Several centuries ago, on the Sinai Peninsula, next to the mountain of the same name, an ancient settlement of monks - Raifa - appeared. Historians attribute this unusual name to Hebrew, based on the fact that it was through these places that the path of the "sons of Israel" once passed a long time ago. In the distant IV century, 43 monks lived in the monastic monastery of Rafe. At the same time, the hostile noba tribe moved to the Nile Valley. Once they launched a robbery at the monastery and captured the monks. They scoffed at the elders for a long time, demanding gold. Having received nothing, the barbarians killed 39 monks. Later, all those who died at the hands of criminals were counted as saints. It was from here that the name of the monastery passed to Kazan. The Raifa monastery, whose attractions attract many tourists, originates in ancient times.
Raifa Monastery: a bit of history
Today in Russia there are more than 300 male cloisters. The Raifa Monastery is one of the largest on this list. Its founder is the hermit Filaret, who was tonsured a monk after the death of his parents. He wandered around the cities for a long time until he found shelter in Kazan, in the Transfiguration Monastery. After he built himself a small cell on the lake and began to live there as a hermit. Soon, however, his admirers began to come to Filaret and pray with him. Gradually, more and more people remained on the shore, they built their cells and led an ascetic lifestyle with their ascetic. Over time, they built a chapel where everyone came to the service. After the death of Filaret, a monastery was founded on this blessed place, which they decided to name in honor of the saints who died in Raif. And so the Raif Mother of God Monastery appeared. Kazan from that moment became the site of the holy monastery.
The first monastery buildings were made of wood and completely burned out during a fire in 1689. The destroyed compound was completely restored. Now all the buildings were made of stone and were a magnificent architectural monument in the Baroque style. Shortly before the revolution, about 80 monks and novices lived in the monastery. In difficult revolutionary times, the monastery survived a lot. It was closed. The hieromonk who served there were arrested. Within the walls of the monastery housed a prison, later a juvenile colony. And only in 1991 the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. Today Raifa Monastery (Kazan), photo which is presented below, is an amazing and magnificent structure.
Raifa monastery and modernity
After the revival of the monastery in 1991, about 60 novices live in its walls. The monastic life after the destruction was completely restored. Now there is a shelter for boys in the monastery, a newspaper is being published, the famous church parable “The Parable” is operating. Thousands of tourists rush to visit the city of Kazan. The Raifa Monastery, whose attractions are famous throughout the country, attracts pilgrims and laity. Someone goes here to pray and find peace of mind, while someone is in a hurry to drink water from a
holy spring.
Miracles of the Raifa Monastery
The first tradition associated with the Raifa Monastery is rooted in ancient times, during the time of Hieromonk Filaret, the founder of the monastery. When his followers began to settle around the solitary cell of the hermit, Filaret decided to build a chapel. The legend says that during the construction one of the monks saw the sign of God - he saw the hand of God, stretched out from the thick of clouds. Later, the monks claimed that they had repeatedly heard the ringing of bells. Hieromonk Filaret at that time considered all these visions a good omen.
Another legend is associated with the lake, on the banks of which the monastery was built. It is said that many frogs live in this lake. And when the monks began the prayer, the frogs croaked so loudly that they drowned out the voices of people. Then the novices turned to the Lord to appease the amphibians. Since then, on the shore where services and prayers take place, the frogs are silent. Their croaking is heard only on the opposite side.
Miraculous Georgian Icon of the Mother of God
The miraculous Georgian icon of the Mother of God is another miracle of the monastery. It is believed that this image helps women experience the happiness of motherhood, and also cures the diseases of those who ask. The history of this shrine is rather unusual. In 1622, she was abducted from Georgia by Shah Abbas and sold. Later, the icon was in the hands of the clerk Stefan Lazarev, the clerk of the merchant Yegor Lytkin. One night the merchant had a vision: he saw where this miraculous icon is located. He was ordered to send her to the Krasnogorsk monastery of the Arkhangelsk diocese. Egor Lytkin performed everything, as was told to him in a dream. The icon was already famous for its miraculous properties. Later, the shrine was transported to the Raifa monastery, where it is currently located. Now anyone who believes in its miracles can visit Kazan (Raifa Monastery). The sights of this holy place will not only please the eye, but also help to heal diseases. What else is interesting in the holy monastery?
Raifa Monastery (Kazan): attractions. Reviews
Pilgrims who visited this shrine leave the most favorable reviews about the trip. For them, the “Pilgrim House” was specially built here, where everyone can rent an inexpensive and convenient room for a different number of places. For a nominal fee, you can ride a boat on the lake. And in the local refectory, an inexpensive and satisfying meal.
Surely many would like to make a pilgrimage to holy places at least once in their life. One of such places must be the Raifa Monastery (Kazan). Sights, photos of which you see on the page, will please you, as well as the opportunity to touch the very heart of the shrine.
Sculptures of the Raifa Monastery
Among the novices of the Raifa monastery there are many amazing people. One of them is the artist and sculptor Vladimir Savelyev. For the 10 years that he bears obedience here, the master managed to decorate the entire territory of the monastery with his sculptures. Many people who wish to plunge into the ice hole are going to Epiphany, and magnificent ice figures made by Vladimir Savelyev appear before their eyes. These stunning works of art delight the eye for a long time after the holiday.
Compound of the monastery in Kazan
The compound of the Raifa Monastery is located in Kazan, and in the very center of the city. This secluded green place is separated from the bustling city by a small fence. Before the revolution of 1917, an ordinary parish was located on this site, and only in 1998 a monastery was founded here. On the territory is the chapel of Alexander Nevsky, which recently turned 100 years old. The magnificent beauty of the building and the peace and tranquility that reign inside are amazing. If you go through a chapel and a small garden full of greenery, you will find yourself in a red brick building, where the temple is currently located. Since the restoration of the monastery compound, more and more people come here to order a prayer service or just talk with the head priest of the church.
Raifa monastery. How to get from Kazan
The Raifa Monastery is constantly open to pilgrims and ordinary tourists. The easiest way to get there is on the bus that passes by. During the day, the bus runs several times with an interval of about two hours. You can learn more about these routes from any guidebook. You can also get to the shrine with your own car - paid parking is provided near the monastery.
Those wishing to enjoy the beauty of architecture, to bow before the Miracle-working icon, to drink holy water must visit Kazan, the Raifa Monastery. The sights of this place will conquer everyone, and the trip itself will give peace and tranquility.