From the diocese to the metropolis - such a glorious path for 166 years has passed the Samara diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. The history of the emergence, bishops and modern diocesan administration will be discussed in this article.
Creation Brief
The history of the diocese is contradictory and full of interesting dates and events.
The diocese of Samara was separated from Simbirsk at the end of 1850. And then it was approved by the Synod. And already on 1851-01-01, the tsar signed the Highest Decree on the establishment of this diocese. The original name (at the time of formation) was as follows: Samara and Stavropol diocese. Under this name, it existed from 1850 to 1935
When the city of Samara was renamed into Kuibyshev in 1935, the name changed accordingly. Now it was the Kuibyshev and Syzran diocese. Under this name, it existed from 1935 to 1991
In 1990, the original name Samara was returned to the city of Kuibyshev. And it became a regional center. Therefore, from January 31, 1991, the diocese became known as Samara and Syzran.
Ruling Bishops
A diocese is an ecclesiastical administrative unit thatadministered by a bishop. During its existence, the diocese of Samara was ruled by 28 bishops. Let's take a look at some of them.
The first ruling bishop from 1850 to 1856 was Eusebius (EP Orlinsky). He devoted much time to missionary work, especially among the Molokans. Known for the fact that for the library of the theological school, transferred from Stavropol to Samara, he donated at least 300 books (this is about 700 volumes). It was a fortune at the time.
The following bishops were no less famous:
- Gury, in the world S. V. Burtasovsky: ruled for 12 years - from 1892 to 1904
- Konstantin, in the world K. I. Bulychev: ruled for 7 years - from 1904 to 1911
It was during their reign that the Samara diocese had the largest number of church buildings. At that time they were:
- monasteries (18 units);
- chapels (86 units);
- churches (1112 units).
For the spiritual satisfaction of the parishioners, there were parochial schools (1141 units), theological schools (4 units, one for women), a male seminary and 933 scribes (reading rooms).
In the Soviet period, the most famous bishop was John (IM Snychev). He ruled the Samara diocese for 25 years - from 1965 to 1990
Currently, the ruling bishop since 1993 is Sergius (V. M. Poletkin in the world). He is also the head of the Samara Metropolis.
Our time
What is the diocese of Samara today?
After the disaggregation in 2012 and the separation of two dioceses, Kinel andOtradnenskaya, in her management remained:
- 189 temples;
- 10 monasteries;
- 23 county deans;
- 400 clerics.
There are also 9 miraculous springs and 4 miraculous icons.
For spiritual education, the diocese founded in the city of Samara the spiritual and educational center "Kirillitsa", the Samara Orthodox Theological Seminary and the children's diocesan educational center. And in the city of Tolyatti he has the Volga Orthodox Institute.
At the same time (the decision of the Holy Synod of 2012-15-03) the Samara Metropolis was established, which included three dioceses, including Samara.
Diocese administration
Diocesan administration is located in Samara at the address: st. Vilonovskaya, 22. Administration is the executive and administrative body of the diocese, which, together with the existing 7 diocesan departments (missionary, youth affairs, prison ministry, etc.), helps the ruling bishop to exercise church authority and interact with government authorities.
Territorially, the diocese of Samara is divided into 23 deanery districts. There are nine such districts in the city of Samara - Industrial, Krasnoglinskoye, Central, Zheleznodorozhnoye, etc. There are four such districts in the city of Tolyatti. There are deaneries in some cities: Syzran, Zhigulevsk, Novokuibyshevsk, Oktyabrsk, etc. There is a separate monastic deanery district, which unites all the monasteries.
