There are places on earth where feelings and sensations become much purer and more sublime than before. Where the air is filled with such extraordinary grace and purity, and the surrounding nature is filled with beauty…
These places are called places of power. They exist only in some countries of the world. Including in Russia.
And one of these Russian miraculous places is the Kozheozersky Epiphany Monastery in the Arkhangelsk region.
Foundation of the monastery
How many different incredible stories exist about when, by whom and under what circumstances the monastery was created. How many mysteries regarding the monastery and its inhabitants have remained unsolved…
And indeed, the history of the Kozheozersky Monastery is very interesting, mysterious and has its own long way of becoming - passing through centuries and epochs.
And it is located on the Lopsky peninsula, which is washed by the waters of the lake, which has the name Kozhozero, from which the Kozha River flows. From here, most likely, comes the name of the monastery itself.
Actually, it's a very remote place. A place where a monk once came to build a small chapel for prayer…
The beginning of the story
The name of this monk was Nifont. There is practically no more detailed information about him, but it is known that he came from the Oshevensky monastery, in the village of Pogost, Arkhangelsk region.
This hieromonk lived in diligent labors and cares, as well as in fervent and bright prayers. A little later, other monks gradually began to come to this place. And thus, a small, almost deserted place began to turn into the well-known Kozheozersky monastery to this day.
Serapion did a lot for the monastery, whose life path is unusual and mysterious. And he lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
The life of St. Serapion
Born Serapion was from the Kazan kingdom - Tursas Ksangarovich. His family was quite rich and noble. By nationality, he was a Tatar. But after Russia took possession of Kazan, Serapion was taken to Moscow along with his relatives. There he lived in a house with relatives - the boyar Pleshcheev and his wife (who, by the way, was Serapion's aunt). They baptized their nephew and gave him the Christian name Sergius (most likely in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh).
And suddenly, unexpectedly for everyone, Sergius leaves his relatives, his noble origin, all the earthly blessings that his position promised him, and embarks on an unknown journey through the holy lands of the Russians in search of enlightenment and spiritual harmony.
He traveled for about five years. And one day he approached Kozhozero, where, in the almost impenetrable thicket of the forest, the chapel of Nifont was then located. Here Sergius took the monastic vows and now began to be called Serapion.
His Spiritual Deeds
He found in this place the harmony and peace of mind he had been looking for for a long time. And they began to work together with Niphon. Their monastic economy grew, and the monastery itself began to expand. The fame of her and her companions spread with incredible speed.
So the real spiritual foundation of the Kozheozersky monastery was already laid.
But one day, in 1564, Nifont, leaving the monastery, went to the land of Moscow, to the king himself. And he wanted him to allocate a place for the monastery and allowed to build a real temple. Yes, he died there … And Serapion remained alone on that sacred land, in that chapel that Nifont had yet erected. And all the worries about the monastery - waiting for the decision of the Ruler about the lot of land under it, about the construction itself - everything became Serapion's main concern.
And in September 1585, Tsar Ivan the Terrible singled out (and documented his decision!) - to give Lopsky Island to Kozheozersky Monastery. He also granted financial resources for the construction of the temple itself.
Serapion himself worked for a long time and his brothers in spirit, who helped him in the construction of the monastery. But they set up a monastery!
And after a while the reverend's successor Abraham appeared. And already the monastery began to grow - about 40 people lived and workedwithin its walls. They lived by hard, honest work and prayer and were another example.
The most revered saint of the monastery is Nicodemus
In the XVII century in Russia, the time was very turbulent. Therefore, the remoteness of the monastery to some extent served her companions and her own good service. These distant places were bypassed by all sorts of gangs and thieves, freely "walking" in places nearby from the monastery.
And it was during this period (approximately 1607) that a newly appeared monk named Nicodemus came to the lands of the sacred monastery. It is said that his life was full of true holiness. And many more miracles happened on the territory of the monastery itself and in its vicinity - during the years of the life of this extraordinary person here.
He lived on the Khozyuga River (which was named Nikodimka after his death in 1640) - not far from the monastery on Kozhozero.
He became a real sacred patron of the monastery. And in 1662 he was canonized as a saint.
And many believers from different parts of the world came to bow to his relics.
The life of this saint is described in more detail in the "Life" of his student Ivan Dyatlev.
Currently, the Kargopol Museum has several icons depicting St. Nicodemus, made in the second half of the 17th century.
And even after the death of Nicodemus, the most famous icon of the Mother of God "The Burning Bush" remained in the Kozheozersky Monastery, presented to him by his mentor - Pafnutiy - even before arriving at Kozheozero.
Patriarch Nikon
At the endIn the thirties of the 17th century, after some wanderings with adventures, Patriarch Nikon arrives at the Kozheozersky Monastery. Along the way, he managed to visit the Solovetsky Monastery, then travel along the White Sea, survive the storm, build the Kiysky Cross Monastery (on the Kiysky archipelago) - as a sign of happy salvation in that ominous storm. And then come to Kozhozero - to the monastery of St. Nikodim.
Nikon had irrepressible energy and good organizational skills. Under him, many buildings were made on the territory of the monastery.
And when he became the head of the monastery (after the death of Nicodemus), the number of monks began to reach hundreds of people - an unprecedented number for this monastery!
After a while, he nevertheless left this holy land. And after he went to Moscow, he soon became the Patriarch of All Russia.
The life of the monastery after Nikon
With the departure of this associate, the life of the monastery again, little by little, returned to its usual course. The brethren decreased in number, they began to live from their labors and the donations of the temple.
Also, material assistance to the monastery came from the Tsar and Patriarch Nikon himself. And also from the boyars.
Whether Nikon was here again is unknown. Most likely, he did not come to this monastery again.
But under him, many reforms were carried out in the world of Orthodoxy in Russia.
And as can be seen from reliable ancient sources, the monastery did not live in poverty during that period of itsexistence. It had everything necessary and sufficient: both in its interior decoration and in the means for the life of its inhabitants. The monks also lived thanks to the sale of bread and butter, fish, cattle, horses.
The further life of the monastery
There was a time when the Kozheozersky Monastery was completely forgotten. And under Catherine II, it was completely abolished (1764).
In 1784, the land on which the temple was erected began to belong to the Arkhangelsk province.
Later, in 1851, the monastery again became active. At first, he was subordinate to the Nikolaev Korelsky Monastery. And a little later - a few years later - he became independent again. There were six temples on the territory of the monastery. One of them is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The relics of Serapion and Abraham remained in the monastery. They are in the Temple in the name of St. John the Baptist.
And in the wooden Church of the Epiphany are the relics of Nicodemus.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Bolsheviks attacked the monastery and killed the monks who served here. Then a commune was made on the site of the monastery. Soon Kozhposelok became a settlement of exiles, and after that it was completely disbanded…
And already in 1998, two monks from the Optina Hermitage arrived at the Kozheozersky Epiphany Monastery with a novice. But soon the monks could not stand the difficulties of local life and the sorrows that fell to their lot in the walls of the monastery. And the novice remained to live - and to this day he serves faithfully in the monastery. His name is Father Micah.
Today, the Kozheozersky Epiphany Monastery is the most inaccessible placelocations from all active monasteries in Russia.
In general, it is not so easy to live in these parts, when the nearest settlement is about 90 kilometers away. And there are no good roads. And there is no electricity with gas either.
But people still come here! Apparently, the place really radiates extraordinary grace and power.
Monastery coordinates
Belonging to the monastery - the Russian Orthodox Church, the Archangel Metropolis, the Arkhangelsk diocese.
The language of worship is Church Slavonic.
Contacts of the Kozheozersky Epiphany Monastery: country - Russia, Arkhangelsk region, Onega district, Shomoksha village.
It is recommended to call in advance and clarify all the details about your arrival to the monastery.
Recommendations for pilgrimages to the monastery
For everyone who wants to visit Kozheozero, and if you're lucky, even in the monastery itself, there are several recommendations on how to get to the Kozheozersky monastery.
- By Moscow-Arkhangelsk train (Obozerskaya station), then by Arkhangelsk-Maloshuyka train (Nimenga station). Before the road through the forest there is a shift (such a car that delivers goods and people to remote places), which leaves at 8 in the morning. Then go through the forest for 30 kilometers (you can spend the night in a forest hut).
- Yaroslavsky railway station, train "Moscow-Arkhangelsk" (station "Obozerskaya"), then by train "Arkhangelsk-Onega" or "Vologda-Murmansk" (to the station "Glazanikha" or "Vonguda"). Then by bus "Glazanikha-Shomoksha" (departs at 8 am). Then go from Shomoksha by a motor-cart (on a narrow-gaugerailway) to the stop "on demand". Well, then go through the forest about 40 kilometers in the direction of the all-terrain road. You can spend the night in a forest hut.
Traveling is certainly not easy, as those who have already traveled these routes say. But the feeling when you already arrive there is so wonderful that the difficulties experienced on the road are insignificant!
But there is still a lot to be learned and understood from what concerns the Kozheozersky Monastery (Arkhangelsk region): about its history, which is mysterious and unusual, and about those places, and about its heavenly patrons, and much more another. Gradually, the veil of its secrets and mysteries will be opened, and the hearts of people will become purer and kinder, and with that they will be able to comprehend these truths! And, perhaps, much will then become clear…
