Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky stauropegial monastery, Arkhangelsk region
There are no volunteer programs on Solovki, but Orthodox men can come as workers from May 1 to September 30. First of all, the monastery needs painters, plasterers, electricians and carpenters. To sign up as a volunteer, you need to arrive as a pilgrim and receive a blessing. Workers live in rooms for 6–10 people with amenities on the floor.
You can get to Solovki from St. Petersburg or Moscow by Murmansk train to Kem station (from 3,000 rubles), and then by ship (1,600 rubles) or by plane from Arkhangelsk (about 6,000 rubles).
solovki-monastyr.ru
John the Baptist Monastery
The emergence of this ancient women's monastery of the 15th century is associated with the birth of the royal heir, the future Tsar Ivan the Terrible, named in honor of the holy Forerunner of the Baptist of the Lord.
The proximity to the royal house left a certain imprint on the entire history of the monastery. Festive services and solemn religious processions with representatives of the ruling dynasty attracted generous alms from the state treasury and from famous boyar families, which made it possible to build new and rich churches.
State criminals were also detained here and royal persons were imprisoned: the landowner “Saltychikha”, Princess Tarakanova. The monastery is located in the very center of the capital, a few minutes walk from the Kitay-Gorod station.
Divine services are held every day: evening services are held daily from 17:00, the Divine Liturgy is served on weekdays from 7:30, on Sundays and holidays they begin an hour later.
Vvedensky Stavropegic Monastery (Optina Pustyn), Kaluga Region
Both adults and children come to Optina Pustyn to work. For 27 years now, an Orthodox children's volunteer camp has been located near the walls of the monastery from mid-June to the end of July. Children live in tents, attend monasteries, stage plays, draw, and participate in competitions. The camp is organized by the Orthodox gymnasium “Radonezh” (gymnasia-radonezh.ru), they transport their students, but also take children from outside to fill the available places.
The easiest way to get there is by car; the road from Moscow will take about four hours (it’s worth making a stop in Kaluga along the way). You can also go by bus to Kozelsk, and from there by minibus. The monastery has different accommodation options: a place in a shared room (200 rubles) or a comfortable room for two (2000 rubles). Applications through the pilgrimage service
optina.ru
Optina Pustyn, according to legend, was founded at the end of the 14th century by a repentant robber named Opta. Photo: Natalia Sidorova / Vostock Photo
Old Believer monastery in Moscow
There is also a monastery for Old Believers in the Russian capital - the Transfiguration Monastery. It is for women and is located on Preobrazhensky Val, building 17 (Preobrazhenskaya Ploshchad metro station). The monastery was founded in 1771. Then the plague was raging and the Old Believers were allocated land on the outskirts of the capital so that they could organize a quarantine there for their fellow believers.
In the 30s of the last century, like most religious buildings, the Transfiguration Monastery was destroyed. Only part of the buildings survived. On the site of the broken cells, a market was opened, which is still operating. Despite this, the Old Believers managed to preserve several ancient icons. Now they are in the monastery.
Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent, Nizhny Novgorod region
You can come to Diveevo on an excursion, stay in a hotel or private sector and try on the role of a volunteer for a day or two. To do this, you need to take your passport and work clothes (for women - a long skirt, a jacket that covers the elbows, and a scarf) and head to the pilgrimage center. There is always a lot of work, so extra hands definitely won’t hurt. There are 17 pilgrimage corps in the monastery, but it is better to reserve places in advance. Those who do not like large crowds of people should settle in the Ascension monastery, 40 km from the monastery; it has its own pilgrimage building with rooms for one to three people.
The road by car from Moscow - you can make stops in Vladimir, Murom and Arzamas. Another way is by train: starting this summer, the Moscow–Arzamas–Diveevo route has been introduced according to the train+bus scheme, the price one way is 250 rubles.
4udel.nne.ru
The best view of the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery opens from the Vichkinza River. Photo: Photobank “Lori”
Holy Intercession Convent, Sverdlovsk region
Verkhoturye is considered the spiritual Orthodox center in the Urals. In addition to the Holy Protection, there is a functioning monastery, several churches and an ancient small Kremlin. The rules are strict: it is proposed to “leave worldly habits and manners behind the fence,” follow the established routine and ask permission in order to go out into the city. You don’t need a special blessing to work, you can just come.
You can get from Yekaterinburg to Verkhoturye by bus (from 800 rubles) or train (from 2500 rubles), the travel time is about five hours.
v-pokrov-m.ru
The Verkhoturye white-stone Kremlin is the only example of a stone fortification in the Middle Urals. Photo: Photobank “Lori”
Zaikonospassky Monastery
In 1600, Tsar Boris Godunov erected the Church of the Most Merciful Savior on a nearby street with rows of church shops where icons were exchanged, which gave rise to its name “Savior Cathedral behind the icon row.” The modest wooden monastery was transformed with the generous donations of Voivode Volkonsky.
In 1661, a large stone cathedral was consecrated. The monastery became a teacher's monastery, and a little later a Greek-Latin Academy was opened here, which existed until it was transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where it still exists today as the famous Moscow Theological Academy.
The Zaikonospassky Monastery holds daily services at 7:30 and 17:00. There are also educational tours of the monastery and the sights of the historical city center.
It is easy to reach the monastery from the Teatralnaya or Ploshchad Revolyutsii metro stations.
Buddhist community Shedrub Ling, Sverdlovsk region
The doors of the only Buddhist monastery in the Urals are open to everyone - tourists, pilgrims and volunteers. The monastery itself is located on the picturesque Mount Kachkanar - in some places harsh and rocky, and in others covered with alpine meadows. The monastery has two stupas, a temple and a library. They also conduct educational courses here, and you can combine business with pleasure: fill gaps in your knowledge of Buddhism and work on the construction of a temple. In the warm season, you can pitch a tent near the monastery; in the cold months, you will have to live in a common room, and spend the night on the floor in sleeping bags.
Getting to Shedrub Ling is not easy. There is a bus from Yekaterinburg to the city of Kachkanar, the travel time is 4.5 hours (from 600 rubles), then you need to follow the exact instructions given on the monastery website (you will have to overcome an 8 km long hike).
shedrub-ling.ru
The authorities periodically threaten to demolish the stupas and houses of the Shedrub Ling community for the sake of developing iron ore deposits, but for now the monastery remains in its place. Photo: Photobank “Lori”
Assumption of the Second Athos Beshtaugorsky Monastery, Stavropol Territory
The monastery on the slope of Beshtau was founded by Athonite monks at the beginning of the twentieth century. Here you can not only work, but also walk along the five-domed mountain, enjoy the views of Pyatigorsk and Mount Mashuk from the slopes, visit the Lermontov Museum and the site of his duel. In recent years, the monastery has been crowded in the summer; in addition to pilgrims and tourists, many children and teenagers come to the “Green Athos” forum. If you want to work in a quiet environment, it is better to go in the fall or spring. To receive a blessing, write to
The monastery is located 10 km from Pyatigorsk, not far from the city of Lermontov. Minibuses and taxis run between settlements, travel time is 15–20 minutes, price is from 35 rubles.
afon-beshtau.ru
The five-domed Beshtau Mountain, after which the city of Pyatigorsk is named, is officially declared a landscape natural monument. Photo: CSP_zhekos / age / East News
Ivolginsky datsan, Buryatia
Located 30 km from Ulan-Ude, datsan is the main Buddhist monastery of the CIS. In addition to stupas and temples, there is a university on its territory. Pilgrims and tourists also come here to see the incorruptible body of Hambo Lama Itigelov, who went into nirvana in 1927. The Ivolginsky datsan accepts male volunteers and provides them with the opportunity to live and eat in the monastery. Women can also work, but they will have to stay in the nearest village. Before your trip, you must contact the monastery by phone: +7 (301-40) 2-33-77 (inquiry) or +79834590985 (Tubden Lama).
You can get to the datsan from Ulan-Ude by two minibuses. The first one is for an hour and 45 rubles. will take you to the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, the second one in 10 minutes. and 25 rub. - to the monastery.
Temple of the Pure Land in the Ivolginsky datsan Photo: Photobank “Lori”
FOR WORKERS
“Regulations on monasteries and monastics”, adopted at the Council of Bishops on December 2, 2022 in paragraph 6.1. LABOR thus determines the status of a worker in the monastery.
— Before giving a blessing to a person to live at the monastery as a laborer, the abbot conducts an interview with him, finds out from him the circumstances of his life. Obstacles to entering a monastery are:
- minority,
- marital status,
- presence of minor children requiring guardianship,
- being under trial or investigation,
- the presence of debt obligations or obligations to pay alimony,
- a physical or mental health condition that makes a person incapable of staying in a hostel.
— The period of employment lasts at least one year. At this time, the abbot carefully monitors the spiritual disposition of the newcomer and takes care of his spiritual care.
“During this time, the worker himself takes a closer look at the rules of the monastery, tests his determination to take the monastic path. If during the probationary period the worker shows the firmness of his intention to lead a monastic life, he can be accepted as a novice.
— Collaboration is carried out free of charge as a voluntary sacrifice for the benefit of the monastery.
“Regulations on monasteries and monastics”
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ENTER LUKIAN'S HERTAIN AS A WORKER, YOU NEED:
1). Please contact the monastery in advance using the means indicated on the website in the CONTACTS section by phone, email, WhatsApp and Viber messengers for availability of places in the monastery.
2). If there is space, agree on a time of arrival for an interview with the Abbot of the monastery, and in his absence, with the Dean.
3). For the interview you need to take documents (passport, medical insurance and SNILS), work clothes, a set of replacement underwear, and also take care of having money for the return trip if you want to leave the monastery. In most cases, in the absence of any obstacles to entering the monastery mentioned above, and in an adequate state of mind and health, the interview ends with a positive result.
4). After the interview, the person is placed in one of the rooms, he is allocated a bed, a bedside table, a chair and a place on a hanger for personal belongings. The premises for workers and pilgrims are a dormitory-type room for three to four people.
RULES OF CONDUCT IN THE LUKIAN DESERT.
Main part.
Anyone entering the monastery as a laborer must realize the purpose and meaning of his stay in the monastery - correcting his life according to God’s commandments and struggling with his passions. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to have an inner aspiration towards God as the Source of grace-filled life, to always do everything with prayer to Him, to strive to know the meaning and meaning of God’s commandments, to be diligent in reading the word of God.
A worker in a monastery is in complete obedience to the Abbot and the elder brethren.
Attitudes towards food, housing and clothing should be moderate and modest.
In the monastery it is necessary to avoid idleness, idle talk and condemnation in every possible way.
To endure all the sorrows and temptations that occur patiently, without grumbling, with hope for God’s help, treating them as opportunities sent from God for learning and correcting oneself.
Responsibilities of the employee.
- Study and fulfill all the requirements of the monastery Charter.
- Do not leave the territory of the monastery without the blessing of the Abbot.
- Attend monastic services strictly and in a timely manner: on weekdays it is obligatory to attend Midnight Office and Compline, on holidays - all festive services.
- Behave reverently and decorously in the church during the service, both externally and internally: do not engage in idle talk, do not walk around the temple during the service and do not leave before the end of the service without good reason, listen carefully to the service and pray yourself.
- Confess to your confessor weekly and receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ at least once a month. The confessor of the monastery is the Abbot. In his absence and with his blessing, confession can be accepted by any priest of the monastery. The times of general confession are evening services on Saturday and morning services on Sunday.
- Attend the fraternal meal religiously and on time. In the refectory, behave decorously and reverently, listening carefully to the reading offered. Missing or being late for meals is not allowed.
- Do not take food or kitchen utensils out of the refectory or keep them in the cell without the blessing of the Abbot. It is allowed to have tea drinking accessories.
- It is strictly forbidden to bring, keep in the cell and consume any alcoholic beverages.
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Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, Pskov region
After the publication of Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov’s) book “Unholy Saints,” the monastery is experiencing a new surge in popularity. Although there was no need to complain about the lack of attention before - the proximity of the Pushkin Mountains and Pskov made it part of an exciting tourist route. Due to the influx of people, the time of free stay in the monastery may be limited. Men should contact Monk Maxim (+79113697648), and women should contact the pilgrimage service, +79118902163. You can follow the information on the official page vk.com/pechory.
It is convenient to get there from the Pskov bus station by bus in an hour and 100 rubles.
Haymaking in the Sursky Ioannovsky Monastery.
Photo: Sergey Alekseev
Mother of God Nativity Monastery
The monastery owes its foundation in 1386 to Princess Maria of Serpukhov, monastically Marfa. Its first inhabitants were widows, mothers and sisters of the fallen soldiers of the Kulikovo battle. Sergius of Radonezh was the first confessor of the monastery. Here the Venerable Sophia of Suzdal and the Holy New Martyr Tatiana the Besfamilnaya labored.
Before the revolution, the monastery flourished. An orphanage and a parish school were opened here. The beautiful Nativity Cathedral was built in 1505, and is still a decoration of the capital.
Nearest metro stations:
- "Kuznetsky Most";
- "Tsvetnoy Boulevard";
- "Chistye Prudy";
- "Pipe".
Church services are held at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sursky Ioannovsky Convent, Arkhangelsk region
The tiny monastery, where five sisters now live permanently, is in dire need of help. By some miracle, these brave women manage a large farm - several fields, two cows, a calf and chickens. Mother Mitrofania writes about this with genuine sincerity on the monastery’s website. In addition to agricultural activities, the restoration of a monastery destroyed during the Soviet years and the construction of a House of Mercy for widowed priests are underway here.
They get to Sura by train - first to Arkhangelsk, then by train to Karpogory, and from there by car, which mother can send. In addition to work and communication with sisters, workers will get to know the nature of the northern region, a real break from civilization and, if they arrive at the beginning of summer, white nights.
sura-monastery.ru
Marfo-Mariinskaya Convent
The monastery was founded in 1909 by the now glorified holy martyr Princess Elizabeth Romanova, after the terrible murder of her husband, Grand Duke Sergius. Using her own money, Elizaveta Fedorovna purchased a two-story estate surrounded by a large garden to build a monastery. A hospital and a house church were opened here in honor of the righteous evangelical sisters Mary and Martha.
The Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery (monastery) in Moscow is an entire organization that helps people in need, has its own school and home for orphans
Only widows and girls of the Orthodox faith were accepted into the monastery to provide free medical care to all the needy and disadvantaged. But the monastery of mercy was not an ordinary monastery. After time, the sisters could leave her and start a family.
The Marfo-Mariinskaya Convent continued to be active under Soviet rule, after the arrest and death of the Grand Duchess. It was closed only in 1926. Today's monastery is a functioning convent, preserving the special way of life of its founder, continuing the works of mercy of the Great Holy Princess Elizabeth.
There are daily excursions for pilgrims at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is a museum. Church services are held in the morning at 8 o'clock, and at 18 o'clock in the evening. It is easy to walk from the Tretyakovskaya and Polyanka metro stations.
