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In the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, one of the most famous churches in the world, there is a huge monastery with a centuries-old history, the basis of which was the elders - the great righteous people of their time. The monastery was never closed during its entire long life; it was not broken by wars and persecution by the authorities. It is rightfully considered a masterpiece of Christian culture, for it combines the unshakable beauty and majestic spirituality of Orthodoxy.
Caves of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery
The very name of the monastery is directly related to the caves that are located in it. The year 1473 was marked by the consecration of the cave church of the Assumption, which was dug out of sandstone in a hill by the Monk Jonah. The same year, according to legend, is the date of foundation of the monastery, and the hill in which the church and caves are located is called the Holy Mountain.
The complex of monastery caves consists of near and far:
- the nearby ones are about 15 m long. They also contain tombs with the relics of the great saints;
- distant - consist of 7 underground gallery-streets with a length of about 200 m, which is adjacent to the cave Church of the Resurrection of Christ (end of 6th street). These caves are also the cemetery of the monastery. The remains of the most famous people of Orthodox culture are buried there.
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So there are certain burial rules:
- monastery monks - on 5th and 6th streets;
- laymen - on others.
They are buried in coffins that are placed in the walls of caves and are not covered with earth. The total number of burials fluctuates around ten thousand people.
Izborsk
The next stop was in the city of Izborsk, which is located 30 km from Pskov. First of all, we took a tour of the ancient fortress. Firstly, we examined the remains of the towers and walls. Secondly, we walked around the territory inside the fortress.
Remains of the fortress wall and tower from the Izborsk fortress
The area is overgrown with grass. In addition, we noticed two houses that stand not far from the gate.
Green lawns and houses in the Izborsk fortress
We listened to the guide's story about the history of the construction of the fortress, and then went to St. Nicholas Church, built in the 14th century.
St. Nicholas Church on the territory of the fortress
The temple inside is not very big. We venerated the temple shrines: the icon of the Korsun Mother of God and the icon of St. Nicholas.
Slovenian keys
Next we walked to the famous Slovenian Springs.
Slovenian keys named after the 12 Apostles in all their glory
Meanwhile, the spectacle we saw was magnificent. Firstly, numerous streams of icy water flow directly from the sheer cliff, which, running down, form a huge lake. Secondly, we all drank delicious water and washed ourselves right under the icy streams. Two swans and wild ducks swam on Lake Gorodishchenskoye.
Swans on Lake Gorodishchenskoye
The swans were not at all afraid of people and willingly ate pieces of bread that children threw to them.
Saints of the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery
The great history of the monastery resulted in its no less great legacy, for only thanks to this was it able to preserve the ancient monastic traditions and combine them with the flower of the world eldership.
At the end of the 20th century, the now canonized saints carried out their activities there:
- Metropolitan Benjamin;
- Hieroschemamonk Simeon;
- Archimandrites John and Alypius;
- schema-abbot Savva;
- Hieroschemamonk Michael;
- Valaam elders and other ascetics of God's Word.
Also in the temple are the greatest shrines of the Orthodox religion, known throughout the world:
- the relics of Saints Mark, Jonah, Vassa, Cornelius, Lazarus, Simeon and the martyr Tatiana;
- icons of the Mother of God “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and “Tenderness”, icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
There is still strength to crush all evil spirits
The main story that characterizes Alypius as a person occurred when another tourist bus arrived at the monastery. In a conversation with the governor, one of the guests indignantly stated that the monks do not have the right to this land. After remaining silent, Alypius said in a menacing voice:
“I, Voronov Ivan Mikhailovich, a citizen of the Soviet Union, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, and my comrades who live behind this wall, veterans and disabled people of the Patriotic War, many who lost arms and legs, received severe wounds and concussions, poured their blood on this land , cleaned this air from fascist evil spirits, as well as my comrades living here, workers of factories, factories and fields, old disabled people and pensioners, old fathers who lost their sons in the battles for the liberation of this land and this water, and all of us who shed our blood and gave their lives, we do not have the right to use our land, water, air and sun - all that we snatched from the Nazis for ourselves, for our people? Who you are? And on whose behalf are you acting?
After listening to the archimandrite, the stranger began to leave and with offense condemned the monk for his incontinence, and at the same time called him priest. Alypiy replied:
“Father, I am for those people over there, but for you, I am the Russian Ivan, who still has the power to crush bedbugs, fleas, fascists and all kinds of evil spirits in general.”
Elders of the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery
The monastery has always attracted pilgrims from all over the world. Some were traveling to see great shrines, and many were traveling for the advice of wise elders.
One of them was Lazarus the Farsighted, who rose from the grave on the third day after death and lived for another 16 years, repeating: “The death of sinners is cruel.” One day, Emperor Alexander I wished to meet with him, and the elder spoke to him about the need to serve as an example for his subjects, because the life of any person on earth is short.
The canonized Venerable Simeon was a particularly revered elder of the temple. He was known for his miraculous abilities to heal the body and soul of a person, even to delay the arrival of death.
Also, the Elder Confessor John has always been held in high esteem by Orthodox people. During his lifetime, people from different countries came to him for consolation and wise advice.
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The most famous elders of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery today are:
- Archimandrite Tikhon;
- Schema-Archimandrite Nikon.
Tikhon has been in the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery since 1995. Having come from a family of clergy, he also dedicated his entire life to this noble and righteous cause. His path to the Lord was filled with humility and repentance in deeds:
- representative of the temple brethren;
- monk;
- hierodeacon;
- hieromonk;
- assistant cellarer and dean;
- graduate of Theological Seminary;
- teacher of theological school;
- abbot of the monastery;
- graduate of the Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology.
His deeds throughout his spiritual formation were distinguished by their righteousness and piety, and his contribution to the development of Orthodox culture cannot be overestimated. And yet, his main field of activity remains people who need his help and support. Thousands of parishioners come to the elder every day for wise words in order to find long-awaited peace and humility.
Elder Nikon. Today it also occupies a very important place in the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery. His road of life was no less thorny, but the Lord was always next to him, who showed him his true destiny.
Nikon's actions have always been aimed at the spiritual education of the Orthodox people: with his sermons he tries to heal souls and guide people along the righteous path. The divine services that he conducts and in which he takes part are beautiful and spiritually rich events, the purpose of which is to make a person himself realize, understand and accept God in his soul.
The elders of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery are truly great people of the past and present, because in their words there is faith and truth, and in their deeds there is kindness and grace. They are the stronghold of the Orthodox religion, and their significance for its further development is enormous.
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Pogost Kamno
The first stop was made 5 kilometers from Pskov at the Kamno churchyard. Irina Valerievna began talking about the military history of this place while still on the bus. In honor of the victory over the Livonian knights back in the 15th century. The Church of St. George was built here. Much later, the cemetery was fenced with a stone fence. Today's fame came to the Kamno churchyard with the rector of the church, Archpriest Valentin Mordasov. He served here from 1986 to 1998.
Bathing in a holy spring
But first, our group descended a steep staircase into a deep ravine, where the baths of the spring of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious were located.
Bath for brothers and sisters with blessed water
Our guide told us that Father Valentin consecrated the water of this source according to the rite of the Jordan font. The source heals many physical and spiritual illnesses. Almost all the women in our group (including Lena), as well as three men (including me), took a bath in its cold waters. We all took a blessing from Father Mikhail, who himself bathed with prayer. The feeling after swimming was great. The weather was sunny, but a rather cold wind was blowing. After the bath I didn’t feel any cold.
The grave of Archpriest Valentin Mordasov
Then we went upstairs and approached the grave of Valentin Mordasov.
Our group near the grave of Valentin Mordasov
We listened to a detailed story about the righteous life of the archpriest and his instructions. Many people came to him not only from Russia, but from Belarus, Moldova and other republics of the former USSR. We prayed, then venerated the cross. Father Michael anointed everyone with oil from a lamp.
Church of St. George the Victorious
After this, our acquaintance with the Church of St. George began.
Church of St. George the Victorious in Kamno
The guide Irina enthusiastically talked about the completely unique Orthodox shrines that are located here. The icon to which Father V. Mordasov confessed was miraculously renewed after his death. She showed myrrh-streaming icons: the image of the Savior and the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”. But my daughters and I were especially happy to meet the stone, which was brought from New Athos (Abkhazia). It was taken from the site of the martyrdom of the Apostle Saint Simon the Canonite. Last year we were in Abkhazia and saw with our own eyes the bloody traces at the execution site.
How to get to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery
Getting to the monastery today is not particularly difficult, since excursion buses regularly go to it. But if the spiritual goal is to make the pilgrimage on your own, then it will be most convenient to do it as follows:
- from Moscow or St. Petersburg take a train to Pskov;
- from Pskov to the old town of Pechora, near which the temple is located;
- further - to the monastery itself (everyone who lives in this area knows the road).
And it should be remembered that the road to the temple is the path to God. And every Christian needs to go through it.
Watch a video about the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersk Monastery:
Spiritual instructions of St. Nikon of Optina
The “Teaching of Hieromonk Nikon”, recorded by him for posterity, has been preserved. The Optina elder bequeathed to believers to read the Holy Gospel and teach God’s commandments. The teachings of Christ, according to the priest, should become a reference book for any Christian. Each of your actions must be checked against the commandments from the Gospel.
The main character trait of any Christian should be humility. A person is obliged to submit to the will of God, to meekly accept everything that is prepared by fate. Christians must live a life full of sorrow, sorrow, and difficulty. Every believer is obliged to bear his cross. A Christian's life in accordance with God's law is only a preparation for entering the Heavenly Kingdom.
Throughout his life, a believer must come to confession with his confessor. A person who regularly confesses cleanses his heart from everything displeasing to God. Believers are able to hear the words of the Lord, but first they need to rid their souls of all evil.
A short list of the elder’s instructions:
- learn the commandments of God and live according to them;
- fight your sinful desires, keep yourself from temptations;
- submit to the will of the Lord;
- love God more than anything else;
- read the works of the holy fathers;
- have the fear of God;
- prepare for sorrow, patience;
- pray correctly;
- regularly repent of sins and confess.
A Christian must believe in God, live in humility, show mercy, forgive neighbors for insults and insults. Believers are obliged to pray to the Savior daily, glorify the Lord, and thank him for life.
Song 4
Irmos: Your incarnation, which you predestined before the age, in the last you deigned to accomplish, O Lord, we heard and sang with fear.
The light of faith appeared to the Orthodox, sacred Nikon, ever shining in the night of godlessness, for I received the whole dawn of the Spirit in my heart, and you shone with radiant sermons.
Filled with fatherly love, you serve your pastorate like a milkmaid, and always visit, and protect me from fierce enemies.
Being apostolically jealous of the venerable one, you drive away mental wolves from your flock, and stop godless lips, and feed the bread of the knowledge of God to your children.
Theotokos: The All-Effective Spirit was found on Her, the All-Immaculate One, and the Word of God dwelt in You, and the flesh became unspeakable, remaining unchanged.
Song 1
Irmos: Let us sing to God from the bitter work of Pharaoh, who delivered Israel and taught with a pillar of fire and a bright cloud, as he was glorified.
Reverend Father Nikon, pray to God for us
The beauty of the church has appeared, the memory of the confessor of the Optina oblast has ended, Christ's grace triumphs in song, adorned with the Orthodox confession.
Having entered the field with an unflagging mind, the venerable one, unyielding, appeared against the demonic pretexts, gained valor through passion and deposed, as his namesake of victory, Nikon.
The glory of Optina, the seal of the eldership, the image of the monastic and fasting rule, let the venerable Nikon be praised in songs today, a warm prayer book for our souls.
Theotokos: You conceived without seed, you gave birth painlessly, you gave milk to the Word incarnate, Mariam the God-glorious Maiden; Save your singers from troubles, forever.
Glory, voice 6
To the master of the eldership of Optina / and to the vigilant guard of the monastery / to the skilled gardener you appeared, Father Nikon / when the heat of fierce atheism came / You abundantly watered with the life-giving word / nourishing your children with divine mysteries / but with the fury of persecution the temples of Optina were closed / you made the last bloodless sacrifice / You flowed into exile as if to Calvary/ and with the key of obedience you opened the door of heaven/ where the elders of Optina received you in their monastery/ with them you prayed to Christ/ and we will settle in the monastery of heaven/ as obedients of your commands.
