The vast territory of Russia has long been divided not only according to the administrative-territorial basis, where state bodies govern. Our Orthodox country is also subdivided into church-territorial units, otherwise they are called dioceses. Their borders usually coincide with the territorial regions. One of these units is the diocese of Simbirsk.
History of the diocese
The city of Sinbirsk (later Simbirsk, Ulyanovsk) was founded back in 1648. His mission was to protect Russian lands from Nogai raids. Already in the first years of its existence, the territory had 18 churches, they were part of the Simbirsk tithe, which in 1657 was transferred to the discretion of the Kazan Metropolitan. The number of temples in the city grew, the territory increased. The question of creating an independent diocese was raised more than once. Almost 200 years passed, and only in 1832 the diocese of Simbirsk was created. Immediately she left the Kazan.
Diocese development
The diocese developed at a rapid pace. In 1840, a theological seminary was opened in Simbirsk. Soon, at the Spassky Monastery, a school for girls began to operate, giving a spiritual title. Thanks to the active work of Vladyka Feoktist (1874-1882), diocesan and district congresses of the clergy, deanery councils were created in Simbirsk, a missionary committee worked, and the Simbirsk Eparchial Gazette was opened. During the time of Bishop Nikander (1895-1904), 150 church schools were established.
Soviet Troubles
With the advent of the revolution of 1917, hard times began for the Simbirsk diocese, as well as for the entire clergy. Active development has stopped. The Simbirsk diocese experienced terrible upheavals. Temples were ruthlessly destroyed by advisers, many clerics laid down their lives for the faith. There was a schism in the church itself. For several years more and more splitting movements were formed. Bishops changed, and already in 1927 Ulyanovsk became the center of three dioceses.
The 1930s are well known for their cruelty. Then there was an active struggle against any church activity, many clergy, bishops were exiled, imprisoned. However, during the war, it was in Ulyanovsk that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Sergius, arrived. Diocese of Simbirsk (Ulyanovsk) was restored. But already in 1959, a new round of anti-church activities began. The diocese was left without an archbishop. She was alternately attached to the Kuibyshev lords, then to the Saratov ones.
Rebirth. Spaso-Ascension Cathedral
In September 1989, the Ulyanovsk diocese was finally restored. Its borders coincided with the regional territory. For the first year, the administration of the diocese was located in the basement of the Neopalm Cathedral. In 1993, the Zhdanovskaya monastery was revived, the Komarovsky Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky monastery was opened. In general, relations with the authorities were strained, and help was not expected. The diocese of Simbirsk returned its historical name only in 2001.
Together with the restoration of the diocese, the question of building a cathedral was opened. In 1993, a meeting took place between the governor of the region Goryachev and Bishop Proclus, at which it was decided to build the Ascension Cathedral. The regional administration promised to help in the construction, and the order was signed. The development and examination of the project were completed by the end of 1994. The prototype was the old Spaso-Voznesensky Cathedral. Historical photos of the temple were used, since the drawings were not preserved. The plans were to increase the cathedral four times, while maintaining all the advantages of architecture. The temple was designed for two thousand people, infrastructure was planned around, including administrative buildings, workshops, garages, a museum, a Sunday school, the brotherhood of St. Andrew the Blessed. On June 9, 1994, the construction site was consecrated and the foundation stone was set.
All over the world
In 1995-96, the pit was ready, the piles were driven in. Unfortunately, there was a default in the country and constructionfroze. Much to the chagrin of all believers, for ten years things did not move forward. In 2006 Sergey Morozov became the governor of the region. Thanks to his support, it became possible to continue the work. There were activists, donors. Even ordinary people did not spare money, they transferred as much as they could, to the best of their ability, understanding what good cause their money was going to. All Christians have risen to revive the construction site.
During the construction of the temple, there has never been a theft of materials, Father Alexy himself followed the progress of the work. He spent most of his time here. A large number of craftsmen and craftsmen took part in the construction and decoration of the temple. Their soul is embedded in every stone, in every painted icon. The work was still in full swing, and the temple on holidays already received parishioners, services were held. So in 2014, the first Divine Liturgy was held here by Metropolitan Feofan of Simbirsk and Novospassky. Now solemn services are conducted by Anastassy (metropolitan), he also manages the diocese. Hundreds of people gather in the temple. On the day of the Great Holidays, the courtyard of the temple is also overcrowded.
The cathedral has been rebuilt for over 20 years. Now it can rightly be called an architectural gem and the main attraction of Ulyanovsk. Thousands of believers are drawn here not only from the region, but from all over Russia.
