St. Alekseevsky Women's Monastery (Saratov): address, telephone, shrines of the monastery

The history of female monasticism in the Saratov diocese leads from the 17th century Krestvizvizhensky Monastery. In the revolutionary and Soviet years there were no women's monasteries in Saratov and the surrounding area. The reviving St. Alexis Convent provides hope for restoring balance and strengthening faith for many years.

The history of the monastery

The place where the St. Alekseevsky Convent (Saratov) is now located, was purchased by Bishop Athanasius (Drozdov) in 1848. Initially it was intended for the bishop's dacha, the total area was 16 hectares. With the passage of time a male skete was formed on the place of rest, and the place itself was called the Upper Monastery. In the late eighties of the nineteenth century a temple was built on the territory of the monastery in honor of St. Alexis (Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia).

Possession of the monastery expanded to 22 hectares, they drowned in the greenery of the gardens, a pond and a fountain were equipped. On the slope of the mountain, a source was found, ceramic pipes were brought to it, water was used for the needs of the population and laity. Saratov eventually expanded, and the monastery became part of the city, which could be reached by public transport.

Destructive Decline

In 1918 the Alekseevsky monastery was alienated from the church, and its premises and land began to be used for the needs of the new state. Reconstruction and destruction began in the church. The belfry and all five domes were demolished, the garden was almost cut down, the water supply, the fountain and the pond were destroyed, only the spring remained intact. In the thirties a tuberculosis sanatorium for children was placed here. In the forties the land of the monastery was given for the construction of dachas.

In the late sixties, the offices of the gynecological hospital were located in the premises of the former monastery. In the eighties, the clinic, together with the buildings and territory, came under the responsibility of the Saratov Health Department. Before the perestroika in 1985 there were plans for the construction of a ski resort, and in the long term it was planned to build laboratory and engineering buildings. But the time and consciousness of the people made another turn, and the plans failed - the revival of Orthodoxy in the country began.

New Temple

The first attempts to return the skete land to the bosom of the Saratov diocese were undertaken in 1990, and finally managed to consolidate possession in 1991. During this period, the charter of the Alexis Skete was registered, the first services were held in 1992 and fell on the holy feast of the Holy Easter.

The idea of the revival of religious life in the monastery was supported among the laity of the Saratov diocese: many actively worked on the restoration of the temple, made donations. The church again bells appeared, works on the revival of the hermitage garden began.

In 1997, the men's monastery ceased to exist, and in its place was formed the St. Alekseevsky Women's Monastery (Saratov). By the beginning of 2008, the construction of a new church consecrated in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Odigiriya" was completed. Four monasteries are consecrated in the monastery, each of which is dedicated to the saints of Orthodox Christianity.

Serafim of Sarov in the monastery

One of the most revered shrines of the monastery is the icon of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov with a part of the relics. The image was painted in Sorfino, the icon was an ark with parts of the relics of the saint.

On August 9, 2004, with the participation of numerous pilgrims, laity and clergymen, the Divine Liturgy was served in the Diveevo Monastery, the procession and all-night vigil took place. On the tenth August of the same year, the icon depicting the saint was given to the Saratov priests. For some time she stayed in the Saratov church, consecrated in honor of the saint, and after the procession was transferred to the St. Alekseevsky nunnery (Saratov).

Shrine of the monastery

Many Orthodox shrines are kept in the temples of the monastery. They support the believers, show miracles of healing, strengthen the Orthodox faith with the stories of their lives and exploits. Here are stored the relics of the twelve saints, among them the Evangelist and Apostle Mark, St. Luke (Voino-Yasenets), Ambrose Optina, one of the Bethlehem great martyrs-babies.

In the women's Alekseevsky monastery, the part of the vestments of the Monk Job of Pochaevsky is preserved for worship, and for the laity there is a piece of clothes by Ignaty Bryanchaninov and the patron saints of marriage and family life of Peter and Fevronia. In the monastery, the coffins of the righteous Juliana of Murom and of the Monk Feodor of Sanaxar are preserved.

Modernity

Everyday life in the monastery is filled with work and cares. Nuns observe a strict life charter. The church day begins with the evening temple service, and the ascension to the monastery occurs at half past four in the morning, the inhabitants immediately go to serve in the temple, which lasts several hours. In addition, with great joy, sisters, novices and lay people are engaged in the improvement of the territory of the monastery. Hard-working caring is felt in every corner of the monastery and beyond. An obligatory requirement of life in the monastery is strict obedience, the unsaved Psalter is read.

Social life in the St. Alekseevsky nunnery is very extensive and active. Sisters take care of the elderly, large families, the poor help with food sets, things. The monastery has an orphanage and a Sunday school for adults and children. An icon-painting workshop, an embroidery workshop were opened at the monastery, and several other useful activities are being conducted.

The old spring, located now outside the walls of the monastery, settles down. To him, the path never grew, people went to the healing spring at all times. Now there is a comfortable font, a chapel is equipped, the whole area has become well-groomed aesthetic appearance.

Sunday School

The school is organized in 1997. Teaching is conducted for children and adults. In order to achieve greater results and involve students in the process of obtaining knowledge, children's classes are conducted in age groups. The smallest pupils master the initial stage, their age is up to 7 years. Babies are taught the Law of God, they are played in developing games, taught to needlework, give the basics of drawing.

Children from the age of 8 to 14 are enrolled in the middle stage, adults from 15 to 17 years are enrolled in the older group. The schedule of classes of these groups includes the history of the church, the Church Slavonic language is studied. A large number of adults who did not have the opportunity to attend church school in childhood and adolescence wish to learn more about Orthodoxy and faith. For such students read the course of the catechism, the history of the Orthodox Church, church law and other subjects.

You can get to the school by registering for classes at the St. Alekseevsky nunnery in Saratov, for information: (8452) 65-58-34 or +8 (917) 301-10-72.

Address and options for travel

St. Alekseevsky nunnery (Saratov) has the following address: Saratov, Zamkovy passage, building 18.

You can come to the monastery using public transport: trolleybuses (routes №5, 10), tram (№3), buses (№ 6, 11, 18, 50, 53), shuttles to the stop "First Dachnaya".