 220 churches, nine monasteries and nearly 180 parishes and deaneries 17 (groups of parishes in the vicinity of each other).
since 2012 the Nizhny Novgorod diocese is part of the Nizhny Novgorod archdiocese along with Lyskovsky, Gorodetsky and Vyksa dioceses to address the session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.Since February 2003, the head of the diocese is the Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, Russian Orthodox Bishop George (T. Vasily Danilov).
As part of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese today emit one vicariate - Balakhna.His head - Vicar, Bishop (now Ilia Bykov), which in this case is not the ruling bishop.The rest of the vicariate, the former as part of the diocese, eliminated or moved to the status of independent dioceses.
Seraphim of Sarov - the main patron of the Nizhny Novgorod land
50 years after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, in 1991, in Diveevo monastery returned the relics of Seraphim of Sarov.They arrived in Moscow at the end of July and the procession were directed to the Nizhny Novgorod region.This saint from his early years was kept by God.In particular, in the construction of the temple, which is led by his parents, he escaped unhurt when tripped and fell from the bell tower.
Then in a dream he was healed from a serious illness and cure of dropsy miraculously after seeing the Mother of God, who came to him with the two apostles and told John that Seraphim "from our race."
Later Seraphim performed many feats of prayer and healing.Some have seen during the prayer he stood above the ground, and later testified about it.
addition Seraphim of Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod land patrons considered more than twenty saints and many martyrs, some of whom are priests slain for their faith in 1918 and 1937-38.
Reconstruction of Nizhny Novgorod churches
In recent years, many churches of the Diocese of Nizhny Novgorod decline gradually moving to the flourishing, and in the process can participate anyone.Currently, work is underway on the reconstruction Feodorovsky Cathedral in Gorodets, churches and chapels in Nizhny Novgorod (on the site of the demolished Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in honor of Saint Igor) temple in the Volga (in honor of The saving of the Trinity), the temple of the Holy Virgin in the village Glukhovoand others. These places of worship can be visited during the pilgrimage.
One- and two-day tours through the center of religious pilgrimage
Promotion believers in temples and holy places helps pilgrim center of Nizhny Novgorod diocese, received the blessing for the organization of trips to holy places in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and other regions of Russia and countries of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolitan George, who heads the unit of this church since 2003.This organization is registered in the register of tour operators of Russia and offers about five dozen tours of religious and customary ways.Among them are the day trips to Diveevo in Vysokovsky monastery in Murom, Arzamas to the source of the twelve sacred keys in Suzdal, at the Holy Protection Convent in Kideksha, which is an ancient village, founded by Suzdal before the arrival of thesethe land of the Slavs.Almost all tours are conducted by Orthodox guides and include participation in a particular church service with a possible communion and confession.
addition to day trips to the pilgrimage center of Nizhny Novgorod diocese is organizing a two-day tour to Kazan (the choir of the Kazan Mother of God), in the Optina Monastery, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Kostroma, Serpukhov, and others. The most popular is a trip to Diveevo full circleworship the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov and other saints and martyrs.The program includes a tour of the Seraphim-Diveevo monastery, which looks more like a city plan.
Virgin groove, and a trip to the Holy Land
known that the plan of this religious monument painted Saint Seraphim, who had never been to this place.This suggests that the monastery is planned, with the blessing of God and of his providence.According to tradition, the convent was founded after the appearance of the Virgin to the mother of Alexander, and he is considered one of the four Appanages Dame on our land.The program of the pilgrimage also included a visit to Our Lady of grooves, of which Saint Seraphim said that the coming of the Antichrist will take all the unclean and the groove does not jump, as she measured the Virgin her with his belt.
addition, pilgrim center organizes trips to holy places abroad.For example, you can visit the Holy Land during Lent, including a stay in the Greek monastery on Mount Tabor, visit to the monastery in Nazareth, visit the Jordan Church of the Nativity, the place of the Ascension and other holy places.The center of pilgrimage has its representatives in the Holy Land and provides the opportunity to participate in the liturgy in various temples, passing on the Way of the Cross, a visit to Bethlehem, the participation in the All-Night Vigil.Such visits usually take about a week, and a group of believers accompany the priest.
Church and popular songs performed by male choir
Nizhny Novgorod diocese is also known for its magnificent hierarchal choir.It consists of eleven people, including the priests with the rank of deacons to the bishops who perform the motet works: chants, chants, prayers, et al., As well as hymns and songs of modern and ancient authors and composers.Choir of the Diocese of Nizhny Novgorod is popular with parishioners, he gives charity performances and has released two CDs church and popular music.These hymns were recognized even in the hearts of die-hard rockers who admit they had never heard of sacred music in such a good performance.The choir often performs without accompaniment of musical instruments.
As a minister of the church to sing.Archdeacon Andrei shares his views
feature the choir is the archdeacon of the Diocese of Nizhny Novgorod father Andrew.His powerful baritone is not inferior to the power of sound and richness of sound colors legendary Russian bass singer Feodor Chaliapin, and maybe even something superior to it.The first twenty-five years of his life Father Andrew was associated with secular music, while not visited the Annunciation Monastery, where he met with church hymns.After that he became more frequent visits to temples and listening to music, and in the end asked for permission from the abbot of the temple work.A few years later he was ordained a deacon.
Archdeacon Andrei (Zheleznyakov) believes that the deacon ministry must have experience and be able to sing, but no praise their voice data, no matter how good they may be.It is believed that the reading of the priests must fully renounce earthly cares and sing for the Creator, who gave man life, and all his faculties.Only in this case, you can perform so that the meaning of the prayer comes even to those who do not know the words of the Old Slavonic.It seems that the Nizhny Novgorod diocese Cathedral Choir sings exactly what attracts flocks and lay listeners.Archdeacon Andrei so shocking the audience with his voice, that many are willing to confess and talk with him.
