Description of the attraction
At the end of the 19th century, in the city of Ostrov, which is located 50 km from the city of Pskov, the Siman Spaso-Kazan Convent was established. The founders of the monastery were the ancient Simansky family, to which the Moscow Patriarch of All Russia Alexy I belonged.
According to contemporaries, the temple looked especially beautiful and majestic against the background of the surrounding buildings made of wood. The interior of the temple looked especially voluminous and was filled with light. The church managed to collect the most valuable icons, one of which was the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, which was acquired by Pskov residents after the flood in 1851, and the second - the miraculous icon of the Holy Martyrs Laurus and Flora, from which the daughter of Vladimir Simansky received recovery.
Priest Pavel Vladimirovich Simansky, who was the brother of his grandfather Alexy I, wished that after his death a monastery would be founded in his family estate, for the needs of which funds were donated in 1896 in the amount of 15 thousand rubles; in addition, an allotment of land was attached for the construction of the temple.
One year later, on August 17, 1897, the solemn consecration of the newly built monastery was carried out by the Pskov Bishop Anthony. Saint John of Kronstadt took part in the process of the celebration, and Father Pavel, as well as the future Moscow Patriarch of All Russia Alexy I, acted as his spiritual child.
During the entire period of the operation of the Kazan Monastery of the Savior, the following institutions were organized under it: an almshouse, a parish school, a homeopathic hospital, a sobriety society, and a school for handicrafts. The Siman Convent took an active part in the charity process.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the construction of the Kazan Cathedral had begun at the monastery, which had two side-chapels, one of which was consecrated in the name of the Great Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, and the second in honor of the Holy Martyr Paul. Only it was not possible to finally complete the construction, which was prevented by the Bolshevik persecutions, as a result of which the temple was simply closed. During the period of Soviet atheism, the Simansky monastery was devastated not only by time, but also by people. Residents of nearby villages literally dismantled the entire monastery in parts for the needs of their own economy, and the destroyed temples became just a dumping ground.
A hundred years later, in the fall of 2003, according to the permission and blessing of Bishop Eusebius of Velikie Luki and Pskov, a parish community at the Church of Our Lady of Kazan began its work for a new revival of the Kazan Monastery of the Savior. For the process of gathering the sisters, as well as the gradual restoration of the monastery, nun Markella, who has sufficient experience in such matters, was called. In Kamchatka, on the basis of a dilapidated military unit, Markella has already opened a nunnery. The monastery in honor of the Kazan Mother of God was the first where monasteries never existed.
In April 2004, the work of Matushka Markella began. Global work was carried out: clearing debris from destroyed sheds, as well as cleaning unnecessary buildings. Invaluable assistance in carrying out the work was provided by the soldiers of the city of the Island, working daily for the benefit of the restoration of the temple. In the fall of 2004, the construction of a wooden church in the name of Righteous St. John of Kronstadt began. By 2005, a warm temple was built, in which the psalter is read and services are held. In the summer of 2005, the monastery was officially registered; with him there were ten sisters and mother Markella. There was also an almshouse. Every day the sisters prepare food for the weak and homeless.
On August 23, 2007, the rite of consecration of the stone was performed on the site of the reconstructed Church of the Savior-Not-Made-by-Hands Image. On November 4, 2010, the first divine service was held in the name of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan.
At the moment, the Holy Gates have been recreated, walls and two refectories have been built, as well as a singing class, an art workshop, a sacristy; a utility yard was built, the sister building, an old basement was restored, electricity and water supply were installed. Further recovery is carried out thanks to donations.
