Diocese of Konotop Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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

Konotop and Glukhov diocese occupy the territory of the north of the Sumy region. They are in charge of parishes and monasteries in eight districts of this region.

How the diocese was created

On the site of the modern diocese in 1923, the Glukhiv vicariate was formed, belonging to the Chernihiv diocese.

On June 22, 1993, this formation received the status of an independent one with the name Glukhovskaya and Konotopskaya. Their separation from the large Sumy diocese was dictated by the need to improve the management of education. Moreover, the territorially new diocese has become larger due to the annexation of part of Chernihiv to it.

On April 3, 1998, the Konotop Council of People's Deputies decided to transfer the building of the former kindergarten to the Glukhov diocese to house the administrative center there. And on May 19 of the same year, taking into account the wishes of both the laity and the clergy, the diocesan center was moved to Konotop, and the diocese was renamed Konotopskaya and Glukhovskaya, since the city of Konotop, being an industrial and administrative center, significantly outnumbers the ancient city of Glukhov in terms of population.

The current state of the diocese

Konotop and Glukhov diocese covers sevennorthern deaneries, including more than 130 parishes, in which more than 100 clergy serve. Three monasteries built in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos operate safely and attract pilgrims, especially the Glinskaya Hermitage (stauropegal monastery). The Compound of the Glinsk Hermitage is located in the historic town of Glukhov, and every day a bus with believers leaves for the Glinsk Hermitage from the Glukhiv Compound. This monastery is well known not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova. Pilgrims from these countries often visit the Glinsk Hermitage.

Glukhiv metochion, thanks to the efforts of one of the former ruling bishops (Luke), became the spiritual and educational center of the diocese. Here, Bishop Luke initiated the creation of a library, a Sunday school, a non-alcoholic cafe was opened for Orthodox youth, and a room for a conference room was allocated to help educational work. Thus, the diocese of Konotop gives preference to the town of Glukhov as an Orthodox center, leaving Konotop rather official functions.

In other deaneries of this formation, spiritual and educational work is also being carried out. The Diocese of Konotop lives an active spiritual life, despite the difficulties in the country.

Ruling Bishop

Since July 22, 2012, the diocese of Konotop has been under the authority of Bishop Roman (Kimovich). Prior to his election as bishop of Konotop and Glukhovsky, he was a novice in the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra with the secular name Dmitry Kimovich. His obedience wasregency. In the Lavra, he took the vows as a monk with the name Roman, and there, after some time, he took the priesthood. Since 2007, clergyman Roman served as the abbot of the Gorodishchensky monastery in the Khmelnytsky region.

July 20, 2012, the Synod of the UOC elects him Bishop of Konotop and Glukhiv. The next day, the ordination to the bishops took place, and on July 22, the consecration took place.

The novel adequately continues the work of its predecessors. The diocese of Konotop bears witness to his labors with a full-blooded, active life. It is both a pilgrimage center and care for the spiritual enlightenment of children and youth. The schedule of divine services includes cathedral prayers on Fridays for peace in Ukraine. Moreover, with the blessing of Bishop Roman, a prayer for peace in Ukraine is read every day at nine o'clock in the evening in all cities and villages of the diocese.