In Mother Russia there are many holy places where thousands of pilgrims, believers and afflicted people flock to - in search of spiritual purification, deliverance from bodily ailments, moral enlightenment, and simply to familiarize oneself with spiritual beauty. One of such centers, “places of power”, is rightfully considered a man’s monastery in the Perm Territory, for the severity of the charter and the sanctity of ministry, popularly called “Athos of the Urals”.
Travel to the Urals
So, let's go to the White Mountain, which long after the onset of spring flaunts with its lush snow cap among the other peaks of the Ural Ridge. By the way, hence the name of the spins! The natural complex is located about 120 km from the regional city of Perm. It was here that the Belogorsky monastery was once built. Perm Territory - beautiful places, with amazing nature, harsh and simple at the same time. She is also unpretentious and majestic, like the people who have inhabited these places since ancient times and who live here now. And the holy monastery, called St. Nicholas, organically fits its architecture into the surrounding landscape. By type of activity, it belongs to the spiritual missionary institutions. And 40 km from the parish there is a small town Kungur. Thus, the main attraction of the surroundings is the Belogorsky Monastery. Perm Territory can no longer be imagined without it.
History tour
The Urals has long been a multinational area. Europe and Asia are united here, giving rise to unique climatic conditions. The dense forests rich in game, lakes rich in fish, the earth's bowels with deposits of natural minerals made this area more than attractive for a variety of peoples - both the indigenous people who lived here from time immemorial, and the immigrants who came here in search of a better life or fled from cruel landowners. Bashkirs, Mongols, Tatars, Kazakhs coexisted with Mansi, Komi, Udmurts, Khanty. Russian-Kazakh steppes and mountains have become the focus of many unique cultures, customs, traditions. For example, in the 18th century the Old Believers hid from persecution, creating their own monastery-settlements. Then the Belogorsky Monastery was not yet built here, the Perm Territory did not differ in this from other semi-wild provinces of Russia.
Monastery Bookmark
1891 is a memorable year for these places. Tsesarevich Nikolai Alekseevich was 22 years old when he decided to go on an “eastern” journey in order to increase his level of knowledge and become better acquainted with the state systems of other countries. In Japan, an attempt was made on him, several blows with sabers almost became fatal. In honor of his deliverance from danger and recovery on the White Mountain, a huge ten-meter cross, the “Tsar’s”, was first established. Then the highest ranks of the Orthodox Church, it was decided to build on this eminence Belogorsky monastery. The Perm Territory, therefore, twice went down in history, which had a beneficial effect on these places. The “character” of the monastery was immediately determined: missionary, that is, with elements of charity, a male parish called St. Nicholas.
Start of construction
A solemn prayer service and lighting of the construction site took place in 1893, on June 18. The layout of the site on White Mountain, plans and drawings - everything was prepared in advance. In 1894, the Belogorsky monastery had already begun to work, since the temple had already been completely rebuilt, although it was still wooden. Then work continued on the buildings where the monks were supposed to be placed, various utility rooms, the rector’s room, etc. They also opened a school for orphans, in which 25 boys lived and received education. An interesting detail: Belogorsky monastery was located on its own support. The monks, mastering the peasant skills (and many were familiar from childhood), plowed and sowed, gardened, raised livestock and poultry, engaged in fishing and storing. Carrying out the Christian duty, they gratuitously helped the surrounding population with groceries. In the lean years of many people saved the monastery bread!
Fatal minutes
They did not pass over the house of God. Although there were moments of true triumph. For example, in September 1897, a long procession in the cross, in which not only the Orthodox clergy took part, but also thousands of pilgrims, 5 miraculous icons were delivered to the Belogorsky Monastery (Perm) to strengthen the spirit of believers in the name of glorification of the Lord. Solemn grateful services and prayers were held throughout the district. And then the fate of many wooden buildings befell the main temple and buildings: from a sudden fire, they all burned out almost to the ground. The drama happened literally three years after the opening. And after 4 years, during the revelry of the elements, the Tsar’s Cross tumbled down with a storm of wind. They restored it with the whole world, with society. Merchants were especially helpful. The
symbol of faith was demolished in 1918, with the establishment of Soviet power in the Urals.
The second life of the monastery
Not only the cross, but the monastery itself wanted to restore the people. What did Belogorsky Monastery look like before the fire? Photos, alas, were not preserved. There are only recorded memoirs of contemporaries.
And again, funds began to be raised. A huge number of people took part in the donations. Contributions were from ordinary parishioners - poor bourgeois and peasantry. Eminent residents of Perm and Kungur, industrialists, merchants, various patrons of art, artists and artists of the region, neighboring clergy and metropolitan churches - no one was left behind from a good deed. And a lot of money was required, because it was planned to erect a solid stone building, which would not be afraid of fires, storms and other cataclysms.
The laying of a new cathedral, Holy Cross Exaltation, therefore took place soon, only in 1902. With God's help, it was built for almost a decade and a half, the architecture reflects the strict classical Byzantine style. Among the builders were primarily monks: they made bricks, laid masonry. The new building, beautiful in its strict greatness, accommodated 8 thousand believers. Among the spiritual cloisters of local importance operating at that time, the largest was the Belogorsky Monastery (Perm Territory, photos are attached). At the great celebration of the opening and consecration of the building, there were about 30 thousand parishioners and pilgrims. It happened in the summer of 1917. It seemed that the monastery was waiting for many years of service to the bright, good, divine.
Revolution, repression, war
However, history makes its own adjustments to human plans. So the monastery, in order to truly become a hotbed of spirituality and true faith, had to endure a lot in its lifetime. During revolutionary battles and battles of the civil war, the monastery was repeatedly plundered and desecrated. Representatives of the leading clergy led by archimandrite Varlaam, as well as almost all ordinary monks, were brutally tortured, drowned in Kama, or shot. The school for orphans, of course, was closed. Since 1923, the desecrated house of God was used for the dungeons of the Cheka, the police. And since 1930, a camp was opened here, where repressed and special settlers were held. A year later, the building was adapted for the House of Disabled. Then various medical social institutions were located here: during the Great Patriotic War - a rehabilitation center for the wounded and disabled WWII, work and childhood, in which people were kept in conditions very far from civilized. Well, in 1980, Belogorye flared up again. On the cathedral even the domes burned out.
Holy place
Yes, a popular proverb is right when it says that a holy place will not be empty. And during the perestroika period, when the reappraisal of values took place, not only forgotten or crossed out names of figures of literature, music, painting, undeservedly forgotten works of art, but also cult centers were returned to Russian culture. So the Belogorsky monastery, or rather, all that was left of it, again went to the department of the Orthodox Church. A major role in this important event was played by the solemn celebration of the day of the baptism of Russia. The necessary amounts were allocated from the central and regional budget. And again
restoration and restoration work began both in all the buildings of the monastery, and in the main attraction of the complex - Holy Cross Cathedral. There is a silver lining - thanks to modern technology, a natural spring with healing water was discovered on the monastery’s territory, which made these places even more famous and popular.
Daily routine and service
For those wishing to visit the Belogorsky monastery, opening hours do not play a special role. It is open for pilgrims around the clock: they will arrange you for the night, feed, try to do everything conveniently and very unobtrusively. Of course, there are guided tours. If you want to attend special services in the Belogorsky Monastery, his opening hours are as follows: every Saturday in the church from 14-00 to 15-00 hours prayers are held in front of the ark, where particles of the relics of St. Panteleimon, the healer, are held. Services are held in the name of the afflicted and sick, burdened with various bodily ailments. These relics were delivered to the monastery from St. Athos (Greece) back in 1907 and saved by people devoted to God through all the vicissitudes of history and personal destinies. When the St. Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery (see photo in the article) began to be restored, the ark of the faithful returned the monastery. Further, with regard to special services - on Mondays, from half past four in the evening until five, water-sanctuaries take place, from 5 p.m. - Vigil; Tuesdays and Wednesdays - morning divine liturgies.
Address and route
And again, information for those wishing to visit the Belogorsky monastery: how to get to it. The exact address of the monastery is the Perm region, the Kungursky district, the village of Kalinino. Motorway (for those traveling on their own) Yekaterinburg-Perm. Look carefully at the signs, turn on time to Kalinino. You can use the buses.