Diocese of Simbirsk and its pearl - Savior-Ascension Cathedral

The vast territory of Russia has long been divided not only according to the administrative-territorial character, where state bodies run. Our Orthodox country is divided into church-territorial units, otherwise they are called dioceses. The boundaries of these usually coincide with the territorial regions. One of these units is the Diocese of Simbirsk.

History of the Diocese

The city of Sinbirsk (later Simbirsk, Ulyanovsk) was laid back in 1648. His mission was to protect the Russian lands from Nogai raids. Already in the first years of existence, the territory had 18 churches, they entered the Simbirsk tithe, which in 1657 was transferred to the discretion of the Kazan Metropolitan. The number of churches in the city grew, the territory increased. The question of creating an independent diocese was raised more than once. Almost 200 years have passed, and only in 1832 the Diocese of Simbirsk was established. Immediately she withdrew from the Kazan.

Development of the Diocese

The diocese developed at a rapid pace. In 1840, a seminary was opened in Simbirsk. Soon, under the Spassky Monastery, a school for girls, giving a spiritual title, was established. Thanks to the active work of Bishop Feoktist (1874-1882), diocesan and also district congresses of clergy, deanery councils, a mission committee were created in Simbirsk, the publication of the Simbirsk Diocesan Gazette was opened. At the time of Bishop Nikandr (1895-1904) 150 church schools were established.

The Soviet Troubles

With the advent of the revolution of 1917 for the Simbirsk diocese, as for the entire clergy, hard times began. Active development has stopped. The Simbirsk diocese experienced terrible shocks. Temples were ruthlessly destroyed by advisers, many clerics folded their heads for the faith. In the church itself there was a renewal split. For several years, new splitting movements have been formed. The lords changed, and already in 1927 Ulyanovsk became the center of three dioceses.

The 30s of the last century are well known for their brutality. Then there was an active struggle against all church activities, many clerks, bishops were exiled, imprisoned. However, during the war, it was in Ulyanovsk that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Sergius, arrived. The Diocese of Simbirskaya (Ulyanovsk) has been restored. But already in 1959 a new round of anti-church activities began. The diocese remained without the archbishop. Alternately, they attached it to the Kuibyshev lords, then to the Saratov.

Renaissance. Savior-Ascension Cathedral

In September 1989, the Ulyanovsk diocese was finally restored. Its borders coincided with the regional territory. The first year the administration of the diocese was located in the basement of the Neopalmovsky Cathedral. In 1993, Zhdanov's monastery was revived, the Komarovsky Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk Monastery was opened. In general, relations with the authorities were strained, there was no need to wait for help. The historical name of the Diocese of Simbirskaya was returned only in 2001.

Together with the restoration of the diocese, the question of building a cathedral was opened. In 1993, a meeting took place between the Governor of the region Goryachev and Bishop Prokla, where it was decided to build the Savior-Ascension Cathedral. The administration of the region promised to help in the construction, about which the order was signed. The development and examination of the project were completed by the end of 1994. The prototype was the old Spaso-Ascension cathedral. Historical photos of the temple were used, since the drawings were not preserved. The plans were to increase the cathedral four times, while preserving all the advantages of architecture. The temple was designed for two thousand people, an infrastructure was planned around, including administrative buildings, workshops, garages, a museum, a Sunday school, the brotherhood of Andrew the Blessed. On June 9, 1994, they consecrated a place for construction and installed a foundation stone.

The whole world

In 1995-96 the foundation pit was prepared, piles were driven in. Unfortunately, in the country there was a default and the construction was frozen. To the great chagrin of all believers, for ten years the business did not move from the dead end. In 2006 the governor of the region became Sergey Morozov. Thanks to his support, it became possible to continue the business. There were activists, donors. Even ordinary people did not spare money, they translated as much as they could, as far as they could, understanding what good deed their money was going to. All Christians rose to rebuild the building.

For all the time of the construction of the temple, there has never been a theft of materials, Father Alexis himself was following the progress of the work. He spent most of his time here. A large number of craftsmen and craftsmen took part in the construction and decoration of the church. Their soul is embedded in every stone, in every painted icon. The work was still in full swing, and the church on holidays had already received parishioners, services were held. So in 2014 the first divine liturgy was held here by the Metropolitan of Simbirsk and Novospassky Theophanes. Now solemn services are spent by Anastasius (metropolitan), he also controls the diocese. Hundreds of people gather in the temple. On the day of the Great Feasts in the courtyard of the temple, too, it does not get through.

For over 20 years the cathedral was rebuilt. Now it can rightfully be called an architectural pearl and the main attraction of Ulyanovsk. Thousands of believers are drawn here not only from the region, but from all over Russia.