Diocese of Zheleznogorsk: history, description, bishops and interesting facts

In the summer of 2012, in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod, there have been significant changes in the structural organization of the life of the Russian Orthodox Church. In particular, by decree of July 26, a certain part of the Kursk diocese was withdrawn from its composition and received administrative independence as the Zheleznogorsk eparchy of the Kursk region.

New administrative structures on the Orthodox map of the country

The same decree provided for the creation of a more ambitious structure - the Kursk Metropolia, which included, in addition to the Kursk diocese, as well as the newly formed Zheleznogorsk, Shchigrovskaya also entered. Diocese of Zheleznogorsk with its administrative borders covered a significant territory, which included six districts of the Kursk region - Khomutovsky, Lgovsky, Dmitrievsky, Fatezhsky, Konyshevsky and Zheleznogorsk.

The minister of God, placed at the head of the diocese

Archpastoral care for the newly formed diocese and leadership of it were assigned to Bishop Benjamin (Korolev). This worthy minister of the Church of Christ began his journey as a teacher of the children's art school in the city of Orel. After graduating from the music school in the class of folk instruments and being a very gifted man, he was preparing to devote his life to art, but the Lord planned another, higher ministry for him.

Entering the novice in the Znamensky monastery of the city of Kursk in 1996 and taking monastic vows a year later, he forever associated himself with the Church. Having traveled for two decades from a simple black to an archpastor, he always represented a wise shepherd and a talented administrator. In July 2012, he was entrusted to the Zheleznogorsk Diocese. Bishop Benjamin, like no one else, in the opinion of the members of the Holy Synod sitting in those days, was worthy of this high mission.

The Deanery of the Zheleznogorsk Diocese and their leaders

As is known, in accordance with the church charter and established traditions, each diocese is divided into smaller church-administrative structures, called deaneries. They unite among themselves parishes in close proximity to each other, and are headed by specially appointed persons bearing the title of Dean. Zheleznogorsk Diocese includes six such deaneries - Khomutovskoye, Lgovskoye, Dmitrievskoe, Fatezhskoye, Zheleznogorskoye and Konyshevskoye.

Leading them, Bishop Veniamin put the most experienced, and proved his competence clerics - Hieromonk Sophrony (Dolgov), as well as archpriests Alexy (Kalashnikov), Maxim (Potapov), Basil (Bovsunovsky), Nikolay (Kobelev) and Nicholas (Mynja).

The most important administrative organs of the diocese

Also, with his archpastoral care, all the major internal structures were formed. Among them, the diocesan council, which he personally headed, as well as the diocesan court chaired by Protopriest Michael (Tzurkalo), the revision commission headed by Archpriest Victor (Telyatetsky), departments for social service, interaction with law enforcement agencies, armed forces, etc.

Work carried out with the youth and the Cossacks

From the first days of its formation, the diocese of Zheleznogorsk and its leadership are making every effort to involve young people in the full religious life. To this end, a wide range of various events are held, an important place among which is the organization of thematic hikes, sports competitions, as well as classes in circles, one way or another connected with the Orthodox culture. An important place among them is assigned to the choir studios created in various deaneries.

Do not ignore the diocesan leadership and work to strengthen ties with the Cossacks, widely represented in this region of Russia. In this important matter the newspaper "Orthodox Herald", which the Diocese Zheleznogorskaya produces for many years, is of great assistance. A pleasant fact can be considered the desire of many Cossacks to pass from the category of readers to the number of authors who publish their articles and notes on the pages of the newspaper. Statistics show that their number is increasing every year.

Religious enlightenment and catechesis

And, finally, we can not fail to mention the work developed by the department of catechesis and religious education, headed by the priest, Father Andrew (Budnik). It's no secret that for decades of total atheism experienced by the country during the communist rule, the level of religious knowledge among the population has been minimized, and most of our fellow citizens have the most superficial and sometimes distorted view of Orthodoxy.

Nevertheless, the number of those who wish to receive holy baptism increases every year. So that, when approaching the font, people are fully aware of the depth and significance of the sacrament, and with them a course of preliminary studies is conducted. In addition, Sunday school for children is created by the forces of the hotel parishes, which contribute to the assimilation of the basic provisions of the Christian faith.

Travel to holy places of Russia and abroad

Pilgrimage service "Archangel" of Zheleznogorsk diocese offers all those who wish to worship the greatest shrines of Christianity, visit holy places both in Russia and far beyond its borders. In particular, in January of the coming year, a trip to the Holy Land is planned with a visit to places connected with different periods of the Savior's earthly life and many events described in the New Testament. It is timed to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.

Those who are on this trip will be able to visit Jerusalem, to bow to the main shrine of Christianity - the Holy Sepulcher, to go the same way that Jesus went to Calvary, to visit the Zion's Room and to see with his own eyes the place from which He ascended in the eyes of His disciples and followers.

In addition, the program prepared by the pilgrims of the Zheleznogorsk diocese includes visits to a number of other cities in Israel, such as Jaffa, where the Apostle Peter, Galilee preached, where the words of the Sermon on the Mount, Mount Tabor, who saw the light of the Transfiguration of the Lord, preached two millennia ago, and many Other areas of this amazing country.

But not only abroad offers to go diocesan pilgrimage service. Russia is also rich in places where the light of Orthodoxy has shone, and the Diocese of Zheleznogorsk provides an opportunity to see them. This is Moscow, in the holy monasteries of which monthly trips are organized, and Pskov with its monasteries, leaving their history to the depths of centuries, and the inextinguishable foci of the Christian faith, lit on the islands of the Ladoga Lake and the White Sea, as well as many other places.