Nikandrova Pustyn (Pskov Region): History, Sights
Nikandrova Pustyn (Pskov Region) is one of the oldest monasteries in northwest Russia. It is located 40 km from the town of Porkhov, near the village of Demyanka.
Desert and monastery located there, to getto which the car will help the map of the Pskov region, have a rich history The attractions of these places are also natural objects - sacred stones, oak and healing sources.
History
A native of the Pskov land, Nikander the DeserterFor more than 50 years she led a recluse life in an uninhabited area, obeying the commandment from the altar of the temple that was heard during prayer. Later this place was called by the name of the saint who healed many sick people here. Before his death, Nikandr promised protection to the inhabitants of the solitary desert, and in 1584 a monastery was founded there. The temple was built by a man who received recovery during the prayer to the saint.
Description of the desert during its heyday
The monastic ensemble consisted of:
- from the five-domed Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin;
- a stone bell tower with a military clock located above the Holy Gates;
- superior double-decker cells;
- stone oval church, consecrated in the name of St. Gennady.
The monastery courtyard was a hexagonal square, and the fence consisted of cells, and 4 towers were erected above it.
At the monastery walls there was a hotel for the common people, and nearby fairground wooden shops. In addition, a monastery mill and a barnyard operated on the river Lyubovets.
Destruction
Nikandrova hermitage (Pskov region) wasravaged by the Bolsheviks. They also destroyed the temple, built over three centuries. The monastery ceased to exist for a long time. Attempts to revive the monastery in the postwar years were stopped by the then authorities. Over time, the territory of the former Nikandrova desert is completely overgrown with forests. Only alleys, remains of the fence, holy wells, ruins and foundations of temples, as well as the monastery cemetery, were partially preserved.
Revival
Nikandrova Pustyn (Pskov region) startedrevive only at the beginning of the new millennium. The monks who settled in memorable places began work with prayers. Local residents and paratroopers stationed near the military unit, as well as foresters and Cossacks helped them. Five-year efforts were crowned with success, and pilgrims once again reached out for the shrines.
Today, the reborn monastery continuesdevelop. The Blagoveshchensk cathedral, residential and ancillary buildings join the two consecrated temples. The surrounding area, the road to the temple, is being settled.
Daily services are held in the monastery; most solemnly they take place on the feast day of the saint, to mark the termination of the cholera epidemic and to commemorate the Royal martyrs.
Temples
If you have a map of the Pskov region withattractions, then you will surely find on her Nikandrov desert. There are several temples that are replicas of ancient churches that were destroyed during the years of the rebellion:
- Annunciation Cathedral, consecrated in 2010;
- the wooden church of the icon "The Recovery of the Dead";
- Temple of the Royal Martyrs.
Sources of Nikandrova desert
On the territory of the monastery are holy sources. Their waters heal the body and heal the souls.
At the entrance to the monastery there is a source of peat water. It is not very suitable for drinking, but helps in the treatment of eye diseases.
Nearby is the holy source.Rev. Alexander Svirsky with a blue radon water font. Dipping into it puts in order the thoughts, highlighting the most important in them. The water is dense and pushes the swimmers out.
There is also a source of St. Nikandr, which, according to legend, the saint himself used for domestic needs.
People who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction, infertility go to the monastery for help. To be cured, they are advised to water the path from the healing spring of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Holy stones
Stone "Vozglavnitsa" long been inmonastic church and was the object of veneration of local residents and pilgrims. His par with the icons used in the procession. The legends say that Nikandr bowed his head on this stone instead of a pillow while resting. The church fathers brought the subject of pagan worship to Petrograd, where its traces were lost. Only the legends about him remained, and the people who were not informed about the removal of people for a long time continued to search for relics.
The stone “God's Sledok”, resembling the footprint of a person’s foot, was considered holy because of the supposed imprint of the Virgin Mary. His veneration has increased after the loss of the “Head”.
Holy oak
This huge tree in the Middle Ages was the object of worship for Pskov people. Indeed, under this tree Nikander predicted the future and healed the sick, in the same place he was buried after his death.
Time did not spare the old oak, and he died in the fire. Only legends have survived to our days, and a chapel built on this site has not survived.
Nikandrova hermitage: how to get there
Getting to the monastery by car is enoughjust, for example, using a satellite navigator. From Moscow, you can take the route following Tver, Valdai and Luga, and from St. Petersburg - via Luga. Further the way goes through the villages of Ludoni, Pava, Dubrovo to Zagosk. From there to the desert will drive 10 km. Nearby there is parking. There are no hotels in the area yet, but you can arrange accommodation in the nearest villages or plan a day visit.
Nikandrova Hermitage (attractions map withattached settlements below () visited by thousands of pilgrims. Many of them come by public transport. To do this, you need to get to Pskov, and then transfer to one of the buses plying to the city of Porkhov and the settlements of Dedovichi and Dno. Then you can go either on foot or use the services of a private cart.
Now you know where Nikandrova Pustyn is located (Pskov Region). Visiting this monastery, you will not only relax your soul, but also be able to admire the beautiful landscapes.
