Ignaty Shuang, the future bishop, was born in Beijing on [[December 23]], 1888. Little is known about his early life. He later completed theological [[seminary]] at the [[Russian Orthodox Mission in China|Spiritual Mission]], Beijing, and was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[deacon|diaconate]] on [[May 11]], 1915, by Bishop Innokenty [[Innocent (Figurovsky)of Beijing|Innocent (Figurovsky)]].

Dcn Ignaty, after 33 years serving as a [[deacon]], was ordained in 1948 to the [[priest]]hood. On [[August 30]] of that year, he was also [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] with the name Vasily. Hmk Vasily was then elevated to [[Igumen|Hegumen]] and was appointed spiritual director of Holy Dormition Monastery and Holy Protection Monastery, a male and female monastery (, respectively).

Greater honour was to come to Archimandrite Vasily when, in 1951, Patriarch Alexy [[Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow|Alexei I]] offered Archim. Vasily the bishopric of Tianjin, but this was declined by Archim. Vasily, who gave the reasons of unworthiness and infirmity (being 69 years old). At this point, Archimandrite Vasily was the dean of the Holy Dormition [[Cathedral]], Beijing, and was temporary administrator of the diocese [[Diocese]] of Beijing. In February of this year, Archim. Vasily was appointed a member of the Council of the Spiritual Mission.

However, the episcopacy was not to be denied. On [[May 17]], 1957, Archimandrite Vasily was consecrated Bishop of Beijing in the Holy Transfiguration church, Moscow, by Metr. Nikolai of Krutitsk and Kolomensk, Abp. [[Victor (Svyatin) of Krasnodar and Kuban|Victor of Krasnodar and Kuban]], and Abp. Makary of Mozhaisk.