The skete of st. Alexander of the Svir
Austere, almost vertical rocky shores
of the Svyatoi (Holy) island rise as high as thirty metres at about one kilometre
from the North-Western end of Valaam. In late XVIII century it was called 'the
Old Valaam'. According to a legend, this was the place where the founders of
the cloister lived in their cave, and where the ancient Trinity monastery was located.
Church of st. Alexander of the Svir.
| |
|
In mid-XIX century, on the initiative
of Abbot Damaskin and St. Petersburg metropolitan Nikanor, a skete was founded on
the island. A granite monument commemorating the visit of the metropolitan still
remains. In 1840-1842 a new chapel was built, and in 1855 it was reconstructed into
the church of St. Alexander, supposedly designed by A.M. Gornostajev. It is a log
building plated with figured boards, with a belfry and one dome. The iconostasis
painted by V. Poshehonov, interior decorations of carved cypress, a part of the Saint's
tomb, and ten bells are lost. The hexahedral well and the wooden gallery along the
northern shore have remained.
Near the cave of St.Alexander of Svir.
|
|
There used to live eight monks in the
skete. In 1930's, only one monk took care of the buildings and the gardens.
The rules of the skete were very strict, monks were not to eat milk products. The
service in the church was held on holidays, on working days the Psalter was continuously
read there.
|