In the distant days, when Crimea joined Russia, the current Odessa diocese was called the Ekaterinoslav and Kherson-Taurida. In 1837, this vast 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 separated into an independent diocese, the Odessa and Izmail diocese were 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 at the base of the three temples of the city. Through his efforts, a man’s monastery was established in South Palmyra, which was opened after the death of the lord.
Archbishops become legend
In 1838, thanks to the assistance of another archpastor, a seminary opened in the city. In the entire Novorossiysk Territory, she has become a leader among similar institutions. The Diocese of Odessa is rich not only in temples and monasteries. Such a person as St. Innocent (Borisov), who was called the Russian Chrysostom, stands out from the history of the region. Saint Innocent had to serve at the most difficult time for Odessa. The Crimean War of 1853-1857 was on. The city was twice threatened with complete destruction, but a common prayer before the Kaspersky Icon of the Mother of God, which was organized by Father Innocent, saved the city and its inhabitants from imminent death.
One hundred years ago, in 1917, in Russia, Ukraine and other places, hard times came when the enemy attacked churches, clergy and monasteries. The eparchy of Odessa did not pass this fate. In 1919, the seminary was closed, the metropolitan of Odessa and Kherson was forced to leave his homeland. The Orthodox diocese was seized by the schismatic Renovationists.
Only a small church in the port, consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, remained faithful to Patriarch Tikhon. It served as a wonderful shepherd, the lamp of faith and piety of Jonah Ataman. 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 Odessa diocese resume true service to the Lord.
Persecution of Orthodoxy
During the years of Soviet atheism, the Odessa diocese was the place where the Moscow patriarch came to rest. Then Archbishop Nikon served there, who restored and renovated most of the churches of the city 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 they closed churches and monasteries. Metropolitan then was Father Boris (Vic), who miraculously managed to preserve the Holy Assumption Cathedral and Theological Seminary.
Today’s diocese
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 take part of it into a schism. With the arrival of Metropolitan Agafangel in Odessa, church life began to improve and revive. Today, the temples of the Odessa diocese are the decoration and spiritual center of the city.