The monastery, which will be discussed further, rightly takes the place of one of the most beautiful Russian monasteries, which initially, as is known from the most ancient sources, was a male monastery. Now it is known as the Alekseev-Akatov Convent. It is the oldest in the Voronezh region, its history goes back to the very beginning of the 17th century.
Temple in honor of victory over enemies
The monastery is located near the Voronezh reservoir in the private sector next to the Chernavsky bridge. Once upon a time, in a deserted forest thicket on Akatova Polyana, two versts from the city, it was decided to build a temple. It received its name in honor of the memory of the first Russian saint Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy. In 1620, enemies (Lithuanians and Cherkasy) came to this land. Residents, repelling the attack, in honor of the victory, laid a church on this site. This day just fell on the day of memory of St. Alexei. That's how it isreceived its name from the Alekseev-Akatov Monastery in Voronezh (the schedule of services can be found below).
Foundation of the monastery desert
Initially, this rather unsociable place was based on hermitage and was named after an old document “The New Hermitage of the Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy the Wonderworker.”
Hegumen Kirill became the first rector of the monastery. From the very beginning of its creation, the future Alekseev-Akatov Monastery of Voronezh owned a church assembled from “ancient dumplings”, in which there were only five cells for the hegumen and four elders. Their names are still known: hegumen Kirill, the elder monks Theodosius, Savvaty, Avraamiy, Lavrenty, Nikon. Over time, people began to settle next to the newly formed wooden monastery, who built their houses nearby. By the 17th century, the monastery had its own hayfields, lands, serfs and fishing. In 1674, the brethren decided to build the first stone church with the proceeds from the crafts, and destroy the old wooden one.
In 1700, the Assumption Church was attached to the monastery, and together with it the lands of the Assumption were transferred to it.
Arrangement of the monastery
This monastery turned out to be the only male monastery in the city. His abbot had the rank of archimandrite. At the beginning of the 18th century, Archimandrite Nikanor brought to the monastery a copy of the ancient icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Three Hands", which over time began to be revered as miraculous.
From 1746 to 1755, under the rector Ephraim, the second floor was erected, and a temple was placed in honor of the iconVladimir Mother of God. Then the limits were organized in memory of Saints Anthony and Theodosius.
During the reign of Catherine the Great, the Alekseev-Akatov monastery in Voronezh was given the second class in importance. He began to be supported by the state (714 silver rubles a year), 8 acres of land and a lake remained in his possessions.
It is a well-known fact that in the 18th century Schemamonk Agapit (hieromonk Avvakum in the past), who received a blessing from Sts.
Over time, the monastery expanded, new buildings and structures were built in the form of towers.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Anikeeva Avdotya Vasilievna donated a large amount of money to the monastery, which was used to build a new stone church in the Byzantine-Russian style. The lower part of the church was consecrated in 1812, the upper part - in 1819.
Revolutionary time
After the revolution, the temple was devastated, and all the jewels were confiscated. In the 1920s, another rector was replaced by a jealous opponent of the Renovation movement, Peter (Zverev), and at the same time, Archimandrite Innokenty (Trouble), sent from Moscow, appeared in the monastery monastery.
Alexeyevo-Akatov Monastery in Voronezh was not closed like many others, and therefore the center of the spiritual life of the city is concentrated in it.
In 1926, the rector and archimandrite were detained by representatives of the new government and sent to the Solovetsky camp. There they rested with the Lord. ATthe organization of underground anti-Soviet agitation was attributed to the fault of the next rector, Bishop Alexy (Buy), he spent a considerable time in the camps and was shot in 1937. In the 1930s there were mass arrests of 75 more monks. All of them were canonized as saints in 2000 as New Martyrs of Russia.
The history of the temple in the Soviet years
In the winter of 1930, according to the requirements of the Alekseev-Akatov factory, the monastery was closed, bell ringing was prohibited, the bells were melted down. And then in 1931 all the monks were expelled, the icons were burned. Only the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, called the “Life-Giving Spring”, survived, which was kept in the main Intercession Cathedral of Voronezh. She was returned to the monastery with the blessing of Bishop Mifodii only in April 1991. The icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands" was irretrievably lost.
The Great Patriotic War began, during the occupation of the city, the gate bell tower was destroyed. In 1943, the entire monastery yard was reclaimed for housing. The bell towers contained stables and warehouses. Already in the 60s, the monastery was used by artists, arranging their workshops in it.
In 1970 there was a local history museum. Treasury building was destroyed. The wooden building - the rector's house on the second floor - was given to the needs of the collective farm, and then completely dismantled.
Rebirth
In the 80s, the temple began to be revived. It was returned to the jurisdiction of the Voronezh diocese in 1989. First, the old bell tower and some of the surviving buildings were restored, but the cemetery with tombstones was barbaric.destroyed. A two-story church was then rebuilt. The gate bell tower was not completed to its former 50-meter height, but only the second tier was left and crowned with five domes. Cells, outbuildings, a chapel for the blessing of water were rebuilt. The remains of the lords were reburied.
Since November 4, 1990, on the feast in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, a convent was opened. Until 1992, Abbess Lyubov was the abbess of the monastery, and after that Abbess Varvara came.
The residence of the diocese was transferred from the Pokrovsky Cathedral to the Alekseev-Akatov Monastery from the Pokrovsky Cathedral, where Metropolitan Sergius (Fomin) of Voronezh resides. In the residence there is a house church with the icon of the Blessed Mother called "The Sign".
One of the most revered icons in the monastery is the image of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring".
Alexeyevo-Akatov Monastery (Voronezh). Icons
September 7, 1997, on the feast of the Candlemas, the Sretensky Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God began to stream myrrh. The grace-filled ointment comes from the scroll of the Infant Jesus and the Rod of the Virgin.
The icon of the Great Martyr Panteleimon the Healer is miraculous and healing, it also began to exude myrrh in 1997. And at the same time, the icon of St. Pitirim of Tambov was renewed, which was painted at the beginning of the 20th century and transferred from the rural parish church to the Aleksevo-Akatov Monastery on the long-awaited day of the opening of the monastery. Since the icon was old and improperly stored, the letters on it turned gray andpractically unread. But one evening after the service, the image brightened, the background acquired a blue tint, and the letters turned golden. During the morning Liturgy, the image began to stream myrrh.
Myrrh-streaming icons of the monastery
Since 1997, another icon has been streaming myrrh. This is an icon of Saints Tikhon of Zadonsk and Mitrofan of Voronezh. She was also presented by the rural parish of the village. In 2002 it was updated. Myrrh came from the panagia of St. Mitrofan.
In the temple there is also an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Consolation in Sorrows and Sorrows". This is a copy of the miraculous icon from the Athos Russian St. Andrew Skete. In June 1999, the icon also began to exude myrrh.
The Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God also streams myrrh. Since February 27, 200, nine streams of peace come out from the hand of the Blessed Mary and the scroll and the head of the Infant Jesus. The church also carefully preserves the relics of Russian Hieromartyrs, who have been canonized since 2000.
Alexeyevo-Akatov Monastery (Voronezh). Worship Schedule
Services in the monastery are held every day. On ordinary days, the morning Liturgy begins at 7.30, the evening - at 17.00.
On the Twelfth Festive Days, Memorial Saturdays and Sunday Alekseev-Akatov Convent of Voronezh changes the schedule of services. These days there are two morning services at 6.00 and 8.30, evening - also at 17.00.
In 2009, the holy relics of the blessed old woman Feoktista (Shulgina), whom Voronezh residents especially revere and love to come to Alekseevo-Akatov, were transferred to the monastery cemeteryconvent of Voronezh to her grave. To the schedule of services in the monastery, it must be added that every week memorial services are served at the grave of the righteous woman and the Voronezh archpastors of Voronezh. Every day, the Divine Liturgy is performed in the monastery, and a prayer “for the city and the people” is offered up. The clergy celebrate the sacraments of the Church, preach and feed the parishioners. A lot of people visit the Alekseev-Akatov convent in Voronezh. Trebs can be ordered here at any time.
Conclusion
Sisters-nuns constantly read the indestructible Ps alter and commemorate the living and the dead. You can come here on an excursion, it is held both for residents and especially for out-of-town pilgrims. They get acquainted with the history of the ancient monastery against the background of the church and the history of the Voronezh region. Issues related to spiritual morality and modern life are also discussed.
Up to 25 people (preferably women) can accommodate up to 25 people (preferably women) by prior agreement. Employees can also be hired.
