Drand monastery, Abkhazia: description, history and interesting facts

Drand monastery was founded in 1880 by order of the Synod at the Assumption Cathedral. This religious orthodox complex is located not far from Sukhumi. To see it, you need to climb a fairly high plateau. A monastery is built between the rivers Maliy Kodor and Adzapsh. He refers to the Sukhumi diocese.

Founding of the Cathedral

The Drand Temple is one of the most ancient cult Christian buildings in the Caucasus. When exactly it was built, it is for certain unknown. However, some researchers believe that this cathedral was built by Emperor Justinian the Great in the 6th century AD. The fact is that the court historian Procopius of Caesarea mentioned in his notes about the construction of this beautiful temple by this ruler approximately in this place. But part of the scientists do not share the opinion about the construction of the Cathedral of the Dormition by Justinian.

Abkhazia (Dranda), an ancient monastery: an early history

It is believed that during the Middle Ages, this monastery was the residence of bishops, whose power extended from Kodor to Anakopia. The attendants of the temple conducted a lively trade in livestock and wood. In 1634 the cathedral was looted and burnt by the Turks. Later it was restored by Seraphim monks.

During the Roman Empire there was a school for 50 children. Also at the monastery there was a mill, carpentry and carpentry workshops, a smithy. In addition to the printing house, a bookshop was opened at the monastery. There were on the territory of the complex and refectory, hotels, burial vault, skete. In addition, the abode took sick people. Here was built a three-story hospital.

Most of these facilities, unfortunately, are not preserved. In a heavily altered refectory, in our time there is the only prison in Abkhazia, and only the foundation remained from the monastery. It erected a modern building of the same purpose.

Interesting facts about the monastery

It is known that in 1909 the Holy Synod forcibly sent Abbot Arseny to the Drandsky Monastery. This famous missionary of the Orthodox Church devoted his life to anti-sectarian activity and wrote a book "On the veneration of the cross." In 1905 hegumen Arseny at a reception with Tsar Nicholas II severely criticized the capital's elite and the clergy, which, in his opinion, retreated from Orthodoxy. This caused discontent in the Synod.

As a result, Father Arseny was removed from the management of the Resurrection Monastery and sent to Solovetsky. In 1906, he was transferred to the Vladimir Convent. On the decree in 1909 to serve in the Drand monastery hegumen refused. After a while he did not obey the decision of the Synod about his move to Sukhumi monastery. For these two offenses he was deprived of the right to conduct services. The ban was lifted only in 1912 after the repentance brought by the Synod.

From 1922 to 1928 in the monastery served as a famous confessor Seraphim (Romantsov). It was here in 1926 that he was placed in the rank of priest by bishop Nikon.

Temple after the revolution

In the late XIX - early XX century Drand monastery in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God was widely known in Russia. About 300 monks lived in the monastery. In 1911 there was opened a large printing house. It was organized on the initiative of the then rector of Bishop Dmitry Sukhumsky on his personal money and was mainly engaged in the production of educational leaflets.

In 1924 the lands of the monastery were transferred to the collective farm of the village of Drandskoe. The cathedral itself was closed in 1928. In its premises were placed various administrative institutions. Today the temple belongs to the believers again. Organized on the territory of the complex and excursions for lovers of antiquity. By now, large-scale restoration works have been carried out in the Assumption Cathedral, which resulted in the return of the building to its original appearance.

Architectural features of the cathedral

A large number of religious ancient Orthodox buildings, built in the Byzantine style - this is what Abkhazia can boast of. The Drand monastery is not an exception in this respect. The Assumption Cathedral is a cross-domed Byzantine chertyrehstolpnuyu construction. On the eastern facade of the building there are three pentahedral aspides, inside which there is an altar and side rooms. On the west side, the temple is adjoined by a narthex with two entrances and choirs on the second floor.

The large drum of the cathedral's dome has an original hexagonal shape. The walls of the temple are plastered from the outside. However, in some places during restoration, to allow tourists to see the Byzantine masonry, uncultivated plots are left. Light into the temple pass 36 huge arched windows. A long stone staircase leads to the main entrance of the building.

Temple inside

The drum of the cathedral is expressed exclusively from the outside. From the inside you can see only a huge, unadorned dome. In the corner rooms of the cathedral the deacon and the altar are equipped. One of them once had a baptistery. Its remains were discovered by archaeologists during excavations.

The historian D. Bakradze, who visited the cathedral in 1860, wrote about the fact that he saw here several frescoes depicting the Savior and saints. However, unfortunately, over time they collapsed. Among other things, there are two marble tombs in the temple. One of them is located under the throne, and the second - at the western entrance.

Uspensko-Dranda monastery: how to get

Believers or tourists who want to admire this ancient architectural monument can find it at the address: Gulripshsky district of the Republic of Abkhazia, village Dranda. Coordinates of the monastery: 42.874122, 41.16181. On personal vehicles, you should move from Sukhumi to Georgia. On the road, under the sign, you need to turn to the village of Dranda. Here you should drive to the Central Square, turn left and drive about 800 m. Drandsky Monastery will be visible on the right.

You can reach the cathedral and by public transport. In this case, at the Sukhumi station, take a bus ticket to Gala, Ochamchyry or Tkuarchala to the Dranda stop. Further from the central square you need to go uphill approximately 800 m (there is a signpost). You can also just purchase an excursion to this interesting place in any resort town or village of Abkhazia.