The Uvarovo diocese and its present day

In the last pre-New Year week of 2012, a number of meetings of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took place, one of which established the Uvarovo diocese. It is separated from the Tambov diocese - very extensive, and therefore representing a certain complexity in the management. This new church and administrative structure became part of the Tambov Metropolitanate formed simultaneously with it.

Geography of the newly formed diocese

Territorially Uvarovo diocese covers eight districts of the Tambov region, among which are Umetsky, Rzhaksinsky, Kirsanovsky, Zherdevsky, Gavrilovsky, Inzhavinsky, Muchkapsky and Uvarovsky. In each of them, a separate deanery was created - a management structure that unites parishes that are in close proximity to each other and subordinated to the diocesan bishop.

Center of the Diocese - Uvarovo

The Uvarovo diocese was named after the city of Uvarovo, located on the right bank of the River Voron (Don basin), one hundred and eighteen kilometers from Tambov, and is its administrative center.

According to archival data, the village of Uvarovo was founded in 1699. There are still reports that settlers from other parts of Russia settled here, fleeing from the exorbitant burdens of serfdom. However, there is a suggestion that these were Old Believers who were subjected to cruel persecution during the epoch of Peter I. In time, Uvarovo turned into a large village, but the status of the city was received only in 1966. Today, its population exceeds twenty thousand people.

Note that in 1830, four kilometers from the village of Gorodishche, which was part of the Tsaritsyno Uyezd, people from the village of Uvarovo founded a farm, in accordance with the former residence, called Uvarovka. Historical archives preserved even the names of its first inhabitants. These were the families of the peasants Ryshkovs and Bashkatovs.

Cathedral of the Uvarovo diocese

The main cathedral of the city is Khristorozhdestvensky cathedral, which is rightfully proud of the entire Uvarovo diocese. Address: Tambov Region, Uvarovo, ul. Sovetskaya, 109. This monument of architecture was erected in 1840 and became a vivid example of late classicism in Russian temple architecture. The roof of the main volume and the dome towering over it are supported by four pillars forming three separate parts - the naves. The central throne was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of Christ, and the other two - in honor of Michael the Archangel and Seraphim of Sarov.

During the Soviet era, the cathedral was first deprived of all the church utensils that were of material value, and in 1937 it was completely closed. At the same time, the bell tower, which prevented the use of the building for economic purposes, was demolished by the decision of the city authorities. Only in the years of perestroika the Cathedral was returned to the believers, which allowed to begin its restoration.

The status of the cathedral, he received after the Uvarovo diocese was formed. The schedule of services held in it corresponds to the schedule of work of many Orthodox churches in Russia. Traditionally, on weekdays, the Divine Liturgy takes place at 7:30, and the evening services begin at 4:00 pm. On holidays and on Sundays, the early liturgy takes place at 6:30, and in addition to it, one more, later, at 8:30.

Head of the newly formed diocese

The Uvarov diocese is headed by a bishop, who, according to the resolution of the Holy Synod, bears the title of Uvarov and Kirsanov. In December 2012, Bishop Ignatius (Rumyantsev) was elected to this post.

This worthy shepherd is still relatively young. He was born in 1971 in the village of Cherkizovo, Moscow region. After high school, Georgiy Serafimovich - that was how his name sounded in the world, he entered the Moscow State Forest University, graduating in 1994, having received a diploma in computer science.

Feeling that his true vocation is to serve God, two years later the young engineer became a novice, and then a monk of the Ivanovo-Bogoslovskiy monastery of the Ryazan region. He took the tonsure with the name of Ignatius, in honor of the great church figure of the past years, the holy Martyr Ignatius of Athos.

Erection of Bishop

For nine years, Hieromonk Ignatius studied in Moscow, first at the Theological Seminary, and then at the Academy, which he graduated in 2009. In the subsequent period, he honorably fulfilled his entrusted obedience, leading the parishes and performing a number of other duties, for which he was repeatedly awarded and elevated to the rank of hegumen.

On December 26, 2012, that is, on the very day when the Uvarovo diocese was established, hegumen Ignatius was elected its first head, and a month later the consecrated Bishop. From this day began his archpastoral ministry.

What is famous for the Uvarovo diocese?

The photos presented in the article make it possible to comprehend the scope of the social and spiritual life, which is deployed in the diocese, which barely counts five years of its history. It covers various segments of the population, from the smallest, for which in most parishes are open Sunday schools, sports sections and circles, to people of advanced age who are provided with comprehensive assistance.

However, the main focus is on activities related to religious life. A special place among them is the organization of religious processions timed to the day of memory of St. Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles (July 28), which became a tradition, which is famous for the Uvarovo diocese. The phone number of the diocesan administration, where all applicants can apply for help: +7 (4752) 55-99-94.