St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Voronezh Diocese 1942–1948

Abstract

Since 1940, there have been no functioning Orthodox parishes in Voronezh. In february 1942, services were resumed in the Nikolsky
church. It effectively became the central church of the region. The church continued to function during the first weeks of the Nazi occupation of the city. In august 1942, it was closed by the occupiers. During the battles for Voronezh, it suffered significantly: the bell tower was destroyed. In june 1943, the church began to function again. Archpriest Alexei Obraztsov was appointed its rector. In april 1944, the Nikolsky church became the cathedral of the restored Voronezh diocese. In 1944–1945, the ruling bishop of the diocese was archbishop Jonah (Orlov). From september 1945 – bishop Joseph (Orekhov). In september 1944, archpriest Alexei Obraztsov took monastic vows with the name Paisius and was consecrated a bishop. Archpriest Evgeny Lukin, became the rector of the cathedral. In june 1948, he transferred to serve in the Leningrad cathedral. Archpriest Sergei Milyutin, who had previously been the key-keeper of the cathedral, became the rector of the cathedral. Candle production and diocesan administration operated at the Nikolsky cathedral. In september 1948, the episcopal see was transferred to the Pokrovsky church in Voronezh, which became the cathedral.