In the last New Year week of 2012, a series of meetings of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took place, one of which established the Uvarov diocese. It is separated from the Tambov diocese, which is very extensive, and therefore presents certain difficulties in management. This new church-administrative structure became part of the Tambov Metropolis formed simultaneously with it.
Geography of the newly formed diocese
Territorially, the Uvarov diocese covers eight districts of the Tambov region, including Umetsky, Rzhaksinsky, Kirsanovskiy, Zherdevsky, Gavrilovsky, Inzhavinsky, Muchkapsky and Uvarovsky. A separate deanery has been created in each of them - a management structure that unites parishes located in close proximity to each other and subordinate to the diocesan bishop.
The center of the diocese is the city of Uvarovo
The Uvarov diocese got its name thanks to the city of Uvarovo, located on the right bank of the Vorona River (Don basin), one hundred and eighteen kilometers from Tambov, and being its administrative center.
According to archivedThe village of Uvarovo was founded in 1699. Information has been preserved that settlers from other parts of Russia settled here, who fled here from the exorbitant hardships of serfdom. However, there is an assumption that these were Old Believers who were subjected to severe persecution in the era of Peter I. Over time, Uvarovo turned into a large village, but it received the status of a city 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 district, people from the village of Uvarovo founded a farm, in consonance with their former place of residence, called Uvarovka. Historical archives even preserved the names of its first inhabitants. These were the families of peasants Ryshkovs and Bashkatovs.
Cathedral of the Uvarov Diocese
The main cathedral of the city is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which the entire Uvarov diocese is rightfully proud of. Address: Tambov region, Uvarovo, st. Sovetskaya, 109. This architectural monument 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 above it are supported by four pillars, which form three separate parts inside the building - 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 years of Soviet power, the cathedral was first deprived of all church utensils of material value,and in 1937 it was completely closed. At the same time, by decision of the city authorities, the bell tower was demolished, which prevented the use of the building for economic purposes. It was only during the years of perestroika that the cathedral was returned to believers, which made it possible to begin its restoration.
He received the status of a cathedral after the Uvarov 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 is celebrated at 7:30, and evening services begin at 16:00. On holidays and Sundays, the early liturgy is served at 6:30, and in addition to it, another, late, is served at 8:30.
Head of the newly formed diocese
The Uvarov diocese is headed by a bishop, who, according to the decision of the Holy Synod, bears the title of Uvarov and Kirsanovsky. In December 2012, Bishop Ignatius (Rumyantsev) was elected to this position.
This worthy shepherd is still comparatively young. He was born in 1971 in the village of Cherkizovo, Moscow Region. After high school, Georgy Serafimovich, as his name sounded in the world, entered the Moscow State Forest University, from which he graduated in 1994 with a diploma in computer technology.
Feeling that his true calling was to serve God, two years later the young engineer became a novice and then a monk at the Ivanovo-Bogoslovsky Monastery in the Ryazan region. He took the tonsure with the name Ignatius, in honor of the great churchfigure of the past, the holy venerable martyr Ignatius of Athos.
Establishment as a bishop
For nine years, Hieromonk Ignatius studied in Moscow, first at the Theological Seminary, and then at the Academy, from which he graduated in 2009. In the subsequent period, he honorably fulfilled the obediences entrusted to him, heading parishes and performing a number of other duties, for which he was repeatedly awarded and elevated to the rank of hegumen.
December 26, 2012, that is, on the very day when the Uvarov diocese was established, hegumen Ignatius was elected its first head, and a month later he was consecrated (erected) to the bishop. From that day on, his archpastoral ministry began.
What is the Uvarov diocese famous for?
The photos presented in the article allow us to get an idea of the scope of social and spiritual life, which is deployed in the diocese, which has barely five years of its history. It covers various segments of the population, ranging from the smallest, for whom Sunday schools, sports sections and circles are open in most parishes, to the elderly, who are provided with comprehensive assistance.
However, the main focus is on activities related to religious life. A special place among them is occupied by the organization of religious processions dedicated to the day of remembrance of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (July 28), which has become a tradition for which the Uvarov diocese is famous. Phone of the diocesan administration, where everyone can apply for informationwishing to take part in it again: +7(4752) 55-99-94.
