Male stauropegic Valaam Monastery on the island of Valaam archipelago, attracts many pilgrims wishing to touch the shrines of Orthodoxy.Amazing rare natural beauty, peace and remoteness from the madding crowd leave an unforgettable impression on all visitors to this holy place.
history
founding of the monastery in the northern part of Lake Ladoga (Karelia) is an archipelago, with about 50 islands, covering an area of about 36 square meters.km.The biggest of them is the majestic island of Valaam.The nature of this area has an amazing and unique beauty, affecting all visitors to the island.But it attracted to this wonderful place not only this.Indescribable holiness of this place is a major incentive for tourists wishing to visit the monastery.
most historians tend to date - in 1329, suggesting that in this year was organized by the holy abode.Valaam Monastery was repeatedly subjected to fire and destruction, as a result were lost record, reflecting the historical data on the organization of monastic life in this place.As a result, today there are three versions of the origin of the Valaam monastery associated with the emergence of two monks on the island: the Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam, common here Orthodox faith and lay the foundations of monasticism.
- According to monastic tradition, reflected in the texts of liturgical books in the X century on the island came two Greek monk (Sergius and Herman) with the mission to educate the pagan Russia.Staying on the island, they founded a monastery and adopted the Christian faith in these parts.
- Another version suggests that Serge was a disciple of St. Andrew, visited and blessed in the I century, these holy places, anticipating the development of Christianity here.Sergius of Valaam with his pupil Herman struggled on Valaam, laying here fertile ground for the spread of Christianity.
- According to Sophia as a scroll written historical sources, in the XIV century on the island of monks first settled wishing to renounce worldly things and to make the Christian feat at this place.Reverend Fathers - Sergius and Herman, Valaam wonder-workers came to the land, beginning with his Transfiguration monastery on Valaam Island.Monks contributed to the approval of Orthodoxy in Karelia land, defending the true religion of militancy and violent impact of Catholics Swedish.Venerable monks Sergius and Herman founded in 1329 on the island of Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery with the hostel, which was originally became crowded because of the spiritual power and wisdom of its founders.
heyday monastery
greatest fame came to the monastery only in the XV-XVI centuries.During this period, there were up to 600 inhabitants.Monks of the Valaam Monastery worked hard and performed the feat of prayer in the walls of monasteries and monastic cells.Thus, the monastery gradually gained worldwide fame, attracting many of the faithful pilgrims.
Abode is located directly on the border between Russia and Sweden, because of what was repeatedly subjected to raids and devastation.Because of regular attacks took many monks martyred by the militants of the Gentiles, others monks fled without providing armed resistance.
At the beginning of XVII century the monastery was completely ruined and destroyed, and the land of the archipelago moved into the possession of Sweden.Only after 100 years, as a result of the Great Northern War, Peter I, Balaam returns to home port.In 1715, the emperor issued a decree for the restoration of the monastery and the construction of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Charter monastery
In the XVIII century, thanks to the diligence of Abbot Nazaire, in the monastery was passed Strict Charter abode (a sample was taken statute Sarov).Chin regulate all aspects of life of inhabitants, assuming three types of monastic life: a hermit, and coenobitic Skete.Hermitages located on different islands of the archipelago, giving the brothers the opportunity to contend earnestly to remove.When abbot Nazaria stone construction was started on the island: the Peter and Paul was rebuilt Gate Church (1805) and Marian hospital church "Life-giving source."In addition, the bell tower was erected 72 meters.
Abode in the XIX century
Valaam Transfiguration Monastery reached the zenith to the XIX century.During this period it was built many monuments that have survived to the present day.In 1839, at the head of the monastery he was the abbot of Damascus, stayed in this position 42 years.He was instrumental in the improvement of the construction on the island, employing only professional architects.
In the same century, thanks to the students Paisija Velichkovskog, was revived an ancient tradition of the elders, intended for spiritual help and guidance to beginners monks.Many pilgrims, trying to get advice, prayers and blessings from the holy people came to the monastery from a distance.
aristocracy often visited the monastery's shrines and temples.The members of the imperial family regularly came to the island, hoping to relax the soul from the madding crowd.Many famous poets, composers, scientists, writers and artists also sought to go on Valaam.
Soviet period
From 1811 to 1917 Valaam Archipelago was part of the Russian Empire, Grand Duchy of Finland.Due to the fact that after the October Revolution, Balaam walked into the independent state of Finland, church buildings are not subjected to mass extermination by Soviet authorities as preserved historical buildings.
As a result, the Soviet-Finnish War, the island passed into the possession of the Soviet Union.Fleeing from the political and ideological persecution, the monks were forced to leave the monastery, having moved to Finland.Here, in a new place, they founded the New Valaam Monastery, preserving traditions.The deserted building of the former Valaam monastery was used by the Soviet power for civilian purposes.From 1950 to 1984 in the former monastery building housed Valaam house disabled war veterans.
Renaissance monastery
In 1989, on the eve of the feast of St. Andrew on Valaam was revived monastic life.In 1991, the monastery received the status Stavropegic.Was appointed abbot of the monastery Pankraty (Zherdev), Bishop of Trinity.Today Valaam Monastery has approximately 160 monks also revived skete life - for a short period have been restored 10 monasteries.In 2008 it was built a new, St. Vladimir's monastery, which houses the patriarchal residence, museum and icon-painting workshop.
Pilgrimage tours to Valaam
Pilgrimage Service of the Valaam Monastery is organizing one-day and multi-day trips to the island with accommodation and hotel accommodation.Orthodox Christians, pilgrimage, can participate in the daily round of monastic worship and venerate the Christian shrines.We also offer sightseeing trips around the island to familiarize visitors with the nature, history, architecture and shrines Balaam.
Shrine Balaam
Many Orthodox Christians tend to visit Valaam Monastery, the spiritual northern corner of Russia, with the aim to touch the holy places and to see the beauty of the original nature.One of the most visited places on Valaam is the Savior Transfiguration Monastery.Construction of the cathedral began in 1887 and the consecration took place only in 1896 th.During the Soviet era the building was partially deprived of certain architectural decisions.The ground floor of the cathedral was consecrated in honor of St. Sergius and Herman of Valaam, and the top - in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Believers Orthodox pilgrims tend to venerate the relics of the monastery founders - saints Venerable Fathers Sergius and Herman of Valaam.Cancer is the shrine in the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral.
One of the most revered shrines of the monastery is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (Valaam), written by a monk Alypy in 1878.Another miraculous icon of the monastery - the icon of the Holy Righteous Anna, matriarch of Christ, is a list with the original Mount Athos and has wonderful healing properties of infertility.
Choir of the Valaam Monastery
the blessing of the Lord Pancras, Bishop of the Holy Trinity, organized a gala concert choir of the Valaam monastery.Regent and choir director Alexei Zhukov is the Honored Artist of the Republic of Karelia.Soloists of the team, qualified conductors and singers demonstrate professional excellence of execution.Every year, the choir participates in the Patriarchal service Valaam Monastery is the winner of many choral competitions in Russia and abroad.
Besides the concert ended, there is a chorus of Valaam Monastery, which is a traditional performer znamennyh various chants.The choir under the direction of ierodyakona German (Ryabtsev) is involved in the services, as well as conducts concert activity, providing numerous recordings unison or polyphonic works of ancient art.This vocal group has peculiar manner of performance - pure, precise operation, excellent ensemble, deep penetration and intimacy.
The repertoire of the choir many different church liturgical chants, as a sign of chant and works of authorship.Valaam monastery is actively cooperating with the department of ancient Russian singing the St. Petersburg Conservatory.Teachers have a tremendous help in the study of ancient Rus znamenny singing.
Psalms
Valaam Monastery is known for its educational activities.In 2000, with the blessing of Abbot was made a studio recording of the Psalms of King David.Reading Psalms lasts more than five hours, punctuated by a choral performance of certain prayers.Psalms Valaam Monastery is very popular not only among the Orthodox Christian believers, but also for anyone interested in reading the liturgical tradition of the Church.
Podvorja
Valaam Monastery courtyard of the monastery is a community, it can be in any city in the patriarchy, thus is in charge of the monastery and it is subject to the ruling bishop.Holy-Transfiguration Valaam Monastery has 4 monastery:
- Compound Valaam Monastery, located in St. Petersburg, located at Narva pr., D. 1 / Old-Peterhof pr. 29.
- Valaam Monastery - Moscow: Addressmonastery - st.2nd Tverskaya-house 52.
- In the city Priozersk farmstead is located at ul.Pushkin House 17.
- The Republic of Karelia is located in the courtyard of Sortavala region, Krasnaya Gorka, St. Nicholas Church.
