The Svyatogorsky Monastery in the Pskov region is not only an Orthodox shrine, glorious for its miraculous icons. It is visited with interest even by those people who are far from religion. And there is nothing surprising in this. After all, the ashes of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin rest in the walls of the monastery. This detail helped the monastery avoid the fate of many other religious sites that were blown up or destroyed during the years of Soviet rule. Of course, the revolutionaries dispersed the monastic brethren as being bourgeois alien to the proletarians, but they left the buildings themselves. Until the ninety-second year of the last century, the State Memorial Museum of A. S. Pushkin was located in them. Then the monastery was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. But this place is also protected by the state as an object of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. In this short essay we will talk about the Svyatogorsk monastery. The monastery has an interesting history. And why was Alexander Pushkin buried there, who, as you know, died in St. Petersburg? You will also learn about this from our article.
History of the Svyatogorsk Monastery
The foundation of the monastery was preceded by two appearances of the Mother of God. And by a strange coincidence, in both cases, the only witness of the miracle was the shepherd Timothy, who later, according to church tradition, received the status of "blessed boy." At first, the Mother of God appeared in 1563 in the village of Lugovka. Later, a chapel was built on this site. And three years later, the blessed youth Timothy again saw the Mother of God, this time on Mount Sinichya. The Holy Virgin chose a very good place for the apparition. In those days, the city of Voronich was on the border with the independent principality of Novgorod. The Moscow Tsar Ivan the Terrible considered the miracle on Sinichya Gora a convenient excuse to place a fortification on his borders (and at the same time testify to his piety). He ordered the governor of Pskov, Prince Yuri Tokmakov, to build the Svyatogorsky Monastery. But it began with the church, the altar of which is located above the stump of that pine tree, where the blessed shepherd saw the icon of the Mother of God.
Convent building. Pushkin mountains
Already in 1569, three years after the last miracle, the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos was built. Since the temple was built not just as a religious building, but also as a fortification fortress, it was immediately erected in stone. Surprised by such quick work, Tsar Ivan the Terrible granted the new monastery a bell weighing fifteen pounds. This blagovest was called by the people "Goryun", because "he sang pitifully." And Sinichya Mountain, where the appearance of the icon of the Mother of God to the youth Timothy, was later renamed the Holy. At the end of the sixteenth century, the settlement of Tobolets arose at the monastery. It got its name from the lake of the same name nearby. By the beginning of the eighteenth century, this settlement had grown into a real village. They called it the Holy Mountains. The Soviet government was disgusted by such a name. Therefore, in 1925, another name was given to the settlement surrounding the Svyatogorsky Monastery - Pushkinsky Gory.
Zenith of glory and sunset
All Russian tsars, from Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great, made rich offerings and gifts to the monastery. These were precious vestments, and the first printed Gospel of 1628 (granted by Sovereign Mikhail Fedorovich), and a bell, rare in silver content, weighing 151 pounds. But although the foundation of the Svyatogorsk monastery was of strategic importance, this did not save it from destruction. The monastery suffered from the troops of Stefan Batory, in the Livonian War, during times of unrest. But the monastery was resurrected every time. And overgrown with lands! The monks were the owners of villages and lands. But everything changed with the ascension to the throne of Catherine II. By her decree, the monastery was classified as a third-class one, and most of the monastery lands were transferred to the treasury.
shrine
Willy-nilly, the brethren had to approach the pattern of Christian life in poverty. But the pious people did not allow the monks to beg completely. The Svyatogorsky Monastery attracted pilgrims with the icons of the Mother of God Hodegetria and "Tenderness" - the very images that appeared to the lad Timothy. In addition, fairs were held near the walls of the monastery twice a year - on the Ninth Friday after Easter and on Pokrov. The monastery continued to enjoy the glory of a holy place. Many wealthy people would like to be buried in her cemetery. Among these was the Hannibal family - the ancestors of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. After all, the Mikhailovskoye family estate was also very close.
Svyatogorsky Monastery and A. S. Pushkin
So, by the will of Osip Abramovich Gannibal, who paid for the land for the family burial vault, the monastery became closely associated with the name of the outstanding Russian poet. Pushkin himself liked to come to the monastery. He visited fairs, listened to the local dialect, collected stories about the days of the past (in Mikhailovskoye, "Boris Godunov" was written). The poet also came to the family tomb, where his grandfather and grandmother were buried, as well as his brother Plato, who died in infancy. In 1836, Pushkin also buried his mother here. Then he paid the monastery ten rubles in silver for the right to be buried here himself. And this happened a year before the death of the poet. Now the grave of A.S. Pushkin in the Svyatogorsk Monastery can compete with the Hodegetria icon in terms of the number of pilgrims. It was this modest monument that saved the monastery from destruction during the Soviet era.
How to get to the Svyatogorsky Monastery
The Pushkin Mountains are located 95 kilometers from Pskov in a straight line, 113 kilometers along the highway. Getting here from the regional center is easy. There is also a direct bus Pskov - Pushkinskiye Gory, through the village there are cars to Novorzhev and Velikiye Luki. Excursion groups come here from St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Svyatogorsky Monastery is located in the very center of the Pushkin Mountains, at the address: Pushkinskaya Street, 1.
Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Monastery, located near Pskov, was once one of the richest and most important. He still keeps traces of his former greatness, and is also known for his connection with the great Russian poet - A. S. Pushkin.
You will learn about this and other interesting details related to the sights and shrines of the Svyatogorsk Holy Dormition Monastery in Pushkinskiye Gory by reading my story.
Where is the Svyatogorsky Monastery located?
Svyatogorsky Monastery is located in the village. Pushkinskiye Gory, Pskov region, st. Pushkinskaya, 1.
Contact phones: +7(81146)23785, 23571, 23628.
Fax: +7(81146)23389.
What is the best way to get to the monastery?
The best way to get to the Svyatogorsk Monastery is by bus from Pskov. Routes Pskov - Novorzhev, Pskov - Pushkinskie Gory, Pskov - go here.
Important! You can get to Pskov by train, bus, car or by plane.
On your car You can get from Pushkinskie Gory and the monastery in two ways:- Via Highway E-95/R-23;
- Through highway 58K-96.
Both routes pass through Pskov.
Features of visiting the monastery
The monastery is open for visits daily from 7:00 to 20:00.
Did you know? You can walk around the territory of the monastery, visit its churches, take part in divine services and sacraments, order trebs, and, if you wish, perform obediences for the benefit of the monastery.
Regarding the pilgrimage to the monastery, you can contact by phone:
- +79113693435 (monastery);
- +79212127869 (monastic skete and farm).
Regarding the work in the monastery, you will be consulted by phone:
- +79118964448 , +7953201958 (monastery);
- +79212127869 , +79113989282 (monastic skete);
- +79113916035 , +79116900711 (subsidiary farm).
Worship Schedule
Divine services are held daily in the monastery.
- On weekdays the morning service, consisting of the Fraternal Prayer, Midnight Office, Hours and Liturgy, begins at 6:30, evening - at 17:00.
- On Sundays and public holidays The first morning service is held at 9:00 am and consists of the Hours and the Liturgy. At the Sunday evening service, which begins at 17:00, one of the Akathists of St. Mother of God.
- In addition, on every 1st Sunday of the month, a conciliar prayer is read for the Calling of the Holy Spirit for a good deed, and on every 4th Sunday - a Prayer of Thanksgiving to Jesus Christ.
Where can you stay near the monastery?
Did you know? For workers, free accommodation in the skete of the monastery and meals in the monastery refectory are possible.
Pilgrims can stay in hotels and guest houses in the village. Pushkin Mountains.
Attractions of the monastery
Once the Svyatogorsk Monastery was one of the richest and most prosperous.
Did you know? Founded by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the monastery for a long time remained a "favorite" of the rulers, who constantly made generous gifts. The collection of bells of the monastery was especially famous, which included a huge 15-pood silver bell, donated by Ivan the Terrible.
Later, by order of Empress Catherine, the monastery was classified as “third-rate”, after which its development was suspended. And after the bombs fell on it during the Second World War and the subsequent restoration, the monastery is now only a shadow of the wealth that it once represented.
But even now there is something to see.
The main temple of the monastery is Assumption Cathedral, built in 1569. This is a beautiful building, made in the traditions of local temple architecture by Pskov masters.
In the 18th century, two chapels were added to it: in honor of miraculous icons of the Mother of God Hodigtria and the Intercession of the Blessed. Mother of God which are kept here to this day.
Also on the territory of the monastery you can see:
It was in the monastery that they buried the body of the late Pushkin and saw him off on his last journey.
Now on the territory of the Svyatogorsk monastery operates memorial museum dedicated to the life and work of the great poet.
Photo of the Svyatogorsk Monastery in Pushkinskiye Gory
The Svyatogorsky Monastery is a very cozy and secluded place, located among beautiful nature.
Ancient staircase leading to the main temple of the monastery. 
The grave of A. S. Pushkin is constantly decorated with flowers brought by pilgrims in memory of the great poet. 
The memory of the former greatness of the monastery. 
The Svyatogorsk Icon of the Mother of God is one of the main shrines of the monastery. 
Svyatogorsk Monastery - film
Personally, I really like such quiet and cozy monasteries, located away from the city noise and crowds of tourists. You can come here for solitude, peace and tranquility. You can easily and boldly renounce the worldly and remember the eternal, devote yourself to prayers and spiritual searches.
The Pushkin Museum is an additional "bonus" and very pleasant, especially for lovers of literature.
Did you like the Svyatogorsky Monastery?
Photo: Holy Dormition Svyatogorsky Monastery
Photo and description
The Holy Assumption Svyatogorsky Monastery is an Orthodox male monastery located in the Pskov region, namely in the village of Pushkinskiye Gory. The Svyatogorsk Monastery was founded by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1569 and has long been one of the most revered monasteries in Russia. The monastery received a huge number of gifts free of charge, the most valuable of which was the bell donated by Tsar Ivan the Terrible, whose weight reached 15 pounds, as well as the Gospel granted by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. To date, you can see a few fragments from the bell, which was cast by order of Abbot Innokenty in 1753 in the city of Moscow.
Important changes awaited the monastery in the 18th century, when the Russian border moved to the Baltic shores, and especially after the order of Catherine II, according to which the monastery became a third-class monastery, and all its lands were transferred to the state treasury. Since the 19th century, the Svyatogorsky Monastery has been closely associated with the name of Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich. The famous poet, staying in Mikhailovskoye, often came here at difficult moments of his creative quest. When writing the drama "Boris Godunov", Alexander Sergeevich strove to transfer the characters of his characters to the pages most historically truthfully, which is why the poet spent a lot of time in the monastery library, studying chronicle sources in the room of one of the "fraternal" buildings.
The entire perimeter of the monastery is surrounded by a stone fence. A pair of gates lead to the monastery building, one of which is Saints, and the other is Pyatnitskaya, which was previously located next to the lost Pyatnitskaya Church.
Not far from the Holy Gates stands the governor's house, which was built in 1911. Named after the lost church, the Nikolsky Gate leads to the monastery's trading yard. Closely adjoining the Anastasievskiy Gates is an old stone svetelka, intended for the gatekeeper. Stone stairs lead directly to the Assumption Cathedral, and then to the Pushkin-Gannibal family cemetery. In the 18th century, two aisles were added to the ancient Assumption Cathedral - Odigitrievsky and Pokrovsky. It was in the Odigitrievsky aisle that the coffin of A.S. Pushkin on the night before the burial.
In the Holy Dormition Monastery, at the family cemetery of the Pushkin-Gannibal family, there are burials of family members: Pushkin's grandfather, Osip Abramovich, grandmother, Maria Alekseevna, mother, Nadezhda Osipovna, and father, Sergei Lvovich. In 1819, Plato died - the younger brother of the poet, who was buried at the Assumption Cathedral.
It was the Svyatogorsk Monastery that became the last refuge of the great poet. In the winter of February 6, 1837, after a memorial service, the poet's body was interred, not far from the altar wall. After four years, a large marble monument was erected here, which was ordered by the widow of Pushkin to the St. Petersburg master of monumental affairs A.M. Permogorov. In 1924, the Svyatogorsky Monastery was closed.
As you know, a huge number of monasteries suffered to a greater extent during the Great Patriotic War. Assumption Cathedral was restored only in 1949. An exposition was opened in this place, which became a dedication to the history of the monastery, as well as to the life, work, duel and funeral of A.S. Pushkin.
In mid-1992, the Svyatogorsk monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church for unlimited use. In the spring of May 29, with the participation of Moscow Patriarch Alexy II, services were resumed in a solemn atmosphere in the Holy Dormition Monastery, namely in the Assumption Cathedral.
At the moment, the cathedral is working, and the territory adjacent to it is actively used in cooperation with the Pushkin Reserve, as well as the diocese. Today, about 25 monks and novices live at the monastery, although in Pushkin's time their number did not exceed ten people. The monks work on the monastic lands, doing agriculture. There is a church Sunday school at the monastery. According to the blessing of the church governor, the monks actively receive pilgrims. In the morning and evening, according to the monastery charter, services are held, and every day the monastic brethren pray for the repose of the soul of God's servant Alexander.
The blog "Know your native land" is a virtual journey for children around the Pskov region and is the embodiment in the Internet space of the main materials of the project of the Pskov Centralized Library System "Know your native land!".
This project was developed and implemented in the libraries of the Centralized Library System of Pskov in 2012-2013. - Library - Center for Communication and Information, Children's Ecological Library "Rainbow", Library "Spring" named after. S.A. Zolottsev and in the innovation-methodical department of the Central City Library.
The main goal of the project is to give an idea about the historical past of the Pskov region, its present, about the people (personalities) who glorified the Pskov region, about the richness and originality of the nature of the Pskov region.
The project brought together librarians, participants in the educational process and parents with a single goal.
“Cultivating love for the native land, for the native culture, for the native village or city, for the native speech is a task of paramount importance and there is no need to prove it. But how to cultivate this love? It starts small - with love for your family, for your home, for your school. Gradually expanding, this love for the native land turns into love for one's country - for its history, its past and present ”(D.S. Likhachev).
| Pskov. Phot. Peter Kosykh. |
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Pskov State University
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