Home Signs and beliefs Prayers to Saint Innocent, the Wonderworker of Irkutsk. Icon of St. Innocent of Irkutsk Description and meaning of the icon of St. Innocent

Signs and beliefs

Prayers to Saint Innocent, the Wonderworker of Irkutsk. Icon of St. Innocent of Irkutsk Description and meaning of the icon of St. Innocent

Biography of the saint

Saint Innocent (named John at birth) was born and raised in Chernigov in a family of religious nobles. From his youth, Innokenty Kulchitsky dreamed of devoting his life to serving the Lord. After receiving his primary education at home, he studied at the Kyiv Theological Academy. Then I went to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

I noticed the young clergyman PeterIand personally granted him the episcopate, and later the young bishop was sent on a state mission to China. But, unfortunately, the saint did not manage to get to the Celestial Empire, since the Chinese authorities did their best to prevent this and postponed the visit of the clergyman. At this time Peter diedІ , but EkaterinaIappointed Innocent Kulchitsky as the first bishop of Irkutsk.

This was precisely what became the key stage in the spread of the Orthodox faith in Siberia. The saint was an educated man, he was able to independently study the language of the local residents and opened several children's schools, where he taught the word of God.

Unfortunately, the bishop served in his position for only a little over 4 years. But this time turned out to be very fruitful, as he managed to build several churches, eradicated drunkenness among Siberian monks and was personally involved in the education of non-believers. One of the most famous decisions of Innocent of Irkutsk was the ban on burial according to Orthodox canons of those people who died from drunkenness and gluttony. They were buried outside the cemetery, just like suicides.

The saint himself did not enjoy good health, and the harsh climate of Siberia finally undermined him. However, the bishop never refused prayer and blessings to parishioners and celebrated services even in remote villages. After his death, Bishop Innocent of Irkutsk was buried in the Tikhvin Church on the territory of the monastery, or rather, under its altar, in a crypt specially erected for this purpose.

Canonization, discovery of relics and their location in the past

Several decades after the bishop's death, the church began to be renovated. So they discovered that the body of Innocent of Irkutsk had not rotted. This happens infrequently and only to truly pious people. The drying out of the saint's body and the absence of any signs of rot or mold not only on his body, but also on the inner lining of the coffin prompted the monastery ministers to consider the body of the deceased to be healthy and incorruptible. Since the saint was revered as a miracle worker during his lifetime, the discovery of his relics made the Ascension Monastery one of the most famous and richest in the country, as parishioners from all over Russia began pilgrimages to the saint’s relics.

Innocent Kulchitsky was elevated to the rank of saint, and his relics were transferred to the Tikhvin Church. For the laying of relics from Emperor AlexanderІ an expensive brocade bedspread with gilding was obtained.

Initially, the relics of St. Innocent lay in a coffin with a wooden shrine, but 3 years later, thanks to the generous donation of a merchant from Irkutsk, a specially made wooden shrine, decorated with gilding and cherubs, was brought from Moscow. Around the shrine there is a huge amount of expensive valuables brought as gifts by pilgrims.

Now the memory of the saint is honored several times a year at special church holidays, and in Tomsk there is even a separate house church in honor of St. Innocent of Irkutsk. Later, the Ascension Monastery was destroyed, but after the collapse of the USSR they began to rebuild it.

Loss of relics during the USSR and their re-discovery

The negative attitude of the Soviet authorities towards religion and everything connected with it led to the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century the shrine containing the relics was opened and the remains of the saint were taken away. For a long time they were considered irretrievably lost. However, in the 1990s, the relics were rediscovered. They were found in a damp utility room of the Church of St. Nicholas Nadein in Yaroslavl. Later they were transported to the Znamensky Monastery in Irkutsk, where the holy relics remain to this day. Every Sunday, the window of the shrine is opened so that parishioners can venerate the relics, and on special occasions, parishioners are given permission to see the hand of St. Innocent of Irkutsk.

Who should turn to the relics of the saint for help?

Saint Innocent of Irkutsk was known during his lifetime for his miracles. He not only carried out educational work among the local population, but also took care of his parishioners.

Bowing before the relics of St. Innocent, people ask for deliverance from bodily ailments, including drug addiction. A special counseling center named after Bishop Innocent of Irkutsk was even created. This is a closed monastery-type community that rehabilitates drug-addicted young people and their parents.

In addition, there are special prayers that should be read while bowing before the relics of the saint. With the help of such prayers you can ask for healing and help strengthen your faith.

Some miracles from the relics of St. Innocent of Irkutsk

The holy relics of Innocent of Irkutsk produced many miracles. Faith in the intercession of the saint was so strong that it was passed down from generation to generation, and many people, bowing before the relics, received what they wanted. And although there are modern miraculous healings from ailments, the most complete information about the miraculous abilities of the relics was preserved in ancient chronicles:

There are hundreds of similar examples.

In addition, visitors to the Znamenskaya Monastery know that several decades ago the icon of St. Innocent was in very poor condition. Almost all of it was black. However, after the rediscovery of the relics, the image on the icon began to gradually be updated, and now became clearer.

Where can you venerate the relics of the saint today?

The flow of pilgrims to the relics of the saint continues unabated even now, as sincere prayer and veneration before the relics of the saint continue to heal the seriously ill. Now you can venerate the relics in the Znamensky women's monastery in Irkutsk. This is a functioning monastery, located in the city of Irkutsk at the address: Angarskaya street, 14.

Saint Innocent, Bishop of Irkutsk, in the world John, came from a noble family of the Kulchitskys. His parents moved from Volyn to the Chernigov province in the middle of the 16th century. The saint was born around 1680 and studied at the Kyiv Theological Academy. He took monastic vows in 1710 and was appointed a teacher at the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy, prefect and professor of Theology.

In 1719, Saint Innocent was transferred to the St. Petersburg Alexander Nevsky Lavra with the appointment of chief hieromonk of the fleet.

In 1720, he bore the obedience of the governor of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

On February 14, 1721, Hieromonk Innokenty was ordained Bishop of Pereyaslavl and assigned to the Beijing spiritual mission to China. But the Chinese government refused a visa to “the spiritual person, the great lord,” as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee carelessly described him.

The saint was forced to spend three years in Selenginsk near the Chinese border, enduring many hardships due to the uncertainty of his position and sorrows from the disorder of civil government in Siberia. The diplomatic blunders of the Russian ambassador to China, Count Raguzinsky, and the intrigues of Irkutsk Archimandrite Anthony Platkovsky led to the appointment of Archimandrite Anthony to China, and Saint Innocent, by decree of the Holy Synod in 1727, was named Bishop of Irkutsk and Nerchinsk and began to administer the newly formed diocese.

The proximity of the Chinese border, the vastness and sparse population of the diocese, a large number of different nationalities (Buryats, Mongols, etc.) not enlightened by the faith of Christ, impassability and poverty - all this made the pastoral work of St. Innocent difficult and his life full of hardships. Due to a strange oversight of the Senate, he did not receive a salary until his death and suffered an extreme lack of funds. In these difficult conditions, the meager funds of the Irkutsk Ascension Monastery still supported two schools opened there - Mongolian and Russian. The saint's tireless concerns were directed toward their organization—the selection of worthy teachers, the provision of students with the necessary books, clothing, and food. The saint worked tirelessly to organize the diocese and strengthen its spiritual life, as evidenced by his numerous sermons, pastoral letters and instructions. In labors and hardships, Saint Innocent acquired spiritual strength, humility, and insight.

In the spring of 1728, a drought began in the Baikal region. The diocese was threatened with famine due to the shortage of bread, which began back in 1727. With the blessing of the saint, starting from May, in the churches of Irkutsk and the Irkutsk Tithe, a prayer service for the end of the drought began to be added to each Liturgy, an akathist to the Mother of God was sung on Saturdays, and a cathedral prayer service was served on Sundays. “Prayers,” said the saint, “must end on Elijah’s day.” On July 20, a storm broke out in Irkutsk with such heavy rain that water stood knee-deep in the streets of the city - the drought ended.

Through the labors of Saint Innocent, the construction of a stone church in the Ascension Monastery began to replace the wooden one, and the borders of the diocese were expanded to include not only the Selenginsky, but also the Yakut and Ilimsky districts. The saint, who was not distinguished by good health, under the influence of the harsh climate and adversity, went to the Lord early. He reposed on the morning of November 27, 1731.

In 1764, the saint’s body was found incorrupt during repair work in the Tikhvin monastery church. Many miracles took place not only in Irkutsk, but also in remote places of Siberia during prayerful appeals to the saint. This prompted the Holy Synod to open the relics and glorify the saint in 1800. Since 1804, the celebration of his memory throughout Russia has been established on November 26, since on the day of his repose the celebration of the “Sign” icon of the Mother of God takes place. The second day of remembrance of the saint is February 9.

First prayer to Saint Innocent, wonderworker of Irkutsk

Hey, father! do not disgrace me, who flows to you with faith, even though I am unworthy of your intercession and intercession, but you, being an imitator of God’s love for mankind, make me worthy by turning from evil deeds to good living, so that I am healthy in soul and body, I glorify and I sing of our God, wondrous in my saints, and of your warm intercession, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer to Saint Innocent, wonderworker of Irkutsk

Holy Hierarch, Father Innocent! Look upon us, servant of God (names), and upon this parish (house); Pray to Christ God to send down His Holy Spirit to us as a gift, to make us wise to walk before Him in all piety and purity. We constantly err from the path of salvation: guide us, our merciful mentor. We are weak in faith: strengthen us, orthodoxy to the teacher. We have done a great deal of good deeds: enrich us, treasure of mercy. We are constantly slandered by enemies, visible and invisible, and embittered: help us, helpless intercessor; May we glorify the name of God day and night, let us be worthy to be an heir and eternal life, and let us glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Third prayer to St. Innocent, wonderworker of Irkutsk

Holy Saint of God, good shepherd, faithful worker of Christ's grapes, Holy Hierarch Father Innocent! Look at this city and at this people! Pray to Christ God to save your flock from the wolves that destroy you; may He send down His Holy Spirit to make us wise to walk before Him in all piety and purity all the days of our life, so that we may glorify His All-Holy Name day and night, and let us be worthy to be heirs of eternal life, and let us glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

First prayer

To you, holy God, as to a quick helper and prayer book for my salvation, I, unworthy and sinful, fall down and pray: do not despise me, despondent, weak, fallen into many iniquities, and sinning all the days and hours, but take in my soul, as I grieve , and beg the Lord God of all creation, the Creator, Who now stands before Him in the joy of the saints and with the faces of the angels, to have mercy on me and bring my soul out of the prison of sin, before I even leave here and whoever is not prepared to appear at His judgment. Hey, father! do not disgrace me, who flows to you with faith, even though I am unworthy of your intercession and intercession, but you, being an imitator of God’s love for mankind, make me worthy by turning from evil deeds to good living, so that I am healthy in soul and body, I glorify and I sing of our God, wondrous in my saints, and of your warm intercession, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

Holy Hierarch, Father Innocent! Look upon us, servant of God (names), and to this parish (house); Pray to Christ God to send down His Holy Spirit to us as a gift, to make us wise to walk before Him in all piety and purity. We constantly err from the path of salvation: guide us, our merciful mentor. We are weak in faith: strengthen us, orthodoxy to the teacher. We have done a great deal of good deeds: enrich us, treasure of mercy. We are constantly slandered by enemies, visible and invisible, and embittered: help us, helpless intercessor; May we glorify the name of God day and night, let us be worthy to be an heir and eternal life, and let us glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Prayer three

First prayer

Second prayer

Prayer three

Troparion to Innocent, bishop. Irkutsk

O most luminous lamp of the Church, / illuminating this country with the rays of your goodness, / and glorifying God with many healings who flow to you with faith, / we pray to you, Saint Innocent, / protect this city with your prayers / from all troubles and sorrow.

Life of Saint Innocent, Bishop of Irkutsk

Saint Innocent, in the world John, came from the noble family of the Kulchitskys, or Kolchetskys. In the middle of the 17th century, the saint’s parents and some of his relatives moved from Volyn to Little Russia, to the Chernigov province, due to famine and the severity of Polish rule. Many people from this family held spiritual positions and were distinguished by their piety. Nothing is known about the saint's parents. Only the legend has survived that they were pious and God-fearing people.
Saint John was born around 1680. When he reached adolescence, around 1695 he was sent to school at the Kiev Epiphany Monastery. Here the holy youth studied rhetoric, philosophy, theology and languages: Latin, Greek and Polish. The school at the Kiev Epiphany Monastery, renamed the academy in 1701, was then the best breeding ground for enlightenment and piety in Southwestern Rus'. At that time, many famous men taught there. The rector of the academy was the learned Archimandrite Joasaph Krokovsky, literature was taught by Stefan Yavorsky, later Metropolitan of Ryazan and locum tenens of the patriarchal throne. At the same time, the most famous preacher of the reign of Peter I, Feofan Prokopovich, was a mentor at the academy.

Blessed John diligently studied science; Many books have come down to us, copied by the hand of the saint or belonging to him. Saint John especially zealously studied literature and read Western Russian preachers, since he subsequently desired to strive in preaching the word of God. He loved no less to read the works of the fathers and teachers of the Church and other edifying books. Prayer and study of the word of God - these were the activities of Blessed John during his years of study. But the saint was not content with this: his heart had long been burning with love for God. He had long dreamed of devoting himself entirely to serving the Lord. External difficult circumstances prompted him to accelerate his intention. The death of his parents, the plague that then appeared in Kyiv, and finally, probably, Mazepa’s persecution of the entire Kulchitsky family, presented Blessed John with even more futility and vanity of this life. Therefore, having completed his course of study at the Kyiv Academy in 1706, he accepted monasticism and joined the brethren of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery with the name of Innocent.

However, Blessed Innocent did not labor for long in the Kyiv Lavra. In 1710, he was summoned to Moscow by Stefan Yavorsky to teach at the Moscow Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy. This academy was located in the Zaikonospassky Monastery. Here Saint Innocent taught literature and taught his students the art of church orbit. In 1714 the saint was appointed prefect of the academy. His duty was to monitor the order of the internal and external life of the pupils, and in addition he also taught moral theology and philosophy. He held this position until 1719. This year he was summoned with the rank of cathedral hieromonk to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and assigned to the ship "Samson", which was stationed in Reval. Soon he was transferred by chief hieromonk to the city of Abo. Occupying this position, the saint was the head of the naval hieromonks who served in the Finnish Corps, supervised their behavior, resolved misunderstandings and communicated about church needs with the Holy Synod. Since Saint Innocent, as part of his service, had to visit every ship every week, he was probably well known to the sovereign, who so loved the fleet he created.

But the Lord appointed His saint a new, higher ministry. He destined him to be an educator of the most remote outskirts of the Russian state - Eastern Siberia.
Siberia, conquered in the 80s of the 16th century, was slowly but continuously populated by Russian settlers. Along the banks of numerous rivers they built winter huts to collect tribute from foreigners, forts for military protection against their raids into the cities where the administration of the conquered region was concentrated. Along with the settlement of Russians across vast Siberia, the faith of Christ also spread: crosses or chapels were erected in winter huts, churches were built in forts, and churches and monasteries were built in cities. In 1620, the Siberian diocese was opened in the city of Tobolsk. But one bishop, of course, was not enough for a huge country, and the church life of Siberia throughout the 17th century presented a sad picture of flagrant disorder. There were not enough clergy, and many churches stood without singing; the monasteries lived without a charter, and the monks were such only in name. Among the believers, not excluding the clergy and monasticism, there were such vices and such licentiousness reigned that it is indecent to even describe. Siberia needed apostles of the faith of Christ.

In the middle of the 17th century, Russian settlers reached the border of the Chinese Empire, Lake Baikal and the Amur River. At that time, small fortress-forts were built there: in 1654 the Nerchinsky fort was built, in 1665 - Selengansky, both on the eastern side of Lake Baikal, and on the western side even earlier, in 1652, the Irkutsk settlement was founded to collect tribute from neighboring foreigners . Thanks to these Russian settlers, relations and clashes with China begin; From them the Orthodox Christian faith penetrates into China. In 1650, the Cossack ataman Ierofey Khabarov occupied the Chinese city of Albazin on the left bank of the Amur River. Having fortified themselves in Albazin and set up towns, the Cossacks stayed here for thirty-five years and from here they controlled the entire course of the Amur. But in 1685, the Chinese besieged 450 Cossacks who settled in Albazin with a 15,000-strong army and numerous artillery, and, having destroyed part of the Russians, captured the rest (about 300 people). The Chinese offered the captives a choice - either to return to their Siberian settlements, or to submit to the Chinese Bogdykhan. Of these, only 45 people with women and children became Chinese citizens. These captive Albazians were the seed of the Orthodox Russian Mission in China. When they left Albazin, they took with them from the fortress church poor church utensils with icons, including the image of St. Nicholas, and also forcibly carried away the priest Maxim Leontyev with them. The Russian captives were received very kindly by Bogdykhan Kangxi and were settled in the capital of China itself - in Beijing, on the so-called “Birch Bark Tract”, in the north-eastern corner of the capital, near the city wall. (Bogdykhan Kangsi reigned from 1662 to 1722. He was a gentle sovereign who sympathized with Europeans.

During his long reign, the Catholic mission made great strides in China.) After a short time, Bogdykhan gave the captured Christians a Buddhist temple, which they converted into a chapel. The captives themselves were included in the honorable class of warriors. In 1696, the chapel was turned into a church in the name of St. Sophia the Wisdom of God, although it was usually called Nikolskaya after the name of the revered icon. The elderly Father Maxim worked zealously in a foreign land and continued his pastoral activities until his death, which followed in 1711 or 1712.

According to Metropolitan Philotheus of Tobolsk, the tireless “apostle of Siberia,” in 1715, with the consent of Bogdykhan, the first Russian Mission of ten persons was sent under the command of Archimandrite Hilarion Lezhaisky. Bogdykhan received the Mission kindly, gave it maintenance and allowed worship.
In 1718, the rector of the Mission, Archimandrite Hilarion, died. In his place, the Holy Synod appointed Saint Innocent. Even before his elevation to the rank of archimandrite, rumors reached the Synod that the Chinese Emperor Kangxi was inclined to convert to Christianity (this rumor later turned out to be incorrect).
On this occasion, Metropolitan Philotheus of Tobolsk, on whom the Chinese Mission depended, wrote to the Siberian governor, Prince Gagarin, asking him to inform Stefan Yavorsky: “When appointing a kind and wise person to Beijing, it would be useful to honor him with the rank of bishop or archpastoral and the clergy send about fifteen people with him.”

The Holy Synod, having considered this matter, determined to send a bishop to Beijing, the capital of China, so that he could ordain priests and deacons. Saint Innocent, a man known for his piety and learning, was chosen as bishop of Beijing. It was decided to submit this determination to the discretion of Emperor Peter I. During the proceedings of this case, Archimandrite Theodosius of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was appointed Bishop of Novgorod, and Saint Innocent was temporarily entrusted with the position of vicar of the Lavra.
On February 14, 1721, the Holy Synod reported to Emperor Peter I: “Should we consecrate Hieromonk Innokenty Kulchitsky, appointed to the Khin state (that is, to China), as bishop of Irkutsk and Nerchinsk for proximity to that state? and should it be separated from the Siberian diocese for more convenient treatment?
The Emperor commanded: “To ordain bishops, but it is better without the title of cities, since these cities are bordering Hina (that is, China), so that the Jesuits do not misinterpret and cause disaster.”
Then Saint Innocent reported to the Synod: “Because God, the Royal Majesty and Your Holy Synod have so deigned, for me, the undersigned, to be honored with the rank of episcopate, to send to China for a task, as you know, for this sake and I have not the will of such high persons resisting, but moreover kissing with all due respect, daring to express certain needs, without which it is impossible to be there and on the way.”
In a further report, Blessed Innocent asked to release the things necessary for worship and the required amount.
On March 5, 1721, Saint Innocent was consecrated bishop in St. Petersburg in the presence of the sovereign himself. But since, according to church rules, every bishop must be named according to his region, Blessed Innocent was named Bishop of Pereyaslavl on behalf of Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. The decree of the Holy Synod says that Innocent was ordained a bishop for “preaching the word of God and propagating for the sake of Orthodox Eastern piety the faith in the Khin state, where there had never been a bishop before.”

By appointing Innocent to preach the Gospel, the Holy Synod at the same time placed him in an independent position relative to the Metropolitan of Siberia, subordinated the newly installed saint directly to himself, and ordered the Siberian ruler to help Bishop Innocent in his relations with the Holy Synod.
On April 19, 1721, the saint, together with two hieromonks, two deacons, 5 choristers and several ministers, left St. Petersburg for Moscow. In Moscow, the saint received a letter from the Senate, which stated, among other things, that upon his arrival in China he should not disclose there that he has the rank of bishop - and this so that there would not be any obstacle from the Jesuits, opponents of the Orthodox faith, who from ancient times had the custom of sowing the tares of strife and reproach among the wheat of Orthodoxy. If, by chance, one of the noble and high-ranking people there asked him about his rank, he could say that he had the rank of episcopacy so that he could ordain a priest and deacon when they were needed in place of the dead, and not for anything else. But even such a statement was ordered to be made with great caution.
Even before the saint left Russia, the authorities were already afraid of hostile actions on the part of the Chinese and especially on the part of the cunning Jesuits. These expectations were justified, but what the Holy Synod expected from Saint Innocent was also fulfilled. On the remote outskirts of the Russian state, the saint was a true shepherd, a bright light of Christ's teaching, who led many souls from the darkness of paganism to the Lord.

Before leaving for Siberia, Saint Innocent was given silver vessels and an omophorion from the patriarchal sacristy. Other necessary utensils, by synodal order, were taken in Suzdal from the sacristy of Metropolitan Ephraim. And the liturgical books were issued to him from the Synodal Printing House.
It took the saint about a year to reach the city of Irkutsk, where he had to wait for further orders from the Synod. The journey was very painful and difficult. Travelers faced many dangers. Harsh climate, unfamiliar places, lack of roads, wild animals, nomadic foreigners - Saint Innocent and his companions had to endure all this.
They had to have gunpowder and guns with them. Finally, in March 1722, the saint and his retinue arrived in Irkutsk. The Irkutsk governor Poluektov immediately sent a letter from our government to Urga to Tushetkhan, the Mongol ruler, through whom letters were usually sent to the Chinese government from Russia.
Shortly before this time, in 1719, Emperor Peter I sent an embassy to Beijing to resolve issues of free trade between Russia and China. The captain of the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment, Lev Izmailov, was appointed envoy. The instructions given to Izmailov demanded that the Chinese government not prevent visiting Russians from maintaining their faith, that it allow the construction of an Orthodox church and set aside a place for it. But Izmailov’s embassy was not successful: permission to build a second church was not given. At this time, news came to Beijing that 700 Mongols had crossed the Russian border. The Chinese government took advantage of this to stop negotiations with the Russian envoy: Izmailov was told that they would not give an answer to his proposals until the case about the fugitives was resolved. Izmailov was supposed to leave China in March 1721.

When Saint Innocent approached the Chinese border, at that time our envoy had already left China. Tushetkhan informed our government that with the letter of recommendation to the saint there was no letter from the Siberian governor to him, Tushetkhan, and in general the new Russian Mission could not be accepted before negotiations on the extradition of the fugitives had ended. The reason for this reluctance of the Chinese should be considered the envy of the Jesuits. In the letter, or letter of recommendation, sent from the Senate in the absence of Peter the Great, the saint was called “a spiritual person, Mr. Innocent Kulchitsky.” The Jesuits hastened to explain in a sense unfavorable to us what should be meant by the words “lord, spiritual person.”
A letter soon sent by the Tobolsk governor to Tushetkhan further complicated the already complicated relationship. According to custom, Innocent was called “great lord” in this letter. The Chinese government responded that Bogdykhan could not receive such a great and important person. Thus, the matter of sending the saint to China could not be brought to the desired end. The suspicion and isolation of the Chinese, the intrigues and envy of the Jesuits, the difficult historical conditions that the Russian state was then experiencing - it was the time of the Persian campaign (the Persian campaign took place in 1722. Emperor Peter I took personal part in it) - these were the main reasons that prevented the success of the Mission .
Meanwhile, the position of the saint, who was then living in the Trinity Selenga Monastery, was extremely difficult. He repeatedly appealed to the Synod for further orders
“Where should I lay my head and finish the rest of my life as the Holy Governing Synod deems it appropriate? I humbly ask for a gracious decree on what I should do: should I sit in Selenginsk and wait for what I don’t know, or should I go back? And with what? They won't give the carts without a decree.
And where? For the most part, foxes have ulcers at the edges (that is, for rest), but to this day I am not an imam, where to lay my head. I wander from yard to yard and from house to house, transiently.”
This is how the saint himself described his position. The Holy Synod, hoping that the state of affairs would change for the better, sent a decree to the saint in 1723, ordering him to remain in Selenginsk until circumstances changed.

The position of the saint became more and more disastrous and difficult. Salaries began to be withheld and not given; letters could not be sent to Russia, since the Chinese intercepted them.
“What does the Holy Synod want us to do and where should we turn it? For I am very sad, not knowing the way, but I will go,” the saint wrote to the Synod.
Without receiving a salary, he himself and his retinue lived on the voluntary donations of Russian merchants; the retinue was engaged in fishing, the saint himself repaired his worn-out dress. The life of the officials of the Chinese Mission was meager and poor, but, rich in humility and patience, the saint set an example for everyone and consoled them with the hope of future reward. The only joy for Blessed Innocent was then to perform divine services in the Selenga Cathedral. But need forced him to move to the dacha of the Trinity Selenga Monastery. This dacha was located on the left bank of the Khilki River, opposite the village of Krasnoyarsk. In the church that was next to that dacha, the saint poured out his sorrow in prayers before the Lord; only one prayer supported the saint. Despite the difficult living conditions, the saint did not like to remain idle. In his free time from prayer, he painted icons. Many such icons, painted by his hand, were preserved in the temple of the village of Kunalei, to which Krasnoyarsk was assigned. At the same time, the saint preached the word of God to the Buryats and Mongols living around him, and greatly contributed to the establishment of the true faith of Christ among them. Therefore, the Church, remembering the saint, sings: “Rejoice, for the preaching of the Gospel, which you brought to the Mongolian tongues, has cruelly put to shame the deceit of human souls.” The saint lived in Selenginsk and at the dacha of the monastery for three years.

Meanwhile, changes have occurred in China. At the end of 1722, the elderly Bogdykhan of Kangxi died and his son Yong-cheng ascended the throne. The new sovereign was very averse to foreigners and Christians: he ordered that most of the Catholic missionaries be expelled from China, their churches turned into public houses, and he strictly forbade worship. This dislike of the Chinese sovereign towards Christians was now the main reason for the uncertain situation in which Saint Innocent found himself.
In August 1724, negotiations were resumed with Chinese commissioners who arrived in Selenginsk. But they refused to petition their government for the passage of Saint Innocent. “Now we cannot accept it until we report to Bogdykhan, and when there is a certain person from the All-Russian autocrat with the same powers as we have, and the agreement is made about everything we were sent for, then we will again (work) for this gentleman, having received instructions from our sovereign, whether he will be accepted or not.”
So the Chinese commissioners demanded, first of all, that an ambassador be sent to St. Petersburg; this took a lot of time.

At that time (February 14, 1725) a decree came from the Synod, which commanded the blessed saint to leave Selenginsk for Irkutsk and wait here for a new decree. Arriving in Irkutsk, the saint, with the consent of Metropolitan Anthony of Tobolsk, settled in the Ascension Monastery. Here the saint lived for almost a year, without intervening in the affairs of government, only ordaining henchmen on behalf of the Metropolitan of Siberia.
New adversities awaited the holy man at his new residence. The archimandrite of the Ascension Monastery was Anthony Platkovsky, an ambitious and very cunning man. The desire to become the head of the Beijing Mission prompted him, without considering the means, to pursue his goal. Platkovsky was distinguished by his unbridled temper and cruelty. But due to his distance from St. Petersburg and the patronage of certain people, he, not paying attention to the complaints of the oppressed, continued to commit injustice. Having learned about the arrival of Saint Innocent in Irkutsk, Metropolitan Anthony of Tobolsk and the governor Prince Dolgorukov asked the saint to sort out their dispute with Platkovsky, but the saint did not undertake this, since he considered himself not to have the right to sort out the misdeeds of an archimandrite who was not under his jurisdiction.

In April 1726, Ambassador Extraordinary Count Savva Vladislavich Raguzinsky arrived in Irkutsk from St. Petersburg. Count Raguzinsky was sent by Empress Catherine I after the death of Peter I in order to resolve controversial matters between Russia and China. Concerning Saint Innocent, the count was given the following decree of the Holy Synod: he should go with envoys to China if there is no obstacle to this from the Chinese side; if he was not allowed there, then Archimandrite Anthony was ordered to go with the count. According to this decree, Saint Innocent had to accompany the envoy to the border and generally act in accordance with his advice. The saint went to Selenginsk. But this time the Lord did not lead him to move beyond the Russian border. The envoy petitioned the Chinese authorities in writing for the passage of Saint Innocent to Beijing, but was unsuccessful. After a meeting with two ministers of Bogdykhan on the border river Bure, the envoy reported to St. Petersburg on August 31, 1726, “that the Chinese ministers who received him at the border did not allow Bishop Innokenty Kulchitsky to go there with him, the count, to China without the khan’s decree and he does not expect so that the Chinese will accept him." At the same time, Raguzinsky reported that, according to the Chinese ministers, Bogdykhan would never agree to accept such a great personage into China, since “their dad or khutukhta is called a great master.” This report from Raguzinsky was taken into account in St. Petersburg. The count’s proposal was also accepted to go to Beijing to Archimandrite Anthony, about whom he spoke with praise: living in Irkutsk, “he teaches children the Mongolian language and has been to Beijing and is a sober and not crazy person.” And so the Holy Synod commands Saint Innocent to remain in charge of the Irkutsk Ascension Monastery until a new decree is received. The unknown and uncertainty of the situation tormented the saint. The more time passed, the more difficulties and hardships he had to experience. But he patiently endured them, for he knew that without the will of God not a single hair could fall from a person’s head. Misfortune and hardship are the best path leading to eternal bliss. Saint Innocent endured them without a murmur.

However, the saint did not have to wait long for a new appointment: on August 26, 1727, he received a decree to become a bishop in Irkutsk. Until now, the Irkutsk Church was recognized only as a vicariate of the Tobolsk Metropolis. Now it was allocated to a special bishopric. What awaited the saint in his new career was not rest, not peace from his previous labors, but even more worries, even more adversity. It is enough to mention that his predecessors accepted his appointment to Irkutsk as a punishment and were very burdened by it. The saint did not think so. He was not looking for rest in earthly life, but for work.
On September 2, 1727, he addressed his first word to his flock as archpastor and father. Here is his message: “By the grace of God, the Most Reverend Innocent, Bishop of Irkutsk and Nerchinsk. To the city of Irkutsk, to all the Holy and Eastern Churches, obedient, spiritual and temporal sons, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Due to the blessing of God, Her Imperial Majesty, having her gracious heart in the hand of God, according to the report of the Holy Governing Synod, deigned to appoint me, by her merciful imperial decree, to the Irkutsk diocese as a real bishop, and to give herself the title of that diocese, as has happened before, for this sake I pray first make all prayers for Her Imperial Majesty for health, and for her entire imperial family, the Holy Governing Synod, and also for our humility, calling us Irkutsk and Nerchinsk. Other things we pray to you and archpastorally exhort you, so that you philosophize with one accord, creating greater honor for each other, having peace and love among one another, just as the Apostle St. Paul teaches: the tree is most honorable, the tree is most loving, the tree is most praiseworthy, and so on, learn from these, follow this, this hold on, so that both the temporal good and the eternal good will be worthy to inherit, we wish with all our hearts and send blessings. Amen. Innocent Bishop."

Anthony of Platkovsky caused Saint Innocent much grief. Proud of his appointment to the Beijing Mission, he demanded from the saint money more than 1000 rubles from the amount of the Ascension Monastery, without having any right to do so. The saint replied that he could not send the required amount, since there was no such money in the monastery treasury. At the same time, it was discovered that Platkovsky himself, when he was the archimandrite of the Ascension Monastery in Irkutsk, squandered a lot of money. The arrogant archimandrite even threatened that he would complain to the Synod. But the matter ended with the fact that he was forced to come to terms and pay back the money he had wasted.
Such unfair claims of Platkovsky greatly troubled the saint, who at the same time was zealously involved in the affairs of his diocese. Ascending the archpastoral throne in Irkutsk, Saint Innocent was filled with zeal to serve for the benefit of his flock, to devote all his strength to his flock. He clearly foresaw that he would have a lot of work to do in his new ministry. The clergy in the new diocese was in the most pitiful position. Most of the clergy received almost no education. Ignorant shepherds were little different from their flock and could not be their spiritual leaders - instruct with an edifying word and attract with a good example. The children of the clergy then learned for the most part from their fathers, and they, having themselves received a meager education, could teach their children little. Insufficient preparation for the priesthood necessarily entailed various disorders and disturbances. Many priests had difficulty reading and, ashamed of their illiteracy, the signature of others explained with their weak eyesight that “he, the priest, is sorrowful.” There was nowhere to get new ministers of the Church, for they were elevated to priesthood from the lower ranks; from a sexton they made a deacon, and a deacon was elevated to the rank of priest.

Saint Innocent did not hesitate to take all means available to him to eradicate such disorder. He demanded that all priests on Sundays read books sent out by the Holy Synod entitled “Commandments with Interpretation,” as well as the teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Church. In case of failure to fulfill their duties, the saint threatened the negligent shepherds with the judgment of God, at which they would have to answer not only for themselves, but also for their spiritual children. In general, understanding the importance of the clergy, Saint Innocent tried to elevate their position, as can be seen from one of his speeches addressed to the pastors. In this speech, the saint tried to explain the importance and responsibility of priestly service. He said that priests are builders of the mysteries of God, light for darkness, salt of the earth, stars of heaven, shepherds who are obliged to drive away the wolves from their verbal flock. Priests, said the zealous archpastor, must diligently build the house of God, decorate it with every good deed, especially diligently preach the word of God, continuously teaching their spiritual children.

But regulations alone could not fix everything. It was necessary to prepare the future shepherds of the Church through good teaching and upbringing. Therefore, the saint cared a lot about the school. Before him there was one Mongolian school, established during Platkovsky’s time at the Ascension Monastery. But under Platkovsky this school was in the worst condition. At the beginning of 1728, the saint established a Russian school at the Mongolian school. From that time on, the school received the name Russian-Mongolian. Future shepherds were to emerge from the Russian department of this school. The saint took great care of her; he put her room in order and called the teachers himself. The school accepted children not only from the clergy, but also from all classes. The saint ordered the clergy to immediately deliver their children aged 7 to 15 to school. Those who did not comply with this order had to pay a fine of 15 rubles and, in addition, the children were expelled through the authorities at the expense of the disobedient ones. In 1730, two years after the opening of the school, there were already about 36 students. The saint increased the salaries of teachers; he also zealously took care of the delivery of the necessary books. In 1729, for the Mongolian department, he ordered several books from lamas who lived beyond Lake Baikal. The scribes copied these books, the originals were returned to their owners, and the new books were given to the school for their use. The saint chose Hieromonk Lawrence to supervise his disciples. Maintaining the school cost him a lot of trouble and grief. Funds were extremely scarce. The saint mainly maintained this school with the income of the Ascension Monastery and with his own, although the latter were very insignificant.

The fact is that when Saint Innocent was appointed to the Irkutsk See, for some reason no order was made to pay him. Also, the boundaries of his diocese were not clearly defined. Metropolitan Anthony of Tobolsk retained some districts that should have passed to Saint Innocent, since they had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Irkutsk suffragan bishop. The saint petitioned the Synod in 1728 for his salary and asked to more accurately define the boundaries of the new diocese. On August 29, the Holy Synod decided to issue a salary to the saint and determined to build a bishop's house for him; At the same time, he found it necessary to include in the new diocese not only the Selenginsky district, but also the Yakut and Ilimsky districts. For the final decision, this resolution of the Synod was sent to the Senate, but it was still necessary to wait a long time for the Senate order.

At that time in Siberia there was such a custom: the parishioners themselves chose from among themselves persons whom they considered worthy of the priesthood, and sent them to be appointed to the bishop. And Saint Innocent respected this custom, and did not in the least compromise his right to ensure that the chosen shepherds were worthy of their title, and appointed only such. If, according to the certificate in the bishop's order, the chosen person did not have any obstacles to accepting holy orders, then the saint considered the resolution “for teaching at school.” The person elected was sent to a Mongolian-Russian school and studied here for at least two months. At this time, he was obliged to copy for himself the rules from the Spiritual Regulations relating to priestly service, then memorize them. At the same time, he became acquainted with the new ministry ahead of him. Upon graduation from school, the aforementioned hieromonk Lavrenty tested him. If, after testing, the chosen one was found worthy, then he received the assigned letter from the saint and, having learned to conduct church services, left for his place of service. This is how the saint cared about choosing worthy shepherds. If one of the persons chosen by the parishioners turned out to be unworthy of the great rank, then the saint rejected such a person.
Given the vastness of Siberia and the difficulty of travel, Saint Innocent often had to ordain priests not only for his Irkutsk diocese, but also for the neighboring Tobolsk. For many proteges it was much closer to go to Irkutsk for initiation than to Tobolsk. But Saint Innocent did this at the request and agreement of Metropolitan Anthony of Tobolsk.

St. cared a lot. Innocent on the beauty of God's service. Before him, there were often no services on Sundays and holidays, or they took place at inconvenient times; The residents of Irkutsk complained to the saint about this, and he zealously eradicated these disorders. The saint ordered that priests in the city of Irkutsk not celebrate the liturgy too early. He ordered that on holidays the gospel be announced for the liturgy at 9 o'clock in the morning, and on simple days - at 7 and a half.
Saint Innocent also ordered that the priests of his diocese should not perform religious services in other parishes, except in extreme cases. Only for confession was it allowed to accept everyone who came, even from other parishes. Everyone was obliged to receive communion in his parish church, and if he was at confession in another parish, then his spiritual father gave him a letter of release, certifying that he was at confession and worthy to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
The saint paid special attention to the large number of those who evaded confession. In Irkutsk alone in 1722, the number of people who did not go to confession reached 420 people. The saint could not ignore this. The perpetrators were instructed to strictly follow the decrees of the Church.
In general, the holy primate of Irkutsk was a zealous shepherd of the subordinate diocese, an experienced organizer of church life in the remote region of vast Siberia. From this point of view, the saint’s instructions given to priest Daniil Ivanov, the “zakaschik”, or in our opinion the dean, are especially remarkable.
“Give you an order (deanery) Overseas (Trans-Baikal) throughout the Selenginsky district, and in action act on these points:
1. You should go around the churches in your order and look at the entire deanery of the church and over the priests and over the entire clergy, namely: they would not riot, they would not make noise in the streets or in the church drunks; Do they not drink wine in taverns and so on according to the addition of the Regulations on Priests?
2. Send out His Majesty’s decrees, and to send them out, send sextons and sextons alternately in your order, if there are no quick and good fellow travelers, and take carts for sextons and sextons from church to church.
3. To you, the priest, to give coronal remembrance to all the churches of your order, according to the Rules of the Holy Apostles and Holy Fathers and according to the decrees of His Majesty; and if it is far away, then order others; collect duties as usual without excess; also give decrees to sextons and sextons according to the decree of the Right Reverend with the collection of duties; in applications for places it would be stated whether he would be scolded (that is, whether he would receive a salary) or whether he would eat from income, and that he was a kind and not suspicious person.
4. You should collect data from all churches of your order every day
According to the report card, salary money is without excess. If chapels are resumed by decree, these salaries must be collected and given back.
5. If someone gives you a report against a priest or a clerk, you should look; If there is any important matter, send an order to the Irkutsk Bishop's office for a decision, and if there are unimportant matters, such matters should be decided by yourself according to the rules and regulations, without any pretense (that is, without any connivance).
6. Report your decision on the case to the order.
7. Deliver metric notebooks and confessional records from all churches.
8. To ensure that there are no unregistered clergy in the area and, if there are any, to bring them to the Right Reverend.
9. Monitor to see if there are schismatics and, if they turn out to be, report.
10. Do not act beyond the right granted by the instructions, and perform the duties of the office diligently and conscientiously.
11. On paper, take ink from all churches in proportion to how much comes out; Likewise, the scribe should assign a ruble from each church, and not determine any more.
12. Distribute the carts among the priests and the clerics and collect money from them in one amount, after considering the parish, from whom more is due, from whom less, so that no one is offended; when any decrees come, then take from the amount collected without excess and send it where it should be.”

In general, Saint Innocent’s short stay at the Irkutsk See was marked by his continuous concern for the welfare of the flock entrusted to him and by his tireless labors. He himself set an example for everyone of a strict pious life and demanded that the clergy also serve as an example for their flock. But it was difficult for the saint to fight some of the vices that plagued the Siberian clergy. The vice of drunkenness was especially strong among him. Often the priests “were strong and brave to drink” in the homes of parishioners. Such shepherds even allowed themselves indecent acts in the temple of God. “In churches,” say documents of that time, “such priests sometimes scold, sometimes fight; friends, evil priests in the church and altar swear, curse and make the house of God a den of thieves”; many priests followed their gluttony, drunkenly wandered the streets, lay in taverns; wandering the streets, making outrageous noise, going to sleep on the road, blaspheming, fighting.”
The attention of the spiritual authorities has long been drawn to this. Back in 1702, a Council was convened in Tobolsk regarding such atrocities. Here rules were issued against drunkenness of priests and other parables. One of them subjects the guilty to strict liability: “If a priest appears in immeasurable drunkenness, or a deacon, or a sexton and a sexton, he is subject to the bishop’s penalty, as an offense to the world, but by the third punishment he will be alien to the priesthood.”

Saint Innocent tried by all means to eradicate drunkenness; he put the perpetrators on trial.
Once rumors reached the saint that the guard of one church with the church key was in a drinking house and there, drunk, got into a fight with others. The saint demanded the culprit to appear and admonished him. When he confessed everything, the saint ordered him to be kept locked in the monastery bakery so that he could sow flour, and then to be released, taking a receipt from him - henceforth not to carry the church key with him to the inn and to live soberly.
The saint tried not only by punishment, but most often by exhortation and his wise words to correct his subordinates. Since 1729, the military church of the Yakut regiment came under the jurisdiction of the Irkutsk archpastor. The saint was informed that the regimental priest, Hieromonk Theophan of Kaparsky, was leading a very drunken life and was not fulfilling his duties. Even the days of Holy Week did not stop him. The saint turned to him with a touching, purely fatherly admonition: “Honorable Father Theophan! You do not deserve such admonition from us, but rather deserve dishonor. However, we are writing to you. How are you not ashamed that you are called by the Lord God for the whole world to offer a holy sacrifice and shepherd the flock of His verbal sheep, for which you will be tortured and give an answer on the day of terrible testing, and you yourself do not hold that title, but you constantly drink and become hopelessly drunk? , but you don’t correct your affairs, you fix many idle indecencies. Is this the priest's business? Now we are writing this to you, admonishing you in a fatherly manner so that you improve. If you do not give up your vices, then know that with dishonor you will be changed from the regiment, called to us for judgment and you will receive what is worthy of your deeds. But please, correct yourself.”
The saint tried with all his might to eradicate this illness of the spiritual shepherds of the people. For this reason, he demanded that parishioners be careful in their election of future priests, choose worthy ones, and not those who “supervise the innkeepers.” “For this sake,” the saint said in one of his teachings to the shepherds, “they deserve to know their honor and guard it like the apple of their eye, so that light does not turn into darkness and glory into dishonor.”
The saint carefully ensured that there were no strife and strife among the clergy. And in the then state of the Siberian Church, such cases actually sometimes occurred, as can be seen from the following.

The noble son Nikita Varlaamov, with royal permission, built a monastery in Nerchinsk in 1709 at his own expense. In accordance with the royal charter, Nikita was elevated to the rank of abbot and named Pancratius. In this letter it was said that “the abbots should not know the peasants, they should know only the Church of God.” The management of the monastic property after Pankratius was to pass to one of the laity. This caused discontent among the brethren and little respect for the newly elected abbot after Pankratius - Hieromonk Nathanael. Some of the brethren allowed themselves to scold the new abbot; quarrels and abuse, self-will and disobedience in the monastery were incessant. Nathanael had to personally ask Saint Innocent to put a limit to such unrest with his holy authority. The saint did not remain deaf to Nathanael’s requests and sent the following message to the Nerchinsk monastery: “Decree of our bishops of the Nerchinsk Assumption Monastery to the monks, investors and peasants. It is known to our bishops that it happened from reliable persons, and especially from that monastery abbot Nathanael, who last year, at our request, and by the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, through our regularity, was promoted to you as abbot, that from the monks and Beltsy reproachful, idle words are inflicted on him ; Likewise, in many cases and monastic works, which happen for the general monastic benefit, disobedience is practiced. For this reason, we fatherly exhort and command you, so that you obey abbot Nathanael, like your father and superior, in everything and act in vain without his commands and do not quarrel among yourself, like animals, under the unblessing of God and ours. If you do something contrary to what you do, and if he makes a petition against you in the future, then he will be taken to Irkutsk to answer according to the decrees of Her Imperial Majesty. May the God of peace and love be with you and our unworthy blessing.”

The saint cared no less about ordinary lay people. Encouraging priests to teach their spiritual children, the saint himself often and repeatedly addressed his flock with words of teaching. In his sermons, he menacingly armed himself against vices and meekly exhorted his listeners to fulfill the commandments of God, and the saint’s call did not go unanswered. His wise and fatherly words sank deeply into the hearts of his listeners. Many people flocked to listen to his teachings. The word of the saint corrected and supported many on the path of life, amidst troubles and adversity. For more than 200 years, the legend of the eloquent heartfelt teachings of Blessed Innocent has been preserved. Many people copied these teachings.

Let us dwell on some of the thoughts of the saint, which he conveyed in his teachings to the flock; Let's see where he led his verbal herd. From here we will see how simply, clearly and vitally he taught the believers.
This world is fleeting; man on earth is a temporary guest; the end for everyone is death. “As we are blind, so too are our spiritual eyes blinded by the charms of this world, we do not see the true path how to come to the true Sun - the Light of Christ, because this world seduces us and promises us much life; promises us gold, but will take away heavenly blessings from us; There is nothing more than gold, unless it is good, because there is more of this world on earth. Worms are found in herbs, and in the night they appear as bright as adamants (that is, diamonds), but if you touch them with your hand, they are nothing but dust. So is every man: even if he rises for the height of his family, for the beauty of his face, for the strength of his strength, for the abundance of wealth, he will see dust and earth and a worm for himself, according to the words of David: I am a worm, and not a man (Ps. 21:7) , also the being of the tree is replaced by corruption: rotten wood, but in a dark place the light of life is seen: if you look and see exactly the decay and the earth... In the same way, the laity, who are attached to earthly things: if a person puts thought on food and drink, that he will be rewarded with the belly, blood and dust; If a person applies diligence to the purchases and trades of this world, what will the merchant acquire for himself? Nothing, just vanity; but from our treasures and wealth we will take nothing, just a bitch and a shroud. And if a person gets married and has children, marries a son and gives his daughter in marriage and lives a hundred years or more, then what? Death; and after death it will acquire corruption..."
“O wise Solomon, you say: there is nothing that endures forever, and a person living in this vain world, flattered by the acquisitions of this world, says this: “It is good for us to be here.” They don't know what they're doing. What good is there in this fickle world? Everything in this world is changeable; for whoever lives today rots in the grave in the morning; Now he is healthy, like Moses, but in the morning he is in great pain, like Job; now in honor and glory, and in the morning in prison and imprisonment; Today he cares about riches that he cannot count, like the rich man of the Gospel, but on the morning he hungers for a single grain, like Lazarus, and does not find it; today in freedom, and in the morning in captivity; today in joy, and in the morning in sadness; today he rules and commands, in the morning he expires and dies.”

One should not become attached to wealth, for it leads to destruction. “Because you keep your wealth for indecent things - for gluttony and drunkenness and unclean fornication, for the sake of your wealth they will not allow you into heaven. And your same riches will free you from torment if you begin to give alms.”
The saint touchingly exhorts to give alms. “You should be merciful to the requests of the poor, when they cry out to you: “For Christ’s sake, give alms to the poor”; and be merciful to their request. They are not asking you for any great gift; but they only ask for a single penny or a small piece of bread, for God’s sake. Be gracious; for that mercy you yourself will receive mercy from God... If we give alms to the poor, God will give it to you in the next world, and whoever gives more, God gives more to him, and whoever gives less, gives less to him. Almsgiving is an acquisition for eternity: through it the believer receives the Kingdom of Heaven. I pray to you, my beloved, that we may receive the Kingdom of Heaven. How can I get it? 1) Give food to the hungry, 2) give drink to the thirsty, 3) receive the strange, 4) clothe the naked, 6) visit the weak, 6) go to prison, 7) follow, bury the dead in hedgehogs. With these virtues we will receive the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The saint advised that the practice of these virtues be especially timed to coincide with great holidays. “Favorites! Do not be unfaithful in word and life, confess in word that the Lord has truly risen, and through life you will return in doing good deeds, giving alms and maintaining love. And if anyone creates love, let him clothe the poor, and not decorate his flesh with vanity, as we do now, we adorn ourselves with vestments; What kind of holiday are we waiting for, the Resurrection of the Lord, or some other holiday, then we prepare for ourselves good caftans, dressing mittens, decent hats, red boots; It would be better for us to prepare for the holidays with good deeds.”

In one of his teachings, the saint clearly and simply set out the rules of pious life.
“Listen, beloved,” says the saint, “behold, Christ the Lord and Mary, His Mother, the holy being, willed to deal with sinners (because the Most Holy Virgin fulfilled the law relating to sinful newborn babies, and sacrificed two dove chicks). Likewise, brothers, let us learn to cleanse our souls with holy repentance and go to prayer in the house of God and offer what is needed. Bring candles and prosphora, and whoever does not have this, come to church for prayer with a contrite heart, with tears of repentance. First of all, fear God, love Him with all your soul and heart and thought, and honor the Most Pure Mother of God and all the saints, and come leisurely to the Church of God for Vespers, and Matins, and Mass at the beginning, and listen to the Divine singing with attention in silence; and don’t leave the church until vacation. If you are far from church, or it is not timely, then you can correct your rule at home, singing and bowing according to your strength, and not being lazy, so that you will not be barren, like a dry tree. And if you create the rule without laziness, then you will receive a great reward from God and remission of sins. Celebrate holidays spiritually, and not physically, have mercy on the poor, and in church give candles and prosphora to the best of your ability; Give your slaves rest from work on holidays; Celebrate the holidays not with gluttony and drunkenness, but with prayer and purity. Live meekly and in Christ have unfeigned love for every Christian... Honor the priests as God's servants, and give honor to all churchmen, and love your enemy, and pray to God for them, and love all Orthodox Christians as you do yourself, do not envy your friend , do not offend anyone, do not give money in exchange for money, honor your father and mother, visit the sick, help the needy, bring what is needed in prisons and chains, feed the poor according to your strength, give water and clothing, for you put everything in the hand of God, do not despise widows, Above all, flee from fornication and live with your wives according to the law. Be clean on Wednesday and Friday and Sunday. Honor the feasts of the Lord and the Most Pure Mother of God and all the saints honestly, and teach your children and servants the fear of God, keep them from drunkenness; stay away from theft and all evil, and in the Church of God tell your children to go to services all day long, and especially on holidays... If you happen to sin, at the instigation of the devil, then quickly confess to your spiritual father, so that the devil does not take root in your soul, and Let death not find you without repentance. And most of all, be humble, not arrogant, don’t talk idle, avoid bad conversations, don’t reproach or annoy a friend... in the Church of God stand in prayer with fear, never speak to anyone and don’t think evil in your heart, but for sure say: Lord, have mercy on me.”

The saint shows his listeners examples by following which they can be saved.
“Let us remember the lives of the saints, even if we are lazy, how they pleased God - did they please God with ugly laughter or idle talk? Not anything, but good deeds. Thus we are also taught to remain silent and patient and to abstain from evil deeds. And the holy fathers, husbands and wives, did not come down from heaven, but were also born on earth and have a body from the earth, just like us.
They also had temptation from demons; but I defeat the devil. They are not much of a poisoner, like us; I don’t get drunk on wine, because we are doing evil... What were we doing? They worked for God with all their hearts, endured torment and temptation for the name of Christ.”
Above all the saints, the Mother of God immeasurably rises, the highest of heaven and the purest of the lordships of the sun, the Intercessor of the sinful world. Saint Innocent says about the Lady of the world: “She is the Mother not only of the Son and God, but also of all of us Orthodox. Mother to Your Son according to the nature of humanity, Mother to us by mercy and by intercession and intercession. Like a dear mother, she is always merciful to her natural children: she nourishes me, warms and clothes me, lifts me up; Even if the children are annoying, she forgives everything and graciously tolerates all their infirmities. Likewise, the Virgin Mary feeds us with the bread of Her mercy, waters us with the milk of her bounty, warms us with the robe of Her covering, clothes our nakedness with a wedding robe; falling into the pit of sins, lifting up His help with His hand, He strengthens Him with the rod of His affirmation. And when we repent after a sin, She quickly forgives and bows God to forgiveness with Her prayers. She endures all our infirmities, as if she knows our efforts. In the same way, as a merciful Mother, flow to Her with boldness and hope, and with warm prayers, praying to Her with fervent tears.”

Saint Innocent called his flock to the heights of Christian perfection, but their lives were very low. Cases of violation of chastity and marital fidelity were especially frequent in Siberia. In his teachings, the saint warned his flock against these vices. Thus, explaining the parable of the prodigal son, the saint says: “And that evil custom still exists in the world. When a person comes of age, he will first look for a friend like himself; first they will become friends, and then they will begin to give advice and everyone will be disposed towards each other with carnal love, and not spiritual, and in that love they will learn to drink, and others will jump, dance, and then be proud, take covetousness and commit fornication. O lovers of fornication and uncleanness! Oh, insatiable abomination! Because all uncleanness not only darkens the heart, but also destroys the vision of the face. Hear what the apostle says: Flee fornication: for every sin that man commits is besides the body, but the fornicator sins in his own body (1 Cor. 6:18). And now it’s barely
not everyone has departed from God, but through pride and covetousness, through envy and evil drunkenness. All of these served the devil and all of them turned aside and were without keys. Everyone has turned from humility into pride, from alms into covetousness, from love into hatred, from abstinence into gluttony, from sobriety into gluttony.
to drunkenness. What's more disgusting than a drunk man? He wants to hide, as if he is not drunk, but lies as if he were dead. Nothing worse than a drunkard; from his mouth comes the stench of evil, relaxation of the body and lack of self-control, tears flowing from his eyes, trembling in his hands. A drunk man promises a lot, does not keep mysteries, destroys reason and beauty, and other things that happen from drunkenness, such as abuse and bickering, and also shamelessness and inability to restrain one’s words.”

With his orders, the saint tried to put a limit to the disordered carnal life of some of his flock. He demanded from priests that marriages be concluded according to established laws. Those who did not do this were subject to monetary penalties, but those who sincerely repented received forgiveness. Such was the saint - with severity he combined meekness and kindness. Irkutsk Cathedral Archpriest Pyotr Grigoriev, convicted of facilitating an illegal marriage, was deprived of his archpriesthood and relegated to the ranks of ordinary priests for a year. But after sincere repentance, the saint forgave him and elevated him to his former dignity. Many examples of such meekness of the saint can be given.

There were very few churches in Siberia at that time. In the new diocese there were a total of 33 churches and 4 monasteries. Many villages were at great distances from churches. Therefore, most of the believers could not perform exactly all church rituals. There were many who did not receive baptism for a long time; marriages took place without the blessing of the Church. Being himself a strict zealot for piety, the saint zealously and tirelessly cared for the increase of piety between pastors and flocks, between laity and monastics. Lacking funds, he was not able to build new churches, but he allowed the construction of chapels. Due to the fact that new antimensions, for an unknown reason, were not sent to the Tobolsk diocese, the saint even took an extra antimension from the Holy Trinity Selenga Monastery. In Irkutsk he consecrated two churches in 1729.

In one sermon on the consecration of the church, the saint says: “But now if anyone wishes to build a holy church, then do not build the walls alone, but also decorate the inside with vestments, vessels, and, most of all, with prudent people, God-fearing priests.”
Due to the remoteness of the churches of God in Siberia, there were many people who, until they were 30 years old or more, did not go to church and did not observe the decrees of the Church. The saint himself spoke and instructed spiritual shepherds to speak in churches about the need, to the best of their ability, to go to the temple of God, about fasting, about communion, explained the meaning of the seven sacraments, eloquently depicted the end of the world, spoke about the resurrection of the dead, about the Last Judgment of God, about the future bliss of the righteous and the fierce torment of sinners, and thereby encouraged everyone to repentance.

In his sermon on the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple, the saint says: “She, the Most Pure One, from birth of three years, being sinless and pure, always remained in the church, but we are sinners, unclean spirits, not only from three years of birth, but also up to thirty years of age. “We don’t go to church and we always commit sins and don’t repent.”
Insisting that everyone fulfill the decrees of the Church, the saint demanded that those who suddenly die from any cause should not otherwise be worthy of burial in churches, unless after a strict inquiry whether they were, during the year preceding their sudden death,
at confession and holy communion. If it turned out to be the opposite, then they, as those who did not deserve the honor of the Church, were buried outside the city. The same rule applied to those who died without proper guidance. The saint understood that without strict measures it was impossible to obtain the desired fruits.
Strongly loving piety and splendor, Saint Innocent opposed all kinds of disorder and disorder in the Church. Having learned about various troubles in the Trans-Baikal region in 1728, the saint sent Abbot Pachomius to inspect the churches and, if necessary, carry out an inquiry and investigation. The following year, 1729, the saint himself surveyed his diocese in winter along the left bank of the Angara River. How necessary such concerns were for one’s flock can be seen from the following.
The saint was informed that a lama lived with a certain John Shunkov. The latter planned to build an idol, and Shunkov assisted the lama in this construction. Summoned for questioning, Shunkov openly admitted that he helped in the construction of the shrine. The Lama told him that he would pray to his god and his children would be kept by him. Then it was decided: in the presence of the people, to punish the superstitious Shunkov as a warning to others.

By decree of 1723, the chapels were closed, but then it was allowed to reopen them, however, only with the permission of the bishop. Priest Grigory Smagin, without asking for the blessing of Saint Innocent, arbitrarily allowed the chapel to be reopened across the Angara River in 1729 and hired a convict sexton to work for it. The same priest voluntarily opened another chapel near the village of Evseevoy. The saint ordered that this priest be punished, that a five ruble fine be collected from him, and that the chapel be abolished.

The saint loved true asceticism and valued people who labored for the glory of God. The saint received special attention from the pious rector of the Holy Trinity Selenga Monastery, Archimandrite Misail, the rector of the Nerchinsk Monastery, Abbot Nathanael, and the saint's confessor, Hieromonk Cornelius.
At that time, grain shortages occurred more than once in Siberia. The saint himself always prayed before the Lord for an abundance of earthly fruits and demanded the same from the shepherds. At the time of the coming disaster, he offered up special prayers for the aversion of God’s righteous judgment. “In the city of Irkutsk,” the saint wrote in one of his letters in 1728, “fornication has increased among people, for which the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.” And indeed, there was a drought in the entire Irkutsk diocese that year. The saint ordered all churches to offer prayers to the Lord for the sending of rain. The prayers of the holy archpastor were heard: at the end of July there was heavy rain, and the terrible danger of famine disappeared. The next year, on the contrary, the summer was unusually rainy, and the saint again ordered prayer. In the following years, 1730 and 1731. the bishop again makes the same order.

“According to our desire,” says this true shepherd of the Church of Christ, “for the common good of all Orthodox Christians, we are commanded, together with all the city priests in the cathedral, to perform a prayer service for all good things to the Giver of the All-Generous God, following the Trebnik for rain, singing according to the Divine Liturgy, and in the future throughout these spring days, both in the cathedral and in all the city churches, to alternate priests every day.”
Thus, during the few years of his priesthood, Blessed Innocent did not cease to pray to the Lord for the well-being of the flock entrusted to him.
The saint had to endure many hardships and insults. He wanted to abolish the right of taxation, at least in the monastic estates, because he could not see how the tax farmers were feeding the people, especially newly converted foreigners. His desire did not contradict the law, but tax farmers rebelled against this. They insisted that they be allowed to sell wine not only in the monastery villages, but even near the monasteries. To resolve the tax farming case, it was necessary to go to the capital, because in Siberia it was almost impossible to achieve a fair solution. But he had neither the time nor the means to do this.
The saint, during his short stay at the Irkutsk see, which he occupied for 4 years and 3 months, laid a solid foundation for the success of the faith of Christ in the Irkutsk region. He was a true shepherd of his flock, a zealous teacher of goodness and truth, a planter of the Christian faith among the Mongols and Buryats, an eradicator of superstitions and false teachings, and a disseminator of enlightenment in the wild Siberian country.

The whole life of Saint Innocent was difficult and joyless. But he endured the most hardships and hardships in Siberia. Here he walked a truly narrow and sorrowful path. Having great humility, the blessed one saw God’s special discretion on himself: therefore he did not grumble, did not ask to be moved to another department. The saint loved to retire for prayer to the cave that the first founder of the Ascension Monastery, Gerasim, dug for himself; The holy shepherd loved to offer his prayers over the grave of Gerasim. Every night the saint read the works of the holy fathers or composed teachings for his flock. Often at night, leaving his cell, he went to the main church of the Ascension Monastery and prayed at it from all four sides. Commanding the monks to observe the monastic rule, the saint himself strictly followed it.
Saint Innocent sometimes retired to the monastery village of Malaya Blanca, located about fifteen versts from Irkutsk. Taking a break from the labors of management, the saint did not remain idle here either: he took part in field work. In his home life the saint was simple. His clothing consisted of a hair shirt, over which he wore a cassock made of elk skin and a leather belt. How gentle the saint was is best seen from the following. The aforementioned Archimandrite Anthony of Platkovsky, who caused much harm to the blessed one, was struck by the piety and kindness of Saint Innocent. He was accused of embezzling monastic money. He had no reason to go to Beijing. But the kindly saint gave him the means for this trip.

A person close to the saint was the teacher of the Mongolian school Lapsan. The saint talked with him several times. These conversations, as well as the exploits of Innocent, of which Lapsan was an eyewitness, made a strong impression on him. After the death of the holy bishop, he converted to Christianity along with his entire household.
Continuous labors broke the already weak health of the saint. A native of the Chernigov province, he could hardly get used to the harsh nature of Siberia. Sorrows, grave insults, long journeys, a strict ascetic life - all this upset his health. At first he developed severe headaches, then other illnesses and ailments joined this.

In September and October 1731, the saint was already lying sick and could not perform divine services. He served for the last time on Sunday, October 3.
During his illness, Saint Innocent thanked all those who served him; In case of recovery, he promised to reward everyone from his own hands. He was especially concerned about the construction of a stone church in the Ascension Monastery instead of the previous wooden one, which was extremely dilapidated. The saint then repeatedly expressed regret that they delayed the payment of his salary, of which the first thousand rubles had long been promised to him for the construction of this temple. In the event of his death, he commanded the brethren to build a temple using monastic funds, the preservation and increase of which he cared so much about. Meanwhile, the disease was getting worse. On November 24, the saint satisfied everyone with a salary, and ordered the rest of the money to be counted and put in sealed bags; He gave his fur coat to Governor Paisius for his services. On November 25, he asked the brethren and clergy of the city to pray for him. The Irkutsk Church began to fervently pray for the recovery of its archpastor, but the Lord judged otherwise. On the morning of Saturday, November 27, 1731, the saint peacefully departed to the Lord, having only about 50 years of age, but exhausted by the worries and sorrows of his difficult life.
The congregation mourned the death of their father and teacher. With appropriate triumph, his honorable body was buried in the Tikhvin Church of the Ascension Monastery.

Many miracles flowed from the holy relics of the glorious saint of God. Let's mention just a few.
In 1770, Pelageya Sudeikina, who lived in Irkutsk, became seriously ill with a fever. During her illness, she had a vision: the patient imagined that she was standing in the Tikhvin church and the saint was performing Matins. She asked for blessings. The saint came out of the altar, blessed, then sent her and the bright young man a piece of artos; she tasted it and felt healthy. Wanting to thank her healer, Pelageya asked what prayer to read to him? The saint came out to her a second time, unfolded a scroll in front of her, in which it was written: “My merciful mentor, treasure of compassion, teacher of orthodoxy, praise of bishops, helpless intercessor, our father, hierarch, pray to God for us!”
Having awakened, Pelageya felt completely healthy and immediately stood up.
Yakut merchant Pavel Lebedev broke his leg. His illness became so severe that he began to prepare for death. On the night of January 3, 1785, the saint entered the room where the sick man was lying with a staff in his hand and said: “Ask for help from Innocent, who is in Irkutsk.”
Lebedev woke up, but then fell asleep again, not attaching much importance to the vision. The saint appeared again and, reproaching the sick man for his lack of faith, struck the floor with his rod. Lebedev, having awakened, saw the mark of the blow on the floor. He began to believe. Before morning, the saint appeared to the sick man for the third time, and the terrible pain was replaced by a slight itching. In the morning, Lebedev could already walk without a crutch and hurriedly headed to the coffin of his healer.

In 1786, Archpriest Jacob Zagoskin noticed that his vision began to weaken. He suffered for a long time and finally stopped seeing altogether. Hearing about the miracles that Saint Innocent performed, the patient constantly turned to him with prayer for help. One day, sitting in a chair, he fell into a light doze. Suddenly Saint Innocent appeared before him in full vestments, as if he were resting in a tomb. The saint placed his right hand on the head of the sick man and commanded him to call on his name more often. After a little time, the archpriest began to slightly disassemble the objects around him, and then began to see everything clearly.

Two people arrived at the Ascension Monastery, where the relics of St. Innocent are buried, to take a walk. Entering the church, they stopped in front of the shrine of the saint of God and began to blaspheme: one took the saint by the hand, the other by the leg. The Lord soon punished them for their insolence. When they were returning home, the droshky in which they were both riding fell, and one of the blasphemers broke his arm and the other his leg.

In the summer of 1783, a fire occurred in the Ascension Monastery. The wooden Tikhvin Church, under which the relics of Saint Innocent rested, was already engulfed in flames. The people expected with horror that the holy relics would perish in the fire, and asked Bishop Michael for permission to take them out of the cave. The bishop responded to this request: “If the late Innocent pleased God, then for the sake of his incorruptible relics the Almighty will save the church.”
And immediately the fire began to weaken. The Tikhvin church remained intact, only with the walls burnt on the outside.

In 1796, a feeble-minded woman was brought from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk. Who she was, what her name was - no one knew. She fell into a serious illness. Kind people took her in. While ill, she asked her benefactors for money. “What do you need money for?” - they asked her. “I need to go across the river, light candles where those dressed in black dresses live and the old man is buried.” They gave her money, she crossed the Angara, and asked to show her the way to the Ascension Monastery. At this time, the liturgy was celebrated in the monastery. Throughout the service, the sick woman fervently prayed before the icon of the Mother of God and often approached the place where the saint’s tomb was located. Two days later, the feeble-minded woman not only received healing from her illness, but even began to think completely sensibly. Her mental disorder was completely gone. She told who she was and where she was from, adding that the saint appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries. He told her that soon, on such and such a day, she would die. Indeed, on the day appointed by the saint, she died.

The holy body of the saint, buried under the altar of the Tikhvin Church in the Ascension Monastery, did not remain hidden for long. Around 1765, on the occasion of the reconstruction of the temple, the tomb with the relics of the saint was opened. The coffin was completely intact, even the velvet with which it was upholstered was not damaged by dampness. The holy relics turned out to be completely incorruptible and emitted a fragrance.

In 1800, senators Rzhevsky and Levashev, who were on an audit in the Irkutsk province, reported to Emperor Paul I about the incorruptibility of the relics of Saint Innocent and about the miracles that flowed from the relics of the saint of God. In the same year, in accordance with the wishes of the sovereign, the Holy Synod ordered two bishops - Benjamin of Irkutsk and Justin, vicar of Kazan - to carry out an accurate inquiry into this matter. A rigorous study of clergy and lay persons, carried out at the beginning of 1801, fully confirmed the message of the senators. On March 5, the bishops made a report to the Holy Synod, in which they expressed their opinion: “So that this first Irkutsk Bishop Innocent can be numbered as a saint, revered and glorified by the Church; his body is incorruptible, like true relics and worthy of being declared and opened for public veneration.” Two years later, the Holy Synod demanded from the Irkutsk bishop new information regarding the recognition of the holiness of the saint of God. The bishop replied that there had been no change in the incorruptible body of the saint during these two years, that the zeal of the inhabitants was increasing, that new healings and apparitions of the saint had occurred, a description of which, among 24, the bishop sent to the Holy Synod. After this, by a synodal decision, Saint Innocent was canonized among the saints revered by the entire Russian Church, and the day of his celebration was set as November 26 (December 9). The definition was approved by Emperor Alexander I on October 28, 1804, and announced to the public on December 1.

Such was the life of Saint Innocent, such were his works and exploits, such was his glorification. Let us also glorify this glorious saint of the Russian Church and, together with all the faithful, call upon him.