The male stauropegial Valaam Monastery, located on the islands of the Valaam archipelago, attracts numerous pilgrims who want to touch the shrines of Orthodoxy. The amazing rare beauty of nature, the silence and remoteness from the bustle of the world leave an unforgettable impression on all visitors to this holy place.
History of the founding of the monastery
In the northern part of Lake Ladoga (Karelia) there is an archipelago with about 50 islands, the area of which is approximately 36 square kilometers. km. The largest of them is the majestic island of Valaam. The nature of this area has an amazing and unique beauty that amaze all visitors to the island. But not only she attracts to this wonderful place. The indescribable sanctity of this place is the main incentive for tourists wishing to visit the monastery.
Historians are most inclined to date - 1329, suggesting that it was in this year that the holy monastery was organized. The Valaam Monastery was repeatedly subjected to fires and devastation, as a result of which the annals were lost, reflecting historical data on the organization of monastic life in this place. As a result, today there are three versions of the origin of the Valaam Monastery, associated with the appearance on the island of two monks: Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam, who spread the Orthodox faith here and laid the foundation for monasticism.
- According to the monastic tradition reflected in the texts of liturgical books, in the 10th century two Greek monks (Sergius and Herman) came to this island with the missionary goal of enlightening pagan Russia. Having settled on the island, they founded a monastery and established the Christian faith in these parts.
- Another version suggests that Sergius was a disciple of Andrew the First-Called, who visited and blessed these holy places in the 1st century, foreseeing the development of Christianity here. Sergius of Valaam and his disciple Herman labored on Valaam, laying fertile ground here for the spread of Christianity.
- According to the St. Sophia Scroll as a written historical source, in the XIV century the first monks settled on the island, wishing to renounce the worldly bustle and perform a Christian feat in this place. The Reverend Fathers - Sergius and Herman, the Wonderworkers of Valaam, came to this land, laying the foundation for the Transfiguration Monastery on the island of Valaam. The monks contributed to the establishment of Orthodoxy in the Karelian land, defending the true religion from the militant and cruel influence of the Swedish Catholics. The monks Sergius and Herman in 1329 founded on the islandSpaso-Preobrazhensky monastery with a hostel, which initially became crowded thanks to the spiritual strength and wisdom of its founders.
Blossom of the monastery
The greatest glory came to the monastery only in the XV-XVI centuries. During this period, there were up to 600 inhabitants. The monks of the Valaam Monastery worked diligently and accomplished a feat of prayer within the walls of sketes and cells. Thus, the monastery gradually gained worldwide fame, attracting many believing pilgrims.
The abode was located directly on the border of Russia with Sweden, because of which it was repeatedly ruined and raided. Due to regular attacks, many monks were martyred by militant Gentiles, while other monks fled without offering armed resistance.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the monastery was completely ruined and destroyed, and the lands of the archipelago were taken over by Sweden. Only after 100 years, as a result of the Great Northern War of Peter I, Valaam returns to its native harbor again. In 1715, the emperor issued a decree on the restoration of the monastery and the construction of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Charter of the monastery
In the 18th century, thanks to the diligence of Abbot Nazarius, the Strict Charter of the monastery was adopted in the monastery (the charter of the Sarov Hermitage was taken as a model). Chin regulated all aspects of the life of the inhabitants, assuming three types of monastic life: hermit, skete and cenobitic. The sketes were located ondifferent islands of the archipelago, giving the brethren the opportunity to asceticise at a distance. During the reign of hegumen Nazariy, stone construction was begun on the island: the Peter and Paul Gate Church (1805) and the Virgin Hospital Church "Life-Giving Spring" were rebuilt. In addition, a 72-meter high bell tower was erected.
Abode in the 19th century
Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery reached its peak by the 19th century. It was during this period that many architectural monuments that have survived to this day were built. In 1839, Abbot Damaskin became the head of the monastery, having been in this position for 42 years. He contributed to the improvement of construction on the island, involving only professional architects in the work.
In the same century, thanks to the disciples of Paisius Velichkovsky, the ancient tradition of eldership was revived, intended for spiritual help and guidance for novice monks. Many pilgrims, seeking advice, prayer and blessings from holy people, came to the monastery from afar.
Often, noble persons visited monastic shrines and temples. Members of the imperial family regularly came to the island, hoping to take a break from the bustle of the world. Many famous poets, composers, scientists, writers and artists also aspired to visit Valaam.
The period of Soviet Power
From 1811 to 1917 the Valaam archipelago was part of the Russian Empire, the Grand Duchy of Finland. Due to the fact that after the October Revolution, Valaam became part of an independentthe state of Finland, church buildings were not subjected to mass extermination from the Soviet authorities, so historical buildings were preserved.
As a result of the Soviet-Finnish war, the islands came under the control of the Soviet Union. Fleeing from political and ideological persecution, the monks were forced to leave the monastery, moving to Finland. Here, in a new place, they founded the New Valaam Monastery, preserving the established traditions. The empty buildings of the former Valaam monastery were used by the Soviet authorities for civilian purposes. From 1950 to 1984, the Valaam Home for the Invalids of the Second World War was located in the former monastery buildings.
Revival of the monastery
In 1989, on the eve of St. Andrew the First-Called, monastic life was revived on Valaam. In 1991, the monastery received the status of stauropegial. Pankraty (Zherdev), Bishop of Trinity, was appointed abbot of the monastery. Today, the Valaam Monastery has about 160 brethren, and skete life is also being revived - 10 sketes were restored in a short period. In 2008, a new, St. Vladimir Skete was built, in which the Patriarchal residence, a museum and an icon-painting workshop are located.
Pilgrimage tours to Valaam
The pilgrimage service of the Valaam Monastery organizes one-day and multi-day trips to the island with accommodation and hotel accommodation. Orthodox Christians, making a pilgrimage, can participate in the daily cycle of monastic services and venerate Christian shrines. AlsoSightseeing walks around the island are offered to familiarize tourists with the nature, history, architecture and shrines of Valaam.
The shrines of Valaam
Many Orthodox Christians tend to visit the Valaam Monastery, this northern spiritual corner of Russia, in order to touch the shrines and see the beauty of the original nature. One of the most visited places on Valaam is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. The construction of the cathedral began in 1887, and the consecration took place only in 1896. Under Soviet rule, the building was partially devoid of some architectural solutions. The lower floor of the cathedral was consecrated in honor of Sergius and Herman of Valaam, and the upper floor in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Believing Orthodox pilgrims strive to venerate the relics of the founders of the monastery - the holy venerable fathers Sergius and Herman of Valaam. Cancer with a shrine is located in the Transfiguration Cathedral.
One of the most revered shrines of the monastery is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (Valaam), painted by the monk Alipiy in 1878. Another miraculous icon of the monastery is the icon of the holy righteous Anna, the foremother of Christ, which is a list from the Athos original and has the miraculous property of healing from infertility.
Choir of the brethren of the Valaam Monastery
With the blessing of Vladyka Pankraty, Bishop of Trinity, a festive concert choir of the Valaam monastery was organized. Choir director and leader Alexei Zhukov is an Honored Artist of the Republic of Karelia. Soloists of this group, certifiedconductors and vocalists demonstrate high professional performance skills. Every year, this choir participates in the Patriarchal services of the Valaam Monastery, and is a laureate of many choral competitions in Russia and abroad.
In addition to the concert composition, there is a choir of the brethren of the Valaam Monastery, which is a traditional performer of various znamenny chants. The choir, under the direction of Hierodeacon German (Ryabtsev), participates in divine services, and also conducts concert activities, providing numerous recordings of unison or polyphonic works of ancient Russian creativity. This vocal group is distinguished by a peculiar manner of performance - a clean, well-balanced system, an excellent ensemble, deep penetration and sincerity.
The choir's repertoire includes many different church liturgical hymns, both znamenny chant and author's works. The Valaam Monastery actively cooperates with the Department of Old Russian Singing of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Teachers are of great help in studying the ancient Znamenny singing of Russia.
Psalms
Valaam Monastery is known for its educational activities. In 2000, with the blessing of the abbot, a studio recording of all the psalms of King David was made. The reading of the Ps alter lasts over five hours and is punctuated by choral performances of some prayers. The Ps alter of the Valaam Monastery is very popular not only among Orthodox Christians, but also among everyone who is interested in church tradition.liturgical reading.
Metochion of the Valaam Monastery
The monastery courtyard is a community of the monastery, it can be located in any city of the patriarchy, while it is under the jurisdiction of the monastery and is subordinate to its ruling Bishop. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery has 4 farmsteads:
- The Compound of the Valaam Monastery, located in St. Petersburg, is located at the address: Narvsky pr., 1/Staro-Peterhof pr. 29.
- Valaam Monastery - Moscow: the address of the courtyard - st. 2nd Tverskaya-Yamskaya, 52.
- In the city of Priozersk, the courtyard is located at: st. Pushkin, house 17.
- In the Republic of Karelia, the courtyard is located in the Sortavalsky district, the village of Krasnaya Gorka, St. Nicholas Church.
