Pilgrimage to the men's cave monastery of St. Theodore Stratilates (Chelter-Koba)

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Russia Republic of Crimea Men's Cave Monastery of St. Theodore Stratelates (Chelter-Koba) Map is loading…

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44.696488; 33.832467

Russia, Republic of Crimea, Bakhchisaray district, Zheleznodorozhnenskoye rural settlement

Republic of Crimea

Russia

Telephone:

+7 978 721 10 80

Email:

Monastery in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates

- a male monastery of the Simferopol diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), located in the Bakhchisarai region of Crimea in the valley of the Belbek River, at a distance of one kilometer from the village of Bolshoye Sadovoe (Tash-Basty). One of the oldest cave monasteries in Crimea.

History[[edit]h2>

Consecration of the dome
The monastery was founded presumably in the 13th-14th centuries on the northern borders of the Principality of Theodoro, near the Syuren fortress. The main temple of the monastery is dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates. Destroyed in the 15th century.

Since the early 2000s, restoration work has been underway. Divine services were resumed in the main church, part of the cells and the belfry were restored.

Since October 2015, the Chelter-Koba cave monastery has been a cultural heritage site of federal significance.

Where did the name come from?

The Chelter-Koba monastery is named after Theodore. This is what is commonly believed. But there are no reliable facts and the real name of the saint is simply unknown. Thus, scientists suggest that three saints could become defenders of the monastery: Tiron, Studitus, Stratelates. But it was Saint Theodore Stratelates who was given such an honor. And he became the patron saint of the saints in the cave.

What is a monastery?

Chelter Koba was not created by human hands. The places of recesses, which later became the monastery, arose naturally and only then were slightly changed for convenience. So, all the rooms fit into one line, which was cut by the monks many years ago. The shrine consists of 23 separate rooms located deep within the rock. The rooms are divided into 4 tiers, which allows you to separate the temple, cells and rooms intended for household needs. There are separate rooms for eating and storage.

The largest depression in the rock is precisely the temple where services are held. This is a really spacious room with an area of about 150 square meters. Its natural shape was changed only by creating recesses for the altar. There are depressions and small crypts in the floor. You can also appreciate the ancient benches, which were created by pilgrims with their own hands from stone.

Small cells were created specifically for hermits. There are more spacious apartments for older pilgrims. There is an opinion that the cells were never 100% filled with monks. Many rooms always remained free especially for guests. The rooms are warm even in severe frosts, they are protected from the wind. But modern inhabitants actively use new technologies for heating, which allows them to always feel comfortable in caves.

The architecture of the temple also includes a long grotto, which leads along a winding path straight to the source. Its length is about 150 meters. At the very bottom of the grotto you can feel yourself in captivity of nature. This is facilitated by crystal clear water and unprecedented freshness of air. It is here that there is a bowl of holy water where pilgrims plunge.

Description[[edit]h2>

The name Chelter-Koba, translated from Crimean Tatar, literally means Lattice-Cave or Cave Lattice (Crimean Tat. çilter - “lattice, grid”; Crimean Tat. qoba - “cave”).

The monastery complex consists of a cave main temple, cells and a refectory, connected by paths cut into the rock monolith. To the south of the monastery complex there is a spring located at the beginning of the Khor-Khor gully.

The monastery has more than 50 caves, located in four tiers.

History of the foundation of the shrine

The cave monastery, like many other rock structures, arose in the 8-9 centuries. It originally belonged to the Orthodox Church of the Byzantine Empire. For a long time, admirers of icons from local residents served here. The Syuren Fortress was located nearby.

Very little is known about the early history of the building, and, according to archaeologists, it acquired its modern name only a few centuries later. Historians claim that the monastery really bears the name of Theodore, but which one is not known exactly. It is believed that it could have been Tyrone, Stratelates, and Studitus.

The heyday of the Byzantine monastery occurred in the 14th century AD. And this was connected with the development of the Principality of Theodoro. There was a border nearby, next to which the monastery was located, and fighting constantly broke out here. And soon this led to the fact that the monastery began to constantly be attacked by enemies from different directions. During attacks, the monks most often moved to a nearby fortress.

In 1475, Chelter-Koba fell into complete desolation under the onslaught of the Ottomans, who invaded the Crimean land. No one was able to defend the fortress and the monastery. As soon as the Turkish army captured Feodosia , it moved west, destroying everything in its path. The monastery fell under this invasion and was quickly destroyed.

Modern history

For more than 500 years, the monastery was abandoned; travelers and tribes lived here. But no one thought about restoring the landmark. Everything changed in 2001, when the Metropolitan of Crimea and Simferopol, Lazar, arrived here. He blessed this place for the construction of a new temple, and construction began in 2003. In 2004, the temple was consecrated.

How to get there[[edit]h2>

Address:

Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Bakhchisaray district. Maloe Sadovoe village

Directions:

From Simferopol. You need to take the Sevastopol-Simferopol train or a regular bus to get to Bakhchisarai.
From Sevastopol. You need to take the Simferopol-Sevastopol train or a regular bus to get to Bakhchisarai. A bus runs from the bus station twice a day at 10:15 and 18:15 to Sokolinoe (exit Malosadovoe village)
From Bakhchisarai, transfer to a regular bus heading towards the village of Sokolinoe to the village of Malosadovoye.

Telephone:

+7 978 721 10 80

Email:

How to get to the monastery?

Getting to Chelter-Koba is not difficult; you can do this by any type of public transport moving from Bakhchisarai towards Yalta. You should get to the village of Maloye Sadovoye, cross it and along a dirt road, through a dogwood grove, pass through the gorge, focusing on three towering rocks and marks on the trees that serve as indicators. A map would be useful in this situation.

By car you can get to the monastery from Bakhchisarai like this:

Note to tourists

Address: Maloye Sadovoye village, Bakhchisarai district, Crimea, Russia.
Coordinates: 44°37′51″N (44.630948), 33°49′52″E (33.831031).
Telephone.
Official website: https://feodor.church.ua/

Reviews about the Cave Monastery of Theodore Stratilates on the Internet are few and laconic. This is because few guests of Crimea know about its existence. Photos with his image are much more common, but not much can be seen in them either. As a result, in order to form an opinion about this amazing and enchanting place, you need to visit it yourself - then all sorts of questions will disappear by themselves! In conclusion, we offer a short video about this reminder of Orthodoxy on the land of Crimea.

Liked? Share with your friends!

Pilgrim[[edit]h2>

Where to stay:

Monastery courtyard
. Pilgrims planning a trip to the monastery are advised to worry about overnight accommodation in advance. There is a small pilgrimage hotel at the monastery; the houses are equipped with furniture, heaters, warm blankets and bed linen. Due to the fact that places are limited, it is necessary to apply for a room reservation. Monastery mail Phone: +79787211080 (Katerina). There are restrictions! Call in advance!
Pilgrimage hotel at the Church of St. Nicholas at the Fraternal Cemetery in Sevastopol
. Location: Sevastopol, Fraternal Cemetery on the North Side of Sevastopol, Bogdanova Street, 43. Telephone: +79787501032 Ekaterina Vasilievna – hotel administrator +7 (8692) 71-12-07;; +7 (8692) 71-16-08 – church phone number.
Pilgrimage hotel at the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village.
Kholmovka . The maximum number of beds is 56, with another 15 cots. There is a meal. The cost of accommodation is 500 rubles per day per person. There are transfer services and a bus with 18 seats. The governor's phone number: +79788261693, Fr. Varnava.
Pilgrimage hotel at the Church of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called in the village of Kacha
, on the seashore. Accommodates 30-40 people, accommodation costs about 250 rubles. Phone number of the viceroy's father, Archpriest Sergius: +7 89787308452, +7 89788018126.

Chelter Koba Monastery today

Since 2005, the monastery begins its new history. Gradually, monastic life begins to settle down and the territory of the monastery becomes ennobled. The largest grotto again becomes a temple in honor of the Great Martyr. Theodore Stratelates. In honor of the same holy saint, a spring located in close proximity to the monastery is consecrated. There is a font near the spring where anyone can take a dip and receive healing by faith.

The brethren of the monastery are small. The silence and surrounding beauty of this place contribute to a prayerful mood and Divine contemplation.

Currently, the cave temple has been significantly transformed. Divine services are held regularly on Sundays and holidays. Twice a year, on February 21 and June 21, the monastery hosts festive services dedicated to the memory of the heavenly patron of the monastery, the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates. In the village A monastic courtyard was organized in Malosadovoye. Currently, construction work is underway to build a temple and a pilgrimage hotel.

Tourist value of the monastery

The Chelter-Koba cave monastery is in most cases included in tourist routes along the Belbek River valley. Having reached the temple, tourists can see the following attractions:

The Temple of Theodore Stratelates is the largest object of cave infrastructure, located at the bottom of the cliff. It looks like a hole of a dragon or a huge snake, the total area is 150 square meters. There is an altar carved in the temple, and in the walls there are niches and benches that have been preserved since ancient times. There are small pits in the floor of the church - during the heyday of the monastery they served as graves;
the source of water is a significant place in the sacred cave. You can get to it by moving away from the cells, of which there are 22 in the monastery;
140 meters from the cells there is an impressive cave grotto. It contains the sacred key and source.

Only 5 people live in the monastery, but the abbot always openly welcomes tourists and travelers. Here you can videotape and take photographs. But only outside of church service.

Shrines

Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”

Icon of the Mother of God, called “Quick to Hear”
Particles of the holy relics of the holy saints of God
A large particle of the relics of St. Theodore Stratelates, the heavenly patron of the monastery
Ancient icon of the holy martyr Charalampios
Holy spring

Schedule of services

The time of church services can be found on site or by calling +7 (36560) 5-79-19;.