St John’s Stavropegial Convent was founded by John of Kronstadt. But he is not named after him. Do not be mistaken in thinking so. In fact, its name comes from the name of St. John of Rylsky. In this place in the temple tomb are the relics of the founder of the monastery.
Consecration of the territory, the beginning of construction
The monastery was built in the Neo-Byzantine style, and the project was compiled by architect N.N. Nikonov.
Initially, this building was supposed to serve as a courtyard of the John the Theological community, based in the village of Sura. On May 8, 1900, a historical event took place. The consecration of the territory for the compound was made. And on September 16,
1900, its laying began, which was carried out by Boris Plotnikov (Bishop of Yamburg). So the future John Monastery on Karpovka was founded. But that was only the beginning…
Only 12 months later the community became considered a full-fledged monastery. As for the compound, it received the status of a monastery.
Temple values
The church collected crosses and images belonging to St. John, as well as his donations to the monastery. The most significant of them is the ark made of silver, which contains the relics of the Monks Alexander Svirsky and Sergius of Radonezh.
Other buildings
From 1903 until 1908, a five-story building was erected for those who would like to settle at the monastery, in addition, an infirmary, cells, workshops for needlework and icon painting were built, and a tomb was founded in the basement of the church.
Some time after the death of the founder of the monastery, in the middle of the winter of 1909, a rescript was published by the Synod, dated January 12. It said that henceforth the St. John’s Convent, where the relics of the monk are located, receives first-class status.
The abolition of the monastery
In 1919, the monastery was converted into a labor commune. And a few years later it was abolished (the nuns lived in it all this time). In 1922, as you know, the capture of the diocesan administration was carried out in Petrograd. Supporters of renovationism did this. It was then that the monastery community was annexed to the Petrograd autocephaly, after the exile of Simansky Alexy (archbishop), it was led by Nikolai Yarushevich. However, on May 12, 1923, he was arrested and then exiled. After that, with the active participation of the authorities, all monastic property was given to the full use of the twenty. That was the name of the renovation community. On May 19, 1923, the Provincial Executive Committee decided that the John Monastery on Karpovka should be abolished. However, it was possible to do this only at the end of autumn, as the update leadership was categorically against it.
Hard times
In the premises of the monastery a reclamation college was located later, and in the beginning of spring 1926 the wall was completely walled up, behind which was the tomb of St. John.
A very sad fact: most of the sisters at the dawn of the 30s were arrested. A little later, they were all sent to Kazakhstan.
Consecration of the temple, obtaining a new status
In late autumn 1989, an important event took place - the buildings were given to the diocese, after which they began to be considered the courtyard of another monastery (Pyukhtitsky). On the birthday of St. John, November 1, the lower church was consecrated.
On July 12, 1991, when there was a feast day, another important event happened. Patriarch Alexy II consecrated the upper part of the church in honor of the Apostles.
December 25, 1991 St. John’s Convent on Karpovka received the status of stauropegial.
Evidence of Pilgrims
Many people who came here noted that after visiting a holy place in their life, favorable changes occurred, illness receded, and the soul became easier. These revelations can be read in special books that tell about the monastery.
Prophecy of St. John
Remember what St. John said about this monastery, which he himself founded?
He argued that this place would become truly holy, that now it still leaves much to be desired, few people know about it, but after many years it will become famous. As you can see, everything happened exactly as he said. The Johnny Monastery on Karpovka today is really famous throughout Russia.
A little about the founder of the monastery
Many mystical events are associated with this person. People believed that John was truly a saint, and at times committed reckless actions. There have been many similar cases. Once, when John was riding on horseback to his home, some grandmother rushed right under their feet. The saint was frightened, he stopped and walked over to the woman. But she easily got to her feet and said that now, when John himself moved her, she was not afraid of any disease, rheumatism from that moment would not plague her.
The saint could predict the future, he foresaw wars, and revolution, and difficult times for Orthodoxy. He also criticized Leo Tolstoy and said that it was Satan himself.
He was well aware of the time of his death, accurately predicted it. The saint was invited to bookmark the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral, and, ending his speech, he said that when the roof is to be installed on the new church, he will die. This prediction came true with amazing accuracy. The man who founded the St. John’s Monastery on Karpovka was a true prophet. His personality is certainly of interest.
Shortly before his death, John sent Christmas cards to some of his friends, explaining that they would not receive them at all. Some time after that, his well-being worsened, he went to bed and did not get up anymore. On December 18, awakening from a painful sleep, he asked what day it is. He was informed of the number, after which the saint said that he had a couple more days left.
On the night before death, John’s torment was simply unbearable. Near him sat an old cook, several relatives and father Ornatsky. No one knew how to alleviate his torment: the saint said long ago that he did not want the doctors to even approach him.
On January 2 (December 20 according to the old style) another righteous man quietly departed into the world, who had done so much for the church and for people. He was 79 years old.
The saint died in 1908, shortly before his death, he said that he wanted his body to be placed in the St. John’s Convent, in the lower church. His request was granted. In the 1930s, the authorities decided that John’s relics should be taken out of the city and put on fire. But there is evidence that a certain high boss, fearing the wrath of the Lord, informed the saint's relatives that the tomb was in its former place and the remains of the righteous are still in the St. John's Monastery.
People living at that time remember how hundreds of believers all day came to a tightly boarded up window. Applying to him, as if to an image, they turned to John with prayers and requests. People really went there in droves. Security tried to bypass the St. John’s Monastery. It was said that sometimes one could hear someone quietly say prayers and move around.
Some pilgrims reported that with truly sincere prayer the image of John of Kronstad appeared on a stone basement wall.
We should not forget the interesting prediction of a saint who said that in our country at the end of the 20th century a soothsayer will be born who will become a monk and lead our country to peace and prosperity. Well, see if this comes true.