St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad is one of the newest monasteries in Russia. It was created in honor of the Holy Martyr Princess Elizabeth, but initially existed as an Orthodox community. We will tell about this monastery, the history of creation, its features in this publication.
History of the monastery
The history of the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad begins in 1998, when an Orthodox community was established in a private house. In 1999, with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, the community was transformed into a monastery. The mistress of the house in which the community was located takes monastic vows, naming herself Elizabeth, and becomes the abbess of the monastery.
Gradually the monastery began to expand, numerous pilgrims from all over the country rushed to it. In 2001, the need to expand the monastery and the farmstead began to be felt more and more acutely. The search began for a suitable location for the St. Elisabeth Monastery inKaliningrad, but outside the city.
The new place of the monastery
After some time, a site was found in the Slavsky district, in the village of Priozerye, which is located 109 km from Kaliningrad. On the site there was a dilapidated house and a house church in the name of the Holy Wonderworker Alexander Svirsky.
In the same year, Patriarch Kirill visits the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad, he illuminates the restored church and blesses the construction of a new church, as well as the monastery walls. After 10 years, the construction of walls, churches and cells for novices was completed.
Several temples were erected along the perimeter of the monastery walls:
- In the name of the icon of the Mother of God "Search for the Lost".
- "Softening Evil Hearts".
- Feodorovskaya.
- "Three-handed".
- "Joy to All Who Sorrow".
- In the name of Spyridon Trimifuntsky.
The house, located next to the home church of St. Alexander Svirsky, was converted for the residence of workers (workers of the monastery).
Relics of St. Elisabeth Convent in Kaliningrad
Currently, there are three sketes on the territory of the monastery - in the name of St. Mary of Egypt, Seraphim of Sarov and Ferapont of Mozhaisk. Today, the construction of a church in honor of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth is underway. The first stone was laid and consecrated in May 2013 by Bishop Seraphim of the B altic. A month later, a liturgy was held in the church under construction in honor of the 95th anniversary of the martyrdom of Princess Elizabeth. On the same day the bishopSeraphim consecrated the museum-gallery in honor of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, which was built shortly before.
In the churches there is a shrine with the relics of saints:
- Martyrs Elizabeth.
- Alexander Svirsky.
- Spyridon Trimifuntsky.
- Fedora Ushakov.
In the church, built in honor of Alexander Svirsky, a shrine is kept - the icon of the Mother of God "As we are with You." In the church of St. Spyridon, most of the icons are made of beads by the novices of the monastery.
Monastery at present
Today in the monastery every Sunday the "Chinese of Panagia" is held. After the liturgy, the priest and the abbess, together with the sisters, go to the refectory and read the holy texts.
The monastery has a large economy, there is a farm for breeding ostriches and a cowshed. Sheep and chickens are bred, and the monastery also has a small zoo with peacocks, pheasants and other birds and animals.
Not far from it, a monastery cafe was built, visited by nuns, pilgrims and numerous tourists. The cafe has a shop that sells a variety of souvenirs made by novices.
In the photo of the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad, you can see what a significant area the monastery occupies. It should be borne in mind that all the buildings appeared in a very short time. Four springs have been created in the monastery, which are made in the form of fonts: in the name of the Mother of God "I am with you, and no one is with you", MatronaMoscow, John the Baptist and Xenia of Petersburg.
In the Church of St. Spyridon, a baptistery was built, in which adults are baptized, and immersions are also performed during the Baptism of the Lord. Address of the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad: Kaliningrad region, Priozerye village, house 87-a.
In 2015, a log cabin was built in the courtyard of the monastery, which is used as a bell tower and a chapel in the name of St. Athanasius of Athos. The monastery has two courtyards, the first is located in Kaliningrad, it was there that the monastery was born, and the second is located in the village of Mchary, in Abkhazia. Compounds are rapidly developing, new temples and buildings for household purposes are being built.
St. Elisabeth Monastery attracts numerous pilgrims and tourists with its temples. Once in Kaliningrad, be sure to visit this amazing place with unusual energy. This monastery and positive emotions from visiting it will remain in your memories for life.
