Diveyevo Monastery. Diveevo: attractions, photos

Dear brothers and sisters!

From the bottom of my heart I share with you my experience as a pilgrim of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery.
I am doing this solely so that you do not repeat the mistakes that I made and that most townspeople unconsciously make when going on a pilgrimage trip to Diveevo for the first time.

Mistake 1. “Chatting on the road is not a sin”

Having boarded the bus, we, as a rule, begin to make noise and talk about everyday topics with a fellow traveler.
Resist this if you can.

The main thing you need on the way is to tune your heart into a meek and benevolent mood, otherwise you are unlikely to be well aware of what you are going for. To make this happen, do 3 important things on the road.

1. PRAY. But pray as much as you can so that you understand the meaning of the prayer. When your consciousness begins to fail you and you feel very tired, close your eyes and try to sleep. There, in Diveevo, you will have to sleep little and work a lot, so save up your strength on the way.

2.AVOID ROAD CHAT. A pilgrim is not a tourist, hence the difference in behavior. “Sweet road chatter” knocks an unprepared pilgrim out of the right mood of the soul, remember this the whole way. Therefore, you can remain silent - be silent.

3. Before your trip, ask yourself the MAIN QUESTION: “Why, exactly, am I going to Diveevo and what exactly do I want to get there?” Ask for something? Thank? Receive a blessing? Get better? It will be better if, to begin with, you set yourself ONLY ONE task, making it the goal of your pilgrimage (otherwise, in Diveyevo you will fuss too much, scattering yourself on other things).

Error 2. “Who is Seraphim, I will find out tomorrow...”

If you are traveling to Diveevo for the first time and have not had time to read books about the life and exploits of St. Seraphim, quietly approach the leader of your group and ask him to tell you about Father Seraphim along the way. Your request will not be denied.

At the moment of the story, set your heart to the positive - the life of Seraphim of Sarov is so pure and amazing that you will quickly feel trust and love for him.

Try to “establish a personal connection” with the saint BEFORE you come to visit him and then, most likely, he will receive you with great attention.

Error 3. “Meat in your bag, cigarettes in your pocket...”

If you were unable to fast this week before your trip to Diveevo, do at least the little that you are able to do now: give up meat, dairy and cigarettes for the duration of the trip. A stomach full of heavy food interferes with spiritual work.

Give preference to light foods, vegetables or fruits. If you have already filled your bag with meat, put it all out BEFORE boarding the bus so that there is no temptation.

During your trip, also give up the habit of drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and wearing lipstick or eye makeup. There, in Diveyevo, no one cares about what you look like, so just bear with this matter until you get home. Explain to yourself your conscious refusal of bad habits as “a small feat in the name of St. Seraphim” (who, by the way, also did not smoke, did not eat meat and, of course, did not wear lipstick...).

Mistake 4. “I’m not sure I can…”

Arriving at the holy spring of Seraphim, you can often hear: “Oh, the water is cold, I’m not sure I can plunge 3 times, and even “with my head”.”

Thoughts are material, so you shouldn’t say such words out loud! Then you definitely can.
The source you come to heals even very severe illnesses, which is why people come to it from all over the world. And it’s just a miracle that you have the opportunity to get there!

Here are some useful tips.

1. Before swimming, ask the leader of the group to explain exactly how to bathe, how to fold your hands correctly and what to say.

2. Arrange in advance with someone so that when you get out of the water they will give you a hand - it often happens that after swimming a person comes out without remembering himself.

3. Near the holy spring there is an icon of St. Seraphim: before bathing, go up to it and “whisper” with the priest. Ask him for strength and determination.

Before going down to the water, say: “Lord, help!” (or: “Father Seraphim, help!”) and go down into the water, opening your heart to the miracle of healing, and not the fear of getting your head wet.

4. Having entered waist-deep water, do not stand in uncertainty - this will only make it colder - gather your courage and quickly take a plunge! The first dive will take your breath away, but this is normal and no one has died from it. Therefore, you will not die either. Let me remind you, have someone give you a hand when you get out of the water.
3 minutes after bathing, you will feel your body filling with heat. And it’s no longer cold, but hot and joyful.
For vain people with a high degree of pride, such bathing is especially useful, I know this from myself.

Mistake 5. “I want everything at once”

The main bustle usually begins when you find yourself on the territory of the crowded Diveyevo Monastery.
The most difficult thing here is not to succumb to this fuss and not to get caught up in the judgment of other people who, perhaps, are not doing something the way you would like. The temptation to condemn is great here - after all, people like us, people who came from big cities, are scurrying around... Here are some good tips.

1. DO NOT join three lines at once (one for the relics of Seraphim, the other for candles, the third for a sightseeing tour), otherwise you will again knock your heart out of the right mood. First, buy candles and give notes, and then get in line to see the relics. Then you won’t have to run back and forth, agreeing in line that “You were standing here.”

2. If you have not prepared memorial notes (“about health”, “about repose”) BEFORE departure, you can do this on the bus, on the way to Diveevo. In this case, you will have more time to remember everyone you would like to remember. If you fill out notes at the Temple, the crowd of people will interfere with your concentration and you will definitely forget to remember someone.

3. It will be very appropriate if, along with your memorial notes, you order a thanksgiving prayer service to St. Seraphim on your behalf - this will be a form of your personal gratitude to the holy elder.

4. It is best to leave the purchase of souvenirs for your family until the day of departure. There, in Diveevo, the Monk Seraphim invisibly helps people do everything that is required.

Error 6. “On the dangers of Stakhanovism”

Many people think that the more things they do in Diveyevo, the more candles they buy and the more they bathe in the springs (there are several of them in Diveyevo), the more “additional” grace of God they will receive.
In Diveevo I saw a boy who, instead of 3 times, plunged into the springs 10 times in a row, and I saw a lady who kissed indiscriminately all the icons in the Murom Church (not noticing among them the picture of the Last Judgment with the evil spirit in the center). The result is that the boy began to sneeze on the way home, and the lady who kissed the icons came home very upset, having learned that she had kissed the evil spirit.
Do not take the number of purchased candles, bows or icons: go to those icons that you know, the prayers of which your heart responds to.

Finally, I will share with you, brothers and sisters, some information that may be useful to you.

About communion and confession in Diveevo

As Moscow clergy told me, communion and confession in Diveyevo are not a mandatory (but desirable) Christian sacrament.

Considering that especially many pilgrims always come to Diveyevo on weekends and that the services there are crowded, you will not commit a sin if you transfer confession and communion to the church where you usually go in your hometown. (Or decide to simply confess in Diveyevo, without communion).
In addition, Diveevo has long had a problem associated with a shortage of clergy. Therefore, on Sundays and holidays, 4-5 clergy are simply not able to accept all those suffering from confession and communion (I note that, despite the huge number of people, the priests always “accept without queue” nuns of the local monastery for confession, so the chances of getting to confession are and your communion service on weekends is clearly small).

If you are determined to go to confession and communion in Diveevo (which means that you fasted, read prayers in the morning and evening, cleansed your soul from sins with the help of repentance, have recently refrained from insults, condemnation, etc.), be prepared for the fact that you will have to serve in front of a VERY large crowd of people, in a stuffy and cramped environment. About 2-3 hours, no less.

This is probably worth thinking about for those who have heart or leg problems. In this case, do not forget to put quick-acting medications in your pocket in advance.

To give all pilgrims the opportunity to confess and not freak out about the waiting time, you should mentally think through everything you want to say in confession in advance while you are standing in line. And, of course, prefer prayer to chatter! When you come to the service, stay as close as possible to the choir, or to the right wing of the Temple - there is always a priest there, ready to listen to your repentance.

If you are not a very experienced Christian in the matter of confession, do not be angry for the following advice, which I give you, having previously made a lot of mistakes on the same thing...

The confessor should bring to confession not a list of sins, but a sincerely repentant feeling, not a detailed story about his life, but a contrite heart. Knowing your sins does not mean repenting of them. Therefore, do not strive to only list your sins during confession, try to relive them again and repent of them - this is the essence of confession.

Diveevo is a village in the Nizhny Novgorod region. It is known for a large number of monasteries, temples and various religious artifacts that are stored in these temples. This is one of the centers of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians. This village is full of legends; many claim that it is a place of power. Of course, the atmosphere of this place will not leave anyone indifferent. However, if you put aside Diveev’s religious vision, then this is a very neat, fairly large village with friendly locals, delicious pies and pancakes and stunning nature.

How to get there

There is no airport or train station here. The most popular way to get there is with your own car and bus. Moreover, most often - excursion. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to get to the village individually, without a group. We will look at the easiest and fastest ways to get to Diveevo from Moscow and St. Petersburg. And if you are traveling from other cities, then our tips will also help you build the most successful route.

By plane

By bus

If you are a fan of bus travel, then you will most likely have to travel to Diveevo with transfers. The most convenient way is to go through. You can get there by train or by passing bus, for example, Vyksa. Travel time to Arzamas by bus is just over 7 hours. If you decide to go to Arzamas by train, the journey will take 6 hours. Trains also run from St. Petersburg via. In this case, you will spend from 13 to 25 hours on the road there, depending on the train. And then, from bus station -2 by bus to Diveevo. These buses run almost every hour, and the travel time is only about an hour. It is also possible to get to Diveevo from Nizhny Novgorod. Vehicles leave from the bus station on Lyadov Square. Travel time is 3.5 hours.

By car

If you are traveling to Diveevo from Moscow by car, you will need to go through Balashikha, and then along the M7 highway to Vladimir. you need to go around and go to . And then - the Nizhny Novgorod region. Here on your way you will meet Kulebaki, Navashino, and then it’s just a stone’s throw to your destination. Distance - 450 kilometers. Travel time, taking into account speed limits, will be approximately 8 hours. As for the route from St. Petersburg, it will also run through the capital. You will need to drive past Veliky Novgorod and Tver, go around Moscow along the third transport ring, and then the same M7 highway - – – Nizhny Novgorod region. The distance will have to be covered quite a bit - 1200 kilometers. And the travel time will take about 16 hours.

Clue:

Diveevo - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Do you want to know when is the best time to go to Diveevo? The peak tourist season in Diveevo is, of course, in the summer. This is largely due to the fact that swimming in the springs is, of course, more pleasant in the warm season. Nevertheless, in winter the village also welcomes tourists and pilgrims who come to Diveevo for water blessed on the feast of Epiphany. Spring and autumn are relatively calm periods. Now a little more about each season.

Diveevo in summer

Diveevo in summer does not look much like a typical Russian village. Rather, it is exemplary. Gardens and front gardens near houses, temples and hotels bloom with colorful hollyhocks, petunias and other flowers. Most tourists come to Diveevo specifically for the purpose of visiting monasteries, holy springs and other shrines. Services in churches in the summer last until 17:00. If you decide to swim in the holy springs, be prepared for the fact that there will be a line in the locker room. However, if you are not a very religious person, Diveevo is worth a visit as a great historical and cultural center.

Diveevo in autumn

If you love autumn, you can safely go to Diveevo, because here you can enjoy this season. Autumn is a period of rest, a respite from numerous tourists and pilgrimage groups. The nature here is almost untouched, especially in comparison with modern megacities. The air becomes clearer, the sky is closer. I want to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful place and breathe deeply. But don't get carried away. After all, Sarov is nearby.

Diveevo in spring

It is better to plan a trip to Diveevo for the second half of spring. At this time, the village is filled with the sweet smells of apple orchards and lilacs. By this time, new lines of tourist buses and cars are already beginning to arrive in Diveevo. Many people plan such a trip around religious holidays, so if you don’t want to get into the peak pilgrimage period, find out the dates of Easter and other holidays and spend these days outside of Diveevo.

Diveevo in winter

Diveevo in winter looks like a fairy tale. The snow here is very white; this almost never happens in cities. The lighting on the streets turns on at dusk, so walking around the village in the evenings is a real happiness. If you go to Diveevo during the New Year holidays, most likely it will be quite cool here. But, since the air in these parts is quite dry, the cold is tolerated quite easily. The water in the springs in winter does not seem so icy, but getting out of it becomes more difficult. Church services end at 16:00.

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Most of the significant places in the village of Diveevo are located in its center. Therefore, if you do not want to bother yourself with walking through unfamiliar areas, you need to settle closer to the center. If you don’t mind walking or riding a bike, choose to stay on the outskirts of the village. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for accommodating tourists in Diveevo. We will look at just a few of them.

• Hotel "Svetoch"

This hotel is located 500 meters from the Kazan Church in the village of Diveevo. Hotels here have very different prices, but if you take the Svetoch Hotel, then the cost of living here per person will be from 1,300 rubles. This is a cozy guest house with free parking, WI-FI in all rooms, the opportunity to rent a bicycle, play billiards and take part in other entertainment, or just relax quietly. There is a restaurant serving Russian cuisine on site.

• Hotel "Moskovskaya"

This hotel is located near the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent. The cost of living here will be from 2500 rubles per person. Guests also have access to a restaurant and internet access. Each room is equipped with its own bathroom. As a service for a fee, the hotel staff will organize a transfer to the airport or train station, meet you there and bring you to the hotel.

• Hotel complex "Diveevskaya Sloboda"

This is a very colorful place to stay. It is located a 15-minute walk to the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent. The complex consists of several wooden buildings, stylized as ancient towers. Each house has a TV, refrigerator, telephone and other amenities of civilization. Guests of Diveevskaya Sloboda also have access to a guarded car park, a restaurant and two bars. The cost of living per person will be from 3,500 rubles.

You can compare prices for Diveevo hotels from different websites and book in advance at.

Since Diveevo is, after all, a tourist village, many local residents have long realized that life can be made a little easier for pilgrims and travelers. Of course, not to the detriment of yourself. The fact is that many residents of Diveevo rent out housing of various levels to guests of their home village. Depending on what you choose, the cost of renting a room per person will be 400-500 rubles, you can get acquainted with the offers. This is a completely budget option that will allow you to save money and even more enjoy the atmosphere of Diveevo.

What are the prices for holidays?

Diveevo is not a place for a luxurious holiday. Yet, historically, the place is considered holy and highly sanctified. That's why there are no luxury hotels and restaurants, expensive boutiques and other attributes of a luxurious holiday here. Hotel prices, of course, can vary, and in the season can reach up to 8000-9000 rubles for some rooms, but these are the costs of the tourism business. In general, you can relax in Diveevo on a very budget. For example, if you rent a room in a private guest house. Of course, this room can be very modest. But for a budget traveler this is a great option. It is unlikely that such a house will have Wi-Fi, but a warm floor in the shower is also good. To save on food costs, shop locally. In the common kitchen-dining rooms you will be able to make yourself something edible. As a last resort, go to the refectory of a monastery. They will definitely help you with something there. As for transport, there is no great need for it here at all. If you still want to get to this or that shrine in comfort, again contact the locals. Many of them will be happy to take you to any part of Diveevo for a small fee of 100-150 rubles.

Main attractions. What to see

Diveevo keeps many stories about the life and deeds of Saint Seraphim of Sarov and his novices. The attractions of this place are, of course, mostly connected with them. Nevertheless, even for absolutely worldly tourists there is something to see in this place.

Top 5

1. Hermitage of Blessed Paraskeva

Blessed Paraskeva in many ways repeated the path of Seraphim of Sarov. She also lived as a hermit, spent all her days and nights in prayer and, as they say, had the gift of foresight. Today, in the house of Blessed Pasha of Sarov there is a museum consisting of three halls. The exhibition includes, in addition to household items, many icons.

2. Museum of Diveyevo Toys and Ceramics

This is a very young cultural institution, located in the Diveyevo House of Culture. The Toy Museum in Diveevo includes a number of ceramic products, thanks to which you can trace not only the history of this art, but also the path of development of the master who makes these products. The exhibition includes not only toys, but also ceramic utensils and household items.

3. Virgin Mary's Groove

This is a very important place for any Orthodox Christian who lives in Diveevo. What should a religious person watch first? Of course, the Canal of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, the place where this unusual barrier was supposed to appear was indicated by the Mother of God herself. Seraphim Sarovsky himself began digging the ditch. Believers must walk along this path while reciting a prayer.

4. Kazan source

This holy spring is considered the oldest on the territory of the Sarov monastery. Pilgrims believe that the water from this source is healing and helps get rid of both physical and mental illnesses.

5. Spring of Father Seraphim

This source also carries many legends, from its appearance to the overcoming of difficulties associated with the Soviet period of history. Despite all the hardships and injustices of this century, the spring functions and receives many pilgrims and tourists.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

• Kazan Church

This church was the first for the Diveyevo Monastery. It was built in the second half of the eighteenth century, under Abbess Alexandra. The cathedral was built in the provincial baroque style.

• Church of the Nativity

This temple is located very close to the Kazan Church. Ancient frescoes have been preserved here, despite the fact that the temple did not function in Soviet times. This temple was re-consecrated in 1993.

• Holy Trinity Cathedral

This place is one of the most important for Christian pilgrims, since it is here that the relics of Seraphim of Sarov are kept, as well as his favorite icon “Tenderness”. The construction and consecration of this cathedral was associated with many difficulties and gave rise to quite a few legends that local residents will be happy to tell you, if you are interested, of course.

What to see in 1 day

You can see quite a lot of sights in one day in Diveevo. If you try, you can even catch the springs. So, here is a rough plan of action:

9:00 - visit the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. There is a fairly large complex of churches located within walking distance of each other. The compulsory program should include the Kazan Church and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. You can spend up to three hours here.

12:00 - have lunch in the monastery refectory. The food here is inexpensive and very tasty. Try the local pies - they are a wonderful delicacy.

13:00 - now you can head to the Hermitage of Blessed Paraskeva. This museum may be of interest to religious pilgrims and those who visited Diveevo solely for educational purposes.

15:00 - this time can be devoted to holy springs. The closest to the monastery are the Spring of Mother Alexandra and the Spring in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. You can spend up to two hours here, especially in the summer.

17:00 - time for dinner. You can visit either the same refectory, or for a change, visit a cafe, for example, in the Ladya shopping center.

18:00 - you can head home or to the next point of your trip.

Food. What to try

As for food, Diveevo is unlikely to surprise you with anything. The only exception is water. The water that comes out of your local taps may disappoint you. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you will have to buy bottled water.

Things to do

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

First of all, icons are brought from Diveevo as souvenirs. They are sold in church shops at local churches. Near the springs they sell simpler crafts. For example, pebbles from these reservoirs with the names or images of Seraphim of Sarov. In addition, blessed crackers are bought here. It is believed that if you mix them at home with the same homemade ones, then the entire resulting volume will be holy.

How to get around the city

Diveevo is not a very large village. It is quite possible to travel from one place of worship to another on foot; for a tourist or pilgrim without a group, this is the best option. If you want to admire the nature of this place or feel its spirituality, take a walk along the streets of Diveyevo. However, if for some reason you do not want or cannot walk along these streets, you can use a taxi. In most cases, any trip will cost 100-150 rubles. You can negotiate with one of the local residents regarding transportation.

Diveevo - holidays with children

Whether you should take children with you depends on the purpose of your trip to Diveevo. Of course, if you want your children to touch the sacred artifacts of this village, this does not entail any special difficulties. However, if the purpose of the trip is purely mundane, then we dare to assume that children, especially small ones, may simply be bored here. Although children of high school age will definitely be able to take a lot of useful things out of this trip.

Diveevo is a famous village in the Nizhny Novgorod region with an absolutely amazing atmosphere. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to stay here for at least one day and touch the shrines with the intention of healing their soul and body. This settlement is visited primarily by believers, but even those who are far from religion will be interested in immersing themselves in the history of Diveevo, seeing the stunning architecture and enjoying the beauty of Russian nature.

Diveevo is famous primarily for its numerous temples and cathedrals. One of the most favorite places for tourists is the Seraphim-Diveevo Convent. It is known as the 4th “earthly Lot of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The founder of the monastery is considered to be Seraphim of Sarov, a revered saint in Russian Orthodoxy. Diveevsky Monastery is the oldest architectural monument in the Nizhny Novgorod region. It was founded in the 18th century, and to this day, buildings from that time can be found on the territory of this attraction, for example, the Church of the Kazan Mother of God.

Arriving at the Diveevo Monastery, one cannot help but look into its main cathedral - the Holy Trinity, which was built with the participation of the famous architect A.I. Rezanova. Together with other churches of the monastery, this cathedral forms a stunningly beautiful architectural ensemble.

When visiting this attraction, special attention is paid to the relics of Seraphim of Sarov, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Tenderness” and the Holy Canal of the Queen of Heaven. The last place is especially significant for pilgrimage. It represents the path along which, according to legend, the Most Holy Theotokos herself walked. Everyone who visits Diveevo strives to get to the Holy Kanavka and pass through it. It is believed that in this way a person receives a blessing, good luck will accompany him in business, and illnesses will recede.

Another significant object of the village is the Transfiguration Cathedral, which is also located on the territory of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. This is one of the most beautiful churches in Diveevo, located at the beginning of the Holy Kanavka. It was built according to the design of architect A.E. Antonov in 1917 and completely reconstructed in 1998. The cathedral was built in the neo-Russian style, has 5 golden-domed domes, and the walls of the temple were painted by the sisters of the Diveyevo monastery.

Diveyevo springs

The Diveyevo Monastery is by no means the only reason for the never-ending flow of tourists. Many people also want to look at the famous Diveyevo springs. It is believed that the water in these springs has special healing properties, so the place where the spring appeared is usually looked after especially carefully. The area around it is being improved, chapels are being erected nearby, and baths are being built.

In the village of Diveevo you can visit the following holy springs:

• source of St. Seraphim of Sarov. This is one of the most famous and popular springs of the monastery village. As you know, it was previously located in the city of Sarov, which is not far from Diveevo. However, due to the fact that Sarov became a military facility, it was closed, and pilgrimage to these places stopped. However, according to legend, the saint himself appeared to people to indicate a new place he liked, where the source broke through. Today, in this place there is a lake of spring water, on which baths have been built;
• The Kazan spring (Holy spring in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God) is the oldest of the Diveyevo springs. Next to it, in 1991, the Kazan Church was erected, as well as a bathhouse, in which everyone can plunge into the Epiphany holiday. Every year on this holiday a procession of the cross takes place here, during which the spring is consecrated. The source is located in the village of Severny, which is part of Diveevo;
• St. Panteleimon's spring. It is located very close to Kazansky and is known for helping with joint pain. The key got its name in honor of the great martyr Panteleimon, who lived in the 4th century and was famous for his amazing healing abilities;
• a spring in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”, also located not far from the Kazan Diveyevo spring. He made his way to the part of the village that separates Diveevo and the village of Severny. Those who want to get rid of problems with the cardiovascular and nervous system come to the spring. On the site of the source, a building was erected, which includes 3 baths;
• Iversky spring. It is famous for helping to cure children from a variety of diseases. Next to the holy spring there is a small chapel, which was built in the 19th century. A bathhouse was also built here.

When visiting the Diveyevo springs, you must follow certain rules. For example, women can swim in spring waters only in underwear and a shirt. It is prohibited to make noise, smoke or drink alcoholic beverages at the source.

Where to stop on the way to Diveevo?

If you are going to see the sights of Diveevo, pay attention to 2 more settlements that are located near the village. The first of them is the city of Sarov, which is located only 12 km from Diveevo, the second is the city of Arzamas, 65 km from Diveevo.

Today, the city of Sarov is a closed facility: it houses the Nuclear Center of the Russian Federation and the State Research Institute of Experimental Physics. But you can still get to the city: from time to time, tours are organized there for pilgrims and those who want to visit the Nuclear Weapons Museum and other attractions accessible to tourists.

For believers, this city is valuable primarily because it was here that Seraphim of Sarov lived and attended church services, who later became known as the founder of the Diveyevo Monastery. He began his journey in the Holy Dormition Monastery (also called the Sarov Hermitage). This monastery was erected at the beginning of the 17th century and has a very rich history. In 1927, the building was closed, and only at the beginning of the 21st century was it decided to resume the functioning of the monastery.

Sarov has always been known as an ecclesiastical city: it had a square on which temples and cathedrals were located, but with the advent of Bolshevik power, they were all destroyed. In modern Sarov, work is constantly underway to restore these architectural monuments, and there are already first results: in May 2012, the newly opened church in the name of Saints Zosima and Savvaty Solovetsky was consecrated.

The city of Sarov is also famous for its numerous healing springs, which opened on the banks of the Satis River, which flows next to the settlement. The territory of the springs is landscaped, has baths and is classified as a specially protected site.

It will be very interesting and informative to visit the Nuclear Weapons Museum in Sarov. This is a unique place where you can plunge into the history of nuclear achievements of Russian scientists and see unique exhibits: models of scientific inventions, experimental installations, weapons, computer technology and much more. Over 10 thousand people come here every year, including not only city residents, but also its guests - participants in various conferences, students of schools and institutes, as well as ordinary tourists interested in the history of the country.

What to see in the city of Arzamas?

The city of Arzamas is a large industrial and cultural center of the Nizhny Novgorod region. It is known as a church city: at the beginning of the 20th century there were 4 monasteries and 36 churches. Now the number of Orthodox attractions has decreased, but even today there is something to see there.

The city preserves buildings dating back to the 18th-19th centuries, which amaze with their architecture. These are real monuments of Russian architecture, majestic and beautiful. Among them:

• The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, built according to the plan of the brilliant architect Mikhail of Corinth, is one of the most notable cultural objects of Arzamas. It is a monumental building with rich frescoes and large columns around the perimeter;
• Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. It is included in the state register of monuments of all-Russian significance, and tourists not only from Russia, but also from all over the world strive to visit it. It is here that you can see the original work of the Spanish artist Bartolomeo Esteban Murillo;
• Nikolsky Convent. Located in the central part of the city, on Cathedral Square. This is one of the oldest cultural sites in Arzamas - it was founded at the end of the 16th century. In the 19th century, the nuns of the monastery began to engage in needlework, and the things they made were worn with pleasure by the townspeople. In Arzamas you can still buy knitted souvenirs;
• The Church of the Nativity of Christ, built in the mid-19th century, is a snow-white temple in the best traditions of Russian architecture. This small but beautiful building was especially loved by local residents.

The interesting sights of Arzamas do not end there. Those who have already visited the glorious Russian city are advised to visit museums dedicated to the life and work of two famous Russian writers - Arkady Gaidar and Maxim Gorky. In the warm season, you can take a walk through the arboretum, which is located in the vicinity of Arzamas.

Diveevo is an amazingly beautiful village with rare monuments of Russian culture. You can come there at any time of the year and even more than once, but it will still open up for you only from the best side.

During a trip to Diveevo, pilgrims and tourists must follow the following rules and recommendations:

1. All pilgrims and tourists traveling with a group to Diveevo are obliged to:

• Follow the requirements of the group leader accompanying the group
• Obey the general schedule on the route
• Do not litter or damage the property of the transport company (bus)
• In case of damage to the property of the transport company, compensate for the damage caused
• While the bus is moving, follow the rules for transporting passengers on intercity routes: fasten your seat belts, do not stand up or move around the cabin while the bus is moving.
• Get back on the bus on time without making the group wait. If someone does not show up at the appointed departure time, the group waits 10 minutes and then has the right to continue the route without the latecomer
• Observe the rules of conduct in the monastery, temples, and springs
• Wear clothes that comply with the rules of the monastery
• Behave correctly, tactfully and with respect towards tour participants

• Water containers from 6 sources
• Packaging bags for wet clothes, land, crackers
• Small bottle with a wide neck and no labels for oil
• Shirts for women for bathing in six springs
• Beads
• Small towel
• A small pillow for your head
• Cotton socks
• Blanket or thin blanket
• Umbrella or raincoat
• Clothes and shoes necessary for visiting the monastery
• I'm going for an early breakfast if you don't take communion
• First aid kit - medications you need on the road, plaster, bandage

3 . Shoes and clothing

• must be comfortable, neat and meet the requirements of the monastery for pilgrims and must pectoral cross for the baptized.

Women when visiting the monastery must wear:

• In a skirt that covers the knees (for pilgrims up to the ankles)
• A jacket that covers the shoulders and does not have a deep neckline (for pilgrims, long sleeves and a closed collar)
• Closed shoes
• Head covered with a scarf
• Women are prohibited from entering the monastery in trousers, shorts, short skirts and bright provocative clothing

Men visiting the monastery must wear:

• Ankle-length trousers
• A shirt or T-shirt that covers the shoulders (long sleeves for pilgrims)
• Closed shoes

4. Rules of conduct at holy springs:

• You need to immerse yourself in the source three times with your head (equivalent to dousing from a bucket three times)
• Before diving you need to read a prayer “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen", cross yourself and immerse yourself (or douse yourself) with your head. This procedure must be repeated three times.
• When immersing in the spring, women must wear a shirt, men must wear underwear.
• The laundry in which you were immersed is wrung out and put into a bag. At home it is dried and used in difficult times of illness of soul or body. Diving into the spring without underwear is strictly prohibited!!!
• Women should not visit holy springs during menstrual periods.
• Utensils (buckets, ladles and funnels) used at sources in no case not placed on the ground!!! After scooping up water from the source with a bucket, place the bucket on the bench and use a ladle and funnel to fill your water container. The buckets for dousing are plastic and are located in the bathhouses. Water for dousing with plastic buckets is drawn from the bathhouse, and not from the source.

5. On the territory of the monastery you cannot:

• Talk loudly, swear, push, run;
• Littering, picking flowers and breaking tree branches;
• Photograph nuns;
• Engage in idle conversations with residents;
• Enter the territory of the fraternal buildings;
• Use photo and video equipment in churches;
• On critical days, women should venerate relics and icons; enter churches (you can only stand in the vestibule - this is the space between the steps of the temple and its middle part);
• Smoking on the territory of the monastery;
• It’s idly to walk along the Kanavka, holding hands and talking, thereby disturbing people walking with prayer;

• When visiting the monastery, everyone must be dressed appropriately
• You need to walk along the groove slowly with the Mother of God prayer, which it is advisable to read 150 times:

Virgin Mary, rejoice,

Blessed Mary, the Lord is with you;

Blessed are You among women

And blessed is the fruit of Your womb,

For you gave birth to the Savior of our souls.

• When visiting the monastery, you can attach to the relics and miraculous icons:

The relics of Father Seraphim in the Trinity Cathedral

Relics of the Diveyevo saints: Alexandra, Martha and Helena in the Kazan Church

Relics of the Diveyevo blesseds: Pelageya, Praskeva and Mary in the Kazan Church

The Miraculous Icon of the Tenderness of the Mother of God in the Trinity Cathedral

The miraculous Icon of the Kazan Mother of God in the Trinity Cathedral

• How to approach the cancer/miraculous icon correctly: You need to approach any shrine with prayer. When approaching the holy relics, they usually cross themselves, make two bows, and then apply krake. Then - bow again. If there is a line of people who want to venerate the miraculous icon and the holy shrine, you don’t need to stand near it for long
• You can collect Earth for free from the Virgin Canal in a certain place. When collecting Earth from the Holy Canal in a designated place, it is strictly forbidden to cross the fence and step on the Holy Land.
• Free illuminated oil can be obtained from the Church of the Transfiguration. The oil is poured into the pilgrim’s bottle and only for those who have personally arrived at the monastery. There is no need to beg and beg for your loved ones. For them you can buy oil in any of the monastery shops
• Anyone who has personally visited the monastery can receive Crackers illuminated in Father Seraphim’s cast iron pot for free in their bag. You can buy Rusks for your loved ones in the shop. Lighted Rusks, like prosphora, are not food and are taken on difficult days and days of illness on an empty stomach with prayer and washed down with holy water.
• After 11.00 you can eat for free in the monastery refectory (lenten soup, lenten porridge, herbal tea)
• In the shops of the monastery you can buy icons, books, postcards, church utensils and objects illuminated on relics that will help you in difficult times.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THE HOLY VIRGIN!