Beautiful churches, active monasteries, holy places revered by believers - all these sights are full of Russian land. Getting into these special secluded corners, a person is reborn spiritually, receives a lot of positive emotions and is healed from mental ailments. On the banks of the mighty Volga, a real pearl of architecture rises - the Makaryevsky Monastery. The Nizhny Novgorod region is famous for its shrines that attract believers from all over the country.
Birth of a monastery
This temple of faith was founded back in 1435, the monk Macarius is considered its founder. This saint, recognized as a miracle worker and named Unzha and Zheltovodsky patron, carried obedience in the Caves Church. The place for the founding of the monastery was chosen in a picturesque place:sprawling floodplain meadows on the banks of the Volga near the Holy (Yellow) Lake.
Monk Macarius, who was born in Nizhny Novgorod, entered the Pechersky Monastery for obedience as a teenager. After some time, he left the monastery and went to wander and explore the world. He was looking for a special place where he could build a new temple for obedience and service to God. And such a place was found - near the Yellow Lake Macarius founded a small monastic settlement. And so the first “pebble” appeared in the foundation of the future holy place - the Makaryevsky Monastery. The Nizhny Novgorod region became a haven for many monks who wanted to continue the work of the saint. And already in 1624, the monk Tetyushsky revived the just cause of Macarius - the saint appeared to the novice in a dream and blessed him for the construction of the temple. During this period, the first wooden church was erected on the site of the modern monastery.
The fate of the shrine
The first church became a place of concentration for believers and ordinary people. Already in 1641, the famous Makariev Fair was founded near the monastery. It was during this period that the temple began to flourish: people paid taxes and duties that went to the needs of the temple.
From 1651 to 1667, they began to build monastic premises in stone, they have survived to this day. At the end of the 17th century, the grand erection of the monastery fortress was completed, which was supposed to protect the monastery and the fair from enemies. At this time, the monastery reaches its highest peak. It was called "the second Jerusalem"the temple was visited by crowned persons: Catherine the Great and Peter I.
Archbishop Simeon of Siberia and Tobolsk, Patriarch Nikon, Avvakum Petrov, archpriests Ivan Neronov and Stefan Vonifatiev - all of them were brought up by the Makariev Monastery. The Nizhny Novgorod region (photos of the surroundings can be seen in the article) has been a favorite place for pilgrims since ancient times.
Hard times
The 19th century was a real test for the monastery. In 1817, the local fair was moved to Nizhny Novgorod. And the waters of the mighty Volga began to come closer to the walls of the temple, destroying the fortress. Because of the threat of complete destruction in 1868, the Makaryevsky Monastery was closed. The Nizhny Novgorod region often suffered from such natural phenomena, the river constantly changed the water level. However, after 15 years, the monastery was again opened to novices and believers. It should be noted that the shrine received its second birth as a nunnery.
1927 was marked by a great tragedy for the novices - the temple was closed, the nuns were dispersed. The premises began to be used as an orphanage, then leased to various organizations. During the Great Patriotic War, a hospital was placed here, and then transferred to the ownership of the veterinary technical school. These were the darkest times of devastation for the monastery: it gradually collapsed, all valuables and unique iconostases were plundered.
By 2005, the temple was restored, all the churches on the territory of the monastery were re-consecrated. The holy site is now experiencing a renaissance.
Unique Temples
Getting into this fertile monastery, you can admire a number of temples that were built at different times. Various architecture, expensive decoration, ancient and modern valuable iconostases… All churches are active, and you can not only enjoy the architecture, but also pray in a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Must visit Temples:
- House Church of St. Gregory of Pelshemsky.
- Holy Trinity Cathedral.
- Church of Macarius Zheltovodsky.
- Church of the Archangel Michael.
- Church of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.
Despite the relatively small area of the entire temple complex, all these churches were accommodated on its territory by the Makariev Monastery. The Nizhny Novgorod region, a tour of which is organized on an ongoing basis, will surprise you not only with unique buildings, but also with beautiful landscapes and the magnificence of the mighty Volga River.
Honored shrines
Many pilgrims come to this amazing place to worship the shrines of the monastery:
- Iconostasis with a piece of the holy relics of St. Macarius.
- Head of St. Macarius.
Many people believe that this saint is able to heal complex diseases, purify the soul and fulfill desires. People attend services, pray in churches and, of course, venerate holy relics. The monastery carefully records all cases of miraculous healing of parishioners, and there were really quite a few of them. Pilgrims bring generousgifts to the temple, thank for miracles. In addition, many are trying to help the temple by donating funds so that this shrine, the Makaryevsky Monastery (Nizhny Novgorod Region), will always flourish. Reviews of tourists confirm that the monastery receives them very friendly, they are happy to show all the sights and help to find peace of mind.
Good deed
Besides serving God, novices in our time are doing a good deed. On the territory of the monastery there is a social shelter for 20 girls. They are fully supported by the donations of the faithful. Teenagers are educated, accustomed to the laws of God and learn the sacrament of obedience. Hurry up to do good deeds - by visiting the monastery, you can make your contribution to the fate of disadvantaged children!
Don't miss your chance to order cheap trebs. Makaryevsky Monastery (Nizhny Novgorod region) holds divine services and Christian sacraments: baptism, liturgies and many others.
Note that you can come to the holy places with a bus tour or get on your own by ferry.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit this blessed land. Temples, shrines, unique architecture and a unique fertile atmosphere - this is what Makaryevsky Monastery is famous for. The Nizhny Novgorod region will surprise you with magnificent nature and a good-natured welcome, because people live here are special: open and very kind.
