Saint Ignatius, Bishop of the Caucasus and Black Sea (in the world Dimitry Aleksandrovich Bryanchaninov) was born in 1807 in the village of Pokrovsky, Vologda province. He came from the noble family of the Bryanchaninovs, dating back to the boyar Mikhail Brenko, the hero of the Battle of Kulikovo. His father's name — Alexander Semenovich, mother's name — Sofia Afanasyevna.
Dimitri was attracted by his monastic life, but his father sent him to the Main Military Engineering School in St. Petersburg. While undergoing teaching, the young man thought about the relativity of scientific knowledge and the futility of learning, which do not lead directly to eternal life. In search of truth, he carefully read the creations of the holy fathers of the Orthodox Church.
Demetrius decided to become a monk, defending his decision before his superiors and parents. This intention was strengthened after meeting the Optina elder Leonid (Nagolkin) — Reverend Leo. Dimitri graduated from the school with the rank of lieutenant in 1826. He was refused resignation, but due to God's Providence, he was soon dismissed from service due to illness and entered the Alexander Svir Monastery in the Olonets province as a novice, then was in other monasteries.
In 1831, he was tonsured a monk with his name in honor of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer, ordained a hieromonk and appointed abbot of the Lopotov Pelshem Monastery. Since 1833, Father Ignatius — rector of the Trinity-Sergius Hermitage near St. Petersburg in the rank of archimandrite. During the day he ruled the monastery, at night he indulged in prayer, and for the brethren he was both the ruler and the spiritual father.
In 1857, in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Archimandrite Ignatius was consecrated Bishop of the Caucasus and Black Sea (with a see in Stavropol; now — Diocese of Stavropol).
In 1861, at the request of Bishop Ignatius, he was retired due to illness. The saint settled in the Nikolo-Babaevsky Monastery of the Kostroma diocese, where he was subsequently buried. He wrote «Offering to modern monasticism», «Father» — collection of sayings and examples from the life of ancient monasticism, many letters, five volumes of his works have been prepared for publication (6th volume — «Father» published after his death).
The saint could see the state of other people's souls. He outlined the ascetic teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Church in relation to the requirements of modern times. His circle of acquaintances included — A.S. Pushkin, I.A. Krylov, K.N. Batyushkov, N.I. Gnedich, Archpriest Pyotr Turchaninov, M.I. Glinka, N.V. Gogol, K.P. Bryullov, P.S. Nakhimov and others.
The saint died on the Week of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, in 1867; canonized in 1988.