Monuments, examples of magnificent painting, frescoes, records of historical chronicles - all this is a medieval monastery. Those who want to touch the past and learn about the events of bygone days should start their journey precisely from the study of ancient temples, since they remember much more than the pages of chronicles.
Cultural and economic centers of the Middle Ages
In the Dark Ages, monastic communes began to gain strength. For the first time they appear in Western Europe. The progenitor of this movement can be considered Benedict of Nursia. The largest medieval monastery of this period is the monastery in Montecassino. This is a world with its own rules, in which each member of the commune had to contribute to the development of a common cause.
At this time, the medieval monastery was a huge complex of buildings. It included cells, libraries, refectory, cathedrals and utility buildings. The latter included barns, warehouses, pens for animals.
Over time, monasteries turned into the main centers of concentration of culture and economy of the Middle Ages. They kept a chronology of events, held disputes, and evaluated the achievements of science. Such teachings as philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine developed and improved.
All physically hard work was provided to novices, peasants, and ordinary monastery workers. Such settlements were of great importance in the field of storage and accumulation of information. Libraries were replenished with new books, and old editions were constantly corresponded. Also, the monks themselves kept historical chronicles.
History of Russian Orthodox Monasteries
Russian medieval monasteries appeared much later than European. Initially, hermit monks lived separately in uninhabited places. But Christianity quickly spread among the masses, so stationary churches became necessary. From the 15th century until the reign of Peter I there was a widespread construction of temples. They were in almost every village, and large monasteries were built near cities or in holy places.
Peter I carried out a series of church reforms, which were continued by his successors. Ordinary people negatively perceived a new fashion for Western tradition. Therefore, already under Catherine II, the construction of Orthodox monasteries was resumed.
Most of these places of worship did not become a place of pilgrimage for believers, but some Orthodox churches are known throughout the world.
Miracles of myrrh
The banks of the Great River and the Mirozhka River flowing into it. It was here that many centuries ago the Pskov Spaso-Preobrazhensky Mirozhsky Monastery appeared.
The location of the church made it vulnerable to frequent raids. She took all the blows primarily on herself. Constant looting, fires haunted the monastery for many centuries. And with all this, fortress walls were never built around him. Surprisingly, despite all the troubles, he preserved the frescoes, which still admire its beauty.
For many centuries, the Mirozh Monastery kept in itself an invaluable miraculous icon of the Mother of God. In the XVI century, she became famous for the miracle of myrrh-streaming. Later, miracles of healing were assigned to her.
A record was found in the collection kept in the library of the monastery. It is dated 1595 according to the modern calendar. It contained the story of a miraculous myrrh-streaming icon. As the record says: “Tears flowed from the eyes of the Most Holy One, like jets.”
Spiritual heritage
A few years ago, the Giurgihevi Stupovi Monastery celebrated its birthday. And he was born no less, but eight centuries ago. This church became one of the first Orthodox in Montenegrin land.
The monastery survived many tragic days. Over its long history, it was destroyed by fire 5 times. In the end, the monks left this place.
For a long period, the medieval monastery was devastated. And only at the end of the XIX century a project began to recreate this historical object. Not only architectural structures were restored, but also monastic life.
There is a museum on the territory of the monastery. In it you can see fragments of surviving buildings and artifacts. Now the monastery of Giurgivi Stupovi lives a real life. Constant charity events and gatherings are held to develop this monument of spirituality.
