The history of female monasticism in the Saratov diocese dates back to the Holy Cross Monastery of the 17th century. During the revolutionary and Soviet years, there were no women's monasteries in Saratov and its environs. The resurgent St. Alekseevsky Convent gives hope for restoring balance and strengthening faith for many years to come.
History of the origin of the monastery
The place where the St. Alekseevsky Convent (Saratov) is now located was acquired by Bishop Athanasius (Drozdov) in 1848. It was originally intended for the bishop's dacha, the total area was 16 hectares. Over time, a male skete was formed at the resting place, and the place itself was called the Upper Monastyrka. At the end of the eighties of the nineteenth century, a temple was built on the territory of the monastery in honor of St. Alexis (Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia).
The property of the skete expanded to 22 hectares, they were buried in the greenery of gardens, a pond and a fountain were equipped. A spring was found on the slope of the mountain, ceramic pipes were brought to it, water was used for the needs of the inhabitants and the laity. Saratov over timegrew, and the monastery became part of the city, which could be reached by public transport.
Destructive decline
In 1918, the Alekseevsky skete was alienated from the church, and its premises and land began to be used for the needs of the new state. The temple began reconstruction and destruction. The belfry and all five domes were demolished, the garden was almost cut down, the water supply, fountain and pond were destroyed, only the spring remained intact. In the thirties, a tuberculosis sanatorium for children was located here. In the forties, the land of the skete was given over to the development of dachas.
At the end of the sixties, offices of the gynecological hospital were located in the premises of the former skete. In the 1980s, the clinic, along with the buildings and territory, came under the jurisdiction of the Saratov He alth Department. Before the restructuring itself in 1985, there were plans to build a ski resort, and in the long term it was planned to build laboratory and engineering buildings. But time and consciousness of people took another turn, and the plans failed - the revival of Orthodoxy began in the country.
New temple
The first attempts to return the skete land to the bosom of the Saratov diocese were made in 1990, and finally it was possible to consolidate the ownership in 1991. During this period, the charter of the Aleksievsky Skete was registered, the first divine services took place in 1992 and fell on the holy feast of Easter.
The idea of reviving the religiouslife in the skete had support among the laity of the Saratov diocese: many actively worked on the restoration of the temple, made donations. Bells reappeared near the temple, work began on the revival of the skete garden.
In 1997, the male skete ceased to exist, and in its place was formed St. Alekseevsky Convent (Saratov). By the beginning of 2008, the construction of a new church was completed, consecrated in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Odigiria". Four thrones are consecrated in the monastery, each of which is dedicated to the saints of Orthodox Christianity.
Seraphim of Sarov in the monastery
One of the most revered shrines of the monastery is the icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov with a particle of relics. The image was painted in Sorfino, an ark with particles of the saint's relics was placed on the icon.
On August 9, 2004, with the participation of numerous pilgrims, laity and clergy, a liturgy was served in the Diveevo Monastery, a procession and an all-night vigil took place. On August 10 of the same year, the icon depicting the saint was handed over to Saratov priests. For some time she stayed in the Saratov church, consecrated in honor of the saint, and after the procession she was transferred to the St. Alekseevsky Convent (Saratov).
Monastery shrines
Many Orthodox shrines are stored in the temples of the monastery. They provide support to believers, show miracles of healing, strengthen the Orthodoxfaith with the stories of their lives and deeds. Particles of the relics of twelve saints are kept here, among them the Evangelist and the Apostle Mark, St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), Ambrose of Optina, one of the Great Martyrs-Infants of Bethlehem.
A piece of the vestments of St. Job of Pochaev is preserved for veneration in the Alekseevsky Convent, and a piece of the clothes of Ignatius Bryanchaninov and the patron saints of marriage and family life, Peter and Fevronia, are also available to the laity. Parts of the coffins of Righteous Juliana of Murom and St. Theodore of Sanaksar are preserved in the monastery.
Modernity
Daily life in the monastery is filled with work and worries. The nuns observe a strict charter of life. The church day begins with the evening church service, and the rise in the monastery takes place at half past five in the morning, the nuns immediately go to the service in the church, which lasts several hours. In addition, with great joy, the sisters, novices and laity are engaged in the improvement of the territory of the monastery. Hardworking care is felt in every corner of the monastery and beyond. A mandatory requirement of life in a monastery is strict obedience, the indefatigable Ps alter is read.
Social life in the St. Alekseevsky convent is very extensive and active. The sisters take care of the elderly, families with many children, they help the poor with food packages and things. The monastery has an orphanage and a Sunday school for adults and children. An icon-painting workshop, an embroidery workshop,several other useful activities are under way.
The old spring, now located outside the walls of the skete, is being developed. The path to it never overgrown, people went to the healing spring at all times. Now there is a well-maintained font, a chapel is being equipped, the entire area has acquired a well-groomed aesthetic appearance.
Sunday school
The school was founded in 1997. Teaching is conducted for children and adults. In order to achieve greater results and the involvement of students in the process of obtaining knowledge, children's classes are conducted in age groups. The youngest students master the initial stage, their age is up to 7 years. Babies are taught the Law of God, they play educational games with them, teach them to needlework, and give them the basics of drawing.
At the middle level, children from 8 to 14 years old study, adults from 15 to 17 years old study in the senior group. The schedule of classes of these groups includes the history of the church, the Church Slavonic language is studied. A large number of adults who did not have the opportunity to attend church school in their childhood and youth want to learn more about Orthodoxy and faith. For such students, a catechism course, the history of the Orthodox Church, church law and other subjects are read.
You can get to study by signing up for classes at the St. Alekseevsky Convent in Saratov, phone for information: (8452) 65-58-34 or +8 (917) 301-10-72.
Address and directions
St. Alekseevsky Convent (Saratov) has the following address:Saratov, Zamkovy passage, building 18.
You can come to the monastery using public transport: trolleybuses (routes No. 5, 10), trams (No. 3), buses (No. 6, 11, 18, 50, 53), fixed-route taxis to the bus stop "".
