Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. Lipetsk Ancient Assumption Church

The Old Assumption Church, the Orthodox church of the Holy Assumption Lipetsk Monastery, is being restored in our time by the whole world, its glorious history is reborn from non-existence, information on the past of the church and people whose names are associated with the history of this monastery gathers bit by bit.

Assumption of the Mother of God

This event in the church for many centuries is a holiday. On this day, remember the whole life of the Mother of God, the sadness and joy of her fasting, the miracle of the resurrection and its promise to Christians. The Feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God is established from ancient times. In Byzantium, it was widely celebrated in the IV century. Since 595, it has become a church-wide holiday. They call this event a reason because the Mother of God fell asleep for a short time, in order to perk up from a dream from eternal sleep in an imperishable heavenly dwelling.

In Russia, the veneration of the Assumption of the Mother of God has been conducted since 866, when the fleet of Russian ships besieging Constantinople was scattered by storm on prayers to the Holy Mother of God.

Since then, the Mother of God became the patroness of the Russian army. Since the reign of Vladimir the great churches of the major cities of Rus have been dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Among them there is a small Assumption Church in the city of Lipetsk. Let's talk about it in more detail.

Ancient Assumption Church

"Uspenka" - is so lovingly called this most ancient church in the city of Lipetsk. Its current name was the Old Assumption Church in 1839, immediately after construction on the western outskirts of the city. Located in one of the picturesque corners of Lipetsk - the settlement of Monastyrka - passing through its years of wild beauty its pristine beauty, a small elegant church on the mountainside has an attractive force. Located above the holy spring, the Holy Dormition Church is famous for its numerous miraculous healings from bodily and spiritual ailments.

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2003 decided to transform the Lipetsk parish church of the Assumption of the Mother of God into the Holy Assumption Monastery. From this step began the revival of the ancient monastic monastery - the Paroyska desert, which was on this site before the city of Lipetsk appeared and was abolished in 1764, during the time of Catherine II. This monastery was the only one in the territory of Lipetsk, so he left a notable mark in the history of the city and his spiritual and moral life.

Unusual church

The unusuality of the temple is manifested not only in asymmetric architecture, but also in a deviation from the traditional orientation and location at the foot of the mountain. When building the temple, the remains of an earlier building were found. This suggests that the Assumption Church, dedicated to the Mother of God, may have been built much earlier than expected time. Precisely known is the time of construction of some of its extensions. For example, the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was consecrated by the Metropolitan of Ryazan in 1701. In 1811 the church was destined for demolition, as it stood in the wasteland and was constantly being plundered. But for some reason the planned transfer of the church to another place remained unfulfilled.

Since the middle of the XIX century, this ancient church was perceived as a monument of antiquity, requiring attention and preservation. Since that time, all authors of books, essays or guides related to Lipetsk, did not bypass her attention.

Mention of the Assumption Church in the archives

The building of the temple was built in several stages. This is evident from the differences in the masonry of the walls. The exact year of construction is unknown. The first mention of the church refers to the XVII century. There are indirect confirmations that the temple has an earlier year of construction. In archives, when describing the monastery in 1768, the wooden temple of the icon of the Mother of God was called "decrepit". Given that the wooden structures in those days were in good condition for not less than 100-150 years, it can be assumed that the temple was already operational in the middle of the XVII century.

Often, the Paroy's Desert, to which the Assumption Church belonged, is associated with the name of Peter I. Legends describe the case when the king who arrived in these places in 1703 chose a city rich in ore and began the construction of Petrovsky plants. At the monastery, Peter ordered to take a mill on the Lipovka River, without offending the monastery - the brothers received a good monthly compensation. The merger of the monastery with poorer abodes, loss of the mill did not make the church poorer, but only strengthened its financial position. The archives say that the monastery was very large by the middle of the 18th century.

In the XIX century from the big temple there were only a wooden chapel and a stone Uspensky church. Repeated attempts by residents of the city of Lipetsk to revive the ancient monastery in 1910-1911 were not crowned with success, despite abundant donations, the availability of materials, the permission of local authorities and other higher spiritual and civic leaders. Immediately the question was not solved, and the revolution that had begun radically changed the situation in the country, and the revival of the Orthodox church and monastery was no longer remembered. Many years of slow destruction of buildings began.

The Assumption Church in our time

After the revolution, the once rich church was plundered by the new authorities almost to the ground. Svyatotattsy plundered and especially revered icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving source", pulling out of it even ancient pearls. Several times there have been attempts to adapt the building to various needs, but the Assumption Church accepted parishioners for a long time, services were conducted. The parishioners of the temple tried to protect him by all means. In 1938, the temple was still closed, the priests arrested on false charges, the gradual destruction of the building began. At the end of the Great Patriotic War, a morgue was built on the premises of the church, later - warehouses. By the end of the 50th year, the Assumption Church was an abandoned, dilapidated and roofless building. After repeated unsuccessful restorations, more destructive than restoring the structure, it came to a half-ruined state.

Completely looted and abandoned Assumption Church was in 1996 transferred to the Voronezh-Lipetsk Diocese and returned to the faithful. After the 60-year break on August 28, the first divine service was held. The Assumption Church once again accepted the parishioners, and its restoration began. Since 2003, an amazing corner of ancient Lipetsk and its shrine have begun a new life. The church's altars were consecrated - a chapel in the name of Nicholas the Wonderworker and the main one in the name of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Photo of the Assumption Church again took its place of honor in the catalogs and sketches of Lipetsk. Many pilgrims visit this place, receiving healing from infirmities. Even on weekdays, the Assumption Church can hardly accommodate all those who wish to bring their prayers to these ancient walls, which were inhabited by several generations of Lipetsk residents.

Holy living source

The Old Assumption Church is the oldest stone church in the city of Lipetsk. It was placed over a holy spring, where, according to ancient belief, there was the phenomenon of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Life-giving Spring". Many generations of people came here to receive healing. And many healings gave the source worldwide fame. The very Mother of God leads him to all who are sick, asking in prayers for healing from illnesses and mental illnesses.

At the beginning of the XX century, when the Ancient Uspensky temple was closed and the chapel was destroyed, the holy spring was filled up. But the water still flowed through the three large cast-iron pipes.

Now the source also exists - it is located near the water intake, which starts right at the church. Lipchane equipped a font, where you can drink holy water and even dip. With the revival of the monastery all efforts will be made to restore the chapel.