On the territory of the Russian Empire, a huge number of monasteries, temples, churches, cathedrals were built. Each building was designed and built by famous architects of their time. Gradually, such buildings became cultural monuments, and now they represent a historical heritage. Among such treasures of Russia is the convent in Shamordino.
Location
Everyone who wants to visit this place should know how to get to the convent of Shamordino. The monastery is located in the Kaluga region, not far from the village of the same name. In historical documents, its name is displayed as Shevardino.
The monastery is located fourteen kilometers from Kozelsk and twenty from Optina Hermitage. According to pilgrims, the domes of the complex are visible from the side of the R-92 highway.
The history of the monastery
The history of the Shamordino convent began in 1884, when His HolinessThe synod issued a decree, according to which a women's community was organized in the village. The widow of Klyuchareva acted as her guardian.
The further fate of the community is connected with Sofia Bolotova. In 1884, she submitted a petition to the Kaluga Consistory of Bishops to be tonsured and join the community. Bolotova received the go-ahead for tonsure. The ritual took place in early September of that year. When she was tonsured, she was given the name Sophia.
On the first of October the first church in the community was erected by the labors of St. Ambrose. After its consecration, the community was reorganized, and the nun Sofia became the first abbess.
The monastery was poor, there was not enough money to support the nuns, which became more and more every year. However, sponsors were found who allocated funds for the construction of the Church of St. Kazan. Two more new churches were also built in the village.
Over the next few years, the number of nuns grew at a rapid rate. The sisters in the monastery were engaged not only in worship, but also in works of mercy. Thus, a charity house and a school for peasants were opened on the territory adjacent to the monastery.
In 1888 Mother Sophia fell ill. After several months of serious illness, she was tonsured into the Great Schema, and died on January 24 of the following year.
Flourishing time
The convent in Shamordino had its heyday. After the death of the abbess, the nun Efrosinya was appointed abbess. In 1987, she was canonized as a saint.
Monastic monastery received the statusmonastery only in 1901. Then she was given the name of St. Ambrose Hermitage. By the way, Leo Tolstoy's sister took monastic vows the same year.
Before the revolution, the issue of conferring a stavropegic status on the monastery was raised, but the coup prevented this. In 1918, a thousand nuns lived in the monastery, and in 1923 the monastery was closed.
Renaissance
The convent in Shamordino was reopened in 1991 by decree of Patriarch Pimen. Nun Sergius was appointed abbess. On the territory of the monastery, a church was built dedicated to the icon “Assuage My Sorrows”. After that, the first settlers appeared here, who organized life.
Revered Icons
According to reviews, two icons are especially revered in the monastery: Kazan and the Bread Conqueror. The first remained in the monastery from the nun Ambrose Klyuchara. In 1890, Elder Ambrose ordered the icon “The Bread Conqueror” specifically for Shamordino. A temple was built in her honor.
Currently this icon is in Lithuania, where it was moved by hieromonk Pontius. According to legend, Elder Ambrose appeared to him and ordered him to take the icon from the temple and keep it.
Visiting a monastery
According to reviews, the Shamordino Convent has strict requirements for visitors. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country come to the prayer place. A cozy hotel is organized for them. The well-groomed territory of the monastery, the most beautiful source of holy water - all this makes visitors want to return to this quiet place again and again.and a peaceful corner.
After visiting the monastery, all guests and pilgrims leave only positive feedback about the reception, accommodation and the monastery itself.
