Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent surprised me with the number of traditions and legends about miracles associated with him.
Did you know? To begin with, the place on which the monastery was founded was indicated by the Mother of God herself, and for a long time it was the Divine Virgin who was and is still considered the main Abbess of the monastery. Learning more and more similar stories about the Diveyevo Monastery, which, by the way, is closely connected with the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov, I had a strong desire to visit here. For those who also want to visit this sacred place, I will tell you in more detail about the sights and shrines of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery, and also provide practical information that may be useful on your trip to it.
Founding of the monastery
The Diveyevo Monastery was founded in the second half of the 18th century by nun Alexandra, the former wealthy landowner Agafya Melgunova.
According to legend, after the appearance of the Mother of God, who ordered the nun to look for the lands of her Fourth Lot in the north of Russia, Mother Alexandra went to Sarov. Along the way, the Mother of God pointed her to the place where the monastery was to be founded; this place turned out to be the village of Diveevo not far from Nizhny Novgorod. In 1773-1774 Mother Alexandra built the foundation of the Kazan Church with her own money. In 1780 the church was consecrated. In 1788, the land near the Kazan Church was donated to the future monastery. The first buildings were erected on it, in which Mother Alexandra settled with four novices. The small community, called Kazan, began to live according to the strict rules of the Sarov monastery.
How to get there from Nizhny Novgorod
The village of Diveevo is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, but at a considerable distance from the regional center. You can get to Diveevo by direct bus, which runs from the Shcherbinki bus station, located at Gagarin Ave., 234a. But the direct bus only runs 2 times a day:
- At 11:10 (arrival in Diveevo at 14:14)
- At 13:40 (arrival in Diveevo at 16:41)
- Please check the schedule on the bus station website avtovokzal52.ru/raspisanie/ or by phone!
- Ticket price 440 rubles (2021)
A more reliable and convenient option is a trip with a transfer in Arzamas. First you need to get to Arzamas by bus (they run about once an hour). In Arzamas, transfer to a bus with a sign “Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery”.
Father Seraphim and the Mill Community
In 1789, the young hierodeacon Seraphim took charge of the community. He blessed to establish another community near it, called Melnichnaya. In 1827, the first girls, 8 nuns from a neighboring community, moved here. The first abbess was Elena Manturova. Her brother Mikhail Manturov, whom the Monk Seraphim healed of an incurable illness, greatly contributed to the development of the community. At his expense, a two-story stone church was built in honor of the Nativity of Christ. A temple in the name of the Nativity of the Mother of God was later built on its lower floor.
Serfimo-Diveevskaya monastery
In 1842, the Diveyevo and Melnichnaya communities were united, and in 1861 the community received the status of a monastery.
In the XIX - early XX centuries. the monastery expanded. In 1885, the abbot's building was built, to which in 1902 a house church in the name of St. Mary Magdalene was added. In 1875, the construction of the huge Trinity Cathedral was completed. By the beginning of the 20th century, the monastery became one of the largest in Russia. By the beginning of the revolutionary events, it was inhabited by 270 nuns and almost 1,500 novices.
The following is prohibited in the monastery:
1. Conduct excursions for tour guides of travel companies and individuals. Excursions are conducted only by monastery guides.
2. Take photographs and film in temples. To photograph on the territory of the monastery, you must obtain permission from the book kiosk in front of the Trinity Cathedral.
3. Leave mobile phones on in churches
4. Women should wear trousers and short skirts, men should wear shorts and other clothing indecent for Christians. When entering the temple, men must remove their hats and women must cover their heads with a scarf.
5. Smoking on the territory of the monastery.
Modern life of the monastery
The revival of the Serfimo-Diveevo Monastery began in 1988. In October 1989, the Trinity Cathedral was returned to the monastery.
The main event in restoring the glory of Diveyevo occurred in 1991: the rediscovered relics of Seraphim of Sarov were transferred to the monastery. They were found in the vaults of the Kazan Cathedral, which was the museum of St. Petersburg in those years.
The restoration of the monastery buildings and the restoration of churches and cathedrals began. In 2012, construction began on a new church in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The monastery is inhabited by more than 400 nuns. The entire spiritual life of the monastery is built around the Trinity Cathedral, where the main asset of the monastery rests - the relics of St. Seraphim.
Holy Canal of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The most amazing shrine of the monastery is the Holy Kanavka . It is a heptagon with a perimeter of 777 meters, excavated and surrounded by a rampart. According to legend, the Mother of God herself gave instructions for the construction of the Kanavka to the Monk Seraphim. The ditch had to be dug by the sisters themselves along the path along which the Queen of Heaven herself walked. The instructions of the holy elder were carried out, but subsequently the Kanavka fell into disrepair. After the revival of the monastery, the shrine was completely restored for the 100th anniversary of the glorification of St. Seraphim. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of believers. Land from the Holy Kanavka is considered healing and miraculous.
According to the Venerable Seraphim himself, the Kanavka for all believers will become protection from the Antichrist: “Whoever passes this Kanavka with prayer and reads half a hundred “Theotokos”, everything is here: Mount Athos, Jerusalem, and Kyiv!” And today, pilgrims walk along the Kanavka with prayer, and nuns go around it with processions during Easter week and on holidays.
Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”
This icon was the favorite icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and he died in prayer in front of it. He healed the sick with oil from the lamp that illuminated the icon. After the death of the elder, the image was transferred to the Mill community, where it was kept in veneration for many years. And after the dispersal of the monastery, the Diveyevo nuns managed to save it and take it to Murom. Then in 1991 the icon was transferred to Patriarch Alexei II. Nowadays the icon is kept in the residence of the Patriarch at his home church. And in the Trinity Cathedral of the Diveyevo Monastery there is a copy of the icon, which also became miraculous.
Other shrines
- The things of St. Seraphim of Sarov , revered as shrines, are exhibited in the Trinity Cathedral. Many of them were kept by the Diveyevo sisters for many years after the monastery was closed in 1927. Today, these tangible reminders of the saint and his ascetic life attract thousands of pilgrims who want to touch the shrines. In a cauldron that belonged to St. Seraphim, crackers, considered healing, are blessed. The saint's hoe is used to touch the pilgrims' sore spots in a cross shape.
- The holy relics of the Diveyevo ascetics are kept in the monastery and are open for veneration. The holy relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov are preserved in the Trinity Cathedral. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary houses the relics of Saints Alexandra, Martha and Helen. The Kazan Cathedral contains the holy remains of Pelagia, Paraskeva and Mary and Matrona (Vlasova).
Overview of the Seraphim-Diveevo Convent
The Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent is an amazing holy place in which many believers believe that Diveevo is a wonderland where dreams come true. This is undoubtedly a strong place of Power, prayed for by numerous believers.
Believing Orthodox people come here with the hope of healing. People who are desperate to be cured with the help of doctors arrive here in huge numbers.
After listening to the stories of the guides, you can understand and be convinced that there are quite a lot of cases of healing!
The “Cathedral of All Saints of the Russian Land” was built inside the monastery. It is so beautiful that you can stand on the street for a long time and look at the decoration of the building with icons. The images of all seventeen holy new martyrs and confessors are painted on the walls of this temple. When you enter the church, you get the feeling that they are also taking part in the worship service.
Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent: Cathedral of Diveevo Saints
The Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery is illuminated with original colorful lighting in the late evening. It doesn't close until 11pm. Crowds of people walk through the monastery, looking at the domes of cathedrals and temples, intricate chapels, illuminated street icons and huge colorful Easter eggs.
The path along the Holy Canal is slightly elevated and is always well lit; people slowly walk along it in complete silence. It’s noticeable even to me, a person who just came for an excursion, how unique, kind, quiet and bright this place is.
Relics of St. Seraphim in the St. Diveyevo Convent
The relics of Seraphim of Sarov are venerated in the Trinity Cathedral every day from 8 am to 8 pm. Orthodox people in a long line slowly move along the Trinity Church. Thousands of people visit the Diveyevo monastery every day. She is glorified by the miracles of the saint of God, St. Seraphim.
Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery in the Nizhny Novgorod region
In prayers to the Holy Saints, the suffering express their needs and pray heartily. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov is asked to heal various diseases, but mainly diseases of the joints, legs and back. Even in rain and bad weather, people stand in line for hours to see the relics without complaining.
After all, St. Seraphim of Sarov is responsive to the needs of the people and human grief. He, as if alive, is always close to those who come to him for help - he heals and consoles. Before any business in the monastery, prayers are first served with an akathist to St. Seraphim, and only then they begin to work.
All life in the monastery is subordinated to Father Seraphim, the spiritual father and organizer of this monastery. His living presence is felt everywhere. People know that he will definitely help; believers and monastics from all over the country rush to him.
Diveyevo Convent: where it is, how to get there
The Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery stores many shrines and prayer books. The holy remains are in the churches of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. The wonders of this place have always awed people. Pilgrims come here to venerate the relics of revered saints. People with serious illnesses reach the monastery, believing in miracles of healing, and often receive them.
In the churches and monastery lie the relics or particles of St. Helena, Mother Alexandra, Schema-Nun Martha, Blessed Pelageya, Paraskeva, Reverend Confessor Matrona and other saints. On the days of remembrance of these saints, a festive liturgy is served.
Holy Diveyevo Convent: graves of the blessed Diveyevo
Every morning the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery wakes up with prayers that are read and troparions are sung. Prayers are held in front of the relics of saints and icons with their particles. Then the oil from the lamps, which is considered sacred, is distributed to the believing people as a great shrine.
The Diveyevo blesseds - Pelageya, Paraskeva, Blessed Maria and others - are buried in the graves next to the Trinity Cathedral. Some relics from these graves were transferred to the Kazan Church, where you can venerate them with prayers and reverence. At burials, you can put notes with wishes and requests for healing in specially placed bowls.
The relics of saints are kept in crayfish - small decorated coffins made of valuable wood and precious metals.
Very small particles are stored in reliquaries - boxes in which particles of the saint’s clothing are placed. Small particles of relics can be inserted into icons and crosses. Of course, the main patron saint of the monastery is Father Seraphim.
In the video - Diveevo (a village in the south of the Nizhny Novgorod region)
Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery: Holy Kanavka
The Diveevo Convent is also famous for its Holy Canal. It is also called the Mother of God Canal. This is one of the holy beautiful places in the monastery, which looks like an open broken ring. Believers walk along it, whispering the prayer “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary.” An icon with this prayer is sold in any shop in the territory, and rosary beads are also sold here.
According to legend, the Mother of God herself walked around the territory of the monastery, and in memory of this event a ditch was made, above which rises an embankment about 3 meters high with a beautiful paved path on top.
When walking along the Holy Canal, you need to have time to read the prayer 150 times. Therefore, people walk slowly, with their heads down, reading a prayer and counting the required number of times on their rosary. Walking along the path, you experience a feeling of peace and joy. Even non-believers remember this walk for a lifetime.
To those who simply pass by and do not pray, it seems that the people walking with prayer are immersed in a prayer trance. Millions of people come here, believing in the healing power of this place.
The length of the Holy Canal is 775 meters. Around are well-groomed gardens of fruit trees: apple, pear and cherry trees. At the end of the ditch there is a chapel where blessed crackers and butter are distributed. True, there are always long queues of believers.
Diveyevo Convent: Holy Groove of the Virgin Mary
Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery: Holy Springs
The Diveevo Convent is famous for its Holy Springs. There are five of them in the village, the rest are located in the surrounding area several kilometers away. Two springs - St. Alexandra and the Iveron Mother of God - are located very close to the monastery.
At the entrance to the territory of the springs there are wells for collecting water and wooden carved benches. There is a stream nearby where you can feed cute ducks. The area of the springs is equipped with indoor baths.
The bathhouse for women inside is small, cozy, with benches for changing clothes. In the center there is a font with icy clear water.
And the other three sources - the Healer Panteleimon, the Kazan Icon and Tenderness - are located within a 10-15 minute walk from the monastery. The Holy Springs have ice-cold healing water. You need to plunge your head three times. There were quite a lot of people who wanted to bathe with prayer in holy water.
And whoever, for some reason, cannot do this, simply pours water from a source on his head or washes his face. Here you can also collect water in your own container or container, purchased from numerous shops located nearby.
Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent: Holy Springs
Temples of the Diveyevo Monastery
The Kazan Cathedral is the oldest stone church of the monastery, the construction of which began back in 1773 by the founder of the monastery, Mother Alexandra. During the years of Soviet power, the temple lost its domes and crosses, and various services were located here. Since 1992, its revival began. On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the birth of St. Seraphim, the main altar of the Kazan Church was solemnly consecrated.
Trinity Cathedral. The land for the construction of this cathedral, located east of the Kazan Church, was purchased from the landowner Zhdanov by special order of St. Seraphim. Construction began in 1848, but active work began only in 1865. Construction was accompanied by many miracles. In 1874, the cathedral was consecrated, and one of its side chapels was consecrated in honor of St. Seraphim after his glorification. Today, a copy of the Tenderness icon that belonged to the elder is kept here.
The Transfiguration Cathedral, commanded to be built at the end of the Holy Kanavka, faced a difficult fate from the very beginning. Fully built and equipped, it was never consecrated due to the outbreak of the revolution. For many years it stood desolate. The consecration of the temple took place only nearly a century after the start of its construction, in 1991.
The Annunciation Cathedral is the newest cathedral in the temple complex of the monastery. Its construction began in 2012 according to the will of St. Seraphim. This temple should be in line with the bell tower and the Trinity Cathedral and complete the complex of churches near the Holy Kanavka.
Holy springs of Diveevo
There are five springs in the village of Diveevo:
- Source of the Venerable Mother Alexandra.
- Iversky spring (15-minute walk from the monastery).
- Kazansky (the oldest of the Diveyevo sources, known since the 18th century).
- Panteleimonovsky source.
- Source of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (half an hour’s walk from the monastery).
The most revered is the distant source of St. Seraphim of Sarov near the village of Tsyganovka. It opened in the 1960s. on the Satis River, according to legend, during the miraculous appearance of the saint himself.
You can get there by bus, which leaves at 12:00 on weekdays and at 13:00 on Sundays and holidays from the pilgrimage center. You can also purchase tickets here. In summer the bus runs more frequently:
- on weekdays at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
- on Sundays and holidays at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00.
To bathe in the spring, women need a cotton shirt, men - a short shirt or undershirt. Swimming naked or wearing a swimsuit is not permitted. You can collect holy water from the spring; to do this you need to have a bottle with you. Everything you need can be purchased in Diveevo, next to the monastery.
Other sources:
What is the best way to get to the monastery?
If you want to visit Diveevo and its famous monastery, but don’t know how to get here from Moscow, don’t worry, the road is quite simple. First you need to get to Nizhny Novgorod, Mukhtolovo or Armazas-1, 2 railway stations. You can do this by train or bus . Then you will quickly reach the village. Diveevo by bus. You can also get there by personal transport using one of the routes:
- From Moscow via the Volga highway to the Gorkovskoe highway, then along the E22 and M7 highways to Diveevo (this route is faster);
- From Moscow along the P75 highway to Diveevo.
Schedule of Divine Services of the Diveyevo Monastery
The monastery cathedrals are open from 8:00 to 16:00 (in summer - until 17:00). On August 1 and January 15 (the days of memory of the patron saint of the monastery, St. Seraphim of Sarov), the monastery is open around the clock.
Divine services in the Trinity Cathedral are held every day:
- 7:00 - Prayer service with akathist to St. Seraphim.
- 7:45 — General confession.
- 8:00 — Liturgy.
On Saturday:
- 5:15 — General confession.
- 5:30 — Liturgy.
On Sunday:
- 8:00 — Paraklis.
- 9:00 — Liturgy.
- 16:00 (in the summer at 17:00) - evening service.
are held at the Transfiguration Cathedral
On Saturday:
- 8:00 — Late Liturgy.
On Sunday:
- 5:30 — Early Liturgy.
How to get there from Moscow
Several trains depart daily from Moscow from the Kazansky station in the direction of Arzamas. Travel time is 6–7 hours. There are two railway stations in Arzamas - Arzamas I and Arzamas II. You need to go to Arzamas II station.
At the Arzamas II station there is a bus station, from which regular buses depart almost every hour to the Diveyevo Monastery. The first flight is at 5:30, the last is at 17:30, you can check the schedule by calling the information bus station 8 (831-47) 418-14
Since 2022, Russian Railways has been selling tickets for buses, the schedule of which is coordinated with the train schedule.
On the website pass.rzd.ru you need to type Moscow in the “From” field in the standard form, and “Diveevo” in the “Where” field. First, you will see the message “No direct trains found.” You need to check the “route with transfer” checkbox in the upper right corner. Then the trains and buses that suit you will be shown. You can choose a train and carriage of the category and departure time that suits you. For 2022, the best option is the Moscow - Krugloe Pole train with departure from Moscow at 23:38, arrival in Arzamas-2 at 6:39. At 7:30 the bus departs from Arzamas to Diveevo. Arrival in Diveevo at 9:00. You can go home on the same day. Departure of the bus recommended by Russian Railways at 20:00. The cost of a train ticket depends on the category of carriage and date. The cost of a bus ticket is 250 rubles one way. The cheapest option for traveling by train is a seat in a seated carriage, about 600 rubles. However, we recommend that you take a ticket for a reserved seat or a compartment, since traveling at night in a seated carriage is quite tiring.
Requirements
Information about requirements can be obtained by phone. +7 (831-34) 3-00-11.
You can order requests by email. In the letter you need to indicate the request (for health or repose) and attach a scan of the receipt for the donation.
Donation amounts:
- Psalter for 12 months: 1 name - 1000 rubles.
- Psalter for 6 months: 1 name - 500 rubles.
- Commemorations without the Psalter (reading synodics during evening services and midnight office): 12 months: 1 name - 400 rubles.
- 6 months: 1 name - 200 rub.
- without removing the particle: 1 name - 200 rub.
Information for pilgrims
Pilgrims can come to the monastery either independently or as part of organized groups.
Organized accommodation is provided only through the monastery's pilgrimage center . You should contact the pilgrimage center in advance (at least a month before your visit).
Pilgrims who arrive on their own and seek help in settling at the center must have a passport with registration information. Accommodation is in one of the monastery hotels.
By car
- By car from Moscow it is most convenient to travel along the road through Balashikha to Vladimir. Before reaching Vladimir, turn onto Murom, and then drive through the cities of Navashino, Kulebaki and Ardatov to the village of Diveevo
- From the south of Russia it is more convenient to travel along one of the routes - through Ryazan and Shatsk, Sasovo and Ermish or
- via Saransk and Lukoyanov, Shatki and Lesogorsk
In addition, many churches in nearby Russian cities organize pilgrimage tours to the Diveyevo Monastery, and you can contact the church closest to you and get the necessary information about such a trip.
Having arrived at the monastery, for questions about accommodation, food and getting to know the monastery, you can contact the pilgrimage center, located in a two-story yellow building near the Kazan Cathedral opposite the western gate.
