Abalaksky Monastery

• Abalaksky Monastery

Tell me, how often you see a cow posing for the camera on the background of the monastery, built in the baroque?

Sibir, Siberia this .. It is often customary becomes extraordinary and ordinary things become his, especially color. Here I am, for example, on trips usually do not visit temples and monasteries. And here, in Abalak, it was interesting and I went. Outside the gates appeared quiet, calm, no hassles and confusion.

Anxiety sky, autumn flowers, golden domes of the church and yellow leaves on the water surface of the pond .. beautifully.

And invariably the story around. In Siberia, everywhere. Everywhere has its own history.

I will not retell the Wikipedia from which you already know that the monastery is located 20 km from Tobolsk, and he is known icon of the Mother of God "The Sign", on which it uplifts the hands to the sun.

Here, in a small courtyard, in addition to the monasteries and the host structures, shelters several churches - Znamensky Cathedral (1683-1691 years of construction), church of St. Nicholas (1748-1750 years) and the Temple of St. Mary of Egypt with a bell tower (1752-1759 years) .

Again, in which the post of the former province of Tobolsk stating a well-groomed and clean.

And again, I say: "It may be so in Russia!"

Before the revolution the monastery conducted extensive outreach activities among non-Western Siberia. It acted even inorodcheskih school where children Tatars, Khanty and Mansi people can learn to read and write and get any of the crafts needed in life. Left - The Church of St. Mary of Egypt with a bell tower on the right - the Sign Church.

Inside the main church is covered with frescoes

prayer hall is not as accepted immediately at the entrance to the temple, and on the second floor

The iconostasis and icon of the main temple - abalak Mother of God "The Sign".

Here, I first learned about the term "stoesidie".

These are special devices such as seats in Catholic churches, but that allow you to stand as it should be in the Orthodox. They are intended for elderly people who have difficulty to stand on their feet the entire service. In this device, the seat is placed under an angle of about 45 degrees and an elderly person can rest against it fifth point. And like sitting, but still worth it.

To date, as part of the brethren are 22 people, including 12 priests, 3 monk 1 Monk and 6 novices. In addition, in the monastery are the labor of obedience to about 40 staff member.

In the backyard of residential and commercial buildings, a small pond and a place for seclusion with itself

A small pond in which they live carp

The tree, which brought a smile and a joke of the whole of our group.

Although the first days of September, autumn has come to Siberia

Autumn flowers are especially beautiful always

On the territory of the monastery there is one place evokes horror. Here, in a small chapel with a cross, there is a cave ...

... And there on the left side of the marble tomb lids covered with small windows ...

... Here, in the tombs, lie dozens of skulls, some of which are children.

They were found during restoration work in modern times.

The fact is that in the 30s of the last century, when the monastery was closed, the children are operated transit point and not everyone is able to go on step further. Some remained in abalak earth.

But the worst - wounds on some turtles. Then think for yourself ...

The monastery was restored definitively not given - only 6 October 2007 were consecrated and installed crosses and domes on the Sign Cathedral and the Church of St. Mary of Egypt. Currently, besides the monastery chores involved in the social activities of the aid drug addicts who come to the monastery for spiritual strength, and to get rid of their addiction.