The Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra is considered one of the most significant shrines in Orthodoxy. It is located in western Ukraine, annually hosts numerous pilgrims, believers. This ancient monastery, along with two more, is considered the most beautiful in eastern Europe. He is famous for his piety, as well as the miraculous icon of the Virgin.
The history of the Pochaev Lavra
The monastery is located in western Ukraine, near the city of Pochaev, in the Ternopil region. A lot of legends and paraphrases are associated with its occurrence; there are also no reliable data on early history. However, among local monks there is a belief that the Assumption-Pochaev Lavra appeared thanks to monks from Kiev. They came here in search of refuge after the ruin and destruction of the city, as well as their monastery in 1240 by Batu.
It was here, in Volhynia, that he had a vision of the Virgin. She appeared with a fiery flame, holding a scepter in her hand, and on her head was a crown. This vision left a mark on the stone (the right foot of the Mother of God), which later became a healing source for all the afflicted. Stories about this phenomenon began to fly farther and farther, many came here to pray, some remained monks here. As a result, after some time, the Holy Assumption Monastery began to be laid on this place as a memory of the Kiev Lavra, which was destroyed.
New page in history
It is believed that until the 15th century, the Pochaev Lavra was in desolation, so almost nothing is known about it. A new round in the development and glorification of the monastery occurred in 1597, when the rich landowner Anna Goiskaya moved to these lands. Obviously, she was God-fearing, since she donated a significant amount of money for the development of the laurel. They were completed Pochaev Church and cells for monks.
In addition to money, Anna Goiskaya donated land plots and estates. All this confirmed the status of the monastery officially. A significant gift to the Pochaev Lavra was the icon of the Virgin, which was kept by the landowner for about thirty years and was miraculous. Near her happened the healing of Anna's brother, Philip Kozinsky. He was blind from birth, and after earnest prayer near the image he miraculously received his sight. This was the beginning of the fact that the Holy Pochaev Lavra became one of the largest Orthodox centers in western Ukraine. This was especially evident when, after the establishment of the union in 1596, the persecution and imposition of another religion began. All this contributed to the strengthening of the Orthodox spirit and faith. At this time, many found refuge here, escaped from the persecution of Uniates and Catholics.
By the end of the XVII century, the monastery became very famous. At that time, his abbot was Job Pochaevsky. Under his wise leadership, the Pochaev Lavra had a heyday. There appeared a school, a large printing house, the Church of the Holy Trinity, which became the arch for the foot of the Mother of God. Attention was also paid to other buildings, for example, a defensive wall, various temples, and farm buildings were erected.
Job Pochaevsky lived until 1651, and in 1659 his imperishable relics were discovered. The abbot was elevated to a host of saints. In 1721, the monastery became the residence of the Greek Catholics and almost a whole century turned into their monastery. And only in 1831 the temple complex returned to Orthodoxy. And in 1883, the Holy Synod granted him the status of a laurel. From this moment a new round began. Many work was done on the arrangement, which led the laurel to the form that we know.
Subsequently, she survived the atheism of the Soviet Union. The monks of the Pochaev Lavra accomplished a real feat, supporting an endless faith. It was a time of persecution, executions, prisons. Members of a religious community were put in psychiatric hospitals. As a result of all this, the number of monks living here has significantly decreased. The collapse of the Soviet Union gave rise to the emergence of new powers, a new state that began to relate to the church in a different way. Thus, the next page in the history of the laurel was opened. In 1997, the monastery acquired the status of stavropigia, which means direct submission to the metropolitan.
Architecture
The Pochaev Lavra, whose photos do not convey all its grandeur, is very interesting from the perspective of architecture. This is due to the fact that for some time the monastery was under the leadership of another denomination. The laurel itself is located on a high mountain, at the foot of which stands the town of Pochaev. In addition to buildings, the monastery complex also includes defense structures that were erected in the 17th century. In general, everything looks very majestic and picturesque.
The main decoration is the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God. It was built during the reign of the Uniates with the help of donations from Nikolai Pototsky. That was in 1780. The construction was done in the late Baroque style at the place where the wooden temple stood. The miraculous icon of the Virgin was placed right there. Under this temple is another one in which the relics of St. Job are stored - the first abbot of the monastery.
You can visit and see firsthand all the beauties that abound in the Pochaev Lavra. Photos can convey only the general mood, but to feel the spirit of time and goodness, you should visit here.
Below the slope of the mountain, another church is built, which is suitable for a prayer feat. This is the church of St. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. In addition, the temple complex has such a masterpiece as the Holy Gate. Also on the territory of the monastery is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was built by the then-famous architect O. Schusev.
It should be noted that 1646 icons were preserved in the laurel. Although everything is periodically restored, the spirit of antiquity and ancient saints has been preserved to this day.
Legends of the monastery
The Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra is replete with various legends about healing from illnesses, deliverance from invaders thanks to an earnest prayer to the Virgin. Many of them were recorded, but even more miracles happened after being alone with the Virgin. There were also just visions, signs from the Mother of God that this place was protected by her. For example, even before the construction of the monastery on this mountain, there were many signs that this place was special. Here is one of them.
In November 1197, hunters staying for the night first heard thunder, then saw a deer. They tried to kill him, but failed. When the hunters began to approach the deer, he ran away, and after him there was a fiery trail that led into the sky. After some time, the hunters slept here again. Among them was John Turkul, a local landowner. The Virgin Mary came to him in a dream, who said that she liked this place and in the future it will be a prayer place.
There were a sufficient number of such signs. Many people even came here specially to see something unusual.
Monastery Shrines
Can there be an unreadable Pochaev Lavra, where there are so many shrines? Of course not. One of the main objects of veneration is the foot of the Mother of God, which appeared to the praying ascetics on the mountain. After its disappearance, a trace of the right foot of the Virgin remained on the stone, which gradually filled with water. Since then, this imprint is constantly filled with healing fluid, which come from all over the world.
The relics of two elders are also revered as relics: the Monk Amphilochius of Pochaev and the Monk Job of Pochaev. Both performed miracles both during life and after death. For example, over the grave of Job, to this day, a radiance is visible that happened over his body immediately after his death.
Miraculous icon
Separately, it should be told about the icon of the Virgin, which was donated to the monastery by the landowner Anna Goiskaya. She also presented it for her hospitality to Metropolitan Neophytos.
The first miracle that happened thanks to the icon was the insight of brother Anna, who was blind from birth. After that, the landowner presented the image of the Virgin to the Pochaev Lavra.
The second recorded case of the miracle of the icon was punishment. In 1623, it was stolen from the monastery by Andrei Firlei. He and his wife taunted the shrine. But then the demons overpowered Firlea's wife, and she was obsessed with them until the icon was returned to the monastery.
Not once Pochaev Lavra was besieged by invaders. In 1675, Sultan Mohammed wanted to capture her. However, all the monks began to pray, which lasted all night. And a miracle happened. The Virgin Mary herself defended the holy place, who appeared in bright robes with guardian angels before a horde of invaders. All arrows that flew towards the monastery returned back. The entire army of the enemy fled in horror.
At the same time, another miracle happened with a young man who was captured by the Turks. Sincere prayer to the Virgin saved him - he was transferred to the monastery. There are still preserved chains. In the future, miracles also continued to happen. Count Potocki could not kill the coachman, who turned to the monastery. He fired three times, the gun misfired all the time. It was a miracle that made a lasting impression. Obviously, therefore, the count after allocated significant amounts to the monastery. If we talk about healing, then the Pochaev shrine is especially favored by those prayers who have poor vision or are generally blind.
To paint the icon, oil paints were used, its basis is a linden board. The image depicts the Mother of God, who holds the baby in her right hand. In the left hand there is a circuit board. Both have a crown on their heads. The icon also depicts saints (there are seven of them).
Famous songs
The choir of the Pochaev Lavra, which is truly the standard of church hymns , is no less famous . They are also given a special sound by the acoustics of the temple in which the performance takes place. You can hear singing when you come to the laurel. It will be truly unforgettable, especially for true believers. Also in our age of technology, the chants of the Pochaev Lavra can be purchased on record. This is perfect for those who do not have the opportunity to go and listen to everything live.
Holy elders
Pochaev Lavra is famous for its elders. The most famous, of course, are two. These are Amphilochius and Job, who were elevated to the rank of saints. We will tell you more about them.
Rev. Job Pochaevsky
An old man from a noble family comes, but from childhood he wanted to become a monk. At the age of 12, Job became a monk. All his life he zealously served the Lord God. For a long time he was abbot of the Pochaev Lavra, did many great deeds for its glory. During his life, a printing house and a school were opened. It was a difficult time for Orthodoxy, but Job stood his ground, condemning the adoption of the union. He also had a revelation of his passing. The old man prayed to the Lord and peacefully departed to another world. After his relics were discovered, many miracles and healings were performed.
Rev. Amphilochius Pochaevsky
This old man is almost our contemporary. He was born in 1894 in a peasant family. His father was an excellent chiropractor, and therefore his son adopted his skill. In 1925, the Pochaev Lavra received another novice, and in 1932 a monk. In the monastery Amphilochius became famous as a healer and chiropractor. Constantly received the afflicted not only physically, but also spiritually. Through his service to God, he received the gift of insight and healing.
Since the 50s, during the persecution of the church, the monk lived in his native village. Every day he served a prayer service, continued to help people. He stood in prayer at night. Many memories of those who came to him for help were preserved about this period.
Elder Amphilochius also foresaw his demise. He was poisoned by one of the novices who was an agent of the KGB. The monk died in 1971, urging believers to come to his grave with their needs. He said that after death he would not forget about them. The first healing occurred immediately after the funeral. In 2002, the elder was ranked as a saint. The rite was performed in the Pochaev Lavra, during which two crosses were visible above it. Many of those present said that these were two monks - Job and Amphilochius.
Other elders
There were other elders of the Pochaev Lavra who became famous for their deeds in the field of serving the Lord.
Elder Demetrius
He is also our contemporary. Born in 1926 in the Chernivtsi region. From the age of 13 he was a novice in the St. John the Theologian Kreshchatitsky monastery, and immediately became a monk. In 1959 he was transferred to the Pochaev Lavra.
Elder Demetrius had various talents and was known not only in Ukraine, but also outside it. He achieved particular success in church singing. It is believed that under his leadership the choir improved its skills. The sermons of the elder were also famous. He was buried in the cemetery of the laurel.
Elder Theodosius Pochaevsky
His service to the Lord took place in difficult times for Orthodoxy. Little is known about the life of the old man before coming to the fold of the church; he did not much talk about it. He received tonsure at the age of 55, in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, where he stayed. After its closure, he went to the Caucasus and lived there for some time. After the Soviet authorities banned living in the Caucasus, Theodosius went to the Pochaev Lavra, where he lived until the end of his life.
This was an amazing person. I never said too much, only if it was necessary to tell some instructive story. He received the gift of perspicacity for his zeal in an ascetic life, and could conduct successful proofreading.
Healing Lake of St. Anne
This pond is a place of constant pilgrimage, as well as the Pochaev Lavra. Lake St. Anna is located in the village of Onishkivtsi, and near it is a monastery. The water temperature here is always unchanged - 5-8 degrees. Nevertheless, many pilgrims are in a hurry to plunge into the holy and healing waters in the hope of gaining health. Many say that healing is due to the high content of silicon in the waters, as well as a large number of silver ions.
However, there are legends, according to which the Orthodox Church used to be at the source. When there was an invasion of the Tatars, it miraculously sank underground and was thus saved from ruin. After a while there was still a sign - the appearance of the icon of St. Anne. They tried to transfer her many times, but she kept returning all the time. In the end, we decided to build a chapel here. After some time, a healing spring appeared at this place. In Soviet times, many times they tried to destroy it, but nothing came of it.
So, in this area not only Pochaev Lavra is famous, where the foot of the Virgin with healing water is located, but also the water of St. Anna's Lake. Women come here very often, as vodichka is especially useful for those who are trying to get pregnant. Despite the icy water, after leaving the pool, people notice heat and heat in the body, there have been no cases of colds from swimming in the lake. It is believed that such dipping helps to harden the body and increase vitality. Some are even confident in the effect of rejuvenation.
For those who come to experience the healing power of the source, there are some rules:
- women should be in long shirts, cover their heads;
- for all - underwear should be new;
- Before immersion, you should read the prayer “Our Father”, cross yourself, then turn to Saint Anna;
- after you can plunge, you need to do this three times with your head.
Many people know that truly sincere prayer works wonders.
Excursions
Very famous among the pilgrims Pochaev Lavra. Excursions to this place are organized in large numbers. Arriving here, you can visit a healing spring and take holy water from there, kneel before the icon of the Virgin and offer her a prayer, stand near the relics of saints Job and Amphilochius. Surely such an excursion will not leave anyone indifferent, and everyone will want to come here again.
Very many who had the opportunity to visit such a place as the Pochaev Lavra, left enthusiastic reviews. Everything here is permeated with the goodness of many monks and elders. And it is not in vain that the Pochaev Lavra is truly one of the holy Orthodox places.