"Perm Villager": Ministry of Bishop Joasaph (Ovsyannikov) in the Urals in 1966–1973

The article discusses activities of Bishop Joasaph (Ovsyannikov) at the Perm Episcopal See from 1966 to 1973. Drawing on archival materials, it has been found out that Bishop Joasaph faced a number of difficulties in his bishop ministry in the Urals. Due to the government’s interference in the life of the Church, the diocesan parish management system suffered, there was a lack of clergy, and some parishes had financial problems. It has been revealed that Bishop Joasaph managed to organize a fairly effective work of the diocesan administration and parishes. This resulted in an increase of parish income, improvement of material state, as well as active construction and economic activities of the diocese. The problem of the lack of clergy was solved thanks to ordaining active parishioners to the holy orders and inviting clergy from other regions. It is noted that Bishop Joasaph managed to maintain calm, businesslike relations with the Commissioner of the Council for Religious Affairs. The conclusion is made that the fruitful ministry of Bishop Joasaph in the Perm lands resulted from his pious Christian life and pastoral wisdom, as well as his monastic simplicity that attracted a large Perm flock to him.