St.Barsonofievsky Women's Monastery (Mordovia)

Interest in spiritual life and Orthodox Christian faith has an increasing tendency in society. For some, it is conditioned by the love of history, and for many it is an urgent necessity and the only way to understand the world, to find an inner core. The forerunner of many churches were the insights of holy people, a rich historical heritage, and the St. Barsanophia Convent (Mordovia) was no exception.

History

At first glance, the St. Barsanophia Convent has a very short biography, only twenty years. But the prehistory of the monastery began much earlier, with the orders of Anna Ioannovna about the baptism of the Moksha people. It happened in 1740. Residents of Selishche showed not only obedience, but zeal for religious life. In 1756 the community built two wooden churches: Pokrovsky and Nikolsky. The Intercession Church was a summer temple, and the village received its church name from it - the Pokrovsky Selishchi, and in the Nikolsky service they were governed in the cold season.

By the beginning of the 19th century, the Pokrovo-Selishchansky parish numbered 5,500 people. Over time, the settlement grew and divided into two parish villages. Pokrovskie Selisci remained at the St. Nicholas Church, and the parishioners of the village of Novye Vyselki or Borzunovka (3900 parishioners) visited the Intercession Church, in which was the Nikolsky chapel.

By the middle of the 19th century, in 1854, a large stone church was built in the village of Novye Vyselki, where three altars were placed: the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and the chapels consecrated in honor of the Grand Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles and the Great Martyr Irina. The temple repeated the architecture of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery.

After the 17th revolution

After the revolution, the struggle with religion began, but the parishioners managed to keep temples for some time. In 1934, in the New Settlements the church was completely destroyed. In Pokrovskoe Selishche temples stood as a whole, but not operational, they housed the warehouses of the local commune. The crosses from the domes were knocked down, and the bell tower was completely destroyed.

In 1975, local authorities attributed both the churches, Nikolsky and Pokrovsky, to monuments of architecture, they became state-protected valuable objects. But, despite such subtleties of history, the summer temple was destroyed. But the parishioners had faith and hope that the domes of the new monastery would rise to the height of the destroyed temples, and this faith is connected with the local legend.

In the post-revolutionary years, there is a local story about the blessed old man of Darius. The old-timers say that Dariya was born in the village of Pokrovskie Selishchi, having matured, she believed in God and became a seer. About eighty years ago she made a prophecy saying that the place of the local Church of the Intercession "God's grace is shining, and there will be a huge candle burning from the earth to the sky!"

Return of the parish

In 1991, the revival of spiritual life began in the village of Novye Selishchi. The first significant event was the formation of the Saransk Diocese, where the inhabitants applied for the return of the church and the formation of the parish. Requests were addressed to Bishop Varsonofii, and in 1992 the St. Nicholas Church was returned to the community. It required repair, restoration and new consecration. The ceremony was held on February 7 of the same year, the church was consecrated in honor of St. Barsanophius, Tver bishop and Kazan miracle-worker.

The solemn liturgy was performed by the rector of the church Alex. Women are often active participants in the restoration of churches and the most zealous parishioners. So it was in the parish church, where a small sister community was organized quite quickly. Hands of the sisters did a lot of work, and the number of adherents gradually grew.

The birth of the monastery

The collective of sisters united by faith and the desire to devote their lives to monastic ministry increased. Their works ennobled the territory, where soon the Holy Barsonofievsky nunnery (Mordovia) would be formed. Hegumen Alexy was the first in the labors, in prayer and instruction.

The cloister was surrounded by a high (2.5 meters) wall, to enter the territory were made arched iron gates. The arrangement of the monastery immediately had a great scope: a parish corps was built, a building for prospiration. Sisters were destined for the sisters in the renovated library building. We made a bookmark for the bakery, at home for novices, bakeries, baths and cowsheds. To ensure their own needs at the farmstead, a garden with fruit trees and berry bushes was broken up, a garden was planted and planted.

In 1996, there were twenty sisters in the monastic life in the monastic life, which, according to the rules of church life, allowed the community to be renamed into a monastery after a proper petition. The decree on renaming was issued on February 22, 1996.

Monastic life

The St.Barsonofievsky nunnery (Mordovia) has been living according to monastic laws since its foundation. The organizer of the monastery is hegumen Alexy and abbess Abbess Varsonofia make every effort to develop the monastery. In the monastery more than a hundred sisters are staying by the dormitory charter. Significant issues of monastic and monastic life are resolved by the Spiritual Council.

The Holy Monastery of the Mother of God took as a rule a strict charter of monasticism. Here every day during a day a large circle of services is performed, the Psalter is constantly read, prayers are performed by the saints on the days of the week. The tradition is the daily requiem, molebens are held in honor of the Mother of God.

Sisters strive to take zealous participation in all church rites and prayers. In addition to the general church service, there are monastic morning and evening rules. One of the important daily events is the nightly religious procession around the monastery with the icon of the feast of the day or St. Varsonophia.

White temple and its wonders

The St. Barsanophia Convent has eight temples to date, one of which is near a living source. The monastery is rightfully proud of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Cross-domed church with ten chapters and bell tower. The snow-white majestic church was laid in 2002, the author of the project is Kurbatov V. The bell tower has 39 meters in height, and its "voice" consists of eight bells. The festive, most powerful stop-bell bell is decorated with a memorable inscription.

This temple has an interesting history. When choosing a place for its construction, then for a long time could not make any decision. About the help of God in this matter asked hegumen and sisters - the residents of the monastery. One day a fire broke out at a bought-out farmstead, consisting of a stone house and wooden outbuildings. This site was previously purchased by the monastery from a fierce opponent of religion. As a result of the fire, only the house survived, and the wooden structures were completely burnt. As it turned out later, they were built of logs of the old village church. So the Lord showed the flock where to stand the new cathedral.

Also in the lower church of the cathedral, while building in 2003, before the Christmas Lent was an amazing event. On the ceiling of the temple under construction, the cross of the right form shining with hoarfrost appeared, he consecrated the St.Barsonofievsky convent and the construction of the temple before the Great Lent.

The iconostasis in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is unique - it was created especially for this church by the craftsmen of ceramics in Ekaterinburg and has four tiers. The cathedral was consecrated in a solemn atmosphere in early June 2012 (during the celebration of the Week of All Saints).

The temples of the monastery and the holy spring

In addition to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the following churches are located on the territory of the monastery and beyond its borders: St. Barsonophia (the former St. Nicholas Church), St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker, the Protection of the Blessed Virgin, Archangel Michael, martyr Panteleimon the Healer, the chapel and the icon of the Mother of God of Don, or the Life-giving source.

The most revered in the monastery shrines include a spring that has healing power, which is confirmed by many facts of recovery from ailments. The source has been known since time immemorial. According to legend, he was found by a small blind girl, who dreamed the night before, telling about the place where she should wash herself. As a result, the girl saw the icon of the Don Mother of God. Since then, the source is a place of pilgrimage for numerous Seliscian parishioners and people from all parts of the country.

The source was revered always, there from time immemorial there was a chapel. It was destroyed right after the revolution, and the holy place remained for a long time without special signs, but the torment of the suffering people did not run out. The situation changed in 2000, when a temple dedicated to the icon of the Don Mother of God was erected by the sisters and means of patrons near the spring. Since 2007, there is a closed bathhouse.

Concern for the source and the temple was taken over by the St. Barsanophia Convent (Mordovia). Photo of the processions with numerous flock, accompanied by priests, sisters of the monastery, testify to the respectful and Christian attitude to the sign place. The procession takes place on the feast of the Pentecost Pentecost, everyone can take part.

In the warm season, prayer is held every Wednesday for the sake of the icon "The Inexhaustible Chalice". A special holiday is the day of celebrating the icon of the Don Mother of God (September 1). On this day a solemn prayer service is held, thanksgiving words are given to the Queen of Heaven.

Worldly cares

The main concern of monastics is prayer, but in every abode they devote much time to worldly affairs. Monastic life can be considered an attempt to create an ideal community where mutual understanding, prayer, love for any neighbor and unceasing labor for common prosperity reign. St.Barsonofievsky Women's Monastery for its short history demonstrates adherence to the fundamental principles of Orthodoxy, where the social sphere is as important as the prayer rule.

When the monastery operates an orphanage for girls, for whom life at the monastery means normal socialization, training and, above all, love. Many of them have seen a lot of grief in a short life, are traumatized by parental refusal, cruelty. There are several inmates with disabilities. The girls live at the monastery, receive a full school education. To reveal their talents, the sisters teach them all kinds of needlework, drawing, singing. Pupils are full participants of monastic life.

Due attention is also paid to elderly members of the community. They have an almshouse for them, where elderly nuns and pious laywomen live, who have no relatives. They receive medical care, care. For spiritual needs in the building there is a temple of Panteleimon the Healer, bedridden patients partake in their cells. The medical center at the monastery provides professional assistance not only to its residents, but also to local residents. Sisters with a medical education lead the reception.

Righteous Works

The life of the sisters is filled with works and prayers to the brim. For their own provision on the monastic lands, gardens, gardens are planted, wheat, rye and other crops are grown. The farmyard is filled with livestock, there are cows, goats, sheep. In the monastery bred chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese. Ponds splashing fish.

The pharmacy of the monastery is one of the places where it is pleasant to visit and learn about the surrounding plants, to understand their medicinal properties. Tradition of traditional medicine supports the St. Barsanophia Convent. Ointments made by sisters are very popular, cure many diseases. The product is based on natural raw materials - beeswax, medicinal herbs and God's blessing.

In 2004, the monastery won the main prize of the thematic exhibition "Christmas Gift" for medicinal gathering and blending of herbs. Preparations, herbal and medicinal teas can be purchased at exhibitions, directly at the monastery or apply to the monastery in any convenient way.

The sisters have many worries, and everything needs to be done. Here they take care of the sick, teach and care for children, the sisters and they themselves read a lot of spiritual literature, continue their own education. A lot of time is given to local history studies. The life style of life is governed by the abbot of Varsonofia, with its works and prayers the Holy Barsonofievsky Women's Monastery flourishes. Mother Jeremiah is the accountant of the monastery, she is energetic, full of strength and energy, she is ready to do more than she should by her obligation.

Jealously the inhabitants observe the charter of the monastery, demanding humility, renunciation of their own will and a multitude of prayers and services. Havoc about a diverse economy also lie on their shoulders. The monastery has workshops for sewing vestments for priests, icon painting, a book binding workshop, improves the art of embroidery, warm things are knitted.

Reviews

A large stream of pilgrims annually goes to the St. Barsanophia Convent. Reviews of the monastery are most flattering, filled with words of gratitude and some surprise. For visitors it is often a surprise that such a large monastery has a very short history. But, having become acquainted with the sisters, the way of their life and the general mood reigning in the monastery, everyone will understand why in a short time it has blossomed so. Here reigns an atmosphere of goodwill, active active kindness, obedience, love for neighbors and for any work.

Many were surprised by the rule of settling pupils with their sisters in one cell, which pursues family upbringing for children who were early deprived of parental love. This fact does not cause denial, but is an unusual form of guardianship. Looking at children, it becomes clear that such a tradition is of much use, and there is no harm at all.

The pilgrims were pleased to see the manicured territory, large grounds and participate in the prayer life of the monastery according to the local charter. A lot of people are helping their sisters to do business, financially or simply by prayer.

The number of pilgrims is constantly growing, and in many respects it is the merit of the abbot Alexy (St.Barsonofievsky Women's Monastery). Father Alexei, whose reviews are flattering, as one of the most authoritative clerics of the Saransk Diocese, is doing everything possible for the monastery. It was his tireless labors that arose and flourished the women's abode in Pokrovsky Selishchi. His active position and unshakable faith not only support the monastic life, but also changed the rural way of life, for which the locals are grateful to the hegumen.

Helpful information

The address where the monastery is located: Zubovo-Polyansky District, Pokrovsky Selishchi Village, St.Barsonofievsky Women's Monastery (Mordovia). Phone for information and communication: 8 (987) 683-03-94.

For those who wish, pilgrimage trips are constantly organized in the group, the accommodation takes place in the hotel of the monastery. It is possible to go and independently to the St.Barsonofievsky nunnery (Mordovia). How to get there: by train, take the train to Zubov Polyana (Kazan direction), then transfer to the suburban bus next flight to Spassk or the village of Pichlanda, at the Novye Vyselki stop and walk to the monastery (about 2 km). Coordinates of the GPS navigator: N54 ° 0'12.72 "E43 ° 0'9.79".