Icon “Inexhaustible Chalice” in Serpukhov: where it is and how to pray

If you search on the Internet for what Serpukhov is famous for, many pages open on which, first of all, temples, ancient architecture, the history of the construction of the city and the fight against enemy invasions, and shrines, shrines... Not only modern enterprises, industrial production, but also the ancient glorious this city has a history. There's a lot to see. No wonder the Serpukhov coat of arms features a peacock. Glory and beauty! One of the main shrines of the city is the icon of the Virgin Mary “Inexhaustible Chalice”.

Monasteries of Serpukhov

There are two monasteries in Serpukhov - male and female - both ancient and both from the fertile 14th century, when Abbot Sergius generously sowed his disciples and the faith of Christ throughout the Russian land. One of these monasteries was founded by a disciple of Sergius of Radonezh, and the other by his contemporary, also a saint, Metropolitan Alexy of Moscow.

Interesting fact

The monastery, founded by Athanasius, a student of Sergius and an associate of Demetrius Donskoy, the prince of the local lands, Vladimir the Brave, stands on a high place, on the left bank of the Nara River, which flows into the Oka. It got its name from the place – Vysotsky.

And on the other side, the Mother of God herself indicated the saving place of Her monastery to Saint Alexei of Moscow. In honor of the introduction of the Most Pure Virgin into the temple, the disciple of Saint Varlaam first cut down a church here, two years later he erected a stone temple, and later a monastery grew up, which in honor of the Heavenly Lady is called Vladychny or Vvedensky.

Vvedensky Vladychny Monastery in Serpukhov

These monasteries became centers of Russian life, theological schools, nurseries of culture and education, fortresses for protection from enemies. Previously, the monasteries stood in deep forests, and a city was built nearby, but now they are both located within the city limits.

Useful materials

Description of the icon

Holy icon “Inexhaustible Chalice” of beautiful antique writing. The face of the Mother of God is completely alive. What does this icon represent? Apparently, this is an accurate depiction of the “Sign of the Mother of God.” Only the Divine Infant is written standing in a bowl. The Chalice with the blessing of the Infant God is the Chalice of Holy Communion. This cup is truly inexhaustible or undrinkable, because its lamb is “always eaten and never consumed.” And the Mother of God, with her most pure hands raised upward, like a mighty high priest, obviously intercedes so that this sacrifice - the Holy Chalice - would be accepted into the Heavenly Altar for the sinful human race. And there is also no other surest means of acquiring for us the love and favor of the Mother of God, as also through the Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Serpukhov Monastery: history of formation

It so happened that two Athanasius took part in the formation of the monastery. The first, as they say - the eldest - favorite student of Sergius of Radonezh, was sent by him to help the local prince Vladimir, who was advocating the establishment of a new monastery near Serpukhov. Having flown out of the “Sergius’s Nest”, the first abbot of the new monastery not only engaged in construction, but also brought here the pious statutes, orders and customs learned in the Russian spiritual forge - the Trinity Lavra.

Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov

And the second Athanasius, the scion of a pious and noble family, came to the new monastery to Sergius’s confidant to learn spiritual life. The abbot tonsured him and gave him his name as a monk. The eldest later left for Constantinople, entrusting the monastery to his younger successor, Afanasy Vysotsky. The second abbot departed to the Lord very young, but during his short life he managed to do a lot to organize monastic life on the banks of the Nara River, and became famous for his miracles.

According to his will, the abbot was buried under the stairs of the cathedral church.

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September

1994

600 years later, his holy remains were found. Now the holy relics of St. Athanasius rest in the Intercession Church in the right aisle.

Immediately after the discovery and in our time, miraculous healings began to occur at the relics of the monk.

Vysotsky Monastery at present

The restoration of the Vysotsky Monastery began in 1991. Here, with the blessing of Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna, a new image of the Mother of God was painted, and thus her icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice” returned, and the holy relics of St. Athanasius Vysotsky were discovered (memory day September 24).

Many shrines are kept here with reverence - a particle of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord from Golgotha, particles from the Nail and from the Tomb of the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of Father Seraphim’s undershirt with his blood when he was beaten, things of the righteous John of Kronstadt the Wonderworker, many holy relics.

Now the abbot of the monastery is His Eminence Roman, Bishop of Serpukhov. Every day a full daily cycle of worship is performed in the monastery, and a prayer service is also held before the miraculous image of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”.

The current churches of the monastery are: Nikolsky, Zachatyevsky, Pokrovsky, Sergievsky, in the name of the Three Saints (in the bell tower) and in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” (in the abbot’s building).

Intercession Church and its shrines

To the left of the entrance to the monastery fence is the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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September

1994

The Intercession Church was consecrated after restoration. Has a chapel in honor of the Praise of the Virgin Mary.

Now all statutory services are held here. In the center is the main shrine - the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Inexhaustible Chalice", and here is a shrine with the relics of St. Afanasy Vysotsky - in a special chapel - a chapel in his honor. Many icons in carved icon cases, a vaulted ceiling with stucco molding and painting, lamps, candles, flowers - beauty and quiet grace.

Chapel of Rev. Afanasy Serpukhovsky

Between the Intercession Church and the Conception Cathedral, a high staircase rises to the gallery of the cathedral. Here, between the temples, there was another one - in honor of Athanasius of Athos, but it was destroyed. In the dismantled foundation of the temple in 1994, the relics of Afanasy Vysotsky Jr. were discovered. After all, he bequeathed to bury him under the stairs of the temple, so according to the will of the saint, after many reconstructions there is a staircase again. And the relics of the saint now rest in the chapel in his memory - the chapel of the Intercession Church, the entrance is just to the left of the stairs.

Conception Cathedral

This is a monument from the 14th century. Prince Vladimir of Serpukhov, after the victory on the Kulikovo Field, dedicated the cathedral to the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Righteous Anna. The Monk Sergius of Radonezh himself arrived for the consecration of the temple. Didn't arrive - came on foot. And according to legend, he lit an unquenchable lamp as a symbol of the Light of Christ.

The temple was rebuilt and completed, but the central internal part was preserved, especially the lower masonry. The temple is surrounded by a covered stone gallery with two borders - one of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and the other, later - Nikolsky, turned into an independent church. On the high vaults of the Conception Cathedral there are only small fragments of wall paintings from the 16th century; after restoration, everything was painted anew; a high five-tiered iconostasis was installed in the cathedral. The white stone cathedral under blue domes is Zachatievsky, and nearby the St. Nicholas and Sergius churches form a single architectural complex. The Conception Cathedral was re-consecrated in 2002.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

St. Nicholas Church is located in the southern part of the Conception Cathedral, right at the site where construction of the monastery began, where the first wooden cross was erected by St. Sergius. During the era of persecution in the 20th century, the temple was very much destroyed, but in the nineties it was put in order and completely restored.

The temple was originally designed as a winter temple, the ceiling is low and vaulted, so the temple is very cozy. Inside, along all the walls of the temple there are reliquaries, both small and larger, both round and square - all these are reliquaries. In total, the temple contains more than 350 pieces of relics of various saints.

All Saints Church

The farthest building of the monastery complex is the Church of All Saints. The church stands far from the entrance to the monastery territory, but it is difficult not to replace it - with a decorative hipped roof, a stone gallery, two staircases, and a massive stone cross. Built in 1896 for the family of local nobles, the Konshins, according to the design of the architect R.I. Klein, as a tomb on the site of the then cemetery, which was outside the monastery. Later, both the cemetery and the church were included in the monastery fence. The cemetery had to be put in order because all the graves were destroyed.

Shrines and relics of the monastery

The main asset of the Vysotsky Monastery is the miraculous icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice. It is located in the Intercession Church. The sanctuary also contains a piece of the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Church of the Intercession there is another relic: a gilded shrine with the relics of the 2nd abbot of the monastery, Afanasy Vysotsky the Younger. Here you can see the miraculous icon of St. George.

In the iconostasis of the Church of the Intercession there are images:

• I. Volotsky;
• Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
• Savior;
• Tikhvin Mother of God.

Among the icons of the Vysotsky Monastery:

• Iverskaya;
• Holy Martyr Hermogenes;
• icon of the Last Judgment;
• Royal Holy Gate;
• Fast heart;
• revered icon In Search of the Lost;
• N. Mozhaisky;
• S. Radonezhsky;
• icon Joy to all those who suffer.

In the monastery, the relics lie in special caskets:

• many great martyrs;
• Santi Optina;
• healers;
• holy apostles;
• I. Troitsky;
• F. Tverskoy;
• Patriarch Tikhon;
• E. Sirina;
• S. Sarovsky;
• S. Radonezhsky;
• the prince is brave;
• throne of Constantine;
• Mary Magdalene;
• Sant'Anna.

In the Vysotsky Monastery of the Serpukhov Monastery there are many relics of saints.

The Vysotsky Monastery reverently preserves:

• hand-embroidered shroud and cape;
• part of the Holy Sepulcher;
• ancient vestments;
• ancient temple accessories;
• part of the life-giving Tree of the Cross;
• altar crosses and silver censers;
• a piece of S. Sarovsky's soiled shirt;
• cup and epitrachel of I. Kronstadt;
• a piece of a nail from the crucifixion of Christ.

How to get there

You can get to the Serpukhov Vysotsky Monastery by car from Moscow to the south, to Tula along the M2 highway, the distance is about 100 km, a little over an hour on the road. Be sure to follow the traffic rules and, when leaving, pray to the Mother of God, St. Nicholas, and Guardian Angel.

In Serpukhov, near the monastery, you should park in designated areas. There are reviews on the Internet of pilgrims whose cars were taken from unidentified places by a tow truck.

Monastery address: 142200, Moscow region, Serpukhov, st. Kaluzhskaya 5/3, Vysotsky Monastery.

From Moscow you can also get to Serpukhov by train or bus. Electric trains from Kursky Station run every 30 minutes from 7 am. Travel time 1 hour 50 minutes; fare 242 rubles. Buses go from Lesoparkovaya metro station from 7 o'clock every 30 minutes, travel time is 1 hour 35 minutes. In Serpukhov, you can get from the station to the monastery by buses No. 3, 8, 20, or by minibus “Vysotsky Monastery”.

Miraculous icon “Inexhaustible Chalice”

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May

2003

Celebrations dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the appearance of the miraculous image of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice” took place at the Vysotsk monastery.

The revered image, again painted by the famous icon painter Alexander Sokolov in 1992, was solemnly carried in a procession through the city. The icon is in the Intercession Church and is always decorated with flowers.

The miracle that preceded the discovery of the prototype at the end of the 19th century is still passed on by word of mouth. When someone came in a sleepy vision to a missing, sick drunkard - a retired soldier, desperate to get rid of his unremitting drunkenness, completely dehydrated - he came and ordered him to go and take the icon of the Mother of God in the Vladychny Convent. How to go? My legs won't move... I crawled. And – a miracle, I crawled with God’s help!

At the overnight stay, the old housewife anointed the sick pilgrim’s feet with something, and in the morning the soldier began to get back on his feet, and somehow hobbled to the monastery. And there they searched for a long time with the whole world - what kind of icon is the soldier asking?! But still, according to the stories and instructions of the dreaming elder, a dark image of the Virgin Mary with the Chalice was found somewhere on the wall in the passage. The soldier was finally healed and did not stop praying to the Lady Theotokos, surprising and inspiring those around him. And he recognized the elder on the icon - the Monk Varlaam, the first builder of the Master's Monster.

Other pilgrims also reached out to the icon, and healings began from the sin of drinking wine. The people sobered up and prayed. This is how an extraordinary image of the Mother of God appeared in the Church, close in depiction to the type of icon “Oranta” - the Praying One, where the Most Pure Virgin raises Her hands in prayer for people, and in front of her is the Chalice with the Infant Savior.

On the icon in front of us is the Cup of Life, in which Christ gives us His Life-Giving Blood. What will a person choose - the Cup of salvation, or a glass? The Eternal Future depends on this choice. And the choice is in the free will of man.

In the monastery, a prayer service is held daily before the miraculous image of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”.

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The glory of the gracious help of the Queen of Heaven through this miraculous image is already spreading beyond the borders of our country. They come from everywhere. Healings are received by faith and, of course, by the efforts that one is ready to make on oneself. Many remain at the monastery to work - to live, pray, fast and work for the monastery and for the glory of God. Much has been done to improve the monastery, but there is always enough work. And working until you sweat for the glory of God is also medicine.

How visions change human life

That year, a resident of the Tula province, who was driven to complete poverty by an irresistible craving for wine drinking, had a vision. In a dream, he saw an elder, and he advised the villager to go to Serpukhov City and there, in the monastery of the Lady Theotokos, ask for mercy and heavenly help in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. Then, as the saint who appeared said, the peasant will become absolutely healthy.

But by that time, the villager had lost both legs due to continuous drunkenness. And without help, and even without money, he was afraid to set out on such a long journey. But the visions did not stop, and the elder already strictly indicated to the peasant what he should do.

And then the man made up his mind - crawling, on all fours, he covered the entire path to the Serpukhov monastery, so far away for him.

But no one in the entire Temple was able to show him an icon with such a then unknown name.

But one of the employees suddenly remembered that in the passage to the sacristy there was a magnificent icon depicting the Chalice. And, indeed, “The Inexhaustible Chalice,” that’s what was written on the back of the icon.

In addition, seeing the icon with the image of the Monk Varlaam, the first abbot of this holy monastery, the peasant immediately recognized him as the saint from his night visions.

After performing the prayer service, the former drunkard was completely healed: his health was completely restored, and the craving for alcohol disappeared, as if it had never existed.

Cases of miraculous help

There are hundreds of examples of the first volitional effort on oneself, at least the first movement towards the light, and immediately receiving miraculous help and support. The monastery stopped keeping records of healings and miraculous cases of help; more examples are recorded on the website of the nunnery, where there is also a myrrh-streaming image of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”.

Here are some examples from the website of the Vladychny Monastery:

My son Evgeniy smoked and drank very heavily. I ordered the “Inexhaustible Chalice” for the prayer service to the Mother of God. The Magpies read the Psalter in the convent. Now, thank God, he doesn’t smoke or drink.

I, M.N.I., born in 1952, living in Moscow, have a son, Andrei, born in 1973, who has been addicted to wine since 1995. I learned about the gracious help of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon of the Mother of God from a television program and turned to her with prayers and petitions for the healing of my son. In October 1996, I came to the Serpukhov Monastery for the first time to pray at the miraculous icon. Praying for my son in my own words, every time I began to get confused and remember my (!) sins, and meanwhile my son drank even more heavily. Then I went to the priest in the church near the River Station. He told me to prepare for a serious confession and pray to the “Inexhaustible Chalice.” After which I began to repent with tears of my sins and ask for mercy on my child. This year, on May 18, I was again at the monastery and prayed for my son’s deliverance from the passion of drunkenness. And since that time my son has not drunk. I order the magpie icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice” and thank the Queen of Heaven for her intercession and mercy towards me, a sinner.

My nephew Dmitry suffered from heroin addiction for 3 years. In your monastery we ordered magpies and gave the sick person water from prayer services. He is now healthy after 2 years of prayer. Graduates from the Moscow Law Institute.

I, God's servant Nina, would like to describe a miracle that happened to me after visiting the Vladychny Monastery in August 2000. I am 50 years old, I smoked for 10 years. I really wanted to quit, I turned to healers, paid a lot of money, and also to acupuncturists. Since 1999, I have been going to the church in the village of Akulovo, Odintsovo district, to see my spiritual father Igor. It was he who blessed me for a pilgrimage trip to Serpukhov to the icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. After the trip, I still read the akathist to the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice” for 40 days at home. And, by the grace of God, I stopped smoking. And also through the prayers of the Mother of God.

The Church teaches in the Apostolic Word: “... do not get drunk with wine, which causes debauchery; But be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord…” (Eph. 5:18-19).

Those who hear the word of God fill churches and flock to monasteries. And the revived Vysotsky Monastery is full of pilgrims, willing workers, tourists - all year round. Construction or some kind of renovation work is going on all the time. Everything is according to the popular saying: “a holy place is never empty.” And this place is holy because it is under the protection of the Queen of Heaven, who gives grace-filled help to everyone who comes with faith through Her image of the “Inexhaustible Chalice.” In the monastery shop you can order Sorokoust for the Liturgy (40 days). Notes are submitted only about baptized persons.

Service schedule, operating hours

Services in the monastery:

On weekdays the monastery is open from 5.30 to 19.00, and on holidays: from 7.30 to 20.00. In the summer, services are held in the Church of the Conception, funeral services and prayers in the Church of the Intercession. The Church of the Conception closes before them. The dining room for visitors is open from 11.00 to 14.00.

Troparion, kontakion, magnification

Troparion, tone 4:
Today we are the harbinger of faith / to the divine and wonderful image of the Most Holy Mother of God, / who has filled the hearts of the faithful with the inexhaustible cup of Her heavenly mercy. / And showing miracles to faithful people. / Seeing and hearing, we spiritually celebrate and cry warmly: / Merciful Lady, / heal our ailments and passions, / praying to Your Son, Christ our God, // and save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 6:

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, interceding always, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Prayer

Prayer
O Most Merciful Virgin Mary! We now appeal to Your intercession, do not despise our prayer, but hear us: children, mothers, wives and those possessed by the serious illness of drunkenness, and for the sake of our brothers and sisters and relatives, heal and save. Oh, Merciful Mother of God, touch their hearts and guide and lead to saving abstinence. Ask Christ our God to forgive us our sins and strengthen us in chastity and sobriety. Accept, Mother of God, the prayers of mothers, wives, children, the lost, those who drink bitter vodka, those abandoned, and all of us who fall at Your feet. And may our cry and cry, through Your prayers, reach the Throne of the Most High. Amine.

^sss^Image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Inexhaustible Chalice”^sss^