A large number of Orthodox shrines are concentrated in the ancient Crimean land: male and female monasteries, temples, life-giving springs and much more. So, for example, near the city of Bakhchisarai, one can observe a picturesque gorge that seems to cut through the mountains. It is called Maryam-dere and is translated from the Tatar language as "Mary's gorge". This place fascinates with its beauty, which is why a significant amount of time ago it was decided to build the Holy Dormition Monastery here. It is one of the oldest Orthodox shrines in Crimea.
Versions of its occurrence
There are two options for the appearance of the monastery in question. The first version is represented by the assumption that it was founded in the VIII-IX centuries. icon-worshipping monks who fled from Byzantium. The gorge Maryam-dere, in their opinion, was similar to the ancient Athos (Holy Mountain in the north of Eastern Greece) and reminded them of their native land. And also the presence of a source of fresh water here was an important point.
Secondthe version says that the Holy Assumption Monastery arose in the 15th century. It is assumed that it was moved to the gorge from the caves located near the southern gate of the Kyrk-Or fortress, which was captured by the Turks in 1475. The second version of the origin of the monastery is supported by the famous researcher A. L. Berthier-Delagard, who is studying the Crimea. In his opinion, there were ancient manuscripts that confirm the second version of the history of the emergence of the Orthodox shrine in question.
What is happening to the monastery these days?
It has not been restored for a very long time. Therefore, at the moment the monastery is being revived thanks to the hard work of parishioners, monks and patrons. At the moment, the cave Assumption Church and the rock iconography located above its balcony have already been restored, as well as the restoration of the stairs leading to the uppermost tier, from where you can get to the bright cells.
The construction of the bell tower is completed, the domes of which are gilded. They were cast at the metallurgical plant of Dneprodzerzhinsk absolutely free of charge.
Also in the Holy Dormition Monastery there is a list of the icon of the Mother of God, which is called Three-Handed. Over the years, it has been visited by many pilgrims, like many other men's monasteries in Crimea.
Documentary confirmation regarding the foundation of this Orthodox shrine and its first ten years of existence has not been preserved. There is a legendwhich the appearance of the monastery is associated with St. Sergius of Radonezh, who came in 1386 to the city of Ryazan. The purpose of his arrival was to reconcile the Moscow and Ryazan Grand Dukes, namely Dmitry Donskoy and Prince Oleg.
There are other versions, unconfirmed by chronicle data, according to one of which the Holy Trinity Monastery was created by the Ryazan Bishop Arseny I in 1208, during the reign of Prince Roman Glebovich, as one of the fortifications erected along the perimeter of Pereyaslavl - Ryazan.
Chronological data
Like many Orthodox monasteries, it has its own unique history. This shrine was repeatedly ruined during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. This was attested in the documents of the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity from 1595-1597 and 1628-1629.
In 1695, the stolnik I. I. Verderevsky erected a stone church in the name of the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity on the site of a wooden monastery, which later, more precisely, in 1697, was referred to as the Church of John the Baptist. Then he builds a bell tower in three tiers with large gates for entry. Creates a stone fence consisting of five corner towers, as well as various residential and utility-type buildings.
Further, in 1752, at the expense of the grandson of I. I. Verderevsky, the stone St. Sergius Church was erected. Then followed the deprivation of the status of the monastery. This happened on April 23, 1919. Later, namely in 1934, the main buildings of the shrine were transferred tolong-term use of the tractor workshop. Then they were operated by a locomotive depot, a driving school and an automotive equipment plant.
1987 was marked by the decision of the executive committee of the city of Ryazan to recreate the monument of architecture and history of a pre-existing such Orthodox shrine as the Trinity Monastery and perpetuate the memory of the great architect M. F. Kazakov.
Since the beginning of 1994, the restoration of the St. Sergius Church has been underway, and on December 17, 1995, the consecration of its Predtechensky chapel is being carried out. Then the Holy Synod on December 22, 1995 decides on the revival of the monastery in question. The main Sergievsky chapel was consecrated on April 8, 1996. And November 27, 1997 - Feodorovsky chapel.
What does this Orthodox shrine offer pilgrims today?
Wishing to visit the Holy Trinity Monastery, a comfortable hotel is always available, where you can share a meal and, in accordance with the possibilities, stay overnight. Pilgrims are invited to visit the active library, which has more than 1,400 copies of books. In particular, there are texts of Holy Scripture, liturgical literature, works of the holy fathers, periodicals and many other books of spiritual and edifying reading.
Revived Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery
One of the first mentions of this Saratov monastery dates back to the middle of the 17th century, the so-called left-bank era in the history of the city. After the devastating fire that occurred on June 21, 1811, the old Orthodoxthe shrine, located in those days near Sokolovaya Gora, completely burned down. In 1812, due to the Patriotic War and post-war devastation, the reconstruction of the monastery buildings was suspended.
Further, by order of Emperor Alexander I, in the period dated 1914, the previously indicated shrine was given a new location outside the city, more precisely, at the foot of Bald Mountain. Currently, there is a street called Prospekt 50 let Oktyabrya.
The construction of the monastery complex, namely two buildings for the residence of the brethren and the Cathedral Church in the name of the Transfiguration of the Lord, began in 1816 according to the project of the famous architect Luigi Rusca.
In 1820 the monastery was consecrated. Then, in 1904, according to the project of architects P. M. Zybin and V. N. Karpenko, a bell tower was rebuilt at the main church with funds from the donation of the founders of the Saratov circus, the Nikitin brothers. In the early 30s, the monastery cathedral and a number of its buildings were dismantled, the bell tower was demolished.
St. Nicholas Monastery of the ancient city of Rylsk
At the confluence of the Seim and Rylo rivers, the aforementioned Orthodox shrine was erected in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. As for the area, it is very picturesque. The buildings of the monastery are located on a steep hill, that is, a hill, which has a steep eastern slope that goes to the river called the Bagpipe. You can also admire the sprawling plain, diluted in places with oak forests and meadows, which, in turn, are demarcated by a meandering river. Seim and numerous lakes. On the north side of the monastery there is a picturesque chain of hills covered with forests. They have steep white slopes called the Chalky Viskol Mountains.
Chronicle evidence
These records mention the miraculous help provided by St. John to the city of Rylsk in difficult times for him. In 1240, according to the chronicler, only Rylsk survived to a large extent after the Batu pogrom. The reason was that the inhabitants called on their patron, after which he appeared as a face on the wall, which blinded the Tatars and thereby saved everyone. Further, in 1502, the intercession of the saint also saved the city from the army of the Golden Horde Khan named Akhmet.
Nikolaev Monastery, formerly called the Volyn Hermitage, was first mentioned in 1505. This period subsequently became the date of its foundation. Then, in 1615, the Polish-Lithuanian troops of False Dmitry burned down the shrine. And only at the beginning of the 18th century, on the sites of earlier wooden churches, stone ones were erected, in particular, the two-story Nikolsky, the lower church of which was lit in honor of the revered icon of the Mother of God, called the Sign of the Kursk Root, Holy Cross and Trinity.
Schiarchimandrite Ippolit, who was known to the Orthodox world as an elder who played an important role in the revival of the monastery, compared the construction of churches with the navigation of St. Nicholas on ships.
Raifa Monastery
It is located 30 km from Kazan. The highlight of this placecharacterized not only by the magnificent architectural performance of the monastery, but also by a very interesting story regarding its foundation.
Monk Filaret decides to donate his inheritance, left after the death of his parents, to charity, and devote himself to serving the Lord. To do this, he goes to study at the Moscow Seminary. Subsequently, Filaret gains popularity as a spiritual mentor. The stormy attention from the parishioners begins to weigh him down, and he goes on foot to the city of Kazan. During his wanderings in the impenetrable forests near Smolensk Lake, a sign appears to him. It was an outstretched hand that pointed to a holy place intended for the construction of a temple. First he built a hut where he lived as a hermit. This is how the history of the monastery began, and the sacred place was called “Raifa” by the people, which is interpreted as “God-protected place”. To the deepest regret, Filaret never saw a full-fledged building, currently referred to as the Bogoroditsky Monastery.
What does the Orthodox shrine look like today?
It is customary to get up early in the monastery. At half past six in the morning the bells ring. This indicates that parishioners are invited to morning prayer. The path to the Raifa Monastery is lined with numerous flower beds. To the right of it is the Cathedral of the Georgian Mother of God. The walls of the monastery are decorated with her icons.
The Trinity Cathedral, built at the beginning of the last century, was erected in the center of the monastery square. He isone of the unique representatives of architectural excellence regarding how the male monasteries of that era were created. There are unusual acoustic features, due to which the singing of the church choir rushes up and scatters over a distance of more than three kilometers.
Conclusion
Currently, a lot of efforts are being made to revive the unique Orthodox traditions and, of course, shrines. First of all, this concerns the reconstruction of churches and monasteries in view of the fact that they act not only as institutions that help satisfy the religious needs of believers, but also as spiritual and historical centers that form the foundation of the Russian state.
