Sanaxar Monastery in Mordovia: description, history and interesting facts

The Sanaksar Monastery in Mordovia has existed for more than 350 years. For many centuries it is an important center of Orthodoxy in the region. Despite the long decades of desolation and desecration, today the monastery hosts tens of thousands of pilgrims who come there to worship the numerous shrines of the monastery.

Base

The Sanaksar Monastery in Mordovia was founded in 1659 when Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was on the Russian throne. The place for the desert on the left bank of the Moksha River, three versts from the city of Temnikov, was given to her as a scribe by a scribe originating from local nobles, Luka Evsyukov. He also invited her first abbot, Hegumen Theodosius, from the Staro-Kadomsky Monastery. In 1676 the first temple of the monastery was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir.

Under Hegumen Theodore

By 1750 the Sanaxar of the Bogoroditsky monastery, then still having the status of a desert, came to desolation. The reason was the absence of philanthropists, as well as the replacement of deceased members of the brethren. In this regard, it was decided to ascribe the monastery to the Sarov desert, which was in its prime.

Sanaxar's relic was revived only under the rector of Theodore (in the world Ivan Ushakov). During this period, which lasted more than 10 years (1764-1774), it became the spiritual center of Russia along with Sarov. On March 7, 1765, the highest decree was issued, according to which the Sanaxirs became officially called a monastery.

Rector Theodore came from a poor noble family and was the younger brother of the father of the famous Russian naval commander FF Ushakov. He took monastic vows in the presence of Empress Elizabeth in 1748 in the Alexander Nevsky Convent. Since 1754, the monk Theodore lived in Sanaxarakh. In total, he spent 45 years in his service to the Lord and was buried in the temple he built himself. In 2004, Theodore was presented to the reverence of the Holy Bishops' Council of the ROC.

Hegumen Joel

In the second half of the 18th century, the monastery had many dignitaries in both capitals, so they received generous donations from them. In 1774, the priest became the priest Hieromonk Joel. He was one of the 11 retired Guards-disciples of the Monk Theodore and managed the monastery for four years.

Large-scale construction

Under Joel the consecrated warm church and the temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord were consecrated, located under the bell tower. After 2 years the monastery was surrounded by a wall. She had 33 fathoms in length and eight arshins in height. In it, the gate was made, at the corners of the 2 towers. In one of them, located on the bank of the river Moksha, a chapel was built, in the other - 2 cells.

At the end of the 18th century

The Sanaxar monastery in Mordovia continued to be settled under the reigns of Venedikt and Benjamin. At them the 2-storeyed stone case where the cells were located was built. In one of them, upon the return from Solovki, the first abbot of the monastery, St. Theodore Ushakov, settled.

In 1784-1785, around the monastery, to strengthen the walls, built an external stone fence, which protected the monastery from the river, the Sanaksar Lake and meadows.

At the end of the 18th century up to 100 monks and novices lived there permanently. In addition, the monastery was accepted by pilgrims of any rank and for the duration of their stay provided with shelter and food.

In the 19th century

The official document, dating back to 1802, contains a description of the Sanaksar monastery, according to which it "is not inferior to the best Russian monasteries". In another note of the same period it is mentioned that the majority of the members of the brotherhood are former military men belonging to the nobility.

In 1810, near the Sanaksar Monastery, Fyodor Ushakov settled in the Alekseevka village purchased at his own expense. He became his main benefactor and spent large sums to help the brethren and the arrangement of the monastery. Very often, especially during the Great Lent, the famous great Russian naval commander settled in one of the cells and prayed with the brothers throughout the day, sharing a meager meal with her. Even during his lifetime, he bequeathed to bury himself in the Sanaxar monastery. When, on October 2, 1817, Admiral Fyodor Ushakov died, his body residents of Temnikov were carried in their arms to the monastery and buried in its territory.

At the beginning of the last century

The Sanaxar monastery (where it is located - see below) was governed in 1895 by the rector Augustin, who took tonsure after his retirement from the army, where he served as a capthenarmus in the Guards Volyn regiment. He did a lot to improve the monastery, and after his death in 1915, the leadership of the brotherhood was entrusted to Alexander Urodov.

In 1918, revolutionary sentiments penetrated the monastery walls, and the rebellious part of the monks displaced the abbot, and he was taken into custody. Later hegumen became rector of Sviyazhskaya Makaryevskaya, and then governor of Sedmiester desert.

In the 1920s the commune "New Life" operated in the monastery. For several years, the monastery was ruined and robbed by all who could. As a result, in 1929 it was closed.

The period from 1930 to 1991

After the closure of Sanaxar (monastery in Mordovia) began to collapse as a result of marauders' raids, and under the influence of natural factors. The first "victim" of marauders was the chapel on the grave of Admiral F. Ushakov. In addition, the monastery cemetery was destroyed and dug up. The Vandals brought down chapters from the temples, mutilated the paintings, arranged a stable in the porch of the cathedral church.

Later the monastery buildings were handed over to the schools of rural machine operators and in some of them garages were organized. This situation continued until the 1970s, when the Soviet authorities decided to restore Sanasara as a monument of architectural value.

Recovery

Gorbachev's perestroika marked the beginning of radical changes in the minds of the inhabitants of the former Soviet Union regarding religion and belief in God. Mordovia did not stay aside. The Sanaxar Monastery was given by the believers by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of May 7, 1991. After 2 weeks, at the Holy Trinity, the governor of the monastery made the first Liturgy there.

Monastery today

Today there are several temples in the monastery. Among them :

• The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin;
• Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord;
• The temple of the Vladimir Icon of Our Lady;
• The Church of the Resurrection of Christ;
• The shrine-chapel of the schema of Jerome.

In the monastery are kept the venerated icons of the Kazan Mother of God, the Monks of Alexander the Confessor and Theodore of Sanaxar, as well as the Most Holy Theotokos.

The monastery is known for its holy sources. The main one is in the forest, near the road that leads to the monastery. From it, pilgrims can drink or recruit a cool holy water. In addition, there are two fountains for bathing, enclosed in the tower. In the baths there are handrails with steps, which allows them to use the infirm and elderly people.

In the monastery there is a church shop. It presents a large assortment of church utensils, including icons, crosses, lamps, candles, as well as books, souvenirs, audio and video cassettes of Orthodox themes.

How to get there

Address of the monastery: Temnikov (431220), Russia, Mordovia, Sanaksar Monastery. You can get there:

• From Nizhny Novgorod or Arzamas take a bus to Diveevo. Further by bus route Voznesensk - Tengushevo - Temnikov.
• By rail to the stations of Potma or Zubov Polyana. Then about 100 km by bus to Temnikov. Then walk.
• From Temnikov take the bus to the village Alekseevka. Walk 2 km on foot.
• From Temnikov walk on foot through the city to the river Moksha. Cross the bridge on the other bank. Walk 4 km on foot.
• Depart from Moscow or Saransk by bus, the next to the city of Temnikova.

Now you know what is remarkable about the Sanaksar Monastery in Mordovia, where Ushakov is buried.