Shamordino Convent: where it is on the map, how to get there. Shamordino
Shamordinskaya Kazan Ambrosian Hermitage is a famous convent, founded with the blessing of the monk.
At first the monastery was poor, but its population grew quickly: beggars and disadvantaged girls who came to Elder Ambrose for consolation were accepted there. Despite his poor health, the monk spent a lot of time in Shamordino. There he departed to the Lord in October 1891. Under the patronage of Ambrose's disciples - the reverends - the community continued to grow and improve. Workshops, a shelter, and a hospital were opened under her.
In 1923, the monastery was closed and all the valuables stored in it were confiscated. The nuns were forced to move to Kozelsk, some were arrested and shot. At various times, the monastery buildings housed a home for the disabled, a boarding school for street children, and a school. During the war, the Kazan Cathedral housed a hospital, and after that an agricultural technical school. In 1990, the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Interesting facts about the Shamordino Monastery
Initially, Ambrosieva Hermitage did not have the status of a monastery, but was founded as a women's community. The title of monastery was received only in 1901. The community began to be called Kazan after the revered miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was kept there.
An interesting example of late 19th century architecture is the Kazan Cathedral of the monastery. It was built in 1901 according to the design of Sergei Sherwood, a representative of the Sherwood architectural dynasty - the creators of the so-called Russian style in architecture of the late 19th century.
Kazan St. Ambrose Stauropegial Convent or Shamordino convent, as it is often called by pilgrims, is one of the most beloved holy places in Russia by believers. The Shamordino Monastery is located between the ancient Russian city of Kozelsk and Kaluga, not far from another shrine -. It stands on a mountain densely covered with forest, at the foot of which the Serena River meanders.
The Kazan Ambrosievskaya women's hermitage of Shamordino was built in 1884 thanks to the insistence of the Optina elder Ambrose, who took an active part in the creation of many monastic communities, which accepted mainly poor women. Funds for the construction of the Shamorda Hermitage were allocated by a wealthy merchant from Moscow, Sergei Vasilyevich Perlov. They, together with their wife Anna Yakovlevna, took an active part in the construction and subsequent life of the monastery, as they were the spiritual children of the venerable elder. The monastery received its original name - “Shamorda Kazan Mountain Women's Community” - it became the last and most beloved brainchild of Father Ambrose. The place for the construction of the monastery was provided by the spiritual daughter of Elder Ambrose, the nun Ambrosia, who wrote about this in her will, because even during her life she saw the goal of caring for lonely widows and orphan girls who wanted to devote themselves to the Lord. That is why, after her death, she wished to establish a women’s community and almshouse on her estate in the village of Shamordino, Kaluga Region.
The monastery was dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, this revered miraculous image was brought here by the nun Ambrosia, and when Elder Ambrose first saw it, he offered a prayer and said that this icon should be kept as the apple of the eye, because it is miraculous. The majestic Kazan Cathedral, the refectory, the building for nuns, the hospital, and other auxiliary buildings were built from red brick in the same style. The main temple was built with the blessing of the Venerable Elder Ambrose, and its design was created by the talented architect S. V. Sherwood. This beautiful fifteen-domed cathedral in the exquisite “Russian style” became the main architectural decoration of the Shamordino women’s monastery. The building was decorated with elegant kokoshniks, beautiful half-columns, gables and valances, and the arched windows were decorated with platband patterns. The northern and southern facades of the cathedral were decorated with porches, which were covered with tents with crosses. By 1902, the Shamordino temple was consecrated.
The Monk Ambrose tirelessly gathered all the orphans, widows, and destitute women and girls to the holy monastery. There were also novices in the monastery from noble and merchant Russian families who decided to devote their lives to God. Schema-nun Sophia, who in the world had the surname Astafieva-Bolotova, became a tireless helper for Elder Ambrose. Nun Sophia became the first abbess of the Shamordino Monastery. Before coming to God, she led the life of an ordinary woman: she got married, gave birth to a daughter, but soon became a widow and then came to Optina Pustyn to Elder Ambrose for advice on how to live further. The seer advised her to marry again a certain landowner from Kozelsk and warned that this would be a test of her character, in order to pass this test she would need either firmness or angelic humility. After some time, Sophia became an active assistant to Ambrose and moved to the Shamordino monastery for good. Thanks to Mother Sophia, an almshouse, a shelter for children, and a painting and gold-embroidery workshop appeared on the territory of the monastery. She died very young, at thirty-three years old, then Father Ambrose said that this woman was a saint. Looking ahead, it is worth saying that later this began to be confirmed by miracles of healing, after the prayers of suffering people at her grave. The grave is located on the territory of the Shamordino monastery: behind the altar wall of the Kazan Cathedral, from the street. Attached to the modest cross is a photograph of Mother Sophia - she is a very beautiful woman with aristocratic features and a sad look. It is to her that numerous pilgrims come to ask her for intercession before the Lord, healing of mental and physical ailments. And, what is most interesting, miracles often happen at this grave in the form of emergency heavenly help and quick healing. That is why you can see a sign here asking pilgrims to report such cases. Since 1987, Mother Sophia was considered a locally revered Tula saint.
Already in 1918, there were eight hundred sisters in the convent in Shamordino, there was an almshouse, a hospital, an orphanage, and there were several monastic hermitages. But menacing and dashing years came, when Soviet power began to rule the Russian state; in 1923, the monastery was desecrated, beheaded and closed, some nuns were shot, others were sent to camps.
The revival of monastic life happened in Shamordino only in 1990. The long and difficult restoration of the destroyed shrine began with the hard work of nuns, pilgrims and thanks to the financial help of philanthropists. The temple was consecrated in 1996, with the participation of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II. Since then, services have been held every day in the Temple in honor of St. Ambrose of Optina.
Today, the Shamordino Convent is one of the most visited holy places in the Kaluga region, and there really is something to come here for. The territory of the monastery is large and very beautiful; in summer it is all fragrant and delights the eyes of guests with numerous bright flowers in the flower beds. On the territory, for the convenience of pilgrims, there is a diagram with all the buildings of the monastery. It is worth warning that you can take photographs on the external territory of the monastery, but, unfortunately, it is prohibited inside the premises. Let's tell you what buildings are available in the Shamordino monastery.
Kazan Cathedral, which we have already begun to talk about above, is a very beautiful and remarkable building in the Russian style. The building deserves attention not only from the outside, but also from the inside, thanks to the important shrines located here. The Kazan Cathedral houses two wonderful icons: the icon of the Kazan Mother of God and the icon of the Mother of God, Spreader of Bread.
As for the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, it came here a long time ago. A woman came to Mother Ambrosia at the Belevsky Monastery with this icon to pledge it for ten rubles, which she needed for food. Mother gave the suffering woman money, but time passed, and no one came to take the icon. Meanwhile, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God turned out to be miraculous, because the oil that was poured into the lamp and lit in front of the image was capable of healing people. Time passed and the icon moved with Ambrosia to the Shamordino convent. And there she never ceased to amaze pilgrims and sisters of the monastery with her miracles. Many of them saw rays of light cast from the face of the Mother of God on the icon, and people with a guilty conscience could not withstand this light without looking away. Unfortunately, in the sixties of the twentieth century, the icon was transferred to another temple located nearby, from where the miraculous image was stolen. Today, in the Kazan Cathedral, a copy of the image created by the Athonite abbot of the monastery, monk Arseny, is kept.
The icon of the “Spreader of the Loaves”, located in the Shamordino monastery, is another shrine. On it, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a cloud, with her arms outstretched, and below her is a golden field on which lie mown sheaves of rye. This is a very unusual icon, which was painted at the request of Elder Ambrose, after a vision that visited him during a dream. The monastery also contains a copy of the icon, because the original is now in Lithuania, where it was transported in 1917.
Outside, behind the wall where the altar of the Kazan Cathedral is located, are the burial places of the former abbesses of the Shamordino monastery. The last grave was the tombstone of Schema-Abbess Valentina, who was buried in 1919, and then the monastery was closed. The main benefactor of the construction of the monastery, Sergei Vasilyevich Perlov, was buried in the tomb of the monastery in 1910, however, as soon as the Bolsheviks closed the monastery, the tomb was immediately destroyed, now only the foundation remains.
Located in a two-story building behind the Kazan Cathedral. The room can accommodate five hundred people. There is a high ceiling and huge windows. The refectory was erected in 1893 instead of the mansion of the former owners of Shamordino - the Kalygin landowners. This building became the very first stone structure of the monastery. Its design was compiled by the architect R.I. Klein. Behind the refectory there is a water tower.
- was erected at the end of the twentieth century on the site where the old man’s cell-house used to stand, in which he lived when he came to the Shamordino monastery. All the suffering, sick, and unfortunate people came here for consolation and advice to Father Ambrose, and he tried to inspire faith in them, pull them out of the abyss of despair, and taught them humility before God’s providence. It was here that Father Ambrose died in October 1891. And after death, a brick case was built over the house. When the monastery closed in 1923, the house-cell was moved to the territory of the village of Shamordino, and the stone box became a garage. Only after the monastery began to be revived, a temple was erected here, which was consecrated in 1996.
- the mansion in which the Perlova spouses lived during their visit to the monastery. They were the benefactors of this holy monastery, almost everything that was built on its territory was done with their money, including workshops for icon painting, embossing, gold embroidery, book binding, carpet making, a sewing, printing, photo workshop, metal gilding workshop and wood.
It was the very first temple of the Shamordino monastery. Its consecration took place on the opening day of October 14, 1884. True, until 1890, the temple stood where the Kazan Cathedral is now located, then Elder Ambrose blessed its movement to the territory of the cemetery. In 1891, the reverend's funeral service took place here. When the monastery closed, the temple was destroyed. Only in 2005 did restoration work begin. Behind this temple the cemetery of the monastery begins. If you go down from this temple along the stairs leading to the river, you will come to the holy miraculous spring, where a bath is organized.
The source was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. In addition to this source, there are a couple more: a source in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, a source in honor of St. Ambrose of Optina. There is always a line of pilgrims lined up at the springs, who talk about the miracles of healing from this consecrated water, bestowed by the Lord on the faith of those who ask.
- a place where the sick and old nuns live. There is a temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows”, and there is also a nursing building, which is a building of two floors; on the first floor there is a hospital of the monastery, where nuns, local residents, and pilgrims can be treated.
A place where pilgrims and religious visitors order services and, if necessary, purchase church utensils - candles, icons, crosses, chains, wedding rings, spiritual books. Here pilgrims submit notes for prayer services.
Requirements in the Shamordino convent:
- a note of prayer for health or a memorial service for repose can include up to twelve names;
- sorokoust can be about health or repose, simple - for forty days, during which the liturgy takes place;
- a never-ending psalter about health or peace;
- Akathist - a forty-day prayer for health. Akathists are carried out in front of the icons of the Mother of God: “Kazan”, “Quench My Sorrows”, “Spreader of the Loaves”, “Inexhaustible Chalice”, as well as in front of the icon of St. Ambrose of Optina.
In addition to the simple Sorokoust, the monastery can order a Sorokoust with forty liturgies, which is rare for monasteries. Believers have the opportunity to order this service with liturgies by mail. You can write your request and the names of whom you need to pray for and make a voluntary donation in the form of a transfer, as much as you feel comfortable with. For information: at the Shamordino Monastery, ordering one name costs three hundred rubles.
Address of the Shamordino Monastery: 249706, Kaluga region, Kozelsky district, p/o Kamenka, Shamordino, monastery.
Currently, the abbess of the Shamordinsky monastery in the Kaluga region is Abbess Nikona, who is the mother of one hundred and thirty sisters. The sisters carry out various obediences; they themselves feed from their labor and treat pilgrims arriving at the monastery. Very often, children from low-income and large families, and disabled children eat at the monastery. There is a Sunday school at the Shamordino monastery; twenty village children attend it.
Thanks to the labors of the nuns and the help of benefactors, the Russian shrine of the Kaluga region - the Shamordino monastery - becomes more and more beautiful every year. The abbess plans to create an orphanage for girls here, restore the destroyed tomb, which previously stood over the graves of former abbess, build a bell tower and chapels over all the holy springs. That is why the nuns of the monastery gratefully accept help in all forms from those who wish to restore the monastery.
In May 2010, in honor of its twentieth anniversary after restoration, the Shamordino monastery was visited by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', in honor of which a divine service was held in the Kazan Cathedral.
Shamordino Convent is one of the most famous holy places in Russia. The official name is the Kazan Ambrosievskaya stauropegial women's hermitage, a convent of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is located near the village of Shamordino, Kaluga region.
The convent is located in a very picturesque place, among the bright greenery of the surrounding forest the domes of its temples rise, consecrating the surrounding area, the ancient Russian land.
My friends were here at the height of spring, in the month of May, visited the monastery, surrounded by greenery and flowers, and shared their photographs. Immediately at the entrance there is a view of the beautiful majestic Kazan Cathedral:
On the territory of the convent all year round there are a huge number of flowers and flowering trees, planted and cared for by the caring hands of the nuns. Look how beautiful everything is:
Shamordino convent history
The convent in the village of Shamordino was founded by the great Optina elder, the Monk Ambrose (1812 - 1891). The elder tried to help women who despaired in life: young and old, healthy and sick, poor and rich, to give them shelter and consolation in life with faith in God. Thanks to his patience, sincere attitude towards the needs of people, holy faith in God and love for people, the name of Elder Ambrose of Optina attracted sisters from all over Russia, from various classes and strata of society, to the monastery. Shamordino became his favorite place of work and prayer.
The Kazan women's community was formed and established in the village of Shamordino in June 1884. The spiritual daughter of Ambrose of Optina, Sofia Bolotova (1845 - 1888), from a noble family, who in September 1884 was approved as the first abbess of the community under construction, took a great active part in the organization and improvement of the community.
Angel Trumpeting on the roof of the Refectory in Shamordino:
At first, on the site of the monastery there was a wooden house with a domestic wooden church and several houses for the nuns to live in. The church was consecrated on October 14, 1884 (new style), this day is considered the day the monastery was founded.
Mother Superior Mother Sophia (later Schema-nun Sophia) cared not only about the spiritual life of the community, she invested a lot of effort and all her funds in the construction of the future monastery. She actively participated in the project and construction of the large stone Kazan Cathedral. With her, 2 chapels, outbuildings and sisters' cells were built. An almshouse and monasteries were built in the monastery, and gold-embroidery and icon-painting workshops were opened.
On July 8, 1901, the women's community of Shamordino was elevated to the level of a monastery and renamed the Kazan Amvrosievskaya Hermitage. An orphanage and a nursery were opened at the monastery, and a primary school was opened.
The largest on the territory of the monastery, the Kazan Cathedral, was built in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. The author of the Kazan Cathedral project is the architect S. V. Sherwood (son of V. I. Sherwood, the author of the project for the building of the State Historical Museum in Moscow).
The main temple of the monastery is large, solid, with 15 domes, made of red brick, beautifully decorated outside and inside. Twelve domes mean the 12 apostles, the remaining three domes mean the Holy Trinity. Inside the temple there are many icons, embroidered with gold threads, beads and decorated with semi-precious stones; by candlelight, the faces of the saints seem to come to life.
The architectural ensemble of the convent was created at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. These are brick buildings with rich decorative decoration with elements of ancient Russian architecture. The construction of the monastery was carried out mainly with the money of the benefactor of the convent, Moscow merchant S.V. Perlov and his wife A.Ya. Perlova.
On the territory of the monastery there is the house of S.V. Perlov:
In connection with revolutionary events, after the October Revolution in 1918, the monastery was renamed a labor commune, and in March 1923 it was closed. All lands and buildings of the monastery became the property of the collective farm.
Monastic life in the monastery was revived only in March 1990. The decree on the restoration of the Shamordino monastery was signed on May 3, 1990. The Shamordino convent reopened with the consecration of the temple in honor of the “Quench My Sorrows” icon.
Temples of Shamordino photo
Now there are three functioning churches in the monastery.
Main Kazan Cathedral in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God:
Temple in honor of the Venerable Elder Ambrose, photo from the Internet:
and a house church at the almshouse in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows.”
On July 28, 1996, the temple in honor of St. Ambrose of Optina was consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus'.
Previously, there was a house-cell on this site, where the defender of the Orthodox faith, Elder Ambrose, lived when he came to the monastery. He died in his cell on July 28, 1891. And now the sisters of the monastery call him, remembering him, Father Ambrose - speaking of him as if he were alive.
The great all-Russian elder-confessor Hieroschemamonk Ambrose of Optina was canonized at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in 1988. Services are currently being held in the Church of St. Ambrose.
Restoration work is being carried out in another church in honor of the Holy Trinity.
There are other monastic buildings on the territory of the monastery - a refectory, an almshouse, a hospital, workshops, and outbuildings.
The territory of the monastery is large and landscaped. The Shamordino convent is a very beautiful, well-groomed by women’s hands, surrounded by the constant care of sister nuns, a quiet, calm, spiritual, holy place, one of the most visited places in the Kaluga region.
Shamordino Convent photo in spring
The most spring flowers - daffodils and tulips decorate the territory of the Shamordino Monastery:
The convent stands on a hill, at the foot of this picturesque hill flows the Serena River, which is fed by the waters of numerous springs. Previously, there were several holy springs here, which were destroyed over time.
On July 21, 1990, after the revival of the monastery, the “Picturesque Spring” was equipped and consecrated in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. After walking a little through the territory of the monastery, you can go down here along a wooden staircase with landings for rest; the stairs are steep and lead to a font, a chapel and a well. Here you can get holy water and swim in the font, photo from the Internet:
The convent in Shamordino, Kaluga region, is visited daily by pilgrims and tourists; for many years, tens of thousands of people visit the holy monastery, come to Shamordino to visit the Venerable Ambrose of Optina, here the memory of the miracle worker and teacher, the all-Russian holy elder, the Venerable Ambrose, is sacredly revered and preserved.
The convent lives by daily work and prayers, divine services are held, prayer services are held, Patronal feasts are celebrated, children's Christmas parties are celebrated, the sister nuns take part in Orthodox exhibitions and fairs in different cities of Russia.
On the territory of the monastery the soul can work and relax. In the spring and at any time of the year it is pleasant to walk here; everywhere is beautiful, quiet and cozy. You can come here on a tour of the holy places of the Kaluga region, on a pilgrimage trip. Many come on their own and return here again to plunge into this world of goodness and beauty, to see everything with their own eyes, to touch the shrines.
Watch the video - even more photos of Shamordino:
Shamordino convent video
Read and see also:
Be always healthy and happy! Enjoy your travels!
The Kazan Ambrosievskaya women's hermitage is located near the village of Shamordino, in one of the most beautiful corners of Holy Rus', between the ancient cities of Kaluga and Kozelsk. Founded in 1884 by the Monk Ambrose of Optina according to the will of his spiritual daughter, nun Ambrosia (Klyucharyeva, 1818-1881) and at her expense. While still alive, looking out for elderly widows and orphans who wanted to devote themselves to serving God, she bequeathed the establishment of a women's community with an almshouse on the Shamordino estate that belonged to her.
The first abbess and assistant of the Monk Ambrose in establishing the monastery was Schema-nun Sophia (Bolotova, 1845-1888), who carried out everything strictly according to his instructions. Build the monastery; all its rules were established by the elder himself. Not a single construction, not a single business began without his blessing. When Father arrived in Shamordino, he inspected everything himself, marked out the construction of temples, cells and other buildings and gave instructions. The Monk Ambrose and Mother Sophia paid a lot of attention to the spiritual life of the sisters, instilling in them such virtues as love for God and neighbors, and mercy.
Mother Sophia's successors were schema-abbess Euphrosyne (Rozova, 1830-1904), Ekaterina (Sambikina, 1842-1911) and Valentina (Rozantseva, 1864-1919), also the spiritual children of Elder Ambrose and his disciples Reverends Joseph and Anatoly (Zertsalova). By the beginning of the twentieth century, the monastery was a major spiritual center, where about 800 sisters of various ranks and origins labored. In it, thanks to the generous patronage of the Moscow merchant Sergei Vasilyevich Perlov, all the buildings that have survived to this day were erected, ranging from the majestic Kazan Cathedral, an almshouse with a house church in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows,” to various workshops and a water pump. During the years of persecution of Orthodoxy, the Shamordino monastery suffered the common fate of all Russian monasteries. In 1923, the monastery was closed and destroyed. The sisters were forced to settle in Kozelsk and nearby villages. Spiritually strengthened by the Optina elders, they humbly and with dignity passed all the trials that befell them. Many of them suffered martyrdom in prisons, camps and exiles.
Since March 1990, monastic life has resumed in the Shamordino Monastery. Through the prayers of the venerable organizers, Elder Ambrose and Mother Sophia, the lamps were lit again, and the service began. Monastic life gradually began to improve. That same year, on May 27, the church at the almshouse was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows.” This date was included in the chronicle of the monastery as the day of the revival of the monastery.
In 1996, on the site of the cell in which the Monk Ambrose reposed in the Lord in Shamordino, the first church in Russia was built in the name of the great elder; and on July 28 it was consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. From this day on, a daily cycle of worship is performed there.
The Kazan Cathedral, the main temple of the monastery, was gradually restored and prepared for consecration. In 2005, on August 13, the central altar and two lower chapels were consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. This was a significant event in the history of the Shamordino monastery.
Currently, a full circle of worship is being performed in the monastery, the Inexhaustible Psalter is being read, akathists are being read before the revered icons of the Mother of God and St. Ambrose of Optina. Now there are about 130 sisters working in the monastery. The monastery almshouse and hospital were reopened. A Sunday school is organized for children from surrounding villages. On the territory of the monastery there are three holy springs: in honor of the icons of the Mother of God “Kazan” and “Life-Giving Spring” and St. Ambrose of Optina.
On May 27, 2010, the monastery prayerfully celebrated the 20th anniversary of the revival of monastic life. The day before, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' visited her for the first time and performed a solemn service in the Kazan Cathedral. This event became an unforgettable holiday for the nuns of the monastery, its benefactors and guests.
Under the gracious protection of the Mother of God and its founders, the Venerable Elder Ambrose and Mother Sophia, grateful prayers continue to be offered in the revived Shamordino monastery.
The Shamordino Monastery is a real story about how the work blessed by the Lord 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 occur, more than one human destiny must converge. Thus, under special circumstances, the Kazan Ambrosievskaya 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 functioned.
This man was born in 1812, into 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 became accustomed to church life. When the child grew up, he was sent to study at a theological seminary. There the young man stood out for his calm disposition and ability for science. But before graduating from college, Alexander became very ill. Almost dying, he made a promise to God: if he survived, he would take monastic vows. Then the guy had no idea that he would have to build the Shamordinsky
The illness left the young man, and he decided to work as a teacher in one of the religious 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 what is still standing in the Kaluga region. There, in 1842, the man was tonsured and took the name Ambrose.
The monk was often and seriously ill, but did not stop helping people. Some came to him for a blessing, others for help, and 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 strived for God. One day he had a strange dream. Above his land, which was not far from the Optina Hermitage, in the clouds stood a temple of amazing beauty. He didn’t know then, but in a vision the Almighty showed him the Shamordino Monastery.
The landowner told Ambrose about this, and he saw a good sign in a dream. The elder invited him to sell his lands. Kalygin agreed, and soon after that he took monastic vows.
The Last Will of a Rich Lady
Alexandra Klyuchareva lived nearby. Her husband was a deeply religious man, 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. She settled near the monastery. Together with her were two granddaughters - Vera and Lyuba. Their mother died young, and their father wandered around the world.
Ambrose was a woman. On his advice, a rich lady bought the landowner's land. She also drew up 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 Shamordino Monastery appeared here.
In 1881, my grandmother died. Her son, the girls' father, appeared. He was not satisfied with Lyuba and Vera’s desire to devote their lives to God. Therefore, he agreed with Ambrose that his daughters would be transferred to a boarding house. It was headed by the spiritual daughter of a monk, so he easily arranged everything.
Hard luck
When Alexandra Klyuchareva made her will, she didn’t understand much, but she didn’t ask unnecessary questions. However, more information was revealed to the elder. He probably knew how to interpret the future, so all his steps were clear.
The twins Vera and Lyuba are very accustomed to spiritual life. The boarding house was a turbulent place for them. During the holidays they hurried to their native village of Shamordino. There they rested from the noisy life and read prayers. When one of the passers-by asked Father Ambrose if the children were too young to do these things, he replied that they were preparing for a difficult fate. They did not have to serve and see the Shamordino Monastery. The girls got sick and died before they were 12 years old.
According 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 Superior
When the girls were still alive, construction began. The monk chose a difficult plan, which caused misunderstanding among 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 accommodate dozens of disadvantaged women at once.
There was a need for an abbess. Sofia 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 Shamordino convent in the Kaluga region.
This woman came from a noble noble family. Her entire family was very pious and put faith above their needs. Sofia got married at 30 years old. But the happiness did not last long. A year later, the husband died. After the funeral, the widow gave birth to a girl, Nadezhda.
Best Candidate
For a long time, the 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 me 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 submitted. She lived with her new husband in peace and great love for 4 years, and then he died.
Then, in 1884, Sophia assumed the post of abbess and became a nun. It was during her work that the Shamordino Monastery flourished, photos of which are presented in the review.
For this work, permission had to be sought from the bishop, who doubted that a simple woman could manage such a business. 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 inheritance left by Alexandra Klyuchareva ended, construction and all work continued at Bolotova’s expense.
Forgetfulness 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 Sofia was the best dean of the Shamordino monastery, and there would be no other like her.
She was replaced in this post by the nun Euphrosyne. Later the abbess became blind and wanted to give up this work. But Father Ambrose convinced her to continue fulfilling her duties. The elder himself died in 1891. This was a big blow not only for the monastery, but for all of Orthodoxy.
The shrine grew and developed until 1918. Then the Soviet government took away the land from the community. For some time the facility 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.
Work resumed in 1990. The building was abandoned and broken by time, but still did not lose the main thing - its spirit.
Restored cathedral
Among the picturesque nature, on the top of the hill stands the Shamordino Monastery. Not everyone knows how to get to the village of the same name, located in the city. The facility is located near the city of Kozelsk, where there is an equally popular men's community called Optina Pustyn. The total distance from one complex to another is barely more than 10 km. The distance from the capital is about 280 km.
After the collapse of the Union, it was hard to look at the monastery. All the buildings were dilapidated. But, with the help of the Creator, the community was reborn. In 2005, the rebuilt Kazan Cathedral was re-consecrated. 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 others - with glass beads.
Nice atmosphere
Despite more than a hundred years of history, the monastery continues its main mission - helping disadvantaged women. There is a hospital on its territory where elderly nuns live. Absolutely everyone feels sisterly love and care here.
The Shamordino Monastery also has its own dining room. Feedback from visitors about the kitchen is positive. Pilgrims note that the food here for parishioners is free and very tasty. The novices grow their own food. Guests also really like the fact that the nuns eat together with tourists in the same room. This is how ordinary people feel even closer to spiritual life.
At the exit, visitors are sold delicious homemade pies with various fillings for little money. You can also purchase a magnet as a souvenir of this unusual and interesting journey.
Healing water
Pilgrims from all over the Orthodox world come here for help. Some people want to heal mental wounds, others need physical strength. They also practice oncology treatment at the Shamordino Monastery. There are holy springs here where guests can bathe. Water has good energy; guests often drink it and take it home from the source. People who have visited the community know that it was faith that helped them overcome life’s adversity.
Tourists note that before traveling they should think about what to wear. The road to the source is steep. The font is located under the monastery. There are 240 steps leading up to it. Therefore, it is better to wear something simple and light. The sisters made sure that it was easy for unhealthy people to get to the water. On the stairs there are areas with benches where you can relax. Each of the nuns is friendly and kind. She will tell you where you can light a candle for health and who to pray to. 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 Shamordino Monastery is a source of positive light energy.
