Monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky: reviews, address, how to get there, schedule of services, photo

Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery, located seven kilometers from Novgorod, was previously male, and now it is female. The main relic of the church from time immemorial are the relics of its founder, the Monk Varlaam. However, no one leaves here without visiting the grave of the famous Russian poet and statesman of the eighteenth century, Gabriel Derzhavin. He is buried near the main cathedral, next to his wife D. Dyakova.

Description

The exact location of this holy monastery is the northern outskirts of a small Novgorod village, the name of which is the temple itself. The monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky rises on the beautiful bank of the Volkhov. This river is so majestic and unhurried, that in places it is more like a standing vast pond ...

Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery, known to pilgrims from all over Russia, is only a few kilometers from the Novgorod Kremlin. Even from a distance you can see its silver domes, and after approaching it you can see the snow-white cathedral on the steep bank of the Volkhov river.

Historically, the monastery was male, but today it has to be revived by women. In 1994, four novices passed from Pyukhtitsa monastery with Mother Alexia. At present, about forty residents live and work here daily praying.

Today, the Varlaamo-Khutyn monastery is considered one of the most visited places for pilgrimage in the north-west of our country. Every Sunday several buses come here from the capital and Petersburg, Belgorod and Voronezh, from many other cities not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine. Pilgrims in the monastery are attracted not only by the relics' relics, but also by the hill, which this saint did, using only his skufeyku. It is interesting, but it is not allowed to take land from it. It is said here that to one of the women who took a handful of land, in an dream came the angry Varlaam and ordered to take the taken back. The well, which the Reverend dug, has reached us. It is believed that the water in it is not only very tasty, but also healing. Many people come for this water, especially when the winter season begins.

History

Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, reviews of the pilgrimage in which are full of warm memories, survived throughout its centuries-old history of existence and ups and downs. Moreover, it is famous for the miracles that occurred at the relics of its founder - Varlaam the Monk. The first mention of the monastery dates back to 1192.

Its founder had been in the village of Khutyn long enough, long before the monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky appeared. The place in those days was rather gloomy. Far from Novgorod for a few versts, it was notorious. The banks of the Volkhov River, abundantly overgrown with forests, inspired the locals with a superstitious fear. It was said that there is an evil spirit in these places and there are many snakes. Apparently, that's why the name of this Novgorod suburb had a corresponding name - Khutyn, implying a "bad place". However, the Monk Varlaam, not being frightened of a bad word, nevertheless decided to settle here. In this gloomy and deaf forest he received a sign - a bright ray of light emanating from the very depths of an impenetrable thicket. And it was this that gave him hope. According to the legend, the monk forbade the snakes to approach the monastery closer than twelve versts. Therefore, until now, no reptile has appeared here. In memory of this, the very first church of the monastery was consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Founder

Being a rich man in worldly life, the Monk Varlaam spent considerable sums for the discovery and improvement of the Khutyn monastery. Historians point out that the monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky received from him, by testament, two villages with serfs, as well as several "pozhen 'and devil'." Thus, the monk laid the foundation for the future welfare of the monastery, and spent a lot of work on her spiritual prosperity. It was Varlaam who first brought up a whole galaxy of devotees, who later became quite prominent figures.

Merits of the Monk Varlaam

But just a few months after the consecration of the church, which was then called the Transfiguration of the Savior, the Monk Varlaam died. It happened in 1192. The archbishop himself has raked it. This, according to historians, was a testament to the great respect that the hegumen enjoyed in Novgorod. After his death the monastery Varlaamo-Khutynsky continued to operate, he did not come to a state of decline. On the contrary, by the tremendous efforts of the disciples of the monk, he was increasingly strengthened and equipped.

It is believed that its external beauty and majesty the monastery owes to the contributions made by wealthy Novgorodians, highly venerated the Monk Varlaam. To my great regret, there is very little documentary information about the earliest period of the existence of this monastery. Therefore, today it is difficult to imagine all those acquisitions that were made then. This is difficult, and because none of the buildings dating back to the time, including the Transfiguration of the Savior, was not preserved.

Life of the first inhabitants

It is believed that the Monk Varlaam, who was a man of the "bookish" and who fully perceived the Christian traditions of ancient Byzantium, established a dormitory charter in the monastery. Some historians consider this statement to be only a guess, since the earliest chronicles that tell of monastic life in the monastery date back to the sixteenth century. They were given in their Notes on Muscovy by Zygmund von Gerberstein, who says that the abbot, who had a common meal with the brother, always consulted with several older monks before putting important questions to the discussion of other inhabitants.

Amazing facts

Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery, a photo of which testifies to the majesty of this temple, as the all-Russian shrine was elevated in the second half of the fifteenth century. Already from 1460 to the relics the Monk Varlaam began to make pilgrimages. Grand Duke Vasily II also visited him with his sons Andrey and Yury. In that year 1460, at the relics of St. George Tumgene - the princely bed-house - healing was granted.

A few years later, in 1471, an event took place in the monastery, of which Novgorodians are still remembered with great pleasure. Grand Duke John III, who wished to discover the relics of Barlaam, was disgraced. When, at his behest, they began to unearth the grave of a saint, the fire that broke out straight from the ground burned the wall and the door of the iconostasis. The Grand Duke fled with fear, and his burnt staff and part of the altar were kept for a long time in the sacristy of the monks.

One of the most famous Russian shrines

It was this event that led to the fact that today the Reverend was on a par with Sergius of Radonezh the most famous saint in Russia. And although the monastery, after Novgorod's annexation to Moscow, lost some of its estates, he still remained one of the richest in the diocese, behind only Yuryev.

In 1540, the temple suffered from a fire that began at the wonderworking coffin. Burned everything from icons to the front door. But the monastery did not last long: the restoration was very quickly collected enough funds, the lion's share of which donated to the local nobility. Very soon the Savior-Transfiguration monastery became even more beautiful than it was before.

Disasters

A few decades later, in 1611, the monastery had to endure a more difficult test. During the invasion of the Swedes, led by Jacob Delagardi, it was the Khutyn monastery that was chosen for the organization of the headquarters of strangers. And I must say, the Swedes behaved in it quite unceremoniously. Historians of their actions are directly called robbery. And this is really so: even the cancer of the Monk Varlaam the Swedes did not spare, removing all the silver from it.

In the middle of the seventeenth century, after the expulsion of the invaders, it was decided to analyze the ancient Transfiguration Cathedral and the construction of a stone structure. Built in the same place, and today strikes with its greatness Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.

How to get there?

Unlike many other Russian churches and temples, this monastery is quite accessible for coming here by public transport. Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery, whose address: Novgorod region, pos. Khutyn, is a place where thousands of believers come to celebrate the holidays. To reach it is not difficult. From Novgorod from the bus station to Khutyn buses number 121 runs quite regularly.
By car from the regional center can be reached if you move along Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street. At the intersection with Derzhavin Street, turn right and, after reaching the signpost for Khutyn, go left. In a few minutes there will be a fork that leads to Monastery Street. It will lead directly to Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.

Schedule of services

Daily in the walls of the temple there is a general morning prayer and midnight service, as well as an akathist and a liturgy, which starts at half past seven in the morning. After the end of the mass in the church and in the chapel of the Monk Varlaam, as well as at his well, prayer services are provided. Evening services start at 6 pm. On Sundays in the evening hours in the main cathedral before the relics of the Monk Varlaam the Akathist is read.

Holidays and special days in the monastery are associated mainly with the name of its founder. The memory of the monk is celebrated on November 19 and on the first Friday during the Petrov fasting. The feast day of the Transfiguration of the Lord to the monastery takes place on August 19.

Impressions of pilgrims

Mother Superior Alexia is the Mother Superior. It was she who was blessed with the collection of donations from parishioners for the construction of a chapel on the hill, built by the monk himself, who founded the Varlaamo-Khutyn monastery.

Reviews of the visit to this holy temple are full of warmth and love. Many celebrate an excellent choir of parishioners, who sings in pjuhtitskih traditions. The father of Makarios also fell in love with the pilgrims. Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery is proud of its confessor. And although the priest is still very young, he, judging by the responses, has the gift of loving and comforting. No matter how many pilgrims come here, they have a kind word and a smile for everyone, each of them, as the visitors of the monastery say, will bless, and on the pea they will anoint oil after the prayer every one who came to Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery. Makarii became so fond of pilgrims that they jokingly call him a hydromonk. The fact is that each of them he can prepare a bucket of water from the famous local well, regardless of the weather or the time of year.

On the territory of the monastery, on a small hill, is the chapel of St. Varlaam. There are legends that if you walk along the hill with your bare feet, all the ills will pass. Many say that they did not want to leave there, because there is some magical and simply unreal atmosphere, which words can not convey.

Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery is located in such a picturesque place where everything around seems just fabulous. Even the air here is special. And the servants, judging by the reviews, meet each guest with such cordiality and hospitality that a person feels at home.