When making a car trip to Tver, many had to pass Staritsa, meeting signs on the way leading to the local monastery. The small town has a long history; here, at every step, you can find different sights, riddled with historical events. But the most interesting place in Staritsa is, of course, the Staritsa Holy Dormition Monastery.
History of occurrence
The first mention of the Staritsky Assumption Monastery was found in the annals of 1110. Its founders are considered to be two monks from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, one of them was called Tryphon, and the other Nikandr. Of great importance is the fact that the Staritsky Monastery served as the oldest monastery located in the northern part of Russia. In those days, it was the center of missionaries preaching among the pagans who inhabited these parts.
The architectural ensemble in which the Staritsky Assumption Monastery is made is rightfully considered one of the greatest architectural complexes located in the Tver region. The main building, built in antiquity, was rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century. And at the end of the 19th century, the Staritsky Monastery served as the main decoration of the city.
In the white-stone cathedral that makes up the Assumption Monastery, relics belonging to Schema-nun Pelagia were found comfort. She was the mother of Patriarch Job, and was always revered by the inhabitants who inhabited Staritsa. She was considered the patron saint, the guardian of faith, as well as piety. The Staritsky Monastery enjoyed a special favor not only with local princes, but also with tsars, especially Ivan the Terrible, on whose orders the monastery was rebuilt.
Saint Job
The Holy Archimandrite, who headed the Staritsky Monastery, in 1566 becomes Job. His tireless labors aimed at the improvement of the holy monastery and righteous pastoral service drew the attention of Ivan the Terrible, who appreciated Job's merits. And already in 1571, the abbot of the Staritsky Monastery was transferred to Moscow by tsar's decree, where by 1575 he took charge of the Novospassky Monastery.
He remained here until 1581, when he was promoted to the rank of bishop in Kolomna by the next promotion until 1586. After the bishop of Kolomna, he was transferred to Rostov with a new rank of archbishop, and already in December of the same year, Job was promoted to the rank of metropolitan of Moscow. In those times inIn Constantinople, the rank of patriarch was Jeremiah, who at the end of January 1589 elevated Job to the highest rank, making him Patriarch of Moscow, which for the first time in history made him the highest representative of the clergy in Russia.
It was not an easy lot for the saint to live in the Time of Troubles, it was a very difficult and responsible period for the history of the whole country. But he carried his cross steadfastly and confidently, justly and wisely governing the church. Job was an active statesman, directly influencing the course of historical events.
One of his most important merits was the refusal to recognize on the throne, in 1605, the impostor False Dmitry. For this, the rebels, who broke into the Kremlin, severely beat the patriarch and tore his vestments. After the torture of St. Job was sent to the Staritsky Assumption Monastery, where he was to be kept in prison and in shackles. In 1607, the primate of the church died and was buried on the territory of the Assumption Cathedral.
Staritskaya Convent from the 17th to the 20th century
Polish conquerors, who brought ruin on the Russian land, did not bypass the Assumption Monastery, located in Staritsa. The holy monastery was severely plundered in 1608; it lost not only its treasury, but also all the available charters that were issued at different times.
And the fire that broke out in 1681 destroyed the bell tower, granaries, monastic cells and the gate church, named after Vasily of Ankirsky. And only after 13 years in this placebuilt a gate church dedicated to John the Theologian, the structure of which can still be seen today.
The Staritsky Monastery received a new round of development in the second half of the 18th century, when spiritual rule was revived here. With the advent of 1809, a religious school of county significance began its activity on the territory of the monastery. In 1810, as a result of an unprecedented flood, the main monastery gate had to be moved from the western wall to a new location prepared in the southern wall. At this place the gate is still today.
In 1819, a new Trinity Church was built, made of stone in two floors. It served as the tomb for the General-in-Chief named Timofei Tutolmin, who during his lifetime served as the Governor-General in Moscow.
Influence of Soviet power
In the middle of 1918, the then Archimandrite Pavel was arrested. The City Staritsky Executive Committee decided to liquidate the monastery. According to the new order, it was decided to arrange a hotel here, which consisted of a dining room combined with an inn. From the walls of the holy monastery in 1923 they ordered to expel the spiritual brethren, but this turned out to be not an easy task. So it was only in 1928 that the monastic activity was finally curtailed.
Even the walls of the holy monastery, supporting the fire of prayer for eight centuries, resisted the new government. No redevelopment made it possible to use the resulting area rationally. Therefore, in the end, the question was raised of the complete elimination of ancient buildings, depriving local residents of the historicalheritage.
First of all, all existing bells were lowered from the bell towers and destroyed. Then they began to dismantle the wall of the monastery, built in the 16th century. But the work progressed very slowly, the masonry, laid by the old craftsmen, practically did not succumb. So basically the wall was blown up.
At the beginning of the 1940s, a new disaster struck Staritsa when the territory was occupied by the Nazis. They used the construction of the church to commit an act of genocide, 78 prisoners of war were frozen alive here. And only after 80 years spent in severe hardships and exile, the Staritsky Monastery revived its existence again in 1997.
Tragedy
In August of this year, the walls of the monastery were shaken by a heavy loss. As a result of a traffic accident, the hieromonk of the Staritsky Holy Dormition Monastery Theodosius died. Every year the Orthodox Church on this day commemorates the Reverend Father Seraphim of Sarov. As usual, Hieromonk Theodosius brought an icon of the Reverend Father to the Staritsky Dormition Monastery.
But 10 kilometers from the monastery, his car collided with an oncoming truck, resulting in the death of the holy father. And so, on August 3, the spiritual brethren performed a memorial service for Hieromonk Theodosius. The Staritsky Monastery mourned for the deceased father.
Monastery routine
Staritsky Holy Dormition Monastery opens its doors daily at 8 am and receives visitors until 7 pm.
Evening servicestarts at 17:00. Believers are allowed to go to confession from 8 am, and on holidays or Sunday - from 8:30.
On Wednesdays during the evening service, an akathist is read before the icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice with the face of the Mother of God.
On Sundays, except for Great Lent, during the evening service, an akathist is read before the icon of the "All-Tsaritsa" with the face of the Mother of God.
Shrines of Staritsa
Besides the Staritsky Assumption Monastery, there are other shrines in the Staritsa area that deserve attention. These lands are permeated with historical events, which ancient monuments keep the memory of.
Temple named after the Transfiguration of the Lord
In the village of Krasnoe, located near Staritsa, a wonderful temple is open for tourists, representing the historical value of the region. This temple was once built with funds donated by the Poltoratsky family. Its main notability lies in the fact that it was executed in the form of a copy of the Chesmensky temple, located in St. Petersburg, the architect of which was the famous master Y. Felten.
The appearance of the facade of this building differs from the original only upon closer examination, and the interior, of course, is completely different. But inside this temple, wonderful acoustics have been made and tourists who have made donations are allowed to sing solo. The sound is so transformed within the walls of this temple that even a weak voice sounds majestic here.
Praxes Friday
Thisthe name of the saint, in whose honor the church was built in Staritsa at the Market. It looks like a magnificent architectural ensemble inherent in temple buildings. The church was completed at the beginning of the 19th century; it is a combination of late classicism with light baroque features. At one time it was the most beautiful temple, but today, unfortunately, like many other temples of Staritsa, it is falling into decay. The small town is not able to maintain many large historical monuments, and this church does not rely on government subsidies.
Borisoglebsky Cathedral
This is a picturesque five-domed cathedral built in the second half of the 18th century. In the architecture of the ancient temple, the style of classicism is easily guessed, which manifests itself even in minor details of the structure. Its bell tower, located separately from the main building? designed by renowned architect Luigi Rusca. In addition, a beautiful view of the Volga opens from here.
Today, this masterpiece of architectural art is in disrepair, and there is no way for tourists to go there. The funds provided by the few parishioners are absolutely not enough to repair the temple. And since the architectural monument is not on the state balance sheet, no budgetary funds are received for its restoration. The only reasonable way out is to turn the building into a museum, thereby giving it to the state.
Church of the Savior
This temple of the Holy Image is one of the best architectural monuments in Staritsa. Its creators chose a high hill as a place for the location of the church. Thanks to this, even today it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. To get to this temple on foot you have to overcome a rather steep climb. And, climbing to the top of the hill, you can see a beautiful view of the Holy Dormition Monastery.
Today this church does not function, although it is not completely abandoned and everything shows that they are still trying to follow it, but it is impossible to get inside. Looking at the hill from below, it can be mistaken for the separated bell tower of the St. Boris and Gleb Cathedral, but this is an independent church with a personal status.
Staritsa quarries
Local writers and poets found their inspiration in this place, dedicating many of their works to it. Here you can easily get lost in the numerous tunnels and passages, so walking here without a guide who knows the area is not recommended. In addition, you should be careful when approaching the caves, because here you can easily meet a snake.
Legends say that these caves have many secrets of their own, which are not all revealed yet. The main attraction is the inner cave, where vitreous stalagmites are formed. It is also not recommended to visit the caves on your own because many entrances are deliberately hidden from view. But in the city you can always find a lot of people who, for a moderate fee, will agree to take on the role of an escort and fellow traveler.
