Diocese of Odessa: spiritual revival

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In ancient times, when the Crimea joined Russia, the current Odessa diocese was called Yekaterinoslav and Kherson-Tauride. In 1837 this huge territory was divided into two regions, one of which included the city of Odessa. The diocese became known as Kherson-Odessa.

In 1991, when Kherson calved into an independent diocese, the Odessa and Izmail diocese was formed. One of the historical figures is Metropolitan Gabriel, who was one of the first to consecrate the foundation of Odessa and, taking three stones, laid them in the foundation of three churches in the city. Through his efforts, a monastery was created in South Palmyra, which was opened after the death of Vladyka.

Archbishops who became legend

In 1838, thanks to the assistance of another archpastor, a seminary was opened in the city. In the entire Novorossiysk Territory, it has become a leader among such establishments. The diocese of Odessa is rich not only in churches and monasteries. From the history of the region, such a person stands out as St. Innocent (Borisov), who was called the Russian Chrysostom. Saint Innocent had to serve in the most difficult time for Odessatime. There was the Crimean War of 1853-1857. The city was twice under the threat of complete destruction, but the common prayer before the Kaspersky Icon of the Mother of God, organized by Father Innokenty, saved the city and its inhabitants from inevitable death.

One hundred years ago, in 1917, hard times came to Russia, Ukraine and other places when the enemy attacked churches, clergy and monasteries. Did not pass this fate and the diocese of Odessa. In 1919, the theological seminary was closed, the Metropolitan of Odessa and Kherson was forced to leave his homeland. The Orthodox diocese was seized by schismatic renovationists.

Only a small church in the port, consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, remained faithful to Patriarch Tikhon. A wonderful shepherd, a lamp of faith and piety, Iona Atamansky, served in it. Thanks to him, Orthodoxy was preserved in Odessa. The renovationists held out until 1944, and only when the city was liberated from the invaders did the diocese of Odessa resume true service to the Lord.

Persecution of Orthodoxy

During the years of Soviet godlessness, the diocese of Odessa was the place where the Patriarch of Moscow came to rest. Then Archbishop Nikon served there, who restored and repaired most of the city's churches and revived the monastery. Due to the fact that Odessa served as the summer residence of the Patriarch, the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church constantly gathered here. The Soviet authorities were forced to be loyal to the Odessa diocese. It was difficult for her during the years of Khrushchev's persecution, even in Odessa churches and monasteries were closed. Metropolitan thenwas Father Boris (Vik), who miraculously managed to save the Holy Dormition Cathedral and the Theological Seminary.

Diocese Today

However, attacks on Orthodoxy did not stop, and with the collapse of the USSR, Metropolitan Filaret began a schismatic movement against churches. He managed to put pressure on the clergy of Ukraine and lead some of them into schism. With the arrival of Metropolitan Agafangel in Odessa, church life began to improve and revive. Today, the churches of the Odessa diocese are the decoration and spiritual center of the city.