Hierarch
Ignatius Brianchaninov of the Caucasus and Stavropol
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov, Bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol
New Calendar April 30 Old Calendar May 13
Why they are a saint
Ignatius Brianchaninov of the Caucasus and Stavropol, Bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol, is kept among the saints. Holy hierarchs are venerated because they guarded the faith and shepherded a local church. Orthodox Christians remember him as a hierarch who kept the apostolic faith in his see.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Life
Saint Ignatius, baptized Demetrios, was born on February 6, 1807, at Pokrovskoe in Vologda province, the son of a wealthy landowner, in answer to his mother's prayers. From childhood he loved church services, prayer and spiritual reading. Drawn to monasticism against his parents' wishes, he was guided by Elder Leonid of Optina, entered monastic life, and in time was reconciled with his family.
He served many years as Superior of the St. Sergius Hermitage, and on October 27, 1857, was consecrated Bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol. He later retired to the St. Nicholas Babaev Monastery on the Volga, where he reposed at prayer; his body was buried there. He was glorified by the Russian Church in 1988, and his relics rest at the Tolga Monastery near Yaroslavl.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Ignatius Brianchaninov of the Caucasus and Stavropol as a patron when they bear the name Ignatius at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on April 30. As a bishop, he is also remembered by clergy and those who serve the Church.
Prayer
O holy Ignatius Brianchaninov of the Caucasus and Stavropol, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.