The ministry of Saint Theophan (Govorov) on the Tambov Land: Tambov diocese in 1859–1863

Abstract

Tambov Governorate in the Russian Empire until the beginning of the XX century was the largest region of the country. The borders of the Tambov diocese and the Tambov Governorate coincided with the end of the 18th century. There were 16 monasteries and monastic communities. Bishop Theophan paid special attention to the development of spiritual life in the Tambov Governorate. He fed seminars and schools for girls (the diocesan women's school). Saint Theophan founded the first periodical journal in the diocese, the Tambov Eparchial Journal. For a short period of stay in Tambov, he proved himself to be an active organizer of various areas of church life, including missionary and educational significance. Bishop Theophan was keenly interested in all questions that were connected with the activities of the clergy, their behavior and relations among themselves. The Saint always showed love and compassion for his flock, and especially in the days of severe trials. Bishop Theophan left a bright mark in the history of the Tambov diocese as a trustee of the theological seminary and diocesan schools, the founder of temples and the organizer of decency in the cloisters, a writer and a teacher of morality, caring for the spiritual education, education and perfection of the inhabitants of the Tambov territory.