Shamorda Monastery is a real story that the cause, which God has blessed, is not afraid of any obstacles. The shrine went through a difficult period for a long time, but was able to overcome all the problems.
High Appointment
Sometimes, in order for one or another event to happen, more than one human fate must converge. So, under special circumstances, the Kazan Amvrosievskaya Hermitage arose.
The story about the creation of this monastery should begin with the biography of Ambrose of Optina - a person without whom the monastery would not have worked.
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 boy's father died young, so the family moved in with his maternal grandfather. He worked as a priest. In such an environment, the future monk was accustomed to church life. When the child grew up, he was sent to study at the theological seminary. There, the young man stood out for his calm disposition and ability for science. But before graduation from the school, Alexander became very ill. Almost dying, he made a promise to God: if he survived, he would take the tonsure of a monk. At that time, the boy had no idea that hewill have to build the Shamorda convent.
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 I remembered what I had to do.
Prophetic dream
Then he turned to a well-known priest for advice. He recommended going to Optina Pustyn, which still stands in the Kaluga region. There, in 1842, a man was tonsured and took the name Ambrose.
The monk was often and seriously ill, but did not stop helping people. Some went to him for a blessing, others for help, others for advice. Today, such a person would be called a talented psychologist, but then he simply healed souls.
So a man named Kalygin came to him. He was a kind and believing man who planned to become a monk. All his life he yearned for God. One day he had a strange dream. Above his land, which was not far from Optina Hermitage, a temple of amazing beauty stood in the clouds. Then he did not know, but in a vision the Almighty showed him the Shamorda Monastery.
The landowner told Ambrose about this, and he saw a good sign in a dream. The elder offered him to sell his lands. Kalygin agreed, and shortly thereafter took the tonsure.
Last will of a rich lady
Aleksandra Klyuchareva lived nearby. Her husband was a deeply religious person, so he asked his wife to become a nun. Despite the fact that she liked fun and festivities, she took a vow and took the name Ambrose. settlednear the monastery. Together with her were two granddaughters - Vera and Lyuba. Their mother died young, and their father was blown around the world.
The woman's spiritual mentor was Ambrose. On his advice, a rich lady bought the landowner's land. She also made a will, which stated that after death the property would belong to her granddaughters. If the girls do not survive, then a women's community should be built on the territory. The last will was fulfilled, and many years later the Shamorda Monastery appeared here.
In 1881 my grandmother died. Her son appeared, the father of the girls. He was not satisfied with the desire of Lyuba and Vera to devote their lives to God. Therefore, he agreed with Ambrose that the daughters be transferred to a boarding house. He was led by a spiritual daughter of a monk, so he arranged everything with ease.
Hard fate
When Alexandra Klyuchareva made her will, she didn't understand much, but she didn't ask too many questions. However, more information was revealed to the elder. He probably knew how to interpret the future, so all his steps were clear.
Twins Vera and Lyuba are very accustomed to the spiritual life. The boarding house was a restless place for them. During the holidays, they hurried to their native village of Shamordino. There they rested from the noisy life, read prayers. When one of the passers-by asked Father Ambrose if the children were 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 Shamorda Monastery. The girls fell ill and died before reaching the age of 12.
Poaccording to Klyuchareva's will, a women's community was to be built on the land. Its first inhabitants were peasant women who had previously been serfs. After the abolition of slavery, they remained to work for the mistress. Orphans and widows with children also came here.
Noble Mother Superior
When the girls were still alive, construction began. The 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 closets. Later, such a house was able to immediately accept dozens of disadvantaged women.
There was a need for an abbess. Sophia Bolotova, who was the spiritual daughter of a monk, helped develop the shrine. It was she who contributed to the fact that the community turned into the famous Shamorda convent in the Kaluga region.
This woman came from a noble noble family. Her entire family was very devout and put faith ahead of their needs. Sofia got married at the age of 30. But happiness did not last long. The husband died a year later. After the funeral, the widow gave birth to a girl, Nadezhda.
Best Candidate
For a long time, a woman, in addition to running the household and raising a child on her own, also found time to help the poor and disadvantaged. When I found out about Elder Ambrose, I decided to ask him to bless him for tonsure. But, having met the widow, the monk realized that the woman was not yet ready for such a life. He ordered her to marry a man who lived nearby. Bolotova resigned herself. With a new husband in peace and great love, she lived for 4 years, and then he died.
Then, in 1884, SofiaShe assumed the post of abbess and became a nun. It was during her work that the Shamorda Monastery flourished, the photos of which are presented in the review.
This job had to be done with permission from the bishop, who doubted that a mere woman would be able to manage such a thing. Elder Ambrose vouched for his daughter and noted that she was the best candidate for this position.
The nun did a lot of good. When the legacy that Alexandra Klyuchareva left ended, the construction and all work continued at the expense of Bolotova.
Oblivion of the community
Mother died in 1888. During her leadership, 250 women lived in the community. A temple was also founded. The elder himself noted that Sophia was the best dean of the Shamorda monastery, and there will be no other like it.
Nun Euphrosyne replaced her at this post. Later, the abbess became blind and wanted to give up this job. But Father Ambrose convinced her to continue her duties. The elder himself died in 1891. It was a big blow not only for the monastery, but for the whole of Orthodoxy.
The shrine grew and developed until 1918. Then the Soviet government took away 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.
Restarted in 1990. The structure was abandoned and broken by time, but still did not lose the main thing -your spirit.
Restored Cathedral
Among the picturesque nature, on the top of the hill stands the Shamorda Monastery. How to get to the village of the same name, located in the Kaluga region, not everyone knows. The facility is located near the city of Kozelsk, where the equally popular male community of Optina Pustyn is located. 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 buildings were dilapidated. But, with the help of the Creator, the community was reborn. In 2005, the reconsecration of the rebuilt Kazan Cathedral took place. Tourists are amazed not only by the appearance of the temple, but also by its interior decoration. Many visitors note that the soul simply trembles when you admire the countless beautiful paintings that the novices made. Some icons are embroidered with beads, others with glass beads.
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. Absolutely everyone here feels sisterly love and care.
The Shamorda Monastery also has its own dining room. Feedback from visitors about the kitchen is positive. Pilgrims note that they feed parishioners here for free and are very tasty. The products of the novice grow themselves. The guests also like the fact that the nuns eat together with the tourists in the same room. This is how ordinary people feel even closer to the spirituallife.
Visitors are sold delicious homemade pies with different fillings at the exit for little money. You can also buy a magnet to remember this unusual and interesting trip.
Healing water
Pilgrims come here from all over the Orthodox world for help. Someone wants to heal spiritual wounds, others need bodily strength. They also practice the treatment of oncology in the Shamorda Monastery. There are holy springs where guests can bathe. Water has good energy, often guests drink it and take it home from the source. People who have been in the community know that it was their faith that helped them overcome life's hardships.
Tourists say that before traveling you should think about what to wear. The road to the spring is steep. The font is located under the monastery. 240 steps lead to it. Therefore, it is better to wear something simple and light. The sisters made sure that it was easy for unhe althy people to get to the water. On the stairs there are platforms with benches where you can relax. Each of the nuns is friendly and kind. She will tell you where you can put a candle for he alth and to whom to pray. There are also miraculous icons here.
For those who want to learn more about the complex, there is a website that is constantly updated.
Every visitor notes that the Shamorda Monastery is a source of positive light energy.
