Lukoyanovsky Vicariate

On November 5, 1919, the Archbishop of Nizhny Novgorod Evdokim (Meshchersky) filed a petition addressed to Patriarch Tikhon , in which he requested the appointment of Archimandrite Nicholas (Kenarsky) the rector of the Kashinsky monastery of the Tver diocese to Lukoyanov’s pulpit, in connection with which Patriarch Tikhon and the Holy Synod so that his name and consecration to the Episcopal dignity were made in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. " The Holy Synod also sent a decree to Archbishop Evdokim in which he said that: "... Bishop Lukoyanovsky should be guided in his work by the order for the Bishops of semi-independent dioceses, sent out on June 23, 1919." ^[1] .

The newly created episcopal district included Lukoyanovsky and Sergach counties . On its territory there were 225 parish churches, two convents - Lukoyanovsky St. Tikhonovsky and Azrapinsky Spaso-Zhivonosnovsky, as well as the monastery of the Oransky monastery - Spaso-Preobrazhenskaya Gulyaevskaya desert ^[1] .

The consecration of Archimandrite Nicholas took place on December 22 of the same year, but already in January 1920, he suddenly died. On March 21, 1920, the episcopal consecration of the second Lukoyan bishop Polycarp (Tikhonravov) took place . According to his report for 1921, the structure of his vicariousness included three urban settlements: Lukoyanov , Sergach and Pochinki , as well as 213 villages with parish churches ^[2]

In 1922, Bishop Polycarp (Tikhonravov) declined to Renovationism , following his ruling bishop Evdokim (Meshchersky) and thus laying the foundation for the Lukoyanov renovation diocese. However, Bishop Polycarpus soon opposed renewalism and was dismissed by the Renovationists from the pulpit in the same year, and in 1923 returned to the patriarchal church ^{[2] [3]} . The Cathedral of the Intercession was transferred to the Renovationists, and in 1927 it was closed ^[4] . In the same 1927, the Lukoyanov renovation department was abolished ^[5] .

On February 26, 1924, by the definition of Patriarch Tikhon and the Holy Synod, Archimandrite Pankraty (Gladkov) was appointed to the department, who refused the appointment and was dismissed by the Resolution of the Patriarch on June 9 of that year ^[6] .

On July 9, 1924, Bishop John (of Kistrus) was transferred to Lukoyanovsky Vicariate, but he did not accept the appointment, on October 18 of the same year he filed a letter of resignation, which was granted on November 10 of that year ^[7]

On July 25, 1925, Bishop Seraphim (Yushkov) was appointed bishop of Lukoyanovsky, vicar of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese. The authorities did not allow him to live in Lukoyanovo itself and he had to settle for residence 30 kilometers in the village of Pochinki. In his native places, Bishop Seraphim was well oriented, had many acquaintances from the clergy and laity, and performed his services in the vicarious office entrusted to him. On October 8, 1929, Bishop Seraphim was appointed vicar of the Saratov diocese with the title Kuznetsk ^[8] .

There were no other appointments to the Lukoyanovsky Vicariate.

• Nicholas (Kenarsky) (December 22, 1919 - January 1920)
• Polycarpus (Tikhonravov) (March 21, 1920 - summer 1922)
• Macarius (Znamensky) (autumn 1923 - May 9, 1924)
• John (of Kistrus) (July 9 - November 10, 1924) did not accept the appointment
• Seraphim (Yushkov) (July 25, 1925 - October 8, 1929)