In Odessa there are several monasteries. With it, both male and female. Today let's talk about the monastery of Saint Panteleimon.
A few words about the Holy great Martyr Panteleimon the
Saint Panteleimon is a gratuitous healer of all suffering. He was born in the third century in Nicomedia in the family of a pagan father and mother Orthodox Christian. Mother died early, father and son was raised in the pagan faith. His teacher, doctor Efrosini, referred the art student, and the priest Hermolaus with the help of the Holy spirit began to enlighten the youth true faith. Pantaleon became free to heal people, came to the afflicted in prison, the poor and the poor had distributed his property, the remaining inherited from his father.
Emperor Maximilian demanded Panteleimon to renounce God. But when he healed the sick right in front of the Emperor, the latter ordered that Panteleimon to be eaten by wild animals. When he was thrown to the wolves, the beasts would not touch it, but rather, caressed by Panteleimon. Also, when the Emperor ordered to demolish Panteleimon's head, the sword of by do, because the believer prayed and have not yet finished my prayer.
Some historical data about the monastery SV. Panteleimon
On the spot, now the standing of the monastery of SV. Panteleimon, Athos was previously a farmstead. It was founded in 1876. Here, in this Holy place, every year, came more than 2 thousand pilgrims. Here they could rest, get food, and they provide assistance in the preparation of documents required for pilgrimage through foreign lands.
St. Panteleimon Cathedral, with a height of 3 floors, was built in 1893, Osnovanie was timed to the day of the century Odessa. Panteleimon the subsidiary was formed for three years. The first stone laid in the building of the Cathedral in 1893, by the way, the material for construction was brought from mount Athos, which was considered Holy. In 1896 it was made the consecration of the monastery. The whole majestic appearance of this Cathedral designed in the Byzantine style with four domes and one of the domes, the largest, is in the middle. There is also a further 11 bells they were cast in Voronezh. All the bells in different sizes, weight. The smallest only 5 pounds. But the largest weighs more than a ton.
The compound was closed during the Soviet regime: 1923 Opened the Cathedral, after twenty-one years, in 1944, Since that time the work has been done here of the Odessa theological Seminary. But this period of prosperity of the monastery was quite short. During the reign of Khrushchev, the temple was again closed: 1961 the building was given over to the planetarium. But after 29 years, ( 1990), divine services were resumed. The monastery itself was founded, with the blessing of his Eminence Metropolitan of Odessa and Izmail Agafangel, in 1995. Through the year, mentor of the monastery began with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the hegumen Arkady (in the world – rams).
This architectural structure is very beautiful, it is impossible to withdraw eyes. The facade is decorated with mosaic icons, at the expense of donations of parishioners restored was the bell tower, made interior paintings. Also was a full restoration of the icons. Huge admiration for the parishioners produces the iconostasis, which is located in the center of the main temple.
If you go up white as a sheet ladder, eyes with a beautiful painting of saints on the walls. The soul exults and rejoices from the seen beauty. Here is "it is" is the icon of the blessed virgin Mary, you can touch Holy relics of St. Panteleimon. For the sake of your own eyes to see, to touch, to the monastery attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
The shrines of the monastery
- The main sanctuary is the ark, with a small particle of the relics of St. Panteleimon.
- A large crucifix, with inherent in it relics of saints.
- In the altar is kept the slice of wood on which appeared a cross.
- The ark with particles of relics of various saints.
- The icon with the PDP. Alexis Carpathian, with the relics of the Saint.
- In the Upper temple is the icon of the great Martyr Panteleimon. Another icon of Panteleimon located in the narthex.
- The Icon Of Bozhiej Of Mother "Tikhvin".
- The icon with the relics of the Optina elders.
- 2 the Mother of God "Worthy is".
- The Icon Of The Mother Of God "Czestochowa".
Interesting facts
In the beginning of the turbulent 90s, shortly before Easter, the altar boy was instructed to attach over the high place in the icon of the Savior. He took the tool and started to work. When he started to drive a nail into the wall, plaster broke down and began to crumble. What was the amazement of the monks, when out of plaster they looked the eyes of the Lord on the face.
Some time passed, and in the vestibule, under a layer of plaster, paint and lime was discovered, the face of St. Spyridon.
When the restoration works were found numerous frescoes and paintings that date back to the late 19th century, After it was analyzed, experts have come to believe that the entire painting should not be modified, as it is written in a special Athonite style, which our contemporaries pass simply can not.
It should be noted that the execution of works financed by the Emperor Nicholas II. Icon of St. Panteleimon, located in the Upper Church came to the monastery in 2004. She wore the imprint of the agony of the Saint. The face was distorted almost beyond recognition. But the wizard was able to restore the image of the Martyr.
Official data
The monastery is located on St. Panteleimon 66. If you go to the train Station through the gate on Srednefontanskoy, turn left. Through the underpass move to the other side of the street. Go across the road and turn right. After 100 metres you will see the main entrance to the monastery.
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