Russian Athos called the southern neighborhood of ancient Kiev.It was here the first time since the height of the hills, lest the light of the Christian faith brought by the Apostle Andrew.Here in 1071 there was a church of God, erected a native grandson of Baptist of Rus Prince Vladimir - Vsevolod Yaroslavovich.Loved Prince hunt in these places, because this area and called menagerie.But the real fame came to her much later when announced hills ringing their bells built here Jonah Monastery.
first settlers in the holy place
in 1860 found refuge here Vydubitsky monk monastery - Ion.The fame of his humble and righteous life soon spread through the surrounding villages, and became known in Kyiv.Since then he reached for his endless stream of pilgrims.No one refused to help the pious priest.This helped wise counsel, and to whom and fervent prayer.Many people, after visiting an old man walked under his spiritual guidance.
soon joined him two more monk - Hilarion and Gabriel.Three of them lived, prayed to God, helping people coming who could.It preserved the tradition that was granted to the elder Jonah twice behold the Blessed Virgin, from employment here with a host of saints bless this place and then commanded to raise up a holy abode.
Later, when to settle here the Holy Trinity Monastery of St. Jonas, the miraculous appearance of the Queen of Heaven was like a church built on the spot where there were traces of snow on her feet.Not surprisingly, this monastery became over time one of the centers of the spiritual life of the country, because it was built with the blessing of the Mother of God.
But before we lifted up to the sky dome of its temples Jonah Monastery, took a lot of time and effort to its creators.Despite all the charitable deeds of this too turned out to be zealous in his opponents, and among officials, and even among the clergy.So I had my father Jonah restrict construction of a small monastery in the Vydubychi monastery.
pious benefactress
But the Holy Mother of God not only blessed the creation of the monastery, but sent down to help this good cause.To do this, she chose the wife of the Kiev governor-general Vasilchikov Duchess Catherine, who was the spiritual daughter of the elder Jonah.The pious woman was the generous benefactress.For the needs of the future monastery, she wrote to a dedication of a country estate, and in addition to her a large sum of money.
But this has not stopped benefactress.According to the laws of those years, for the establishment of the monastery it was necessary imperial decree, and Vasilchikova went to St. Petersburg.It should be noted that she was a powerful ally - Moscow Metropolitan Filaret.This distinguished religious figure went down in history of Russian Orthodoxy as the most intelligent and educated people of his time.
Miracle influence the will of the emperor
However, the idea of creating a new monastery was greeted coldly, both among the senior clergy, and in the aristocratic salons of the capital.Does not want to join anyone in the altercation, Alexander II postponed a decision on the issue indefinitely.And then a miracle happened, for good reason holy Mother of God sanctified their occurrence slopes Kiev hills.
Failure in establishing the monastery was declared a sovereign on the eve of the day when you exit the Summer Garden it was attempted suicide Karakozov.Only through sheer luck and more correctly - the Providence of God, the emperor remained unharmed.Seeing in this decree from above, he immediately changed his mind.Thanks to this miracle, and graced the Christian world a new abode, later dubbed Jonah Monastery.The construction of the monastery
When all formalities were settled, the construction of the monastery.A characteristic feature - were primarily built a hospital, an orphanage and a school.And only after that brothers attended a private arrangement - construction of residential cells.So actually performed once the commandments of Christ.In 1871 a stone church was built.
Its main altar was consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity, and lateral limits: one in honor of Our Lady Mother of Three Hands, and the other - in the name of all the saints.Now commonly used name of the monastery of St. Jonah appeared only after the elder blessed death, and then the monastery was called the Holy Trinity.
spiritual and economic life of the monastery
Over time, the monastery is widely developed economic life.Various workshops were set up for the manufacture of church utensils for their own use and for sale.In addition, among the monks there were skilled carpenters, coopers, blacksmiths and other artisans people who carry out orders of Kiev.This fishery, as well as the abundant donations of parishioners provide inhabitants of the monastery everything necessary for life and prayer ministry.In fact, many local residents, the employment in the monastery economy, thereby acquire a livelihood.
But the important thing is famous Jonah Monastery today and that made his fame during the life of the Rev. Jonah is endless spiritual writings of the brethren.The holy elder in conversations with the monks the monastery likened shovel, rake which the Almighty from the hellish darkness of human souls.Influence same abbot extends far beyond the walls of the monastery.This was the result of his activities in the field of elders - the highest monastic life.
woes which befell the monastery after the revolution
came to power, the Bolsheviks began for the monastery hard times.In 1918, the planned extensive construction work at the site where the Holy Trinity Monastery of St. Jonas.To implement the project involves the demolition of the monastery buildings.But, as in previous years, saved the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary - on the site of the future work of the earth collapses occurred due to the presence throughout the underground galleries.The plot is found to be unsuitable for construction, the monastery was saved.
Before the revolution in the territory occupied by Trinity Monastery of St. Jonas, was undertaken the construction of the tallest bell tower in Russia.The height of it was to reach the 110 meters.But in the first year after the revolution is not yet complete building was destroyed by an explosion.Of course, the restoration of her speech could not be.Soon after the repression of the inhabitants of the monastery.He was sent to jail Archimandrite Filaret.The deserted monastery premises for many years used the new power for commercial purposes.
In the short period from 1942 to 1949 the monastic life was restored, but then for a long forty years again interrupted.Some monks have become inhabitants of other monasteries, while others were forced into hiding to escape the persecution of the atheist regime.
Renaissance cloister
And only with the advent of perestroika began his revival of Jonah Monastery.The service, which for many years was not carried out within its walls, finally became a reality of modern times.And although the church building was closed, it was carried out directly on the porch.Jonah Monastery Choir sang in the open air and in the rain, and in the dead of winter.Great work on the restoration of the monastery lies behind the monks and laity.Now the temple to its original beauty beauty amazes the eye wall paintings and decorative design.
As in previous years, opened its doors to all comers, and Sunday school, and courses of catechesis, and many more useful and necessary institution.Particular attention is paid to work with young people.Junior Jonah monastery (as it is called here) - a spiritual conversation over a cup of tea held every week.Their importance in the Christian education of young people can not be overestimated.
Monastery awaits its guests
Under its hospitable roof pleased to accept people of all ages revived Jonah Monastery.How to get it?You can use the trolley bus or taxi №14.They go straight from the Kiev railway station.The destination will be the final stop - "Botanical Garden".If you get their own transport, the route is easy to tell you the scheme of urban highways.
