The Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, located seven kilometers from Novgorod, used to be male, and now it is female. For centuries, the relics of the temple have been considered the relics of its founder - the Monk Varlaam. However, no one leaves here without visiting the grave of the famous Russian poet and statesman of the eighteenth century, Gabriel Derzhavin. He is buried near the main cathedral, next to his wife D. Dyakova.
Description
The exact location of this holy monastery is the northern outskirts of a small Novgorod village, by the name of which the temple itself is named. Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery rises on the beautiful bank of the Volkhov. This river is so majestic and unhurried that in some places it looks more like a standing vast pond ...
Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, known to pilgrims from all over Russia, is located just a few kilometers from the Novgorod Kremlin. From far away, its silver domes are visible, and upon approaching closer, you can see the snow-white cathedral itself, standing on the steep bank of the Volkhov River.
Historically, the monastery was male, but today it has to be revived by women. In 1994, four novices with mother Alexia moved here from the Pyukhtitsky monastery. At present, about forty natives live and work here, praying daily.
Today Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery is considered one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the north-west of our country. Every Sunday, several buses come here from the capital and St. Petersburg, Belgorod and Voronezh, from many other cities not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine. Pilgrims in the monastery are attracted not only by the relics of the saint, but also by the hill that this saint inflicted, using only his skufeyka. Interestingly, it is not allowed to take land from it. It is said here that an angry Varlaam came to one of the women who took a handful of land in a dream and ordered them to be taken back. The well, which the reverend dug, also reached us. It is believed that the water in it is not only very tasty, but also healing. Many come to get this water, especially when the winter season comes.
Story
The Barlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, which is full of fond memories of pilgrimage, has survived the ups and downs throughout its centuries-old history. Moreover, he is famous for the miracles that occurred during the relics of its founder, the Monk Varlaam. The first mention of the monastery dates back to 1192.
Its founder worked in the village of Khutyn for a long time, long before the Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery appeared here. This place was rather gloomy in those days. A few miles away from Novgorod, it was notorious. The banks of the Volkhov River, richly forested, inspired local residents with superstitious fear. It was said that unclean power reigned in these places and there were many snakes. Apparently, therefore, this Novgorod suburb had its own name - Khutyn, which implies a "bad place." However, the Monk Varlaam, not afraid of bad rumors, nevertheless decided to settle here. In this dark and dense forest he received a sign - a bright ray of light coming from the very depths of an impassable thicket. And that was what inspired him with hope. According to legend, the monk forbade snakes to approach the monastery closer than twelve miles. Therefore, so far not a single reptile has appeared here. In memory of this, the very first church of the monastery was consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Founder
Being a sufficiently rich man in worldly life, the Monk Varlaam spent considerable funds on the opening and improvement of the Khutyn monastery. Historians indicate that the monastery of Varlaamo-Khutynsky received from him, as a testament, as many as two villages with slaves, as well as several "harvest and fishing." Thus, the monk laid the foundation for the future welfare of the monastery, spent a lot of work on its spiritual prosperity. It was Varlaam who was the first to educate a galaxy of ascetics, who later became quite prominent figures.
Merits of the Monk Varlaam
But literally a few months after the consecration of the temple, which was then called the Transfiguration of the Savior, the Monk Varlaam died. It happened in 1192. The archbishop himself buried him. This, according to historians, was evidence of the great respect enjoyed by the abbot in Novgorod. After his death, the monastery of Varlaamo-Khutynsky continued to operate, he did not fall into a state of decline. On the contrary, with the enormous efforts of the saint’s disciples, he became more and more fortified and equipped.
It is believed that the monastery owes its external beauty and grandeur to the contributions made by wealthy Novgorodians who highly reverend the Monk Varlaam. Unfortunately, very little documentary information has been preserved about the earliest period of the existence of this monastery. Therefore, today it is difficult to imagine all the acquisitions that were then made. This is also difficult because not one of the buildings dating from that time, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, has been preserved.
The life of the first inhabitants
It is believed that the Monk Varlaam, who was a man of "book" and fully embracing the Christian traditions of ancient Byzantium, established a communal charter in the monastery. Some historians consider this statement to be just a guess, since the earliest chronicles telling about monastic life in the monastery date back to the sixteenth century. They were given in his Notes on Muscovy by Sigmund von Herberstein, who says that the abbot, who had a meal with the brethren, always consulted with several senior monks before submitting important questions for discussion to other inhabitants.
Amazing facts
Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, whose photos testify to the majesty of this temple, as an all-Russian shrine was elevated in the second half of the fifteenth century. As early as 1460, pilgrimages began to be made to the relics of the Monk Varlaam. The Grand Duke Vasily II came to honor him with his sons Andrei and Yuri. In that 1460, healing was granted at the relics of the Monk George Tumgeny - the princely prisoner.
And a few years later, in 1471, an event takes place in the monastery, which Novgorodians still recall with great pleasure. Grand Duke John III, who wished to discover the relics of Barlaam, was put to shame. When, at his command, the grave of the saint began to be excavated, a fire escaping directly from the earth burned the wall and door of the iconostasis. The Grand Duke fled with fear, and his burned staff and part of the altar were stored for a long time in the sacristy of the monks.
One of the most famous Russian shrines
It was this event that caused the monk to become, along with Sergius of Radonezh, the most famous saint in Russia. And although the monastery after the accession of Novgorod to Moscow lost some of its estates, it still remained one of the richest in the diocese, second only to Yuryev.
In 1540, the temple was damaged by a fire that began at the miracle-working tomb. Everything burned, from icons to the front door. But the monastery did not live in poverty for long: enough funds were collected very quickly, the lion's share of which was donated by the local nobility. Very soon, the Transfiguration Monastery became even more beautiful than it was before.
Disasters
After several decades, in 1611, the monastery had to endure a more difficult test. During the invasion of the Swedes, led by Jacob Delagardi, it was the Khutynsky monastery that was chosen to set up the headquarters of the strangers. And I must say, the Swedes behaved quite unceremoniously in it. Historians directly call their actions a robbery. And this is true: even the Swedes did not spare the cancer of the Monk Varlaam, having removed all the silver from it.
In the middle of the seventeenth century, after the expulsion of the invaders, it was decided to parse the ancient Transfiguration Cathedral and the construction of a stone structure. Built in the same place, and today striking in its grandeur Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.
How to get there
Unlike many other Russian churches and temples, this monastery is quite accessible for coming here by public transport. Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, whose address is: Novgorod region, pos. Khutyn is a place where thousands of believers gather for holidays. Getting to it is not difficult. From Novgorod, from bus station to Khutyn, bus number 121 runs quite regularly.
By car, you can get from the regional center if you move along Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street. At the intersection with Derzhavin Street, you should turn right and, having reached the sign for Khutyn, go left. In a few minutes there will be a fork, which will lead to Monastery Street. She will lead directly to Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.
Schedule of Divine Services
A daily morning prayer and midnight, as well as an akathist and a liturgy, which begins at half past seven in the morning, are held in the walls of the temple. After the end of the mass in the church and in the chapel of St. Varlaam, as well as at his well, prayers are served. Evening service begins at 18 o’clock. On Sundays, in the evening hours, an akathist is read in the main cathedral in front of the relics of the Monk Varlaam.
Holidays and special days in the monastery are mainly associated with the name of its founder. The memory of the reverend is celebrated on November 19 and on the first Friday during the Petrov Lent. The feast day of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the monastery takes place on August 19.
Pilgrim Impressions
The abbess is mother Alexia. It was she who blessed the collection of donations from parishioners for the construction of the chapel on the hill, which was erected by the reverend himself, who founded the Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.
Reviews of visiting this holy temple are full of warmth and love. Many celebrate an excellent choir of parishioners who sings in the Pühtitsa tradition. Pilgrims fell in love with father Macarius. Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery is proud of its confessor. And although the father is still very young, he, judging by the reviews, has the gift of love and comfort. No matter how many pilgrims come here, he will have a kind word and a smile for everyone, he will bless everyone, as the visitors of the monastery tell, and on the mountain he will anoint with oil after the prayer service everyone who came to Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery. Makarii was so fond of the pilgrims that they jokingly called him a hydromonom. The fact is that for each of them he can prepare a bucket of water from the famous local well, regardless of weather or season.
On the territory of the monastery, on a small hill, is the chapel of St. Varlaam. Legends go that if you walk on a hill with bare feet, all the ailments will pass. Many say that they did not want to leave there, because there was some kind of magical and simply unrealistic atmosphere that could not be expressed in words.
Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery is located in such a picturesque place where everything around seems simply fabulous. Even the air here is special. And the servants, judging by the reviews, greet each guest with such hospitality and hospitality that a person feels at home.