Belarus, Zhirovichi. Monastery of the Holy Assumption

There are many churches, churches, monasteries in Belarus. One of them is one of the hundred most revered Orthodox shrines in the world, which has an ancient history. We will learn more about it from the article.

Small icon

Almost five hundred years Holy Assumption Monastery in Zhirovichi serves people. And his life began with a very small icon. On this account, there is a legend.

The appearance of the temple is due to an amazing event. It was a long time ago (in 1494). Then the shepherds, who grazed the flock of their master Alexander Soltan, wandered into the thick forest. We stopped at a wild pear tree. Suddenly, among the branches, there was a glow. It was an icon that hung right on the tree. With a trembling feeling they took off the image. Have brought to the owner. He nearly brushed aside the shepherds, did not even believe this story. Indifferently put away the find in the chest. And by the evening, feasting with my guests, I remembered. Decided to show it. I went into the room to take it, but there was no icon on the spot.

In the morning he told the shepherds to go to the forest, to the same place. They came, looked back. The icon hung the same way, on the same tree - all in the rays of light. Took her workers, returned the boyar. And then only he believed in this miracle of God. He took the marvelous shrine with great reverence and went to the place where it was found. Praying, I promised the Lord that here, in Zhirovichi, the temple will be built, and give him the name in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos.

To the miraculous image (Mother of God) began to come people who wanted to lead a monastic life. So there was a man's monastery.

Never closed

In 1520, a church built by a boyar and neighboring buildings destroyed fire. In the fire, people thought, the icon also disappeared. However, it was soon found. And who? Children who played near the conflagration.

Once (1613), a new wooden Uspensky church was handed over to the Basilian (Catholic) monks. They built a stone church and a similar monastery. These structures have survived to this day, but with minor changes. And in 1839 at the permission of Emperor Nicholas I the whole monastery passed into Orthodoxy.

It is also remarkable that during the time of the Soviets it was not only not closed, it even had a theological seminary. Here, future priests were trained.

Healing of the soul and body

The chroniclers diligently recorded the whole history of the monastery. Do not miss, of course, and those numerous cases of miraculous healing of people from severe diseases with the help of the miraculous icon that is in Zhirovichi. It was not only her body that she treated, but her soul. Helped to find a way out of difficult situations in life.

Not only ordinary people came to Zhirovichi. The monastery also saw the kings of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, other higher persons. And on the Feast of the Intercession only in the XIX century there arrived a lot, sometimes more than 30 thousand people from different countries.

A curious fact: before this icon (called "Zhirovich's Mother of God"), the Orthodox head was not the only one to bow. In one Roman monastery, which belongs to the Basilian order, there is a copy of it. In the capital of Italy it is very revered.

"We must go to the village of Zhirovichi. The monastery should definitely visit "- such plans are being built by many people. They overcome hundreds or even several thousand kilometers in order to bow their heads before the miracle-working icon, drink water from the spring and ask the Mother of God to heal from the ailments.

Three styles of architecture

Historians will confirm that this monastery (Zhirovichi, Belarus) became widely known and rich by the XVII century. And as revered as the Catholic in Poland, in the city of Częstochowa. He also has his icon of the Mother of God and is famous for it. This monastery became a monument of history and a symbol of the unity of the Polish nation.

But the Zhirovich was built in the XVII and XVIII centuries. Therefore, it is very interesting from the point of view of architecture. After all, it combines such styles as rococo, baroque and classicism. The whole ensemble consists of several parts: the Cathedral (the Holy Assumption) - once, the churches of the Cross and the Epiphany Church - two, the bell-towers - three.

On the territory there are also educational institutions (seminary, theological academy). Add housing for housing, farm buildings, refectory, etc. Whole town! And over time, the village grew up near.

It is interesting that the monks themselves are now reviving the Old Zhirovichi - the very village where the landlord Soltan, mentioned in the legend, lived for a long time.

Overnight in a holy place

When the traveling began to be typed very much, they built a Pilgrim's House for them. It is 500 meters from the monastery. Here people can rest and even spend the night. Just have to book a place in advance. And women are placed in it, and men are placed in different places (on the territory of the monastery). Of course, this is not hotels, as we used to understand them. Have to spend a day or two without the usual amenities. The house has three, six and ten rooms. There are no excesses in them, only all the essentials.

Open to visitors and a refectory. Everything cooked in it is very tasty and useful. Most of the vegetables are grown by monks in their gardens. Lunches are paid, but inexpensive. There are no meat dishes here.

In short, everything is attractive: the administrative center of Zhirovichi itself, the monastery. The photos presented in the article will confirm this.

There is something to see

First of all, the Uspensky Cathedral draws. The story of his transformation is unusual. After all, at first the cathedral was built in the Baroque style. The end of work was in 1650. On the facade he had two beautiful towers. Later, already in the first half of the XIX century, a reconstruction was carried out. And in the appearance of the cathedral were added other features - classicism. Turrets dismantled, the decor changed. They made changes in the shape of the dome, the drum for light. The facades were decided to decorate with columns and pilasters. They ended with a triangular configuration of pediments. Only the interior of the temple was kept Baroque.

Under the Holy Dormition Cathedral there is a healing spring. According to an old legend, he scored when an icon was found here. The temple (the very first that was burnt down later) was specially built near this place. Now the placement of his altar is marked by a small wooden cross. This is the point where a wonderful icon appeared to people. All this is worth seeing with your own eyes.

Special tours

Since the number of people who want to visit here, every year, everything is increasing, pilgrimage trips were organized. Go to Zhirovichi, a monastery to view as a monument of architecture and join the shrines aspire to many. A similar voyage began to include in their plans and travel companies. And they saw that the route to the village of Zhirovichi (monastery) was very popular. Excursion on it raises enthusiastic responses. The number of people wishing to come here has not declined yet. They travel from all parts of the country. Many tourists are from foreign countries.

You can take this trip yourself. Who has a car is not a problem at all. And some unite in groups, companies, and ride on small buses.

The final point is known: Zhirovichi (monastery). How to get there, we will tell. The exact address is as follows: Belarus, Grodno region, Slonim district. The village itself is 11 kilometers from the district center. Exact address: Sobornaya Street, 57.

You came by train to Grodno. There are no direct bus routes to Zhirovichi from it. It is necessary to get to Slonim first. On time this is two hours (it is necessary to leave early, at 7 am). And from the district center to the desired village buses travel often. On the way it will take half an hour.

Holy Sources

In addition to visiting the monastery town, go to the holy springs. There are only three of them here. However, for guests only two are open, as one is located under the altar. And only monks have the right to go down to it. But the most interesting is the very source that made its way from under the roots of the pear, where a wonderful icon appeared!

And another moment. Both springs are at the same distance from the monastery. But they are called: Far and Near. The first about two hundred years. To it it is necessary to go directly on the central street of settlement. Near it, and in the summer, when it's too hot, it's always cool. It is created by tall trees with a dense crown surrounding the source. There is also a swimming pool here.

By the same source (it was consecrated 9 years ago), the road leads to the town of Ivatsevichi. There are bathhouses for men and women. It is very convenient, especially for those who came to the tourist groups. They say that in winter people do not go into the water, it's cold. But the most courageous for the sake of familiarizing themselves with this shrine and their health are still descending into the icy font.

Touch the miracle

The monastery complex is big. A whole tour of it is usually spent. This is an inspection of the Cathedral of St. Assumption, and the church attached to it Nikolskaya. In turn, and Yavlenskaya, also Krestovozdvizhenskaya and Georgievskaya. It is interesting to climb the belfry, to look into the buildings of the old and new seminaries. And, of course, in the refectory. The main thing for which they come here is to touch the main shrine, Zhirovich's icon of the Mother of God. By the way, it is the smallest of the miraculous. Total with the palm.

Also worth a look at the stone that keeps the footprints of the Virgin, and the Gospel - Zhirovich, handwritten.

Noble, light feelings give birth to a monastery in Zhirovichi. The testimonies of those who have visited it are worth it to write them down and make a whole book. Useful for descendants.