The history of the Bryansk diocese begins in the days of Kievan Rus. Over the years of its existence, she has made a huge contribution to the development of Orthodoxy and the improvement of the spiritual culture of our country. Churches and temples of the diocese are regularly visited by many parishioners. With the participation of clergy, various spiritual and educational events are held.
Story
The Bryansk diocese was founded at the end of the 13th century by representatives of the Chernigov clergy, who were forced to leave their native lands due to the ruin of their Tatars. After about 100 years, these lands became part of the Principality of Lithuania. After that, difficult times began in the diocese, as it refused to obey the new metropolitan.
In the 15th century, the Bryansk lands again became part of Russia. Despite some contradictions, the diocese began to develop. New churches, temples, monasteries were erected, educational activities were carried out.
Centuries passed, during which the diocese of Bryansk made a significant contribution to the development of the spirituality of the Russian lands. A lot has been done to educate parishioners. At many religious institutions, schools were opened in which children of peasants and artisans learned to read and write, regular services were held.
The difficult times for the diocese came after the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917. Many religious institutions were closed, some of them were destroyed or adapted for any domestic needs. The priests were repressed, many of them were killed. Despite the fact that the diocese still existed, its activities were almost completely prohibited.
Rebirth
In the late 80s of the twentieth century, a gradual revival of not only the Bryansk, but also other dioceses on the territory of the USSR began. Temples of the Bryansk diocese began to open, they were being repaired, worship services were regularly held.
The Bryansk diocese was officially recreated in 1994 at a meeting of the Holy Synod. Archbishop Melchizedek was appointed its head. The center of the diocese became the city of Bryansk. From this moment, active work began on the spiritual education of the inhabitants of the region.
The composition of the diocese
The Bryansk diocese, whose address is Bryansk, Pokrovskaya Gora, 5, is quite large. It consists of 10 monasteries, of which 4 are women’s, about 200 churches, more than 80 Sunday schools, have their own religious school.
The diocese consists of 9 deaneries:
- Sevsky.
- Bryansk.
- Kletnyansky.
- Dyatkovo.
- Trubchevskaya.
- Mglinsky.
- Klintsovskaya.
- Pochepskaya.
- Novozybkovskaya.
In addition, there are many parishes. Monasticism began to revive more and more actively. There are many women and men who have decided to devote their lives to serving the Lord. Since the revival of the diocese, a lot of work has been done. New churches and Sunday schools are opened annually, three new monastic cloisters have been created, and the restoration of the Svensky monastery is being prepared .
Diocese Activities
The clergy of the diocese are actively working among young people. They have been trying since childhood to instill a love of God and the need to follow Christian commandments. For this purpose, clergymen attend various educational institutions, and students of Sunday schools make trips to holy places not only in the region, but also in other regions of Russia.
Work is underway with military personnel and prisoners. The clergy regularly leave in units and colonies. Some are there all the time. Do not forget about various government agencies, as well as sick, lonely and destitute.
The annual religious processions began to take place, in which not only clergy and parishioners of the diocese take part, but also many residents of the region. Priests participate in various events, which are attended not only by the leaders of the region, but also by the country. All this allows Orthodoxy to become stronger and constantly evolve.
The diocese of Bryansk over the years of its existence has made an invaluable contribution to the spiritual life not only of the region, but of the whole of Russia. Thanks to her daily painstaking work, the number of parishioners is constantly increasing, more and more people begin to believe in God and attend churches not only on major church holidays, but also on weekdays.