Prelate Ignaty Bryanchaninov: biography, books

The priests of the Orthodox Church left a special mark on the culture and spiritual life of the country. Their actions and words affect the formation of personalities in several generations. One of the outstanding figures of the church is St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov. He left behind a vast heritage: spiritual and mentoring literature, correspondence with famous theologians and statesmen of his time, many followers.

Family and children's years

The future bishop of the Caucasus and Black Sea was born in the famous noble family of the Brianchaninovs in early February 1807. At baptism received the name of Dmitry. Prior to his arrival, two babies died in the family, and the mother, trying to overcome despair and become full of faith, visited holy places around the family estate in the Vologda region. On hot prayers a boy was born, followed by five children. Since childhood Dmitry was a special child, he loved solitude, he preferred reading to noisy children's games. Interest in monasticism was determined early.

Primary education all the children of the Brianchaninovs received at home. But it was so brilliant that it easily helped everyone to enter educational institutions with higher scores. According to the memories of Peter's younger brother, Dmitry never suppressed the younger with his authority or with many knowledge. In the heat of games, jokingly tying children's battles, Dmitry always told the younger: "Fight, do not give up!" This persistence of St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov carried through all his life.

Military College

At the age of 15, his father decided to send Dmitry to a military school. This was required by the status and position of the family in society. On a trip to St. Petersburg, to the place of training, the father asked his son what his heart lay to. Dmitry after some hesitation, asking his father not to be angry in case of an unpleasant response to him, said that he sees himself as a monk. The parent did not pay much attention to the answer, considering that this was a rash decision, and did not attach any importance to it.

The contest in the military engineering of the St. Petersburg School was high: thirty students from among the hundred and thirty applicants had to be selected. Dmitry Bryanchaninov was accepted as one of the first by the results of the passed exams. Even then, teachers predicted a wonderful future for him. Family ties and own talents helped the young Bryanchaninov to become like literary evenings with the president of the Academy of Arts, A.N. Venison. In the circle of bohemia, he brought together an acquaintance with Pushkin, Krylov, Batyushkov, and he himself soon became a fine reader.

During the years of study, St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov assiduously studied science, was the best in his class, but internal preferences lay in the field of spiritual interests. During this period, fate brought him with the Valaam monks and the blacks of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. In 1826 he graduated with honors from an educational institution in the rank of lieutenant, he applied immediately for resignation. His goal was to devote a further life to monasticism. This was prevented not only by relatives, but also by influential capital patrons. Dmitry Brianchaninov had to go to his place of service, but the Lord had other plans.

The Novice at the Monasteries

Upon arrival at the duty station, in the Dinaburg Fortress, the young military man became seriously ill. The illness did not pass, and after a year he again asked for his discharge from military service, and this time everything turned out in his favor. Having freed himself from worldly duties, Dmitry left for the old man Leonid, who had been at the Alexander Svirsky Monastery, where he became a novice at the age of 20. In connection with the circumstances, the elder Leonid soon moved first to the Ploshchansky Desert, where he left for Optina desert, along with the relocations were made by novices, including Bryanchaninov.

Life on strict canons in Optina desert had a bad effect on Dmitry's health. He had to leave, the way lay home, where he was able to visit the sick mother at her insistent request. The time spent in the family circle was short-lived, and the novice went to the Kirilo-Novoozero Monastery. The climate was almost disastrous, Dmitry was seriously ill, and fate, as if testing it for the strength of the decision, again brought the young man back to the parents' walls.

Having recovered his body, strengthened in spirit and received the blessing of the Vologda Bishop, the future prelate Ignaty Bryanchaninov went to the Semigorsk desert to become a novice, and afterwards moved to the Dionisyevo-Glushitsa monastery. The time of obedience is one of the most difficult trials, Dmitry has confirmed himself in his decision. At this time, they wrote the first work "Lament of the Monk." June 28, 1831 Vologda Bishop Stefan tonsured and a monk appeared Ignatius, the name was given in honor of the saint and martyr Ignatius the God-bearer. In the same year, a newly ordained monk received the rank of Hierodeacon, and a few days later - Hieromonk.

Many works

The life of St. Ignatius Brianchaninov was full of accomplishments, difficulties and intense spiritual work. Being young by age, he was appointed head of the Pelshamsky Lopotov Monastery. The monastery was already ready to close at the moment when Ignatius arrived at the place of service. It was necessary to be not only the pastor of a small brotherhood, but also a builder. In just two years of vigorous activity in the monastery, many buildings were restored, services were ordered, the number of monks in the monastery increased to thirty monks.

The strength of the spirit, a rare wisdom for such a young age, earned the priorer respect among the brethren, veneration and unquestioning obedience to even older monks. Diligence and effectiveness served as a pretext for the ordination of hieromonk Ignatius to the rank of hegumen of the monastery.

Successful and rapid restoration of the almost lost monastery made the first glory. Active activity, humility and persistence in achieving the goals turned to a new appointment: at the end of 1833 the hegumen Ignatius was recalled to St. Petersburg, where he was entrusted to the Trinity-Sergius Deserts. At the same time, an archimandrite was elevated to the rank.

Trinity-Sergius Hermitage

At the time of the adoption of the new monastery, Archimandrite Ignatius was twenty-seven years old. The Trinity-Sergius desert was in a deplorable state: in the thinning fraternity there was confusion, laziness was observed, services were conducted with digressions. The farmstead was dilapidated, many things collapsed. The second time St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov performed the feat of restoration of spiritual and material life entrusted to his works of the monastery.

The proximity of St. Petersburg and the extensive acquaintances of the abbot helped to quickly put the rooms in order. Spiritual life was filled and took due direction due to the leadership of Father Ignatius. For a short time, the services in the Trinity-Sergius desert became exemplary. Particular attention was paid to the chants. P. Turchaninov applied his works and worries in the field of teaching the church choir. Composer Glinka MI, in the last years of his life fascinated by the history of church singing and the research of ancient scores, wrote several works for the local chorus.

In 1834, St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov received the rank of archimandrite, and in 1838 became dean of the monasteries of the entire St. Petersburg diocese. In 1848, tired of labors and bouts of illness, Archimandrite Ignaty asked for resignation and settlement in a secluded monastery. But this time the Lord had other plans. After receiving a vacation of 11 months, the saint returned to his duties.

Not only the settlement and the life of the monastery were occupied by the rector. His attention was focused on theological literature, research, reflection. In the walls of the Trinity-Sergius desert appeared a theologian and rhetorician - St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov. "Ascetic experiments" - this is how one of his best works is called, the first two volumes were written at this time. Later, from his pen, there will be theological books that shed light on many questions of religion, the inner mood of monastics and laity.

Bishopric

Wishing to serve God and the church, Ignaty Bryanchaninov nevertheless thirsted for solitude. But he was appointed to serve the emergence of spiritual life in one of the most difficult regions of Russia. In 1857, Archimandrite Brianchaninov received the Caucasian and Black Sea bishops. The administration of the diocese lasted four years. During this time, a lot of administrative work was done: the governing bodies were brought to due state, the priests were enlarged, a fine choir was created, a bishop's house was built with a house, the seminary was given a new place.

But the disease progressed, it was increasingly difficult to serve, and the bishop filed another petition asking for his resignation and removal to the Nikolo-Babaevsky Monastery. This time the petition was granted.

The Last Haven

In 1861 St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov, accompanied by several students, arrived at the settlement in a remote monastery. The first time of life in the monastery can hardly be called calm: the Nikolo-Babaevskaya monastery was in decline, it took a lot of work to restore it. Passed several times the path was repeated with the same triumph: in a short time, the rooms were rebuilt, farming appeared, a new church was built in honor of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God.

Here the first serious works of St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov appeared. He revised his previous works and began to write new ones. The first in a series of the best works were written "Otecnik" (posthumous edition) and "The offering to modern monasticism". During the author's lifetime, books were published, which he divided into three parts:

• The first included: "Ascetic experiments", 3 volumes;
• In the second: "The ascetic sermon", 4th volume;
• In the third: "The offering to modern monasticism", 5 vol.

The fourth part of the works came out after the repose of the saint, it was made by the "Father". A book among monastics and a deeply believing layman is in demand among the monastics, which was written by St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov, "To the help of the penitents". In this work, instructions are written, practical advice is given to those who follow the path of inner enlightenment, where repentance is the cornerstone of faith and conversion to God. April 30, 1867 ended the earthly path of the saint, and the ascent began.

Canonization

The creations of St. Ignatius Brianchaninov were recognized during the author's lifetime and went to libraries. The Athonite priesthood, famous for its harsh judgments and zealous faith, accepted the author's works with fondness. The life of the prelate was ascetic, full of work, enthusiasm, accomplishments. Lay people, brothers and students celebrated the greatness of the soul of Ignatius Brianchaninov, after his death, interest in his personality did not fade. The works serve as a guiding star in the search for their destination.

The attribution of the saints took place in 1988. The canonization took place at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. You can touch the holy relics in the Holy Virgin Tolgsky Monastery of the Yaroslavl Diocese. In the service of God, help to people during life and after death, Saint Ignatius Bryanchaninov found his mission.

Books: Theological Heritage

The literary and theological works of the saint are extensive on the topics touched upon in them. An essential part is the extensive correspondence of the pastor with numerous acquaintances, famous people. Of particular interest is the theological correspondence with Theophan the Recluse, in which the spiritual matters studied by the pastors are discussed. In general, literary religious heritage refers to the following theological sections:

• Eschatology.
• Ecclesiology.
• Developed author's doctrine of spiritual charm, which gives warnings to those who study theology.
• Angelology.
• Apologetics.

The complete collection of the works of St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov consists of seven volumes. Several generations of monks, laymen, historians and lovers of literature of the book of St. Ignaty Bryanchaninov help to find answers, determine the choice of the way forward, and help the believers with spiritual support.