Astrakhan, the Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery and its history

Since time immemorial, the soul of an Orthodox person has found tranquility and religious enthusiasm in holy monasteries, which the Russian land was so rich in. For many centuries, they were the centers of enlightenment and springs, nourished the spiritual life of the people. Their value in the history of Russia, the formation of its culture and national identity is invaluable.

Abode on the Volga shore

In the middle of the 17th century, near the earthen rampart that protected Astrakhan from the raids of steppe nomads, a monastery was founded. Her birth, she is obliged to the diocesan lord Metropolitan Savvaty, from personal funds to finance the first buildings. The archives have preserved the documents testifying that in 1688 the construction of the church in honor of John the Baptist, headed by the elder Alexander, started in the monastery territory and was carried out by the hands of the same brotherhood.

But, apparently, the Lord at that time was angry at the inhabitants of the Volga cities. He let loose in 1692 a terrible epidemic of plague, which also engulfed Astrakhan. The Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery (as it was called from the day of its foundation) shared the common fate - of all its inhabitants only two hieromonks remained alive.

But the will of God is for all. The dead were buried in the brotherly cemetery, and other monks and novices soon came to their place, who continued the work begun and in 1697 completed the construction of the temple. At the same time, a two-tier bell tower was erected over the holy gate - the western entrance to the Ioann monastery, and the whole territory was surrounded by solid walls with watchtowers at the corners. The time was restless, and often the holy monasteries were going to act as military fortifications. So it happened this time.

In the siege of the rebels

In 1706, the regiments of rebellious streltsy captured Astrakhan. The Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery, whose inhabitants remained faithful to the tsar, became in these days a base for incoming government troops. When it became known that Field Marshal Sheremetyev himself was in his walls, the rebels went to the attack, wanting to decapitate the faithful to Peter the Great.

These days have been tested for the strength of the walls of the monastery. Through the embrasures cut through them in the embrasures, the defenders fired, repulsing the attacks of the streltsi, and through the holy gates they made sorties, turning their enemies into flight. Only with great difficulty did we manage to throw the enemy away from the walls and save the Predtechensky Monastery from fire and plunder.

Bogoprotivnye acts of the governor

However, even after the Streltsi revolts subsided, peace and quiet reigned for a short time in the monastery. In the twenties of the same 18th century, Astrakhan governor AP Volynsky became the troublemaker of tranquility. He, as is known, patronized the Catholic missionaries, who deployed their activities in the Volga region. On this basis, he had a conflict with all the representatives of the clergy, who expressed dissatisfaction with his actions.

Among them was Archimandrite Joasaph, who headed the Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery (Astrakhan). After hoarding into the dungeon of the servant of God, he tried to force him to extradite him the monastery coffers and other valuables, hidden in advance from possible embezzlement. Only chance allowed the abbot to escape and thereby save his life.

Not having succeeded in his atrocity, the godless governor nevertheless achieved in 1723 the closure of the monastery and the establishment within its walls of the military hospital. All the monks were expelled, and the monastery church received parish status. Divine services continued in him, but he was in the hands of the white, that is, not the monastic clergy. Only four years after the urgent demands of the diocesan Bishop Varlaam, the Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery (Astrakhan) once again continued its activities.

Construction and improvement of the monastery

During all subsequent decades of the XVIII century on the territory of the monastery was intensive construction. A parish corpse and a new stone fence were erected, the first tier of the bell tower was converted into a church of John the Warrior, and the church of the icon of "Joy of All Who Sorrow" was built. Other works were made.

But the most large-scale construction unfolded a century later, when in 1895 the majestic Sretensky temple was laid. During the same period all the wooden brother cells were demolished, and new stone ones were built in their place.

Years of Atheism and God-fighting

The dramatic events that unfolded in the country with the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, and swept Astrakhan. The Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery was abolished together with other holy monasteries of the country. The services in his temples were kept for some time, but in 1929 they were closed, and soon two of them - John the Warrior and John the Baptist - were demolished. Until now, only the Sretensky temple has survived. Deprived of not only interior decoration, but also domes, it was used for many years as a warehouse.

The monastic life that returned to Astrakhan

The Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery was returned to the Patriarchate in 1992, after which it was immediately restored. Since during the years of socialism the temple and those of the monastery buildings, fortunate enough to survive, came to an extremely deplorable state, restorers had to work hard. In addition, significant material resources were required. In this respect, the residents of the city and a number of public and commercial organizations provided invaluable assistance.

Their works finally restored the monastery. Today, apart from the prayer ministry, its inhabitants conduct wide religious and educational work among the population, several generations of which grew up, being deprived of elementary knowledge of Orthodoxy. At the monastery a religious library and a Sunday school are opened, in which two hundred children study. There is also a choral studio. Revived after long decades of desolation, the Ioanno-Predtechensky Monastery again became one of the most significant spiritual centers of Russia.