There are four convents in Pskov. All the rest are male. It is among the monasteries of Pskov that there is one very famous one. And, as you might guess, this is the Pskov-Caves Monastery.
He became very popular thanks to the cult book of Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov "Unholy Saints".
A Brief History
The history of the Caves Monastery in Pskov has more than 500 years. According to legend, the monastery was founded in 1473. Its first "abbot" was the Monk Jonah. Initially, she was a priest in the city of Tartu, named John.
During the most severe persecution of Christians from the Latin Germans, Father John with his wife and children leaves the city and settles in Pskov.
Soon Mother Mary went to the Lord. Even before her death, being seriously ill, she foresaw the imminent end. And she took the tonsure with the name Vassa. After the death of mother, her husband took monastic vows with the name Jonah. He was the builder of the cave temple, which became the foundation of the monastery. Like St. Vassa, he was numbered among the reverends.
His successor was a hieromonkMisail. He erected wooden cells for the brethren and a temple. But the wooden buildings were burned down during the daring raids of the Livonians. The monastery has been subjected to great disasters and upheavals more than once.
What now?
Now the monastery belongs to one of the most beautiful monasteries in Pskov. Numerous pilgrims and laborers come here every day. It is worth noting that the monastery has never been closed. Even in the most godless years on the Russian land.
It so happened that traditionally the abbots of the monastery were very strong-willed people. One Archimandrite Alipiy was worth something. A former front-line soldier who went through the war from beginning to end, he selflessly fought for his homeland. And then he defended from his homeland, for which he shed blood, the monastery entrusted to him.
The current rector, Archimandrite Tikhon, has headed the monastery since 1995, a little over 20 years. And I would like to believe that under him the monastery will remain as strong as under the previous abbots.
Conclusion
The Pskov-Caves Monastery is the place that you just need to visit. This is the living history of Orthodoxy, which reflects its strength to this day.
