Episcopal Ministry of Bishop Platon (Lobankov) in Central Asia in 1971–1972

Abstract

The article represents one of the first attempts at a detailed coverage of the archpastoral activities of Bishop Platon (Lobankov) of Voronezh and Lipetsk during his ministry in Central Asia in 1971–1972. Particular attention is paid to his preparation of the delegation from the Tashkent and Central Asian Diocese for the 1971 Local Council, the reception of foreign delegations in Tashkent, the Bishop’s relations with the commissioners of the Council for Religious Affairs, and the celebration of the centennial of the Tashkent and Central Asian Diocese in 1972. The research employs historical, biographical, analytical, archival, chronological, and statistical methods. Certain materials from the National Archives of Uzbekistan (Fund R‑2456) and the Archives of the Tashkent Diocesan Administration concerning Bishop Platon’s activities at the Tashkent see are published for the first time. The analysis of these and other materials, in addition to clarifying specific details of the Bishop’s biography, leads to the conclusion that he maintained professional and constructive relations with state authorities. Despite the brief period of his service in Tashkent, Bishop Platon left a lasting positive impression on the local faithful. He deeply cared for the Tashkent flock and was held in high regard by them; however, due to poor health and difficulty adjusting to the hot climate of Central Asia, he was transferred to the Voronezh see in the autumn of 1972.