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Worship is the sacrament of human communication with God. And a special sacrament, blessed by the Lord. In the Gospel of Matthew (18, 20) we read the words of Christ: “where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them.” That is why church services, which unite Orthodox people in common prayer, create a special atmosphere.
Most pilgrims who come to Diveevo are just beginning their journey to the temple. Perhaps our article about what services and when are served in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery will answer many questions.
Founding of the monastery
The Diveyevo Monastery was founded in the second half of the 18th century by nun Alexandra, the former wealthy landowner Agafya Melgunova.
According to legend, after the appearance of the Mother of God, who ordered the nun to look for the lands of her Fourth Lot in the north of Russia, Mother Alexandra went to Sarov. Along the way, the Mother of God pointed her to the place where the monastery was to be founded; this place turned out to be the village of Diveevo not far from Nizhny Novgorod. In 1773-1774
Mother Alexandra built the foundation of the Kazan Church with her own money. In 1780 the church was consecrated. In 1788, the land near the Kazan Church was donated to the future monastery. The first buildings were erected on it, in which Mother Alexandra settled with four novices. The small community, called Kazan, began to live according to the strict rules of the Sarov monastery.
How to get to Nizhny Novgorod
Flying by plane or taking a train through Nizhny Novgorod is the longest way to get to Diveevo from Moscow, but it has its advantages. Nizhny Novgorod is a large city with a rich history, a large number of attractions, unique churches and monasteries. If time permits, you can spend the day walking the streets of the city before heading to the holy village. In addition, Nizhny Novgorod is located only 170 km from Diveevo, so it can be used as a transshipment point. For example, arrive in the evening, spend the night in a hotel, and then go to Diveevo in the morning by bus or taxi. This way you will be able to explore the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery, the canal of St. Seraphim of Sarov and other attractions of the village fresh and rested.
By plane
The air route from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod is very popular. It is served by all four airports of the capital and the main airport of Nizhny Novgorod. There are regular direct flights between the cities. Travel time ranges from 70-90 minutes. Tickets cost approximately 3,400 rubles one way. The plane arrives at Strigino airport.
By train
Both direct and passing trains constantly depart from Moscow in the direction of Nizhny Novgorod. The average travel time on a passing train is 6 hours. In addition, direct trains “Strizh” and “Lastochka” regularly run between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. This is the fastest way to get there by rail: the journey takes about 4 hours.
A train ticket to Nizhny Novgorod will cost from 650 rubles per seat, 1334-2143 rubles* for a reserved seat, 1825-3983 rubles* for a compartment.
*Prices are indicated for June 2021 according to the official website of Russian Railways.
Father Seraphim and the Mill Community
In 1789, the young hierodeacon Seraphim took charge of the community. He blessed to establish another community near it, called Melnichnaya. In 1827, the first girls, 8 nuns from a neighboring community, moved here. The first abbess was Elena Manturova. Her brother Mikhail Manturov, whom the Monk Seraphim healed of an incurable illness, greatly contributed to the development of the community. At his expense, a two-story stone church was built in honor of the Nativity of Christ. A temple in the name of the Nativity of the Mother of God was later built on its lower floor.
Serfimo-Diveevskaya monastery
In 1842, the Diveyevo and Melnichnaya communities were united, and in 1861 the community received the status of a monastery.
In the XIX - early XX centuries. the monastery expanded. In 1885, the abbot's building was built, to which in 1902 a house church in the name of St. Mary Magdalene was added. In 1875, the construction of the huge Trinity Cathedral was completed. By the beginning of the 20th century, the monastery became one of the largest in Russia. By the beginning of the revolutionary events, it was inhabited by 270 nuns and almost 1,500 novices.
Modern life of the monastery
The revival of the Serfimo-Diveevo Monastery began in 1988. In October 1989, the Trinity Cathedral was returned to the monastery.
The main event in restoring the glory of Diveyevo occurred in 1991: the rediscovered relics of Seraphim of Sarov were transferred to the monastery. They were found in the vaults of the Kazan Cathedral, which was the museum of St. Petersburg in those years.
The restoration of the monastery buildings and the restoration of churches and cathedrals began. In 2012, construction began on a new church in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The monastery is inhabited by more than 400 nuns. The entire spiritual life of the monastery is built around the Trinity Cathedral, where the main asset of the monastery rests - the relics of St. Seraphim.
In 2004, the rite of consecration of the Kazan Church was performed by Metropolitan Philaret
In 2004, the rite of consecration of the Kazan Church was performed. It was performed by Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Filaret. In the same year, Maria Diveyevo was glorified as a locally revered saint. Her relics were found on September 14, and from that time her veneration began.
In 2004, Maria Diveevskaya was glorified as a locally revered saint. Her relics were found on September 14
The relics are in the Kazan Church. On September 8 of the same year, one of the chapels of the Kazan Church was consecrated in honor of the first martyr Archdeacon Stephen. The consecration ceremony was attended by many clergy from different parts of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
In 2008, the remains of the third abbess of the Kazan community, Ksenia Kocheulova, were reburied.
In the same year, five more chapels were consecrated in the Kazan Church. In 2009, the sixth chapel was consecrated in honor of the Venerable Martyr Evdokia and her novices; they suffered martyrdom in 1918.
In the same year, President Dmitry Medvedev came to the monastery, who presented the monastery with an icon of the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Holy Canal of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The most amazing shrine of the monastery is the Holy Kanavka . It is a heptagon with a perimeter of 777 meters, excavated and surrounded by a rampart. According to legend, the Mother of God herself gave instructions for the construction of the Kanavka to the Monk Seraphim. The ditch had to be dug by the sisters themselves along the path along which the Queen of Heaven herself walked. The instructions of the holy elder were carried out, but subsequently the Kanavka fell into disrepair. After the revival of the monastery, the shrine was completely restored for the 100th anniversary of the glorification of St. Seraphim. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of believers. Land from the Holy Kanavka is considered healing and miraculous.
According to the Venerable Seraphim himself, the Kanavka for all believers will become protection from the Antichrist: “Whoever passes this Kanavka with prayer and reads half a hundred “Theotokos”, everything is here: Mount Athos, Jerusalem, and Kyiv!” And today, pilgrims walk along the Kanavka with prayer, and nuns go around it with processions during Easter week and on holidays.
Interesting facts and legends
Diveevo (monastery), reviews of the wonders of which evoke a desire to personally touch the history and shrines, attracts tourists and pilgrims with its legends. The first monastery records contain memories of unusual events that took place here.
Thus, the very first and main unusual event that happened on Diveyevo land was the appearance of the Mother of God herself to the nun Alexandra. This event is described in detail in the chronicles of the monastery. Another unusual event is associated with the royal monastery, the place where Saint Seraphim of Sarov lived in solitude and prayer. In the center of the monastery there is an unusual stone.
Tradition says that Father Seraphim knelt on it in prayer for 1000 days and on one of them he saw the face of the Virgin Mary on the stone. And indeed, if, during the setting sun, you stand in the exact place where the saint indulged in prayer and look at the stone from a special angle, you can notice individual female features surrounded by a halo.
This monastery and the stone today are located in a closed area, so access to it is practically impossible.
Another legend surrounding this place is associated with animals. The saint is often depicted on icons next to a bear. Old-timers claim that this bear came across the monastery in search of food and climbed into the house of Father Seraphim when he went to the source for water. When the saint returned, he found a bear in his monastery. The wild beast could have torn the old man apart, but did not do so.
With prayer and affection, Seraphim approached the bear and he, like a tame one, bowed his head. Later, the nuns of the convent recalled that they had seen this bear more than once when they came to visit Father Seraphim. The guides also talk about such an event. One day, robbers entered the monastery of Seraphim of Sarov. They found nothing of value and, in retaliation, brutally beat the elder.
He could hardly get to the women's monastery to ask for help there. Later, the robbers were captured and the saint was called for identification. As soon as they saw him, the robbers fell to their knees; during interrogation they found out who they had attacked in the forest. With a humble heart, following the example of Christ, Seraphim of Sarov extended his hands to them with forgiveness.
Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”
This icon was the favorite icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and he died in prayer in front of it. He healed the sick with oil from the lamp that illuminated the icon. After the death of the elder, the image was transferred to the Mill community, where it was kept in veneration for many years. And after the dispersal of the monastery, the Diveyevo nuns managed to save it and take it to Murom. Then in 1991 the icon was transferred to Patriarch Alexei II. Nowadays the icon is kept in the residence of the Patriarch at his home church. And in the Trinity Cathedral of the Diveyevo Monastery there is a copy of the icon, which also became miraculous.
Other shrines
- The things of St. Seraphim of Sarov , revered as shrines, are exhibited in the Trinity Cathedral. Many of them were kept by the Diveyevo sisters for many years after the monastery was closed in 1927. Today, these tangible reminders of the saint and his ascetic life attract thousands of pilgrims who want to touch the shrines. In a cauldron that belonged to St. Seraphim, crackers, considered healing, are blessed. The saint's hoe is used to touch the pilgrims' sore spots in a cross shape.
- The holy relics of the Diveyevo ascetics are kept in the monastery and are open for veneration. The holy relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov are preserved in the Trinity Cathedral. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary houses the relics of Saints Alexandra, Martha and Helen. The Kazan Cathedral contains the holy remains of Pelagia, Paraskeva and Mary and Matrona (Vlasova).
By car
Traveling by car is a common way of traveling; there are two most common routes among motorists.
How to correctly build a route and get from Moscow to the monastery in Diveevo by car? The Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent is visible from anywhere in the village, so you just need to get to the village. A trip to Diveevo from Moscow by car can be made along two routes:
- via Murom (450 km; 7.5 hours);
- via Nizhny Novgorod (590 km; 8.5 hours).
The approximate distance from the previous route point is indicated in parentheses. Are you planning to go to Diveevo from Moscow? Add this reminder to your bookmarks or to your social media page!
Via Murom
The main points of the route: Moscow - Vladimir - Murom - Navashino - Kulebaki - Ardatov - Diveevo.
Expand map
From Moscow you need to leave in the direction of Vladimir along the M7 highway (175 km). About 1 km before reaching Vladimir, look for the turn sign to Murom, turn right and continue along the bypass road. Then after approximately 19 km, look for the turn sign for Murom, turn right and continue along the R72 highway to Murom (120 km). Among the large settlements along the road you will meet Sudogda, located 35 km from Vladimir. Then at the junction after the village of Kovarditsy you need to turn left, cross and continue along the R72 highway. Having crossed the Oka River over the bridge, you need to follow through the settlements of Navashino (25 km), Kulebaki (25 km), Gremyachevo (30 km), Ardatov (25 km) to Diveevo (25 km).
Temples of the Diveyevo Monastery
The Kazan Cathedral is the oldest stone church of the monastery, the construction of which began back in 1773 by the founder of the monastery, Mother Alexandra. During the years of Soviet power, the temple lost its domes and crosses, and various services were located here. Since 1992, its revival began. On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the birth of St. Seraphim, the main altar of the Kazan Church was solemnly consecrated.
Trinity Cathedral. The land for the construction of this cathedral, located east of the Kazan Church, was purchased from the landowner Zhdanov by special order of St. Seraphim. Construction began in 1848, but active work began only in 1865. Construction was accompanied by many miracles. In 1874, the cathedral was consecrated, and one of its side chapels was consecrated in honor of St. Seraphim after his glorification. Today, a copy of the Tenderness icon that belonged to the elder is kept here.
The Transfiguration Cathedral, commanded to be built at the end of the Holy Kanavka, faced a difficult fate from the very beginning. Fully built and equipped, it was never consecrated due to the outbreak of the revolution. For many years it stood desolate. The consecration of the temple took place only nearly a century after the start of its construction, in 1991.
The Annunciation Cathedral is the newest cathedral in the temple complex of the monastery. Its construction began in 2012 according to the will of St. Seraphim. This temple should be in line with the bell tower and the Trinity Cathedral and complete the complex of churches near the Holy Kanavka.
By train, via Arzamas-2
Taking the train through Arzamas is a relatively quick way to get to Diveevo from Moscow. This method is especially convenient if you have already rented housing in Diveevo, where you can relax after a long journey.
Many pilgrims travel to Diveevo, so inexpensive tickets quickly run out. Plan your route in advance, buy train tickets at least a week before your trip.
Trains run regularly from the capital's Kazansky station to the Arzamas-2 station. Trains heading to Kazan, Cheboksary, Yoshkar-Ola, Novokuznetsk stop here. The most economical ticket price is the train traveling on the route Moscow - Krugloe Pole. This train leaves the capital at night and arrives in Arzamas early in the morning. Trains depart every day. The average travel time is 7 hours.
A train ticket to Arzamas-2 will cost approximately 1,334 rubles for a reserved seat, 1,700-2,700 rubles for a compartment, from 3,097 rubles* ST.
* Prices are indicated for June 2021 according to the official website of Russian Railways.
Near the Arzamas-2 station there is a bus station, from which buses run in the direction of the village of Diveevo and the monastery.
Bus intervals are approximately 1.5 hours, with the first leaving at 5:30 am and the last leaving at 5:30 pm. Ticket price is about 150 rubles. The duration of the trip is 1.5 hours. Don't forget to ask the driver to stop near the village of Diveevo. Bus station phone number: 8 (831-47) 4-18-14.
You can also get there by taxi (from 600 rubles for a one-way trip) or by Gazelle route.
Be careful, local taxi drivers sometimes inflate the cost or at the end of the trip they quote a price that differs from the one initially agreed upon.
Attention: Russian Railways is launching a new multimodal route Moscow – Arzamas-2 – Diveevo on a single ticket from July 5, 2021.
JSC FPC (a subsidiary of JSC Russian Railways) is launching a new multimodal route using rail and road transport along the route Moscow - Arzamas-2 - Diveevo and in the opposite direction. Daily passenger transportation under the “train + bus” scheme on this route will begin on July 5.
For transportation, long-distance trains of JSC FPC will be used, running in communication with Moscow and passing through the Arzamas-2 station, as well as buses traveling along the route Diveevo - Art. Arzamas-2 and in the opposite direction. Train-bus flights will be connected by arrival and departure times. Travel time by bus will be 1.5 hours, cost – 250 rubles.
Train passengers:
- No. 112 Moscow – Round Field,
- No. 142 Moscow – Cheboksary
will be able to transfer to buses departing from the station. Arzamas-2 to Diveevo at 07:30.
From Diveevo to st. Arzamas-2 buses will depart at 20:00 so that passengers can board the trains:
- No. 111 Round Field - Moscow,
- No. 117 Novokuznetsk - Moscow,
- No. 89 Petropavlovsk - Moscow,
- No. 81 Ulan-Ude - Moscow,
- No. 75 Neryungri - Moscow.
A travel document for children under 10 years of age on a bus will be issued at the full fare. An unused bus pass can be returned no later than 12 hours before the start of transportation.
Passengers will board the bus upon presentation of a ticket and identification document indicated on the ticket. Passengers will be seated on the bus using available seats.
Minibus parking when traveling from Arzamas-2 in the direction of the village. Diveevo is located on the station square on the left side of the station building.
Minibus when traveling from the village. Diveevo in Arzamas-2 is located in a parking lot for cars on the territory of the Pilgrimage Center of the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery at the address: Diveevo st. Arzamasskaya, 4 (the minibus parking lot is indicated by an advertising sign indicating information: the route and number of the multimodal bus).
Bus and train tickets can be issued at the same time at any long-distance ticket office at railway stations or on the Russian Railways website.
Holy springs of Diveevo
There are five springs in the village of Diveevo:
- Source of the Venerable Mother Alexandra.
- Iversky spring (15-minute walk from the monastery).
- Kazansky (the oldest of the Diveyevo sources, known since the 18th century).
- Panteleimonovsky source.
- Source of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (half an hour’s walk from the monastery).
The most revered is the distant source of St. Seraphim of Sarov near the village of Tsyganovka. It opened in the 1960s. on the Satis River, according to legend, during the miraculous appearance of the saint himself.
You can get there by bus, which leaves at 12:00 on weekdays and at 13:00 on Sundays and holidays from the pilgrimage center. You can also purchase tickets here. In summer the bus runs more frequently:
- on weekdays at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
- on Sundays and holidays at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00.
To bathe in the spring, women need a cotton shirt, men - a short shirt or undershirt. Swimming naked or wearing a swimsuit is not permitted. You can collect holy water from the spring; to do this you need to have a bottle with you. Everything you need can be purchased in Diveevo, next to the monastery.
Other sources:
Content
- How to get to Nizhny Novgorod from Moscow.
- By plane.
- By train.
- Transport to Diveevo from Nizhny Novgorod.
- Bus from the railway station.
- Bus from the NEBO shopping center.
- Taxi.
- Car rental at the airport.
- How to get to Diveevo by train through Arzamas.
- Russian Railways route Moscow-Arzamas-Diveevo from July 2018
- How to get to Diveevo by car from Moscow.
- Through Murom.
- Through Nizhny Novgorod.
We remind you that you can book a hotel in Diveevo in a special section on our website.
Schedule of Divine Services of the Diveyevo Monastery
The monastery cathedrals are open from 8:00 to 16:00 (in summer - until 17:00). On August 1 and January 15 (the days of memory of the patron saint of the monastery, St. Seraphim of Sarov), the monastery is open around the clock.
Divine services in the Trinity Cathedral are held every day:
- 7:00 - Prayer service with akathist to St. Seraphim.
- 7:45 — General confession.
- 8:00 — Liturgy.
On Saturday:
- 5:15 — General confession.
- 5:30 — Liturgy.
On Sunday:
- 8:00 — Paraklis.
- 9:00 — Liturgy.
- 16:00 (in the summer at 17:00) - evening service.
are held at the Transfiguration Cathedral
On Saturday:
- 8:00 — Late Liturgy.
On Sunday:
- 5:30 — Early Liturgy.
Requirements
Information about requirements can be obtained by phone. +7 (831-34) 3-00-11.
You can order requests by email. In the letter you need to indicate the request (for health or repose) and attach a scan of the receipt for the donation.
Donation amounts:
- Psalter for 12 months: 1 name - 1000 rubles.
- Psalter for 6 months: 1 name - 500 rubles.
- Commemorations without the Psalter (reading synodics during evening services and midnight office): 12 months: 1 name - 400 rubles.
- 6 months: 1 name - 200 rub.
- without removing the particle: 1 name - 200 rub.
Information for pilgrims
Pilgrims can come to the monastery either independently or as part of organized groups.
Organized accommodation is provided only through the monastery's pilgrimage center . You should contact the pilgrimage center in advance (at least a month before your visit).
Pilgrims who arrive on their own and seek help in settling at the center must have a passport with registration information. Accommodation is in one of the monastery hotels.
Buses from Nizhny Novgorod to Diveevo
Diveevo is a popular tourist destination, so it is better to book bus tickets from Nizhny Novgorod in advance. You can book tickets, get detailed information about the bus schedule and clarify the details of the route by calling:
- transport - 8(83130) 9-22-22 or 6-88-88;
- transport - 8 (83130) 9-44-44 or 9-39-39.
Buses to Diveevo used to depart from the bus station on Lyadova Square (15 Studencheskaya Street), which was closed in 2015. However, you can still find false bus schedules from this bus station on the Internet.
Be careful when planning your route!
