Krypetsky John the Theologian monastery in the Pskov region was founded in the middle of the 15th century by the monk of Athos S. Krypetskiy. Its beautiful architecture is characteristic of Russian church architecture. This monastery, the history of its construction, architecture and unusual facts will be described in the article.
History of the cloister
The Krypetsky monastery in the Pskov region was founded in 1455 by an Orthodox monk, whose name was Savva Krypetskiy. It is an interesting fact that after his death the Monk Savva began to be revered by the Orthodox as a miracle worker. Krypetskiy was a native of Serbia, with pilgrims he came to Russian lands.
In ancient chronicles and letters, the location of the monastery is defined as: "In the Pskov district, on the Pskov land, in the Torosha Bay or in the Belsky ambush." This monastery was one of the last built in the independent Pskov Republic, since in 1510 Pskov and all the lands adjacent to it were annexed to Moscow.
In 1487, the rights of the newly formed Krypetsk monastery in the Pskov region were officially confirmed at the city council. Prince Yaroslav Obolensky, who was the governor of Pskov, was directly involved in the construction of the monastery. It can be stated with accuracy that the bridge that leads to the gates of the monastery was erected under his leadership.
Monastery in the 16th century
In the Krypetsky monastery of the Pskov region in 1505, the founder of the Nilo-Stolbensky desert, Nil Stolbensky, tonsured monks. After death, he was canonized as a saint. In 1547, according to other sources - in 1557, a stone church was erected in the monastery.
At about the same time, the Monk Pskovsky (Desertification), who founded the Holy Annunciation Nikander Deserts, tonsured the tonsure here. In 1581, one of the units of the Polish king Stephen Batory attacked the monastery . But due to the fact that one Russian peasant managed to deceive the Poles by convincing them that there were no soldiers in the monastery, but only monks, the siege was stopped. After that, the Polish detachment was defeated by Russian soldiers who took refuge in the monastery.
The cloister in the XVII-XIX centuries
In the 17th century, the famous politician and diplomat of that time A. L. Ordin-Nashchokin was tonsured a monk at the Krypetsk monastery in the Pskov region. He is the founder of the regular postal service in Russia.
In the second half of the XVII century, the monastery fell into a decadent state and gradually became empty. But, after several decades, it began to recover little by little. So, in 1764, the monastery already had 366 peasant souls. In the same year, the monastery was declared non-staff (that is, being in its own custody). In 1805, the monastery was assigned the third class.
In the XIX century, the monastery was often visited by Metropolitan Eugene, later he composed a description of the monastery. For the Metropolitan, the refectory was converted into impeccable chambers. The fifth tier was completed on the bell tower, and also a chapel was created in the name of the Fifth Martyrs in the basement of St. John the Theological Church.
Monastery in the 20th century
At the beginning of the 20th century, the blessed monk Kornilii lived in the Krypetsk monastery in the Pskov region, who later became widely known for his holy life and prophecies. He predicted that the monastery would be destroyed.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this monastery was considered one of the richest in the Russian Empire. The monastery had 40 monks and 21 novices. The land of the monastery exceeded 3600 acres (about 3950 ha) of land.
In 1918 the monastery was closed, and four years later all things of any value were taken out of it (some were stolen). In 1923, all services were terminated in the cathedral.
In 1958, a wooden church with a carved iconostasis was erected over the burial place of St. Cornelius. However, after four months it was dismantled and burned. After some time, the threat of the complete destruction of all the monastery buildings arose, but thanks to scientists, this was avoided.
In the second half of 1960, the Krypetsk monastery in the Pskov region was declared a historical monument of architecture and taken under state protection. Exactly 30 years later, the cloister was transferred to the ROC. Reconstruction and restoration work was carried out, and monastic life resumed in the monastery itself.
Description of the monastery
On the territory of the monastery is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, built in the traditional Russian style of temple architecture. Next to it is the Assumption Church with a bell tower. They are connected by a gallery-transition, which has its own belfry.
Near the monastery is the Holy Lake, in the center of which is installed the Poklonnaya Cross. It is believed that the water in the lake during the great Christian holidays acquires miraculous power.
On the territory of the monastery is a hotel for pilgrims and tourists, there are also buildings for household purposes. Not far from the monastery is a monastery cemetery.
In the monastery churches the interior was restored, the walls are decorated with various icons.
Krypetsky monastery in the Pskov region: how to get there
The monastery from Pskov can be reached by car on the road number 58K-459 (Tupitsy-Krypetsky Monastery), following the road signs. The average trip takes about 40 minutes.
You can also take bus number 114, but keep in mind that you will not get to the monastery, but to the village of Tupitsa. Then you have to walk about 14 kilometers.
Address of the Krypetsky monastery: Pskov region, Toroshinsky volost. In Pskov near the monastery there is a courtyard, which is located on the street. M. Gorky, d. 5-a.
Of course, Pskov is a real treasury of historical and architectural masterpieces. Once in these parts and visiting numerous sights, you should definitely come to the Krypetsk monastery, where you will feel real grace and peace.