The Trinity Kholkovsky Monastery is located in the Belgorod Region in the Chernyansky District, near the village of Kholki. This is the only cave monastery in the Belgorod region, which is currently operating. We will talk about this unique Christian complex, the history of its appearance and features in this article.
The history of the monastery
According to legend, the Kholkovsky monastery is located exactly on the spot where Prince Igor Svyatoslavich and his brother Vsevolod met before setting off on a campaign against the Polovtsy in 1185. Quite a lot of scientists support this hypothesis, since there is evidence for this.
Kholkovsky Trinity Monastery is mentioned for the first time in the annals of 1620. It is described as a terrestrial, having a wooden temple, but rebuilt later and consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Later it was called Nikolsky, and then Holy Trotsky. The first rector of the monastery was Father Gelasius.
Monastery Extension
In the middle of the XVII century, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich granted the rector of the Kholkovsky monastery a letter, according to which the monastery has the right to own a mill erected by the monks, without paying a rent.
The monastery has long been known for its underground temple and caves that were hollowed out in chalk rock. However, there is no information about exactly who created these caves. It is not known whether the monks knocked them out, or whether they already existed before the foundation of the monastery. The only thing all researchers agree on is that the caves were created to live in them.
Due to the fact that the Russian lands were periodically attacked by the Tatars, on the highest hill next to the monastery in 1666 a “sign guard” was erected. It served to monitor the surroundings and the Belgorod defensive line.
The monastery in the XVII-XVIII centuries
In 1757, a wooden chapel was erected in front of the cave. Later it was significantly expanded and a gate church was made of it. Seven years later, following the manifesto on the seizure of monastic lands, signed by Catherine II, the Kholkovsky monastery was abolished.
Since 1764, all services for the remaining parishioners began to be carried out in the Intercession Church, which remained from the monastery. This church was above ground, and the lower cave temple was abandoned.
The main temple of the monastery - Transfiguration - shortly before the abolition of the monastery was dismantled for its reconstruction in a new place. However, it was not possible to restore it. At the beginning of the XIX century, Prince A.B. Golitsyn, at his own expense, made an attempt to restore the Kholkovsky monastery (primarily the cave temple and the caves themselves), but he did not succeed.
Monastery in the 20th century
In the period from 1890 to 1920, a new cave appears on the territory of the semi-abandoned monastery, which today is called the "cave of the old man Nikita." It was carved in chalk by a native of these places, hermit Nikita Bychkov.
In Soviet times, the monastery was abandoned and fell into complete decline. It was only in 1990 that they began to show great interest in showered caves. An interesting fact: the first person to do this was a former employee of the district committee who quit his job and arrived with the clear goal of restoring the Kholkovsky monastery in the Belgorod region.
Together with his friends, he began to dismantle cave blockages. Gradually, other enthusiasts began to join this small group of people, which made it possible to sort out the rubble in record time. So, after only three months, the caves and the temple were completely liberated from the crumbling rock. On the Orthodox holiday of the Protection of the Virgin, the Kholkovsky caves were solemnly opened to visitors.
Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, the historical monument was saved, moreover, it became one of the branches of the regional museum of local lore, therefore, it was taken under state protection. After a short period of time, excursions began to be organized in these places.
Holy Trinity Kholkovsky Monastery. Withers
As a monastery, this monument began its revival in 1995, when divine services were again held in the cave church. Two years later, new churches of the reviving monastery are being laid - this is the church of the Monks of Kiev Pechersk Anthony and Theodosius, the church in the name of the Don Icon of the Mother of God, as well as the chapel of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, who baptized Russia.
At the end of December 1998, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a decision on the official restoration of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Currently, the monastery is active, the cave temple and cells have been restored almost intact. Divine services are also held in elevated temples, which were built recently.
Carved iconostases are installed in the churches of the monastery, there are scriptures of various saints. Unfortunately, the ancient works of the masters of icon painting have not been preserved, but even those that were transferred to the monastery by other churches delight in their beauty.
Unforgettable experience
Belgorod lands and regions have a rich and long history. Many ancient buildings have been preserved here. Once in these parts and visiting various attractions, you should definitely go to the Kholkovsky monastery.
This unique monastery was able to survive to this day in its original form, which is quite surprising, given its age. Visiting the monastery, you can not only learn, but also better understand how people lived at that time, how difficult it was for them.
This monastery is not only a monument of history and architecture, but also has a kind of energy. Everyone who has been here speaks of the unforgettable impressions that these amazing places gave them.