On the territory of the Russian Empire, it was erecteda huge number of monasteries, temples, churches, cathedrals. Each building was designed and built by famous architects of its time. Gradually, these buildings became cultural monuments, and now represent a historical heritage. Among such treasures of Russia is a convent in Shamordino.
Location:
Anyone who wants to visit this place shouldknow how to get to the convent of Shamordino. The monastery is located in the Kaluga region, near 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 In historical documents, its name is displayed as Shevardino.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 the Optina Monastery. According to reviews of pilgrims, from the side of the R-92 are visible domes of the complex.
The history of the monastery
The history of the Shamordino convent began in 1884, when the Holy Synod issued a decree according to which a women's community was organized in the village. Her guardian was the widow of Klyucharev.
The fate of the community associated with SophiaBolotova. She filed a petition to the bishops ’kalist in Kaluga in 1884 about taking the veil and joining the community. Bolotova got the nod to the tonsure. The ritual took place in early September of the same year. When she tonsured, she was left with the name Sophia.
On October 1, the first temple in the community was erected by the works of Rev. Ambrose. After its consecration, the community was reorganized, and nun Sophia became the first Abbess.
The abode was poor, maintenance moneythe nuns, who became more and more annually, were not enough. However, sponsors were found who provided funds for the construction of the Church of St. Kazan. Also in the village two more new churches were built.
Over the next few years, the number ofthe nuns were already growing at high speed. Sisters in the monastery were engaged not only in worship, but also in works of mercy. So, on the territory adjacent to the monastery a merciful home and a school for peasants was opened.
In 1888, Mother Sophia fell ill. After several months of severe illness, she was tonsured to the Great Schema, and she died on January 24 of the following year.
Heyday
The convent in Shamordino was in its heyday. After the death of Mother Superior, the nun Euphrosyne was appointed abbess. In 1987, she was canonized.
The monastery monastery received the status of a monastery only in 1901. Then she was given the name of the Holy Amvrosievsky desert. By the way, in the same year monastic tonsure was taken by the sister of Leo Tolstoy.
Before the revolution, the question of granting the monastery stavropegic status was raised, but a 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 in1991, by decree of the Patriarch Pimen. The nun Sergius was appointed abbess. On the territory of the monastery was built a church dedicated to the icon "Quench 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 Sporitelnitsu Khlebov. The first one remained in the monastery from the nun Ambrose Kluchary. And the icon “The Week-bread” was ordered by the elder Ambrose especially for Shamordino in 1890. In honor of her temple was built.
This icon is currently in Lithuania, where it was moved by Hieromonk Pontius. According to legend, the old man Ambrose appeared to him and ordered to take the icon from the temple and save it.
Monastery visit
According to reviews, Shamordino Conventimposes strict requirements for visitors. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country come to the prayed place. For them, organized a cozy hotel. The well-groomed territory of the monastery, the most beautiful source of holy water - all this leaves the visitors a desire to return again and again to this quiet and peaceful corner.
After visiting the monastery, all the guests and pilgrims leave only positive feedback about the reception, about the accommodation and about the monastery itself.
