A large number of Orthodox shrines are concentrated on the most ancient Crimean land: monasteries and convents, churches, life-giving sources, and much more. So, for example, near the city of Bakhchisaray, you can see a picturesque gorge that seems to cut through the mountains. It is called Maryam-dere and is translated from the Tatar language as the "gorge of Mary." This place is fascinating for its beauty, which is why a significant amount of time ago it was decided to erect the Holy Assumption Monastery here. He is one of the oldest Orthodox shrines in the Crimea.
Versions of its occurrence
There are two options for the appearance of the monastery in question. The first version is represented by the assumption that it was founded in the VIII-IX centuries. fled from Byzantium iconic monks. The Maryam Dere gorge, in their opinion, was like ancient Athos (Holy Mountain in the north of Eastern Greece) and reminded them of their native land. An important point was the presence of a source of fresh water here.
The second version says that the Holy Assumption Monastery appeared in the XV century. It is assumed that he was transferred to the gorge from caves located near the southern gate of the Kirk-Or fortress, which was captured by the Turks in 1475. The second version of the monastery’s origin is supported by the famous researcher A. L. Berthier-Delagard, who studies the Crimea. In his opinion, there were ancient manuscripts that confirm the second version of the history of the emergence of the Orthodox shrine under consideration.
What happens to the monastery today?
For a very long time he did not restore. Therefore, at the moment, the monastery is being revived thanks to the hard work of parishioners, monks and patrons. At the moment, the cave
Assumption Church and the cave icon painting located above its balcony have already been restored, as well as the restoration of the stairs, which leads to the highest tier, from where you can get into the bright cells.
The construction of the bell tower, the domes of which are gilded, is completed. They were cast at the Dneprodzerzhinsk metallurgical plant completely free of charge.
Also in the Holy Assumption Monastery is a list of the icon of the Mother of God, which is called the Three-Handed. Over the years, many pilgrims visit it, like many other male monasteries of Crimea.
There is no documentary evidence regarding the foundation of this Orthodox shrine and its first ten years of existence. There is a legend according to which the appearance of the monastery is associated with the Monk Sergius of Radonezh, who came in 1386 to the city of Ryazan. The purpose of his arrival was the reconciliation of the Moscow and Ryazan Grand Dukes, namely Dmitry Donskoy and Prince Oleg.
There are other versions that are not supported by chronicles, according to one of which the Holy Trinity Monastery was created by Ryazan Bishop Arseny I in 1208, during the reign of Prince Roman Glebovich, as one of the fortifications erected around the perimeter of Pereyaslavl - Ryazansky.
Chronological data
Like many Orthodox monasteries, it has its own unique history. This shrine was repeatedly ruined during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. This was witnessed in the documents of the Temple of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity from 1595-1597 and 1628-1629.
In 1695, stolnik I.I. Verderevsky erects a stone church on the site of a wooden monastery in the name of the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity, which later, more precisely, in 1697, is referred to as the Church of St. John the Baptist. Then he builds a bell tower in three tiers with a large gate for entry. Creates a stone fence, consisting of five corner towers, as well as various buildings of residential and household type.
Further, in 1752, at the expense of the grandson of I.I. Verderevsky, a stone Sergievsky temple was erected. Then followed the deprivation of the status of a monastery. This happened on April 23, 1919. Later, namely in 1934, the main structures of the shrine were transferred to the continuous use of the tractor workshop. Then they were operated by a locomotive depot, a driving school and an automobile equipment factory.
The year 1987 was marked by the decision of the executive committee of the city of Ryazan to recreate a monument of architecture and history of the previously existing Orthodox shrines such as the Trinity Monastery and perpetuate the memory of the great architect M.F. Kazakov.
Since the beginning of 1994, the restoration of the St. Sergius Church has been taking place, and on December 17, 1995 the consecration of its Baptist chapel is carried out. Then, on December 22, 1995, the Holy Synod decides on the revival of the monastery in question. The main Sergievsky chapel was consecrated on April 8, 1996. And November 27, 1997 - Feodorovsky chapel.
What does this Orthodox shrine offer pilgrims today?
A comfortable hotel is always available for those wishing to visit the Holy Trinity Monastery, in which you can share a meal and, in accordance with the possibilities, stay for the night. Pilgrims are invited to visit the current library, which has more than 1,400 books. In particular, there are texts of the Holy Scriptures, liturgical literature, creations of the Holy Fathers, periodicals and many other books of spiritual and instructive reading.
Revived Transfiguration Monastery
One of the first references to this Saratov monastery dates back to the middle of the 17th century, the so-called left-bank era in the history of the city. After the devastating fire that occurred on June 21, 1811, the old Orthodox shrine, located at that time near the Falcon Mountain, completely burned down. In 1812, in connection with the Patriotic War and the post-war devastation, the reconstruction of the monastery buildings was suspended.
Further, by order of Emperor Alexander I, in the period dated 1914, the previously indicated shrine was allocated a new location outside the city, more precisely, at the foot of the Lysa Gora. Currently, there is a street called Prospect 50 years of October.
The construction of the monastery complex, namely two buildings for the residence of the brethren and the Cathedral Church in the name of the Transfiguration, began in 1816 according to the project of the famous architect Luigi Ruska.
In 1820, the monastery was consecrated. Then, in 1904, according to the project of architects P.M. Zybin and V.N. Karpenko, a bell tower was built at the main church with funds from a donation from the founders of the Saratov circus - the Nikitins brothers. In the early 30s, the monastery cathedral and a number of its buildings were dismantled, the bell tower was demolished.
St. Nicholas Monastery of the ancient city of Rylsk
At the confluence of the Seym and the Snout, the above-mentioned Orthodox shrine was erected in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. As for the area, it is very picturesque. The monastery’s buildings are located on a steep lake, that is, a hill, which has a steep eastern slope extending to a river called Volynka. You can also admire the spread of the plain, sometimes diluted with oak forests and meadows, which, in turn, are delimited by the winding River Seym and numerous lakes. On the north side of the monastery is a picturesque chain of hills covered with forests. They have steep white slopes, called the Cretaceous Viskol Mountains.
Chronicles
In these records, mention is made of the miraculous help provided by St. John to the city of Rylsk in difficult times for him. In 1240, according to the chronicler, only Rylsk was largely preserved after the Batyev pogrom. The reason was that the residents called on their patron, after which he appeared face on the wall, which blinded the Tatars and thereby saved everyone. Further, in 1502, also the intercession of the saint saved the city from the army of the Golden Horde khan named Ahmet.
Nicholas Monastery, previously called Volyn Desert, was first mentioned in 1505. This period subsequently became the date of its foundation. Then, in 1615, the shrine was burned by the Polish-Lithuanian troops of False Dmitry. And only at the beginning of the XVIII century, on the sites of earlier wooden churches, stone ones were built, in particular, the two-story Nikolsky, the lower temple of which was lit in honor of the venerated icon of the Mother of God, called the Sign of Kursk Root, Holy Cross Exaltation and Trinity.
Schiarchimandrite Ippolit, who was known to the Orthodox world as an old man, who played an important role in the revival of the monastery, compared the structure of churches with the sailing of Nikolai Ugodnik on ships.
Raifa Monastery
It is located 30 km from Kazan. The remarkableness of this place is characterized not only by the magnificent architectural design of the monastery, but also by its very interesting history regarding its foundation.
Monk Filaret decides to donate his inheritance left after his parents died to charity, and devote himself to serving the Lord. To do this, he leaves to study at the Moscow Seminary. Subsequently, Filaret gained popularity as a spiritual mentor. Stormy attention from the parishioners begins to weigh on him, and he sets off on foot to the city of Kazan. During wanderings in impenetrable forests near Smolensk Lake, a sign appears to him. It was an outstretched hand, which pointed to a holy place intended for the construction of the temple. First he built a hut where he lived as a hermit. And so the history of the monastery began, and the sacred place in the people was nicknamed "Raifa", which in translation is interpreted as "God’s stored place." Unfortunately, Filaret did not see a full-fledged building, currently referred to as the Bogoroditsky Monastery.
What does an Orthodox shrine look like today?
It is customary to get up early in a monastery. At half past seven in the morning a bell rings. This indicates that parishioners are invited to morning prayer. The path to the Raifa Monastery is lined with numerous flower beds. To his right is the Cathedral of the Georgian Mother of God. The walls of the monastery are decorated with its icons.
In the center of the monastery square the Trinity Cathedral was built, built at the beginning of the last century. He is one of the unique representatives of architectural excellence regarding how the monasteries of that era were created. There are unusual acoustic features, as a result of which the singing of the church choir rises upward and scatters over a distance of more than three kilometers.
Conclusion
Currently, much effort is being made to revive unique Orthodox traditions and, of course, shrines. First of all, this concerns the reconstruction of churches and monasteries in view of the fact that they are not only institutions helping to satisfy the religious needs of believers, but also spiritual and historical centers that form the foundation of the Russian state.