Description of the attraction
The famous Spaso-Nativity Church was built in the second half of the 16th century. Similar to many Pskov churches, it is quite small and has the usual forms, although it has five chapters crowning it, which indicate that the school of Moscow architecture actively influenced the entire appearance of the temple. The church is located 18 km from the Pskov-Pechersky monastery, next to the Malskoe lake.
Previously, this church was called the Onuphrius Hermitage in honor of Onuphrius of Malsky, the successor of the Monk Euphrosynus. Since ancient times, this place has been considered truly holy. The incredible beauty of the Malskaya Valley, the grace and harmony of the Church of the Nativity of the Savior has always attracted numerous pilgrims from all over Russia.
The Savior-Rozhdestvensky monastery, which previously existed in its present place, was completely unsociable until the time when the Monk Onuphrius came to these lands in search of an ascetic solitary life. Learning about the desert ascetic, many came here who wanted to find salvation and leave the world, hiding in solitude. Gradually, the Malsky monastery grew more and more, but we do not know anything about the life of Onuphriy.
A modest small monastery located on the shores of Lake Malskoye became more and more popular until 1581. The monastery had two churches, the main of which was built in the second half of the 16th century and was called Spaso-Rozhdestvenskaya. It was simple and did not have complex shapes. The second stone building at the monastery is the refectory church, which is adjoined by the refectory room, which is connected to the belfry on the western side. The common room had three floors, and was allocated for the needs of the temple and the brethren. On all sides the monastery was surrounded by a log fence. The monastery also had an abbot's house, a hay barn, three granaries and a small hut right at the gate. Nearby there was also a cowshed with several cowsheds and a dairy on the shore of the lake; there was at the church and a vegetable garden with a garden. The largest number of monks in the monastery never exceeded fifteen.
One of the best pieces of architectural Pskov church architecture is the bell tower of the Malsky monastery. Initially, it served as a belfry, was covered with a pitched roof and had a flat wall on the south side, in the upper part of which there were four arched openings intended for bells, which fully corresponded to the building traditions of that time. During 1902, the belfry was rebuilt into a bell tower, as it was necessary to strengthen its upper part.
The military past of our Motherland has not bypassed the Malsky Monastery. In 1581, the troops of the Polish king Batory were on their way to Pskov and came close to Malam - the monks could not save their monastery. For a very long time, the monastery was a mountain of ruins. In 1675, the Spaso-Nativity monastery was restored, but under what circumstances it is not known exactly.
In 1710, the church was destroyed again due to the attack of the Swedes. In 1730, by order of Anna Ioannovna, the Malsky monastery was restored, while the main church and the bell tower were rebuilt. After a while, in 1764, the monastery was abolished under Catherine II, and the Savior-Nativity Church was opened as a parish; it was then called the Malsky churchyard. In the small cemetery of the Malsky churchyard, Matthew was buried - a local righteous man who for about 40 years lay on his bed without movement and endowed with the gift of providence. In 1905 Matthew died and was buried in front of the Savior-Nativity Church.
In 2000, the remains of the Malsky monastery were given to the Pskov-Pechersky monastery for full restoration. A new cell was built in the bell tower. In the courtyard for household needs, special workshops are being built for the restoration of the famous Malsky skete.
Since ancient times, Mali have been referred to as holy places. During rural holidays, you can see representatives of a small ethnic group - Setos, which is associated with the presence of Setus graves in the cemetery. In July, the holiday of "Malsky Resurrection" is celebrated, honoring the memory of our ancestors.
