New Athos as if hiding from prying eyes in the river gorge Psyrha, near Sukhumi, Abkhazia's resort town.Pure sea air, thick forests and ancient history attracted numerous travelers in this region.
Alley slender cypress trees, majestic cathedral with blue domes, shell-monks of the monastery, the green man-made gardens and boundless sea - thus appears today before admiring travelers Monastery in New Athos (Abkhazia).
Start monastery complex
history of Orthodox monastery began in the late XIX century, when from the royal treasury was donated to the monks of Russian monastery in Greece a considerable amount of money and vast territory.Land was notorious, because here in the I century killed Simon the Zealot, a Christian missionary in the Caucasus.Yes, and the mountain itself in their appearance reminiscent of the Greek Mount Athos.
architect Nikonov created a project in which the monks a year later began building the monastery.Primordial mountainous area was remote and hard to master, the monks took a lot of time and effort to clear the territory.It was necessary to fill the abyss, to ennoble the soil, the ground leveled for construction.The monastery consists of the upper and lower parts.Thanks to the incredible efforts of the monks in 1884 was already a temple of the Protection of the Mother of God, a shelter for pilgrims, outbuildings, and the pride of the complex - a school for boys.The building of the monastery was finished top.Only in 1911 he gained the upper part of his New Athos (Abkhazia).
monastery stands out among other similar abodes its grandeur and is truly a work of art.In the northwest of the monastery bell tower is 50 meters high, which is nestled under the refectory, a hospital and a laundry service.The complex of the monastery consists of several temples: the temple in honor of the "deliverer" Mother of God, in the name of Martyr Hieron, in honor of the holy fathers Athos, Church of St. Andrew and the Church of the Ascension.Cathedral of the Great Martyr Panteleimon is the most important and impressive building in the territory of the monastery.The walls of the churches, including the dining room, decorated with frescoes.
Abkhazia.New Athos (monastery) - the largest center of Orthodoxy
Friary of St. Simon the Zealot became a center of Orthodoxy in the territory of the Black Sea coast.The number of pilgrims annually visit the monastery, in the thousands.Among them were distinguished guests: Duke Mikhail Romanov, Tsar Nicholas II, writer Maxim Gorky and Anton Chehov.Monahi lot of work invested in the development of the monastery and the County as a whole.It was built a pier for passengers and cargo, hydroelectric, private railway with steam locomotive, donated by Alexander III.The monastery operated several factories for the production of candles, oil, bricks, open craft workshops.In the gardens of the carefully cultivated land grew familiar fruits and never before mandarins, olives, lemons and oranges.They had their own apiary, a winery and a stud farm.Abkhazia New Athos Monastery - the first associations arising from any Orthodox believer of the Caucasus.The scope and impact of the monastery were truly grandiose.
controversial XX century
With the advent of Soviet power to the monastic cloister began challenging times.For seven years, the monks bravely tried to defend the complex, but in 1924, he still was closed for counter-revolutionary propaganda.In the years of the Soviet period the monastery was used as a warehouse, tourist center or military hospital.
only in the late 90-ies of XX century Abkhazia New Athos (monastery, in particular) began to rise from his knees.Within the walls of the complex began worship sounded male choir and church music, church revived economy.In 2001, the school opened and Regent School.Until now undergoing renovation and restoration work, as construction of the monastery complex suffered greatly without the sensitive leadership of the monks.
invariably attracts pilgrims and tourists ancient Abkhazia.New Athos (monastery) - a unique world heritage of Orthodox Christianity, to touch the shrines which strives every believer.
Pilgrimage male monastery is open daily, except Monday, from 12 am to 18 pm.
