Znamensky Monastery (Irkutsk): address, reviews and photos

The Siberian land is rich in holy monasteries. Over the dense taiga edge and over its mighty rivers, from the earliest times, the crimson ringing of their bells floated. One of these monasteries was laid in 1689 on the high bank of the Angara, near the Irkutsk jail under construction. Its main church was consecrated in honor of the Sign of the Mother of God. So began the life of the Znamensky nunnery. Irkutsk gradually from the prison turned into a city. Ros and the monastery. He had a special significance for the state in those years - the process of Christianization of Siberia was going on.

The origin of the monastery

The history has kept the name of the main organizer and leader of all the works. It was a resident of Irkutsk, Vlas Sidorov. The Emperor Peter I, noting the importance of this construction, granted the monastery the Gospel. It is still kept in the monastery. But the wooden temples of the monastery deteriorated over the years, and here is another generous contributor, the merchant Bihevin, who built a stone cathedral at his own expense. Its construction stretched for many years. Repeatedly, various changes were made to the architecture of the cathedral, additional extensions were built and decorative decorations were changing.

But the flow of funds from philanthropists did not run low. In 1886, the rich Irkutsk heiress AN Portnova allocated a huge amount for the construction of a stone two-story building, which housed the cells of nuns and novices, and by that time there were one hundred and twenty souls. So on the donations of the city's residents, the Znamensky Monastery grew and developed. Irkutsk is the heart of Siberia, and Siberia has always been famous for its generosity.

Development of crafts in the monastery

It should be noted that the monastery residents themselves did not sit idly by. And although their primary task was still the prayer works and everything related to the spiritual side of life, but nevertheless by the end of the XIX century they managed to create a large economic education in the monastery. Sewing workshops were opened in which the ceremonial and everyday priestly vestments were made. Various church utensils were also used for their own needs and for sale.

In addition, for the replenishment of the budget orders were accepted for sewing secular clothes for residents of Irkutsk. Have learned to make even shoes. The mastery of the inhabitants of the monastery was widely known. And this is not accidental. The nuns perfectly mastered a wide variety of sewing techniques. Among them are facial, gold embroidered, embroidered with various kinds of smooth surface, beads and even precious stones.

Epitomists of the monastery

But the main concern of the monastery was, of course, service to God. Life in it was built according to the charter of Russian monasteries, the main task of which was the strengthening of faith and monastic feats. Above all, love for God and fellow man was placed. And in this field famous Znamensky monastery. Irkutsk has historically been a place where many lived, who before it came into conflict with the law. These are former criminal criminals, and political. Among them there were many women. The nuns of the monastery took care of their spiritual revival.

The monastery itself was a permanent place where the spiritual authorities sent so-called epitimians, that is women, for various reasons exiled and excommunicated. They were kept at the monastery and were used for the heaviest and dirty work. Care for these unfortunates and gave the opportunity to show true Christian love.

In prison there were also "state criminals". One of them was the daughter of Anna Artemia Volynsky, executed at Anna Ioannovna, Anna.

The field of death of the Empress in 1740 she gained freedom and left the Znamensky Monastery. Irkutsk became the place from where Anna went on a long journey back. As a token of gratitude to the sisters of the monastery for their love and heartfelt care, she sent them from St. Petersburg the Holy Gospel in a precious salary.

The opening of a hospital and a shelter for girls

In 1872, a monastery hospital was opened in the monastery. She was known throughout Siberia. Znamensky Monastery, Irkutsk - the address by which the suffering nuns and novices addressed. Here they were waited so rare in those years medical aid. In addition, the monastery opened a school at a women's spiritual school and a hospice house. Subsequently, several more schools for girls were opened, in which they were trained not only in reading and writing, but also in church singing. Also the great merit of the nuns was the establishment of a shelter for girls. It is known that in 1912 it contained 44 people.

Monastery during the Revolution

The events connected with the revolution and the Civil War also affected the Znamensky Monastery. Irkutsk has become one of the centers of the SR movement in Siberia. They organized an uprising against A. Kolchak, as a result of which in 1920 the Supreme Governor of Siberia was deposed and shot at the walls of the monastery. With the transfer of power to the Bolsheviks all church councils were dissolved, and the church churches were closed. The temples were turned into defensive structures. But not only this trouble visited the Znamensky Monastery. Irkutsk, whose photo of those years is presented in the article, became the place of the formation of the renovation church. In 1923, many values were requisitioned in the monastery in favor of the non-canonical archbishop.

The period of the Bolshevik rule was marked in Siberia by closing most of the temples and monasteries, as well as total repressions against clergymen and monks. In 1934 the Znamenskaya church was closed. Since that time, the flourishing once-famous Znamensky monastery has come to a complete waste. And not only he, throughout Russia, this terrible wave of the theomachism took place, which destroyed the spiritual, historical and cultural monuments of our homeland.

Revival of the monastery

During perestroika, the spiritual life revived in the walls of the ancient monastery. Despite the fact that many of its buildings were completely destroyed, it was still possible to restore the church, the abbess, the fence and the Holy Gates. Again, as in previous years, among the Russian holy monasteries appeared the Znamensky Monastery (Irkutsk). The schedule of services posted on the door of the temple, as well as in the past, informs parishioners about services where they can offer their prayers to the Lord. Everything gradually enters its course.

Spiritual nurturing of youth

The monastery conducts extensive work on spiritual nourishment and religious enlightenment of a number of educational institutions of the city. Among them are the women's Orthodox Gymnasium, orphanages and boarding schools. This work is conducted both in the educational institutions themselves and in the church. Its interior decoration contributes to the formation of correct perception of Orthodox aesthetics. Through the efforts of the parishioners, in the difficult years, many icons were preserved in old salaries, liturgical books (including the Gospel given by Peter the Great) and other church attributes that have spiritual, historical and artistic value.

And another great opportunity for young people Znamensky monastery: the schedule of services provides for certain days in which they can attend the services. They are led by the Metropolitan of Irkutsk and Angarsk Vadim - a wise shepherd and a theological scholar. In a country that has survived decades of atheism, this work is very important, aimed at returning to our spiritual sources. All who wish to come and worship the shrines are waiting for the Znamensky Monastery (Irkutsk). Address: Angarskaya street, 14. All who have visited it, leave the most favorable reviews.