Shamordinsky monastery: photo, reviews. How to get to the Chamordin Monastery?

The Shamordin monastery is a real story about the fact that no obstacles are afraid of the work that the Lord has blessed. The shrine for a long time experienced a difficult period, but it was able to overcome all problems.

High purpose

Sometimes, in order for one or another event to occur, one human destiny must converge. So, under special circumstances, the Kazan Ambrose Desert appeared.

The story of the creation of this monastery should begin with the biography of Ambrose Optina - a person without whom the monastery would not work.

This man was born in 1812, in a simple family. He was the sixth of eight children. At birth he was given the name Alexander. The father of the boy died young, so the family moved to his grandfather on his mother. He worked as a priest. In such a situation, the future monk was accustomed to the church life. When the child grew up, he was sent to study in a theological seminary. There the young man stood out with a calm temper and ability for the sciences. But before the release of the school Alexander was very ill. Practically dying, he promised God that if he survived, he would take the monk's tonsure. Then the guy also did not guess, that it should build a Shamordinsky female monastery.

The illness left the young man, and he decided to work as a teacher in one of the spiritual institutions. So, Alexander forgot about the promise. But soon the man fell ill again. And he remembered what he had to do.

Prophetic dream

Then he turned to one well-known priest for advice. He recommended to go to Optina deserts, which is still in the Kaluga region. There in 1842 the man was tonsured and took the name of Ambrose.

Monk often and seriously ill, but did not stop helping people. Some went to him for blessing, others for help, others for advice. Today, such a person would be called a talented psychologist, but then he just healed the souls.

So he got a man named Kalygin. He was a kind and faithful man who planned to go to the monks. All his life he yearned for God. Once he had a strange dream. Above his land, which was not far from Optina desert, in the clouds stood a temple of amazing beauty. Then he did not know, but in the vision of the Most High he was shown the Shamordin monastery.

The landowner told Ambrose about this, and he saw a good sign in his dream. The old man invited him to sell his land. Kalygin agreed, and soon after that he took tonsure.

The last will of a rich lady

Nearby lived Alexander Klyucharyov. Her husband was a deeply religious person, so he asked his wife to become a nun. Despite the fact that she liked the fun and festivities, she took a vow and took the name of Ambrose. She settled not far from the monastery. Together with her there were two granddaughters - Vera and Lyuba. Their mother died young, and his father wandered around the world.

The spiritual mentor of the woman was Ambrose. According to his advice, a rich lady bought the land of the landowner. She also made a will, in which it was noted that after death, property will belong to granddaughters. If the girls do not survive, then a woman's community must be built on the territory. The last will was fulfilled, and many years later the Shamordin monastery appeared here.

In 1881, my grandmother died. There was her son, the father of girls. He was not satisfied with the desire of Luba and Vera to devote her life to God. Therefore, he agreed with Ambrose that the daughters were transferred to a boarding house. He was headed by the spiritual daughter of a monk, so he easily arranged everything.

Hard luck

When Alexander Klyucharyov made a will, she did not understand much, but she did not ask any extra questions. However, the elder was discovered more information. Probably, he was able to interpret the future, so all his steps were clear.

Vera and Luba are very accustomed to spiritual life. The boarding house for them was a restless place. On vacation they hurried to their native village of Shamordino. There they rested from a noisy life, they read prayers. When one of the passers-by asked Father Ambrose whether the children were not too small to do these things, he replied that they were preparing for a difficult fate. They did not have to serve and see the Shamordin monastery. The girls fell ill and died before they reached the age of 12.

According to the testament of Klyuchareva on the ground were to build a women's community. The first of its inhabitants were peasant women, who had previously been serfs. After the abolition of slavery, they remained working for the landlady. Orphans and widows with children also came here.

The noblewoman-abbess

When the girls were still alive, construction began. Monk chose a difficult plan, which caused misunderstanding of others. According to the scheme, the building had one large hall and many small rooms that resembled the closets. Later such a house could take dozens of disadvantaged women at once.

There was a need for the abbess. Helped develop the shrine of Sofia Bolotova, who was the spiritual daughter of a monk. It was she who contributed to the fact that the community turned into a well-known Shamordinsky women's monastery in the Kaluga region.

This woman came from a noble family of noble family. Her whole family was very pious and placed faith above her needs. Sofia married at the age of 30. But happiness did not last long. A year later my husband died. After the funeral the widow gave birth to a girl named Nadezhda.

Best candidate

For a long time, besides the fact that she independently led the household and raised the child, she also found time to help the poor and the destitute. When I learned about the elder Ambrose, I decided to ask him to bless me for tonsure. But, having met the widow, the monk realized that the woman is not yet ready for such a life. He ordered her to marry one man who lived nearby. Bolotova resigned herself. With her new husband in the world and great love, she lived for 4 years, and then he died.

Then, in 1884, Sofia entered the post of abbess and became a nun. It was during her time that the Chamordin Monastery flourished, the photo of which is presented in the review.

This work should be requested permission from the bishop, who doubted that a simple woman could manage such a thing. The elder Ambrose vouched for his daughter and noted that she was the best candidate for this position.

The nun made a lot of good. When the inheritance that left Alexander Klyucharev ended, the construction and all the work continued at the expense of Bolotova.

Oblivion of the community

My mother died in 1888. During her leadership in the community there were 250 women. The temple was also laid. The old man himself noticed that Sophia was the best dean of the Shamordin monastery, and the other would not.

On this post she was replaced by a nun Euphrosynia. Later the abbess became blind and wanted to abandon this work. But Father Ambrose persuaded her to continue to fulfill her duties. The old man died in 1891. This was a great blow not only for the monastery, but for the whole of Orthodoxy.

The shrine grew and developed until 1918. Then the Soviet government took the land from the community. For some time the object existed as a labor commune. But in 1923 the monastery was closed. Some sisters moved to neighboring villages. Others were tortured in prisons and camps.

Work resumed in 1990. The structure was abandoned and shattered by time, but still it did not lose its main thing - its spirit.

The restored cathedral

Among the picturesque nature, on top of the hill stands the Shamordin monastery. How to get to the village of the same name, located in the Kaluga region, not everyone knows. The object is located near the town of Kozelsk, in which stands the equally popular male community of Optina Pustyn. The total distance from one complex to another is hardly more than 10 km. Distance from the capital about 280 km.

After the collapse of the Union, the monastery was hard to watch. All the buildings were half-ruined. But, with the help of the Creator, the community was reborn. In 2005, the consecrated Kazan Cathedral was re-consecrated. Tourists are impressed not only by the appearance of the temple, but also by its interior decoration. Many visitors note that the soul just trembles when you admire the countless beautiful paintings that the novices did. Some icons are embroidered with beads, others - bugles.

Nice atmosphere

Despite more than a century of history, the monastery continues its main mission - helping disadvantaged women. On its territory there is a hospital where elderly nuns live. Sisterly love and care is felt by absolutely everything.

Has also its dining room Shamordinsky monastery. Reviews of visitors about the kitchen are positive. Pilgrims note that they feed the parishioners here for free and very tasty. Products novices grow themselves. I like the guests very much and the fact that the nuns eat together with the tourists in one room. So ordinary people feel even closer to spiritual life.

Visitors at the outlet sell delicious homemade pies with different fillings for little money. You can also buy a magnet to commemorate this unusual and interesting journey.

Healing water

Here come pilgrims from all over the Orthodox world for help. Someone wants to heal spiritual wounds, others need bodily strength. Practice and treatment of oncology in the Shamordin monastery. There are holy springs in which guests can swim. Water has good energy, often guests drink it and recruit from the source home. People who have visited the community know that it was faith that helped them overcome their life's misfortunes.

Tourists say that before traveling, you should think about what to wear. The road to the source is steep. The font is located under the monastery. There are 240 steps to it. Therefore, it is better to wear something simple and easy. The sisters took care of the unhealthy people just to get to the water. On the stairs there are playgrounds with benches where you can relax. Each of the nuns is affable and kind. She will tell you where you can put a candle on health and who to pray. There are also miraculous icons here.

For those who want to know more about the complex, there is a website that is constantly updated.

Each visitor notes that the Shamordin monastery is a source of positive light energy.