Saint Ignatius the Wonderworker Bishop of Rostov

Episcopal Ministry

Ignatius began as a cleric in Rostov before entering the Theophany Monastery, where he became archimandrite in 1261. The following year, on 19 September 1262, Metropolitan Cyril III of Kiev appointed him Bishop of Rostov, an office he held for twenty-six years.

The chronicles record his presence at princely marriages and burials across the years 1266, 1269, 1271, and 1276 to 1278, and his attendance at the 1274 synod held at the Vladimir Cathedral. He is also remembered for contributing to Christian outreach in the Beloozersk region, for reconciling the princes Demetrius and Constantine Borisovich in 1281, and for traveling to the Mongol horde in 1282 to advocate for the clergy.

Relics & Shrines

Following the events reported at his funeral, those present did not commit Ignatius's body to the earth, and his relics have rested openly rather than buried. They are kept in the Dormition Cathedral of Rostov, in a silver coffin dating from 1795.

Miracles & Veneration

By tradition, during the funeral of Saint Ignatius some of those present saw him leave his coffin and rise into the air above the church, where he blessed the people and the city before returning to his coffin. It was on account of this that his body was left unburied. The synaxarion further relates that many miracles took place at his grave, and he is venerated as a wonderworker.

Bishop Ignatius is commemorated on May 28 and is numbered among the Synaxis of the Saints of Rostov, whose collective celebration on May 23 was established by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1964.