Cross of the Life-giving (Godenovo): miracles, reviews, address and timetable

Many Christian relics have an amazing miraculous power. The grace of God overshadows them. Icons, relics of saints, rags from their clothes, religious objects have repeatedly returned lost health, peace of mind, helped to overcome the difficult periods in life, find oneself who came in churches, monasteries for moral support, in search of an exit from impasse and on Many other cases.

Great shrine

In the heart of Russia, in the Yaroslavl region, near Pereslavl-Zalessky, there is one such relic - the Cross of the Life-Giving. Godenovo is a small village in which the St. Nicholas Monastery was established for a long time. On its courtyard stands a temple, built in honor of John Chrysostom. It was this church that became the place where in the thirties of the last century the great Life-giving Cross found its shelter. Godenova saw a lot in his time. The domes of his five-domed church from 1794 are sparkling in the sky, and the sonorous bells are poured into the whole district. Since the opening day, the church has not been closed, as if invisible forces kept it in the era of atheism and heavy days of revolution, wars, repression, hunger, persecution for faith and belief. The signs of antiquity are visible in the temple everywhere. Its walls were painted in the beginning of the 19th century. The same time, the masterfully made iconostasis is also dated. The left side chapel of the church is consecrated by Bogolyubsky icon of the Mother of God. Right on the wall, in a special cove, fireproof, and the Life-giving Cross is placed. Godenovo has always been very popular with pilgrims. Thanks to the relics stored here, thousands of believers and sufferers visit the village every year.

Mysterious phenomenon

The history of finding the shrine by people is mysterious and wonderful, like everything that the hand of God touches. Inhabitants of the monastery conduct a detailed chronicle of all events in which the Life-giving Cross appears. Godenovo is the second homeland of this great creed. And it all began in the distant 15th century, in 1423. These places since ancient times have been hot. The largest swamp was called Sakhotsk. Both people and animals tried to avoid it. However, at the end of May 23, it was here that the shepherds were given a wonderful vision. In the air a cross appeared from the pillar of light with the Savior crucified on him. And next to him is Nicholas the Sinner with the Gospel. A voice from heaven ordered immediately to build here the House of God, in which the Life-Giving Cross would be located (in Godenovo, we repeat, he came later).

Nikolayevsky churchyard

Residents of the neighborhood, afraid to disobey, immediately set to work. Moreover, for the night from the swamp there was no trace, the land was dry and suitable for construction. The wooden church was erected quickly enough and was named Nikolskaya - in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker. Began to settle and the area around - near the church appeared the village of Nikolsky Pogost. Later it was renamed Antushkovo. And in the temple was exhibited the Life-Giving Cross - in Godenovo it was moved already in the 20th century. The St. Nicholas Church survived several fires until in 1776, in its place, a large stone church was built for 3 thrones - the main one in honor of the Cross, as well as two in honor of St. Nicholas and the Intercession of the Mother of God. And already in the first quarter of the 19th century, around the church in Nikolsky Pogost decided to build a monastery. The parishioners by that time numbered more than 1,500 people.

Legends of the Cross

In 1933, the Life-Giving Cross was transferred to Godenov. When the Zlatoust Temple was opened, we already wrote. Now the narrative will touch the movement of the relic. In that this cross is not easy, people could be convinced more than once. When the church of St. Nicholas burned, it was found on the ashes with absolutely untouched tongues of flame. Like the Lord guarding His Sign, he took it for all who need it. The very history of miracle work begins not only with the appearance of the Cross, but also with the voice of the Most High, who warned: "Whoever with faith and prayer will come to the crucifixion, he will receive healing and will witness many things glorious and unusual, in My name and for the sake of St. Nicholas the Holy ".

After this, a whole series of signs really took place - from a dried up swamp and the formation of a convenient river, on the bank of which the first St. Nicholas Church was built, to the miraculous rescue of the crucifix on the conflagration. All these events were recorded by monks in a special book. It, alas, has burnt down, but many other records, old scrolls - evidences of the past, have survived. In particular, when a thanksgiving service was held in honor of the fact that the cross survived, "the blind began to see clearly, the lame ones started walking straight, the sick recovered". Similar things happened in Godenovo. The life-giving Cross, when opened for worship, showed everyone its miraculous power.

Worship folk

On June 11, every year, the Day of Worship of the shrine is celebrated. From all over Russia-mother, from Ukraine and Belarus, and even far abroad people are rushing here.

Pilgrims are sent to the monastery in advance to see the Life-Giving Cross in Godenovo. How to reach your destination faster - depends on the route and mode of transport. If you depart from Moscow, before Godenov will be about 200 km. First you should come to the town of Petrovsk (180 km from the capital), and then - to the temple itself - another 15 km. By public transport - by rail, buses - choose such a route: Moscow-Petrovsk. There you need to change your seat to the local bus / shuttle and go to the village of Priozerny to Godenov. Get by personal transport - follow the signs. In Petrovsk, focus on the direction to Zlatoust Church and then follow signs to go to Godenovo. It is simply impossible to get lost here. And any local resident will be happy to show you the way, because it is for the glory of the Lord!

Years of Soviet Power

But let us return to the story of how the relic was transferred to the village of Godenovo. Life-creating Cross came to power the Bolsheviks wanted to take out of the Nikolsky temple outside, in order to destroy the "hotbed of obscurantism and religious dope." However, the crucifix suddenly became literally unbearable, although it had been carried out more than once outside the church. Then, not understanding God's craft, the Bolsheviks decided to cut it in the room, despite the fact that they profaned the sacred place by their actions. But as before the tree was not taken with fire, so now both axes and saws were powerless against it. It seemed that a cross was made of the most durable stone. Then the church was simply locked, leaving a relic in custody from several soldiers. But parishioners of the temple, worrying for the shrine, managed to bribe them. Then the Life-Giving Cross in Godenovo was transferred. Miracles of the will of the Lord were manifested in the fact that only a few believers could bring it out - under cover of night, secretly, and hid in the church of St. John Chrysostom.

The second phenomenon

A long time passed before God's Life-giving Cross was again open for worship in Godenovo. About the dilapidated church and shrine cared sisters from the St. Nicholas Monastery near Pereslavl. It is profoundly symbolic that in the walls of the church in honor of St. Nicholas the Miracle-worker in the 15th century the crucifixion became a symbol of faith, and at the end of the 20th, it again returned to the people in the monastery of St. Nicholas.

Since 1997, when the Church of St. John Chrysostom was restored and restored in Godenovo, the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord took its place of honor in it. But even then it was difficult to imagine that the shrine, located in a remote provincial outback, would acquire such a high profile in the new time and would have the status of an all-Russian one. And the visiting pilgrims with tears of gratitude and sincere trembling narrate about the visible miracles that have happened to them, or about those whose eyewitnesses they have become.

First-hand stories

It is very interesting and instructive to listen to those who saw the God-Making Cross in Godenovo. The prayers in front of him are filled with sincere trepidation and ecstasy. So, from year to year a gray-haired man comes to worship. He moves, limping slightly. It turns out that at one time he served in Afghanistan, was seriously injured. Life doctors saved him, but they could not return the movement. Wheelchair, helplessness and complete dependence on others - such was the verdict. Through despair, thoughts of suicide, alcohol was then passed by this still young guy, before turning to God.

One day he dreamed of Saint Nicholas, who pointed the road and said that his salvation was Goden's Cross of the Lord. The unfortunate invalid addressed his relatives, with difficulty persuaded them to take him to the shrine. And a miracle really happened. Service guy spent his time in the stroller. And after the moleben with the help of relatives got to his feet. And he began to quietly return to the system. Now he comes every year to places where he has gained faith in the Lord, health and himself.

Mother and children

Another touching story that has already occurred in our days. It clearly shows what the Life-Giving Cross does in Godenovo miracles. Unfortunately, female alcoholism is a dangerous phenomenon and, alas, widespread, is cured very difficult. And not only the victims of the phenomenon suffer, but also the surrounding ones. The mother of four children, who had fallen to the point that she sent beggars to the street, was deprived of parental rights. The children were resettled in shelters, and the woman was sent to the social and medical services for compulsory treatment. She was lucky that among the medical staff was a pilgrim in Godenovo. Tales of the miracles of the Lord inspired the unfortunate patient. With a maximum of effort, praying to God, she managed to overcome the addiction. And at the first opportunity I went to the pilgrimage. After all, the woman really wanted to return the children, and only a miracle could help her. During the prayers, the Wonderworker also appeared to him, who explained how to act so that the family would be reunited. Soon after the pilgrimage, thanks to the help of God - and only her! - Mother and children have found each other.

Celebrations in honor of the Cross of the Life-Giving

During the year, several events are celebrated, in which an Orthodox shrine participates. First, solemn prayers are served at the Holy Week, the third during the Great Lent. Secondly, on the day of the crucifixion itself - on June 11, as well as on August 14 and September 27.

Schedule of the temple

• For its pilgrims, the temple is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00.
• To the open footsteps of the life-giving Cross of the Lord can be added on such days as Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• On Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the liturgy is celebrated at 9 am, and the evening service begins at 5 pm.
• At 8 am on the days of Lent Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is performed on Wednesdays and Fridays.