Saint-Znamensky Abalaksky Monastery: History and Photos

What place can be safely called the cradle of the development of spirituality on the Tobolsk land? Of course, the Abalaksky monastery. It is located twenty kilometers from Tobolsk at the village of Abalak. The monastery was founded in 1783, but the researchers claim that the Orthodox Church chose this place as far back as 1636.

Legends of these places

According to legend, the small Tatar town of Abalak should become the dwelling of God, Yermak also knew. In 1585 the squad of the Cossack ataman defeated the Tatar army near this settlement. On the same day, Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to Ermak and announced that this place was sacred. Information about this event is recorded in the Siberian Chronicle. The eighties of the 16th century are considered to be the beginning of the development of spirituality here.

Another legend says that in 1636 the Virgin Mary appeared to the inhabitant of the settlement (the poor widow of Mary). She said that there must be built a church dedicated to the icon of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin. And on two sides of it there will be two more temples - St. Mary of Egypt and St. Nicholas. The widow told of the Tobolsk archbishop Nektarii who saw it, he gave a blessing for the construction, and soon the work began to boil in these places.

Erection of the church

In the same year in the territory of Abalak was erected Znamenskaya church. However, 44 years later the shrine was burnt. And in 1683, Tsar Feodor Alekseevich issued a decree - to build a stone church here. A new cathedral with four pillars and five domes was consecrated in 1691. By the way, this unique sample of Russian art is recognized as one of the most original monuments. An example for him was one of the churches in Moscow.

In the early fifties of the XVIII century the church was partially rebuilt. Pillars and five domes of the temple were removed, the top was brought under one big dome. Changes have also affected the premises: an apse appeared on the eastern side, and a porch on the western side. Immediately after the changes, the church was consecrated again.

At the same time, on the right side, the architects built the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. And in 1952 the construction of the church of St. Mary of Egypt began. That is, a large temple complex on this territory appeared long before the establishment of the Holy-Znamensky Abalaksky monastery here.

The appearance of the monastery

By decree of Empress Catherine II in 1783 in the Abalak parish, a male monastery was established . The question arose: where should the monks be transferred from? To go to these places the novices of the Epiphany Monastery, located in the Perm province, decided .

For a while there was no fence around the Abalak monastery. It was built only at the beginning of the XIX century. At the same time, a large construction project continued here: the fraternal building, numerous auxiliary premises and, of course, the bishop's house appeared on the territory of the complex. The construction of the monastery hotel was completed. They built it on the donations of the widow of General Zryakhov. It was completed in 1904.

At the beginning of the last century, 22 monks from the Valaam monastery were transferred to the Abalaksky monastery of Tobolsk . They arrived in a new place with the hieromonk Anthony. By the way, among them was Archimandrite Arkady Gusev, whose fate is very sad. In 1923 he resisted the confiscation of church shrines, was deprived of freedom and in 1937 was shot.

Spiritual center of Siberia

The Abalak complex is a wonderful place. For a long time it was a place of pilgrimage. Here they went to worship the miraculous icons.

In addition, the Znamensky Abalaksky monastery is one of the main spiritual centers of Siberia. Historians say that in 1918 the whole family of the last ruler of the Russian Empire visited here. Nicholas II, his wife Empress Alexandra, children of Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei, who were in Tobolsk exile, prayed within the walls of this complex.

Many researchers associate this place with another significant historical figure - Grigory Rasputin. Up to our time, information has reached that during his last visit to the city of Tobolsk he defended his service in this quiet monastery.

Educational activities

In tsarist times, clergymen conducted an active educational activity. Especially for aliens of Western Siberia under the Abalak monastery there was a school. Here the children of Mansi, Khanty and Tatars were taught literacy. Monks taught children and crafts, which could be useful in adulthood.

By the way, these traditions are sacred here and today: the monks are involved in social activities, help drug addicts who visit the monastery in the hope of healing. The novices conduct correspondence with the prisoners, helping them to strengthen themselves spiritually. And during school holidays the Abalak man's monastery in Tobolsk accepts difficult teenagers: three times a year the camp "Chance" is opened here.

Monastery and Revolution

Seven years after the October Revolution, the monastery was closed, and the monks were repressed. In this territory in Soviet times there was a smithy, a garage, a house of culture and a boarding school for children. Later, the transit camp of the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs was opened here.

It was after this that the chapel appeared on the territory of the temple complex, the dungeon of which inspires horror. On the left side of the basement are the marble tombs, covered with lids with small windows. If you look at these windows, you can see dozens of skulls, including children's skulls. All of them were discovered during the restoration work. But the most terrible thing is not the number of remains, but their condition: on a large part of the skulls one can see terrible wounds.

Return of the monastery

The procedure for the return of the Abalaksky male monastery under the canopy of the Orthodox Church began in 1989. Then he was in a deplorable state: temples and monastery buildings were almost destroyed, and all the remaining church shrines and household items - plundered. In the early nineties the whole architectural ensemble was transferred to the Tobolsk-Tyumen diocese. Completed a complete restoration of the Abalak monastery only in 2007. Then they installed crosses and domes, consecrated them.

Monastery today

Today the complex is experiencing an unprecedented heyday. Znamensky Abalaksky Monastery owns almost 250 hectares of agricultural land. They are used for sowing grain crops, planting vegetables. Many here and haymaking, because the monastery has a large courtyard. By the way, monks also work in the apiary.

In addition to the monasteries and outbuildings, three temples operate here today: the Temple of Mary of Egypt, Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Cathedral of the Sign of Znamensky. At the monastery there is a large library, in which there are more than six thousand books.

Composition of the monastic brethren

In the Abalaksky monastery today there are more than 20 people: among them there are 12 priests, 6 novices and three monks. There is a monk in the monastery - a man who has not yet given vows, but already wears some monastic attire. And labor obediences here are about forty workers - workers who work voluntarily and disinterestedly.

Center of Tourism

The Abalak complex is very beautiful, and therefore not only pilgrims aspire here, but also secular tourists. They stay in a monastery hotel, they can visit all services. Spiritual tourism is not the only way to relax here. Lovers of architecture will like the unique architectural ensemble, built in the Middle Ages. Those who are interested in history, should pay attention to the surrounding hills, which to this day carry the memory of the battle ataman Ermak and Khan Kuchum.

Fans of extreme recreation will enjoy the local steep slopes, wonderful landscapes, many streams. It's good fishing, hunting, picking pine nuts and berries. And lovers of quiet hunting (for example, mushroom pickers) will be pleased with the "prey". And in winter Abalak is a Mecca for skiers: very close to the monastery there are trails for those who prefer active recreation.

Abalaksky Monastery: photo, how to get

Many pilgrims and tourists are worried about the question: how to get to the Holy-Znamensky Abalaksky monastery? This is quite simple, because the wisdom of the people says - all the roads of Russia lead to temples.

On the federal highway Khanty-Mansiysk - Tyumen you need to drive the city of Tobolsk, to reach the bridge across the largest river of Siberia - Irtysh. Then, following the prompts of the pointer, turn left. 15 kilometers - and you're there!

You can get to the cradle of Siberian Christianity on public transport. Daily buses leave from Tobolsk to Abalak. The trip will take only half an hour.

Interesting Facts

The relics of Tobol'sk Metropolitan John are kept in the Abalaksky Monastery. Here is also the miraculous icon "The Sign". With her, by the way, another wonderful story is connected.

During the construction of the monastery, a beggar came to the house to the local seriously ill peasant Evtimiy. He took from him the promise - to write for the complex under construction the image of the Mother of God. According to the beggar, this should heal Euphemia. Without hesitation, the peasant turned to the most skillful Tobolsk icon painter. When he finished writing the image, Euthymius received a miraculous healing.

Since then, the glory of the icon, called the "Sign", spread throughout the world. Hundreds of people with various diseases come to the monastery in order, as a Tobolsk peasant, to gain health.