One of the largest operating monasteries in Russia with more than five centuries of history, one of the most revered monasteries in the country is the Pskov-Caves Monastery, founded in 1473. It is located almost on the border with Estonia.
From the history of the monastery
Pskov-Pechersky monastery appeared in the caves near the Kamenets stream. They were first mentioned in chronicles in 1392. Judging by the legends, monks lived in them, who fled from the south of the country, fleeing the persecution of the Crimean Tatars. In 1470, on this land, Hieromonk Jonah, a native of Yuryev (today it is the city of Tartu), built a church, which he consecrated in 1473. It was around her that the Pechersk monastery was formed. The city of Pechora appeared near the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery in the 16th century.
In those ancient times, these were deserted places covered with impenetrable forests. The hunters who were here saw an old man praying on a stone, heard the singing of hermits. There is no information about them, the name of their spiritual mentor, Mark, has been preserved. John, his wife Mary (in monasticism she took the name Vassa) and Mark werethe first inhabitants of this place.
In the sandy mountain, John dug the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After some time, Vassa died (she was seriously ill even before arriving on Pskov land). He buried the coffin with the body of the deceased in a cave. But, to his great amazement, the next day the coffin was taken out of the ground. Jonah took this as a sign from above. He suggested that during the funeral something was done wrong. Therefore, Vassa was buried again and once again buried in the ground. But the next morning, the same thing happened. Jonah decided to leave the coffin on the surface.
Since that time, the effect of grace in the caves of the monastery has not stopped. For several centuries, the coffins with the deceased monks, soldiers who died on the battlefield, as well as the inhabitants of the settlement were not interred. In the cave necropolis of the monastery there are crypts that are filled with blackened and dilapidated coffins to the very vaults. At the same time, there are no signs of rotting of the bodies.
Jonah Ascetics
After the untimely death of Vassa, ascetics began to come to Jonah. His close friend and successor, hieromonk Misail, built the Church of Theodosius and Anthony from wood on the mountain itself. Cells for the first inhabitants were cut down next to it.
Unfortunately, soon the Old Monastery on the mountain was burned by people from the Livonian Order. At the beginning of the 16th century, when Dorotheus was abbot, it was decided to move the temple to the foot of the mountain. At the same time, the Assumption Church was expanded, the cave temple of Theodosius and Anthony was built. Around the same time they builtChurch of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, began the construction of the belfry of the monastery. Invaluable assistance in the construction was provided by Misyur Munekhin, a highly educated, pious man who was able to understand and appreciate the strategic importance of Pechersk.
Outreach activities
Munekhin also patronized Abbot Cornelius. Under him, the Pskov-Caves Holy Dormition Monastery flourished. The number of monks increased significantly, and carpentry, ceramics, and icon-painting workshops appeared. The Pskov-Pechersky Monastery already in those days could be proud of its magnificent library. Here they conducted the Third Pskov Chronicle. From the Pechersk collections, the correspondence of John IV with Prince Andrei Kurbsky has survived to this day.
Hegumen Cornelius took up spiritual enlightenment - he created churches in the south of Estonia, sent priests there. However, educational activities were suspended due to the military successes of the Germans.
By decree of Ivan the Terrible, the Pskov-Caves Monastery was surrounded by a powerful stone wall. The Annunciation Church, made of stone, was erected in the monastery. For the streltsy garrison, which carried out constant service, they built the gate of St. Nicholas Church, which was directly connected to the combat towers. During the Livonian War, the monastery was often raided from the west.
Pskov-Caves Holy Dormition Monastery today
The walls of the Pechersk fortress stretch along the slope of a deep ravine, somewhat skirting the hollow along which the Kamenets stream flows. Their total length is 726 meters,thickness reaches two meters. Today the fortress structure consists of 9 towers. During its centuries-old history, the Pskov-Caves Assumption Monastery repeatedly withstood the attacks of the Livonian army led by Stefan Batory (Livonian War), the Swedish rulers - Charles XII and Charles Gustav, Hetman Khodkevich (Poland). The history of the military participation of the monastery, glorified by the exploits of its brave defenders - monks and archers, ended during the Great Northern War. At this time, the western borders of Russia moved to the B altic Sea.
Great Pilgrims
From ancient times, all Great Russia and, of course, Moscow knew about the existence of the monastery. The Pskov-Caves Monastery became a place of pilgrimage for crowned persons of different times. A frequent guest here was Ivan the Terrible, who repented of the soul hegumen Cornelius had ruined by him. At one time, the suspicions of a suspicious ruler fell on him. Peter I visited the Pskov-Caves Monastery four times. The luxurious carriage, which is still kept within the walls of the monastery, remained in memory of the visit of Empress Anna Ioannovna to this monastery. In 1822, Alexander I also visited here. He talked within the walls of the monastery with the seer Lazar. Nicholas II attended the pilgrimage in 1903. Here, in early 1911, Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna prayed here.
Monastery shrines
The ancient monastery carefully keeps the most valuable icons within its walls. The Pskov-Caves Monastery, the photo of which you can see in our article, has three shrines. First of all, thisthe icon of the Mother of God, which is considered miraculous. It is carried out every year on patronal feasts in a procession. In addition, these are the icons of Tenderness and Hodegetria of the Pskov-Caves. There are testimonies in the annals of miraculous healings that became possible thanks to these shrines. Icons are stored in the Assumption Church and St. Michael's Cathedral.
The elders of the monastery
Today, the monastery, led by His Eminence Eusebius, carefully preserves the traditions of the monastery, observes the laws and rules of the monastery. Amazing people live here. The elders of the Pskov-Caves Monastery are an example of true piety and great faith. These are Archimandrites Adrian (Kirsanov) and John (Krestyankin) - legends of the Orthodox Church and vivid examples of monastic life.
The saints of the Pskov-Caves Monastery are an example to follow not only for the monks living in the monastery today, but for all Orthodox. They are St. Mark, St. Vassa, St. Jonah, St. Dorotheos, St. Lazarus, St. Simeon.
Monastery today
Today, thousands of tourists come to these places to see the great shrines with their own eyes. A historical and architectural monument of great interest to scientists all over the world is the Pskov-Caves Monastery. Excursions here are organized by many travel companies from different cities of our country. The sights of the monastery are truly unique.
As already mentioned, this monastery is active. Worship services are held here. To touch the sacredmany come to the Pskov-Caves Monastery. Requisites can also be ordered here. Perhaps not everyone knows what it is. Requirements are a sacred rite that a clergyman performs at the request of a believer for himself or people close to him. This is a request of a person to the Lord, with which the clergy turn with him.
Today you can submit requests to the Caves Monastery via the Internet. To do this, you should enter the website of the monastery, which describes in detail how this is done. Every day administrators review all submitted “notes” and pass them on to the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Tikhon.
Monastery caves
As already mentioned, the cave and the temple were created by the former Pskov priest John Shestnik.
The caves of the Pskov-Caves Monastery are, in fact, a monastery cemetery. The exact number of burials has not yet been precisely established. More than 14,000 people are believed to be buried here. Until now, there is no scientific justification for the phenomenon that has been observed in caves for centuries: there is always very fresh air and the temperature is always constant. In addition, the smell of a decomposing body disappears instantly.
Scientists tried to explain this phenomenon by the unusual properties of sandstone, which is able to absorb odors, the monks sincerely believe that this is due to the holiness of this place.
Excursions to the monastery caves leave a very strong impression on everyone who dares to visit them. The path is illuminated only by candles, there is a ringing silence around … And if there is also a monk wholeads a tour, speaks in a "terrible" voice about human sins and retribution for them, then it becomes uncomfortable.
Almost at the very entrance to the caves, the relics of St. Mark, Jonah, Lazarus, and Vassa are buried.
Seven underground galleries diverge from the entrance. They are called streets, which in different years expanded and lengthened. Fifth and sixth streets are called fraternal. The monks of the monastery are buried here. Pilgrims were buried in other galleries.
There is a special candlestick at the end of the central cave street. It is decorated in the form of a small table and is called kanun. Panikhidas (mortuary services) are served next to it. Immediately after the eve there is a large wooden cross, to the right of which Metropolitan Veniamin Fedchenko is buried.
The caves of the monastery are a unique place of intoxication of the saints, saturated with the prayers of ascetics. This is a unique artistic and historical monument.
Assumption Cave Temple
A wide staircase leads to it. Above the entrance is the image of the Mother of God of Kyiv. On the roof facing the monastery, there are five domes crowned with crosses. The necks of the heads are decorated with sacred images.
The interior of the temple is no less original. It has three passages in length and five in width. They are separated by earthen camps lined with bricks. This creates a special comfort. The room is quite spacious, there is always a secluded corner where you can pray by the light of lamps.
In the depths of the cathedral, on the south side, the relics rest in a specially equipped nicheReverend Cornelius.
Big Belfry
Not far from the Assumption Church is the main belfry of the monastery, or belfry, as it is often called. A stone structure consisting of several pillars placed in a row from east to west.
This is one of the largest architectural structures of this type. The belfry has six main spans and one that was built much later. Thanks to him, the second tier is formed.
The bells of the Pskov Monastery are one of the most significant collections not only in Pskov, but also in Western Russia.
Sretenskaya Church
It was erected in 1670 on the site of the previously existing Church of the Annunciation. Sretensky Cathedral is a two-story brick building, made in pseudo-Russian style. The church is on the second floor. The altar has a central niche for the altar and several small niches for the deacon. The narthex is separated by a massive wall. It has three openings. All windows are arched. The lower floor of the temple is treated with smooth rustication.
On the western and eastern walls of the Sretenskaya Church, the painting has been preserved, which has already been restored several times. The southern and northern walls are decorated with pilasters. The walls are made of brick, then plastered and painted.
Closing attempts
Throughout its long history, the Pskov-Caves Monastery has never been closed, for more than five hundred years.
In Soviet times, repeatedlyattempts were made to close the Caves Monastery. Eyewitnesses recall that once another commission arrived at it with a decision to close it. The abbot got acquainted with the resolution and threw it into the burning fireplace. Discouraged officials, moreover, without documents, hastily retreated.
The abbot of the monastery Alipiy, having met the next representatives of the authorities, said that a large number of weapons are stored in the monastery, and many of the brethren are front-line soldiers. They will defend the monastery to the last breath. He warned that the only way to take the monastery was with the help of aircraft, which would be immediately reported on the Voice of America radio station. This statement made an impression on the commission. Oddly enough, this threat worked. For a while the monastery was left alone.
There were many situations when the monastery could be closed or ruined, but each time, in some incomprehensible way, it remained untouched.
