The Belogorsky Nikolaevsky Monastery in the Perm Territory is located in the most picturesque area - on White Mountain. This building has earned the name "Ural Athos". Today, the monastery is considered the main attraction that glorifies the Perm region.
Special place
Belogorsky Nicholas Monastery is located on Mount Belaya. This area received such a name because it does not shed its snow cover for a long time.
In the 18th century, this place was a haven for the Old Believers. At the official level, the history of Orthodoxy has been going on here since the end of the 19th century. Here Tsarevich Nicholas managed to escape. In honor of the significant event, a cross of impressive size was erected. Its height exceeded 10 meters. The people called the cross "Royal".
Appearance of the monastery
Belogorsk Nicholas Church was founded in 1893, after the consecration of the area. It was originally built from wood. Worksprogressed quickly and were fully completed the following year. This was followed by the construction of the rector's and fraternal buildings. A school was founded at the monastery, where orphans who were left without parental support were brought up. In the pre-revolutionary period, their number consisted of 25 people.
In the Belogorsky Nikolaevsky Monastery, economic activity was actively carried out. The monks had to grow their own bread, raise livestock, fish, and beekeeping. At the disposal of the monastery brethren was land in the amount of 580 acres. The income of the monastery was quite decent. Men tried to ensure their existence and be independent from the outside world. Work and prayer occupied the bulk of their time in this holy place.
Short existence
The religious procession replenished the Belogorsky St. Nicholas Monastery with the first icons in the amount of five pieces. But the wooden structure, like most such buildings, was destined to disappear into the flames. The temple did not stand even three years. This situation was typical throughout the country. Wooden buildings were not reliable.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Belogorsky Nikolaevsky Monastery was attacked by a new trouble. Due to a strong storm, the Royal Cross fell. Thanks to charitable donations from merchants, he was installed in his place, but after 17 years he was overthrown by the Bolsheviks.
Stone temple
Belogorsk St. Nicholas Monastery in the form of a stone structure calledEx altation of the Cross Cathedral, construction began in 1902. Byzantine style was chosen for the construction, the work continued for 15 years.
About 8,000 parishioners could fit in the rebuilt premises. The monks themselves were engaged in the production of building materials. To do this, they built a brick factory.
The solemn ceremony on the occasion of the consecration of the cathedral gathered 30,000 pilgrims in 1917.
Pre-revolutionary period
But the new building did not rejoice for long. The revolutionaries took notice of the building and began to persecute the clergy. Archimandrite Varlaam and many of the monks were brutally tortured.
5 years have passed and the monastery was finally closed. The building was used as a place for torture of dispossessed and repressed citizens. Later, a home for the disabled was organized here.
At the end of the 20th century, the temple burned again, the domes of the cathedral were destroyed by fire. The restoration of the temple began during the reign of Gorbachev.
Tips for visitors
Gornalsky St. Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery can be visited on weekends. This area is considered a popular pilgrimage route. The view of merchant houses, monuments and many other sights that Kungur is rich in looks impressive. Here you can visit the Kungur ice cave, see the waters of the Plakun waterfall, admire the Yermak stone.
If you come to this area in the middle of summer, you can enjoy a spectacular event - a festivalaeronautics. It takes place annually and is called the Ural Sky Fair.
To get to the monastery, you need to move along the route "Perm - Yekaterinburg". The distance from Perm is 72 km. Then you need to turn right, towards Kalinin. Then you don’t need to turn anywhere and drive another 46 km.
Address of the temple: Monastyrskaya street, 1.
Service Schedule
The time for the morning service is 7.30. It begins with a fraternal prayer service to Varlaam Belogorsky. A monastery was named after him.
In the cathedral you can visit the church shop, get acquainted with the measured life of the monks. Evening service time – 17.00.
The following additional events are listed in the service schedule:
- on Saturdays at 8.00 - reading of the prayer service to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;
- on Sundays at 8.00 – reading a prayer service before the icon of the Mother of God “Iberian”;
- on Saturdays at 11.00 - reading of a memorial service for the dead;
- on Sundays at 14.00 - prayer service reading before the relics of the healer Panteleimon.
Here you can conduct a rite of baptism. Abbot of the monastery today is hegumen Pitirim (Plaksin).
Summarize
Every monastic community tends to be for Christians a place where God's special presence is ensured. It is also the architectural heritage of the country. The building of the Belogorsky St. Nicholas Monastery is a sight worth visiting. Surrounded by the picturesque nature of the mountainous region, a magnificent building opens up to the visitor 19century.
Being one of the majestic structures, the temple is popularly called the Ural Athos. This name gives the cathedral a certain level.
Initially, a wooden church was located in this area. It burned down in a conflagration, like many buildings of that time.
The temple survived the era of socialism, when its clergy were brutally killed. And at the end of the last century it was again consecrated for monks. Spiritual life has returned to these places.
Today, divine services are held daily in the monastery. Thousands of pilgrims come here. The extraordinary energy of this area, spread out against the backdrop of mountain landscapes, is impressive.
There are many strong icons in the monastery, where pilgrims often gather. Also, part of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker is kept here. It is better to visit the shrine in the morning, having time for the morning service at 7.30.
