Diocese of Gorodets and Fedorovsky Monastery

For the Russian Orthodox Church, 2011 was marked by the beginning of the reform of the diocesan system. Within the framework of its program, the former and the creation of new dioceses, including those in the Gorodets and Nizhny Novgorod regions, have been disaggregated, uniting a number of parishes in the adjoining administrative boundaries.

Historical information about the city

Gorodets of the Nizhny Novgorod region is the oldest city on the Volga coast. The mention of him in the annals dates back to 1172 year. It arose as a fortress for the protection of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality from the invasion of foreigners and for a long time was an important stronghold for its defense. Several times burned by enemies, but reborn and rebuilt again. In Russian history, Gorodets is known as the last earthly shelter of Alexander Nevsky. As the church legends say, he died in the Fedorovsky Monastery in 1263, taking monastic vows before his death.

In the times of the Russian Empire, both Orthodox Christians and Old Believers of different directions lived in the city, therefore Gorodets of the Nizhny Novgorod region has long been considered the center of the Old Believers. With the advent of Soviet power, all the churches were closed, regardless of religion, and some of them were completely destroyed. Restoration of churches began in the 90s of the last century.

Diocese of Gorodets

Dioceses are territorial areas, the boundaries of which are determined by state and ecclesiastical laws. They consist of a set of church institutions and communities and are part of a local church directly related to government power. Dioceses are independent of each other in their internal affairs. Each of them is under the constant management of the local bishop, who has a very big influence within her.

The Diocese of Gorodets and Vetluzhskaya, founded in 2012 by the decree of the Holy Synod, is part of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolitanate. It includes the following parishes of the municipal districts of the region:

• Gorodetsky.
• Varnavinsky
• Resurrection.
• The Vetluga.
• Krasnobakovsky.
• Sokolsky.
• Kovernenskiy.
• Tonkinsky.
• Semenovsky.
• Tonshaevsky.
• Sharansky.
• Urensky.
• Shakhunsky.

The Diocese of Gorodetsky received the status of an independent structural unit of the Russian Orthodox Church. The reigning bishop elected Augustine (Anisimov), Bishop Gorodetsky and Vetluzhsky. The consecration of the Divine Liturgy took place on Palm Sunday on April 8, 2012 in the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Gorodets of the Nizhny Novgorod region became a cathedral city. The second department is located in the city of Vetluga.

His Eminence Bishop Augustine

The residence of Bishop Augustine is in the Fedorov Monastery, the governor of which he still remains. Here the Bishop holds meetings and meetings, receives visitors.

Archbishop Augustine is known as a missionary and a talented preacher, theologian and jurist. He is the ideological inspirer and organizer of many projects, thanks to which both in Russia and abroad the Fedorovsky Monastery and the Gorodets Diocese became widely known. The ministry of Bishop Augustine, his sermons and soul-saving conversations always attract a lot of people. On forums at the Russian level, prominent figures of our country and foreign guests come to the Fedorovsky Monastery.

The Gorodets Diocese (Fedorovsky Monastery)

Great honor to a small town was given by the diocese of Gorodetska, headed by Bishop Augustine and the Fedorovsky Monastery. The historical fate of this monastery during the Soviet years is unenviable. In 1927 the monastery was closed and more than two decades it housed various institutions. In the late 40-ies the temples were completely blown up, the building material was used for economic needs. Fortunately, the main relic - Feodorovskaya icon of the Mother of God, which is now in the monastery museum - has been preserved.

The life of the monastery began to revive in 2009, when for one year the cathedral of the monastery was built. On September 12 of the same year he was consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. At first there was no one in the monastery, except Augustus, appointed by the governor. The formation of the Gorodets diocese gave impetus to a new life. Now, when the monastery boils up, it's hard to believe that a few years ago there was a wasteland here.

Currently, on the territory of the monastery there is an Orthodox mission center with a museum of the history of the monastery, excursion service, exhibition gallery, cinema hall, library, conference hall and classrooms, hotel for pilgrims. A lot of new projects are planned. The monastery continues to expand its activities.