St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad is one of the newest monasteries in Russia. It was created in honor of the Holy Martyr Princess Elisabeth, but originally existed as an Orthodox community. About this monastery, the history of creation, its features, we will describe in this publication.
The history of the monastery
The history of the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad begins in 1998, when an Orthodox community was created in a private house. In 1999, with the blessing of Patriarch Cyril, the community was transformed into a monastery. The mistress of the house in which the community was located takes monastic tonsure, calling it Elizabeth, and becomes the abbess of the monastery.
Gradually, the monastery began to expand, numerous pilgrims from all over the country rushed to it. In 2001, the need to expand the monastery and the courtyard became increasingly felt. The search began for a suitable place for the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad, but already outside the city.
New place of the monastery
After some time, a plot was found in the Slavsky district, in the village of Priozerye, which is 109 km from Kaliningrad. On the site stood a dilapidated house and a house church in the name of St. Wonderworker Alexander Svirsky.
In the same year, Patriarch Cyril visited the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad, he illuminates the restored church and blesses the construction of a new church, as well as the monastery walls. After 10 years, the construction of walls, churches and cells for novices was completed.
Along the perimeter of the monastery walls several churches were erected:
- In the name of the icon of the Mother of God "Recovery of the dead."
- "Softening Evil Hearts."
- Theodorovskaya.
- The Three-Handed.
- “To all who mourn is joy.”
- In the name of Spyridon of Trimyphus.
The house, located next to the home church of St. Alexander Svirsky, was redone for the residence of workers (workers of the monastery).
Relics of St. Elisabeth Convent in Kaliningrad
Currently, there are three monasteries on the territory of the monastery - in the name of St. Mary of Egypt, Seraphim of Sarov and Ferapont of Mozhaisk. Today, a church is being built in honor of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth. The first stone was laid and consecrated in May 2013 by the bishop of the Baltic Seraphim. A month later, a liturgy was held in the church under construction in honor of the 95th anniversary of the martyrdom of Princess Elizabeth. On the same day, Bishop Seraphim consecrated a museum-gallery in honor of the Holy Royal Martyrs, which was built shortly before.
In the churches there are crayfish with the relics of saints:
- Martyrs Elizabeth.
- Alexander Svirsky.
- Spiridon of Trimyphuntus.
- Fedor Ushakov.
In the church, erected in honor of Alexander Svirsky, the shrine is stored - the icon of the Mother of God “Like you and I”. In the church of St. Spyridon, most of the icons are made of beads by novices of the monastery.
Monastery now
Nowadays, the Chin of Panagia is held every Sunday at the monastery. After the liturgy, the priest and abbess, along with the sisters, go to the refectory and read the holy texts.
The monastery is a large farm, there is a farm for breeding ostriches and a barn. Sheep and chickens are bred, also at the monastery there is a small zoo in which there are peacocks, pheasants and other birds and animals.
Not far from it was built a monastery cafe, visited by nuns, pilgrims and many tourists. The cafe has a shop selling various souvenirs made by novices.
In the photo of St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad, you can see what significant territory the monastery occupies. It is worth considering that all buildings appeared in a very short time. Four sources were created in the monastery, which are made in the form of fonts: in the name of the Mother of God “I am with you, and no one is with you,” Matrona of Moscow, John the Baptist and Ksenia of Petersburg.
A baptistery was built in the church of St. Spyridon, in which baptism of adults is carried out, as well as immersions during the Epiphany. Address of St. Elisabeth Monastery in Kaliningrad: Kaliningrad Region, Priozerye Village, Building 87-a.
In 2015, a log house was built in the courtyard of the monastery, which is used as a bell tower and a chapel in the name of St. Athanasius of Athos. The monastery has two courtyards, the first is in Kaliningrad, it was there that the monastery was born, and the second is located in the village of Mchary, in Abkhazia. Compounds are rapidly developing, new temples and buildings for household purposes are being erected.
St. Elisabeth Monastery attracts many pilgrims and tourists with its temples. Once in Kaliningrad, be sure to visit this amazing place with unusual energy. This monastery and the positive emotions from visiting it will remain in your memories for life.