Valaam Monastery: yesterday, today, tomorrow

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Vladimir State University

Valaam monastery: yesterday, today, tomorrow

Kostina N.S.

Valaam Monastery was anciently Fundamentals of Orthodoxy in the North of Russia, famous for its high spiritual life, he served as the spread of Christianity and monasticism in the surrounding lands.

Located in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, 22 kilometers from the mainland, Valaam archipelago has 50 islands with a total area of 36 square meters. km, the largest of them - the island of Valaam (27.8 sq. km.), next to it is located on. Skitsky about. Baptist about. Emelyanovsky and many small islands. The nearest of the Karelian town of Sortavala (formerly Serdobol) - 42 km, to Priozersk - about 60 km, to St. Petersburg - more than 220 km.

Balaam coastline indented with numerous straits, canals and bays, which gives it a special attraction, highlighting it from many other islands of Ladoga. The waters of the archipelago due to the structure of the flow of the lake are the least affected by water inflows and may be considered as a reference for the central part of Lake Ladoga.

The striking nature like Valaam, according hydrograph AP Andreev, "can not be found anywhere else in Europe: quite a lot of steep rocks, reaching in height and depth - islands, capes, bays ... Straits, between the lakes and dense vegetation sullen granite rocks reflect on all things blue and slender pine forest completes the overall picture, giving the whole a wonderful, breathtaking views. "

Valaam archipelago has a rare and spectacular scenery. On a relatively small area, there are about 480 species of plants specific to the various natural habitats, it occurs more than 200 species of birds, elk, hares, squirrels, foxes. On the uninhabited islands of the archipelago you can see the rookeries in the Red Book of the Ladoga ringed seal, it is caught salmon, char, whitefish, grayling and other valuable fish species.

Cliffs accepting the mighty Ladoga waves, and the quiet calm inland lakes, ancient spruce and pine, opposing cold winds and understated beauty of light alleys and gardens, stern majesty of the pristine northern nature and originality of architectural ensembles - all this gives Balaam a unique look a the most beautiful islands in the world.

But the earthly beauty of these places there is also a visible reflection of unearthly beauty and spiritual. For all Orthodox people, Balaam is inconceivable without its ancient monastic cloister, which for centuries was the spiritual center of the Orthodox Russia and rightfully called the Northern Athos.

Modern historians date the first mention of the island of Valaam 800 BC. At that time the island was a huge pagan temple, where human sacrifices to the gods Perun and Veles. Therefore, and could catch the ancient Valaam Apostle Andrew. Monastic tradition says that the Apostle Andrew, the educator and the ancestors of the Slavs the Scythians, having arrived from Kiev to Novgorod, on the Volkhov River reached Lake Ladoga and then - Valaam, where he blessed the mountains on the islands or cross the apostolic rod. This tradition is listed on the first pages of "The Tale of Bygone Years", or Chronicle of St Nestor (the beginning of the XII century.).

Tradition tells us that it was the first pagan priests listened to the preaching of the Apostle, and were baptized, and then destroyed the houses of their own hands. At the site of the destroyed idols disciples of the Apostle Andrew set a stone cross, and within a century in his "godfather" has entered the path of the Valaam monastery.

Historians do not have a single view of the date of establishment of the Valaam monastery. Some associate it with the time of the Baptism of Rus', the other belongs to a later period. Church and monastery tradition claims that the antiquity of the monastery dates back to the spread of Christianity in Russia. Even then, the monastery that Sergius and Herman founded became the spiritual center of Ladoga lands.

In some modern editions (guides, encyclopedias, etc.) are given often contradictory information about the founding of the Valaam Monastery. The emergence of the monastery belongs to the XIV century, then to the first centuries of Christianity in Rus - X-XI centuries. Not just in times of invasions (XII, XVII century), the monastery suffered devastation for decades was interrupted here monastic service. When enemy raids destroyed religious monuments, monastery relics were burned and looted the rich monastery library, and a repository of manuscripts - it was lost and the life of Sergius and Herman of Valaam. Consider the two main existing version at the moment of occurrence of the monastery.

The first of them refers the foundation of the monastery to the XII-XIV centuries. This date in their studies supported the church historians of the XIX century: Bishop. Ambrose (Ornatskii), Bishop. Filaret (Gumilevsky), EE Golubinsky. christianity monasticism spiritual

Currently, this version adheres to a number of contemporary scholars: NA OhotinaLind, John. Lindh, A. Nakazawa. His concept of the researchers based on a manuscript of the XVI century "Legend of the Valaam Monastery" (published by NA Ohotin Linden).

The second concept relates the foundation of the monastery to the X-XI centuries. It relies on one of the editions of the life of St. Abraham of Rostov containing references to stay on Valaam in the X century, as well as a number of historical mention of the transfer of the relics of Sergius and Herman of Valaam to Novgorod in 1163.

The ancient Novgorod chronicles have reported finding the relics of Sergius and Herman and transferring them to Novgorod during the Swedish invasion in 11631164, respectively. It then took the local celebration of the founders of the Valaam Monastery, and was the beginning of the worship of the church Sergius and Herman within the Novgorod diocese. In 1182, when the danger was over, the monks moved back to Valaam relics of their heavenly patron.

Before the first ruin Balaam called the abode of the Holy Trinity, as evidenced by the life of St. Abraham of Rostov. In all likelihood, the wooden Trinity Valaam Monastery was destroyed enemies to the ground. When the danger has passed, its main temple rebuilt in stone and consecrated in the name of the Transfiguration. On the construction of the monastery made a great contribution.

In the XVI century, when the restless Swedes again went to war with Russia, Balaam was once again the object of aggression. In 1578, February 20, the pursuit of the Orthodox Karelians, the Swedes attacked the Valaam Monastery: 19 people dostoblazhennyh and pious elders and 14 novices were martyred with a sword cut off for firmness in the confession of the Orthodox faith. Since then, their holy names were entered in the monastery pomyannik: Hieromonk Titus Schemamonk Tikhon monks Gelasius, Varlaam, Sergius, Sawa, Conon, Sylvester, Cyprian, Pimen, John Samon, Jonah, David Cornelius, Niphon, Athanasius, Serapion Barlaam and novices Athanasius, Anthony, Luke, Leonty, Thomas Dionysius, Philip, Ignatius, Basil, Pachomius, Basil, John, Theodore and John.

In 1581 Valaam monks have been sent a new challenge - the plague, which killed 87 elders and 47 novices. Shortly thereafter, another misfortune flames and Swedish war devastated the monastery itself: the church, the cells, the meal and the fence. Some of the brothers with the abbot were hiding in the forests of Valaam, leading Skitsky lifestyle, others - in the Antony Dymsky monastery where strictly abide by the Charter of the Valaam monastery.

After the conclusion of 18 May 1595 peace with the Swedes were returned to Russia ancient Novgorod.She stood up in 1717, as long as at the behest of Peter the Great and the blessing of the bishop and Oreshkovskogo Korelskogo Aaron, Archimandrite Cyril of Belozersk Monastery Irinarkh not begun to renew the Valaam monastery.

Resident grew, but in 1754 it suffered a new test: April 3, the day of the Resurrection, a fire broke out after the Liturgy. The monastery was burned completely. He survived only a chapel of the Annunciation, and part of the wall of the holy gates. It saved a few icons, ecclesiastical vessels, liturgical books and three consecrated antimension.

On the night of 7 March 1759 on a strong wind collapsed newly built belfry, tent broke into small pieces, and swept the roof over the water.

Wanting to restore the ancient Valaam, active Archbishop called in 1781 of

Sarov Tambov diocese experienced elder Nazaire and instructed him to enter the Valaam monks charter Sarov. With the appointment of the rector father Nazar started a new era in the life of the monastery.

Elder Nazarius made up of stone monastery buildings. The property is a fivedomed cathedral, surrounded by the inner quadrangle of the monastery buildings.

Since the beginning of Management's father Nazar bind and internal revival of the monastery. Fulfilling the will of the Archbishop, Father Nazarius introduced the Valaam monastery cenobitic charter Sarov.

Sarov original charter was drawn up in 1706 based on the old rules of monastic life one of pervonachalnikov Sarov hermitage, Hieromonk Isaac and approved for use in 1711 locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne Metropolitan Ryazan Stephen (Yavorsky), a connoisseur of church antiquities.The Charter consists of two divisions. In the first division in 24 chapters set out the rules of decorum; Second - order in which the service must be done, especially monastic rule and vigils.

An important event for the monastery was visited by Emperor Alexander I. In 1819, Alexander I traveled to the northern lands, intending to visit the ancient and the Valaam monastery.

The reign of Abbot Damascene (1839-1881) - an epoch in the life of the monastery, the beginning of prosperity when its external high internal monastic life.

In 1853, the Cross on the island, which later became known as Nikolsky, was erected a stone church in the name of St. Nicholas, and in 1858 a two-storey house for the clergy and monks to house church in the name of St. John of Damascus (1865).

In 1856, not far from the marina of the monastery constructed two-storey hospice for the poor Finns.

In 1863, the abbot of Damascus was built three-storey house of the water, which houses shops and business life. In 1867, on the island of Elias monastery was built with a wooden church in the name of the Holy Prophet Elijah and her - twostorey wooden house. When his hermitage into which he retreated to the rector, the abbot built in 1870, a small wooden church in the name Konevets Mother of God, and with it - two wooden monastic cells Corps for the brethren. In the south of Valaam archipelago abbot of Damascus was built a small wooden church with a bell tower in the name of Reverend Abraham of Rostov and three wooden cells for housing Skete monks. Then, in 1873, the bell was cast in 1000 pounds for the expected new cathedral bell tower. At a distance of one kilometer to the east of the monastery, in 1876 they built a stone church in the name of All Venerable Fathers, in a feat shined with a free-standing bell tower. It was arranged new cemetery. Abbot Damascene had stored the stones and bricks for the new cathedral church, which God hath built his successor abbot Jonathan.

Diligence father Damascus in different places of the island emerged 18 chapels and delivered 10 stone and wooden worship cross. The Lord sent benefactors generously for the construction and decoration of the monastery. Abbot Damascene rightly called Balaam builder.

When it significantly increased the number of monks. The monastery was known in Russia as one of the most comfortable.

In 1914, the First World War. Valaam monastery also passed the hard times:

264 monastic monks were called up for military service. After the October Revolution in 1917. Finland gained independence, and Balaam was on its territory, which allowed for a time to save the monastery. It came in 1918, one of the most sorrowful for the monastery. On the island of famine, six monks died of the influenza epidemic.

The revolutionary unrest in 1917-1918 in Finland adopted the character of the national liberation struggle. Then the question was raised about the existence of monasteries, because they believed that being on the border, "Finland's hostile state", monasteries always negative attitude to the idea of independence of the republic, and therefore should be abolished. This led to the emergence of the split in the Valaam monastery.

In 1917, 3-6 (16-19) October Valaam monastery, a congress of clergy and laity, which discussed the introduction of a new style. The congress decided that in order to retain the transition from orthodox Lutheranism in principle possible to switch to the celebration of holidays, new style, if you so choose two-thirds of the parish.

In spite of the sad division of the brethren in the Lutheran, for the most part, the Valaam monastery in Finland remained ppavoslavnoy vepy lamp.

The largest monastery was destroyed by bombing 2 and 4 February, when Balaam several visits bombed more than 70 Soviet aircraft. It would seem that the monastery should be wiped off the face of the earth, a bomb destined for the destruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral, fell just a few meters from the main entrance and did not explode.

March 13, 1940 Valaam monks learned by radio that the peace treaty between Finland and the Soviet Union, on which the whole of Karelia with the monasteries of Valaam, and Konevsky Lintula ceded to the Soviet Union. Under the contract was given to the residents of a few days to departure with the property transferred to the territory of Finland.

March 19, 1940 Valaam Archipelago was transferred to the Soviet troops.

From 1945 to 1957, the New Valaam monastery under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, and then the New Valaam monastery was transferred to the Finnish Church.

Stapyh same shaft for many years was doomed to oblivion. In the fall of 1944 on the deserted island arrived a few girls, men logistic units for the front of dairy products. For Balaam started a new life: no churches and service, without bells and prayer life of vanity, and bustling. In 1949, the island was created by State Farm. For thirty-two years (1952-1984 gg.) Here was a house-intepnat for war invalids and the elderly. Rapidly, in just a few decades, it has been mercilessly destroyed what was created for centuries. The monastery building is a unique ensemble of architecture, not even formally were under state protection.

The Transfiguration Cathedral of kodensata and leaking roofs crumbled painting. In the lower church of the cathedral, where once monks knelt before the relics of the great ascetics of Valaam, preserved vegetables. The altar of the Assumption Church opened a store. In Voskpesenskom monastery settled hostel.

The end of the 80s was the first step in the restoration of the monastery, the former was once a pillar of the Orthodox faith in the north of Russia. With the arrival of the monks gradually zateplilas spiritual life on the island. Resumed service in the lower church of St. Sergius and Herman. At the same time began the monastery restoration. May 25, 1990, on Ascension Day, the Metropolitan of Leningrad and Novgorod Alexy was consecrated the high altar of the Cathedral of the bottom. New important for the decision to return the monastery cloister of the temple and the administrative buildings was adopted by the Supreme Council of Karelia in 19901991.

Since 1990, the Valaam Monastery received the status Stavropegic, that is passed into the direct management svyaschennoigumena, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II.

A new stage in the history of the revived monastery was the creation of the Board of Trustees to restore the Holy-Transfiguration Valaam Monastery, which was headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II. In 2005, it was completed restoration of a painting of the cathedral on the area over 5000 square meters. Consecration of the main shrine of the monastery was made by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II on Aug. 19, 2005, the day of the Transfiguration - the feast day of the monastery.

At the beginning of the XX century in the Valaam monastery there were 13 monasteries. Currently restored odinnadtsat.Po Valaam monastery has a tradition monastery in St. Petersburg, one - with the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and in the name of holy altars. And St. Nicholas. Seraphim of Sarov, Chapel of the Holy New Martyrs Russian (before the revolution - farmstead stapyh Ladoga Dormition Convent, 1904-09 years., Arch. You. A. Kosjakov), another - historical, pier at the former Sinop on the waterfront. In Moscow, a historic farmstead on the street. Tverskaya Street. There is a new monastery - in Priozersk with the Church of All Saints (1890-94, architect. IJ Arenberg), Sortavala with the wooden church of St. Nicholas, in the Caucasus.

The fame of the high spiritual life of the monastery, wonderful nature of the island, the beauty and rigor of monastic worship attracted many pilgrims to Valaam. Island visited Emperors Alexander I and Alexander II, the other members of the imperial family.

Here came the painters Ivan Shishkin, F.A.Vasilev, AIKuindzhi, writers and poets N.S.Leskov, Tyutchev, A.N.Apuhtin, I.S.Shmelev, B. K.Zaytsev composers Tchaikovsky, A.K.Glazunov scientists M.N.Mikluho-Maclay, Mendeleev.

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