Cheremenetsky St. John the Theologian Monastery is located on a peninsula located on the lake of the same name, 15 kilometers from the Kyiv highway. The monastery was founded in 1478. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the Leningrad region.
Foundation
The exact date of foundation of the John-Cheremenetsky Monastery is unknown. Although official sources usually say that it has existed since 1478. The first mention of the monastery is found in the documents of 1500. However, they do not contain exact information about the founders and the construction of the Cheremenets monastery. But, like many other shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church, there are many legends about this monastery.
First legend
Once a certain peasant, in some sources even called his name (Moky), was lucky enough to find an icon of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian. It happened exactly where the Cheremenetsky Monastery is located today. The king, having learned about this, immediately ordered construction to begin.
Second Tradition
According to this legend, the peasants had nothing to do with the constructionmonastery. In 1478, Ivan III arrived with troops in the northwestern part of the Novgorod lands. At that time he was solving a number of important problems. Including the question of the entry of Novgorod lands into the state. Then one of the Russian princes discovered the icon here, after which the rapid construction of the monastery began.
Retreat on the Border
Cheremenetsky Monastery is located in rather unusual places - on a lowland area, barely rising above the water surface. This island has a high hill with rather steep slopes. In terms of defense, the place is quite good. Most likely, the appearance of the monastery in these places was due to the need to protect the border of the state from enemy invasion.
It should be said that the first legend sounds rather strange. How did a simple peasant end up on an island located in the middle of a lake, close to the then borders? In addition, many ancient legends tell about a person who unexpectedly finds an icon - on an island, in a swamp or on the banks of a river. This is a classic legend that is present in the history of almost every Russian monastery.
History
The novices of this monastery had a hard time. The Cheremenets monastery, as already mentioned, was located at the very border. In the 16th century, it was badly damaged during the attack of the Lithuanians.
This monastery was never rich, famous. In the 17th century, pilgrims from all over the country did not come here in a string. What happened after the revolution with the Cheremenets Monastery,it's easy to guess. It was abolished, and an agricultural enterprise was opened on the territory of the monastery. It was called in the spirit of the era - "Red October". Later, a gardening school appeared here, then a tourist base. In the vicinity of the monastery, buildings from the Soviet era have survived to this day.
The ruins of the monastery
In the early nineties, the restoration of monasteries and temples began. Some were quickly restored. Many have entered popular tourist routes. But this, unfortunately, cannot be said about the Cheremenets Monastery. It remained in ruins for a very long time. They say that this was facilitated by local residents who regularly visit the island in search of building material. Nevertheless, inquisitive travelers visited these places even before the start of restoration work. An extraordinary atmosphere reigns here, which is not found in later, repeatedly renovated monasteries.
Buildings on the territory of the monastery
Before the revolution there were two temples here. The first is the five-domed St. John the Theologian Cathedral. It was built of white limestone in the 16th century. It was located on a high hill, in the very center of the island. Next to it was a small stone building - the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This temple appeared here at the beginning of the 18th century. There used to be a wooden church in its place.
The Theological Cathedral had a high bell tower in the form of an octagonal pillar, crowned with a cupola with a cross. We got to the island, of course, onboats. The pier was located in the southern part. There was also a gate, not far from which there was another entrance.
There was a small hotel on the island, an orchard. In the 19th century, a third entrance was arranged here. He was in the southeast. Later he became chief. Cells stood around the hill, forming a kind of fence of the monastery. At the end of the 19th century, a fraternal building and a refectory also appeared here.
The monks did not spend their time in idleness. They worked in a shoemaker's and a tailor's shop. There were outbuildings here - a kvass factory, a bakery, a glacier. Both the garden and these buildings were located on a small island, later attached to the main one.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a cowshed, a smithy, sheds, a laundry, and a bathhouse were built on the territory of the monastery. The monastery was completely self-supporting. In 1903, a parochial school was opened on the island. The building in which it was located was designed by the architect Kudryavtsev.
Current State
In 2012, the construction of a new cathedral with six domes was completed. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was also restored. Down to the shore, a stone staircase leads from it. The main shrine of the monastery is the icon of St. John the Theologian.
