With the revival of Christianity in Russia more and more people seek to know the origins, formation of native Orthodox faith, as well as his own eyes see and feel the beauty and power of our spiritual culture.Lipetsk region - a fine example of the development of Orthodoxy in Russia, where after a long spiritual emptiness successfully revived the ancient traditions of the religion.
history of Orthodoxy Lipetsk region
at the Lipetsk ground Orthodoxy came in the days of Kievan Rus.At the turn of the XIV-XV centuries all Upper Don region as a result of permanent Mongol-Tatar raids turned into a wasteland.Only in the middle of the XVI century the Orthodox population here has returned, and with the advent of the clergy and the construction of the first temple began to revive faith.At this time, there Zadonsk Virgin, Donkovsky Pokrovsky, Yelenskyi Trinity Russian Orthodox monasteries.In XVII-XVIII centuries Lipetsk region belonged to the Voronezh and Ryazan diocese, and after, until the events of 1917, its history is connected with Orthodox Orel, Tambov, Tula, Ryazan church district.At the beginning of the twentieth century in the field of modern borders were about five hundred ten monasteries and temples.
After the revolution, during the Bolshevik persecution, most of the temples were destroyed and shrines acquired over the centuries, looted or destroyed.Since then, Orthodoxy at the Lipetsk ground several times revived with the creation of the diocese of Lipetsk in 1926, but the constant repression and persecution of the Church of the clergy led to a complete standstill.Only in the 1980s, when the state's attitude to faith changed, begins a new stage in the development of Christianity.Restored churches and monasteries in the surrounding area of Lipetsk, and actively building new.Then the real jewel was restored Orthodoxy Lipetsk region - Zadonsk Monastery.
monasteries
Lipetsk Lipetsk region is rich in historical places of worship belonging to the Orthodox Church.In the Lipetsk region, there are 9 active monasteries, 281 Parish, 316 churches, 34 chapels, while the number of priests is 365 people.Such spiritual wealth, of course, can not fail to attract pilgrims and tourists.Some people come here hoping for a miraculous cure, while others - for advice or a blessing, others simply admire the monasteries of the Lipetsk region.To satisfy the spiritual needs of those who suffer today can these monastic houses located in this region:
- Zadonsk Monastery Nativity of the Virgin;
- Holy Trinity Zadonsk Tikhon's Monastery;
- Virgin Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery Tyuninsky;
- Zadonsk Tikhon's Monastery of the Transfiguration;
- Eletskii Trinity Monastery;
- Eletskii Znamensky monastery;
- Troekurov Illarionovsky Demetrius Monastery;
- Lebedyansky Trinity Monastery;
- Lipetsk Assumption monastery.
most popular among pilgrims and tourists is deservedly Zadonskaya monasteries.Photos of works of architecture can be seen in this article, schedule of services and the news of the spiritual world can be found on the website of the Diocese of Lipetsk.
Jerusalem
Russian small town Zadonsk is located in a picturesque area 60 kilometers from Lipetsk, on the left bank of the Don, near the federal highway "Rostov-on-Don to Moscow."The settlement arose at Teshevskom (from the river Teshevki) monastery in 1620.Later, in 1779, the settlement became known Zadonsk, and acquired the name of the local monastery of Zadonsk Monastery.Glory "Russian Jerusalem" is also called Zadonsk, associated with Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, came here in 1769 and devoted his life to the revival and establishment of Orthodoxy in this region.In 1861, Tikhon, who gave spirit Zadonsk monasteries, was canonized.The main attractions of Zadonsk district and the city, which has become the largest center of Orthodox Christian faith and spiritual culture - the three existing and one-preserved monastery.
St. Tikhon
future saint and Bishop was born in 1724 in the Novgorod village Korotsko family clerk.The world had a name Tikhon of Zadonsk Timofei Sokolov.His father died early Savely, and given that the family was very poor, in the performance of his son 14 years old, his mother sent him to Novgorod, where Timothy was admitted to the seminary.Show a good knowledge, he was transferred to the state-owned software, and in 1754, after the end of the training course, remained to serve a teacher of rhetoric at the seminary, but more and more attended his thoughts about monasticism.After a mysterious case when Timothy narrowly escaped falling down the stairs, he finally decides to God's service, and in 1758 a haircut as a monk with the name Tikhon.In the same year he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite and appointed rector of the seminary in Tver.
Three years later, the Holy Synod of Bishop Tikhon became Novgorod, and in 1763 received the direction of Voronezh.While Voronezh diocese through hard times: the Don steppe inhabited by a variety of sects and the Old Believers, and among the most educated people often worshiped pagan gods.The case when the bishop learned of the celebrations in honor of the god Yarily in the heart of Voronezh.He personally came to the square and made a speech, from which part of the crowd scattered, and the other part knelt for clemency.After this event, all the pagan celebration ended.Taking care of bringing the Orthodox faith of the population of Voronezh land Tikhon opened new schools, preached and taught his flock to check out the church and clergy.At night he wrote his works devoted to the Orthodox faith.
Eventually Tikhon's health began to deteriorate and he was forced to go into retirement, retiring to the Monastery of Zadonsk and distributing all their possessions.But here, the saint continued to work.He wrote the book "The Treasure of the spiritual, the world is going," "True Christianity," "Letters privately", which later played an important role in the development of Orthodoxy.Tikhon had a unique insight that allowed him to predict a war with France, the fire in St. Petersburg and the end of Napoleon.After 15 years spent in the convent, the saint, stricken with paralysis, took to his bed, but he continued to pray until his last day.
In 1783, Tikhon of Zadonsk died.He was buried in a special crypt under the altar in the Cathedral of Zadonsk Monastery.In 1846, during construction work on the restoration of the temple, it was dismantled stone altar, under which rested Tikhon.Although the vault was destroyed and the time elapsed from the day of the burial of the bishop, his body remained incorrupt, as well as vestments.This amazing fact Archbishop Anthony of Voronezh, reported the Holy Synod and the Emperor Nicholas I in order to open the relics of hierarch.In 1861, the opening of the holy relics of the bishop, which was attended by more than 300 thousand pilgrims.In the same year, Tikhon of Zadonsk glorified among the saints.
Male Zadonsk Nativity of Our Lady Convent
Historical sources indicate that in 1620 two monks - Gerasim Kirill of Moscow Sretensky Monastery, wanting solitude, crossed the river and settled in a remote uninhabited desert, the inhabitants of which were onlywild animals.If you currently have a copy of the elders of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.These are God's people and laid the foundation of Zadonsk Monastery.Wooden buildings of the monastery burned to the ground during a fire in 1692, but the icon was brought by the elders, the marvelous way survived.
Since 1798 the monastery begins to build up, there are the first stone buildings, such as Vladimir Church, and in 1824 laid the building according to the plans of architects Voronezh.The best times of the monastery fall for years rector Tikhon of Zadonsk, when the monastery has gained unprecedented popularity with pilgrims from all over Russia.By continuing to recover, to the beginning of the twentieth century, it is a whole complex consisting of 6 churches, a home for pilgrims, the belfry, drugstores, hospitals, brick and candle factory.
In the post-revolutionary period, the monastery was completely looted and partially destroyed.On its territory occupied by different municipal services and offices.The desolation of the monastery lasted until 1990, when its territory handed over to the Orthodox Church.With the restoration of the main temple of the monastery - St. Vladimir's Cathedral - a new era in the history of the Monastery of Zadonsk.Today, nearing the completion of restoration work, and actively build a new building.Part of the money allocated for the reconstruction of special federal and state programs, but most of them - it is their own funds and donations.
Zadonsk Monastery is available to 500 hectares of land, allowing you to grow a good crop.Practiced are also cattle, it has its own apiary.Controlled with the economy of 500 inhabitants, which also lead and construction work.In addition, every day from Lipetsk bus arrives about 50 people, mostly women, who freely engaged in agriculture, canning, harvesting mushrooms and berries.Zadonsk monastery fully self supporting, and besides, arranges free meals for pilgrims.There are no centers for drug addicts and alcoholics, but these people take on obedience.
St. Tikhon's Monastery of the Transfiguration
Abode is located 7 km north of Zadonsk on the ruins of a former monastery.In 1865, Archimandrite Dimitri to give permission for the construction of the monastery, the monks began to live here.In the monastery, I liked to stay and lived for some time Tikhon of Zadonsk.It was here that he wrote his main book - "The Treasure of the spiritual, the world is going," as well as his own pit dug on the banks of the river entrance, which today is a source of healing.Before the 1917 revolution in the monastery there were about 100 novices, but after the events of October monastery suffered the fate of most of the religious buildings - at first it was closed and later looted and destroyed.Only in 1991 the territory was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.Now here it is equipped St. Tikhon's Monastery of the Transfiguration, or as it is called Zadonsk convent.
main temple of the monastery is Trinity, next to him stands the bell tower and the Transfiguration Church.In memory of staying here Tikhon of Zadonsk in one of the towers was undeveloped separate cell, where the icon of the saint, stream myrrh in 1998.For permanent storage in the monastery is located, and a particle of his relics.In 2000, the Day of Russian saints in prayer in front of the pilgrims in the Holy Trinity Church of the Cross Crucifixion bleeding.The particles of blood seeping from the crown of the Saviour in the Temple survived until today.At the moment in the monastery live 82 nuns engaged in subsistence farming, sewing and iconography.Zadonsk the convent, as well as men's, shelter, and offers free meals for pilgrims.In the summer, every day is eat about 80-90 people, and in winter - up to 1000.
Virgin Zadonsk Tikhon Monastery
Another monastery is located in the village of Tyunina around Zadonsk.It was founded at a time when Tikhon of Zadonsk ceased to head the Diocese of Voronezh and retired.There, in the village Tyuninka, at the source, the saint loved to retire to pray.At the beginning of the XIX century, a local landowner AF Vikulin inspired reflections visit these places Archbishop Anthony, built a temple and laid the Mother of God "Life-giving Spring", and in 1814 in the temple adjoined buildings began their hermit life of 30 nuns.In 1820 Vikulin AF started to build another church - in honor of Alexander Nevsky.After the death of his patron's son Vladimir began to oppress the monastery, and soon closed the main temple of the monastery and temple Nevsky transformed into an almshouse.In 1860 it acquired the status of a monastery monastic cloister, and with it the prioress.She became a nun Pokrovsky Monastery Polyxena, which since the early days of the start of the active improvement of the monastery, and in 1889 it was founded through the efforts of the temple of the Lord's Ascension.
In the early twentieth century, the monastery there were 86 nuns and 45 novices.With the arrival of the Bolsheviks in the life of the monastery at first, nothing has changed, but in 1919, after the death of the abbess, all land and property were confiscated.Abbess deserted monastic refuge became Melitina, through which the community can survive for more than 10 years.In 1930, local government officials, it was decided to transfer the sacred territory for the benefit of advice and the eviction of the nuns.In response, the novices had resisted, for which they were convicted and sent into exile, and Melitina shot in prison in Elec.The revival of the monastic cloister, initiated by the inhabitants of the neighboring monastery of Nativity of Our Lady, started only in 1994.
Currently restoration work completed.The cathedral church of the monastery is the Ascension.Beside him is a sister body to the dining room and the adjoining church of Alexander Nevsky.In 2005, the completed landscaping of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk source, bathe in the healing waters which tend to pilgrims and tourists.Now here he appreciated the monastic way of life.The community is headed abbess Arseny.As it should be in the monasteries, novices are busy with the housework, and constantly pray to God, the Virgin Mary and St. Tikhon.Five times a week passes here Divine Liturgy daily prayers are performed.
Zadonsk Holy Trinity
Tikhon's Monastery of the Holy Trinity convent, formerly called Sorrow, located 90 km from Zadonsk, in the town of Lebedyan - the regional center of the Lipetsk region.Resident arose at the turn of XVIII-XIX centuries from the monastic community founded Matron Popova, which is just starting pleasing to God, he died.The dream of Matron continued her executor Archpriest Peter, built a church to the Mother of God left nun means.In 1860 the church was consecrated Bishop of Voronezh Joseph, and when it came into being named in honor of Tikhon of Zadonsk community nurses.
in the 1870s around the buildings of the community has been built stone wall and the bell tower.In 1889, the decision of the Holy Synod of the community built in Zadonsk Tikhon Holy Trinity convent which was successfully developing, lasted until 1917.After the revolution, the monastery buildings were gradually selected and in 1929 the community ceased to exist.Today, the monastery located office space "Zadonskgaza" and the bakery.Of all the only Holy Trinity Cathedral was transferred to the Church.
Pilgrimage in Zadonsk
Every year, thousands of pilgrims flock to Zadonsk.Most visitors come here during the celebration of the big Orthodox holidays: Easter, Christmas, Veil.The most common motive of the pilgrimage is a desire to confess, pray, touch the imperishable relics or miraculous icon, find grace, to receive a blessing, to bathe in the sacred source, as well as make donations, or even take a vow.Many Orthodox come here for the purpose of religious rites in order Zadonsk Monastery.
believed that similar ordinances committed here have tremendous strength.Independently going into this trip, keep in mind that during the holidays to settle in Zadonsk is almost impossible, the town is full of visitors, so the settlement negotiated in advance to reserve accommodation by telephone or via the Internet.Problems with a visit to the monasteries are almost nonexistent.Zadonsk Monastery - a place where no one will be denied, and maybe even feed them.Here you can purchase products and eco-friendly products made by community members, ranging from milk and kvass and finishing dishes and products of wood, except for souvenirs and objects of worship.
How to get to the monasteries
Get to Zadonsk - is simple enough, because it is located near Rostov highway M-4.Right in the center of town is the Nativity of the Virgin Monastery of Zadonsk.Getting or walk to Rostov route, tell anyone, including not local.
