Belogorye church in the chalk mountains. Railway timetable: Belogorye

Not far from the village of Belogorye. It appeared in 1796 thanks to the daughter of the Ukrainian Cossack Konstantin Bosoy Maria Sherstyukova. She, having received a blessing, founded a community, began to dig caves in the slopes of the mountain and became the first abbess of the monastery.

The first temple appeared in the monastery in 1819. It was consecrated in honor of Alexander Nevsky.

During the life of the abbess, she and her associates dug about 212 meters of caves (now this part of the underground passages is called "old caves"). After her death, her followers continued her work.

By the end of the 19th century, the total length of the caves reached 2 km, and several religious buildings were built, including the main temple of the monastery - a large Byzantine-style Resurrection Church.

After the revolution, the temples were wiped off the face of the earth, the monastery was plundered and ceased to exist, a grain-growing was arranged in its place. The caves were gradually destroyed: before the beginning of the new millennium, anyone could enter them.

In 2003, the revival of the monastery began, the restoration of temples and caves, and divine services were resumed. A shrine is kept in the monastery - a particle of the relics of the holy prince Alexander Nevsky.

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A little less than 700 kilometers from Moscow flew merrily to the best hits of VIA "Infected Mushroom". High-quality road surface on the M4 highway will inspire moderate optimism.

It was already dark when we drove into Pavlovsk - the nearest settlement to our destination with the only free room in the hotel.

When found, the hotel in a two-story hut on a dark, deserted street and without a parking lot did not inspire optimism. The idea of ​​lighting the way to the entrance with the built-in flashlight of HTC One X seemed dubious. Fortunately, in Pavlovsk there was also another lodging for the night - with a modest name "Grand Hotel". Standard four-star service, restaurant, parking - and only 500 rubles more (in the original version, the room cost about 2000). Everything was fine, but in the morning I found several policemen at the reception who were trying to get surveillance footage in connection with a criminal event that had happened in front of the restaurant. Alas, despite the beauties of nature, the Voronezh province is not conducive to careless deeds.

The next morning, the "garmin" cheerfully took the trail through the outskirts of Pavlovsk, shabby with life and strewn with potholes, in order to lead our us to the shore of endless water. Spilled, the Don left its banks, hiding overwater bridges under a muddy water film. I had to drive disappointedly back - to the M4 highway, in order to go from there to Belogorye by a regular, knurled tourist route. We drink morning coffee on the bridge across the Don.

The road soon leads us to the village of Belogorye.

At the central attraction - the square between the store and the Palace of Culture - we meet Moscow cyclists from the Caravan club.

Cheerful reconnaissance of primers in the lowlands along the Don confirms the idea - the road to Belogorye cannot be found just like that! Another road ended again in a flooded river. We ask the locals for directions.

Again we return to the store, again we ask the right way ...

It looks like you know where to go. After a couple of kilometers, the road goes so persistently through the hills with half-meter ruts into the cloudless blue sky, and after that - into deep ravines that we decide to go back again ... On the way back, to our surprise, we meet "Ten" with a sign "Monastery" and an iconostasis under the windshield. The abbot and father of the Belogorsk Resurrection Monastery were in the car. With God's help, the "ten" in front of us effortlessly overcame several kilometers of crazy primers, each of which would be impassable without MT tires and 33 wheels in the rain, leading us to the high bank of the Don. Here, in the endless chalk thickness, the largest underground temple in our country is equipped.

The depth of the passages of the temple complex is 70 meters, it has 5 levels, and from each of them there used to be an exit to the corridor leading to the opposite bank of the Don. Currently, the length of the passages has been reduced from the pre-revolutionary 2200 meters to 900 meters. Surprisingly, this temple was built on the initiative of a local resident - Maria Sherstyukova in the second half of the 19th century. The locals got together and, with the support of the church, dug up this incredible underground complex. So the Belogorsk Resurrection Monastery was born.

However, at first, outwardly, nothing particularly betrays his presence, except for the administration building, shiny with fresh paint, and a monk with a scythe. All ground structures of the temple were decisively blown up in Soviet times, the giant dungeon was defiled by local residents. The corridors leading to the other side of the Don were sprinkled during the Second World War. Restoration work began in the middle of the 2000s, and at present the dungeons are being excavated and cleaned of filth by several volunteer monks. Here, for example, there was a small stone temple.

A car with such a sticker stood in the tourist parking lot near the temple.

The cyclists left their bikes right there.

Restoration work is underway in the temple. The monks are working together, perhaps someone else is helping, but the work is not going very fast - too much destruction has caused the temple almost 100 years of oblivion.

The restoration of the part of the gate that was blown up under Khrushchev is also actively underway.

bells

We were forbidden to take photographs in the temple, we were blessed only for a couple of shots on the balcony of one of the levels.

One of the entrances to the temple.

The abbot talks about the tragic past of this place.

From each tier, a wonderful view of the Don and its surroundings opens up.

View to the other side

Looking at these tunnels, reaching two kilometers in length, one is amazed at the determination and willpower of their creators.

In the chalk

What was done to the temple during oblivion? You can see it well in this photo.

Around the monastery are endless hills and fields.

Watermelon field on the high bank of the Don.

In the lowland there is a tiny village with several houses, through which the road to the monastery goes.

Most of those who come by car leave the car before even reaching this village.

Russian idyll

Chalk pillar over the Don

Wonderful views open up from the high banks of the Don.

View of the spilled Don.

Passable in summer, the short road to Pavlovsk is completely flooded

Here it is, Belogorye!

View of the Don

Santa and snow

There is a cross on the mountain

Underfoot - almost sheer chalk cliffs.

Panorama Belogorye

Having scouted another short path, we almost planted Santa in a large puddle, but we arrived at the source. The source itself was closed, but the springs gush out of the ground right in the stream in front of it.

This place reminded me of mangroves on tropical islands.

Bow for memory. From this side, the car is almost clean...

But on the left side we got into a rut.

Locals willingly suggest the way, always ending with the phrase "and then ask!" The dialect of the locals is unusual - you immediately remember that Cossacks traditionally lived in these places.

Local life flows measuredly, very reminiscent of Sumatra.

In the meantime, we were already moving towards the next point - located 60 kilometers away from the nunnery in Kostomarovo. But that's a topic for the next post!

Belogorye is an amazing place in the south of the Voronezh region. Here, in the chalk cliffs above the high bank of the Don, is the largest cave temple in Russia.

A little less than 700 kilometers from Moscow flew merrily to the best hits of VIA "Infected Mushroom". High-quality road surface on the M4 highway will inspire moderate optimism.
It was already dark when we drove into Pavlovsk - the nearest settlement to our destination with the only free room in the hotel.

When found, the hotel in a two-story hut on a dark, deserted street and without a parking lot did not inspire optimism. The idea of ​​lighting the way to the entrance with the built-in flashlight of HTC One X seemed dubious. Fortunately, in Pavlovsk there was also another lodging for the night - with a modest name "Grand Hotel". Standard four-star service, restaurant, parking - and only 500 rubles more (in the original version, the room cost about 2000).

The next morning, the "garmin" cheerfully took the trail through the outskirts of Pavlovsk, worn out by life and strewn with potholes, to lead us to the shore of endless water. Spilled, the Don left its banks, hiding overwater bridges under a muddy water film. I had to drive disappointedly back - to the M4 highway, in order to go from there to Belogorye by a regular, knurled tourist route. We drink morning coffee on the bridge across the Don.

The road soon leads us to the village of Belogorye.

At the central attraction - the square between the store and the Palace of Culture - we meet Moscow cyclists from the Caravan club.

Cheerful reconnaissance of primers in the lowlands along the Don confirms the idea - the road to Belogorye cannot be found just like that! Another road ended again in a flooded river. We ask the locals for directions.

It looks like you know where to go. After a couple of kilometers, the road goes so persistently along the hills with half-meter ruts into the cloudless blue sky, and after that - into deep ravines, that we decide to return again ... On the way back, to our surprise, we meet a "Ten" with a sign "Monastery" and iconostasis under the windshield. The abbot and father of the Belogorsk Resurrection Monastery were in the car. With God's help, the "ten" in front of us effortlessly overcame several kilometers of crazy primers, each of which would be impassable without MT tires and 33 wheels in the rain, leading us to the high bank of the Don. Here, in the endless chalk thickness, the largest underground temple in our country is equipped.

The depth of the passages of the temple complex is 70 meters, it has 5 levels, and from each of them there used to be an exit to the corridor leading to the opposite bank of the Don. Currently, the length of the passages has been reduced from the pre-revolutionary 2200 meters to 900 meters. Surprisingly, this temple was built on the initiative of a local resident - Maria Sherstyukova in the second half of the 19th century. The locals got together and, with the support of the church, dug up this incredible underground complex. So the Belogorsk Resurrection Monastery was born.

However, at first, outwardly, nothing particularly betrays his presence, except for the administration building, shiny with fresh paint, and a monk with a scythe. All ground structures of the temple were decisively blown up in Soviet times, the giant dungeon was defiled by local residents. The corridors leading to the other side of the Don were sprinkled during the Second World War. Restoration work began in the middle of the 2000s, and at present the dungeons are being excavated and cleaned of filth by several volunteer monks. Here, for example, there was a small stone temple.

Restoration work is underway in the temple. The monks are working together, perhaps someone else is helping, but the work is not going very fast - too much destruction has caused the temple almost 100 years of oblivion.

The restoration of the part of the gate that was blown up under Khrushchev is also actively underway.

bells

We were forbidden to take photographs in the temple, we were blessed only for a couple of shots on the balcony of one of the levels.

One of the entrances to the temple.

The abbot talks about the tragic past of this place.

From each tier, a wonderful view of the Don and its surroundings opens up.

View to the other side

Looking at these tunnels, reaching two kilometers in length, one is amazed at the determination and willpower of their creators.

In the chalk

What was done to the temple during oblivion? You can see it well in this photo.

Around the monastery are endless hills and fields.

Watermelon field on the high bank of the Don.

In the lowland there is a tiny village with several houses, through which the road to the monastery goes.

Most of those who come by car leave the car before even reaching this village.

Russian idyll

Chalk pillar over the Don

Wonderful views open up from the high banks of the Don.

View of the spilled Don.

Passable in summer, the short road to Pavlovsk is completely flooded

Here it is, Belogorye!

View of the Don

There is a cross on the mountain

Underfoot - almost sheer chalk cliffs.

Panorama Belogorye

Having scouted another short path, we arrived at the source. The source itself was closed, but the springs gush out of the ground right in the stream in front of it.

This place reminded me of mangroves on tropical islands.

Very entertaining and educational. There are unique sights here that are definitely worth seeing. Cultural monuments, natural reserves, historical buildings. But most of all attract temple buildings. One of them is the Belogorsky Resurrection Monastery. There are only three active cave monasteries in the Voronezh region. And this is one of them. The caves are located near the village of Belogorye (Voronezh region). The monastery took a place at the very top of the chalk hill.

Mystery of origin

The surroundings of the village of Belogorye have long been famous for their caves. But the reason for their formation is still unknown. There are many legends about this place. One of them tells about robbers who attacked merchants and merchants sailing along the Don. They hid the stolen treasures in caves.

How was everything? Both truth and legend

And yet there are more plausible stories that tell how exactly the Belogorsk caves were formed. Since 1796, local residents began to dig them out under the guidance of Maria Sherstyukova. They were firmly convinced that they were doing a good deed. Gradually, people began to come to the caves. They prayed for their sins there. Some of them even stayed there.

By the end of the 18th century, the length of all the caves was 1 km, and after a hundred years it increased to 2.2 km.

Who is Maria Sherstyukova

As mentioned earlier, Maria Sherstyukova laid the foundation for the foundation of the Belogorsk caves. She differed from her brothers and sisters not only in appearance, but also in spirit. Maria from childhood dreamed of becoming a nun. But the parents were against it. At 25, she married a military man who constantly drank and walked. Leaving Mary with three children, her husband died. The woman was widowed early and went headlong into a wild life. She drank heavily and engaged in debauchery, sometimes earning a living by witchcraft. Relatives, neighbors, fellow villagers - all vilified Mary. She lived in extreme poverty. But one amazing incident completely changed her life. At 55, she visited the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. There she was given a blessing to go to her homeland and find a quiet place on the mountain, dig a cave of repentance there. When Maria arrived in her native village, she immediately set to work. From the side of local residents, she met with extreme indignation. Persecution pursued Mary until the time when the authorities intervened in the construction of the temple, providing the woman with financial assistance.

For 30 fruitful years, Maria was engaged in ascetic activity. Over time, a whole team of assistants and followers formed.

Foundation of the monastery

Mary was persecuted by local authorities for conducting excavations. They stopped only after Alexander I himself ordered to reward Mary with a monetary reward.

Having thanked the emperor, the sorceress dedicated the first cave temple to Alexander Nevsky, the patron of the tsar. The opening of the monastery took place three years before the death of the sorceress Maria.

During the 19th century, the area around the monastery began to be built up with various ground structures. Trinity and Transfiguration churches were erected, a bell tower was built from stone. Over time, the monastery was awarded the status of a skete. Holy Dormition took him under his wing.

The end of the 19th century was marked by the completion of the construction of the Resurrection Church, which is the main one. It was built by the architect Afanasyev. Master Shchukin painted the building in 1916.

Abbots of the monastery

In 1882, the skete was transformed into an independent Belogorsky Resurrection Monastery. Hieromonk Peter, who had previously served at the Mitrofanovsky Monastery in Voronezh, became rector, and in 1875 was transferred to serve in the skete. He did a lot for the monastery. Under him, a school was set up - an orphanage for boys. Until his death, Peter himself taught the children, as he himself was a highly educated person. was an incredibly energetic person. He was distinguished by strictness, but at the same time, sincerity and caring. In 1896, he began construction of a new cathedral, but never saw its completion. In 1916 the cathedral was consecrated. He stood high above the expanses of the Don. Everyone who tried to get into the monastery immediately noticed him.

Excursions around the Voronezh region will certainly lead to the Resurrection Monastery, the last rector of which was hegumen Polycarp. He served in the monastery until its closing in 1922.

The further fate of the monastery

After closing, all buildings were dismantled for building materials. In 1931, the Pavlovsk regional executive committee decided to blow up the Resurrection Convent. There is practically nothing left of the picturesque place. The vaults of the caves were painted with silly inscriptions.

However, after some time, the Lord nevertheless shed mercy on these holy places. Metropolitan of Voronezh and Borisoglebsk Sergius gave his blessing for the clearing of the caves of Belogorye. The project was led by Archpriest Alexander Dolgushev.

The first Divine Liturgy was held in honor of Prince Alexander Nevsky on September 12, 2004. Since 2005, the monastery has been filled with life again.

Revival of the monastery

All ground structures, buildings and temples were completely destroyed. The brethren faced a seemingly impossible task to restore everything. First, it was necessary to clear and restore the Belogorye caves themselves, which carried the spirit of the brave service of the common people. After all, these people so ardently strived to ensure that the will of the Lord was fulfilled and, in addition to everyday prayer, people could serve God in these unique cave temples, chapels and cells, which are filled with purity and reverence, so necessary for a full spiritual life. Their labors were not in vain. Indeed, until today, everyone who visits Belogorye (Voronezh region), the monastery, will be filled with incredible spiritual strength. Belogorsk shrines are an indestructible monument of the national spirit.

July 29 is a special day for the monastery. Every year on this day a big religious procession takes place. All pilgrims travel 40 km along the banks of the Don. The first overnight stay is in the village of Upper Karabut, the second one is in Kolodezhnoye. On July 31, all participants gather in Kostomarovo in order to celebrate the uncovering of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov the next day (August 1).

Officially, the monastery was opened quite recently, in 2013.

If possible, be sure to visit Belogorye (Voronezh region). The monastery is open almost around the clock.

How to get there?

The Resurrection Belogorsky Monastery is located at the address: Voronezh Region, s. Belogorye, farm Bricks.

You can get to it in several ways: by your own vehicle, by passenger transport, by train or electric train or by water.

For those who travel by their own transport from Voronezh, it is necessary to follow the road. There should be about 15 km to Pavlovsk. Turn right at the sign Rossosh - Belogorye - Babka. After the turn, drive another 7 km to the village of Belogorye. There it is best to visit the Trinity Church and ask which of the roads is best to get to the monastery.

The path may change depending on the time of year. Khutor Kirpichi is 3-10 km away from the village of Belogorye, depending on which route to choose. If you move along the Voronezh - Lugansk highway, then you need to call in the village of Podgorensky, drive through it completely, turn towards Pavlovsk near the cement plant, which should be 30 km away. This is the most convenient way to visit Belogorye (Voronezh region). The monastery is the main local attraction.

You can also take a bus to Pavlovsk, from where you can take a bus to Belogorye, Podgorny, Rossosh or Olkhovatka. From Belogorye to the Kirpichi farm can be reached on foot, after walking 3 km.

How to get there by train? Suitable for any train or train, following to the station. Podgornoe. In the village of Podgorensky, you can transfer to any transport that goes to Pavlovsk. You need to get off in the village of Belogorye.

You can also get to the monastery by water. In the city of Pavlovsk, a boat runs (although places must be booked in advance), which transports groups of pilgrims across the Don River directly to the monastery.

There are many ways to visit Belogorye region). How to get there? How? Everyone can choose the option that suits them best.

Belogorsky Resurrection Monastery. Curious facts

1. Some time before the closing of the monastery in 1922, a criminal case was opened. During the proceedings, the investigator, who constantly mocked the remains of the saints, fell ill with a severe skin disease and died. Many were struck by the mysterious illness of investigator Boris Usatov. He was extremely dismissive of this holy place, especially the relics of Mary (the founder of the monastery). Some parts of his body began to become covered with scales. Even the most experienced doctors could not cure the disease, and after some time the investigator died a painful death.
2. During the war, the monastery was completely destroyed, but its caves served as a safe haven for the locals. Partisan groups also gathered there.
3. The caves are of particular importance for the village of Belogorye. The monastery is located on them. The caves of Belogorye are considered the largest monastic dungeon in Russia, created artificially. Today most of the caves are abandoned. Their length from 2 km was reduced to 985 meters.