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This text initially appeared on: Russian Religion, a brand new web site with information in regards to the Christian renaissance in Russia. See their introductory video at finish of article.
Far-off in western Ukraine, the place mighty rivers move by means of the inexperienced ravines, amidst the hills and dales of the Krementsky mountains of Outdated Volhynia (a area in western Ukraine) there lay an historical stone with the footprint of the Virgin Mary herself.
Upon that rock was constructed a stronghold, and a church atop it additional nonetheless, wall upon wall, glacis upon glacis, arising from the viridescent hill. Right this moment, Pochaev Monastery, a fortress of adamant, dominates the panorama like one thing from a Russian fairy story.
It’s not attainable to overstate its magnificence; its cathedral advanced is a colossus atop a terrific stone plateau rising from a walled hill. The numerous phosphorus stars of heaven’s fields are mirrored within the azure domes. Its ivory halls maintain many a tome written within the historical Slavic tongue. Its towers are tall, the place bells are rung, calling folks to argent Church buildings, the place many a track of reward is sung. Its crowning jewel is a golden cathedral, overlooking the valley and village of Pochaev, remnants of outdated Kiev.
Within the Russian lands there exist solely 5 functioning Lavras, or nice monasteries; two of them in Russia, and three in Ukraine. One in every of them is Pochaev, and as you possibly can see, its magnificence is past perception. But its position in Russian historical past can also be as paramount and excessive as its perch atop its hill.Pochaev has lengthy been and stays to this present day a fortress of Russian Orthodoxy within the western reaches of Ukraine.
Pochaev Lavra was based in 1240 by monks fleeing the autumn of Kiev, which had been captured by Batu Khan of the Mongol Horde. Settling excessive on the rocky, forested hills, the monks had been honored with the apparition of the Mom of God Mary. The Ever-Virgin Mary appeared to them in a wonderful crown and left the imprint of her foot upon a stone from which flowed a water spring.
To proceed studying this text, take a look at the complete model on Russian Religion will images of Pochaev in all its glory.
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