Once upon a time, only monks lived on Solovki, who hid here from the bustle of the world. Today, some people come to this area out of curiosity, while others rely on pilgrimage tours to Solovki.
The best period for a visit to the Solovetsky Islands is June-late September, when, thanks to open navigation, it will be possible to sail by sea to the famous local monastery by boat. It is worth noting that those who decide to go on a three-hour sightseeing sea excursion will be able to learn about the numerous events that took place on the islands.
Solovetsky monastery
On major holidays (Christmas, Easter), festive chants are performed in the monastery - they are sung by the brethren and the female parish choir, which is directed by N. A. Leonov. As for the monastery shrines, they include the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Odigitria”, the relics of the Solovetsky founders and many revered saints.
The architectural ensemble of the monastery consists of a variety of buildings, among which the following are worth highlighting:
- Transfiguration Cathedral: pilgrims will be able to see here the remains of ancient paintings depicting the Lord, the Mother of God, St. Philip, sons. Savvaty and Zosima. To the upper aisles of the cathedral, they will be offered to climb the stairs inside the wall. It is worth noting that divine services are held here in July-September.
- Nikolsky temple: it is devoid of any decorative elements, but the main decoration of the temple is a four-tiered iconostasis.
- Annunciation Church: it is this gateway church that is the first to greet visitors to the Solovetsky Monastery. It was rebuilt several times, but thanks to the restoration work, it was possible to recreate the wall painting and the iconostasis (the images were created by modern icon painters). Today, during Great Lent, morning services are held here (on Saturdays). And for visiting the church is open only in the summer.
- The temple in the name of Saint Philip: it is the main active temple of the Solovetsky Monastery, where the monastery shrines are kept in the form of the relics of Philip, Markellus, Herman, Savvaty and Zosimus, as well as the head of the Holy Martyr Peter.
Pilgrimage routes usually include a visit to the sketes of the Solovetsky Monastery - Holy Ascension (pilgrims will be able to attend regularly held divine services; nearby they will be able to see a 6-meter worship cross in red, installed in memory of the Solovetsky New Martyrs), Sergievsky (during the patronal holidays of the skete - July 5 and September 25, a prayer service with consecration of water is served here), Golgotha-Crucifixion (people come here to bow before the relics of the Monk Jesus of Anzersk), Andreevsky (once a year, on July 13, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated here) and others.
