The Drandsky monastery was founded in 1880 by order of the Synod at the Assumption Cathedral. This religious Orthodox complex is located near Sukhumi. To inspect it, you need to climb a rather high plateau. A monastery was built between the rivers Maly Kodor and Adzapsh. It belongs to the Sukhumi diocese.
The base of the cathedral
Dranda temple is one of the most ancient religious Christian buildings in the Caucasus. When it was built, it is not known for certain. However, some researchers believe that this cathedral was built by Emperor Justinian the Great in the VI century AD. The fact is that the court historian Procopius of Caesarea mentioned in his notes about the construction of a beautiful temple by this ruler at about this place. But some scholars do not share the views on the construction of the Assumption Cathedral by Justinian.
Abkhazia (Dranda), an ancient monastery: early history
It is believed that during the Middle Ages this monastery was the residence of bishops whose power spread from Kodor to Anacopia. The attendants of the temple conducted lively trade in livestock and forest. In 1634 the cathedral was looted and burned by the Turks. Later, he was restored by the seraphim monks.
During the Roman Empire, there was a school for 50 children. Also at the monastery there were a mill, carpentry and carpentry workshops, a forge. In addition to the printing house, a bookstore was opened at the monastery. There were also a refectory on the territory of the complex, hotels, a tomb, a monastery. In addition, the monastery took sick people. A three-story hospital was built here.
Most of these structures, unfortunately, have not been preserved. Nowadays, the only prison in Abkhazia is located in a strongly altered refectory, and only the foundation remained from the monastery. A modern building of the same purpose was erected on it.
Interesting facts about the monastery
It is known that in 1909, the Holy Synod forcibly sent Abbot Arseny to the Dranda monastery. This famous missionary of the Orthodox Church devoted his life to anti-sectarian activity and wrote a book “On the veneration of the cross”. In 1905, Abbot Arseny at a reception with Tsar Nicholas II sharply criticized the metropolitan elite and the clergy, who, in his opinion, departed from Orthodoxy. This caused discontent in the Synod.
As a result, Father Arseny was removed from the management of the Resurrection Monastery and sent to Solovetsky. In 1906 he was transferred to the Vladimir monastery. On the decree in 1909, the abbot refused to leave for the Dranda monastery. After some time, he also did not obey the decision of the Synod on his move to the Sukhumi monastery. For these two misconduct, he was deprived of the right to conduct services. The ban was lifted only in 1912 after the repentance brought to the Synod.
From 1922 to 1928, the famous confessor Seraphim (Romantsov) served in the monastery. It was here that in 1926 he was ordained hieromonk by Bishop Nikon.
Temple after the revolution
In the late XIX - early XX centuries, the Dranda monastery in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God was widely known in Russia. About 300 monks lived in the monastery. In 1911, a large printing house was opened here. It was organized on the initiative of the then rector Bishop Dmitry Sukhumsky with his personal money and was mainly engaged in the production of educational leaflets.
In 1924 the lands of the monastery were transferred to the collective farm of the village of Drandskoye. The cathedral itself was closed in 1928. In its premises various administrative institutions were placed. Today, the temple is once again owned by believers. Organized in the complex and excursions for lovers of antiquity. To date, large-scale restoration work has been carried out in the Assumption Cathedral, which resulted in the return of the building to its original appearance.
The architectural features of the cathedral
A large number of religious ancient Orthodox structures built in the Byzantine style is what Abkhazia can boast of. Dranda Monastery is no exception in this regard. The Assumption Cathedral is a cross-domed Byzantine four-pillar building. On the eastern facade of the building there are three pentahedral apids, inside of which there are an altar and side rooms. On the west side, a narthex adjoins the temple with two entrances and choirs on the second floor.
The large drum of the dome of the cathedral has an original hexagonal shape. The walls of the temple are plastered outside. However, in some places during the restoration, so that tourists could see the Byzantine masonry, left unworked areas. 36 huge arched windows let light into the temple . A long stone staircase leads to the main entrance of the building.
Temple inside
The drum of the cathedral is expressed exclusively from the outside. Only a huge, unadorned dome is visible from the inside. In the corners of the cathedral there is a deacon and an altar. In one of them, a baptistery once operated. Its remains were discovered by archaeologists during excavations.
Historian D. Bakradze, who visited the cathedral, wrote in 1860 that he saw several frescoes depicting the Savior and saints here. However, unfortunately, over time, they collapsed. Among other things, the temple has two tombs of marble. One of them is located under the throne, and the second is at the western entrance.
Assumption-Dranda Monastery: how to get there
Believers or tourists who want to admire this ancient architectural monument can find it at: Gulripshsky district of the Republic of Abkhazia, the village of Dranda. The coordinates of the monastery: 42.874122, 41.16181. By personal transport you should move from Sukhumi towards Georgia. On the highway, follow the signs to the village of Dranda. Here you should drive to the Central Square, turn left and drive for about 800 m. The Drandsky Monastery will be visible on the right.
Access to the cathedral and public transport. In this case, at the Sukhumi train station, you should take a ticket for a bus bound for Gala, Ochamchyry or Tkuarchala to the Dranda stop. Further from the Central square you need to go uphill for about 800 m (there is a sign). You can also just get an excursion to this interesting place in any resort town or village of Abkhazia.