Nikandrova Pustyn (Pskov Region): History, Sights

Nikandrov Deserts (Pskov Region) is one of the oldest monasteries in the north-west of Russia. It is located 40 km from the city of Porkhov, near the village of Demyanka.

The desert and the monastery located there, which the Pskov region map helps to reach, have a rich history. Sights of these places are also natural objects - sacred stones, oak and healing springs.

History

A native of the Pskov land, Nikandr, a desert dweller for more than 50 years, led a hermitic way of life in an area uninhabited by people, obeying a command from the altar of the temple, heard at prayer. Later this place began to be called by the name of the saint, who healed many sick people here. Before his death, Nikandr promised to protect the inhabitants of the hermit desert, and in 1584 a monastery was founded there. The temple was built by a man who received recovery during a prayer to a saint.

Description of the desert in its heyday

The monastic ensemble consisted of:

• From the five-domed cathedral of the Annunciation;
• A stone bell tower with a battle clock, located above the Holy Gates;
• Rectory two-story cells;
• Stone oval church, consecrated in the name of St. Gennady.

The monastic yard was a square of hexagonal shape, and the fence consisted of cells, and above it were built four towers.

At the monastery walls there was a hotel for the common people, and nearby the fairground wooden benches. In addition, a monastery mill and a barnyard operated on the Lyubovets River.

Destruction

Nikandrov's deserts (Pskov region) were devastated by the Bolsheviks. They also destroyed the temple, erected for more than three centuries. The monastery for a long time ceased to exist. Attempts to revive the monastery in the postwar years were suppressed by the then authorities. Over time, the territory of the former Nikandr desert was completely overgrown with forest. Only alleys, remains of the fence, holy wells, ruins and foundations of temples, as well as a monastery cemetery were partially preserved.

Revival

Nikandrov's deserts (Pskov region) began to revive only at the beginning of the new millennium. Settled in memorable places, monks began praying with prayers. They were assisted by local residents and paratroopers stationed near the military unit, as well as foresters and Cossacks. Five-year efforts have been crowned with success, and pilgrims once again reached out to the shrines.

Today the newly born monastery continues to evolve. To the two consecrated churches, the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the residential and auxiliary buildings are attached. The adjacent territory, the road to the temple is being built.

Daily worship is performed in the monastery; Most solemnly they pass on the day of the memory of the saint, in commemoration of the cessation of the epidemic of cholera and in the celebration of the memory of the Royal Martyrs.

Temples

If you have a map of the Pskov region with sights, then you will surely find Nikandrovu deserts on it. There are several temples, which are copies of the old churches destroyed in the years of the God-struggles:

• The Annunciation Cathedral, consecrated in 2010;
• Wooden church icons "The search for the dead";
• Temple of Royal Martyrs.

Sources of Nikandr's Desert

On the territory of the monastery are the holy springs. Their waters heal the body and heal the souls.

At the entrance to the monastery is a source of peat water. It is not very suitable for drinking, but it helps in curing eye diseases.

Nearby is the holy spring of the Monk Alexander Svirsky with a font with radon water of blue color. Dipping into it brings the order of thought, highlighting the main thing. The water is dense and expels the bathers outside.

There is also the source of the Monk Nikandr, who, according to legend, used the saint himself for domestic needs.

People come to the monastery for help, suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, infertility. To heal, they are advised to walk the water from the healing source of the apostles Peter and Paul.

Holy stones

The stone "Vozgllavnitsa" for a long time was in the monastery church and was an object of veneration of local residents and pilgrims. He was used on a par with the icons in the procession of the Cross. Tradition says that Nikandr bent his head on this stone instead of pillow when resting. Fathers of the church took the subject of pagan worship to Petrograd, where his tracks were lost. Only legends remained about him, and people who were ignorant of exportation for a long time continued to search for the relic.

The stone "God's footprint", similar to the footprint of a man's foot, was considered holy because of the supposed belonging of the imprint of the Virgin Mary. His veneration increased after the loss of the "Chieftain".

Holy oak

This huge tree in the Middle Ages was the object of the worship of the Pskovites. After all, under this tree Nikandr predicted the future and healed the sick, there he was buried after his death.

Time did not spare the old oak, and he died in the fire of a fire. To this day only legends have reached, the chapel built on this place has not been preserved.

Nikandrov Deserts: how to reach

To get to the monastery by car is quite simple, for example, using a satellite navigator. From Moscow, you can go on the route that follows through Tver, Valdai and Luga, and from St. Petersburg - through Lugu. Further the path runs through the villages of Ludoni, Pava, Dubrovo to Zagosok. From there to the desert will remain 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 one-day visit.

Nikandrov Deserts (a map of the sights with enclosed settlements is presented below) is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Many of them come by public transport. To do this, you need to get to Pskov, and then change to one of the buses that run to the city of Porkhov and the settlements of Dedovichi and Bottom. Then you can go either on foot or use the services of a private car.

Now you know where the Nikandrov desert is located (Pskov region). Visiting this monastery, you not only have a rest soul, but you can also admire the beautiful scenery.