Coordinates: N44 17.4 E40 19.104.
History of the creation of the St. Michael's Monastery
By 1864, many Cossack villages appeared in the Trans-Kuban mountain zone. The inhabitants of most of them were poor and could not afford the construction and maintenance of the temple. The situation that developed in the new villages caused concern among the leadership of the Stavropol diocese, since among the Cossack village residents there were many representatives of Old Believers and even sectarians, and there were no conditions necessary for the accommodation of monks and clergy in Transkuban. All this created the preconditions for the appearance of the St. Michael’s Athos Monastery in Adygea.
In the current situation, residents of the villages of Barakaevskaya, Tsarskaya, Abadzekhskaya, Psemenskaya, the villages of Bagovskoye and Sevastopolsky decided to raise funds for the construction of a church and a parish priest’s house, provide the clergy with means of maintenance, annually pay an allowance to the parish priest in the amount of 100 rubles, and also hire messenger priest.
In 1874, Bishop Herman made the first attempt to found the Orthodox St. Michael's Monastery in Transkuban.
In the winter of 1874, state peasant Isidor Trubin and tradesman from Kharkov Ilya Bezverkhov submitted a petition to establish a monastic hermitage near the village of Sahraiskaya (Tsarskaya). Both from an early age felt an attraction to moral, spiritual life, served in churches and, at the call of their hearts, arrived in the Ekaterino-Lyabezh hermitage, where their desire for monastic life could be satisfied. However, an unknown feeling attracted them to the Caucasus mountains, to those places where the village of Tsarskaya was evicted. The places they saw amazed the monks with their beauty and grandeur. Having stayed here for some time, both of them considered it necessary to build a monastery in this particular place, but realizing that their opinion alone would not be enough, they turned to the Cossack villagers for help and received support. Residents of the nearest villages: Dakhovskaya, Sevastopol, Tsarskaya and Kamennomostskaya donated 270 acres of communal land to the future temple, and the Cossacks of the Tsarskaya village, in addition to this, donated the prayer house of the former Sakhraiskaya village to the future St. Michael's Athos Monastery. The land that the Cossacks donated to the monastery was distinguished by its fertility; there were berries and forest fruits in abundance, everything that spoke of the prosperity of the economic life of the future monastery.
Having carefully considered everything, Ilya Bezverkhov and Isidor Trubin decided that the construction and maintenance of the monastery could be carried out without the help of the state, because building materials for the construction of monastic buildings were available in abundance, and local residents were ready to take part in the construction work.
Isidor Trubin and Ilya Bezverkhov believed that the opening of the St. Michael's Athos Monastery could have a beneficial effect on both the indigenous inhabitants and the Cossack migrants; on the basis of the monastery, it would be possible to open a school for the children of village residents.
Having prepared the ground for the construction of the St. Michael's Athos Monastery in Adygea, Ilya Bezverkhov and Isidor Trubin turned to Bishop German for his blessing to begin construction work. By order of Bishop German, Bezverkhov and Trubin were temporarily transferred to the Ekaterino-Lebyazhskaya hermitage, where they were to study the monastery rules, and German himself at this time began to collect information about the location of the future monastery and the donations collected for its construction. During the inquiries made by Bishop German, by 1876 it became clear that the transfer of land by the village residents for the construction of the St. Michael's Athos Monastery had no legal force, since the communal land could not leave the ownership of the village residents, much less become the property of other persons.
Since the establishment of the St. Michael's Athos Monastery was not permitted, Herman transferred the donations and valuables collected for the construction of the monastery to the camp church of the Trukhmyansky bailiff.
Thus, the first attempt to found a monastery near the village of Tsarskaya was not realized, but the idea of opening a monastery here continued to live.
In 1877, the Cossack village residents petitioned the governor of the Caucasus to allow 350 dessiatines to be allocated from the village lands for the construction of an Orthodox monastery on Mount Fiziabgo.
In May of the same 1877, permission to build the St. Michael's Athos Monastery in Adygea was received. And in September 1877, the construction of the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos began. By April 1879, construction of the first temple in honor of the guardian angel of the brother of Emperor Alexander II, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, Archangel Michael was completed; at first, this temple was used both for services and for housing monks. Construction of the second temple in honor of St. Alexander Nevsky was completed in 1881. And four years later, the largest temple of the St. Michael's Athos men's hermitage was erected - the Assumption Cathedral, which could accommodate up to 1000 parishioners within its walls.
At the suggestion of Martyrius, pilgrims who visited the St. Michael’s Monastery of Athos took part in its further improvement. Each pilgrim arriving at the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos brought with him a stone for construction.
The monks who lived in the monastery lived in work and prayer. The monk's day began at 2 a.m., when the service began and continued until dawn. After this there was a meal and work. At 12 o'clock the ringing of the church bell called everyone to mass. From the end of the lunch service until the beginning of the evening service, the monks had a time to rest. Those who violated the order were punished with additional work. On the territory of the St. Michael's Athos Monastery, guards were constantly appointed, who gathered the monks for work by ringing the bells. Parishioners and pilgrims also had to follow the established order.
Martyriy paid great attention to the development of eldership. The elders of the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos built cells on Mount Shakhan, where they prayed and worked a lot. The monks of the St. Michael's Monastery, together with the elders, erected the Temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Physiabgo, and the two elders, considering themselves sinners, dug underground passages in the mountain.
With the participation of Martyrius, a parochial school for village residents was opened at the St. Michael's Athos Monastery, the trustee of which was the monk Vakulin.
The influence of the monastery on the nearest Adyghe villages was great, the monks spread the ideas of Orthodoxy, and constantly struggled with the consequences of the schism, which was especially pronounced in this area. The schismatics lived in nearby villages and had a noticeable influence on the local residents. To combat schismatics, the monks intensified their preaching activities.
Thanks to Martyrius, a strong economy was created in the monastery: the monks grew industrial crops, were engaged in animal husbandry, and cows, horses, oxen, and even camels grazed on the monastery pastures. Many outbuildings appeared on the lands of the monastery: a farm, a barnyard, a shoe and sewing workshop, a bakery, a forge, a laundry and a dyeing shop. An alabaster factory, a meteorological station and a hospital were built in the monastery.
After the end of the civil war, the monastery lands were confiscated, and along with them production facilities, agricultural implements and equipment. In 1926, a rest house was opened on the lands of the former St. Michael’s Monastery, and a year later the Vladilen commune was located within the walls of the monastery. Despite the changes that occurred to the monastery, monastic life in the monastery continued until 1928, when the monastery was officially closed and the monks were disbanded.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the Rest House was closed and a home for war invalids was created on its basis. In 1944, after the liberation of Adygea, the authorities established a children's labor colony on the territory of the St. Michael's Monastery.
In 1946, colonists blew up the Assumption Cathedral, from the stones of which a new school was built. After the destruction of the cathedral, other buildings of the monastery were also dismantled to obtain material for the construction of dormitories for the colonists. Also in 1946, on Mount Fiziabgo, colonists blew up the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
In the 1960s, the children's colony was reformed, and the buildings of the destroyed monastery were transferred to the Kamennomostsky fruit farm. In 1972, the territory of the St. Michael's Monastery and the remains of the destroyed buildings were transferred to the Krasnodar Regional Committee for Tourism, and where the old monastery had once been, the Romantika tourist base was opened.
In 1992, Orthodox activists in Adygea began fighting for the transfer of the St. Michael's Monastery to the Orthodox Church. The struggle lasted for twelve whole years and only in 2001 part of the monastery buildings and lands was returned to the church. From this time on, the revival of monastic life within the walls of St. Michael’s Monastery began. But most of the monastery was still occupied by a camp site. Only in March 2003 did the final transfer of the monastery to the Orthodox Church take place.
After the return of the monastery and its lands to the Orthodox Church, Hieromonk Martyry became its first rector, who held this post until 2004. With his participation, divine services were established, repair work was carried out on the Trinity Church and the cell building, and the St. Michael's Monastery (Adygea) acquired its own apiary and its own equipment. After Martyrius, Hieromonk Pimen became the new abbot. Under him, the arrangement and development of the monastery continued, the number of members of the monastery increased to 20 people.
Currently, the rector of the monastery is Hieromonk Gerasim, appointed in 2006. Over the past time, on the site of the old temple, the Church of the Archangel Michael was erected, the illumination of which took place in August 2008. The fame of the monastery is growing every year, the number of pilgrims and sufferers is increasing every year.
Interesting places included in the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos and its surroundings
As a rule, tourists and pilgrims begin their acquaintance with the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos with the Holy Trinity Church, the largest church on the territory of the monastery.
In the center is the Assumption Church.
Another temple is the Church of the Archangel Michael.
Among other attractions on the territory of the St. Michael's Monastery (Adygea) one can note the mass grave of disabled people killed by the German fascists and buildings that have not yet been fully restored: the Church of St. Alexander, a hospice house, a refectory. Work is also underway on the restoration of the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God. There is a sports ground.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the crypt of Archimandrite Martyrius.
Many tourists note the incredibly tasty monastery tea, pies and pancakes with a variety of fillings.
Outside the territory of the monastery in the immediate vicinity there is a stable where tourist trips on horses are organized.
Also, having arrived at the St. Michael's Monastery of Athos (Adygea), you should head towards Mount Fiziabgo, visit the caves along the way, and also climb to the top of the mountain and drink water from the holy spring. From the top of the mountain there is an excellent view of the surrounding area, however, those who are not able to climb to the top of Fisiabgo can be content with the panorama that opens from the observation tower of the tourist center attached to the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity. And if you have enough time, take a walk to the Fars River and its canyon.
Photo: Pavel Panko, Distance X, A.V. Makarova, albertino-mourico, Tatyana Ledovskaya, Ekaterina Sviridova
St. Michael's Cathedral, located in the very heart of Izhevsk, is the calling card of the city and the most important spiritual building in all of Udmurtia. That is why the monastery attracts many people: both local residents, who have long chosen the church territory as a place for walks with children, and city guests who want to see one of the most beautiful churches in Russia with their own eyes.
Personally, the cathedral made a strong impression on me - the rich iconostasis, many buildings and monuments on the territory of the temple itself, as well as the grandeur and pomp of St. Michael's Cathedral. So what else can he surprise and amaze us with?
Story
The history of St. Michael's Cathedral, located in the city, cannot be called calm. After all, fate was not always favorable to this spiritual monastery.
The ancestor of the modern cathedral is considered to be a small wooden chapel that was erected on the highest point of the city in 1765. However, it was destined to not last long, because half a century later it was destroyed by a terrible fire. The decision to build a new building was made only at the end of the nineteenth century, it was then that the townspeople began to support the authorities with all their might and help the construction with money.
By 1907, local residents could not only enjoy the beauty of the seventy-meter cathedral, but also wake up to the ringing of bells, which could be heard even in neighboring villages.
However, with the advent of Soviet power, the fate of the church remained in doubt, but despite this, the local administration tried to preserve the city heritage - by 1932 the bells were removed, and a year later a local history museum was established in the church. But four years later, the residents of Izhevsk still had to say goodbye to the main spiritual building - in 1937, after an order came from Moscow, St. Michael's Cathedral was demolished.
Today's spiritual monastery is a complete prototype of the building that was erected at the beginning of the twentieth century. That is why its construction was not delayed - the church was erected in 7 years, which is a record short period of time.
Today, St. Michael's Cathedral is not just a spiritual landmark, but also a religious and educational center, which is visited by hundreds of believers.
How to get there
St. Michael's Cathedral is located at the address: city, st. Karl Marx, 222.
On foot
The cathedral is located on one of the central streets of the city, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of walking to it. This can be done if you go down to Karl Marx Street from the central square and head down. If you walk straight the whole time and don’t turn anywhere, you will find yourself at the foot of the church in 7-10 minutes.
Public transport
Of course, there are those tourists who do not like to walk or simply cannot overcome the fear of getting lost. There is an option for them to travel by tram.
In order to get to St. Michael's Cathedral, you also need to go down from the central square onto Karl Marx Street, cross the road and take any tram that moves down from the city square. The fare is fixed, so regardless of the number of stops, you will need to pay 20 rubles for travel on city public transport.
If you decide to keep your route this way, then you need to go through just one stop and get off at the one called “Church”. 
Cathedral territory
Once at the foot of St. Michael's Cathedral, you will have to climb a sufficient number of steps, because the spiritual monastery stands at the highest point of the city. Having risen to the entrance to the church, the question will certainly arise - should you familiarize yourself with the cathedral site or immediately enter the temple? On the one hand, a pompous tall building with shiny domes beckons you inside; on the other hand, well-groomed flower beds in summer, ice sculptures in winter, bronze monuments and a love bench attract the eye no less. So where should you go first?
Church area
Personally, I decided to start getting acquainted with the cathedral from the adjacent territory and did not regret it at all. The huge site is literally strewn with many bronze sculptures and other objects that are of architectural and spiritual value.
One of the most famous is the monument to the holy blessed Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom. It attracts couples, newlyweds and children, who are often photographed and posed in front of it.
In addition, on the territory of St. Michael’s Cathedral there is a chapel, which anyone can visit, and a school where masters teach everyone interested in icon painting. There you can admire or purchase one of the works.
During the summer
It is also worth noting that in the summer the entire territory of the cathedral is practically buried in greenery - neatly decorated flower beds and tall trees protect you from the bustle and noise of the city, which are literally located below, at a distance of a couple of hundred steps.
In winter
As for the winter months, on the territory of St. Michael's Cathedral you can often see ice sculptures, caves, castles or low slides, which are created especially for parishioners with small children.
Interior design of the cathedral
After admiring the external beauty of the building and the well-groomed grounds, I went inside the cathedral. Here it should immediately be noted that, as elsewhere, in St. Michael’s Cathedral all women must have a scarf on their heads. But if suddenly one of the parishioners forgot that you need to come with your head covered, workers at the entrance give out scarves for free, but with the condition that you will definitely return it when you leave.
When I walked into the very depths of the church, a rich decoration opened before me - painted walls, a carved iconostasis up to the ceiling, a huge chandelier illuminating the vaults where the holy martyrs are depicted.
As you walk further and further and study everything that catches your eye, it begins to seem that you are not in a church, but in a religious museum. This feeling accompanied me throughout my entire stay in the building and went away only after I left her.
But here it is worth saying that more parishioners are attracted not only by external beauty, but also by the many shrines. In the cathedral you can bow before the miraculous icon created in the 16th century. It is the oldest in the cathedral and contains particles of the relics of such holy apostles as Bartholomew, Luke, James, Matthew and Mark.
Ground floor
Having walked around the entire territory, enjoying the interior of the church, I was about to leave, but it turned out that the ground floor of the building was open to ordinary visitors. There is a room where the sacrament of baptism takes place, an icon shop and an exhibition gallery.
Baptism
As for baptism, the St. Michael's Cathedral, located in Izhevsk, has taken the following position: baptism takes place strictly behind closed doors, which means that you will not be able to get into this room, unless, of course, you are a parent. However, you can see what it looks like in the photographs that are on the wall near the entrance.
There you can see a more modest iconostasis, a small font and a table where a church worker will give happy parents confirmation that their child was baptized in St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Church shop and exhibition gallery
If we talk about a church shop, then it is a fairly typical showcase where you can buy a variety of spiritual literature, icons, consecrated jewelry (rings, crosses, chains), as well as candles. In addition, you can leave a note in the shop with the names of your loved ones and relatives. The next day, these notes are sent to the priests, who conduct rituals of prayer for health.
A little further away you can see a small exhibition gallery where you can enjoy the works of the students who created the icons and purchase the one you like. It is noteworthy that most of them are middle school students. However, without knowing this information, we can safely say that the icon was created by professionals, since it was impossible for me to distinguish between the icon created by students at the cathedral and the icon created by narrow specialists.
Operating mode
St. Michael's Cathedral is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The morning service runs from 7:00 and ends at 10:00, as for the evening service: if you want to attend it, you need to be at St. Michael's Cathedral already at 16:30 in the evening.
Since I have been to St. Michael’s Cathedral more than once, I can say that a lot of people always come to the morning and evening services. Regardless of whether it is a weekday or a weekend, sometimes the church is simply crowded. That is why I would advise those who are going to the cathedral for the first time to simply enjoy the beauty and grandeur and visit the cathedral at lunchtime, from approximately 13:00 to 15:00. It is during these two hours that it becomes more free there, you can go up and look at the icons, and calmly admire the painted vaults.
On a note
Holidays in Adygea are a pleasure all year round. Even in winter there is something to do here. There is an opportunity to spend time interestingly, actively, and educationally at the numerous attractions of the region. For example, visit the St. Michael’s Athos Monastery, full of mysteries and secrets.
Location
Between the villages of Kamennomostsky and Pobeda (closer to Pobeda) there is an amazing tourist complex. It is located on Mount Fiziabgo, cut up and down by numerous underground passages and caves.
These places are sought after not only by pilgrims, but also by ordinary tourists who prefer to combine entertainment with a cultural program, during which they admire monuments of architecture and history, not indifferent to everything beautiful. Find out more interesting things about the region in which you are located. By the way, there is an excellent recreation center right on the territory of the monastery.
Daily housing in these parts
Kamennomostsky
Dakhovskaya
Guzeripl
My wife, friends and I lived at (excellent camp site with delicious breakfasts)
Features of the monastery
Many pilgrims equate the St. Michael's Monastery with the famous Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Beneath it there is also a huge number of underground passages, which previously housed objects significant to the monks. Today little remains of them.
On the territory built from different times, many ancient structures were destroyed. New buildings appeared in their place. Everything is as harmonious and beautiful as possible. The architectural composition is amazing, unique and truly special.
Among the old buildings, the main building of the monastery has survived, as well as the Refectory and separate buildings for economic purposes. In principle, it is not difficult to distinguish new structures from ancient ones, even for people who are poorly versed in construction.
Not far from the monastery there is the holy spring of Panteleimon the Healer. A huge number of tourists come to it to get water with healing powers. Some citizens even collect 5–7 five-liter eggplants of “living water.” There is also a font with spring (very cold) water. According to legend, anyone who plunges into it will get rid of many ailments.
Although the monastery is male, female representatives can also visit it. At the entrance they are asked to cover their heads with a scarf and wear a skirt over their trousers. All this is completely free, because the place is holy. By the way, if you go to the source, do not miss the opportunity to admire the majestic mountain range. A path leads to the observation deck, turning left from the path to the source.
Important: if you are planning to visit the source of Panteleimon the healer, go here as early as possible. Otherwise, you will stand in line for a long time. There are always a lot of people here. In winter, of course, less, but still. All this is of course very interesting, but no less interesting are the historical facts of the creation and development of the main attraction of Adygea.
History of development
Planning for the construction of a complex for religious people in these parts began back in 1864. There were many Cossack villages and believers here, but there was no financial opportunity to build and maintain a temple. The rulers of the Stavropol diocese began to think about where to place sectarians, Old Believers, and so on. Residents of six villages and villages in the Trans-Kuban mountain range decided to independently raise the necessary funds to build a temple and a place of residence for the priest.
It was planned to pay the clergyman a hundred ruble allowance, and also to hire him a messenger annually. But only in the seventy-fourth year of the century before last, Bishop Herman tried to create the St. Michael's Monastery. Peasant I. Trubin, together with tradesman from Kharkov I. Bezverkhov, asked permission to found a monastic hermitage near the village of Tsarskaya. These two people led a spiritual, moral existence and served the church. They strove for the Ionian life, which is why they arrived in the Ekaterino-Lyabezh hermitage.
At the same time, they were drawn like a magnet to the Caucasus Mountains, which overwhelmed them with their beauty and grandeur. It was they who convinced of the need to build a monastery. At the same time, these truly great people understood that they could not solve this issue on their own. That’s why they came to the villagers for help. Naturally we received a positive response.
People living in the territory of Dakhovskaya, Sevastopol, Tsarskaya Stanitsa and the village of Kamennomostsky decided to donate 270 acres of their lands. And the believers from Tsarskaya donated a prayer house to the church that had not yet been built. One of the main advantages of the donated lands was their high fertility.
Preparations for construction lasted two whole years, but in the process it became clear that it was impossible to build any structures on these lands. Because it was in the possession of the village residents and could not be transferred to third parties. But people were already determined to build a great temple, on the territory of which it was also planned to open a school for local children. There was money and materials, the village residents were ready to take an active part in the construction.
But due to the ban on the construction of the shrine, both donations and valuables had to be handed over to the Trukhmyansky bailiff’s camp church. Despite the refusal, the idea of building a monastery did not die out. In the year 77 of the century before last, a petition was again submitted to the governor of the Caucasus for the allocation of 350 acres of land of the village residents (in the town of Fiziabgo) for the construction of a monastery.
In the spring of the same year, permission was received and in the fall, construction of the St. Michael's Monastery began. It lasted a little less than two years. It was completed in the spring of 1879. True, during this time only the first temple was built, named in honor of the Archangel Michael. For some time it served as a monastery and a place for services.
Another temple, built in honor of A. Nevsky, opened only three years later. And four years later, the largest and most majestic temple was erected - the Assumption Cathedral. It was so large that it could easily accommodate up to 1000 parishioners at a time.
Over time, the elders began to establish cells in the city of Shakhan. The monks built the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the town of Fiziabgo. And two of them, who for some reason considered themselves sinful people, dug passages in the bowels of the mountain. A church school was opened around this time. There was a flurry of activity here.
A farm and barnyard, a shoemaker's shop and even a sewing workshop were built, not to mention a laundry and dyeing shop. It also had its own forge, hospital, weather station and alabaster production plant. The monks lived and worked quietly until the civil war. At its end, the land, equipment and buildings were confiscated.
In the early twenties of the last century, they actually made a holiday home, and then organized a commune. At the same time, the monks were able to live here until the 28th year of the last century. Afterwards, the monastery officially closed, and all the inhabitants were dismissed.
During the Second World War, the recreation center was also closed, and in its place a home for people with disabilities was built. In 1944, the authorities decided to set up a children's labor colony here. Two years later, the Assumption Cathedral was destroyed, the remaining material was used for the construction of an educational institution. In the same year the archive was also destroyed. Transfiguration.
In the sixties of the last century, the colony was removed from here. And already in 1972, on the territory of the St. Michael’s Monastery, a recreation center for tourists “Romantika” was opened. The struggle for the return of buildings and land to the Orthodox Church began only in the early nineties of the last century and lasted more than ten years. The final transfer of the St. Michael's Monastery took place only at the beginning of this century, in 2003. Since then, the restoration of destroyed objects, or rather, the construction of new temples, began.
What is interesting about the monastery today?
The most popular place is the Holy Trinity Church (which survived all the events described above) and is one of the largest buildings. It is also worth visiting the temples of the Assumption and Archangel Michael. Another local attraction is the mass grave of people with disabilities killed by the Nazis.
Of no less interest are the structures that have not yet been fully restored: the reg. Assumption, St. Alexander, refectory and house that receives wanderers. Many tourists, especially pilgrims, try to visit the crypt of Archimandrite Martyrius.
There is also plenty to do in the area around St. Michael's Monastery. These include horseback riding and visiting caves on the way to Mount Fiziabgo. Climbing the mountain, enjoying the panorama. Those tourists who have enough time often go to the Fars River, famous for its canyon.
By the way, a hotel with 80 rooms is provided for pilgrims, however, according to some reports, temporary accommodation in it is impossible. At the same time, the pilgrimage center organizes excursions to caves created by human hands, to monastic lakes, Assumption cells and to the chapel of Tsar Alexander II.
How to get (get there) to St. Michael's Monastery
First you need to get to Pobeda. This can be done by bus coming from Krasnodar, through the village of Kamennomostsky. By car you can get to the St. Michael's Monastery through Maykop, towards Kamennomostsky. At the entrance to the village you will be greeted by signs to holy places. So it’s unlikely to get lost. Especially if you follow the coordinates. Exact coordinates and map at the bottom of the page.
Address: Maykop district, Pobeda village, Vesely village, Rodnikovaya street 5.
It is also possible to contact Father Varlaam by phone: 8 928 2682660 or Father Mikhail at 8 928 4660358.
Photo
St. Michael's Athos Monastery is truly the main attraction of Adygea. I would recommend visiting it to every tourist spending time in Kamennomostsky and its surroundings. And if you have already been here, please the readers and me by describing your experience in the comments.
St. Michael's Cathedral in Izhevsk (Russia) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
- Last minute tours in Russia
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St. Michael's Cathedral, located in the Central district of Izhevsk, is considered the hallmark of the city and a symbol of the revival of the spiritual life of Udmurtia and all of Russia. This majestic temple building blended very harmoniously into the architectural appearance of Izhevsk, so that today it is almost impossible to imagine this place empty.
St. Michael's Cathedral, located in the Central district of Izhevsk, is considered the hallmark of the city and a symbol of the revival of the spiritual life of Udmurtia and all of Russia.
Fate has not always been favorable to the Izhevsk temple, its history is full of tragic pages, however, having gone through the crucible of trials and overcoming all difficulties, today St. Michael’s Cathedral delights the townspeople and guests of Izhevsk. In the evenings and on weekends, the temple area, decorated with elegant flower beds and green lawns, is filled with vacationers. Whole families of townspeople come here to take a stroll and escape from worldly worries.
From the history of the cathedral
The ancestor of St. Michael's Cathedral was a small wooden chapel built in 1765 in honor of the Holy Trinity, but its life was short-lived: just 50 years later, during a huge fire, the chapel burned down. For almost a century, ideas for building a new temple were discussed, until in 1897, at a meeting of residents of the factory village, the decision to build a cathedral was finally made. The result of ten years of construction by the whole world was a majestic temple more than 70 m high, which could be seen from 20 km, and the ringing of its bells could be heard in neighboring villages.
In November 1907, the first service took place in St. Michael's Cathedral.
It seemed that all the difficulties were behind us, and the temple had a bright future. However, after a couple of decades, the Udmurt leaders had to save the temple from the encroachments of the Soviet government, which sought to erase the shrines from the face of the earth. In 1932, local authorities reset the bells, and in 1933 they converted the church into a local history museum. But all attempts to preserve the people's heritage, unfortunately, did not help: in 1937, after a stern warning from Moscow, Izhevsk leaders were forced to decide to demolish the temple. The ruins of the once beautiful cathedral adorned Izhevsk until February 2000, when, on the initiative of the first president of Udmurtia, a decision was made to recreate it. On August 5, 2007, the history of the revived St. Michael's Cathedral began: on this day, Patriarch Alexy II consecrated the main altar of the church and celebrated the first liturgy.
Temple today
The St. Michael Athos Monastery, or simply St. Michael's Monastery, as it is called, is located in Adygea, near Khadzhokh - the village of Kamennomostsky.
This is one of the main attractions of Kamennomostsky. Pilgrims and tourists flock for the sake of the St. Michael-Athos Monastery and the holy spring from all over the country.
St. Michael Athos Monastery
St. Michael Athos Monastery is the highest mountain monastery in our country, and one of the most mysterious. The fact is that the monastery stands on Mount Fiziabgo, and the entire mountain under the monastery is dotted with secret passages and mysterious caves. Once upon a time, the monks had icon-painting workshops and rich libraries underground, as well as a sanctuary of holy relics.
Now many of the passages are filled up and only part of its former splendor has been found. The monastery itself, founded in 1877, was destroyed in 1928. Many buildings were blown up.
But there were some buildings that are still alive - the refectory, the main building of the monastery, some outbuildings. The remaining buildings were built in our time. Old and new structures are easy to distinguish from each other.
Both men and women are allowed into the territory of the St. Michael Athos Monastery. Before entering, women are given skirts and scarves. Everything is free, of course, this is a temple.
Holy spring of Panteleimon the healer
There is no way to get to the source through the monastery. You need to go out the gate and follow the arrows up the hill. The holy spring of Panteleimon the healer is located almost at the very top of the mountain. The road to the source is paved with paving stones, wide and level, and there are often benches along the way where you can rest.
A few meters short of the source and the font, the path branches off to the left. This is the road to the viewing platform, which offers views of the Caucasus Range.
We walked to the source. There are usually a lot of people there. So if you don’t want to stand in line, it’s better to arrive as early as possible.
This is a source where you can get holy water. Many people collected directly from five-liter bottles, 5-10 such bottles each. Why so much holy water - I have no idea.
This is a font. The water there is spring and always very cold. It is believed that there is healing water there and that by plunging into the font you will get rid of diseases. This may be true. I wouldn't risk swimming there.
Monastery address:
- Republic of Adygea, Maykop district, village. Pobeda, p/o Vesely, st. Rodnikovaya, 5