Description of the attraction
The first building of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, belonging to the Solovetsky Monastery, was built in the 15th century under the Monk Zosima. Before consecrating the newly built church, Zosima consecrated the monastery cathedral in the name of the Savior, for which reason he decided to consecrate the church in the name of the Most Pure Mother of God, namely in honor of the holy feast of the Assumption. This holiday carries a very deep meaning, although the Dormition of the Theotokos has always been perceived not as a sad event, but as a true fulfillment of Easter joy. According to the Orthodox Church teaching, the Mother of God died in order to live forever, still being the Mother of Christ who corrected death.
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, one might say, inspired hope for salvation, for which the Mother of God was so ardently and passionately asked. At all times, Russian people loved to erect exactly the Assumption churches in honor of the Ever-Virgin. One of the famous and revered temples of the Assumption was the Church of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, from which the first solitary hermit, the Monk Saint Savvaty, was revealed to Solovki. In addition, the main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in the capital of Russia was dedicated to this sacred holiday.
In 1538, the Solovetsky Church of the Assumption burned down completely, leaving behind only ashes.
Funds for the construction of a stone church on Solovki were collected literally "by the whole world." Numerous donations were brought by people from nearby volosts, as well as merchants, artisans, Cossacks, and military people. In addition, the monks themselves and the abbot made a great contribution to the process of building the church. As soon as the required amount of money was collected, the question arose about choosing the location of the temple, but the insular position of the monastery caused many difficulties. Iron, timber, lime, tin and glass were delivered to the island with great problems and dangers, while for the production of bricks it was necessary to look for clay on Solovki and carry out the work of a brick factory.
Hegumen Philip invited architects from Novgorod to work, under whose leadership the plan was carried out during 1552-1557. The church building was built quite large and really complex. In the inner part of the temple there were thick walls and steep narrow stairs that led to the upper floors - it was they that reminded of the poetic and ancient image of the so-called monastic exploit.
On the second floor of the temple building there is the Assumption Church itself, as well as several one-pillar chambers - the small Kelarskaya and large refectory rooms, on the first floor under which there were various cellars and warehouses, as well as a bakery.
The third, last floor was erected just above the church, on which Abbot Philip decided to place a small side-altar, consecrated in the name of St. John the Baptist, who was the heavenly patron of Ivan the Terrible. Initially, John the Baptist side-altar was the only one, after a while, namely in 1605, another side-altar was installed next to it, consecrated in the name of Dmitry Thessaloniki. In 1859, a third chapel appeared in the Assumption Church. In the room located under the refectory, the altar was consecrated in the name of the Nativity of the Virgin, namely in the bright memory of the miracle that happened in the old bakery building built of wood. According to church tradition, the image of the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Philip, therefore, in the place where it was found, the image was named "Zapechny".
The walls of the refectory room still remember all the Montenegrins who ascended to this monastery, from the middle of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Judging by the architectural decoration of the refectory chamber, it seems to be a continuation of the Assumption Church, which proves its important purpose. The space of the refectory room is presented as light, in addition, it is outlined from all sides by the size of window openings and vaults with corresponding lines, which is why the person who is here experiences an incredible inner upsurge and a feeling of spiritual joy.
Today the Assumption Church is active, and all types of services are performed in it.
