Near the village of Lesnoy, the St. George Convent in Sochi is located. The complex reflects natural and cultural beauty. Just 20 km from it is the Black Sea. The village itself was founded in the 19th century by the Greeks, and in 1898 they began to erect the Trinity-St. George’s Convent in Sochi with their funds. Construction lasted about 17 years.
About history
The village at the very beginning of its birth survived difficult years. In the 1920s, mass repressions against the Greeks began. Many families who lived here were destroyed. The village remained almost empty. In memory of those killed in this way on the territory of the Trinity convent in Sochi, a memorial plate is installed.
It is curious that at first, a tree growing in the neighborhood was used as a belfry. Bells were hung on him, and it was through them that people were called to worship.
In 1937, when the repression continued, the temple was looted. Shrines from it were burned. From that moment, the temple officially completed its work.
But in reality, believers secretly prayed here. During World War II, the building itself suffered very much. The bells were removed from it, remelted. And in 1990, a belfry was built with funds raised from local residents.
In the 1970s, officials decided to demolish the Convent in Sochi, the village of Lesnoye. However, the locals defended the cult building. Together they came to her defense. And it worked.
About architecture
The temple, located in a convent in Lesnoy (Sochi), does not differ in large sizes. However, it is light and graceful. It has 2 tiers, the upper one is made of wood. Near the bell tower, which is located a bit off, it looks like a fabulous house.
The interior of the temple preserves ancient murals. The iconostasis here is set chestnut. He was transferred from a man’s monastery, which was nearby. It was abolished by Soviet officials.
The church at the convent in the village of Sochi has many icons. At the same time, the old alternate with the modern. There are also icons of 3 healers - Panteleimon, St. Luke and Nectarius. The latter is a Greek saint, he is considered the patron saint of people with cancer.
About visit rules
Before visiting a convent in Sochi, it is worth considering a number of special rules that apply on its territory. You should not count on beautiful photos from here: you can not take pictures in the territory of the monastery.
Not far from the church there is also a beautiful arbor. She is buried in flowers. Here you can drink tea. Nearby is a building designed for the reception of pilgrims.
Priests often come to a convent in Sochi. Toilers of the church treat them with herbal teas, various dishes.
They are not allowed to climb the bell tower. The guests of the convent in Sochi explain this ban quite simply. She is tall, and anything can happen.
It should be noted that there is more than one temple on the territory of the convent in Sochi. Where the camp site of the concrete plant used to be located, Mother Superior Anastasia erected several churches. Each of them is a separate work of art. Each church has its own characteristics, they are colorfully painted and look like fabulous buildings.
Church Reviews
The first church is the church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. It has its own font for conducting the baptismal rites. The second floor contains several relics - the relics of saints, icons, a thread from the Belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The temple of the icon of the Peschanskaya Mother of God is graceful. There are legends about a landmark event that took place here on Christmas 2013. One night, President V. Putin prayed here.
Stairs lead to the outdoor terrace. The view from it is amazing. The whole monastery, domes of temples, toy churches are visible.
In the church of the icon of the Virgin "Seven-shot" is a typical porcelain iconostasis. Wedding ceremonies are held here. And the church itself looks extremely unusual. Stars shine on it in the rays of sunlight. Thanks to this, the building looks solemn.
Special temple
Special attention deserves the temple of St. Huara. It was a Roman warrior who defended the views that opposed his entire environment. He died for his Christian faith as a martyr. Most of the services currently held in this temple.
Only 3 churches were erected in the country in honor of this martyr - in Moscow, Ivanovo and Sochi. And in these places, unlike others, you can pray for those who died unbaptized, for those who departed from the faith, as well as for suicides. These temples are unique. This Sochi church was erected at the expense of the mother, who lost her son when he served on the border.
The chapel “Satisfy My Sorrows” is distinguished by a fake iconostasis, beautiful stained glass windows. In the temple of the “Burning Cupid” icon, the iconostasis is made of Himalayan salt. And according to visitor reviews it looks great.
Nearby is a well of stone. This is a reference to the biblical story in which Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman. The same story tells the mosaic, which is nearby. There is a jug at the well, visitors throw coins here, while making their most cherished desires. It is believed that they are subsequently executed.
About the life of the monastery
In the monastery there is an opportunity to live for a while, observing obedience, helping the monastery to the best of its ability. Here buildings were erected, in which both sisters and pilgrims live. They run their household - they brought chickens, pheasants.
Also on the territory of the monastery there is a separate bakery. For sale, she bakes a lot of pies, gingerbread. The territory itself is surrounded by forest stripes. The sisters themselves plant trees on the territory. For this reason, the air here is fragrant. Under the trees, mushrooms grow here, as tourists notice.
Service in the monastery is held daily according to the standard schedule. It is also important to note that the complex is constantly expanding, and a new temple is being built here. He will be consecrated in honor of Panteleimon the healer.
About Forest
The village of Lesnoye is surrounded by highlands. Here the river Psaho flows, which translates as "running to the sea." In the summertime, you can swim here. But reviews warn that the current is strong enough and the water is cool.
There is another way to get to the monastery by moving your own car. It is necessary, before reaching the trout farm, to follow the sign to the Akhshtyrskaya cave. The road will also lead to this female monastery.
The landscapes, as noted by tourists, are excellent in the village. The streets are livestock. Many find spiritual tranquility in these parts, drowning in forests. In the village of Lesnoy at the moment there are only 20 houses. Every year a big holiday is celebrated here - St. George's Day.
It takes place on May 6 and is considered to be perhaps the most significant holiday in the village. Then a lot of people gather here. The village hosts large-scale festivities with tables, music, folk dances. Guests are always welcome here, for this reason visitors and tourists from different parts of the country often join them.
How to get there
Organized groups in special buses go to the monastery from Adler and Sochi. They bring directly to the gates of the monastery. But you need to know that such trips are rare. It is not particularly difficult to get to the monastery on your own. To do this, go by car from the city towards Krasnaya Polyana. Following the sign, you will need to turn to Golitsyno, and then continue along the road to the village of Lesnoy.
Near the monastery there are many free parking lots; there are not too many visitors here. Therefore, there will be no questions with this, as tourists indicate in their reviews.
Since there are many interesting sights nearby, for example, Dragon's Mouth, a rather unusual Sochi waterfall, tourists recommend taking care in advance to rent an apartment, room or other housing here. After all, one day to visit all these places may not be enough.