The Vitebsk diocese yesterday and today

The Vitebsk diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which includes the city of Vitebsk and the entire eastern part of the region, is one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. According to the ancient chronicles, already in the middle of X century, that is before the christening of Russia, the first churches were erected in the territory of Vitebsk.

The birth of the Vitebsk diocese

Information about the two Orthodox churches built in the city of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga came to us thanks to the works of Vitebsk historian Stefan Averka, who in 1768 compiled a detailed list of ancient manuscript documents covering the period from 869 to 1709. They pointed out that even in the pre-Christian period in the Upper Castle of the city was built a church dedicated to the archistrategic Michael, and in the Lower - the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin.

The Vitebsk eparchy counts its history ever since the independence of the city in the 13th century when Prince Vasily Andreevich, and then his son Yaroslav Vasilievich, ruled. This was the period of the creation on its territory of a significant number of parishes, united under the local episcopate.

Transfer of the center of the diocese to Vitebsk

But in 1401, after the conquest of Vitebsk by the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Vitovt, the religious center of the region moved to Polotsk, and only after more than a century and more, thanks to the successful campaigns of Ivan the Terrible, the Vitebsk Orthodox Diocese regained its independence.

Since 1839, the episcopal chair was moved to Vitebsk, the seat of which was the Nikolaevsky Cathedral, which was then on the current Liberty Square. After four years, his status increased after transferring to him also the archbishopric chair.

The life of the diocese of the late XIX century

In 1893 the Vitebsk eparchy gained fame thanks to the museum that opened at its cathedral, which was called the "Church-archaeological treasure". His funds occupied part of the premises of the bishop's house, which was located nearby.

At the end of the XIX century, a large number of monasteries, closed and ruined after the Bolsheviks came to power, operated on the territory of the diocese. Of those that were restored as a result of the restructuring processes in the country, you can name two, founded in the XIV century, - a male Holy Trinity Monastery, Holy Spirit Women.

The period of persecution of the church and its subsequent revival

In the years when large-scale terror against the clergy and the most active parishioners was launched across the country, the Vitebsk diocese, like the entire Orthodox Church, suffered irreparable losses. In the period of the most severe repressions of 1931-1932 almost all the clergymen of Vitebsk were arrested and partially shot, together with their head - Archbishop of Polotsk and Vitebsk Nikolay. As a result, all 17 previously functioning temples in 1938 were closed, and most of them were blown up.

The revival of the religious life of Vitebsk, as of the whole country, began in the late 1980s as a result of the radical restructuring of the state policy towards the church caused by the restructuring. By decision of the Bishops' Council, held in Moscow in 1992, the Vitebsk diocese was separated from the Polotsk and was given an independent status. At that time in its territory there were only 12 priests who served in 9 churches.

Today's day of the Vitebsk diocese

At present, the picture has changed dramatically. The Diocese includes 2 districts - Orsha and Vitebsk, together constituting 20 deaneries - groups of parishes located in close proximity to each other. Three spiritual educational institutions operate on its territory. This is the Vitebsk Theological Seminary and the school located there, as well as the Orsha Women's Theological School. In Vitebsk alone, there are 30 temples, in which all believers in the city receive their nourishment.

Work done with children and adults

In most parishes, the work of Sunday schools is organized, as well as various children's groups and sections. There are also general parochial measures covering the widest range of children. Last year, a children's drawing competition entitled "God's World Through the Eyes of Children" was held, organized by the Vitebsk Diocese. The results of the contest were published on the pages of the local newspaper "Our Orthodoxy". The winners received memorable gifts.

Such events became a good initiative, which was laid by the Vitebsk diocese. The results of the Easter Egg contest, held in the Polotsk Diocese and timed to the celebration of the Bright Resurrection of 2016, are a vivid confirmation of this. Thanks to such events, thousands of children are involved in the creative process, helping them to know the world around them and realize their talent.

Of course, not only the children, but also their parents are taken care of by the Vitebsk diocese. Pilgrimage trips, organized both within the Republic of Belarus and abroad, give them the opportunity not only to expand their horizons, but also to bow to many Orthodox shrines.