One of the largest active monasteries 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.
The Pskovo-Pechersk monastery appeared in the caves in the Creek Kamenetz. The first of them is mentioned in the Chronicles in 1392. According to legends, they lived monks who fled from the South, fleeing from the persecution of the Crimean Tatars. In 1470 on this earth hieromonk Jonah, a native of Yuriev (now Tartu), built a Church, which was consecrated in 1473. It was around this formed Pechersk monastery. At the Pskov-caves monastery in the XVI century a city of Pechora.
In the old days it was a desolate place, covered with impenetrable forests. Hunters who have visited here, saw the old man, praying on the stone, heard the singing hermit. They have no information, preserved the name of their spiritual mentor – Mark. John, his wife Mary (monastic name, she took the name Vassa) and mark were the first inhabitants of this place.
In sand hill, John dug the Church of the blessed virgin. After a while Vassa died (she was seriously ill before the arrival at Pskov). The coffin with the body of the deceased he was buried in the cave. But to his great surprise, the next day the coffin was extracted from the earth. Jonah took this as a sign from above. He suggested that during the funeral service something was done wrong. Therefore, Vassa re funeral and once again betrayed her land. But the next morning the same thing happened. Ion decided to leave the coffin on the surface.
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Since then does not stop the action of grace in the caves of the monastery. For several centuries, the coffins with the dead monks, dead on the battlefield by soldiers, as well as residents of the Posad was not earth. In the cave necropolis of the monastery there are tombs full of blackened and dilapidated coffins up to the vaults. While there have been no signs of rotting bodies.
After the untimely death of Vassa Jonah began to receive devotees. His close friend and receiver FR Misael on the mountain was built of wood the Church of Theodosius and Anthony. Beside it was cut down cells for the first monks.
Unfortunately, soon the old monastery on the mountain burned people from the Livonian Order. At the beginning of the XVI century, when the Abbot was Dorotheus, the Church has now been transferred to the foot of the mountain. At the same time expanded the Church of the assumption, built a cave temple Anthony and Theodosius. At about the same time erected the Church of the Forty martyrs of Sebaste, began construction of the belfry of the monastery. Invaluable assistance in the construction was provided Misure Munekhin – who is well educated, pious, who was able to understand and appreciate the strategic importance Pecher.
Munekhin patronized and hegumen Kornily. When it Pskovo-Pechersky Dormition monastery flourished. Significantly increased the number of monks appeared, carpenter, ceramic, icon-painting workshops. The Pskovo-Pechersk monastery in those days to be proud of the magnificent library. There was a Third Pskov chronicle. From the crypt collections to have survived the correspondence of Ivan IV with Prince Andrei Kurbsky.
The Abbot Cornelius began the spiritual enlightenment – he established the temples in the South of Estonia, sent a number of priests. However, educational activities were suspended because of the military successes of the Germans.
By Decree of Ivan the terrible, the Pskovo-Pechersk monastery was surrounded by a powerful stone wall. The monastery was built the Church of the Annunciation, made of stone. For the musketeer garrison, who was carrying an ongoing service, built the gate Church of St. Nicholas, which is directly connected with battle towers. During the Livonian war the monastery was frequently exposed to attacks from the West.
The slope of a deep ravine, some skirting the ravine, through which flows the Creek Kamenetz, stretching the walls of the Pechersk fortress. Their total length is 726 meters, the thickness reaches two metres. In our days buy structure consists of 9 towers. During its centuries-old history of the Pskovo-Pechersky Dormition monastery repeatedly withstood the attacks of the Livonian army led by Stefan Batory (Livonian war), the Swedish rulers of Karl XII and Karl-Gustav, Hetman Chodkiewicz (Poland). The history of the military involvement of the monastery, celebrated the exploits of her gallant defenders – monks and archers, ended during the Northern war. At this time, the Western borders of Russia moved to the Baltic sea.
Since ancient times about the existence of the monastery was known all over the Great Russia and of course Moscow. The Pskovo-Pechersk monastery became a place of pilgrimage of the crowned persons of different periods. A frequent visitor was Ivan the terrible, who confessed about they ruined the soul of Abbot Cornelius. At the time, him a suspect hypochondriac ruler. Four times visited the Pskovo-Pechersk monastery Peter the Luxurious carriage, whichtoday kept in the monastery, remained in the memory of the visit to the monastery of Empress Anna Ioanovna. In 1822 it was visited by Alexander I. He spoke in the monastery with the seer Lazarus. On a pilgrimage, 1903 was attended by Nicholas II. Here at the beginning of 1911 there prayed Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.
The Ancient monastery keeps in its walls the most valuable icons. The monastery of Pskovo-Pechersk, a photo of which you can see in our article, has three shrines. First and foremost is the icon of the Mother of God, which is considered miraculous. Every year on her feast day carried in procession. In addition, the icon of Emotion and Protectress of the Pskov-caves. Accounts are preserved in the annals of miraculous healings that have been made possible thanks to these shrines. The icons are stored at the assumption Church and the Cathedral of St. Michael.
Today the monastery, which is headed by the most Reverend Eusebius, very carefully keeps the traditions of the monastery, observes the laws and rules of the monastery. Live here are amazing. The elders of the Pskov-caves monastery – is an example of true piety and of great faith. Is the Archimandrite Adrian (Kirsanov) and John (krestiankin) – legends of the Orthodox Church and outstanding examples of monastic life.
The Saints of the Pskov-caves monastery are an example to follow not only the monks living in the monastery today, but for all Orthodox. It's The Reverend Mark Reverend Vassa, Reverend Jonah, The Monk Dorotheos, St. Lazarus, Monk Simeon.
Nowadays, thousands of tourists come to these places to see the great Shrine. A monument of history and architecture of great interest for scientists around the world – the Pskovo-Pechersk monastery. Trips here can be arranged by many travel companies from different cities of our country. Attractions of the monastery is truly unique.
As already mentioned, this monastery is still valid. Hold services here. To touch the shrines, many people come to the Pskovo-Pechersk monastery. Required here can also be ordered. Perhaps not everyone knows what it is. Required – it is a sacred rite performed by the priest at the request of the believer for himself or people close to him. This is a request towards the Lord with which it treated the clergy.
Today it is possible to submit demands to the caves monastery through the Internet. To do this, enter the site of the monastery, which describes in detail how to do it. Administrators every day through all the supplied “notes” and transfer them to the Abbot of the monastery Archimandrite Tikhon.
As already mentioned, the cave and the temple was created by the former Pskov priest John Cestnik.
Caves of the Pskov-caves monastery is, in fact, the monastery cemetery. The exact number of graves is still uncertain. Presumably buried here more than 14 000 people. So far there is no scientific evidence to the phenomenon which is observed in the caves for centuries: there is always a fresh air and temperature is always constant. In addition, instantly vanishes the smell of decaying bodies.
Scientists have tried to explain this phenomenon unusual properties of Sandstone, which can absorb odors, monks sincerely believe that this is due to the sanctity of the place.
Tours of the monastic caves leave a very strong impression on all who dare to visit them. The path lights only candles, around the ringing silence… and if a monk who lead the tour, said “terrible” the voice on the sins of mankind and retribution for them, it becomes uncomfortable.
Almost at the entrance to the caves there are the relics of St. Mark, Jonah, Lazarus, and Vassa.
Diverge From the entrance seven underground galleries. They are called streets, which in different years was enlarged and lengthened. Brotherly referred to as fifth and sixth streets. Here are buried the monks of the monastery. Pilgrims were buried in other galleries.
At the end of the Central cave street is a special candle holder. It is decorated in the form of a small table and called eve. Next to him are the Requiem (memorial service). Immediately after the eve of a large wooden cross, which is buried to the right of the Metropolitan Veniamin Mabuza.
Caves monastery – is a unique place of the rapture of the saints, imbued with prayers of devotees. This is a unique artistic and historical monument.
It leads To a wide staircase. Above the entrance is the image of the Mother of God in Kiev. On the roof, facing the monastery, there are five chapters, which are crowned with crosses. Neck heads adorned with sacred images.
No less original and the interior of the Church. It has three passes in length and five-wide. Their share of excavation mills, brick veneer. This creates a special comfort. The room is quite spacious, there is always a secluded corner, where the light of the lamps to pray.
In the depths of the Cathedral, on the South side, in a specially equipped niche the relics of the Monk Kornilii.
Near the Dormition Church is the mainthe belfry, or bell tower, as it is often called. Stone building, 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 which was built much later. Thanks to him, formed the second tier.
The Bells of the Pskov monastery – is one of the most significant gatherings not only in the Pskov region, but also in Western Russia.
It was built in 1670 on the site previously existed Annunciation Church. The Sretensky Cathedral, this two-story building of brick, designed in pseudo-Russian style. The Church is located on the second floor. In the altar there is a Central niche for the altar and several small niches for diakonia. The porch is separated by a massive wall. It has three openings. All the Windows have the form of arches. The lower floor of the temple covered with smooth rustication.
On the West and East walls of the Sretensky Church preserved the painting, which has been repeatedly restored. South and North walls are decorated with pilasters. The walls are made of brick, then plastered and painted.
During its long history, the Pskovo-Pechersk monastery was never closed for more than five hundred years.
In the Soviet era, several attempts to close the caves monastery. Eyewitnesses recall that one day another Commission arrived in his decision to close. The rector reviewed the decision and threw it into the burning fireplace. Discouraged by officials there, without documents, hastily withdrew.
Abbot Alypy, another meeting of representatives of the authorities, said that the monastery is a large number of weapons, and many of the brethren are the veterans. They will protect the monastery until his last breath. He warned that to take the monastery only with the help of aircraft, and immediately inform on radio «Voice of America». This statement was made on Commission experience. Oddly enough, but the threat worked. For some time the monastery was left in peace.
Such situations, when the monastery could close or destroy, there were many, but each time, somehow, inexplicably, he remained untouched.
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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."
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