In the last New Year week of 2012, a series of meetings of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took place, by the decision of one of which the Uvarov diocese was established. It is isolated from the composition of the Tambov diocese - a very extensive, and therefore representing certain difficulties in governance. This new church-administrative structure became part of the Tambov Metropolis, which was formed simultaneously with it.
Geography of the newly formed diocese
Geographically, the Uvarov diocese covers eight districts of the Tambov region, including Umetsky, Rzhaksinsky, Kirsanovsky, Zherdevsky, Gavrilovsky, Inzhavinsky, Muchkapsky and Uvarovsky. Each of them has created a separate deanery - a management structure uniting parishes located in close proximity to each other and subordinate to the diocesan bishop.
Diocese Center - Uvarovo City
The Uvarov diocese got its name thanks to the city of Uvarovo, located on the right bank of the Crow River (Don basin), one hundred and eighteen kilometers from Tambov, and which is its administrative center.
According to archival data, the village of Uvarovo was founded in 1699. There is information that settlers from other parts of Russia, who fled here from the exorbitant burdens of serfdom, settled here. However, there is an assumption that these were Old Believers who were brutally persecuted in the era of Peter I. Over time, Uvarovo turned into a large village, however, it received the status of the 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 Tsaritsyn Uyezd, a farm was founded by immigrants from the village of Uvarovo, in harmony with their former place of residence, called Uvarovka. The historical archives have even preserved the names of its first inhabitants. These were the families of peasants Ryshkov and Bashkatov.
Cathedral of the Uvarov diocese
The main cathedral of the city is the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, which the whole Uvarov diocese is rightfully proud of. Address: Tambov Region, Uvarovo, ul. Sovetskaya, 109. This monument of architecture 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, forming three separate parts indoors - 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 rule, the cathedral was first deprived of all church utensils of material value, and in 1937 it was completely closed. Then, by the decision of the city authorities, the bell tower was demolished, which interfered with the use of the building for economic purposes. Only during the years of perestroika, the cathedral was returned to believers, which allowed its restoration to begin.
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 many Orthodox churches in Russia. Traditionally, on weekdays, the Divine Liturgy is held at 7:30, and evening services begin at 16:00. On holidays and on Sundays, the early liturgy is celebrated at 6:30, and in addition to it, another liturgy is served at 8:30.
Head of the newly formed diocese
The Uvarov diocese is headed by a bishop who, according to the decree of the Holy Synod, bears the title of Uvarovsky and Kirsanovsky. In December 2012, Bishop Ignatius (Rumyantsev) was elected to this post.
This worthy shepherd is still relatively young. He was born in 1971 in the village of Cherkizovo, Moscow Region. After high school, Georgy Serafimovich - that is how his name sounded in the world, he entered the Moscow State Forest University, which he graduated in 1994, having received a diploma in computer science.
Feeling that his true vocation is to serve God, two years later, a young engineer became a novice, and then a monk of the Ivanovo-Theological Monastery in Ryazan Region. He received tonsure with the name of Ignatius, in honor of the great church leader of past years, the holy Martyr Ignatius of Athos.
The elevation to the rank of bishop
For nine years, Hieromonk Ignatius studied in Moscow, first at the Theological Seminary, and then at the Academy, which he graduated in 2009. In the following period, he honorably fulfilled the obedience entrusted to him, leading parishes and fulfilling a number of other duties, for which he was repeatedly awarded and elevated to the rank of abbot.
December 26, 2012, that is, on the very day when the Uvarov diocese was established, Abbot Ignatius was elected its first leader, and a month later he was consecrated (elevated) to the bishop. From this day began his archpastoral ministry.
What is famous for the Uvarov diocese?
The photos presented in the article make it possible to get an idea of the scope of social and spiritual life, which is unfolded in the diocese, barely counting five years of its history. It covers various sectors of the population, from the smallest, for which Sunday schools, sports sections and circles are open in most parishes, to the elderly, who receive comprehensive assistance.
However, the main emphasis is on activities related to religious life. A special place among them is 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. The telephone number of the diocesan administration, where everyone can apply for information once again takes part in it: +7 (4752) 55-99-94.