For the Russian Orthodox Church, 2011 was marked by the beginning of the reform of the diocesan structure. As part of its program, the old dioceses were disaggregated and new dioceses were created, including in the Gorodets and Nizhny Novgorod regions, uniting a number of parishes in the adjacent 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. It arose as a fortress to protect the Vladimir-Suzdal principality from the invasion of foreigners and for a long time was an important stronghold for its defense. Burned down several times by enemies, but revived and rebuilt again.
In Russian history, Gorodets is known as the last earthly shelter of Alexander Nevsky. According to church legends, he died in the Fedorovsky Monastery in 1263, having taken monastic vows before his death.
During the time of the Russian Empire, both Orthodox Christians and Old Believers of various 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 churches were closed, regardless of religion, and some of them were completely destroyed. Church restoration began in the 1990s.
Diocese of Gorodetsk
Dioceses are territorial areas, the boundaries of which are determined by state and church laws. They consist of a set of church institutions and communities and are part of the local church, directly connected with government authority. Dioceses are independent of each other in their internal affairs. Each of them is under the constant control of the local bishop, who has very great influence within it.
The Diocese of Gorodetsk and Vetluzhskaya, formed in 2012 by a resolution of the Holy Synod, is part of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolis. It includes the following parishes of the municipal districts of the region:
- Gorodetsky.
- Varnavinsky
- Resurrection.
- Vetluzhsky.
- Krasnobakovskiy.
- Sokolsky.
- Kovernensky.
- Tonkinese.
- Semenovsky.
- Tonshaevsky.
- Sharansky.
- Urensky.
- Shahoonian.
The Diocese of Gorodetskaya received the status of an independent structural unit of the Russian Orthodox Church. Augustine (Anisimov), Bishop of Gorodetsky and Vetluzhsky, was elected as the ruling bishop. The consecration for the Divine Liturgy took place on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2012, at the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior. GorodetsNizhny 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 located in the Fedorovsky Monastery, of which he still remains the vicar. Here Vladyka holds meetings and sessions, and receives visitors.
Bishop Augustine is known as a missionary and talented preacher, theologian and jurist. He is the ideological inspirer and organizer of many projects, thanks to which the Fedorovsky Monastery and the Gorodets diocese have become widely known both in Russia and abroad. The ministry of Bishop Augustine, his sermons and soul-saving talks always attract many people. Prominent figures of our country and foreign guests come to Russian-level forums in the Fedorovsky Monastery.
Gorodets diocese (Fedorovsky Monastery)
The diocese of Gorodetsk, headed by Bishop Augustine, and the Fedorovsky Monastery gave great glory to the small town. The historical fate of this monastery in the Soviet years is unenviable. In 1927, the monastery was closed and for more than two decades various institutions were located in it. At the end of the 40s, the temples were completely blown up, building material was used for household needs. Fortunately, the main relic has been preserved - the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, which is now in the monastery museum.
The life of the monastery began to revive in 2009, when the Fedorovsky Cathedral of the monastery was built in 1 year. September 12 of the same yearwas consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. At first, there was no one in the monastery, except for the appointed abbot Augustine. The formation of the Gorodets diocese gave impetus to a new life. Now that the monastery is bustling with activity, it's hard to believe that it was a wasteland a few years ago.
Currently, an Orthodox missionary center operates on the territory of the monastery with a museum of the history of the monastery, a tour service, an exhibition gallery, a cinema hall, a library, a conference room and classrooms, a hotel for pilgrims. Many more new projects are planned. The monastery continues to expand its activities.
