Valdai has always attracted tourists with its magnificent nature, unique national park and nature reserve. But the main point of any excursion to these places is the Iversky Monastery in Valdai. This top Orthodox attraction is located on Selvitz Island.
History of the Iversky Monastery (Valdai)
This monastery was built by order of Patriarch Nikon. This happened in the 17th century. The construction of the monastery was approved by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The clergy said that the patriarch had a vision during a trip to Solovki, which was a pillar of fire that marked the construction site of the monastery. In architectural terms, it was created in the image of the male Iberian monastery, located on Mount Athos in Greece.
By 1653, two wooden churches were built, which were consecrated in honor of Philip of Moscow and the icon of the Iberian Mother of God. Later, the stone Assumption Cathedral and the Church of the Archangel Michael were erected and consecrated. In addition, many small buildings for household purposes appeared here.
The royal charter assigned the surrounding lands to the monastery - the villages of Vyshny Volochek, Borovichi, Yazhelbitsy, as well as Valdai Lake and some nearby monasteries.
In 1655, in The monastery was completely resettled by the brethren of the Kuteinsky Monastery (Belarus), along with their church utensils. They even brought printing presses with them. From that moment on, book printing began to develop here.
Patriarch Nikon (the founder of the monastery) during his visit renamed Valdaisky Posad, calling it the village of Bogoroditsky, and he called the local lake Svyatoy. Since that time, the monastery acquired a second name - Svyatoozersky. In 1656, the construction of the Assumption Cathedral was completed, which was consecrated in the same year.
For a long time, Valdai was famous for its measured and calm life. The Iversky Monastery successfully functioned as a temple. So it was before the October Revolution, when it began to decline. The miraculous icon was taken away from the monastery in 1927, and the monastery itself, together with the monastic community (70 people), was transformed into a labor artel. Later, there was a historical-archival and local history museum, a school for children with tuberculosis, a home for disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War, a recreation center.
Recovery
The monastery, which was in disrepair, was returned to the Novgorod diocese in 1991. Abbot Stefan became his first governor (after the return of the monastery). The President of Russia arrived at the solemn liturgy at Valdai. Iversky monastery(you see the photo in this article) was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Virgin of Iver in 2008 by Patriarch Alexy II. In the same year, it was decided to gild the domes of the Iversky Cathedral.
Restoration
During the years of decline and desolation, the Iversky Monastery (Valdai) has practically lost its temple painting. It was a laborious and painstaking work to restore it. It ran for almost five years. The surviving areas were carefully cleared and fortified. Artists-restorers completed the lost compositions. In addition, saints and cherubs were painted on the altar windows. The frescoes of the upper part of the altar were restored according to old samples in 2009
Some compositions had to be recorded several times in order to maintain a single style. During the restoration work, the masters managed to recreate almost three thousand meters of unique temple painting. The restoration was completed in 2011.
Description of the Iberian Cathedral
Everyone who comes to Valdai Island visits the Iversky Monastery without fail. And they begin their acquaintance with the monastery from its main cathedral. Iversky Cathedral (formerly Assumption Cathedral) is a six-pillared, five-domed, three-aisled structure built in the shape of a square with three apses.
From four sides the temple is surrounded by a gallery, typical for all the buildings of Patriarch Nikon. The gallery has a porch, and on the north and south sides there are two two-story tents with crosses. The vaults of the temple are supported by six large pillars. Beforein the altar there were choirs made of wood, but they have not survived to our time. Now the choirs in the temple are stone, located above the door at the entrance. The church is decorated with frescoes of the 19th century, restored by the master restorers of the Kitezh enterprise.
At the entrance to the church you can see a story about how the Iberian icon got into the holy monastery, as well as the appearance of the incorruptible relics of St. it is adjoined by a stone step. The throne is decorated with chasing, and above it is a carved canopy.
The Savior sitting on the throne is depicted on a high place. The prophet John the Baptist and the Most Holy Mother of God are coming to him. On two sides of this image are the twelve apostles.
Valdai, Iversky Monastery: Church of the Epiphany with a refectory
This grand building with a refectory was supposedly built in 1669. Its modest decoration favorably sets off the strict temple facade. The lower windows frame thin columns and small, simplified kokoshniks.
The refectory building consists of two floors. On the first (semi-basement) floor there were storage facilities, and on the second floor there was a spacious refectory, utility rooms and a kitchen.
The refectory is a one-pillar chamber, which is covered by a vault with stripping over windows and doorways. Arched passages connect it with the Church of the Epiphany. It is located on the east side of the refectory. This is a two-height cubic one-domed temple with a two-tiered faceted apse.
Belfry
A picturesque complex of buildings stretches along the southern wall of the monastery, which consists of two buildings - the governor's and the abbot's. Between them is the monastery bell tower.
This tent structure was built in the 17th century. Hulls were added to it much later. After a terrible fire in 1825, the appearance of the bell tower changed: the tent was dismantled, and a dome with a spire appeared instead. After a recent restoration, the bell tower has acquired its original appearance.
Church of Philip the Metropolitan
This is the gate church, which was built in 1874 on the site of an ancient temple. The church is a quadrangle with beveled corners and symmetrical aisles, gabled facades and a large dome mounted on a faceted drum.
The composition of this temple and its decoration show features of pseudo-Russian style and eclecticism.
Icon of the Mother of God
Hundreds of pilgrims annually come to the Iberian Monastery (Valdai). The icon of the Iberian Mother of God is the main shrine of the monastery. The holy face is an exact copy of the Iberian icon, which is located in the Athos monastery in Greece. It was completely different from the original. She was brought to the monastery by the monks Cornelius and Nicephorus. The icon impressed with its luxurious decoration. The cost of jewelry in those days was estimated at 44 thousand rubles in silver. Holy Patriarch Nikon imposed a ban on icon painters to create copies and lists from it.
The novices of the monastery claim that they have repeatedly witnessed the miracles that this icon showed (healing from diseases, preventing disasters). During the terrible cholera epidemic (1848), the icon protected the inhabitants of the monastery from a deadly disease. Since then, every year on July 28, a religious procession has taken place. They pray to the Mother of God for consolation in grief, solving problems, a rich harvest, and healing. Each person can turn to her, not only by visiting Valdai, but also at home. The Valdai Mother of God will help everyone who lives with God in their hearts and believes in his great power.
Iversky Monastery today
Every year more and more pilgrims, as well as ordinary tourists, visit Valdai (Iversky Monastery). Guests are fascinated by the beautifully landscaped grounds. Parking is provided at the entrance for guests, which on weekends can hardly accommodate everyone who wants to visit the holy monastery.
For visits the monastery is open daily, from 6.00 to 21.00. For tourists (and pilgrims), the staff conduct study tours. In the monastery they are accommodated in the guest building (with meals and overnight), however, these issues should be agreed in advance with the Pilgrimage Center.
How to get there?
Many tourists would like to visit the Iversky Monastery (Valdai) today. How to get there? We will talk about this below.
The monastery is located on the Selvitz Island, which can be reached by the regular motor ship "Zarya" or byon a special excursion boat. In addition, the island can be reached by car by crossing the bridge located near the village of Borovichi.
Visitor reviews
Many of our compatriots, as well as guests from neighboring countries, have already visited the Iberian Monastery (Valdai). Reviews indicate that the impressions of the trip remain unforgettable. The monastery is the epitome of peace and tranquility. The nature here is luxurious.
Many guests were delighted by the friendly attitude of the clergy towards the numerous guests. Everyone notes that this is a special world, completely devoid of malice, despair, intolerance.
And of course, many enthusiastic words are addressed to the staff of the monastery, who conduct tours of the monastery. They tell a lot of interesting things about the history of the monastery, its founder, current inhabitants and the wonderful icon.
