Any believer can go to the monasteries of the Rostov region. Monasteries live by the labor of their inhabitants. Their novices are engaged in gardening, beekeeping, and subsidiary plots. Humble prayers are heard daily within their walls. The monasteries of the Rostov region are rich in ancient history, which this article will talk about.
Once the Don region became one of the main refugees of the Old Believers, which could not but cause concern for the tsar. The struggle began, which attracted all his strength. Here was organized the Don Diocese, one of the largest in the country. Then the monasteries of the Rostov region paid especially much attention. And in Soviet times, many churches were closed, some were destroyed, converted into warehouses and hospitals. All the monasteries of the Rostov region were closed. Fortunately for the current guests, they were later restored. All existing monasteries of the Rostov region and their addresses are presented below.
Donskoy Starocherkassky Monastery
The history of this monastery is ancient, begins around 1756. Then the local governor D. Efremov laid the temple of the Don Icon of the Mother of God in this area. It was this building that became the full predecessor of the Starocherkassky Monastery. The construction was consecrated by 1761.
At first, there was a monastery for women. Its founders were Evdokia and Ulyana Efremova. September 12, 1837 there was a triumphal opening of the Ephraim Convent. Then the decoration of the building included more than 4 dozen icons. A large number of them turned out to be enclosed in luxurious gilded and silver salaries, crowned with precious stones. The decoration was entirely unusually rich. The temple was a real jewelry box. There is information that his property totaled about 24 pounds of silver, about two and a half kilograms of gold, more than four hundred diamonds, about one and a half thousand emeralds. The bell tower of the Don Cathedral included 8 bells. The largest weighed more than two and a half tons.
In Soviet times
After a difficult fate in the realities of the Soviet Union, the church began to be restored. Initially opened as a women's monastery, it was transformed into a house for the disabled, into an orphanage, periodically closed, an exhibition was organized here.
Reopened in the 90s as a mansion. Now it occupied only a piece of the former territories. The monastery settlement was converted into a camp at the same time. Further it was a monastery for men. The opening of the man’s monastery was blessed by Archimandrite Naum and Archimandrite Zosim. At the present moment, in the oldest room, the inhabitants conduct daily worship in accordance with the present provisions of the Orthodox Church.
All life activity is based here on the charter of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Now the full composition of the monastery includes 4 hieromonks, 2 archdeacon, 7 monks and 9 novices. Every day they work hard, doing services in the local cathedral, gardening, and the restoration of ancient cell buildings. It has a collection of books full of the best works of priests, from which novices draw inspiration and wisdom, passed down from generation to generation. Not so long ago, the return of the cell building took place. The main festival of the monastery is recognized as the Day of the Don Icon of the Mother of God.
It is located at: 346701, Aksaysky district, st. Starocherkasskaya, st. Postal, 1.
Pokrovsky Monastery (Verhnemakeevka)
Towards the end of the 18th century, a man’s monastery was created in the village of Verkhnemakeevka in the Kasharsky district. By 1763, the settlement itself was redeemed. The owner was Vasily Ivanovich Ilovaysky. The name of the settlement is due to the ancestor of the new owner, whose name was Makei. The new owner began the construction of the Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin to maintain the spirituality of his peasants. All funds for the construction allocated Colonel Ilovaysky.
By 1974, the construction of a wooden cathedral with a bell tower, which was made of stone and surrounded by a fence of wooden pointed bars, was completed. Three priests, two deacons, six clerks served here. The number of parishioners reached 6 thousand people. Hegumen Pavlov became rector of the cathedral, Celebird came to replace him. In the 90s. last century, the abbot was called Alipius. Since the 90s. a monastic life was begun in the parishes.
The monastery is located at: Russia, Rostov region, Kashar district, Verkhnemakeevka settlement.
The popularity of monasteries
These monasteries of the Rostov region, of course, deserve attention. In modern times, they are always full of visitors. People from all over the country flock here to strengthen their faith, learn to pray, and serve for the benefit of an ancient monastery. Novices send prayers in honor of their assistants. The area around the monastery is picturesque. And the architecture itself is distinguished by grace. Even approaching from afar you can admire the elaborate domes that adorn the cathedrals. Even now there is a restoration of ancient buildings.